Battery Stack Inductive Charge Equalization via Common Core

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Solution Overview

Problem

The high wiring complexity and cost associated with inductive charge equalization in accumulators with multiple stacked cells make it impractical for large systems, as all cells must be connected with the same charging current, leading to uneven states of charge and increased material requirements.

Innovation Solution

An accumulator design where connecting lines of cells are inductively coupled via a common core extending along the stack, allowing for direct routing and coupling without complex intermediate wiring, with the core integrated into the stack and connection lines worked directly from the electrodes, minimizing material and simplifying the structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If inductive charge equalization is implemented with multiple cells connected in series, then charge equalization between cells is achieved, but wiring complexity increases prohibitively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharge equalizationVSAvoidwiring complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the inductive coupling function directly into the cell structure by integrating magnetic cores into the cell assembly and routing connecting lines through these cores. This combines what were previously separate components (inductive coupling mechanism and cell connections) into a unified structure, eliminating the need for separate intermediate wiring and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining charge equalization functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting lines serving to connect cells in series are made to serve a dual function by routing them through the magnetic cores of adjacent cells. This makes the same connecting lines perform both the electrical connection function and the inductive coupling function, reducing the need for additional dedicated wiring for charge equalization

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

2Reliability

If inductive charge equalization is implemented with multiple cells, then charge balancing is achieved, but material requirements and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharge balancingVSAvoidmaterial requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the magnetic core structure with the cell assembly structure, integrating the inductive coupling function directly into the cell housing or support structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate magnetic core components and reduces the total material quantity required while maintaining effective inductive charge equalization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting lines that are already present for series connection of cells are made to serve the additional function of inductive coupling by routing them through the magnetic cores. This self-service approach means the existing connecting lines perform dual functions, eliminating the need for additional dedicated wiring materials for charge equalization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 design enables simple and cost-effective inductive charge equalization by reducing wiring complexity and material requirements, while maintaining efficient energy transfer between cells, suitable for large systems like electric vehicle batteries.

Implementation Method 1

at least one of the connecting lines of all cells is inductively coupled via a common core extending approximately in the longitudinal direction of the stack

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2168221B1Battery
Publication Date: 2015.12.09 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP2168221B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2168221B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~7d
  • EP2168221B1 patent drawingFigure 8~9

AI summary

The invention relates to a battery (1) having at least two serially connected cells (3, 3') located one above the other in a stack (2) and having flat electrodes (4, 5), the ends of the stack (2) forming the poles (9, 10) of the battery and the electrodes (4, 5) comprising connecting wires (11, 12) protruding sideways from the stack (2), at least one of the connecting wires (11, 12) of all cells (3', 3') being inductively coupled via a common core (13) extending approximately in the longitudinal axis of the stack, and the connecting wires (11, 12) of a first group of cells (3') being coupled in an inductively opposite fashion to the connecting wires (11, 12) of a second group of cells (3').