Adaptive Battery Pack Voltage Matching via Dynamic Cell Reconfiguration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery packs are not compatible with different devices due to fixed voltage configurations, leading to resource wastage as they cannot be used across various devices with different voltage requirements.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack with a control system and switch arrangement that dynamically connects battery cells in series or parallel based on the connected device's resistance, allowing voltage levels to be adjusted to match the device's operating voltage, using transistors and capacitors to manage charge and discharge states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If battery packs are manufactured with fixed voltage configurations for specific devices, then the battery pack can provide stable and reliable power for that specific device, but the battery pack cannot be used with other devices having different voltage requirements, leading to resource waste
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack employs dynamic reconfiguration of battery cells through switching circuits. The control unit detects the connected device's voltage requirements and dynamically switches between series and parallel cell configurations to provide the appropriate voltage level. This dynamic adaptability allows a single battery pack design to serve multiple devices with different voltage requirements, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery pack is designed with universal functionality to support multiple devices. By incorporating switching circuits that can reconfigure battery cells into different series-parallel arrangements, the same battery pack can provide various voltage levels (e.g., 3.7V, 7.4V, 11.1V) to match different device requirements. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for device-specific battery packs, thereby improving compatibility without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If battery packs use fixed series or parallel cell configurations, then the manufacturing process is simple and cost-effective, but the battery pack cannot adapt to different device voltage requirements, causing resource wastage
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack divides the battery system into modular cell groups that can be independently switched. Instead of a fixed configuration, the cells are segmented into groups that can be reconnected in different series-parallel combinations through switching circuits. This segmentation allows flexible voltage reconfiguration while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing, as each cell group can be pre-assembled and then dynamically reconfigured through electronic switching rather than physical reassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
Switching circuits and control units act as intermediaries between the fixed battery cell structure and the variable device voltage requirements. These intermediary components enable voltage reconfiguration without requiring physical disassembly or complex manual reassembly of battery cells. The intermediary switching mechanism automates the adaptation process, making the system easier to manufacture while maintaining voltage adaptability.
3Loss of substance
If a common battery pack design is used for various devices, then resource waste is reduced through improved compatibility, but the control system becomes more complex to manage different voltage configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack incorporates an automatic control system that detects the connected device's voltage requirements and autonomously reconfigures the battery cell connections. The control unit automatically determines the appropriate series-parallel configuration based on device detection, eliminating the need for manual intervention or complex user programming. This self-service capability reduces control system complexity compared to manual reconfiguration methods while achieving resource waste reduction through improved compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system employs feedback mechanisms to detect the connected device's voltage requirements and adjust the battery configuration accordingly. The control unit continuously monitors device parameters and uses this feedback to automatically switch between different cell configurations. This feedback-based automatic control simplifies the overall system by eliminating manual configuration steps and reducing the complexity of user interaction, while still achieving the goal of reduced resource waste through enhanced compatibility.
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
Enables a single battery pack to be used across multiple devices with different voltage levels, reducing resource waste by ensuring compatibility and optimizing battery performance through adaptive voltage matching.
Implementation Method 1
The battery pack may comprise a second capacitor C2 connected across the output of the battery module, wherein the control means is arranged to measure the voltage across the second capacitor to determine whether the battery cells are over-charged or over-discharged.
Implementation Method 2
The switches may comprise transistors responsive to control signals from the control means to selectively connect the battery cells to the output terminals of the battery pack.
Implementation Method 3
The battery pack may further comprise a first capacitor C1 connected between first and second battery cells.
Data Source
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AI summary
A battery pack is provided that recognizes the operating voltage of a connected device according to a unique resistance of the connected device and in which a plurality of cells are coupled in series or in parallel to be suitable to provide the operating voltage of the connected device.