Switching Architecture for Battery Cell Pack Voltage Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery systems for hybrid and electric vehicles face challenges in maintaining consistent voltage levels due to battery cell state of charge and environmental influences, requiring redundant voltage sources for reliable operation in systems like 'drive by wire' systems.
Innovation Solution
A battery system comprising multiple layers of battery cell packs connected in series and parallel, with switchable groups and a control system to manage voltage stabilization and redundancy, allowing for adaptive connection configurations to maintain voltage stability and isolate underperforming packs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If battery cell packs are connected in series to increase voltage, then voltage level is improved, but voltage stability deteriorates due to state of charge variations
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into multiple layers (first layer, second layer, etc.) with each layer containing battery cell packs that can be independently connected in series or parallel. This segmentation allows the control system to selectively activate specific layers or combinations thereof to maintain stable output voltage despite variations in individual cell pack state of charge.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching architecture dynamically reconfigures the connection topology between battery cell packs based on real-time state of charge conditions. The control system monitors voltage levels and automatically switches between series and parallel connections to compensate for voltage fluctuations, ensuring stable output voltage throughout the battery's operational life.
2Reliability
If redundant voltage sources are added to ensure functionality, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switching architecture is designed with multi-functional switches that can perform multiple operations: connecting battery cell packs in series, connecting them in parallel, isolating faulty packs, and providing redundant voltage paths. This universal design achieves functional redundancy without proportionally increasing system complexity, as the same switching infrastructure serves multiple reliability functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates pre-configured redundant voltage sources and switching paths that are ready to activate before failures occur. The control system monitors battery cell pack health and proactively switches to redundant configurations when degradation is detected, ensuring continuous functionality without requiring complex real-time decision-making during failure events.
3Device complexity
If the number of switches is reduced to simplify the system, then device complexity is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The switching architecture merges multiple switching functions into a unified control structure. Instead of having separate switches for each possible connection configuration, the system uses a coordinated set of switches that can achieve all required configurations (series, parallel, series-parallel combinations) through controlled switching sequences. This merging reduces the total number of switches while maintaining full adaptability through intelligent control logic.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery system includes a plurality of battery cell packs arranged in layers selectively connected in series and parallel by a control system controlling a plurality of switches. Each of the battery cell packs includes a plurality of battery cells. A plurality of first switches and a plurality of second switches are controlled by a control system to connect the battery cell packs in response to a desired current output of the battery system and/or a desired voltage output of the battery system irrespective of individual battery cell or battery cell pack voltages or currents associated with state of charge or operational performance. The control system controls the switches to selectively connect the battery cell pack(s) to the output connections in parallel and/or series to provide redundancy and reduce output voltage/current fluctuation otherwise associated with state of charge or underperforming battery cells/packs.