Battery Control IC Protection Circuit for Live-Line Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of secondary batteries in cell groups leads to high terminal voltages and excessive charging currents, posing a risk to cell controller ICs during live-line connections, and existing connector configurations are costly and complex, requiring additional countermeasures beyond connectors to prevent damage.
Innovation Solution
A storage battery control device with a bypass capacitor, current limiting elements, and shorting switches are integrated in the circuit connecting the positive and negative terminals of the ICs, allowing for controlled current flow and protection during live-line connections, using a general connector without the need for special sequencing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the number of secondary batteries in cell groups is increased to raise terminal voltage, then the power output capability is improved, but excessive charging current flows into the cell controller IC during live-line connection causing potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
A current limiting element is introduced as an intermediary component in the signal line between the battery pack and cell controller IC. This element limits the charging current to a safe level during live-line connection, preventing excessive current from damaging the IC while allowing the system to operate at high terminal voltages
Solution Approach 2:
The current limiting element is pre-installed in the signal line before connection occurs. During live-line connection, it immediately limits the charging current flow, protecting the IC from voltage spikes and excessive current before they can cause damage
2Reliability
If a special connector with sequenced pin lengths is used to prevent high voltage application to IC, then the IC protection is improved, but the connector cost and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protection function is extracted from the connector and placed in the control device itself through the current limiting element. This allows the use of a simple, standard connector while maintaining IC protection, eliminating the need for complex sequenced pin connectors
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a specialized connector with unique pin sequencing, the patent uses a standard connector configuration combined with an electronic protection mechanism that copies the protective effect without the mechanical complexity
3Measurement precision
If more connector pins are added to accommodate increased number of secondary batteries, then the voltage detection capability is improved, but the connector cost and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is divided into multiple cell groups, each with its own cell controller IC. This segmentation allows voltage detection to be distributed across multiple independent channels, each handling a subset of batteries, thereby reducing the complexity of any single connector while maintaining overall detection capability
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
This configuration effectively prevents high voltages from being applied to the ICs, reducing the risk of damage and lowering costs by eliminating the need for specialized connectors and complex sequencing, while maintaining the benefits of bypass capacitors during normal operations.
Implementation Method 1
a bypass capacitor disposed in a channel connecting a positive electrode-side external terminal and a negative electrode-side external terminal of the integrated circuit to each other
Implementation Method 2
at least one first current limiting element disposed in the channel
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is a storage battery control device adapted to control an assembly battery having a plurality of secondary battery cells connected to each other, including at least one integrated circuit adapted to monitor and control charging and discharging of each of the secondary battery cells of the assembly battery, a bypass capacitor disposed in a channel connecting a positive electrode-side external terminal and a negative electrode-side external terminal of the integrated circuit to each other, at least one first current limiting element disposed in the channel, and at least one first switch disposed in parallel to the first current limiting element, and adapted to short the first current limiting element.