Battery Module Cell Discharge via Switch Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-voltage batteries used in electric vehicles face safety challenges due to aggressive cell chemistry, leading to increased risks of short-circuits, thermal runaway, and fire, especially during quick charging, which can cause extensive aging and heat release, and existing safety measures are inadequate to prevent propagation of failure states across connected battery cells.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that selectively and sequentially discharge individual battery cells within a module using a cell switch unit controlled by a monitoring system, allowing for early detection and orderly discharging of faulty cells to prevent hazardous states, using a Smart Safety Detection System and Smart Power Dissipation Unit to manage energy release and maintain safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If battery cells are connected in series to achieve high voltage, then the DC voltage increases to meet performance needs, but the risk of propagation effects and safety hazards increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is divided into multiple independently switchable battery cells, each equipped with its own cell switch unit. This segmentation allows individual cells to be isolated and discharged without affecting the entire battery system, thereby maintaining high voltage through series connection while preventing propagation of failure states across connected cells.
2Productivity
If quick charging is performed to reduce charging time, then productivity increases, but extensive aging and heat release occur leading to safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system continuously monitors battery cell states and performs preliminary detection of potential failures before they escalate. When a cell shows signs of overheating or abnormal behavior during quick charging, the system proactively activates the cell switch unit to isolate and discharge the affected cell, preventing thermal runaway and safety hazards before they occur.
3Reliability
If individual cell switching is implemented to enable selective discharge, then safety against propagation effects improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cell switch unit is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a switching mechanism for selective cell discharge and as part of the monitoring system for detecting cell failures. This universal design integrates safety functions into the existing switching infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining individual cell isolation capabilities.
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 reduces the risk of propagation effects and enhances safety by allowing for the early detection and controlled discharge of faulty battery cells, preventing extensive energy release and maintaining the functionality of the battery module, thereby reducing the risk of fire and damage.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical energy-consuming unit for converting supplied electrical energy into heat
Data Source
AI summary
A method for discharging a battery module, having at least two battery cells, of a battery having at least two battery modules, wherein the battery cells of each of the battery modules are arranged next to one another and are mechanically and electrically connected to one another, wherein, in each of the battery modules, the respective battery cells are individually activated and deactivated in terms of an energy storage function by a cell switch unit, wherein the battery cells of the battery module to be discharged are selectively electrically coupled successively to a discharge device by the cell switch unit and starting from one predefined battery cell, in order to individually successively electrically discharge the battery cells in order to discharge the battery module.