Battery Cell Balancing Using Energy Delta Switching Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery packs face inefficiencies due to cell unbalancing, which leads to reduced capacity and lifespan, and current balancing methods like active and passive balancing increase cost, complexity, and susceptibility to electromagnetic interference or inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system with sensors, switching units, and a controlling unit that measures operational parameters to determine energy deltas and selectively transfers energy to storage units, achieving balanced cell states without additional hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If active balancing with additional components (inductor, capacitor, fly back convertors) is used, then cell balancing efficiency is improved, but device complexity and susceptibility to electromagnetic interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for complex balancing hardware (inductors, capacitors, fly back convertors) by using the existing battery management system components. The solution takes out the problematic additional components while retaining the essential sensing and control capabilities through software-based energy redistribution algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical hardware-based active balancing system with a software/control-based approach. Instead of using physical components like fly back convertors and DC/DC converters, the system uses the existing battery management controller to monitor and redistribute energy through controlled charging/discharging cycles, substituting hardware complexity with intelligent control logic.
2Device complexity
If passive balancing with resistors is used, then device complexity is reduced, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to heat dissipation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of excess energy in overcharged cells (which would be wasted as heat in passive balancing) into a beneficial resource. The energy redistribution algorithm captures the excess energy from overcharged cells and redirects it to undercharged cells, transforming what would be waste into useful energy that extends overall battery pack capacity and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding excess energy through resistor dissipation, the patent recovers and redistributes it. The system identifies cells with excess energy, temporarily isolates them, and transfers their energy to cells that need charging, thereby recovering what would otherwise be lost and improving overall system efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If sensors and monitoring components are added continuously, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing battery management system components multi-functional. The same sensors and controller used for basic monitoring are also employed for energy measurement, cell balancing decisions, and redistribution control. This universal use of existing components achieves precise measurement without adding dedicated balancing hardware, maintaining simplicity while improving functionality.
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
This approach balances battery cells efficiently, optimizing energy use and reducing waste, while minimizing hardware requirements and electromagnetic interference.
Implementation Method 1
The switching unit is selectively operated for a time period determined based on the energy delta for each of the plurality of cells to allow transfer of energy from at least one of the plurality of cells to the storage unit
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of sensors is configured to measure multiple operational parameters of each of the plurality of cells
Implementation Method 3
The controlling unit is configured to determine an energy value for each of the plurality of cells based on data pertaining to the multiple operational parameters of each of the plurality of cells. Based on the energy value, the controlling unit determines an energy delta for each of the plurality of cells
Data Source
AI summary
A system (115) includes a plurality of sensors (210) to measure multiple operational parameters of each of the plurality of cells (110). The system (115) further includes a switching unit (215) and a controlling unit (235) electrically and communicably coupled to each of the plurality of cells (110). The controlling unit (235) determines an energy value (E(cell-n)) for each of the cells (110) based on the multiple operational parameters of the cells (110), determines an energy delta (Dn) for the cells (110) and thereafter selectively operates the switching unit (215) for a time period (tn) to allow transfer of energy from one of the cells (110) to a storage unit (120). Thereby, each of the cells (110) is at an ideal operating state and the plurality of cells (110) are balanced.