Battery Cell Control Circuit Adapting Power Consumption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Managing and balancing power consumption across battery cells in series connections within battery modules is complex, especially as the number of cells varies, leading to imbalances and inefficiencies in battery management circuits.

Innovation Solution

A control circuit with a power supply unit, battery cell control unit, and energy control unit is used to determine the number of connected battery cells and adapt power consumption by adjusting operational modes and energy distribution to balancing circuits, ensuring balanced power draw across cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the number of battery cells in series connection varies, then the battery module can accommodate different configurations, but the power consumption balance across cells becomes difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoidpower consumption balance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The control circuit dynamically adapts its power consumption based on the detected number of battery cells. The control circuit includes an energy control unit that automatically adjusts its operational mode (first mode with higher consumption or second mode with lower consumption) according to the number of coupled battery cells, thereby maintaining power balance across varying configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control circuit incorporates a feedback mechanism where the number of battery cells is detected and used to control the operational mode of the control circuit itself. This closed-loop approach ensures that the control circuit's power consumption is automatically adjusted based on real-time detection of battery cell configuration, maintaining optimal power distribution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of energy

If multiple hardware and software configurations are used to manage different battery cell numbers, then power balance can be maintained, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumption balanceVSAvoidhardware and software configurations

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control circuit is designed as a universal solution that can handle different numbers of battery cells through a single hardware configuration. The control circuit automatically detects the number of coupled battery cells and adapts its operational mode accordingly, eliminating the need for multiple specialized hardware or software configurations while maintaining power balance across all scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8569995B2Control circuit and method for controlling a plurality of battery cells based on a determined number of coupled battery cells

Publication Date: 2013.10.29 VOLKSWAGEN AG

AI summary

A method for controlling a plurality of battery cells with a control circuit coupled to the plurality of battery cells, includes: supplying the control circuit with electrical energy from the coupled battery cells; determining a number of battery cells coupled to the control circuit; and automatically adapting a power consumption drawn from the battery cells in response to the number of coupled battery cells.