Semiconductor Device for Battery Cell Capacity Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery management systems are limited in reducing the difference in remaining capacity between cells, especially when the load status of a battery pack changes, leading to inefficiencies in energy usage and potential overcharging or overdischarging.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor device with a high-voltage resistant circuit and a low-voltage circuit, including a multiplexer that selects and couples battery cells to equalize their capacities, and a measurement circuit to individually measure voltages, allowing for continuous capacity balancing regardless of the load status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If an intermittently operative unit is used to adjust cell capacities by selecting cells with voltage equal to or higher than target voltage, then energy waste is reduced, but the operation is limited when the battery pack is under load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the battery management system into two independent circuits: a high-voltage resistant circuit for capacity adjustment that can operate during loading, and a low-voltage circuit for voltage measurement that operates independently. This segmentation allows the capacity adjustment function to work continuously without being limited by load status, while the measurement function has its own dedicated power supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a multiplexer as an intermediary component that selectively connects different battery cells to the high-voltage resistant circuit based on their voltage levels. This intermediary enables the system to identify and adjust specific cells that need capacity balancing without interrupting the overall battery pack operation under load.
2Loss of energy
If capacity adjustment operation is paused to save energy, then energy efficiency improves, but the difference in remaining capacity between cells increases during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic capacity adjustment mechanism where the high-voltage resistant circuit continuously monitors and adjusts cell capacities based on real-time voltage differences. The system adapts its operation based on the actual state of battery cells, performing adjustments when voltage differences exceed thresholds and maintaining capacity uniformity without requiring continuous operation of the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the capacity adjustment circuit by using a high-voltage resistant circuit that can operate during battery pack loading. This parameter change enables the system to maintain capacity uniformity dynamically rather than relying on periodic adjustments, thereby reducing the capacity difference between cells without excessive energy consumption.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple battery cells are monitored and adjusted individually, then capacity uniformity improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the high-voltage resistant circuit with multi-functionality, allowing it to perform both capacity adjustment and voltage monitoring functions. The same circuit structure can selectively connect to different battery cells based on their voltage levels, providing a universal solution that handles multiple cells without requiring separate dedicated circuits for each cell, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a semiconductor device, a battery system, and a battery control method that are capable of reducing difference in remaining capacity without regard to the load status of a battery pack. The semiconductor device includes a high-voltage resistant circuit and a low-voltage circuit. The high-voltage resistant circuit includes a multiplexer that selects one of multiple series-coupled battery cells in a battery pack and couples the selected battery cell to the battery pack. The low-voltage circuit includes a measurement circuit that individually measures voltages of the battery cells. The multiplexer couples one of the battery cells to a power supply for the low-voltage circuit.