Interconnected Battery Pack Assembly with Parallel Group Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery systems that employ multiple interconnected batteries face challenges in disconnecting batteries without exposing switches to the entire system voltage, leading to the need for higher voltage-tolerant and larger, more expensive switches.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack system is designed with a pack assembly where battery packs are connected in parallel groups in series, allowing for the use of lower voltage-tolerant switches, such as Field Effect Transistors, to disconnect individual battery packs without exposing them to the entire system voltage, reducing cost and size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If switches are used to disconnect batteries from the system, then battery disconnection capability is improved, but switch size and cost increase due to exposure to entire system voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is divided into multiple parallel groups, with each group containing multiple battery packs. Switches are placed at the group level rather than individual battery level, segmenting the voltage exposure. This allows switches to handle only the voltage of one parallel group rather than the entire system voltage, reducing switch size and cost while maintaining disconnection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The parallel group structure acts as an intermediary between individual batteries and the system. By connecting batteries in parallel groups first, then connecting groups in series, the system creates intermediate voltage levels that switches can safely handle. This intermediary structure protects switches from being exposed to the full system voltage.
2Reliability
If switches with higher voltage tolerance are used, then voltage exposure safety is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the high voltage environment into multiple lower voltage parallel groups. Switches operate only within their assigned group's voltage level, which is a fraction of the total system voltage. This segmentation allows the use of lower-cost switches with reduced voltage tolerance requirements while maintaining safety through the parallel group architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the voltage parameter that switches must handle by reconfiguring the battery architecture. Instead of switches handling the full system voltage in series, the parallel group structure reduces the voltage parameter to approximately 1/Nth of the system voltage (where N is the number of parallel groups), enabling the use of cheaper switches.
3Power
If batteries are connected in series to increase system voltage, then power output is improved, but switch voltage tolerance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into parallel groups that are then connected in series. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high voltage and power output through the series connection of groups, while switches only need to handle the voltage of individual parallel groups. The harmful high voltage exposure is segmented away from the switches.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the dimensional arrangement of battery connections from purely series to a two-dimensional structure with parallel groups connected in series. This dimensional change allows power output to be increased through series connection of groups while switch voltage exposure is limited to the parallel group level, effectively decoupling system power from switch voltage requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack system is disclosed. The battery pack system includes a battery pack having batteries arranged in a plurality of parallel groups that are connected in series. Each parallel group includes a plurality of the batteries connected in parallel. The electronics are configured to drop the current at which the battery pack is operating from a first current level to a second current level one or more times. The second current level is lower than the first current level. The electronics can drop the current from the first current level to the second current level during the charge and/or discharge of the battery pack. In some instances, the electronics intermittently drop the current from the first current level to the second current level during the charge and/or discharge of the battery pack.