DC power supply device

Abstract

A DC power supply device is provided. The DC power supply device includes a DC power bus, a first detection circuit, a second detection circuit, battery modules and a management circuit. The first detection circuit detects an external power entering the DC power bus. The second detection circuit detects a load status of the DC power bus. The battery modules are respectively detachably assembled to the DC power bus. When the DC power bus does not receive external power, the management circuit adjusts the power supply quantity of assembled battery modules assembled the DC power bus to according to the load status.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a power supply technology, and more particularly to a DC power supply device. Prior Technology

[0002] Generally, current power supply devices can power a load using either an external power source or a single battery module. However, due to variations in load power, a single battery module cannot meet the high power demands of the load. Furthermore, with prolonged use of a single battery module, the lifespan of the batteries within the module is shortened, and the performance of the batteries in the module also deteriorates significantly. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention provides a DC power supply device with a battery module.

[0004] In one embodiment of the present invention, the DC power supply device includes a DC power bus, a first detection circuit, a second detection circuit, multiple battery modules, and a management circuit. The first detection circuit is coupled to the DC power bus. The first detection circuit detects an external power source entering the DC power bus. The second detection circuit is coupled to the DC power bus. The second detection circuit detects the load state located on the DC power bus. The multiple battery modules are detachably assembled to the DC power bus. The management circuit communicates with the first detection circuit, the second detection circuit, and the multiple assembled battery modules assembled to the DC power bus. When the DC power bus does not receive an external power source, the management circuit adjusts the power supply quantity of the multiple assembled battery modules according to the load state.

[0005] Based on the above, the DC power supply device includes multiple assembled battery modules mounted on a DC power bus. When the DC power bus does not receive external power, the management circuit can dynamically adjust the number of power supplies supplied to the multiple assembled battery modules according to the load status. In this way, the lifespan of the battery cells in the multiple assembled battery modules can be extended, and the performance of the battery cells in the battery modules will not be significantly reduced. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0006] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a DC power supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of a DC power supply device that does not receive external power according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of a DC power supply device that does not receive external power according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of a DC power supply device receiving an external power source according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the operation of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the operation of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Implementation

[0007] Some embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Component symbols used in the following description are considered to be the same or similar components when they appear in different drawings. These embodiments are only a part of the present invention and do not disclose all possible implementations of the invention. More precisely, these embodiments are merely examples within the scope of the present invention's patent application.

[0008] Please refer to Figure 1, which is a schematic diagram of a DC power supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the DC power supply device 100 includes a DC power bus (DB), a first detection circuit 110, a second detection circuit 120, battery modules 130(1) to 130(n), and a management circuit 140. The first detection circuit 110 is coupled to the DC power bus DB. The first detection circuit 110 detects the external power supply PE entering the DC power bus. The second detection circuit 120 is coupled to the DC power bus DB. The second detection circuit 120 detects the load state located on the DC power bus DB. The battery modules 130(1) to 130(n) are detachably assembled to the DC power bus DB. In this embodiment, the battery modules 130(1) to 130(n) can be assembled to the DC power bus DB according to actual usage requirements. In this embodiment, battery modules 130(1) to 130(n-1) (or, assembled battery modules 130(1) to 130(n-1)) are assembled to the DC power bus DB. Battery module 130(n) is not assembled to the DC power bus DB.

[0009] The number of battery modules assembled can be adjusted based on actual usage requirements.

[0010] In this embodiment, the management circuit 140 communicates with the first detection circuit 110, the second detection circuit 120, and the battery modules 130(1) to 130(n-1) assembled on the DC power bus. The management circuit 140 can determine the external power supply PE input to the DC power bus DB based on the detection result of the first detection circuit 110. The management circuit 140 can determine the load status based on the detection result of the second detection circuit 120. When the DC power bus DB does not receive the external power supply PE, the management circuit 140 adjusts the power supply quantity of the battery modules 130(1) to 130(n-1) according to the load status.

[0011] It is worth mentioning that the load state can be the load state of the load element LD connected to the DC power bus DB. When the DC power bus DB does not receive an external power supply PE, the management circuit 140 can dynamically adjust the number of power supplies in the battery modules 130(1) to 130(n-1) assembled to the DC power bus DB according to the load state. In this way, the lifespan of the battery cells in the battery modules 130(1) to 130(n-1) can be extended. The performance of the battery cells in the battery modules 130(1) to 130(n-1) will not be significantly reduced. In addition, the battery module 130(n) can be used as a backup battery module.

