Source of information on cars, engines, and car tests Carup has reported that Volvo Cars has received multiple patents for its intelligent battery technology.
This breakthrough technology can enhance battery performance, resulting in faster charging and longer driving distances. It also can maintain its functionality for extended periods.
The patents filed by the inventor Markus Ekström revealed that Volvo Cars had created a technology that could obtain data from each battery cell and regulate its behavior within the battery pack.
The battery cells use an active material that can be individually turned on and off during the charging and discharging. This feature allows a smart computer system to control the cells, producing a battery that can think for itself.
Intelligent battery vs. current battery
The current battery pack consists of several modules, each containing 1,000s battery cells. A primary challenge in current battery technology is achieving efficient communication among cells for optimal charging and discharging, despite control systems covering the entire battery pack.
Intelligent battery cells present significant opportunities for battery performance compared to current battery technology. One such opportunity is the ability to evenly distribute the load across cells, leading to increased torque output from electric motors. The battery also features overcurrent protection and can disconnect specific cells when required.
The patents suggest that some cells can power the front wheel motor while others power the rear wheels. This tech could create novel possibilities to use the battery more effectively. The intelligent battery cells will also have sensors to monitor and measure temperature, pressure, swelling, and chemistry to determine aging and acceleration during accidents.
Volvo Cars has not disclosed the manufacturing process of the intelligent battery, but it has mentioned the use of new components to form an integrated circuit inside the battery, which may include semiconducting, superconducting, dielectric, polymer, organic and non-conductive materials.