Battery Pack SOC Adjustment via Wireless Remote Discharge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery packs require cumbersome and time-consuming manual processes to manage state of charge (SOC) during storage, transportation, and disposal, leading to potential damage, leakage, and explosion risks, which shorten battery lifespan and increase maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

A battery pack with wireless communication capabilities, including a communication unit, SOC estimation unit, control unit, and SOC adjustment unit, allows for remote management by an external device. The battery pack can be awakened by a wake-up signal, and its SOC can be adjusted through a discharge resistor with variable resistance to match specific situations during transportation, storage, or disposal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual measurement and discharge methods are used to manage battery pack SOC, then SOC control can be achieved, but the process becomes very cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSOC management operationVSAvoidTime required for SOC control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack is equipped with a communication unit that enables it to autonomously transmit SOC information and receive control signals without requiring manual connection of measuring devices. The system can automatically discharge the battery pack by controlling the discharge circuit based on received instructions, making the battery pack self-sufficient in SOC management operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical connection method (physically connecting measuring devices to each battery pack) with wireless communication technology. The communication unit transmits voltage and SOC data wirelessly to external devices, eliminating the need for manual physical connections and significantly reducing the time and complexity of SOC management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Duration of action of moving object

If battery pack is stored for long time under full charge condition, then it is ready for immediate use, but damage to battery pack may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveBattery readinessVSAvoidBattery pack safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary SOC adjustment before long-term storage by receiving a target SOC value from an external device and automatically discharging the battery pack to the appropriate level. This preliminary action prevents potential damage that would occur if the battery were stored in a full charge state, while still maintaining readiness for future use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The communication unit continuously transmits the battery pack's SOC information to external devices, enabling real-time monitoring and feedback control. Based on this feedback, the system can automatically adjust the discharge level to maintain the battery pack in a safe SOC range during storage, preventing both overcharge damage and ensuring readiness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Object-affected harmful factors

If individual battery packs are connected to system for discharge, then SOC can be lowered, but it takes very long time to discharge each battery pack

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveHigh SOC riskVSAvoidDischarge speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The external device serves multiple functions: it acts as a monitoring station that receives SOC data from multiple battery packs simultaneously, a control center that determines target SOC values based on storage conditions, and a discharge controller that manages the discharge process. This multi-functional approach enables efficient management of multiple battery packs without requiring individual manual operations for each pack.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution enables automatic and efficient management of battery pack SOC in specific situations, reducing the time and effort required for SOC control, minimizing risks of damage or explosion, and extending battery lifespan while lowering maintenance costs.

Implementation Method 1

an SOC adjustment unit configured to adjust the SOC of the battery according to the SOC adjustment signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOhm's Law: Ohm's Law

Data Source

PatentUS20250038545A1Battery pack, and apparatus and method for managing same

Publication Date: 2025.01.30 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

An aspect of the present disclosure includes a battery pack including a battery including a plurality of chargeable and dischargeable battery cells, a communication unit configured to transmit an initial state of charge (SOC) of the battery to an external device and receive a target SOC from the external device, an SOC estimation unit configured to estimate an SOC of the battery, a control unit configured to output an SOC adjustment signal for adjusting the SOC of the battery according to the target SOC, and an SOC adjustment unit configured to adjust the SOC of the battery according to the SOC adjustment signal.