Split Battery System for Predictable Shutdown
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Solution Overview
Problem
The life of a rechargeable battery system in a single discharge cycle is difficult to predict due to various factors like age, temperature, and discharge conditions, leading to unpredictable voltage drops and potential system failures, which can result in inconvenient or critical consequences.
Innovation Solution
A rechargeable battery system is split into two or more subsystems, where an operating battery subsystem delivers power until a predetermined or dynamically determined discharge point, and a controlled-shutdown battery system takes over to provide reserve power, ensuring a predictable end-of-life milestone and safe shutdown.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If voltage monitoring is used to determine remaining battery capacity, then the method is simple and commonly used, but the battery life prediction is inaccurate due to varying voltage curves under different conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is divided into two separate battery packs: a main battery pack for normal operation and an auxiliary battery pack for controlled shutdown. This segmentation allows each pack to be monitored and managed independently, improving the accuracy of battery life prediction by eliminating the confusion of combined voltage curves from different operating conditions.
2Device complexity
If a single battery system is used, then the structure is simple, but the end of life point is unpredictable leading to sudden failures
Solution Approach 1:
The single battery system is segmented into two separate battery packs with distinct functions. The main battery pack handles normal power delivery until its voltage drops below a threshold, at which point the auxiliary battery pack activates to provide controlled shutdown power. This segmentation creates predictable transition points and eliminates sudden failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary battery pack is pre-charged and prepared in advance to take over when the main battery pack reaches its end of life. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the main battery can no longer sustain the load, the auxiliary pack is ready to immediately provide power for controlled shutdown, preventing sudden failures.
3Reliability
If the battery is cut off too soon based on voltage monitoring, then unexpected failures are prevented, but the operating time is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into main and auxiliary packs, allowing the main pack to operate until its true end of life point without premature cutoff. The auxiliary pack acts as a safety net, activating only when needed for controlled shutdown, thus maximizing operating time while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary battery pack serves as an intermediary between the main battery pack and the load. It allows the main pack to discharge fully to its natural end point without causing unexpected failures, as the auxiliary pack mediates the transition by providing backup power for controlled shutdown.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery system is split into first and second battery subsystems. When the first battery subsystem reaches a first discharge level, the first battery system is decoupled from output terminals of the battery system and the second battery subsystem is coupled to the output terminals of the battery system.