Battery Pack Relay Failure Blocking via Starter Battery Discharge
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Relays in battery packs can fail due to internal or environmental defects, leading to uncontrolled battery module output and potential safety issues for vehicle occupants, as existing dual relay structures do not adequately address the risk of all relays failing simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that include a battery module, a relay, an actuator operated by a starter battery, and a processor. The processor monitors the battery module and detects relay failures, controlling the actuator to discharge the starter battery and prevent vehicle ignition when a relay failure is detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dual relay structure is used to control battery module output, then the reliability of relay control is improved, but the risk of simultaneous failure of all relays still exists and can cause safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an actuator as an intermediary component that physically blocks the relay from the battery module output. This mechanical blockage mechanism serves as a backup safety measure that operates independently of the relay's electrical control, preventing uncontrolled power output even when the relay fails
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs beforehand cushioning by detecting relay failure conditions through the processor and proactively activating the actuator to block the relay. This preventive action occurs before any potential safety incident can occur, cushioning against the harmful effects of relay failure
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the actuator is controlled to block relay output when failure is detected, then safety is improved by preventing uncontrolled power output, but the device complexity increases due to additional components and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The processor serves multiple functions: it monitors battery module operation, detects relay failures, and controls the actuator. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while still achieving the safety improvement
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the actuator operates by discharging the starter battery, then the ability to block relay output is improved, but the loss of energy from the starter battery increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator operates using partial discharge of the starter battery rather than complete depletion. This partial action provides sufficient energy to activate the actuator and block the relay, preventing catastrophic failure while avoiding excessive energy loss that would occur with complete battery discharge
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for protecting a battery pack, and the technical object to be achieved is to provide an apparatus and method for protecting a battery pack in which, when a vehicle is started, the ignition of the vehicle may be stably turned off in response to a failure of a battery pack and a relay, and passengers and the vehicle may be protected from accidents. To this end, the apparatus of the present disclosure includes a battery module, a relay configured to allow an output of the battery module to be applied as a load of a vehicle or block the output of the battery module, an actuator operated by power supplied from a starter battery, and a processor configured to, when a start signal is input, monitor the battery module and detect a failure of the relay, and when the relay fails, control the actuator to operate to discharge the starter battery and block a start of the vehicle.