Battery Balancing Apparatus Using Segmented Capacitor-Resistor Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery capacity imbalances in electronic apparatuses due to manufacturing variations and improper operations lead to premature damage of battery cells during charging and discharging, affecting performance and lifetime.
Innovation Solution
A battery balancing apparatus and method using n energy storage elements and n resistors connected in series, with a switch unit that selectively connects battery units to energy storage elements to regulate voltage and balance capacities by charging or discharging as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If battery cells are connected in series to form a battery pack, then the voltage and energy capacity increase, but capacity imbalance occurs among cells leading to overcharge or overdischarge
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is segmented into multiple series-connected battery units, and the balancing apparatus is segmented into n energy storage elements and n resistors, where each element-resistor pair corresponds to a specific battery unit. This segmentation allows independent balancing control for each battery unit while maintaining the overall series configuration for high voltage and capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
Energy storage elements (capacitors) are introduced as intermediaries between the battery units and the resistors. These capacitors temporarily store or release energy to balance the voltage differences among battery units, preventing overcharge or overdischarge while allowing the battery pack to maintain its high energy capacity.
2Reliability
If conventional balancing methods are used, then capacity imbalance is addressed, but the balancing time is excessive and efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The balancing apparatus operates through periodic switching of the switch unit, which selectively connects different battery units to their corresponding energy storage elements and resistors in different time periods. This periodic action enables rapid voltage equalization across all battery units significantly reducing balancing time compared to conventional continuous passive balancing methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static passive balancing to dynamic active balancing by using controllable switches to actively manage energy flow. The switch unit dynamically reconfigures the circuit connections based on real-time battery unit states, enabling adaptive and efficient balancing that dramatically reduces the time required to achieve capacity balance.
3Productivity
If switching between different connection configurations is performed, then balancing efficiency increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a complex centralized switching system that controls all battery units simultaneously, the apparatus applies local quality by dedicating one energy storage element and one resistor to each battery unit. The switch unit selectively activates specific local pairs based on which battery unit needs balancing, simplifying the control logic while maintaining high balancing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The balancing apparatus is segmented into n independent element-resistor pairs, where each pair is responsible for balancing a specific battery unit. This segmentation distributes the control complexity across multiple simple, identical modules rather than requiring one complex control system, making the overall device easier to implement and maintain while achieving high balancing efficiency.
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 solution effectively balances battery capacities, preventing overcharge and overdischarge, thereby extending the lifetime and maintaining performance of battery packs by cyclically adjusting voltages to rated levels.
Implementation Method 1
n energy storage elements connected to each other in series
Implementation Method 2
n resistors connected to each other in series; First and second terminals of an ith resistor among the n resistors are connected to first and second terminals of an ith energy storage element respectively
Data Source
AI summary
A battery balancing apparatus configured to perform a battery balancing for a battery pack is provided. The battery balancing apparatus includes n energy storage elements connected in series, n resistors connected in series and a switch unit. First and second terminals of an ith resistor among the n resistors are connected to first and second terminals of an ith energy storage element respectively, where n and i are positive integers and 1≤i≤n. In a first period, the switch unit selects at least one ith battery unit from among the battery units, and connects positive and negative electrode terminals of the ith battery unit to the first and second terminals of the ith energy storage element respectively, so as to perform the battery balancing. A battery balancing method is also provided.