Battery Subdivision Control for Over-Discharge Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery systems in vehicles face inefficiencies and damage due to over-discharge, particularly in battery subdivisions with varying capacities, leading to premature degradation and increased costs when individual subdivisions are not replaceable.
Innovation Solution
A measurement system determines electrical parameters for each battery subdivision, identifying the weakest subdivision to estimate control parameters and prevent over-discharge by generating summation values that restrict further depletion, thereby protecting weak cells from damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single threshold voltage is used for the entire battery system, then the control system is simple to implement, but weak subdivisions may be over-discharged causing damage and reduced lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the battery system into multiple subdivisions and implements individual voltage thresholds for each subdivision rather than a single system-wide threshold. This allows weak subdivisions to have lower thresholds that prevent over-discharge, while strong subdivisions can operate at higher thresholds, thereby resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and subdivision protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by customizing control parameters (voltage thresholds) for each specific battery subdivision based on its capacity characteristics. Weak subdivisions receive protective lower thresholds while strong subdivisions operate with higher thresholds, ensuring each subdivision is controlled according to its local needs rather than a uniform system-wide parameter.
2Reliability
If individual subdivisions are monitored and controlled separately, then over-discharge protection is improved, but the measurement and control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary characterization of each battery subdivision during manufacturing or initial operation to determine their relative capacities. This preliminary action establishes baseline thresholds before actual operation begins, reducing the need for complex real-time monitoring and control adjustments during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that monitor the state of charge of individual subdivisions and adjust discharge control accordingly. When a weak subdivision approaches its threshold, the system provides feedback to reduce or stop discharge, automatically protecting the subdivision without requiring complex manual intervention.
3Reliability
If the entire battery system is replaced when one subdivision fails, then system reliability is maintained, but cost and resource waste increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the extraction and removal of failed or weak subdivisions from the battery system while leaving the remaining functional subdivisions intact. This allows replacement of only the problematic subdivision rather than the entire battery system, reducing material waste and replacement costs while maintaining overall system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent facilitates discarding only the failed subdivision while recovering and continuing to use the remaining functional subdivisions. This selective replacement approach recovers valuable battery materials and reduces the need to manufacture and dispose of entire battery systems when only a small portion has failed.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for estimating the relative capacity of individual battery subdivisions in a battery system are presented. In some embodiments, a system may include calculation system configured to analyze the electrical parameters to generate derivative values of the parameters over a period of time. The calculation system may further calculate summation values associated with individual battery subdivisions based upon the derivate values. A battery control system may utilize the summation values to generate one or more commands configured to control an aspect of an operation of the battery pack based on using the summation values. The summation values associated with battery subdivisions may be used to determine a relative capacity for storing electrical energy, according to some embodiments. The determination of relative capacity may be used by a control system to prevent over-discharge of a battery subdivision having the lowest energy storage capacity.