Battery Parameter Estimation Under Low Diffusion Length Conditions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Single Particle Models (SPM) for state of charge (SOC) estimation in batteries are inaccurate under low diffusivity conditions, leading to errors in SOC estimation, which can cause over-discharge, accelerated aging, and short circuits due to invalid profile approximations at low temperatures and initial times.

Innovation Solution

A method and electronic device that determine the diffusion length of intercalation material in a battery electrode, calculate its concentration based on specific parameters, and estimate battery parameters such as SOC, state of health, or electrochemical parameters using a processor, employing techniques like similarity variables and open circuit voltage profiles to improve accuracy under low diffusivity conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If Single Particle Models (SPM) are used for SOC estimation, then computational efficiency and speed are improved, but measurement precision deteriorates under low diffusivity conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomputational efficiencyVSAvoidSOC estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically switches between different estimation models based on diffusion length conditions. When diffusion length is below the threshold, the system transitions from standard SPM to the improved model using similarity variables, ensuring accuracy adapts to changing operational conditions while maintaining computational efficiency through conditional logic rather than always using the more complex model

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the mathematical parameters and variables used in the estimation model based on diffusion length conditions. By introducing similarity variables and modifying the concentration calculation approach when diffusion length is low, the system maintains measurement precision across different operational regimes without sacrificing the computational efficiency of the underlying model structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If profile approximations are used in SPM, then computational complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates at low temperatures and initial times

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomputational complexityVSAvoidSOC estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different calculation approaches in different operational regions. When diffusion length is below the threshold (low temperatures/initial times), it uses the improved method with similarity variables and explicit concentration calculations, while allowing standard approximations to suffice when diffusion length is adequate, thus optimizing the balance between complexity and precision for each specific condition

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Speed

If standard SPM is used under low diffusion lengths, then computational speed is maintained, but reliability deteriorates due to accumulated SOC errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomputational speedVSAvoidSOC estimation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the diffusion length is continuously monitored and compared against a threshold. Based on this feedback, the system automatically selects the appropriate estimation method, ensuring reliability is maintained by using the improved model when low diffusion conditions are detected, while preserving computational speed through efficient conditional branching

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 approach provides more accurate SOC estimation and state of health assessment in low diffusivity conditions, reducing errors and safety issues like over-discharge and short circuits, thereby enhancing battery management and safety.

Implementation Method 1

determining whether a diffusion length of an intercalation material in an electrode of a battery is lesser than a threshold, calculating a concentration of the intercalation material in the electrode based on a result of the determination

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP4287349A1Method and apparatus with battery parameters determination
Publication Date: 2023.12.06 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4287349A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4287349A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4287349A1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

Methods and an electronic devices for estimating battery parameters, where the method of estimating battery parameters performed by a processor includes determining whether a diffusion length of an intercalation material in an electrode of a battery is lesser than a threshold, calculating a concentration of the intercalation material in the electrode based on a result of the determination, and estimating at least one battery parameter of the battery parameters based on the concentration of the intercalation material.