Battery Life Estimation via Low-Rate Charging Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current battery life estimation methods for electric vehicles are not accurate enough, as they rely on voltage measurements and do not account for changes in electrical physical quantities over time, leading to inefficiencies in battery health monitoring and management.
Innovation Solution
A battery life estimation apparatus that charges batteries at a normal C-rate during a charging cycle and a low C-rate during a low-rate charging interval, using a comparator to compare changes in electrical physical quantities to a reference curve, allowing for more precise estimation of battery life based on voltage and temperature variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If voltage measurements are used for battery life estimation, then the measurement process is simple, but the estimation accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent monitors multiple electrical physical parameters (voltage, current, temperature, impedance) instead of relying solely on voltage measurements. By changing from a single-parameter to multi-parameter monitoring approach, the estimation accuracy improves while the complexity is managed through systematic data processing and modeling techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary modeling layer that processes raw electrical physical quantity data and translates it into battery state estimates. This mediator (the estimation model) bridges the gap between simple measurements and accurate life estimation, allowing complex analysis without requiring complex measurement hardware.
2Measurement precision
If normal C-rate charging is used throughout the charging cycle, then the charging speed is fast, but the battery life estimation accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the charging process into different phases, applying normal C-rate during most of the charging cycle and switching to low C-rate during specific intervals when electrical physical quantity measurements are taken. This segmentation allows the system to maintain fast charging overall while obtaining accurate measurement data during low-rate intervals for improved estimation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic low C-rate intervals within the charging cycle to capture electrical physical quantity changes. These periodic measurement windows allow accurate data collection without continuously slowing down the charging process, as the system quickly alternates between normal and low C-rate modes.
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 provides a more accurate and efficient method for estimating battery life, reducing the time required for state assessment and extending battery life by accounting for changes in voltage and temperature, thus enhancing user safety and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a battery charger configured to charge a battery using a normal charge rate (C-rate) during a charging interval of a charging cycle and a low C-rate during a low-rate charging interval of the charging cycle
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus estimating a state of a battery are provided. A battery life estimation apparatus may charge a battery using a normal charge rate (C-rate) during a charging interval of a charging cycle and a low charge rate (C-rate) in a low-rate charging interval of the charging cycle, may compare a determined change in an electrical physical quantity of the battery over time to a reference curve, corresponding to a life of the battery, for an initial state of the battery, in the low-rate charging interval, and may estimate the life of the battery based on a result of the comparing.