Battery Pack With Segmented Cell Subpacks For Voltage Adaptability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery packs struggle to efficiently meet the diverse voltage and power requirements of different components in mobile devices, as they often require multiple voltage levels and cannot independently operate and charge different sub-sections simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack architecture featuring multiple cell subpacks arranged in series and parallel configurations, with voltage regulators and balancers to provide various voltage levels and manage charge distribution, allowing independent operation and charging of sub-sections while maintaining cell balance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple voltage levels are provided for different components, then the battery pack can meet diverse voltage requirements, but the device complexity increases due to multiple cell subpacks and voltage rails
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is divided into multiple cell subpacks (first cell subpack, second cell subpack) that can be independently configured and managed. Each subpack can operate independently or in combination with others, allowing flexible voltage level provisioning without requiring a completely reconfigured battery architecture for different voltage needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery pack enables dynamic configuration where cell subpacks can be selectively activated or deactivated based on the voltage requirements of connected loads. The system can transition between different operational states (e.g., first subpack alone, second subpack alone, or both in series) to adapt to varying voltage demands without physical reconfiguration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cell subpacks are configured to operate independently, then charging flexibility is improved, but the need for extensive cell balancing increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The battery management system is segmented into subpack-level controllers that can independently manage charging and discharging of each cell subpack. This segmentation allows independent operation where one subpack can charge while another discharges, providing charging flexibility without requiring centralized control of all cells simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
A balancer circuit acts as an intermediary between cell subpacks, enabling charge transfer and balancing operations. The balancer mediates charge distribution between subpacks, allowing independent operation and charging while maintaining overall cell balance through controlled charge redistribution rather than extensive individual cell management.
3Reliability
If extensive cell balancing is implemented to maintain cell balance across multiple subpacks, then reliability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The balancer serves as an intermediary mechanism that simplifies cell balancing by handling charge redistribution at the subpack level rather than requiring individual cell management. This intermediary approach maintains reliability through automated balance maintenance while reducing complexity compared to exhaustive cell-by-cell balancing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery pack system performs self-balancing through the balancer circuit that automatically redistributes charge between subpacks based on their state of charge. This self-service capability maintains cell balance and system reliability without requiring external intervention or complex monitoring systems, as the balancer autonomously manages charge distribution.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a first cell subpack having a plurality of cells arranged in series and a second cell subpack connected in series to the first cell subpack. The second cell subpack includes a plurality of cells arranged in series and at least one cell arranged in parallel with one of the plurality of cells, arranged in series, of the second cell subpack, where the first cell subpack and the second cell subpack use a first voltage rail to provide at least a first voltage level and a second voltage rail to provide a second voltage level, where the first voltage level is different from the second voltage level.