Battery Cell Heating and Balancing Circuit Topology
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery technologies, particularly lithium-ion batteries, face challenges in efficiently managing temperature and balancing charge levels, which can affect their performance and safety, especially in varying environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
A battery system comprising multiple lithium-ion battery cells with parallel-connected heating units and a control device that switches these units on or off to heat, balance, or discharge cells, using electronic switches for efficient temperature management and charge balancing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If heating foils are connected in series to heat battery cells, then the battery cells can be heated, but the control flexibility and balancing capability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is segmented into multiple independent circuit branches, with each branch containing a heating foil and switching element that can be controlled independently. This segmentation enables flexible control of individual battery cells while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit configuration is made dynamic through electronically controllable switching elements that can change the connection topology between heating foils and battery cells. This allows the system to adapt between series and parallel configurations based on operational requirements, providing both heating and balancing capabilities.
2Reliability
If individual circuit branches with switching elements are connected in parallel to each battery cell, then temperature control and charge balancing become flexible and effective, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each circuit branch is designed as a universal module that can perform multiple functions: heating battery cells during cold conditions, balancing charge levels during charging, and providing diagnostic capabilities. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes electrical parameters (voltage, current, resistance) by controlling switching elements to adapt to different operational conditions. This enables the same circuit structure to maintain optimal temperature and charge levels across varying battery states without requiring complex hardware modifications.
3Productivity
If heating units are used to preheat battery cells before charging, then charging performance improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating units utilize electrical energy from the battery cells themselves to generate heat through resistive heating, rather than requiring an external power source. This self-service approach preheats battery cells using internally available energy, improving charging efficiency without significantly increasing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary heating of battery cells before the main charging process begins, optimizing cell temperature to receive charges efficiently. By preparing the battery cells in advance at optimal temperatures, the subsequent charging operation proceeds at maximum efficiency, reducing total energy loss.
4Stability of the object's composition
If passive balancing is performed by discharging overcharged battery cells through heating units, then charge uniformity improves, but heating time and energy loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The passive balancing process uses periodic switching of circuit branches to discharge overcharged battery cells in controlled intervals. By alternating between charging and discharging phases with appropriate timing, the system achieves charge uniformity across all cells while minimizing total balancing time and energy dissipation.
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 solution allows for easy and effective control of battery cell operating states, ensuring optimal temperature and charge balance, enhancing performance and safety, especially in low-temperature conditions and during charging or discharge processes.
Implementation Method 1
a heating unit which can be connected in parallel to the respective battery cell by means of a switching element of the circuit branch
Data Source
AI summary
A battery, particularly for a motor vehicle, including at least two battery cells, wherein at least one circuit branch is connected to a respective positive pole and negative pole of the respective battery cell, which includes a heating unit, which can be connected in parallel to the respective battery cell by a switching element of the circuit branch; and a control device, which is configured to switch the switching elements of the respective circuit branch between an electrically conductive and an electrically blocking state in order to heat the battery cells, perform active balancing of the battery cells, and/or discharge the battery cells. The invention furthermore relates to a method for operating a battery.