Battery Management Using Voltage Difference Segmentation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods fail to accurately estimate the degree of degradation of secondary batteries with electrodes made of various active materials due to their unique charge and discharge characteristics, leading to inaccurate voltage-based degradation assessment.

Innovation Solution

A battery management apparatus and method that calculates voltage differences between charging and discharging voltages as a function of State Of Charge (SOC), sets a degraded SOC region, and estimates battery degradation based on voltage differences and cycle counts, using a processor to adjust reference ratios and voltage ranges accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If conventional voltage-based degradation estimation is used, then the estimation process is simple, but the estimation accuracy is poor for batteries with multiple active materials

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveestimation process complexityVSAvoiddegradation estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the SOC range into multiple regions (first SOC region, second SOC region, third SOC region) with different degradation characteristics. By segmenting the estimation approach according to SOC regions and active material types, the system achieves higher accuracy without requiring a completely complex overhaul of the estimation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different voltage difference thresholds and degradation estimation methods are applied to different SOC regions based on the local characteristics of each region. For example, the first voltage difference threshold is used in the first SOC region while the second voltage difference threshold is used in the second SOC region, optimizing accuracy for each specific operating condition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If voltage difference thresholds are adjusted based on SOC regions, then degradation estimation accuracy improves, but calculation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedegradation estimation accuracyVSAvoidcalculation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-calculates and stores voltage difference thresholds, SOC regions, and degradation rates in advance. During operation, the system only needs to lookup and apply the appropriate pre-computed values based on the current SOC region, rather than performing complex real-time calculations, thus maintaining simplicity while achieving high accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the voltage difference threshold parameter based on the SOC region. By adjusting this key parameter according to the operating conditions (different SOC regions), the system achieves accurate degradation estimation without requiring complex algorithms, simply by changing the threshold parameter to match the current operational context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If multiple voltage difference thresholds are used for different SOC regions, then degradation estimation becomes more accurate, but the number of parameters increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedegradation estimation accuracyVSAvoidnumber of parameters
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a universal degradation estimation framework that works across all SOC regions by systematically applying the same methodology (comparing voltage differences to thresholds) with region-specific parameters. This multi-functional approach allows the system to handle multiple SOC regions and active material types using a unified estimation logic, reducing the need for entirely separate parameter sets for each condition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 estimates battery degradation and extends the life of secondary batteries by adjusting available voltage ranges based on calculated degradation, improving reliability and efficiency in battery management.

Implementation Method 1

a sensing unit configured to measure a charging voltage as a function of a SOC (State Of Charge) of a battery when the battery is charged and to measure a discharging voltage as a function of the SOC of the battery when the battery is discharged

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVoltage measurement: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

A secondary battery generates electric energy through electrochemical oxidation and reduction reactions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrochemical oxidation and reduction reactions: Redox Reactions

Data Source

PatentEP3690462B1Battery management apparatus and method
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP3690462B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3690462B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3690462B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a battery management apparatus and method, which sets a degraded SOC region based on a SOC-based voltage difference between a charging voltage and a discharging voltage according to a SOC of a battery and estimates a degree of degradation of the battery based on the voltage difference in the set degraded SOC region.