Battery Cell Connection Sequencing to Protect BMS ICs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for connecting battery cells to a Battery Management System (BMS) can lead to electrical damage to the IC due to improper sequencing or random connection, increasing manufacturing costs and defects.
Innovation Solution
A battery apparatus with a connection controller that sequentially connects battery cells to the BMS using a switching circuit, ensuring that lower cells are connected first, and includes P-type and N-type FETs to manage voltage potentials, preventing random connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If battery cells are connected to BMS in random order or without proper sequencing, then connection process is simple and fast, but electrical damage occurs to the BMS IC due to improper voltage potential differences
Solution Approach 1:
The connection controller activates switches in a predetermined sequence before actual battery cell connections are made. The controller first establishes proper voltage potential by activating switches corresponding to lower-numbered battery cells before higher-numbered cells, ensuring that the BMS IC is never exposed to improper voltage differences during the connection process.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection controller serves as an intermediary device between the battery cells and the BMS IC. It includes a control unit that monitors connection status and multiple switches that mediate the electrical connection, ensuring that connections are made in the correct sequence and that voltage potential differences are properly managed before allowing current flow to the BMS IC.
2Reliability
If solder eyes with insulating portions are used to physically connect battery cells and BMS first, then electrical connection safety is improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to additional materials and processes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical solder eye structure with an electrical switching system. Instead of using physical insulating structures and soldering processes, the connection controller uses electronically controlled switches to manage the connection sequence and voltage potential, achieving the same safety function through electrical control rather than mechanical design.
3Reliability
If operators perform manual soldering in sequential order from low to high battery cells, then electrical damage to IC is prevented, but defects may occur due to operator immaturity and human error
Solution Approach 1:
The connection controller autonomously manages the connection sequence without requiring operator intervention. The control unit automatically detects which battery cells are connected and activates the appropriate switches in the correct sequence, making the system self-regulating and eliminating dependence on operator skill or attention to maintain proper connection order.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection controller incorporates feedback mechanisms where the control unit continuously monitors the connection status of battery cells and adjusts switch activation accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that switches are activated only when the proper conditions are met, automatically correcting or preventing any deviations from the required connection sequence.
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
Prevents electrical damage to the BMS IC by ensuring sequential connection, reducing manufacturing costs, and minimizing defects due to operator inexperience.
Implementation Method 1
the switching circuit is configured to connect the second battery cell to the BMS in response to the first battery cell being connected to the BMS
Data Source
AI summary
A battery apparatus includes: a plurality of battery cells; a battery management system (BMS) for managing the plurality of battery cells; and a connection controller for sequentially connecting the plurality of battery cells to the BMS, and the connection controller connects a corresponding battery cell to the BMS according to a potential of a lower battery cell and a potential of the corresponding battery cell.