[0012] In this embodiment, the DC power supply device 100 can be applied to electronic devices, equipment, or electric vehicles. The electronic device can be a portable or non-portable electronic device. The electric vehicle can be an electric vehicle that is powered by electricity at least as a power source.

[0013] In this embodiment, the management circuit 140 communicates with the first detection circuit 110, the second detection circuit 120, and the battery modules 130(1) to 130(n-1) assembled on the DC power bus via wired or wireless communication. The management circuit 140 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), or other programmable general-purpose or special-purpose microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP), programmable controller, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), programmable logic device (PLD), or other similar device or combination thereof, which can load and execute computer programs.

[0014] Furthermore, when one of the battery modules 130(1) to 130(n) malfunctions, the malfunctioning battery module can be removed from the DC power bus DB for repair. This reduces repair costs and improves ease of repair.

[0015] In this embodiment, the management circuit 140 receives a detection signal SD1 from the first detection circuit 110 and a detection signal SD2 from the second detection circuit 120. The management circuit 140 can determine the external power supply PE input to the DC power bus DB based on the detection signal SD1. The management circuit 140 can determine the load status based on the detection signal SD2.

[0016] Please refer to Figure 2, which is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of a DC power supply device that has not received an external power source according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, when the DC power bus DB has not received an external power source PE and the load status indicates heavy load, the management circuit 140 controls all battery modules 130(1) to 130(n-1) to supply power to the DC power bus DB.

[0017] Please refer to Figure 3, which is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of a DC power supply device not receiving external power according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, when the DC power bus DB does not receive external power PE and the load status indicates a light load, the management circuit 140 controls one of the battery modules 130(1) to 130(n-1) to supply power to the DC power bus DB.

[0018] In Figures 2 and 3, when the load condition indicates that the load on the DC power bus DB increases and the DC power bus DB is not receiving an external power supply PE, the management circuit 140 increases the number of battery modules 130(1) to 130(n-1) supplied. For example, in a light load condition, the number of battery modules 130(1) to 130(n-1) supplied is 1. When the load on the DC power bus DB increases by a set power difference, the number of battery modules 130(1) to 130(n-1) supplied is 2. When the load on the DC power bus DB increases by another set power difference, the number of battery modules 130(1) to 130(n-1) supplied is 3, and so on.

[0019] When the load status indicates that the load on the DC power bus DB has decreased and the DC power bus DB is not receiving external power PE, the management circuit 140 reduces the number of battery modules 130(1) to 130(n-1) supplied. For example, under heavy load, the number of battery modules 130(1) to 130(n-1) supplied is equal to (n-1). When the load on the DC power bus DB decreases by a set power difference, the number of battery modules 130(1) to 130(n-1) supplied is equal to (n-2). When the load on the DC power bus DB decreases by another set power difference, the number of battery modules 130(1) to 130(n-1) supplied is equal to (n-3), and so on.

[0020] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the number of power supplies of battery modules 130(1) to 130(n-1) can be dynamically adjusted in real time according to the load change of the DC power bus DB.

[0021] Furthermore, the management circuit 140 determines the discharge order of battery modules 130(1) to 130(n-1) based on the remaining charge of the battery modules 130(1) to 130(n-1). For example, under light load conditions, the management circuit 140 communicates with battery modules 130(1) to 130(n-1) to determine that battery module 130(1) has the most remaining charge and battery module 130(2) has the second most remaining charge. Therefore, the management circuit 140 controls battery module 130(1) to prioritize powering the DC power bus DB. When the load increases, the management circuit 140 controls battery modules 130(1) and 130(2) to prioritize powering the DC power bus DB.

[0022] In some embodiments, when the DC power bus DB does not receive an external power supply PE and the load status indicates a light load, the management circuit 140 controls all battery modules 130(1) to 130(n-1) to supply power to the DC power bus DB at a lower discharge power. In this way, the discharge burden of battery modules 130(1) to 130(n-1) can be balanced, thereby ensuring that battery energy is released efficiently and evenly under light load conditions, and further extending the life of the battery cells in battery modules 130(1) to 130(n-1).

[0023] Please refer to Figure 4, which is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of a DC power supply device receiving an external power supply according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, when the load status indicates that the load power of the DC power bus DB is lower than the external power of the external power supply PE, the management circuit 140 uses the external power supply PE to supply power to the load element LD and the battery modules 130(1) to 130(n-1) connected to the DC power bus DB.

