Battery pack and power system comprising same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery packs with charge/discharge switches installed on the low side face issues with ground voltage mismatch when coupled to external devices, leading to communication failures and potential electrical shorts, which existing technologies fail to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design that uses a voltage division rule to control the charge/discharge switch on the low side by employing a resistor network and a control unit to determine normal electrical coupling with an external device, ensuring the switch is only activated when a preset condition is met, preventing unintended electrical connections and shocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the charge/discharge switch is installed on the low side of the battery pack, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but ground voltage mismatch occurs causing communication failure and potential electrical shorts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting the coupling state between the battery pack and external device before activating the charge/discharge switch. The control unit checks whether the connector is properly coupled, and only enables the switch when coupling is confirmed, preventing ground voltage mismatch issues before they can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the coupling state through the control unit, which detects whether the connector is properly connected to an external device. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adjust the switch state based on real-time coupling conditions, ensuring safe operation while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
2Reliability
If the charge/discharge switch is always kept in turn on state to avoid communication issues, then communication between battery pack and external device is maintained, but two power terminals are unintentionally electrically shorted causing spike risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by verifying proper connector coupling before enabling the charge/discharge switch. The control unit checks the coupling state in advance, ensuring that the switch is only activated when the external device is properly connected, thereby preventing electrical shorts and spikes while maintaining communication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the coupling state through the control unit. This feedback ensures that the charge/discharge switch remains off when no external device is connected or coupling is improper, preventing harmful electrical events while allowing normal operation when coupling is confirmed.
3Reliability
If the charge/discharge switch is installed on the high side of the battery pack, then electrical connection control is improved, but charge pump and gate driver are required increasing manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary control mechanism - a control unit that monitors coupling state and controls the low-side switch accordingly. This intermediary layer provides high-side level control capability while using a cost-effective low-side switch configuration, avoiding the need for expensive charge pumps and gate drivers.
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
This solution allows controlled activation of the charge/discharge switch only when properly coupled, preventing electrical shocks and spikes, ensuring safe and proper operation of the battery pack with external devices.
Implementation Method 1
a first resistor having a first end electrically connected to ground and a second end electrically connected to the first auxiliary terminal
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a battery pack and a power system including the same. The battery pack includes a battery module having a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal, a first connector having a first power terminal connected to the positive electrode terminal, a second power terminal connected to the negative electrode terminal and a first auxiliary terminal, a first resistor having a first end electrically connected to ground and a second end electrically connected to the first auxiliary terminal, a switching unit installed between the negative electrode terminal and the second power terminal, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to operate in any one of a wakeup state and a sleep state according to a voltage of the first resistor.