Battery Assembly Balancing via Capacitor Mediator and Dynamic Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current battery balancing methods and systems are inefficient and unsafe, leading to cell imbalance, reduced storage capacity, and shortened battery lifespan due to differences in cell capacities, temperatures, internal resistance, and chemical degradation.
Innovation Solution
A battery management system that selects and actively balances batteries by controlling a balancing path to transfer charge between cells, isolating batteries outside predetermined current or voltage ranges, and prioritizing charging or discharging based on voltage and capacity differences to maintain equilibrium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If passive balancing methods are used to balance battery cells, then cell voltage differences can be reduced, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to significant energy loss as heat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a capacitor as an intermediary energy storage component in the balancing circuit. The capacitor temporarily stores energy from higher-voltage cells and releases it to lower-voltage cells, acting as a mediator that enables active balancing without direct energy dissipation. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining voltage balance while significantly reducing energy loss compared to passive resistive balancing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the balancing system by switching between different balancing modes (active balancing using capacitors, passive balancing using resistors, and isolation modes) based on real-time cell voltage differences and current conditions. This dynamic parameter adjustment allows the system to optimize between voltage balance and energy efficiency, applying the most appropriate method for each specific situation.
2Loss of energy
If active balancing with capacitor coupling is implemented to improve energy efficiency, then device complexity increases due to additional switching components and control circuitry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the battery assembly into multiple independent cell groups, each with its own balancing circuitry. This segmentation allows the complex active balancing functionality to be distributed across multiple simpler, identical modules rather than requiring a single complex centralized control system. Each module can operate semi-independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic switching between different balancing modes (active capacitor-based balancing, passive resistor-based balancing, and cell isolation) based on real-time monitoring of voltage differences and current conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to use the simpler passive or isolation modes when appropriate, reducing the need for complex active balancing circuitry to operate continuously, thereby lowering overall device complexity.
3Reliability
If continuous monitoring and balancing of all battery cells is performed to maintain voltage equilibrium, then productivity decreases due to extended balancing time, but reliability improves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial balancing action by focusing balancing efforts only on cell groups with significant voltage differences rather than continuously balancing all cells. The system monitors all cells but applies active balancing selectively to those exceeding voltage thresholds, and uses simpler passive balancing or isolation for others. This partial action approach maintains sufficient voltage equilibrium while significantly reducing the time required compared to continuous full-system balancing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic monitoring and balancing cycles rather than continuous operation. The system monitors cell voltages continuously but initiates balancing actions only when voltage differences exceed predetermined thresholds, creating a periodic on-demand balancing regime. This approach maintains voltage equilibrium by acting only when necessary, thereby reducing overall balancing time and improving productivity while preserving reliability.
4Productivity
If batteries operating outside predetermined current or voltage ranges are included in balancing to maximize energy utilization, then safety deteriorates due to potential overcharging or over-discharging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts or isolates battery cells operating outside safe current or voltage ranges from the balancing circuit. The isolation switching mechanism removes these problematic cells from active balancing participation, preventing them from receiving charge or discharge currents that could cause overcharging or over-discharging. This extraction approach prioritizes safety by excluding unsafe cells while still allowing safe cells to be fully utilized for energy optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary protective action by pre-isolating cells that are approaching unsafe operating conditions before actual damage can occur. The system monitors cell parameters and proactively removes cells from balancing when they near current or voltage limits, preventing the harmful effects of overcharging or over-discharging. This preliminary anti-action ensures safety is maintained while still maximizing energy utilization of cells within safe operating ranges.
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
The system effectively balances battery assemblies in any state, maximizing energy usage and extending battery longevity by actively managing charge transfer and isolating cells under unsafe conditions, thereby improving efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
controlling a balancing path between the selected batteries to transfer charge therebetween
Data Source
AI summary
A system for balancing a battery assembly and related methods for making and using same are provided. The system can obtain a status of a battery assembly with a plurality of batteries. One or more of the batteries can be selected based on the obtained status, and the selected batteries can be balanced. The system, for example, can control active balancing of the selected batteries when the battery assembly is in a static state and control selective discharging of the selected batteries when the battery assembly is in a discharging state. When the battery assembly is in a charging state, selective charging of the selected batteries can be controlled. One or more cells that comprise the individual batteries alternatively can be selected for balancing. A protective circuit can help ensure safety of the balancing. Battery balancing can be energy-efficient and time-efficient. The lifetime of the battery assembly can be extended.