In-Vehicle Battery Discharge Control for Collision Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional in-vehicle power storage devices do not prevent overdischarge during vehicle collisions, leading to battery deterioration, potential short-circuiting, and inability to reuse the batteries, as they discharge batteries until almost zero charge state without stopping discharging when overdischarge is imminent.

Innovation Solution

An in-vehicle power storage device with a control system that includes battery charge-state detection and a discharging load, which discharges the battery upon collision detection or prediction and stops discharging when the charge state reaches a predetermined value to avoid overdischarge, incorporating a battery discharging means and a battery discharge stopping mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the battery is discharged until charge state represents almost 0 to address electric shock in collision, then the electric shock hazard is eliminated, but the battery suffers overdischarge deterioration and may ignite or smoke

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectric shock hazardVSAvoidbattery safety and reusability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control device preliminarily determines a safe discharge stopping point before overdischarge occurs. By calculating the discharge capacity and estimating the charge state in advance, the system stops discharging at a predetermined safe level rather than allowing complete discharge, thus preventing battery deterioration and safety hazards while still addressing the electric shock concern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device continuously monitors the charge state of the battery during discharge and uses this feedback information to control the discharge process. When the charge state reaches the predetermined safe level, the control device automatically stops discharging, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents overdischarge while managing the electric shock hazard.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Object-affected harmful factors

If discharge stopping means is not provided and the battery is discharged until charge state represents almost 0, then the electric shock risk is reduced, but the battery cannot be reused due to overdischarge damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectric shock riskVSAvoidbattery service life

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system preliminarily establishes a discharge stopping criterion based on battery capacity and safety requirements. Before discharge begins, the control device calculates the appropriate stopping point, and during discharge, it monitors whether the charge state has reached this predetermined level, thereby preventing overdischarge and preserving battery service life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device uses feedback from charge state detection to control the discharge process. When the monitored charge state reaches the predetermined safe level, the system automatically terminates discharge, creating a self-regulating mechanism that protects battery service life while addressing electric shock concerns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the battery is discharged completely to address electric shock, then the electric shock hazard is eliminated, but deterioration of the battery is promoted and short-circuiting may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectric shock hazardVSAvoidbattery deterioration and short-circuiting risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control device implements continuous feedback monitoring of the charge state during discharge. When the charge state reaches the predetermined safe level, the control device automatically stops discharging, preventing the battery from entering the overdischarge region where deterioration and short-circuiting risks occur, while still addressing the electric shock hazard through controlled discharge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system preliminarily determines the safe discharge stopping point based on battery characteristics and safety requirements. By establishing this stopping criterion before discharge begins and enforcing it during the process, the system prevents overdischarge-related harmful effects while managing the electric shock concern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11239671B2In-vehicle power storage device and control method thereof

Publication Date: 2022.02.01 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC MOBILITY CORP

AI summary

An in-vehicle power storage device that discharges a battery in a case where collision of a vehicle is detected or predicted, and stops discharging the battery when an over-discharged state has not been reached, and a control method thereof. The in-vehicle power storage device includes: a battery mounted in a vehicle; charge-state detection means for detecting a charge state of the battery; and a discharging load for discharging the battery, and a control device which includes: battery charge-state detection means for detecting a charge state; a battery discharger means for discharging the battery using the load if collision of the vehicle is detected or predicted; and discharge stopping means to stop discharging the battery before the battery becomes over-discharged.