Battery Cell Group Switching for Multi-Voltage Pack Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery systems that combine different types of batteries to meet various output requirements often result in increased system size and complexity, whereas existing solutions for controlling power output in vehicles using a single type of battery cells are limited in providing power with various voltages.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack control apparatus that selects and controls battery cell groups based on characteristic variations to output high-voltage and low-voltage power using a single type of battery cells, employing selection switches and a battery selection control unit to optimize power distribution and reduce system size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different types of batteries are combined to meet various output requirements, then power output versatility is improved, but system size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is segmented into multiple battery cell groups, where each group can be independently selected and connected. This allows the system to provide different voltage outputs by selecting appropriate groups, achieving power output versatility without combining different battery types, thus avoiding increased system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A single type of battery cell is designed to serve multiple functions by connecting different numbers of cells in series. The same battery cells can provide various voltage levels (e.g., high voltage for motor drive, low voltage for auxiliary systems) through configurable connections, eliminating the need for separate battery systems for different power requirements.
2Productivity
If battery cell groups are selected based on characteristic variations, then power distribution efficiency is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit monitors the characteristics of battery cells and uses this feedback information to select appropriate battery cell groups for different power output requirements. This ensures efficient power distribution while maintaining manageable control complexity through automated decision-making based on real-time battery state information.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery cell group configuration is dynamically adjusted based on the detected characteristic variations of individual cells. The system can switch between different group configurations to optimize power distribution efficiency, adapting to changing battery conditions without requiring complex manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack control apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a plurality of selection switches respectively connected to a lowest voltage node and a highest voltage node of each of a plurality of battery cell groups set for each successive predetermined number of battery cells among the plurality of battery cells, a battery selection control unit configured to control on and off of the plurality of selection switches so as to select the battery cell group including the battery cell whose characteristic variation is large compared to those of other battery cells, and a low-voltage output unit configured to use the battery cell group selected by the battery selection control unit to output low-voltage power with a voltage value lower than that of the high-voltage power.