[0024] In this embodiment, when the load status indicates that the load power of the DC power bus DB is lower than the external power of the external power supply PE, the management circuit 140 supplies power to the load element LD connected to the DC power bus DB based on the residual charge of the battery modules 130(1) to 130(n-1). In other words, when the load power of the DC power bus DB is lower than the external power of the external power supply PE, the external power supply PE and the residual charge of the battery modules 130(1) to 130(n-1) supply power to the load element LD connected to the DC power bus DB. In this embodiment, when the residual charge of one of the battery modules 130(1) to 130(n-1) is lower than the critical charge, one of the battery modules 130(1) to 130(n-1) stops supplying power.

[0025] Please refer to Figures 1 and 5. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the battery module 130 includes a battery cell 131, a battery state detection circuit 132, a bidirectional power converter 133, and a controller 134. The battery state detection circuit 132 is coupled to the battery cell 131. The battery state detection circuit 132 detects the state of the battery cell 131. The bidirectional power converter 133 is coupled to the battery cell 131. The controller 134 is coupled to the bidirectional power converter 133 and the battery state detection circuit 132. When the bidirectional power converter 133 is connected to the DC power bus DB, the controller 134 controls the bidirectional power converter 133 to charge or discharge the battery cell 131.

[0026] In this embodiment, the DC power bus DB includes multiple connection ports PT. When the bidirectional power converter 133 is connected to one of the connection ports PT of the DC power bus DB, the positive connection terminal T(+) of the bidirectional power converter 133 is connected to the positive power line L(+) of the DC power bus DB via the connection port PT. The negative connection terminal T(-) of the bidirectional power converter 133 is connected to the negative power line L(-) of the DC power bus DB via the connection port PT.

[0027] In this embodiment, the battery status detection circuit 132 can detect the residual charge, temperature, voltage, and current of the battery cell 131 to generate a detection signal SD3. When the bidirectional power converter 133 is connected to one of the ports PT of the DC power bus DB, the controller 134 communicates with the management circuit 140 to perform either charging or discharging of the battery module 130.

[0028] In this embodiment, the controller 134 can provide the detection signal SD3 to the management circuit 140. The management circuit 140 can use the control signal SC to control the controller 134, so that the controller 134 can perform operations such as discharging, charging or deactivating according to the control signal SC.

[0029] During the discharge of battery module 130, controller 134 can determine the remaining charge, temperature, voltage, and current of battery cell 131 based on detection signal SD3. For example, if any one of the remaining charge, voltage, or current of battery cell 131 is too low, controller 134 stops battery module 130 from discharging. For example, if any one of the temperature or current of battery cell 131 is too high, controller 134 controls bidirectional power converter 133 to reduce the discharge power of battery module 130 or stop battery module 130 from discharging.

[0030] Furthermore, the controller 134 can determine whether the battery cell 131 is malfunctioning or aging based on the detection signal SD3. When the battery cell 131 is malfunctioning or aging, the battery module 130 can be removed from the DC power bus DB for repair. In this way, the cost of repair can be reduced, and the convenience of repair can be improved.

[0031] In this embodiment, the controller 134 is, for example, a central processing unit, or other programmable general-purpose or special-purpose microprocessor, digital signal processor, programmable controller, special-purpose integrated circuit, programmable logic device or other similar device or combination of such devices, which can load and execute computer programs.

[0032] In this embodiment, the battery unit 131 can be an energy storage element well known to those skilled in the art, such as an aluminum-ion battery or a lithium-ion battery.

[0033] Please refer to Figure 6, which is a schematic diagram of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the battery module 130 includes a battery cell 131, a battery state detection circuit 132, a bidirectional power converter 133, and a controller 134. The bidirectional power converter 133 includes a capacitor C1, an inductor L1, a first power switch Q1, and a second power switch Q2. The capacitor C1 is coupled between the positive power supply terminal B(+) and the negative power supply terminal B(-) of the battery cell 131. The first terminal of the inductor L1 is coupled to the positive power supply terminal B(+) of the battery cell 131. The first terminal of the first power switch Q1 is coupled to the second terminal of the inductor L1. The second terminal of the first power switch Q1 is coupled to the positive connection terminal T(+) of the bidirectional power converter 133. The control terminal of the first power switch Q1 is coupled to the controller 134 to receive a first switch signal SSW1. The first terminal of the second power switch Q2 is coupled to the second terminal of the inductor L1. The second terminal of the second power switch Q2 is coupled to the negative connection terminal T(-) of the bidirectional power converter 133 and the negative power supply terminal B(-) of the battery cell 131. The control terminal of the second power switch Q2 is coupled to the controller 134 to receive the second switch signal SSW2.

