Battery Charge-Discharge Rate Control for Longer Cell Lifespan

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery technologies do not effectively address the issue of battery lifespan, leading to premature degradation during charging and discharging processes.

Innovation Solution

A battery control apparatus with a memory unit to store criterion voltages, a measuring unit to measure battery voltage, and a processor to compare and adjust charging and discharging C-rates based on these voltages, implementing rapid, normal, and idle controls to manage battery deterioration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If battery charging/discharging is controlled based on voltage alone, then control simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision and reliability are insufficient due to voltage saturation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol simplicityVSAvoidstate of charge measurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple measurement parameters (voltage, current, temperature) into a comprehensive state of charge determination system. The battery management controller integrates data from voltage detection units, current detection units, and temperature detection units to accurately determine state of charge, avoiding reliance on voltage alone which becomes saturated at extreme states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The battery management controller performs multiple functions: it manages charging/discharging based on state of charge, monitors temperature, detects current, and controls heating elements. This multi-functional approach allows precise state of charge measurement while maintaining systematic control simplicity through a single controller coordinating all parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If lithium plating is prevented by controlling charging rates, then battery safety and lifespan are improved, but charging speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery safety and lifespanVSAvoidcharging speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic charging rate adjustment based on real-time state of charge, temperature, and current conditions. The controller dynamically modifies charging parameters to prevent lithium plating at critical states while allowing higher charging rates when conditions are safe, thus balancing safety with charging speed without using complex hardware modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If multiple parameters (voltage, current, temperature) are monitored simultaneously, then state of charge measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestate of charge measurement precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery management controller is designed as a multi-functional device that simultaneously performs voltage measurement, current measurement, temperature monitoring, state of charge calculation, and charging/discharging control. By consolidating these functions into a single controller rather than separate devices, the system achieves high measurement precision without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4329140B1Battery control apparatus and method
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4329140B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4329140B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4329140B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Disclosed is an effective charging and discharging control technology capable of improving the lifespan of a battery. The battery control apparatus includes a memory unit configured to store a criterion voltage for a battery; a measuring unit configured to measure a voltage of the battery during a charging or discharging process of the battery; and a processor configured to compare the measured voltage and the criterion voltage during the charging or discharging process of the battery and change a charging C-rate or a discharging C-rate for the battery when the measured voltage corresponds to the criterion voltage.