Battery Pack Fast Charging Control for Low Temperature Lithium Plating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low temperature conditions in electric vehicle battery cells can lead to lithium-plating during fast charging, resulting in irreversible capacity loss and the need to disable fast charging, which is inconvenient for users and reduces efficiency at public charging stations.
Innovation Solution
An automated method and apparatus that periodically assess critical parameters such as temperature and state of charge to determine if fast charging can be safely applied, dynamically scaling the charging rate to avoid lithium-plating risks and using heating mechanisms to enable faster charging when conditions are favorable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If fast charging is applied to low temperature battery cells, then charging speed is improved, but lithium-plating occurs causing irreversible capacity loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of the battery cells before applying fast charging when low temperature is detected. This preparatory action raises the cell temperature to a safe range, enabling subsequent fast charging without lithium-plating risks
Solution Approach 2:
The charging system dynamically adjusts the charging rate based on real-time temperature monitoring. When cells reach safe temperature thresholds during charging, the system transitions to higher charging rates, optimizing both speed and safety throughout the charging process
2Reliability
If fast charging is disabled for low temperature cells, then battery cell integrity is protected, but user convenience and charging station throughput deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The battery management system automatically monitors temperature conditions and makes intelligent decisions about charging parameters without user intervention. The system self-adjusts between fast charging and heated charging modes based on real-time cell temperature, providing convenient automatic protection and optimization
3Reliability
If slow charging is used for low temperature cells, then battery cell integrity is maintained, but charging time and waiting time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary heating to battery cells before initiating fast charging when low temperature is detected. This preparatory heating phase is followed by high-rate charging, significantly reducing total charging time compared to continuous slow charging while maintaining cell safety
Solution Approach 2:
The charging process uses periodic monitoring of cell temperature with dynamic adjustment of charging rates. The system alternates between heating phases and fast charging phases, optimizing the balance between safety and charging speed throughout the charging cycle
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
Enables safe and efficient fast charging of low temperature battery cells, improving user convenience and public charging station throughput by allowing charging across a wider range of temperatures without risking lithium-plating.
Implementation Method 1
using heating mechanisms to enable faster charging when conditions are favorable
Data Source
AI summary
An automated charge preparation method periodically determines critical parameters for the set of relevant operating conditions, determines whether fast charging is possible, applies fast charging when possible, otherwise applies a dynamically scaled charging rate that is optimized based upon current critical parameters (while optionally heating the individual battery cells as long as fast charging is not available) to reduce/eliminate a risk of lithium-plating.