Configurable Battery Pack Charging Limits for Safe Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-performance battery packs pose safety risks during transport and storage due to their high energy density, and existing charging solutions do not adequately limit energy storage or adapt to different device requirements, leading to potential damage and reduced lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A configurable battery pack with a control device and data interface that allows for the adjustment of battery charging parameters, enabling flexible configuration of usable capacity and charging limits, ensuring safe transport and storage while optimizing performance for specific applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the total capacity of the battery pack is increased to provide higher energy density, then the energy storage capacity is improved, but the safety risk during transport and storage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack incorporates a switchable configuration system that dynamically changes the electrical connection topology between battery cells based on operational requirements. During transport and storage, the system switches to a configuration with lower usable capacity, while during operation it switches to maximum capacity mode, thus adapting the energy storage level to the specific phase to reduce safety risks during non-operational periods
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the electrical parameters of the battery pack by reconfiguring the series/parallel connections of battery cells through switching elements. This allows the same physical battery pack to present different usable capacity parameters (e.g., 100Wh during transport vs. 200Wh during operation) without changing the physical structure, thereby resolving the contradiction between high energy storage and safety during transport
2Quantity of substance
If the battery pack is designed with fixed high capacity for optimal performance, then the energy density is improved, but the adaptability to different device requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack uses a dynamic reconfiguration system with switching elements that can change the electrical topology in real-time or between uses. This allows a single battery pack design to adapt its output characteristics to match different device requirements, whether the device needs high power (series configuration) or high capacity (parallel configuration), thus achieving versatility without sacrificing energy density
Solution Approach 2:
The switchable battery pack design creates a universal power source that can serve multiple different devices with varying electrical requirements. By incorporating switching circuitry that can reconfigure the battery cell connections, one battery pack design becomes multi-functional, adapting to different load requirements without needing device-specific battery designs
3Productivity
If the battery pack allows full charging to maximize capacity utilization, then the productivity is improved, but the battery lifespan deteriorates due to overcharging risks
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the charging parameter settings dynamically based on operational needs. When full capacity utilization is required, the charging parameter allows charging to 100% capacity. When longevity is prioritized (such as during transport phases or non-critical operations), the charging parameter can be adjusted to limit charging to a lower state of charge, thus extending battery lifespan through parameter adjustment rather than hardware changes
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a configurable battery pack (1) comprising a control unit (2) with a data memory (4) for storing at least one battery charging parameter. The battery pack (1) also has a data interface (5) connected to the control unit (2). The control unit (2) and the data interface (5) are configured to make the at least one battery charging parameter available at the data interface (5) for a device (6, 7) connected to the battery pack (1). It is provided that the control unit (2) and the data interface (5) are configured to allow the at least one battery charging parameter to be configured via an input at the data interface (5).