Battery Module Series-Parallel Switching for Fast Charging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional charging architectures for electronic devices result in heat loss and reduced charging efficiency due to voltage conversion, leading to prolonged charging times and compromised user experience.
Innovation Solution
A battery module with a series-parallel conversion circuit and controller that adjusts the connection mode of cells to achieve a charging current greater than a preset value without participating in voltage conversion, thereby avoiding heat loss and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If voltage conversion is performed through charging circuits to prevent charging current from exceeding maximum current, then charging safety is improved, but heat loss increases and charging efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical parameters by switching between series and parallel cell configurations. When cells are connected in series, the voltage increases and current decreases; when connected in parallel, voltage remains the same but current capacity increases. This parameter switching eliminates the need for voltage conversion circuits, thereby reducing heat loss while maintaining charging safety through appropriate current management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic reconfiguration of cell connections during charging. The charging system can switch between series and parallel configurations based on charging stages and requirements. This dynamic adjustment allows optimal current management without energy-lossy voltage conversion, improving both safety and efficiency throughout the charging process.
2Reliability
If voltage conversion is performed through charging circuits, then charging current control is improved, but charging time increases and charging efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By switching between series and parallel cell configurations, the patent directly controls charging current parameters without time-consuming voltage conversion. Series connection reduces current for safe charging, while parallel connection enables higher current for faster charging when appropriate, thereby reducing overall charging time while maintaining proper current control.
3Reliability
If high voltage and low current charging is used, then charging cable current limits are respected, but charging efficiency decreases and user experience is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses series-parallel switching to change the electrical parameters of the battery module. In series configuration, voltage increases and current decreases to comply with cable limits. In parallel configuration, the module can accept higher currents for efficient charging when cable capacity allows. This parameter switching enables both cable compliance and high efficiency charging.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its electrical characteristics by reconfiguring cell connections. This allows the battery module to adapt to different charging conditions and cable capacities, maintaining compliance while optimizing charging efficiency based on real-time requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module includes: a battery module including a plurality of cells, a series-parallel conversion circuit, and a controller, wherein the controller is coupled to the series-parallel conversion circuit and is configured to control the series-parallel conversion circuit to convert a connection mode of cells in the plurality of cells when the battery module is to be charged, such that the plurality of cells form a charging architecture state with a charging current greater than a preset current value, the charging architecture state including at least one of: at least two cells coupled in series, at least two cells coupled in parallel, a combination of first cells coupled in series and second cells coupled in parallel, or a single cell.