Battery Cell Diagnosis Using Intermittent Electric Stimulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery diagnosis methods face challenges in accurately and efficiently determining the internal state of a battery cell due to polarization issues caused by high-level electric stimulation, which compromises diagnostic accuracy and prolongs the time required for obtaining full-cell profiles.

Innovation Solution

A battery diagnosis method and apparatus that employs an intermittent application procedure of electric stimulation, alternating between application and removal, to reduce polarization and efficiently generate diagnostic information on charge/discharge performance by analyzing the correspondence between capacity and voltage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high-level electric stimulation is applied to obtain full-cell profile quickly, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to severe polarization phenomenon

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime to obtain full-cell profileVSAvoiddiagnostic accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

executing an intermittent application procedure of electric stimulation in which application and removal of electric stimulation are alternately repeated

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Measurement precision

If low-level electric stimulation is applied to minimize polarization, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to excessive time required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoidtime to obtain full-cell profile
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by using periodic action to switch between high-level stimulation (for speed) and rest periods (for precision). Instead of continuously applying low-level stimulation, the system periodically applies high-level stimulation followed by rest periods, thereby achieving both objectives: fast data acquisition during application periods and reduced polarization during rest periods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by conducting a preliminary full-cell profile measurement using low-level electric stimulation to establish baseline relationship data between capacity and voltage. This preliminary measurement ensures diagnostic accuracy is maintained while the subsequent intermittent high-level stimulation procedure accelerates the overall process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach allows for high-level electric stimulation without compromising diagnostic accuracy, reducing the time needed to obtain relationship data, and providing detailed diagnostic information on battery cell performance.

Implementation Method 1

polarization (or overpotential) that causes a decrease in diagnostic accuracy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolarization: Polarisation

Data Source

PatentEP4641237A1Battery diagnosis method and battery diagnosis apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4641237A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4641237A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4641237A1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

Disclosed is a battery diagnosis method and a battery diagnosis apparatus. The battery diagnosis method includes performing an intermittent application procedure of electric stimulation to a battery cell, obtaining state history data of the battery cell corresponding to a state change period until an electric state of the battery cell reaches a second state from a first state, generating a measurement full-cell profile representing a correspondence between a capacity and a voltage of the battery cell based on the state history data, and generating first diagnostic information including at least one diagnostic factor related to charge/discharge performance of the battery cell by analyzing the measurement full-cell profile.