Multi-Module Battery System with Automatic State-of-Charge Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current battery systems for portable applications, such as in the entertainment and medical industries, face challenges in providing continuous power due to the finite nature of rechargeable batteries, leading to downtime during recharging or replacement.
Innovation Solution
An enhanced battery system that manages multiple battery modules with a state-of-charge monitoring system, utilizing a communications network to optimize energy distribution and automatically reconfigure modules to ensure continuous power delivery by switching to charged modules when depleted ones are used.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single battery module is used to power devices, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the battery will deplete and require recharging or replacement causing downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is divided into multiple independent battery modules (first battery module, second battery module, etc.), each capable of independently powering the load. This segmentation allows one module to be used while another is recharged, eliminating downtime and ensuring continuous power supply without significantly increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically switches between battery modules based on their charge status. When one battery module is depleted, the system discards its use temporarily and recovers by switching to a pre-charged module, which has been recharging in parallel. This ensures continuous operation without interruption.
2Loss of time
If multiple battery modules are used to provide continuous power, then downtime is reduced, but the system complexity and monitoring requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple battery modules are connected in parallel to the same load and charging system. This merging allows them to share the power delivery responsibility and enables automatic switching between modules based on their state of charge, reducing downtime while keeping the management system relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery management system continuously monitors the state of charge of each battery module and automatically switches between modules based on this feedback. This intelligent control minimizes downtime by ensuring a charged module is always available while preventing over-discharge of individual modules.
3Productivity
If battery modules are manually monitored and switched, then the system is easier to manage, but operational efficiency and response time decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The battery management system automatically monitors the state of charge of each battery module and performs switching operations without manual intervention. This self-service capability significantly improves operational efficiency and response time, as the system can instantly switch between modules based on real-time charge status without waiting for human assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors battery status and automatically responds by switching modules when needed. This closed-loop feedback control ensures optimal performance and maximizes productivity while eliminating the need for manual monitoring and switching operations.
4Reliability
If battery modules are reconfigured automatically based on state of charge, then continuous power is maintained, but the monitoring and control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into independent modules, each with its own state of charge characteristics. This segmentation simplifies the reconfiguration process, as the system only needs to monitor and switch between discrete modules rather than managing a complex integrated system, thereby maintaining reliability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic reconfiguration system discards depleted battery modules from active service and recovers them by switching to pre-charged modules. This simple discard-and-recover strategy maintains continuous power delivery while keeping the control logic relatively straightforward.
Data Source
AI summary
Various systems and methods for managing a plurality of battery modules are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system may include two or more battery modules with each battery module having a state of charge. The system may include at least one battery management system for monitoring the state of charge of each of the battery modules. The system may include a communications network in communication with the at least one battery management system whereby the at least one battery management system provides data regarding the state of charge for each battery module using the communication network.