Battery Bypass Circuit for Current Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
When batteries with different properties are coupled to a common load, charging/discharging stress is not distributed evenly, leading to over-charging, over-discharging, and early failure due to circulating currents among batteries at different states of charge or voltages, which existing battery management systems struggle to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
A circuit with a bypass circuit and a controller that operates in multiple modes to control the bypass current based on parameters like current, voltage, temperature, and impedance of individual batteries, directing a bypass current around a load switch to optimize charging and discharging, and includes a bidirectional converter for efficient power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If batteries with different properties are coupled to a common load, then power capability is increased, but charging/discharging stress is not distributed evenly leading to over-charging, over-discharging, and early failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements individual control for each battery cell through separate load switches and bypass circuits, allowing each cell to be managed according to its specific state of charge and properties rather than treating all cells uniformly. This enables even distribution of charging/discharging stress across batteries with different properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass circuit acts as an intermediary component that provides an alternative current path when the load switch is open. This mediator allows the system to maintain power capability while preventing harmful circulating currents by redirecting them through the bypass circuit under controller management.
2Reliability
If a bypass circuit is added to control current distribution, then battery performance and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the battery management function into modular units, with each battery cell having its own load switch and bypass circuit controlled by a centralized controller. This segmentation allows independent management of each cell while maintaining overall system coordination, improving reliability without overwhelming complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass circuit is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides an alternative current path when the load switch is open, prevents harmful circulating currents, and enables individual cell management. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, managing complexity while improving reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit provides for regulating charge and discharge current of a battery. A bypass circuit is connected to a terminal of the battery and connected in parallel with a load switch. The bypass circuit may selectively direct a bypass current around the load switch. A controller can operate in plural modes to control the bypass circuit. In a first mode, the controller controls one or more parameters of the bypass current based on values corresponding to a current at the terminal, a voltage at the terminal, and/or a temperature of the battery. In a second mode, the controller controls the bypass circuit to disable the bypass current.