Secondary Battery Self-Discharge Current Testing for Low-Voltage Prediction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods fail to accurately predict low voltage battery possibilities in secondary batteries due to variations in self-discharge rates, leading to potential degradation in battery module performance and life.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that measure the intensity of self-discharge current in secondary batteries using a test path, sensor unit, constant voltage generation unit, and control unit to determine the level of self-discharge and identify faulty batteries within a battery module by analyzing discharge current profiles and cumulative capacity graphs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If self-discharge rate is used to predict low voltage battery possibility, then battery performance prediction is attempted, but measurement precision is insufficient due to variations in self-discharge rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from simple self-discharge rate to self-discharge current intensity, which provides more precise and reliable data for predicting low voltage battery possibilities. This parameter transformation enables accurate differentiation between normal and abnormal self-discharge behaviors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional voltage-based prediction methods with a current-based measurement system using sensor units and test paths. This substitution of measurement approach enhances precision by directly measuring electrical current characteristics rather than inferring from voltage changes.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If traditional testing methods are used, then testing process is simple, but detection capability for faulty batteries is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the testing system into distinct functional modules: test paths for individual battery cells, sensor units for current measurement, constant voltage generation units for controlled testing, and control units for data analysis. This segmentation enables sophisticated detection capabilities while maintaining modular simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary components including sensor units that mediate between the battery and measurement system, and control units that mediate between multiple batteries in a battery module. These intermediaries enable accurate detection of faulty batteries without requiring direct complex interactions between all battery components.
3Reliability
If battery module performance is maintained, then overall system reliability is preserved, but individual faulty batteries cannot be identified and isolated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where control units receive measurement data from sensor units, analyze self-discharge current characteristics, and generate identification information about faulty batteries. This feedback loop enables continuous monitoring and precise identification of problematic batteries while maintaining overall module reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary testing of individual battery cells within the module using dedicated test paths and sensor units before full module operation. This preliminary action identifies faulty batteries in advance, allowing for their isolation and replacement before they compromise overall module performance.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is an apparatus and method for testing a secondary battery. The apparatus includes a test path, test terminals provided at two ends of the test path and electrically connected to a positive terminal and a negative terminal of the secondary battery respectively, a sensor unit provided on the test path and configured to measure a discharge current of the secondary battery, a constant voltage generation unit provided on the test path and configured to maintain a constant voltage between the secondary battery and the sensor unit, and a control unit configured to receive data indicating the discharge current from the sensor unit, measure an inflection point on a profile of the discharge current, measure an intensity of the discharge current on the basis of the inflection point, and test a level of self-discharge of the secondary battery based on the intensity of the discharge current.