Adaptive Battery Cell Balancing Thresholds for Mixed-Age Packs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery management systems face inefficiencies in balancing battery cells, particularly when old and new cells with different degrees of use are mixed, leading to uneven voltage levels and reduced battery lifespan, which affects the stability and efficiency of energy storage systems.
Innovation Solution
A battery management system that includes a measurement circuit and a controller to determine the degree of use of each battery cell, adjusting the cell balancing threshold based on the difference in use cycles, installation dates, and manufacturing dates to perform cell balancing operations, ensuring that new and old cells are managed with appropriate thresholds to maintain optimal voltage levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed cell balancing threshold is used for all battery cells, then the balancing operation is simple to implement, but cells with different degrees of use (old and new cells) cannot be properly balanced, leading to uneven voltage levels and reduced battery lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the balancing threshold adaptive rather than fixed. The controller dynamically adjusts the balancing threshold based on the degree of use of each battery cell, considering factors such as installation dates, manufacturing dates, and charge-discharge cycles. This allows the system to accommodate both old and new cells with different characteristics, ensuring proper balancing while extending overall battery lifespan.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the balancing threshold parameter according to the degree of use of each cell. The controller changes the threshold value based on multiple parameters including installation date, manufacturing date, and charge-discharge cycle count. This parameter adaptation enables the system to handle mixed-age battery cells effectively, preventing voltage imbalance and extending battery life.
2Stability of the object's composition
If cell balancing is performed frequently to maintain voltage levels, then voltage stability is improved, but energy is wasted through unnecessary balancing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes to adjust the balancing threshold dynamically based on cell characteristics. By considering the degree of use, installation dates, and manufacturing dates, the system sets appropriate thresholds that prevent both over-balancing and under-balancing. This ensures voltage stability is maintained while avoiding unnecessary balancing operations that would waste energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the voltage levels and degree of use of each battery cell, then using this information to determine whether balancing is necessary. The controller receives feedback from measurement circuits about cell parameters and adjusts balancing operations accordingly, ensuring that balancing is performed only when needed to maintain voltage stability, thereby minimizing energy waste.
3Reliability
If different balancing thresholds are applied to old and new cells, then cell lifespan is extended, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing an adaptive threshold mechanism that automatically adjusts balancing parameters based on cell characteristics. The controller dynamically determines the degree of use for each cell and selects appropriate thresholds without requiring manual intervention or complex external systems. This extends battery lifespan while keeping the system complexity manageable through automated adaptive control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the battery management system to automatically determine the degree of use of each cell and select appropriate balancing thresholds without external intervention. The controller uses built-in measurement circuits and algorithms to assess cell age, charge-discharge cycles, and voltage levels, then autonomously adjusts balancing operations. This self-managing capability extends battery lifespan while avoiding the complexity of manual or externally-controlled adaptive systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery management system is disclosed. The system includes a controller configured to determine whether to balance battery cells or trays based at least in part on a parameter of each of the battery cells or trays and a factor representing a degree of use of each of the battery cells or trays. The controller also balances the battery cells or trays based on whether the battery cells are to be balanced.