Battery Pack Cell Balancing Circuit for Safe Complete Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
High voltage batteries in environmentally-friendly vehicles pose safety risks due to potential explosion or combustion when charged and require careful disposal, necessitating a method for quick and safe complete discharge.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack with a cell balancing circuit, controller, mechanical switch, and cell balancing controller that ensures complete discharge of cells while detecting abnormal cells and controlling discharge paths to prevent overheating and fire, using voltage and current sensors to manage discharge timing and stop conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a battery is completely discharged for safe disposal, then safety is improved, but the discharge process takes too long
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is divided into multiple cell groups, with each group having its own discharge circuit. The controller can independently control discharge for each cell group, allowing parallel discharge operations that significantly reduce total discharge time while maintaining safety through individual cell monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of abnormal cells before initiating complete discharge. The controller identifies cells with voltage outside the predetermined range and excludes them from discharge, preventing safety issues before they occur and enabling faster discharge of normal cells without waiting for safety checks during the process
2Productivity
If complete discharge is performed for all cells, then discharge thoroughness is improved, but abnormal cells may cause safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary detection of abnormal cells by checking if cell voltages are within a predetermined range before initiating complete discharge. Cells with abnormal voltage levels are identified and excluded from the discharge process, preventing potential safety hazards while maintaining discharge completeness for normal cells
Solution Approach 2:
The battery pack is segmented into multiple cell groups, allowing the controller to selectively apply discharge to specific groups based on their individual cell conditions. This enables thorough discharge of safe cells while isolating abnormal cells, achieving both discharge completeness and safety
3Productivity
If multiple cell groups are discharged simultaneously, then discharge speed is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is divided into multiple cell groups with dedicated discharge circuits for each group. This segmentation enables parallel discharge operations that increase discharge speed, while the modular structure makes control management more systematic and less complex than managing individual cells
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
Enables safe and efficient complete discharge of batteries, reducing the risk of explosion or combustion and shortening discharge time, ensuring safety during disposal and operation.
Implementation Method 1
a discharge circuit for each of the cells
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack may include: a battery configured to include a plurality of cells; a cell balancing circuit configured to include a discharge circuit for each of the cells; a controller configured to output a first complete discharge command signal based on a control signal inputted from the outside; a mechanical switch configured to output a second complete discharge signal by mechanical manipulation; and a cell balancing controller configured to control the cell balancing circuit such that complete discharge of each cell is performed through the discharge circuits when the first complete discharge signal and the second complete discharge signal are received.