Modular Battery Converter Cells for Series Voltage Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery management systems face challenges in efficiently managing and balancing battery cells connected in series to achieve higher terminal voltages and power outputs, requiring complex management systems to ensure safe and prolonged operation.
Innovation Solution
A battery management converter system that includes multiple battery converter cells, a BCC controller, and a BMC controller, which monitors and balances battery cells by calculating parameters such as state of charge, temperature, and output voltage, using power converters for charging, discharging, and voltage control, while incorporating switching converters and bypass switches for fault management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple battery cells are connected in series to achieve higher terminal voltage and power output, then the voltage and power output are improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for complex management systems to maintain safe operation
Solution Approach 1:
The battery management system is segmented into multiple independent battery converter cells (BCCs), each with its own controller. This modular approach allows each cell to be managed independently, reducing the overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to handle high voltage and power outputs through series connection of multiple cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery converter cell design integrates multiple functions including voltage regulation, current control, temperature monitoring, and safety protection within a single modular unit. This multi-functional integration reduces the need for separate management systems for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high power output capabilities.
2Power
If multiple battery cells are connected in series to achieve higher terminal voltage, then the terminal voltage is improved, but the device complexity increases due to requirements for monitoring and balancing
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring and balancing functions are merged into the BCC controller that already manages each battery converter cell. The controller integrates voltage monitoring, current measurement, temperature sensing, and cell balancing operations within a single control unit, eliminating the need for separate monitoring and balancing systems and thereby reducing device complexity while achieving high terminal voltage through series connection.
3Reliability
If complex management systems are used to ensure safe and prolonged operation of battery cells, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The battery converter cell system incorporates self-service safety mechanisms including automatic fault detection, protective shutdown capabilities, and self-balancing functions that operate autonomously without requiring complex external management systems. Each BCC controller monitors its own cell conditions and takes corrective actions, ensuring safe operation while minimizing system complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback monitoring of voltage, current, and temperature parameters with automatic control responses. The BCC controllers receive real-time feedback from sensors and automatically adjust operating parameters to maintain safe operation, providing high reliability through simple yet effective feedback control rather than complex management systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of a battery management converter system are described. In one embodiment, a battery management converter system includes an arrangement of a plurality of battery converter cells, where each battery converter cell includes one or more battery cells and a switching power converter. The system further includes a battery converter cell controller for each of the plurality of battery converter cells, and a battery management converter controller that receives battery status information from each battery converter cell controller and provides control references to distribute charging or discharging power among the plurality of battery converter cells.