Battery Device Circuit Segmentation for Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery devices face challenges in supplying power to auxiliary devices when the vehicle is not in operation, leading to potential over-discharge and safety issues due to continuous electrical connection of the main circuit, which limits the versatility of both battery devices and vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A battery device configuration that includes a battery management circuit and power supply circuit, allowing independent control of main and secondary circuits, enabling power supply to auxiliary devices without relying on the main switches, thus preventing over-discharge and ensuring safety by disconnecting power during non-operation periods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the main circuit electrical connection is interrupted when large current is not required, then battery safety is improved and over-discharge is prevented, but power cannot be supplied to loads that require continuous power supply

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery safetyVSAvoidload compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the power supply system into two independent circuits: a main circuit for large current operations and a secondary circuit for continuous power supply. The main circuit includes main switches that can be opened to prevent over-discharge, while the secondary circuit remains independently connected to supply power to auxiliary devices. This segmentation allows the system to maintain battery safety while ensuring continuous power supply capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a secondary circuit as an intermediary power supply path. When the main circuit is interrupted for safety reasons, the secondary circuit acts as a mediator to continue supplying power to auxiliary devices. The secondary circuit includes its own switches and is connected in parallel with the main circuit, providing an alternative power path that resolves the contradiction between safety and continuous power supply.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the main circuit remains continuously connected, then power can always be supplied to loads, but the battery may become over-discharged and safety issues arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous power supply capabilityVSAvoidbattery over-discharge
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is segmented into main and secondary circuits with independent control. The main circuit can be disconnected to prevent over-discharge, while the secondary circuit maintains continuous connection for essential auxiliary devices. This segmentation enables the system to protect battery energy while maintaining necessary power supply functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic control where the main circuit switches can be opened under certain conditions (such as when large current is not required) to prevent over-discharge, while the secondary circuit maintains continuous operation. This dynamic switching capability allows the system to adapt its power supply configuration based on operational requirements, preventing energy loss while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If a single power supply path is used, then the system structure is simple, but the system cannot provide power during non-operation periods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit structureVSAvoidpower supply duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the power supply into two independent circuits: main circuit for operation periods and secondary circuit for non-operation periods. This segmentation extends the duration of power supply capability by ensuring that at least one circuit remains active, addressing the limitation of single-path systems while maintaining reasonable structural complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The secondary circuit is designed with multi-functionality to serve as both a continuous power supply for auxiliary devices and a backup path when the main circuit is interrupted. This universal design allows the same secondary circuit structure to fulfill multiple functions, reducing overall system complexity while extending power supply duration across different operational states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3780318B1Battery device and vehicle
Publication Date: 2022.11.09 KK TOSHIBA
  • EP3780318B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3780318B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3780318B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A battery device according to an embodiment includes at least one assembled battery BT; first main switches MCP, MCM that switch an electrical connection state of main circuits C1P, C2M connected between the assembled battery BT and the load; second main switches RP, RM that switch an electrical connection state of second main circuits C2P, C2M branched from the main circuits C1P, C2M and are connected between the assembled battery BT and the load; a battery management circuit 10 that controls operations of the first main switches MCP, MCM based on an operation command supplied from the load; and a power supply circuit 20 that supplies power to the battery management circuit 10 and second main switches RP, RM when a start command supplied from the outside is ON.