Battery Balance Module Relay Matrix Charge Equalization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Battery systems in UPS systems face challenges in equalizing the charging of series-connected batteries, leading to uneven state-of-charge across batteries, which can affect the reliability and efficiency of the power supply.

Innovation Solution

A battery balance module with a relay matrix, charge equalization circuit, and balance controller is used to measure voltage across individual batteries and apply charge DC power signals, ensuring proper charging and balancing of batteries within strings, thereby maintaining optimal charge levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a battery system uses multiple strings of series-connected batteries to increase storage capacity and voltage level, then the power supply capability is improved, but uneven charging occurs across batteries leading to inconsistent state-of-charge levels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidcharging consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The battery system is divided into multiple strings with individual monitoring and control for each string. The balance controller separately monitors the state-of-charge of each battery within strings and applies individualized charge equalization control to each battery, ensuring that each battery is charged to its optimal level rather than treating all batteries uniformly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The charging system applies different charging parameters and control strategies to different batteries based on their individual state-of-charge levels. The balance controller adjusts charging current and voltage individually for each battery or string, allowing localized optimization of charging conditions to maintain consistency across the entire battery system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If traditional charging systems charge battery strings in parallel without individual monitoring, then the charging process is simple, but the state-of-charge levels become uneven across batteries

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging system complexityVSAvoidcharge level uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The balance controller continuously monitors the state-of-charge of each battery through voltage and current sensing, and uses this feedback information to dynamically adjust the charging current distribution. The system compares the actual state-of-charge levels with target levels and modifies charging parameters in real-time to maintain uniform charge levels across all batteries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The charging system transitions from a static, uniform charging approach to a dynamic, adaptive charging process. The balance controller continuously adjusts charging parameters based on real-time battery conditions, changing the distribution of charging current as batteries reach different state-of-charge levels during the charging process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2666228B1Charge equalization systems and methods
Publication Date: 2022.08.31 ALPHA TECHNOLOGIES SERVICES INC
  • EP2666228B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2666228B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2666228B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A battery system having at least one battery string of more than two batteries connected in series, a charge equalization circuit, a relay matrix, and a balance controller. The charge equalization circuit is capable of equalizing the charge on any pair of series connected batteries in the at least one battery string. The relay matrix is operatively connected between the charge equalization circuit and the at least one battery string. The balance controller controls the relay matrix such that at least one battery characteristic of at least one battery is sensed. Based on at least one sensed battery characteristic, the balance controller controls the relay matrix such that the charge equalization circuit is connected across at least one pair of series connected batteries in the at least one battery string.