Battery Identification by Magnetic Field Sensing Without Added Tags

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery identification methods require attaching components like resistors or IC chips, which increase costs and can be imitated, leading to incorrect identification of battery type.

Innovation Solution

A battery identification device that applies a specific current to the battery using probes, measures the generated magnetic field distribution, and compares it with stored magnetic field information to identify the battery type without attaching components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a component such as a resistor or an IC chip is attached to a battery for identification, then battery type identification can be performed, but costs increase and the risk of incorrect identification arises when components are imitated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery identification accuracyVSAvoidadditional components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the identification function from external components (resistors, IC chips) and embeds it within the battery structure itself. The battery case incorporates identification features directly, eliminating the need for separate identification components while maintaining reliable identification capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The battery structure serves dual purposes: it contains the electrochemical cells and simultaneously provides identification features. The battery case's geometric characteristics, such as curvature radius ratios or shape parameters, encode identification information, allowing the battery to identify itself without external components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a component such as a resistor or an IC chip is attached to a battery for identification, then battery type identification can be performed, but costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery identification accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the identification function from external components (resistors, IC chips) and embeds it within the battery structure itself. The battery case incorporates identification features directly, eliminating the need for separate identification components while maintaining reliable identification capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the identification function with the battery case structure. The same physical structure that contains the battery cells also provides the identification features through its geometric characteristics, combining multiple functions into a single integrated component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If a component such as a resistor or an IC chip is attached to a battery for identification, then battery type identification can be performed, but the component may be attached to an unintended battery leading to incorrect identification

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery identification accuracyVSAvoidrisk of incorrect identification

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The battery structure serves dual purposes: it contains the electrochemical cells and simultaneously provides identification features. The battery case's geometric characteristics, such as curvature radius ratios or shape parameters, encode identification information, allowing the battery to identify itself without external components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses asymmetric geometric characteristics of the battery case, such as different curvature radius ratios between adjacent surfaces or specific shape parameters, to create unique identification signatures. These asymmetric features are inherent to the battery design and cannot be easily replicated or misapplied.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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

Non-destructive and non-invasive identification of battery type is achieved, eliminating the need for additional components and reducing the risk of incorrect identification.

Implementation Method 1

a first probe for applying current to the battery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a second probe for measuring a magnetic field generated around the battery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field measurement: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP4451419B1Battery identification device, battery identification method, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2026.03.11 YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORP

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AI summary

A battery identification device for identifying a battery including a plurality of battery cells includes: a magnetic field measurer configured to measure a magnetic field which is generated by a current flowing in the battery; and a reader configured to read information on identity between both results which is determined by comparing a measurement result of the measured magnetic field with a prescribed value of magnetic field information correlated with the type of a battery.