Battery Module Transistor Configuration for Storage Integrity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional motor vehicle batteries, such as lead-acid batteries, are inefficient and prone to deep discharge during storage, which can damage lithium-ion batteries intended as replacements, necessitating a solution for safe storage and activation upon installation.

Innovation Solution

A battery module comprising lithium-ion battery cells, MOSFET transistors for controlled charging and discharging, and a management system that remains dormant until activated by an external voltage, preventing discharge during storage and ensuring the battery remains charged and intact for later use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the battery module is stored for a long period after production, then the battery cells remain charged, but the management system may activate unintentionally causing deep discharge and damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery integrity during storageVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transistors are configured in advance to block discharge current paths during storage. The loading transistor and unloading transistor are positioned and biased to prevent any discharge current flow before the battery is installed in a vehicle, ensuring the battery remains charged and intact during storage periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The transistors act as intermediary switching elements between the battery cells and the external circuit. By controlling the switching state of these transistors, the system mediates between the charged battery cells and the potential discharge paths, preventing unintended discharge during storage while allowing normal operation when installed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If the management system remains dormant during storage, then energy consumption is minimized, but the system must activate immediately upon installation to ensure safe operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumption during storageVSAvoidsystem activation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The transistor configuration is prepared in advance during manufacturing to automatically block discharge paths when the battery is disconnected from external power. This preliminary setup ensures that upon installation and connection to the vehicle's electrical system, the transistors will be properly biased to enable safe charging and discharging operations without requiring immediate complex activation sequences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The battery module's transistor network automatically regulates its own state based on the presence or absence of external voltage. When disconnected during storage, the transistors self-adjust to block discharge paths. When connected during installation, they self-adjust to enable proper charge and discharge current flow, eliminating the need for continuous management system monitoring during storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If transistors are used to control charging and discharging, then precise control is achieved, but the risk of transistor failure and short circuits increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging control precisionVSAvoidtransistor failure risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit design incorporates protective configurations that cushion against transistor failures before they can cause damage. The specific arrangement of the loading and unloading transistors, along with their connection to the management system, creates inherent protection that prevents short circuits and limits the impact of potential transistor failures on the battery cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The management system continuously monitors the voltage across the transistors and other operational parameters. This feedback allows the system to detect transistor issues early and respond appropriately by adjusting control signals or activating protection mechanisms, preventing failure progression and ensuring safe operation throughout the battery's service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

The battery module remains charged and intact during storage, ensuring it is ready for use upon installation, with the management system activating only when needed, preventing damage and ensuring safe operation.

Implementation Method 1

The transistors are, for example, designed as field effect transistors... The charging transistor that is conducting for a discharge current, a discharge transistor that is conductive for a charging current

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMOSFET field effect:

Data Source

PatentEP3900147B1Battery module for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2022.10.12 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3900147B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a battery module (5) for a motor vehicle, said battery module comprising at least one battery cell (2), a negative pole (21), a positive pole (22), a charging transistor (60) which conducts a discharge current, a discharge transistor (70) which conducts a charging current, and a management system (30) for controlling and monitoring the at least one battery cell (2) and the transistors (60, 70). The transistors (60, 70) are electrically connected in series with the at least one battery cell (2), and a node (25) between the transistors (60, 70) is electrically connected to a supply input (32) of the management system (30). The charging transistor (60) is electrically connected between one of the poles (21, 22) and the node (25), and the discharge transistor (70) is electrically connected between the at least one battery cell (2) and the node (25).