Switchable Battery Pack Self-Heating Through Internal Current Bypass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery architectures fail to heat elements when disconnected from a load or supplying zero voltage, leading to inefficiencies and inability to pre-heat the battery pack.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design with switchable elements and control means that allows short-circuiting the terminals when disconnected, enabling current circulation between elements to heat them up, using a bypass circuit and control mechanisms to manage the current flow for temperature balancing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the battery pack is disconnected from the load or supplies zero voltage, then the output current is zero, but the heating of battery elements cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack performs self-heating by circulating current internally between its own elements through the bypass circuit, eliminating the need for external current exchange or external heating devices. The system uses its own internal energy storage elements to generate the heating current.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass circuit serves multiple functions: it allows current circulation for heating purposes while maintaining the battery pack's normal discharge function. The same circuit structure supports both operational current flow and heating-mode current circulation.
2Temperature
If external heating devices are used to heat battery elements, then heating can be achieved, but peripheral losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack heats itself using internally circulated current between its own elements, eliminating the need for external heating devices and the associated peripheral energy losses in external heating circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating function is merged with the battery's internal current circulation path. The bypass circuit integrates the heating function into the existing battery structure, using the same conductive paths for both normal operation and heating purposes.
3Productivity
If output current is controlled to meet application needs, then application requirements are satisfied, but heating of battery elements is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack's elements can be selectively connected or disconnected using individual switch means for each element. This allows specific elements to be designated for heating while others continue to serve the application, segmenting the battery's function between power delivery and heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass circuit's connection status is dynamically controlled based on heating requirements. The circuit can be activated or deactivated, and specific elements can be selectively engaged for heating while maintaining normal operational configurations when heating is not needed.
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 heating of battery elements independently of load conditions, without external heating devices, minimizing peripheral losses, and balancing temperatures within the battery pack.
Implementation Method 1
enabling current circulation between elements to heat them up
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a battery pack type device including a first terminal (101), a second terminal (102) and a plurality of energy storage elements between these terminals, each element including:a) at least one switch for connecting it with, or to disconnect it from, one or more other element(s);b) at least one conductor (15, 17) for conducting a current, parallel to the element, when the latter is not connected with one or more other element(s);c) at least one switch (20) for establishing a short-circuit between the terminals of the battery when the latter is disconnected or supplies a zero voltage;d) a control circuit (30), specifically adapted to:select at least one first energy storage element and at least one second energy storage element, at least one of these elements being to be heated up, to make a current circulate at least from the first element to the second element when the terminals (101, 102) are short-circuited;stop the current when a setpoint temperature for one or more element(s) of the pack is reached.