Battery Manager Overcurrent Protection via Parallel Module Disconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery systems used for continuous or long-term power supply face issues with overcurrent conditions when some battery modules disconnect from bus bars, leading to potential damage due to concentrated current flow in modules with lower internal resistance.
Innovation Solution
A battery system with multiple modules connected in parallel, each equipped with a switch arrangement and a battery manager that detects current, determines overcurrent conditions, and controls the switch to prevent damage by sharing module state information to disconnect all modules from bus bars if an error is detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple battery modules are connected in parallel to increase battery capacity, then the battery capacity is improved, but the risk of overcurrent conditions increases when some modules disconnect from bus bars
Solution Approach 1:
The battery management system implements feedback by having each battery manager detect current in its module, compare it against threshold values, and automatically control the switch arrangement to disconnect the module when overcurrent conditions are detected. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures reliable protection against overcurrent while maintaining parallel connection for increased capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery manager acts as an intermediary between the battery module and the bus bars, using a switch arrangement to control the connection. When overcurrent is detected, the battery manager intermediates by disconnecting the specific module through the switch, preventing harmful current flow while allowing other modules to continue operating.
2Device complexity
If battery modules are operated independently without communication, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to prevent system-wide damage from single module failures is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
Battery managers exchange feedback information about their operational status, current conditions, and error states through communication. This allows the system to collectively respond to failures - when one module detects an error, it communicates this to other battery managers, enabling them to take protective action and disconnect from the bus bars to prevent system-wide damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines independent module operation with centralized coordination through communication. Each battery manager maintains independence in its local control functions while merging information exchange and coordinated protection responses at the system level, achieving both simplicity and reliability.
3Reliability
If switch arrangement is added to each battery module for overcurrent protection, then the overcurrent protection capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protection system is segmented by placing independent switch arrangements and battery managers in each battery module. This segmentation allows each module to autonomously detect and respond to overcurrent conditions in its own circuit, providing localized protection that scales with the number of modules without requiring centralized complex control for each individual module.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery system includes battery modules connected in parallel Each battery modules includes a battery, a first and second output terminals, a switch arrangement connected between the battery and the first output terminal, and a battery manager. The battery manager is to detect a current of the battery, determine whether an overcurrent condition exists based on the detected current, and control the switch arrangement. The battery manager to transmit module state information to the battery managers in remaining ones of the battery modules, and the battery managers in the battery modules control their switch arrangements based on the module state information.