Battery Discharge Sequence Using Reverse Voltage for Safe Disassembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for discharging secondary batteries, especially for vehicles, face challenges in safely and efficiently recovering electrical energy and achieving a completely discharged state, which is crucial for safe disassembly and metal recovery, as natural discharge methods can be unsafe and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A discharge method involving two steps: the first step discharges the battery using a power converter with a voltage of 2.5 to 4V and current of 0.3 C or more until the state of charge is 0, followed by a second step applying a reverse voltage of 0 to 3V, with currents ranging from 0.05 to 1 C, to create a short circuit and ensure complete discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If natural discharge method by immersing battery in aqueous chemical solution is used, then battery can be discharged, but voltage recovery occurs after discharge making it unsafe and manual disassembly becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a first discharge step using a power converter to discharge the battery to a low voltage state (2.5-3V) before the natural discharge process. This preliminary discharge prevents the voltage recovery hazard that occurs when batteries are discharged to 0V and then left to naturally discharge, as the battery voltage remains in a safe range throughout the subsequent natural discharge period.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the voltage parameter control strategy by maintaining battery voltage within a specific safe range (2.5-3V) during discharge rather than allowing it to drop to 0V. The power converter dynamically adjusts discharge parameters to keep voltage within this controlled range, preventing the voltage recovery phenomenon that creates safety hazards while ensuring complete energy discharge for metal recovery.
2Loss of energy
If battery is discharged to 0V using electrical load, then energy is discharged, but voltage recovers to 2.5V making manual disassembly difficult and unsafe
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs a preliminary discharge action using a power converter to reduce battery voltage to a safe level (2.5-3V) before manual disassembly is required. This preliminary action ensures that even if voltage recovery occurs during subsequent natural discharge, the voltage remains in a safe range that does not threaten operator safety during manual disassembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The power converter acts as an intermediary device between the battery and the natural discharge process. It controls the discharge parameters to maintain voltage within a safe range, mediating between the need for complete energy discharge and the requirement for operator safety during manual disassembly. The power converter translates the battery's energy into a controlled discharge process that achieves both goals.
3Power
If high voltage (800V) automotive battery is used, then driving efficiency is improved, but discharge safety and complete energy recovery becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using a power converter to perform the initial discharge of high-voltage automotive batteries to a safe voltage level (2.5-3V) before natural discharge. This preliminary discharge step is particularly important for high-voltage systems where the risk of voltage recovery creating safety hazards is greater. The power converter rapidly reduces voltage from 800V to the safe range, ensuring that subsequent natural discharge does not create safety threats.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the voltage parameter control approach by implementing a two-stage discharge process: first using a power converter to discharge to a controlled low voltage range (2.5-3V), then allowing natural discharge. This parameter control strategy enables safe handling of high-voltage automotive batteries while ensuring complete energy recovery, transforming the unsafe 0V discharge approach into a controlled process that maintains safety throughout.
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 method securely recovers and recycles electrical energy, ensuring an electrically safe state by achieving a complete discharge, even for high-voltage automotive batteries, thereby facilitating safer disassembly and efficient metal recovery.
Implementation Method 1
first discharging step of discharging a battery by connecting the battery and a power converter and applying voltage thereto
Implementation Method 2
a second discharging step of discharging the battery by applying a reverse voltage of the voltage of the first discharging step, after the first discharging step
Implementation Method 3
In the step of discharging the battery until the terminal voltage of the battery reaches 0V, a short circuit may be generated
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a discharge method of a battery, comprising: a first discharging step of discharging a battery by connecting the battery and a power converter and applying voltage thereto; and a second discharging step of discharging the battery by applying a reverse voltage of the voltage of the first discharging step, after the first discharging step. According to the present invention, electrical energy of a battery can be recovered and recycled, and an electrically safe state can be secured in a subsequent disassembly process by putting the battery in a completely discharged state in which normal operation is impossible.