Battery Equalization Converter for Voltage Variation and Heat Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electrically-powered vehicles, existing equalization circuits convert discharged electric power to heat, which is not utilized, leading to adverse effects such as reduced fuel economy in hybrid vehicles and potential loss of auxiliary battery power when the vehicle is in a traveling-impossible state, causing excessive self-discharge and functional maintenance issues.
Innovation Solution
A battery system with converters that execute first and second equalization controls, charging lower-voltage blocks from an auxiliary battery and charging the auxiliary battery from higher-voltage blocks, respectively, to reduce voltage variations and maintain auxiliary device power during both traveling and non-traveling states, utilizing electric power effectively and reducing heat generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If electric power is converted to heat by a resistor during equalization control, then voltage variations among blocks are reduced, but the electric power cannot be utilized and fuel economy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the previously harmful waste heat into useful energy by using the resistor as a regenerative braking device. The electric power that would have been wasted as heat during equalization control is now recovered and stored in the auxiliary battery, transforming energy loss into energy gain while maintaining voltage balance among blocks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers electric power that would otherwise be discarded during equalization control. By connecting the resistor to the auxiliary battery through a converter, the system captures and stores the energy from voltage equalization, preventing energy loss and improving overall system efficiency
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the vehicle remains in a traveling-impossible state for a long period, then the auxiliary battery experiences excessive self-discharge, but the auxiliary device function cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the converter continuously monitors the voltage difference between blocks and automatically activates equalization control when voltage variations exceed a threshold. This feedback loop ensures that the auxiliary battery is periodically charged during equalization operations, maintaining sufficient power even during long idle periods
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by using its own internal resources (voltage variations among blocks) to charge the auxiliary battery during equalization control. The battery system serves itself by converting voltage imbalances into useful energy storage, eliminating the need for external power sources during idle periods
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 approach effectively utilizes electric power in equalization control, reduces heat generation, and ensures the auxiliary device has sufficient power for an extended period, maintaining its functionality even when the vehicle is not in use.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of converters that each converts electric power between a corresponding one of the plurality of blocks and the auxiliary battery
Data Source
AI summary
A battery system includes a plurality of converters wherein each converter converts an electric power between a corresponding block of a plurality of blocks and an auxiliary battery. A first equalization control is a control for, when a vehicle is in a ReadyON state, operating a converter corresponding to a lower-voltage block, of at least one pair of blocks of the plurality of blocks having voltage variations exceeding a threshold value, such that the lower-voltage block is charged with an electric power supplied from the auxiliary battery. A second equalization control is a control for, when the vehicle is in a ReadyOFF state, operating a converter corresponding to a higher-voltage block, of at least one pair of blocks of the plurality of blocks having the voltage variations exceeding another threshold value, such that the auxiliary battery is charged with an electric power supplied from the higher-voltage block.