Battery Charging Apparatus Using BMS Terminal Voltage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery charging systems require tailored chargers for specific battery cell types, leading to potential ignition and fire hazards when misused and increased costs due to the need for additional communication circuitry to select charging voltage or current.
Innovation Solution
A battery charging apparatus and method that determines the type of battery cell using a Battery Management System (BMS) and terminal voltage or current, allowing for charging based on the identified type without additional communication devices, thereby generating a charging voltage corresponding to the battery type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a standard method for selecting charging voltage or current is implemented, then charging compatibility is improved, but additional costs are incurred due to required communication circuitry
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack autonomously identifies its cell type and generates the corresponding terminal voltage without requiring external communication circuitry. The BMS automatically selects the appropriate voltage level based on the battery configuration, eliminating the need for additional communication components while maintaining charging compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of the charger determining battery type through communication protocols, the invention inverts the approach by having the battery pack actively signal its type through terminal voltage. This reversal eliminates the need for complex bidirectional communication circuitry while achieving the same compatibility goal.
2Manufacturing precision
If tailored chargers are used for specific battery cell types, then charging precision is improved, but safety deteriorates due to potential ignition and fire when misused
Solution Approach 1:
The charger is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple battery cell types (Ni-Cd, Ni-MH, Li-ion) using a single device. The BMS automatically adapts the terminal voltage based on the detected battery type, eliminating the need for multiple specialized chargers while ensuring safe and precise charging for each type through automatic voltage selection.
3Manufacturing precision
If tailored chargers are used for specific battery cell types, then charging precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single charger design is created that can precisely charge multiple battery cell types through the BMS's automatic terminal voltage selection. The system maintains charging precision for each battery type while reducing device complexity by consolidating multiple specialized chargers into one universal device.
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
Enables safe and cost-effective charging of different battery packs by distinguishing cell types, improving safety by detecting abnormalities and maintaining low manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
distinguishing the type of battery pack by measuring the voltage of the at least one cell
Implementation Method 2
distinguishing the type of battery pack by measuring the current of the at least one cell
Implementation Method 3
controlling to generate a charging voltage corresponding to the type of battery
Data Source
AI summary
A battery charging apparatus and charging method thereof are disclosed. In one aspect, the apparatus includes a battery including a battery pack including at least one battery cell, a battery management system (BMS) configured to control the generation of a terminal voltage based on a type of the battery pack, and a terminal unit including electrodes configured to receive the terminal voltage. The apparatus further includes a charger including a controller configured to determine the type of the battery pack based on the terminal voltage and control the generation of a charging voltage corresponding to the type of the battery pack.