Multi-Voltage Battery Manager With Bypass and Buck-Boost Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery managers are limited to a specific voltage range and cannot efficiently manage batteries with varying voltage requirements, necessitating multiple managers or systems for different voltage ranges.
Innovation Solution
A multi-voltage battery manager incorporating a battery charger, a buck-boost DC to DC converter, and a bypass line, controlled by a controller to adapt output voltage via direct routing or conversion based on battery requirements, enabling flexible charging and discharging across a wide voltage range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a battery manager is designed for a specific voltage range, then it can reliably charge and discharge batteries within that range, but it cannot manage batteries with different voltage requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The battery manager is designed to perform multiple functions by incorporating both a bypass line for direct voltage routing and a buck-boost DC to DC converter for voltage transformation. This allows the same device to handle batteries across different voltage ranges (e.g., 48V, 210V, 840V) without requiring separate dedicated managers for each voltage level, thus achieving universality while managing complexity through integrated control
2Reliability
If multiple battery managers are used to cover different voltage ranges, then each battery type can be managed optimally, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functionality of multiple dedicated battery managers into a single multi-voltage battery manager. By combining the bypass line (for direct connection) and the buck-boost DC to DC converter (for voltage adaptation) within one integrated system, it consolidates what would otherwise require separate devices, thereby reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining reliable management across different battery types
3Adaptability or versatility
If a DC to DC converter is always used, then batteries with different voltage requirements can be charged, but energy loss and conversion time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two operational modes: bypass mode (direct voltage routing) and conversion mode (using the buck-boost DC to DC converter). The controller selects the appropriate mode based on real-time voltage matching requirements, enabling the system to minimize energy loss by using direct routing when possible and only invoking conversion when voltage adaptation is necessary
4Loss of energy
If a bypass line is provided, then direct voltage routing is possible, but voltage transformation for mismatched batteries cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The buck-boost DC to DC converter acts as an intermediary component that bridges the gap between the battery charger and batteries with mismatched voltage requirements. When the bypass line cannot provide direct voltage matching, the controller routes power through this intermediary converter, which transforms the voltage to match the battery requirements, thus extending the system's adaptability while maintaining energy efficiency through selective usage
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
Enables efficient charging and discharging of batteries with diverse voltage needs using a single manager, eliminating the need for multiple systems and optimizing battery performance across varying voltage levels.
Implementation Method 1
a buck-boost direct current to direct current (DC to DC) converter switchably coupled to the battery charger
Data Source
AI summary
A battery manager for a battery is disclosed. The battery manager comprises a battery charger configured to provide a first output voltage in a first voltage range, a buck-boost direct current to direct current (DC to DC) converter switchably coupled to the battery charger, and a bypass line switchably coupled between the battery charger and the battery for bypassing the buck-boost DC to DC converter. The battery manager further comprises a controller configured to electrically route the first output voltage of the battery charger to the battery via the bypass line when a voltage requirement of the battery is within the first voltage range. The controller is further configured to electrically route the first output voltage of the battery charger to the battery via the buck-boost DC to DC converter when the voltage requirement of the battery is outside the first voltage range.