[0034] In this embodiment, the first power switch Q1 includes a diode D1 and a power transistor T1. The anode of diode D1 is coupled to a first terminal of the first power switch Q1. The cathode of diode D1 is coupled to a second terminal of the first power switch Q1. The first terminal of power transistor T1 is coupled to the first terminal of the first power switch Q1. The second terminal of power transistor T1 is coupled to the second terminal of the first power switch Q1. The control terminal of power transistor T1 is coupled to the control terminal of the first power switch Q1.

[0035] The second power switch Q2 includes a diode D2 and a power transistor T2. The anode of diode D2 is coupled to the second terminal of the second power switch Q2. The cathode of diode D2 is coupled to the first terminal of the second power switch Q2. The first terminal of power transistor T2 is coupled to the first terminal of the second power switch Q2. The second terminal of power transistor T2 is coupled to the second terminal of the second power switch Q2. The control terminal of power transistor T2 is coupled to the control terminal of the second power switch Q2.

[0036] In this embodiment, power transistors T1 and T2 are respectively implemented by N-type transistors (the present invention is not limited to the type of power transistors T1 and T2).

[0037] Please refer to Figures 6 and 7. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the operation of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, when the bidirectional power converter 133 is assembled to the DC power bus DB and the battery cell 131 is discharging, the power transistor T1 is turned off according to the first switch signal SSW1. The second power switch Q2 performs switching operations according to the duty cycle of the second switch signal SSW2. The duty cycle is greater than 0. In this embodiment, the electrical energy provided by the bidirectional power converter 133 is determined by the duty cycle of the second switch signal SSW2.

[0038] When the bidirectional power converter 133 is assembled to the DC power bus DB and the battery cell 131 is discharging, power transistor T1 is turned off according to the low voltage value of the first switching signal SSW1. Power transistor T2 performs switching operations according to the duty cycle of the second switching signal SSW2. Power transistor T2 is turned on according to the high voltage value of the second switching signal SSW2 to store energy in inductor L1. Power transistor T2 is turned off according to the high voltage value of the second switching signal SSW2 to release the energy stored in inductor L1. Therefore, when the bidirectional power converter 133 is assembled to the DC power bus DB and the battery cell 131 is discharging, the energy stored in inductor L1 is supplied to the DC power bus DB via diode D1. Therefore, in this embodiment, the duty cycle of the second switching signal SSW2 is positively correlated or proportional to the energy supplied by the bidirectional power converter 133.

[0039] Please refer to Figures 6 and 8. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the operation of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, when the bidirectional power converter 133 is assembled to the DC power bus DB and the battery cell 131 is charging, the second power switch Q2 is turned off according to the second switch signal SSW2. The power transistor T1 performs the switching operation according to the duty cycle of the first switch signal SSW1. The duty cycle of the first switch signal SSW1 is greater than 0.

[0040] In this embodiment, when the bidirectional power converter 133 is assembled to the DC power bus DB and the battery cell 131 is being charged, the power transistor T2 is turned off according to the low voltage value of the second switch signal SSW2. Therefore, the second power switch Q2 is turned off. The power transistor T1 performs the switching operation according to the duty cycle of the first switch signal SSW1. Therefore, electrical energy from the DC power bus DB can charge the battery cell 131 during the period when the power transistor T1 is turned on. In this embodiment, the duty cycle of the first switch signal SSW1 is positively correlated with or proportional to the charging power of the battery cell 131.

[0041] In summary, the DC power supply device includes multiple assembled battery modules mounted on a DC power bus. When the DC power bus is not receiving external power, the management circuit can dynamically adjust the power supply quantity of the multiple assembled battery modules according to the load status. This extends the lifespan of the battery cells in the multiple assembled battery modules without significantly reducing their performance. Furthermore, when one of the multiple battery modules malfunctions, the malfunctioning battery module can be removed from the DC power bus for repair. This reduces repair costs and improves repair convenience.

[0042] Although the present invention has been disclosed above by way of embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone skilled in the art can make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the appended claims.

