Battery Cell Disconnect Switching for Short-Circuit Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery packs in vehicles are prone to degradation due to short circuits, which can lead to increased temperature and reduced performance, necessitating a method to mitigate these issues.
Innovation Solution
A system with switches between battery cells that can be opened by a controller in response to voltage differences or other conditions, disconnecting affected cells to prevent further degradation and temperature rise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If battery cells are arranged in series to increase output voltage, then the power output capacity increases, but the risk of short circuits and cell degradation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is divided into multiple series strings of battery cells, with each string independently controllable via switches. This segmentation allows isolation of problematic cells while maintaining operation of other strings, thereby managing short circuit risks in high-voltage configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
Switches are introduced as intermediary components between battery cells and the output circuit. These switches act as mediators that can open or close circuit paths based on detected conditions, enabling dynamic control to prevent short circuits while maintaining power output capacity.
2Reliability
If switches are added between battery cells for protection, then short circuit risk is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switches serve multiple functions: they act as protection devices against short circuits, enable cell isolation for balancing operations, and provide configurable circuit topologies. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by consolidating multiple protection and control functions into single components.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If battery cells are disconnected to prevent degradation, then cell lifespan is extended, but battery output capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The switch configuration is dynamically adjustable based on real-time monitoring of cell conditions. The system can reconfigure which strings are active or inactive, allowing optimal power output while isolating only the minimum necessary cells that require protection or balancing, thus maintaining overall battery capacity while extending cell lifespan.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for managing operation of a battery pack are described. The methods and systems may be applied to fully electric or hybrid vehicles. The methods and systems may open a circuit within a battery in response to an indication of degradation of the battery. In addition, the methods and systems may open a contactor of the battery that controls current flow out of and into the battery.