Battery Charging Control via Voltage Threshold Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply devices for batteries struggle to properly charge batteries that can be switched between series and parallel connections, leading to inefficient charging and potential excessive inrush currents due to voltage differences between batteries.
Innovation Solution
A power supply device with a voltage detector and controller that switches the connection between batteries based on a predetermined threshold voltage, allowing separate charging of batteries with lower voltages when the voltage difference is high and connecting them in parallel when the difference is low, thereby preventing excessive inrush currents and ensuring efficient charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the connection between batteries is switched to parallel connection for charging, then charging efficiency is improved, but excessive inrush current occurs when voltage difference between batteries is large
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary detection of voltage differences between battery modules before switching to parallel connection for charging. When the voltage difference exceeds a predetermined threshold, the controller prevents parallel connection switching, thereby avoiding excessive inrush current while enabling efficient parallel charging when conditions are appropriate
2Reliability
If voltage detection and control switching components are added to prevent inrush current, then charging safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller integrates multiple functions: it detects voltages of individual battery modules, calculates voltage differences, determines whether to switch connections based on predetermined thresholds, and controls the switching section. This multi-functional integration achieves safe parallel charging without requiring separate dedicated components for each function
3Object-affected harmful factors
If separate charging of batteries with large voltage difference is implemented, then inrush current is prevented, but charging time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system dynamically switches between series connection mode (when voltage difference is large) and parallel connection mode (when voltage difference is small). This dynamic adaptation allows the system to prevent inrush current when necessary while maximizing charging efficiency when conditions permit, thereby optimizing overall charging time
Data Source
AI summary
In a power supply device, switching section switch a connection between batteries to a series connection or a parallel connection. In a case where the connection between the batteries is switched from the series connection to the parallel connection to charge the batteries by an external charger, a controller does not switch the connection to the parallel connection, does not charge one battery having a larger voltage out of the batteries, and separately charges the other battery when a potential difference between a voltage of the battery and a voltage of the battery is a predetermined threshold value or higher; and the controller switches the connection to the parallel connection and charges the batteries when the potential difference is lower than the threshold value.