Battery Pack Storage-Mode Cycling for Full-Charge Degradation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rechargeable battery packs, especially those used in critical devices like ventilators, face reduced performance and potential cell failure when kept at full charge for extended periods, leading to safety risks and inaccurate runtime predictions due to lack of depth of discharge monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A battery management system that includes processing circuitry to determine charged and storage mode thresholds, periodically discharging and maintaining battery packs to ensure a sufficient depth of discharge, thereby preventing prolonged full charge conditions and maintaining battery health.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If battery packs are kept at full charge for extended periods, then battery availability for use is improved, but cell failure and venting risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic discharge cycles for battery packs in storage mode. The processing circuitry monitors battery packs and periodically discharges them from full charge to a predetermined threshold (e.g., 20-30% SOC) to prevent degradation from prolonged full charge conditions, then recharges them. This periodic action maintains battery health while ensuring availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes preliminary action to prevent cell failure and venting by monitoring SOC levels and initiating discharge cycles before degradation or failure occurs. The processing circuitry proactively manages battery packs in storage mode, preventing the harmful effects of prolonged full charge conditions before they can cause cell failure.
2Reliability
If battery packs are periodically discharged to maintain health, then battery performance and safety are improved, but charging system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system is designed to perform multiple functions: charging battery packs, monitoring SOC levels, determining storage mode status, and controlling discharge cycles. The processing circuitry integrates these functions into a single system, eliminating the need for separate monitoring and control devices, thereby managing complexity while maintaining battery health.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery management system automatically manages the charging and discharging of battery packs without manual intervention. The processing circuitry autonomously monitors SOC levels, determines when discharge is needed, controls the discharge process, and recharges batteries, enabling the system to self-maintain battery health and availability.
3Reliability
If battery packs are monitored and maintained in storage mode, then battery safety and performance predictability are improved, but system operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery management system automatically manages the charging and discharging of battery packs without manual intervention. The processing circuitry autonomously monitors SOC levels, determines when discharge is needed, controls the discharge process, and recharges batteries, enabling the system to self-maintain battery health and availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors battery parameters including SOC levels and uses this feedback to automatically adjust charging and discharging operations. The processing circuitry receives feedback from battery sensors and adjusts its control actions accordingly, maintaining optimal battery health without requiring manual operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Example systems and techniques are described herein for maintaining a rechargeable battery packs. An example battery management system includes processing circuitry coupled to memory and a plurality of battery connectors. The processing circuitry is configured to determine a first number of rechargeable battery packs removably coupled to a respective battery connector that comprise a respective charged battery and to determine a second number of rechargeable battery packs removably coupled to a respective battery connector that are in a storage mode. The processing circuitry is configured to determine that the first number meets the charged battery threshold and determine that the second number does not meet the storage mode threshold. The processing circuitry is configured to, based at least in part on the first number meeting the charged battery threshold and the second number not meeting the storage mode threshold, place a rechargeable battery pack in the storage mode.