Battery Open-Circuit Voltage Check for Replacement Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery replacement systems lack a cost-effective and reliable method to ensure compatibility between replacement batteries and the control circuit of a device, posing risks of malfunction, fire, or explosion due to non-compliant batteries.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for controlling electrochemical accumulator batteries by measuring open-circuit voltage against predetermined thresholds, disconnecting the battery if it exceeds or falls below these thresholds, and preventing operation of the device until compliance is verified.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If battery cells are made accessible without a sealed pack, then ease of replacement is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to risk of using non-compliant batteries

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of replacementVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control circuit performs a preliminary verification of battery compatibility by measuring open-circuit voltage and comparing it against stored threshold values before allowing the device to operate. This preliminary action prevents non-compliant batteries from being used, resolving the contradiction between ease of replacement and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If electronic control module is integrated into battery pack, then reliability is improved through BMS, but device complexity increases and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control circuit for verifying battery compatibility is merged with the existing main control board of the powered device. This combining approach integrates the safety verification function into the device's existing electronics, improving reliability without adding separate control modules or increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If electronic control module is integrated into battery pack, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The battery control functions are merged with the device's existing main control board, eliminating the need for a separate electronic control module in the battery pack. This reduces manufacturing costs by avoiding duplicate components while maintaining reliability through the integrated verification system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If battery pack includes sealed casing with BMS, then reliability is improved, but volume occupied increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidvolume occupied
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic control module is extracted from the battery pack and relocated to the powered device's main control board. This extraction reduces the volume occupied by the battery pack while maintaining reliability through the verification system implemented in the device's control circuit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Ensures safe and reliable operation by preventing non-compliant batteries from powering the device, reducing risks of malfunction, fire, or explosion, and simplifying battery replacement by integrating control components into the device's main control board.

Implementation Method 1

measuring an open-circuit voltage of the battery; comparing the open-circuit voltage with a predetermined upper voltage threshold

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical voltage measurement: Ohm's Law

Data Source

PatentEP4645642A1Method and device for controlling an electrochemical storage battery
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 BHG
  • EP4645642A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4645642A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4645642A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Device and method for controlling an electrochemical accumulator battery, said battery being connected upstream to a suitable energy source for charging it and downstream to a device that it powers, comprising the steps of: - disconnecting the battery from the energy source; - measuring the open-circuit voltage of the battery; - comparing said open-circuit voltage with a predetermined upper voltage threshold; - if the open-circuit voltage is higher than this threshold, disconnecting the battery from the downstream device; - otherwise, connecting the battery to the downstream device; and - connecting the battery to the energy source.