Battery Safety Index Estimation Under Temperature Change

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods lack effective real-time safety evaluation for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries, which are restricted from being carried on aircraft due to fire risks, but these restrictions impair user convenience, and there is a need for a method to assess their safety accurately.

Innovation Solution

A battery safety evaluation apparatus that includes a battery state estimator, a calorific value estimator, and a safety index calculator, which evaluates the safety of secondary batteries by estimating their deterioration state and state of charge (SOC) and calculates a safety index based on thermal stability data, allowing for individual handling of batteries according to their safety status.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries are restricted from being carried in aircraft, then safety risks are reduced, but user convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the parameter of battery safety assessment from a static restricted/non-restricted binary state to a dynamic continuous safety index value. By calculating real-time safety indices based on temperature, charge state, and deterioration level, the system enables flexible decision-making about battery transport, allowing safe batteries to be carried while restricting only those that pose actual risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If real-time safety evaluation methods are developed, then user convenience is improved by lifting restrictions, but measurement precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidsafety assessment accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a safety index as an intermediary parameter that synthesizes multiple measurement data points (temperature, charge state, deterioration level) into a single comprehensive safety assessment. This intermediary value simplifies the complex relationship between multiple battery parameters and safety outcomes, enabling practical real-time evaluation without requiring direct measurement of all underlying factors with extreme precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces direct physical measurement of battery safety (which would require complex intrusive sensors) with a computational model that calculates safety indices from easily measurable parameters like temperature and voltage. This substitution of mechanical/physical measurement systems with computational assessment reduces measurement precision requirements while maintaining evaluation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If comprehensive safety evaluation systems are implemented, then safety assessment accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety assessment accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the safety evaluation system into three independent functional modules: temperature detection unit, charge state estimation unit, and safety index calculation unit. Each module performs a specific function using simple algorithms, avoiding the need for a single complex integrated system. This segmentation reduces overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive safety assessment accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3544111B1Battery safety evaluation apparatus, battery safety evaluation method, program, control circuit, and power storage system
Publication Date: 2024.11.20 KK TOSHIBA
  • EP3544111B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3544111B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3544111B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus which is an arrangement of the present invention includes a first estimator, a second estimator and a calculator, and evaluates the present safety of a battery. The first estimator estimates a present deterioration state and a present SOC of the battery. The second estimator estimates, on the basis of first reference data, a calorific value of the battery in an occasion when an external temperature changes. The first reference data is selected as corresponding to the first battery from a plurality of reference data at least indicating relationship between a calorific value of a secondary battery and an external temperature on the basis of the estimated deterioration state and SOC. The calculator calculates, on the basis of the calorific value of the battery, a safety index regarding a temperature of the battery in the occasion when the external temperature changes.