Used Battery Replacement Selection by Predicted Degradation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The recycling of used batteries is costly and labor-intensive due to the varying degradation levels of batteries, necessitating frequent replacements that are not efficiently managed.
Innovation Solution
A battery management system and method that selects batteries for replacement based on degradation levels and predicted future degradation, prioritizing batteries with lower current capacity but expected to degrade soon, reducing the number of replacements and associated costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If batteries are stored in a distribution center before being sold, then the batteries can be managed and prepared for sale, but the storage cost increases and the batteries occupy storage space for extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables used batteries to serve themselves by automatically participating in demand response programs. The battery management system monitors battery status and autonomously responds to power system requests, eliminating the need for active human management during storage and generating revenue to offset storage costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms stored batteries from passive inventory items into active power system resources. The same batteries that are being stored and prepared for sale are simultaneously used to respond to demand response requests, providing both inventory management and power system support functions.
2Reliability
If batteries are frequently replaced due to degradation, then the performance and reliability of the battery system is maintained, but the labor and cost for replacement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by proactively identifying batteries that are approaching degradation thresholds before they actually fail. The system predicts future degradation based on current trends and schedules replacements in advance, preventing performance degradation while optimizing replacement timing to reduce labor and costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous monitoring and feedback mechanisms that track battery degradation in real-time. This feedback information is used to dynamically adjust replacement strategies, ensuring that batteries are replaced based on actual performance data rather than fixed schedules, thereby optimizing both reliability and resource utilization.
3Reliability
If all batteries are replaced when they reach the reference degradation value, then the system reliability is maximized, but the labor and cost are increased due to replacing batteries that could still function
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter for replacement decision from a fixed reference degradation value to a dynamic, predictive threshold. By using degradation trends and predictions, the system determines optimal replacement timing that balances reliability requirements with resource optimization, replacing batteries based on projected rather than current status alone.
4Reliability
If batteries with larger current capacity are replaced first, then the immediate performance loss is minimized, but the long-term benefit is reduced as these batteries would have provided more service
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary analysis of degradation trends to predict future capacity losses. By replacing batteries based on predicted rather than current capacity, the system proactively prevents future performance degradation while maximizing the utilization of batteries that are currently performing well but showing early signs of degradation.
Data Source
AI summary
The battery cellar includes a storage cabinet that stores a plurality of used batteries, a power converter (an AC/DC converter and a DC/DC converter) electrically connected between the plurality of used batteries stored in the storage cabinet and a power system, and a server that controls the power converter to charge or discharge the plurality of batteries in response to a demand response request from the power system. The server selects, from the plurality of used batteries, a first battery, the degradation degree of which has reached a reference value, and a second battery, the degradation degree of which does not reach the reference value but is predicted to reach the reference value within a predetermined period, as replacement target batteries.