Battery Management Apparatus for Environmental Degradation Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Secondary batteries used in electric vehicles are prone to degradation due to external environmental factors such as temperature, current, and physical impacts, leading to reduced lifespan and safety risks, necessitating effective management to optimize performance and safety.

Innovation Solution

A battery management apparatus and method that includes external and internal temperature sensors, current sensors, and a calculation unit to track non-use and use cumulative counters, with control units to limit battery use and alert when predefined temperature and current thresholds are exceeded, thereby extending battery life and ensuring safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the battery is exposed to external environmental factors such as temperature, current, and physical impacts, then the battery can operate and provide power, but the battery degradation increases and lifespan reduces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery operationVSAvoidbattery lifespan
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The battery management apparatus performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring environmental factors (temperature, current, voltage) before significant degradation occurs. The system calculates cumulative exposure metrics and predicts remaining lifespan in advance, allowing preventive maintenance or operational adjustments before the battery reaches critical degradation thresholds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously measuring battery parameters (temperature, current, voltage) and using these measurements to update degradation models and adjust operational parameters. The management apparatus provides real-time feedback on battery health status and modifies charging/discharging rates to optimize both productivity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the battery is exposed to unfavorable external conditions such as high temperature, overcharge, overdischarge, and physical impacts, then the battery can function in various environments, but the safety risks increase including explosion hazards

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental adaptabilityVSAvoidsafety risks
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The battery management apparatus applies preliminary anti-action by implementing protective measures before harmful conditions cause damage. The system monitors for approaching dangerous thresholds (temperature, voltage, current) and takes preventive actions such as reducing charging rates, activating cooling systems, or isolating the battery before safety risks materialize.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The management apparatus acts as an intermediary between the battery and harsh environmental conditions. It introduces control layers that mediate the interaction between the battery and external factors, using sensors and control algorithms to buffer harmful effects and translate adverse conditions into manageable operational parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the battery is exposed to extreme temperature ranges and high current environments, then the battery can operate in diverse conditions, but the degradation rate increases and normal operation time decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational rangeVSAvoidnormal operation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The battery management apparatus implements dynamics by continuously adapting operational parameters based on real-time environmental conditions. The system adjusts charging/discharging rates, temperature thresholds, and safety margins dynamically rather than using fixed parameters, allowing the battery to maintain optimal performance across varying conditions while extending operational duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes parameter changes by modifying operational parameters (current limits, voltage thresholds, temperature ranges) based on cumulative exposure calculations. The management apparatus changes these parameters dynamically to balance adaptability with duration, extending normal operation time by adjusting parameters to reduce degradation while maintaining operational versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The solution effectively calculates the impact of environmental conditions on battery life, enabling timely interventions to prevent degradation and ensuring optimal operation, thereby extending the battery's life cycle and warranty period.

Implementation Method 1

an external temperature sensor to sense a temperature of an environment to which a battery is exposed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Implementation Method 2

a current sensor to sense an electric current of the battery

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical current sensing:

Implementation Method 3

the cell has a structure of being chargeable and dischargeable by an electrochemical reaction between elements including a cathode current collector, a separator, an active material, an electrolyte solution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrochemical reaction:

Data Source

PatentEP2796888B1Apparatus and method for managing use environment and use history of battery
Publication Date: 2018.09.19 LG CHEM LTD
  • EP2796888B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2796888B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2796888B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is an apparatus and method for managing a battery that may manage a surrounding environment and a usage history of the battery. The battery management apparatus senses a temperature of an environment to which the battery is exposed, and stores a period of time during which the battery is exposed to a high temperature when the sensed temperature corresponds to a preset first or second area. In this instance, the battery management apparatus may determine whether the battery is simply exposed to the high temperature or the battery is charged or discharged while exposed to the high temperature, and store a usage time together. According to the present disclosure, information about a time domain affecting the life or performance of the battery may be calculated in consideration of the temperature environment to which the battery is exposed.