Battery Tab Diagnosis Using X-Ray Diffraction Profiles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery technologies lack an effective method to accurately diagnose disconnection of internal electrode tabs, which can lead to performance deterioration and safety hazards such as fire or explosion.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method utilizing X-ray diffraction analysis to generate graphite profiles for each negative electrode tab during battery discharge, determining charge and discharge behaviors, and diagnosing the battery state based on these profiles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If battery diagnosis is performed by connecting to a battery management system or vehicle control unit, then diagnostic capability is provided, but the apparatus requires complex communication protocols and may not access all battery parameters

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic capabilityVSAvoidcommunication protocol requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses communication circuitry as an intermediary component that can operate in multiple modes: connecting to external systems (BMS/VCU) when available, or directly reading battery terminal voltages when external connection is unavailable. This intermediary approach allows the apparatus to bypass complex communication protocols by directly interfacing with battery terminals, thereby reducing dependency on proprietary communication protocols while maintaining diagnostic capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If battery voltage is measured using a multimeter or voltmeter, then voltage measurement is achieved, but the measurement process is time-consuming and requires manual operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The diagnosis apparatus performs automatic voltage measurement and processing without requiring manual operation. The voltage detection circuit automatically measures terminal voltages, the processor automatically calculates state of charge and state of health parameters, and the system automatically generates diagnostic results. This self-service automation eliminates the time-consuming manual measurement process while maintaining measurement precision through consistent, repeatable automated measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement operations with automated electronic measurement and processing. Instead of manually connecting multimeter probes and reading displays, the system uses electronic voltage detection circuits coupled with digital processing to automatically measure, calculate, and display battery parameters, thereby reducing measurement time while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If battery state of charge and state of health are calculated using complex algorithms, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but computational requirements and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoidcomputational energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a pragmatic approach to algorithm complexity by using calculation algorithms that are sufficiently accurate for diagnostic purposes without being overly complex. The system calculates state of charge based on terminal voltage and state of health based on voltage changes over time, using algorithms that balance accuracy with computational efficiency. This partial action approach provides adequate diagnostic accuracy while minimizing unnecessary computational energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

Accurately diagnoses the state of the battery, including disconnection of negative electrode tabs, in a non-destructive manner, thereby preventing potential accidents.

Implementation Method 1

a voltage detection circuit configured to detect a voltage between a positive terminal and a negative terminal of the battery

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVoltage detection: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP4459271B1Apparatus and method for diagnosing a battery
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4459271B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4459271B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4459271B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

An apparatus for diagnosing a battery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a discharging unit electrically connected to a battery and configured to discharge the battery; an X-ray diffraction analyzing unit configured to output an X-ray toward a plurality of negative electrode tabs included in the battery and generate a graphite profile for each of the plurality of negative electrode tabs based on the output X-ray; and a control unit configured to determine a charge and discharge behavior of each of the plurality of negative electrode tabs based on the generated plurality of graphite profiles, and diagnose the state of the battery based on the determined plurality of charge and discharge behaviors.