Battery system with anti-theft control including a kill switch circuit

Abstract

A battery system is provided, the battery system comprising a battery cell pack and a sensor unit comprising a charge detection sensor arranged to detect a level of charge of the battery cell pack and at least one further sensor. The battery system further comprises a cell protection unit (114) arranged between the battery cell pack and a terminal of the battery system. The battery system further comprises a kill switch circuit comprising a load and a switch arranged in series over the battery cell pack. The switch is configured initially to be in an open state and, once closed, to remain in a closed state. The battery system further comprises a controller configured to receive measurements from the sensor unit. The controller is further configured to detect, using measurements from said charge detection sensor, the level of charge being below a predetermined threshold. Upon detection of the level of charge being below a predetermined threshold, the controller is configured to disconnect the terminal from the battery cell pack using the cell protection unit. The controller is further configured to detect, using measurements from the at least one further sensor, an unauthorized displacement of the battery cell pack outside of an allowed range. Upon detection of the unauthorized displacement of the battery cell pack, the controller is configured to close the switch of the kill switch circuit to disengage the battery cell pack to a permanently depleted state.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.