Battery Management System Motor Control Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a battery management system and battery pack that can be controlled by an electric motor with reduced manufacturing costs, while also incorporating additional functions beyond traditional battery management capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The system includes a charge/discharge circuit with shared charging and discharging circuit paths, a controller that manages current flow through resistors and switches, and an output terminal connected to an electric motor, allowing for efficient power supply and voltage regulation using pulse width modulation and diodes to prevent reverse current.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate controller and communication unit are added to enable motor control functions, then the battery pack gains additional functionality, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the motor control functions into the existing battery management system controller. The controller integrates both battery management tasks (monitoring cell voltages, temperature, state of charge) and motor control tasks (PWM generation, current regulation), eliminating the need for separate control hardware and reducing overall system cost while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery management system controller is designed to perform multiple functions: it monitors battery parameters (voltage, current, temperature), manages charging/discharging operations, and simultaneously controls the motor through PWM signal generation. This multi-functional approach allows a single controller to replace what would traditionally require separate dedicated controllers for battery management and motor control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the battery management system is enhanced with additional functions, then the system becomes more versatile, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines battery management functions and motor control functions into a single integrated system. The controller uses the existing battery management infrastructure (sensors, ADC, processing unit) to also perform motor control, thereby adding versatility without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is designed as a universal control unit that can handle both battery management operations and motor control operations. It generates PWM signals for motor control while simultaneously monitoring battery parameters, effectively performing multiple roles within a single device architecture, thus avoiding the complexity of multiple specialized components.
3Power
If PWM control is used to regulate current through the first resistor, then power supply to the motor becomes constant, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pulse width modulation (PWM) technique where the controller periodically switches the discharge switch unit on and off at high frequency. By varying the duty cycle (ratio of on-time to total period), the controller regulates the average current through the first resistor, thereby providing stable power supply to the motor. This periodic switching approach enables precise power control without requiring complex continuous regulation circuitry.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller utilizes the existing battery management system hardware (switches, resistors, sensors) to perform motor control functions. The same discharge switch unit and first resistor used for battery monitoring are repurposed for motor power regulation through PWM, allowing the system to serve multiple functions without adding dedicated control components, thus reducing overall control complexity.
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 configuration enables cost-effective control of battery packs by an electric motor, ensuring a constant power supply and reducing manufacturing costs by integrating functions within the battery management system without the need for separate controllers or communication units.
Implementation Method 1
an output terminal unit including a positive terminal and a negative terminal in the discharging circuit path where the positive terminal and the negative terminal are electrically connected to each other through an electric motor
Implementation Method 2
a first resistor in the common circuit path, and a controller configured to detect a voltage across the battery and to detect a current flow through the first resistor
Implementation Method 3
a discharge switch unit in the discharging circuit path and configured to control a current flow through the discharging circuit path by open-circuiting or short-circuiting the discharging circuit path
Data Source
AI summary
A battery management system and a battery pack having the same including a charging circuit path for charging a battery and a discharging circuit path for discharging the battery is disclosed. The battery pack also includes a controller configured to control a charge switch unit in the charging circuit path during charging and to compensate for a change in voltage across the battery during discharging by controlling a discharge switch unit in the discharging circuit path to supply substantially constant power to an output terminal unit.