Battery Safety Interlock via Asynchronous Current Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery systems lack effective mechanisms to prevent unauthorized modification or access, which is critical for ensuring the integrity and safety of battery modules, especially in high-voltage applications.
Innovation Solution
An asynchronous current source is used within a battery control unit to monitor and control the current flow through battery modules, detecting discrepancies and disabling components if unauthorized access or modification is attempted, thereby preventing alteration of the battery module operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional battery systems are used without monitoring mechanisms, then the system is simpler and easier to operate, but the battery module becomes vulnerable to unauthorized modification and access
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by injecting current through the battery module before actual operation to establish a baseline electrical characteristic. This pre-monitoring setup enables the system to detect any subsequent modifications by comparing against the stored baseline, thereby preventing unauthorized changes before they can affect battery operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors electrical characteristics of the battery module and provides feedback to the control unit. When deviations from the baseline are detected, the system triggers protective actions such as disabling battery operation or alerting authorized personnel, creating a closed-loop feedback mechanism that maintains battery integrity.
2Reliability
If monitoring mechanisms are added to detect unauthorized access, then battery integrity is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to additional monitoring and control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system operates autonomously without requiring continuous human intervention. The control unit automatically injects current, measures electrical characteristics, compares results against the baseline, and executes protective actions when needed. This self-service capability maintains battery integrity while minimizing the operational burden on users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs monitoring actions selectively rather than continuously - injecting current only when needed to update the baseline or when suspicious activity is detected. This partial action approach reduces the operational complexity while maintaining adequate monitoring coverage to detect unauthorized modifications.
3Measurement precision
If asynchronous current injection is implemented for monitoring, then detection precision is improved, but the use of energy increases due to continuous current injection
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic current injection at asynchronous intervals to measure electrical characteristics. By injecting current periodically rather than continuously, and using asynchronous timing that avoids regular patterns, the system achieves precise measurements of battery module characteristics while minimizing overall energy consumption. The periodic updates to the baseline and selective monitoring balance precision requirements with energy conservation.
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
The solution effectively prevents unauthorized modification by ensuring the battery module's integrity and safety, particularly in high-voltage applications, by automatically disconnecting the battery from external connections if any tampering is detected, thus enhancing the quality of service and protecting personnel.
Implementation Method 1
a processor configured to send a command to the asynchronous current source to activate according to an activation pattern, the asynchronous current source outputs current through a first terminal of the battery module and receives the current via a second terminal of the battery module
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure includes a battery system that may include a first terminal and a second terminal electrically coupled to an electronic component. The system may also include a current source electrically coupled to the first terminal. The system may also include a control system that may direct an asynchronous current from the current source to the first terminal according to a pattern and receive a current signal status from a current detector. The current signal status is associated with a second current received via the second terminal. The control system may disconnect the electronic component from the first terminal or the second terminal when the current signal status does not correspond to the pattern.