Passive Battery Sensors for Internal State Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current battery monitoring systems for vehicles lack efficient methods to accurately determine the internal state of batteries, such as state of charge (SOC) and state of health (SOH), relying on invasive and power-consuming sensors that do not provide real-time, precise data.
Innovation Solution
The integration of passive sensors, like radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and surface acoustic wave devices, embedded within the battery structure to wirelessly transmit data on physical properties like Young's modulus, allowing for non-invasive and real-time monitoring of battery state, including SOC and SOH.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If passive sensors like RFID tags and surface acoustic wave devices are embedded within the battery structure, then measurement precision of battery state is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds passive sensors (RFID tags and surface acoustic wave devices) within the battery structure itself, nesting the sensing functionality inside the existing battery components. This allows the sensors to directly measure battery state parameters without requiring external mounting or complex wiring, thereby improving measurement precision while managing device complexity through integrated design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces passive sensors as intermediary elements that mediate between the battery's physical state and the monitoring system. These sensors convert battery parameters (temperature, SOC, SOH) into measurable signals without requiring active power consumption or complex processing, enabling precise measurement while maintaining relatively simple system architecture
2Use of energy by stationary object
If passive sensors are used instead of active sensors, then use of energy by stationary object is reduced, but measurement precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The passive sensors are designed to harvest energy from the battery's electromagnetic field or mechanical vibrations to power their operation. The RFID tags utilize electromagnetic coupling with the battery's electrical field, while surface acoustic wave devices leverage mechanical vibrations from battery operation. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external power sources while maintaining measurement precision through passive detection mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces active electronic sensors that require power consumption with passive sensing mechanisms. Surface acoustic wave devices use mechanical wave propagation and reflection to detect battery state, substituting electronic signal processing with acoustic field interactions. This mechanical substitution reduces energy requirements while providing sufficient measurement precision for battery monitoring
3Loss of information
If multiple battery parameters are monitored simultaneously, then loss of information is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs sensors with multi-functional capabilities that can detect multiple battery parameters simultaneously. The surface acoustic wave devices can measure temperature, state of charge, and state of health through different signal characteristics. The RFID tags can detect electrical and thermal conditions through electromagnetic field interactions. This universality allows comprehensive battery state monitoring without requiring separate dedicated sensors for each parameter, thereby reducing overall system complexity while minimizing information loss
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
Enables precise, real-time monitoring of battery state, improving the accuracy of battery management and enhancing vehicle performance by providing direct measurements of temperature, SOC, and SOH without the need for external power sources or complex wiring.
Implementation Method 1
the passive radio frequency identification tag changes its output signal based on a change in the Young's modulus
Implementation Method 2
The surface acoustic wave device may convert the input signal to a surface wave acoustic signal that is reflected by the plurality of acoustic reflectors to produce a reflected signal
Implementation Method 3
Current measurement can be done using a Hall Effect current sensor that generates a difference in electric potential across the sides of a current-carrying conductor
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for sensing internal states of vehicle batteries are described. From this internal state information, various physical characteristics of the battery can be measured, calculated or inferred. A vehicle can include an electric motor, a battery to store electrical energy for the electric motor, and a sensor connected to the battery to sense a battery state, to receive an input signal, and to wirelessly transmit an output signal indicating the battery state. The vehicle can also include control circuitry to receive the output signal and to control the electric motor and the battery. In examples, the battery may have a physical property that changes based on a state of the battery. This physical property may be measured by the sensor. The sensor may be passive and built into the structure of the battery. The sensor can be a magnetic field sensor or a surface wave acoustic sensor.