Battery Pack Current-Path Switching for Wide Voltage Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery packs face challenges in maintaining compatibility with a wide voltage range, leading to potential damage from overvoltage and overcurrent when a single current path is used.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a plurality of current paths within the battery pack, including diodes, FETs, and transistors, to automatically select a path based on the battery module's voltage, ensuring compatibility with a wide input voltage range and preventing damage to internal elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single current path is included in the battery pack, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to wide voltage range deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is divided into multiple current paths (first current path, second current path, third current path) with different voltage ratings. Each path is segmented to handle specific voltage ranges, allowing the system to adapt to wide voltage variations without requiring a single complex path design.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery pack dynamically selects which current path to use based on the input voltage range. The system transitions between different current paths (first for low voltage, second for medium voltage, third for high voltage) to maintain optimal operation across varying voltage conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single current path is used to widen voltage range, then the adaptability improves, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential overvoltage and overcurrent damage
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the current paths with different voltage and current ratings, the system ensures that each path is used within its safe operating parameters. The first current path handles low voltage/current, the second handles medium voltage/current, and the third handles high voltage/current, preventing overvoltage and overcurrent damage to any single path.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that monitors the input voltage and automatically selects the appropriate current path. This mediation ensures that the battery pack transitions between paths based on voltage conditions, protecting internal elements from operating outside their rated parameters.
3Reliability
If multiple current paths are included, then the reliability improves through automatic path selection, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack employs self-service through automatic path selection based on voltage detection. The control unit autonomously determines which current path to activate without requiring manual intervention or complex external control systems, simplifying the overall control architecture despite having multiple paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from voltage detection to automatically select the appropriate current path. The control unit continuously monitors the input voltage and adjusts the current path selection accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains reliability without requiring complex manual control.
4Use of energy by moving object
If the battery pack operates in wake-up mode with small input signal, then the energy consumption is reduced, but the adaptability to wide voltage range deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack dynamically adapts its current path configuration based on the input voltage level during wake-up mode. When a small wake-up signal is received, the system can still select the appropriate current path (typically the first current path for low voltage) to maintain operation across the wide voltage range while consuming minimal power.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the current paths with different voltage ratings, the system enables wake-up mode operation with small input signals by routing them through the low-voltage first current path. This segmentation allows the battery pack to remain energy-efficient during wake-up while maintaining the capability to handle wide voltage ranges when fully activated.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to providing a battery pack, which may output a current that satisfies the operating specifications of a load even over a wide voltage range by including a plurality of current paths. In addition, according to an aspect of the present disclosure, since a current path corresponding to an input voltage range is automatically selected, there is an advantage of providing a battery pack compatible with an input of a wide voltage range.