Battery Cell Balancing via Pulse Discharge to Suppress Dendrites

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rechargeable batteries face challenges with dendrite growth, which can lead to battery cell short circuits and potential battery cell ignition, and may cause the battery cell to ignite.

Innovation Solution

A cell balancing method and device that includes a storage device that stores a balancing profile for cell balancing, and a balancing device configured to perform pulse discharge for a balancing target battery cell selected from among the plurality of battery cells, with a balancing resistor and a balancing switch for each of the battery module, and a balancing controller configured to control the balancing device to perform pulse discharge for a balancing target battery cell selected from among the battery cells, with a balancing resistor and a balancing switch for each of the battery pack, and a balancing controller configured to control the balancing device to suppress dendrite growth through cell balancing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If continuous discharge is performed for cell balancing, then cell balancing efficiency is improved, but dendrite growth is promoted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell balancing efficiencyVSAvoiddendrite growth
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by switching the balancing discharge between continuous discharge mode and pulse discharge mode at predetermined time intervals. This periodic alternation allows the system to achieve both high cell balancing efficiency during continuous discharge periods and dendrite suppression during pulse discharge periods, resolving the contradiction between balancing efficiency and dendrite growth prevention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Object-generated harmful factors

If pulse discharge is performed to suppress dendrite growth, then dendrite formation is reduced, but cell balancing efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedendrite formationVSAvoidcell balancing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses periodic action by implementing alternating periods of continuous discharge and pulse discharge. During continuous discharge periods, cell balancing efficiency is maximized, while during pulse discharge periods, dendrite growth is suppressed. This time-based periodic alternation resolves the contradiction by allowing each mode to excel at its primary function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Loss of time

If high current discharge is applied for fast cell balancing, then balancing time is reduced, but dendrite growth is accelerated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebalancing timeVSAvoiddendrite growth
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by alternating between continuous discharge mode (which provides fast balancing with higher current) and pulse discharge mode (which suppresses dendrite growth). This periodic alternation allows the system to achieve fast overall balancing while periodically interrupting dendrite formation processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing pulse discharge at predetermined time intervals during the cell balancing process. These preliminary pulse interventions prevent dendrite growth before it can become excessive, allowing continuous discharge to proceed at high current without causing severe dendrite formation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 method and device effectively suppress dendrite growth and enhance battery cell balancing efficiency by suppressing dendrite formation and promoting dendrite growth, thereby increasing the balancing efficiency of the battery pack.

Implementation Method 1

a first controller configured to control the balancing device to perform pulse discharge for a balancing target battery cell selected from among the plurality of battery cells

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPulse discharge:

Implementation Method 2

The balancing profile may include a pulse period and a duty cycle set based on a natural frequency of a dendrite

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP4648253A1Cell balancing method, and cell balancing device and battery pack performing the same
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP4648253A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4648253A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4648253A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a cell balancing method and a cell balancing device performing the cell balancing method, and a battery pack. The cell balancing device may include: a storage device that storage a balancing profile for cell balancing; a balancing device configured to perform a discharge function for cell balancing of a plurality of battery cells; and a first controller configured to control the balancing device to perform pulse discharge for a balancing target battery cell selected from among the plurality of battery cells referring to the balancing profile if the cell balancing is required. The balancing profile may include a pulse period and a duty cycle set based on a natural frequency of a dendrite. The balancing device may be further configured to perform the pulse discharge according to a pulse signal that satisfies the pulse period and the duty cycle.