Voltage-Controlled Switch for Battery Exhaustive Discharge Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traction batteries in electric vehicles are prone to exhaustive discharge, leading to damage and costly repairs, as existing technologies fail to reliably prevent discharges below the safe voltage range, especially at lower temperatures and during software-controlled activation/deactivation processes.
Innovation Solution
A voltage-controlled switch, integrated into the supply lines of battery modules, uses semiconductor components like transistors or Schmitt triggers to disconnect electronics from the battery when the voltage drops below a certain level, ensuring that battery cells are not excessively discharged and can be recharged safely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a voltage-controlled switch with semiconductor components is integrated into the supply lines to prevent exhaustive discharge, then battery reliability and safety are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage-controlled switch is designed to automatically deactivate electronics when battery voltage drops below a threshold and automatically reactivate when voltage recovers, without requiring external control signals or complex management systems. The semiconductor component self-regulates based on voltage conditions, eliminating the need for continuous monitoring and control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
A voltage-controlled switch acts as an intermediary element inserted into the power supply line between the battery and electronics. This simple semiconductor component mediates the power flow based on voltage conditions, providing protection without requiring complex control systems or additional sensors.
2Ease of operation
If the lower state-of-charge limit is extended to provide voltage dip during cold start, then ease of operation is improved, but battery reliability deteriorates due to rapid voltage breakdown and exhaustive discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage-controlled switch is configured to preemptively deactivate electronics before the battery reaches exhaustive discharge conditions. By monitoring voltage thresholds and automatically cutting off power when limits are approached, the system prevents the harmful effect of exhaustive discharge before it can occur, even during cold start operations.
3Ease of operation
If software-controlled activation/deactivation is used to manage battery power, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to undefined software states and failure to deactivate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces software-controlled power management with a hardware-based voltage-controlled switch using semiconductor components. This physical mechanism directly responds to voltage conditions through electrical fields, eliminating software bugs, undefined states, and timing issues associated with software-controlled deactivation.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage-controlled switch automatically monitors battery voltage and self-regulates power flow based on predefined voltage thresholds. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for software monitoring, control logic, and state management, providing reliable protection even when software fails or enters undefined states.
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
This solution effectively prevents exhaustive discharge, reduces repair costs, enhances battery pack availability, and improves safety by ensuring that battery cells are not discharged below their safe limits, thereby extending their lifespan and reducing the risk of safety-critical conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage-controlled switch which is integrated into the supply lines and comprises a semiconductor component
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for the voltage-controlled deactivation of battery cells (22) within a battery module (34, 38) or a battery pack (48) and for the voltage-controlled deactivation of electronic components (40, 52.1-52.8, 54) which are electrically connected to the battery cells and which are supplied with power by the battery cells. If a voltage falls below a threshold in the battery cells (22), supply lines (44, 46, 68, 70) to the electronic components (40, 52.1-52.8, 54) are automatically interrupted and/or battery cells (22) of the battery modules (34, 38) are separated from the main current circuit of the battery or of a battery pack (48).