Battery Control Apparatus for Cell State Equalization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Repetitive charging and discharging of battery cells leads to chemical and aging differences, causing voltage and capacity deviations, resulting in overcharging or overdischarging, which reduces battery capacity and lifespan due to degradation.

Innovation Solution

A battery control apparatus and method that calculates state difference information for each battery and adjusts output values of converters to equalize states of charge, using a processor and signal generator to generate control signals that balance power distribution among batteries, ensuring that batteries are neither overcharged nor overdischarged.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If repetitive charging and discharging is performed on battery cells, then power supply capability is improved, but chemical differences and aging differences occur causing voltage and capacity deviations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply capabilityVSAvoidvoltage and capacity consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by individually managing each battery cell based on its specific state. The controller calculates state difference information for each cell and adjusts the output values of individual converters to compensate for local variations in voltage and capacity, ensuring that each cell operates within safe limits despite aging differences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes operational parameters dynamically by adjusting the output values of converters based on real-time state difference information. When voltage or capacity deviations are detected, the controller modifies the charging and discharging parameters for individual cells to maintain balance and prevent overcharging or overdischarging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If converters supply power to loads, then energy utilization is improved, but batteries may be overcharged or overdischarged due to state deviations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy utilizationVSAvoidcharging and discharging safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the state information of each battery cell and using this information to adjust converter output values. The controller calculates state difference information and feeds this back to modify power distribution, ensuring that charging and discharging operations remain within safe boundaries while optimizing energy utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by making the converter output values adjustable and adaptive rather than fixed. The system dynamically modifies the power supply characteristics of each converter based on real-time battery states, allowing flexible response to changing conditions while maintaining safety margins.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3739720A1Battery control method and apparatus, battery module, and battery pack
Publication Date: 2020.11.18 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3739720A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3739720A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3739720A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A battery control apparatus comprises a processor, which is configured to determine state information of each of batteries connected in series based on sensing data of each of the batteries; determine whether the state information corresponds to an un-equalized state; and perform an equalization process for at least one of the batteries when the state information corresponds to the un-equalized state, wherein, in the equalization process, the processor is further configured to control such that a first battery and a second battery, which are in the un-equalized state, supply different power to a load while the first battery and the second battery are discharged, and control such that the first battery and the second battery be supplied with different power while the first battery and the second battery are charged.