[0043] 100: DC power supply device 110: First detection circuit 120: Second detection circuit 130, 130(1)~130(n): Battery module 131: Battery cell 132: Battery Status Detection Circuit 133: Bidirectional Power Converter 134: Controller 140: Management Circuit B(+): Positive power supply terminal B(-): Negative power supply terminal C1: Capacitor D1, D2: Diodes DB: DC power bus L1: Inductor LD: Load element L(+): Positive power line L(-): Negative power supply line PE: External power supply PT: Connector Port Q1: First power switch Q2: Second power switch SD1, SD2, SD3: Detection signals SSW1: First switch signal SSW2: Second switch signal t: time T(+): Positive connection terminal T(-): Negative connection terminal T1, T2: Power transistors V: Voltage value

Claims

1. A DC power supply device, comprising: DC power bus; A first detection circuit, coupled to the DC power bus, is configured to detect an external power supply entering the DC power bus; A second detection circuit, coupled to the DC power bus, configured to detect a load state located on the DC power bus; a plurality of battery modules, each detachably assembled to the DC power bus; and a management circuit, communicating with the first detection circuit, the second detection circuit, and the plurality of assembled battery modules assembled to the DC power bus, configured to adjust the power supply quantity of the assembled battery modules according to the load state when the DC power bus does not receive the external power supply, wherein the management circuit determines the discharge sequence of the assembled battery modules based on the remaining charge of the assembled battery modules.

2. The DC power supply device as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the DC power bus does not receive the external power supply and the load status indicates a heavy load, the management circuit controls the assembled battery modules to supply power to the DC power bus.

3. The DC power supply device as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the DC power bus is not receiving the external power supply and the load state indicates a light load, the management circuit controls one of the assembled battery modules to supply power to the DC power bus.

4. The DC power supply device as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the load state indicates an increase in the load on the DC power bus and the DC power bus is not receiving the external power supply, the management circuit increases the number of power supplies supplied to the assembled battery modules.

5. The DC power supply device as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the load state indicates that the load on the DC power bus is reduced and the DC power bus is not receiving the external power supply, the management circuit reduces the amount of power supplied to the assembled battery modules.

6. The DC power supply device as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the load status indicates that the load power of the DC power bus is lower than the external power of the external power supply, the management circuit uses the external power supply to supply power to a load element connected to the DC power bus and the assembled battery modules.

7. The DC power supply device as claimed in claim 6, wherein when the load status indicates that the load power of the DC power bus is lower than the external power of the external power supply, the management circuit supplies power to the load element based on the residual charge of the assembled battery modules.

8. The DC power supply device as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the battery modules comprises: One battery cell; A battery status detection circuit, coupled to the battery cell, is configured to detect the status of the battery cell; A bidirectional power converter is coupled to the battery cell; A controller, coupled to the bidirectional power converter and the battery status detection circuit, is configured to control the bidirectional power converter to charge or discharge the battery cell when the bidirectional power converter is connected to the DC power bus.

9. The DC power supply device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the bidirectional power converter comprises: A capacitor is coupled between the positive power supply terminal and the negative power supply terminal of the battery cell. An inductor, the first end of which is coupled to the positive power supply terminal of the battery cell; a first power switch, the first end of which is coupled to the second end of the inductor, the second end of which is coupled to the positive connection terminal of the bidirectional power converter, and the control terminal of the first power switch is coupled to the controller to receive a first switch signal. And a second power switch, the first end of which is coupled to the second end of the inductor, the second end of which is coupled to the negative connection terminal of the bidirectional power converter, and the control terminal of the second power switch is coupled to the controller to receive a second switch signal.

10. The DC power supply device as claimed in claim 9, wherein when the bidirectional power converter is assembled to the DC power bus, the positive connection terminal of the bidirectional power converter is connected to the positive power line of the DC power bus, and the negative connection terminal of the bidirectional power converter is connected to the negative power line of the DC power bus.

11. The DC power supply device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first power switch comprises: A diode, wherein the anode of the diode is coupled to the first terminal of the first power switch, and the cathode of the diode is coupled to the second terminal of the first power switch; And a power transistor, wherein a first terminal of the power transistor is coupled to a first terminal of the first power switch, a second terminal of the power transistor is coupled to a second terminal of the first power switch, and a control terminal of the power transistor is coupled to a control terminal of the first power switch.

12. The DC power supply device as claimed in claim 11, wherein: When the bidirectional power converter is assembled to the DC power bus and the battery cell is discharging, the power transistor is turned off according to the first switch signal, and the second power switch performs a switching operation according to a duty cycle of the second switch signal, and the duty cycle is greater than 0.

13. The DC power supply device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the electrical energy supplied by the bidirectional power converter is determined by the duty cycle.

14. The DC power supply device as claimed in claim 12, wherein when the bidirectional power converter is assembled to the DC power bus and the battery cell is discharging, the electrical energy stored in the inductor is supplied to the DC power bus via the diode.

15. The DC power supply device as claimed in claim 11, wherein: When the bidirectional power converter is assembled to the DC power bus and the battery cell is being charged, the second power switch is turned off according to the second switch signal, and the power transistor performs a switching operation according to a duty cycle of the first switch signal, and the duty cycle is greater than 0.

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