Modular Battery Pack Traceability for Reuse and Fast Swapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current battery pack designs are inefficient due to cost and manufacturing inefficiencies, as they are tailored for specific applications, limiting intercompatibility and configurability, and result in long charging times and difficulties in assessing the value of used batteries, hindering their exchange in the secondary market.
Innovation Solution
Modular battery packs that can be universally applied across different devices and applications, with integrated trace units for health and value management, enabling efficient data recording and transaction support through a distributed data management system and online exchange platform, allowing for easy configuration, swapping, and recycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If different types of battery packs are designed and manufactured for different types of electric applications, then each battery pack can be optimized for its specific application, but design costs and manufacturing costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is divided into multiple modular battery modules that can be independently designed, manufactured, and assembled. Each module contains standardized battery cells arranged in a uniform configuration, allowing the same module design to be used across different applications by varying the number and arrangement of modules.
Solution Approach 2:
A universal battery module design is created that can serve multiple electric applications including electric vehicles, electric scooters, and energy storage systems. The standardized module interface and configuration allow the same battery module to be deployed in various applications without requiring application-specific redesign.
2Reliability
If application-specific battery packs are manufactured, then each battery pack can be tailored to specific device requirements, but interexchangeability between devices is eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is segmented into standardized modules that can be independently exchanged. The uniform module design with standardized interfaces enables modules to be interchanged between different device types while maintaining optimal performance through proper module configuration.
3Device complexity
If traditional battery charging methods are used, then charging infrastructure is simple, but charging time becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is divided into modular units that can be independently charged. This segmentation enables parallel charging of multiple modules simultaneously, significantly reducing total charging time while maintaining relatively simple charging infrastructure at each station.
4Device complexity
If conventional battery valuation methods are used, then assessment processes are simple, but accuracy in determining used battery value is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
A trace unit is integrated into each battery module to continuously monitor and record operational data including charge cycles, temperature history, and performance metrics. This feedback mechanism provides accurate real-time information about battery health and remaining capacity, enabling precise valuation of used batteries based on actual usage conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for monitoring parameters of a battery pack are disclosed. The battery pack include a trace unit, which includes one or more sensor to monitor various parameters of the battery pack. The monitored parameters may include current conditions, resale history, and/or use history of the battery pack. The monitored parameters are transmitted from the trace unit to a remote server and may be used to calculate a residual value of the battery pack. The trace unit may periodically transmit data related to parameters of the battery pack to the server. The data transmission frequency may be determined based on a command sent from the remote server to the trace unit. Data related to parameters of the battery pack may be written on a traceability chain. Each data entry of the traceability chain includes information related to the battery pack at a certain point of time.