Battery Cell Connection Sequencing for SOC and SOH Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric driveline systems, particularly in electric vehicles, are complex and costly due to the use of auxiliary units for generating fluctuating voltages and battery management systems that only monitor cell parameters, leading to inefficiencies and potential errors.
Innovation Solution
A system that monitors cell states and selectively determines a time-based order for connecting battery cells to an external apparatus for current flow, allowing for charging and discharging while optimizing state of charge (SOC) and state of health (SOH) through a controller that integrates with each cell, eliminating the need for additional transformers and inverters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If auxiliary units are used to generate fluctuating voltage and provide lower voltage, then voltage requirements are met, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the auxiliary units (transformers, inverters) from the system by enabling the battery itself to directly provide fluctuating voltage and current. The battery management system controls individual cell connections to generate AC-like waveforms, removing the need for separate auxiliary voltage generation equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery system is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides stable DC voltage for power storage, generates fluctuating AC voltage for motor drive, and supplies lower voltages for auxiliary systems. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate auxiliary units, reducing system complexity while maintaining voltage adaptability.
2Device complexity
If existing BMS monitors only battery cell parameters, then monitoring is simple, but global battery pack parameters are not monitored leading to reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is segmented into two levels: individual cell monitoring (existing function) and global battery pack parameter monitoring (new function). The BMS independently tracks both cell-level parameters (voltage, temperature) and aggregate pack parameters (total capacity, overall health), enabling comprehensive monitoring without excessive complexity through hierarchical structuring.
3Duration of action of moving object
If battery packs are always on with live voltage, then power availability is ensured, but system complexity increases due to constant voltage provision
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system transitions from a static always-on configuration to a dynamic selective connection mode. The BMS dynamically controls which battery cells are connected to external apparatus based on real-time cell states (charge, temperature, health), enabling power availability when needed while reducing active components and complexity through selective engagement of battery cells.
Data Source
AI summary
One or more embodiments herein can facilitate charging and/or discharging of one or more units (e.g., battery cells and/or multi-cell battery clusters of battery cells) based at least in part on state of charge and/or state of health monitoring at one or more of the cell-level and/or cluster-level. An exemplary method can comprise monitoring, by a system operatively coupled to a processor, cell states of cells of a multi-cell battery cluster, and selectively determining, by the system, based on the cell states, a time-based order for electrically connecting the cells to an external apparatus for current flow between the external apparatus and the cluster. The cell states can be provided as a function of a cluster state of the cluster. The cell states can be provided as one or more of states of health of the cells or states of charge of the cells determined from the monitoring.