Flexible Battery Pack Secondary Output for Second-Life Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery packs face significant degradation in charge capacity over time due to cyclic discharging and recharging, leading to reduced energy ratings, making them less suitable for their original applications before reaching the end of their first life, resulting in premature disposal rather than reuse.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a cell module assembly (CMA) with lithium-ion battery cells connected in parallel, equipped with an electronic controller for battery management, which tracks useful life indicators such as charge capacity, cycle count, and temperature exposure to determine end-of-life thresholds, allowing for reconditioning and reuse in applications with lower energy demands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If battery packs are used for their original high-energy applications, then power and energy delivery are optimized, but charge capacity degrades over time leading to premature end of life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the battery pack by transitioning from high-power applications to lower-power secondary applications. This parameter change allows the battery to operate within a different performance envelope that preserves charge capacity while extending overall useful life, resolving the contradiction between initial power optimization and long-term reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic lifecycle management approach where the battery pack's application profile changes over time. Initially designed for high-power demands, the system dynamically transitions to lower-power uses after reaching a predefined charge capacity threshold, adapting its operational characteristics to preserve longevity while maintaining utility
2Reliability
If battery packs reach end-of-life thresholds, then safety and performance are maintained, but useful life is prematurely ended without reuse potential
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a recovery mechanism where battery packs are not discarded when reaching original end-of-life thresholds but are instead recovered and redeployed in secondary applications. This principle extends the duration of action by finding new useful purposes for batteries that have exhausted their primary lifecycle, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining performance standards and maximizing useful life duration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent赋予s the battery pack multiple functions across different lifecycle stages. Initially serving high-power applications, the same battery pack is later deployed in lower-power secondary applications, making it multi-functional throughout its extended lifecycle. This universality allows the battery to maintain reliability standards while serving different purposes, thereby extending its overall useful life
3Ease of operation
If secondary power output is always enabled, then accessory power availability is maximized, but energy waste and inefficiency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic control mechanism for the secondary power output that adapts its state based on system conditions. Rather than being statically always-on or always-off, the secondary output dynamically transitions between enabled and disabled states based on charge capacity thresholds and operational needs, thereby optimizing both accessibility and energy efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback control where the state of the secondary power output is determined by monitoring battery charge capacity and operational status. The system continuously assesses current conditions and adjusts the secondary output state accordingly, enabling accessory power when appropriate and disabling it to prevent energy waste, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and energy loss
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack includes a cell module assembly, a primary power output, and a secondary output connector. The cell module assembly includes several lithium-ion battery cells connected in parallel. The primary power output includes a pair of terminals for connection to equipment to be powered by the battery pack. The secondary output connector includes a secondary power output for connection to equipment to be powered by the battery pack and includes an enable input. The primary power output is configured to supply electrical power at a voltage higher than the secondary power output connector. The secondary power output is controllable through the enable input to selectively supply electrical power from the secondary power output.