Battery Discharge Switching by SOC Threshold for Li-S Battery Packs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery technologies face issues with rapid self-discharge in high SOC states leading to performance degradation and inaccurate SOC value estimation, particularly in lithium-sulfur batteries, and require inefficient discharge methods that reduce energy density and increase errors.

Innovation Solution

A battery control device that connects batteries in parallel during high SOC states and alternates discharge connections based on SOC values, using switches to manage discharge current rates and idle states, preventing continuous discharge after a reference time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If all batteries are charged and continuously discharged one by one to ensure large electrical capacity, then the electrical capacity is maximized, but the discharge performance degrades due to rapid self-discharge in high SOC state

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical capacityVSAvoiddischarge performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge process is segmented into two distinct phases: a first discharge period where all charged batteries are connected in parallel and discharged simultaneously, and a second discharge period where batteries are discharged alternately. This segmentation allows the system to maximize electrical capacity during the first phase while preventing performance degradation through the alternating discharge strategy in the second phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic action by alternating the discharge connections of batteries during the second discharge period. After a predetermined reference time, the connection state of each battery is switched, so that batteries previously connected to the output terminal are disconnected and vice versa. This periodic switching prevents continuous discharge in high SOC state, thereby reducing self-discharge effects and maintaining discharge performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Quantity of substance

If all batteries are continuously discharged one by one, then the electrical capacity is maintained, but the SOC value estimation errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical capacityVSAvoidSOC value estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge process is divided into two periods with different connection strategies. During the first discharge period, all batteries are connected in parallel, enabling accurate SOC monitoring. During the second discharge period, alternating connections allow for refreshed SOC measurements, reducing cumulative estimation errors that would occur with continuous one-by-one discharge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The controller monitors the SOC values of all batteries and uses this feedback information to control the connection states during discharge. By continuously tracking SOC and adjusting connections based on predetermined reference values and reference times, the system maintains accurate SOC estimation while managing electrical capacity discharge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Duration of action of moving object

If batteries are left idle in high SOC state, then the system can maintain ready capacity, but performance degradation occurs due to rapid self-discharge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveready capacity availabilityVSAvoidbattery performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by switching the connection states of batteries after a predetermined reference time during the second discharge period. This periodic switching ensures that no battery remains continuously connected and idle in high SOC state, thereby preventing the rapid self-discharge that causes performance degradation while still maintaining system capacity availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller is configured to switch connection states before performance degradation can occur by monitoring SOC values and connection duration. The predetermined reference time acts as a preliminary threshold that triggers the switching action, preventing the harmful effect of prolonged idle high SOC state before it can cause significant performance loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4651337A1Battery control device and method
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4651337A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4651337A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4651337A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A battery control device includes: a connector turning ON or OFF a connection state between a plurality of batteries and an output terminal to which a discharge current is output, for each battery; a controller controlling the connector such that the plurality of batteries are connected in parallel with each other to the output terminal and discharged during a first discharge period from a start time of discharge of the plurality of batteries each of which SOC is a predetermined reference value or more until a time when the SOC of at least one of the plurality of batteries reaches the reference value, and connected alternatively to the output terminal and discharged during a second discharge period from a time when the SOC of each of the plurality of batteries becomes lower than the reference value until a time when the discharge of the plurality of batteries is terminated.