Battery Cell Voltage History Analysis for Rest-Period Fault Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery management systems fail to accurately detect abnormalities in battery cells when voltage changes occur gradually over time, particularly during rest periods, leading to undetected defects.

Innovation Solution

A battery management apparatus and method that measures and compares the voltage history of each battery cell with a reference voltage at preset intervals during rest periods, determining abnormalities by analyzing the accumulated changes and thresholds in cell voltage behavior.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If threshold-based voltage drop detection is used, then instantaneous abnormalities are detected, but gradual voltage changes during rest periods are not detected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabnormality detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the detection parameter from instantaneous voltage drop to accumulated voltage change over time. By integrating voltage measurements over a rest period and comparing the accumulated change against a threshold, the system detects gradual abnormalities that instantaneous detection would miss, while maintaining the ability to flag significant deviations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary voltage measurements and accumulates changes during the rest period before making a definitive abnormality determination. This preliminary accumulation phase allows the system to capture gradual voltage changes that occur over time, enabling detection before the abnormality becomes critical.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If voltage monitoring is performed only during charging/discharging, then operational abnormalities are detected, but rest period abnormalities are missed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational safetyVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring system is designed to perform universally across different operational states - both during charging/discharging and during rest periods. The same voltage measurement and accumulation logic applies regardless of battery state, eliminating the need for separate monitoring systems for different operational modes and reducing overall system complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements periodic voltage monitoring that adapts to the battery's operational state. During rest periods, it performs accumulated voltage change detection at regular intervals, while during charging/discharging it performs instantaneous threshold detection. This periodic, state-adaptive approach ensures comprehensive coverage without requiring continuously complex monitoring logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Measurement precision

If accumulated voltage change detection is used, then gradual abnormalities are detected, but instantaneous drops may be overshadowed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegradual change detectionVSAvoiddetection threshold accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The detection system is segmented into two independent detection paths: one for instantaneous voltage drop detection and another for accumulated voltage change detection. Each path operates with its own threshold and logic, allowing both instantaneous and gradual abnormalities to be detected independently without one overshadowing the other. The results from both paths are then combined for comprehensive abnormality detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4148446B1Battery management apparatus, battery pack, battery system, and battery management method
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4148446B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4148446B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4148446B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A battery management apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a voltage measurement circuit to measure a cell voltage of each of a plurality of battery cells; and a control unit to determine the cell voltage of each of the plurality of battery cells and a reference voltage of the plurality of battery cells at a preset time interval during a rest period. The control unit determines a first accumulated change of the cell voltage of each battery cell during the rest period. The control unit determines a second accumulated change of the reference voltage during the rest period. The control unit determines whether each battery cell is defective by comparing the first accumulated change of each battery cell with the second accumulated change.