Vehicle Battery Discharge Modeling for Softening Deterioration Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining battery softening deterioration in vehicles inaccurately estimate the lifetime discharge amount due to the use of a uniform discharge pattern, deviating from actual discharge patterns in real-world usage.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle power supply system that includes an acquisition unit to gather discharge information, a derivation unit to calculate a current lifetime discharge amount based on discharge depth correlations, and a calculation unit to determine the softening deterioration state using a battery management device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a single-piece test with constant discharge pattern is used to estimate battery lifetime, then the test procedure is simple, but the estimation accuracy deviates from actual usage patterns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetest procedure simplicityVSAvoidlifetime discharge amount estimation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static, constant discharge pattern of traditional single-piece tests into a dynamic discharge pattern that varies over time to match actual usage conditions. The discharge current is adjusted based on elapsed time and accumulated discharge amount, creating a realistic simulation of vehicle battery usage that improves estimation accuracy while maintaining test simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the discharge parameters (current, voltage, time) during the test to reflect actual usage patterns. By varying the discharge current based on elapsed time and accumulated discharge amount, the test accurately simulates real-world conditions without requiring complex multiple-test procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If constant discharge pattern is used in battery testing, then the test conditions are easy to control, but the data does not reflect actual vehicle usage patterns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetest condition controlVSAvoidsoftening deterioration determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic test conditions where discharge current varies with elapsed time and accumulated discharge amount. This dynamic approach maintains ease of operation through automated control while producing reliable data that accurately reflects actual vehicle usage patterns and softening deterioration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses feedback mechanisms where the discharge current is continuously adjusted based on elapsed time and accumulated discharge amount measurements. This feedback loop ensures test conditions remain easy to control while accurately simulating real-world usage patterns for reliable deterioration assessment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12618908B2Vehicle power supply system

Publication Date: 2026.05.05 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A vehicle power supply system including a battery that supplies electric power to an in-vehicle load, comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires information on discharging of a battery; a derivation unit that derives a current life discharge amount of the battery based on information on discharging of the battery acquired by the acquisition unit and a correlation between a discharge depth of the battery and a life discharge amount; and an calculation unit that calculates data related to determination of a softening deterioration state of the battery based on the current life discharge amount of the battery derived by the derivation unit and information on discharging of the battery acquired by the acquisition unit.