Portable Discharge Circuit for High Voltage Vehicle Battery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for discharging high voltage vehicle batteries after a crash or damaging event are expensive, heavy, and require significant space, and existing fault isolation techniques do not effectively remove the battery charge, posing safety hazards due to the complexity of various energy storage devices and voltages.

Innovation Solution

A system and method using an externally referenced scalable auto-discharge circuit with a reference voltage source and load, configured in series or parallel, to safely and efficiently discharge the battery by coupling the battery, voltage source, and load, allowing for quick and controlled discharge through a portable and inexpensive unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If known battery discharge systems are used, then the battery can be discharged, but the system becomes expensive, heavy, and requires significant space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery discharge capabilityVSAvoiddischarge system weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a portable discharge unit that can be temporarily connected to the battery, rather than a permanent installed system. This disposable-like approach allows the battery to be discharged using a simple, lightweight unit that can be set up and removed as needed, eliminating the need for heavy permanent infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The discharge functionality is extracted from the vehicle's permanent battery system and performed by an external portable unit. This separation allows the vehicle to maintain its original battery system while using a separate, lightweight discharge mechanism only when needed, reducing overall system weight and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If known battery discharge systems are used, then the battery can be discharged, but the system becomes expensive and requires significant space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery discharge capabilityVSAvoiddischarge system space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The portable discharge unit is designed to be compact and temporary, requiring minimal space only during the actual discharge operation. After use, it can be removed and stored elsewhere, eliminating the need for permanent dedicated space within the vehicle structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The discharge system is segmented into a portable, self-contained unit that can be independently handled and stored. This segmentation allows the discharge functionality to be separated from the main vehicle system, requiring minimal integrated space while maintaining full discharge capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If fault isolation techniques are used, then electrical fault detection is provided, but the battery charge is not effectively removed, posing safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault detection capabilityVSAvoidelectrical hazard from retained charge

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge unit provides continuous discharge action until the battery charge is fully removed or reduced to a safe level. Unlike isolation techniques that merely stop current flow, this system actively and continuously drains the battery charge, ensuring the harmful electrical energy is eliminated rather than just contained.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the harmful retained charge into a beneficial discharge process. By intentionally providing a controlled discharge path, the harmful electrical energy is safely dissipated through the portable unit, transforming the hazard into a controlled, useful energy release that eliminates the safety risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

The solution provides a safe, efficient, and cost-effective means to discharge high voltage vehicle batteries, reducing the risk of electrical and chemical hazards by allowing for rapid voltage dissipation, with the parallel configuration offering faster discharge times and the series configuration providing a more compact design.

Implementation Method 1

a discharge circuit having a reference voltage source providing a reference voltage and a load for discharging the battery... the battery is discharged through the load to the reference voltage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS10432005B2Discharge circuit for discharging a battery

Publication Date: 2019.10.01 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A system and method for discharging a high voltage vehicle battery. The system includes a discharge circuit having a reference voltage source providing a reference voltage and a load for discharging the battery. A negative terminal of the voltage source is electrically coupled to a negative terminal of the battery so that upon initiation of the discharging sequence, the battery is discharged through the load to the reference voltage. The discharge circuit can be electrically configured so that the battery, the voltage source and the load are electrically coupled in series or the battery, the voltage source and the load are electrically coupled in parallel.