Multiplexed Battery Group Switching for Lead-Free Backup Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lead storage batteries, while reliable and capable of handling large current discharges, are heavy and pose safety risks due to sulfuric acid, necessitating a lead-free secondary cell system for vehicles that maintains high reliability and reduces weight.
Innovation Solution
A secondary cell system comprising multiple battery groups connected in series and parallel, with active balancers and open/close switches to disconnect faulty groups, eliminating the need for a secondary side battery and allowing continued operation by multiplexing power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lead storage batteries are used as secondary cells, then reliability and durability are improved, but the system becomes heavier and safety risks increase due to sulfuric acid
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is divided into multiple independent battery groups (first battery group, second battery group, etc.), each capable of operating independently. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both reliability through redundancy and weight reduction by using lighter battery chemistries, as only one group needs to be fully functional at any given time
2Reliability
If lead storage batteries are used as secondary cells, then reliability is improved, but safety risks increase due to sulfuric acid
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful sulfuric acid electrolyte is extracted and replaced with safer alternative electrolytes in the battery groups. The system maintains reliability through multiple battery groups while eliminating the safety hazards associated with sulfuric acid
3Reliability
If multiple battery groups are connected in parallel with open/close switches, then reliability is improved and lead storage batteries can be eliminated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Open/close switches are pre-installed in parallel with each battery group to enable rapid isolation of faulty groups. This preliminary preparation allows the system to quickly respond to failures and maintain operation without complex real-time decision-making circuits
Solution Approach 2:
The open/close switches act as intermediaries between the battery groups and the load, providing a simple mechanical or electronic means to isolate faulty groups without requiring complex control systems
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a high reliability secondary cell system in which a power supply is multiplexed without using a lead storage battery. This secondary cell system 10 has two or more battery groups comprising a plurality of cells 21 connected in series, each of the battery groups 11, 12, 13 is connected in parallel. Disposed in each battery group 11, 12, 13 are open/close switches 31a, 31b, 32a, 32b, 33a, 33b that disconnect the battery group from a circuit of the secondary cell system 10. This secondary cell system 10 can comprise an active balancer 14 connected in parallel with the battery groups 11, 12, 13.