Dynamic Battery Pack Series-Parallel Switching for Charging Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery packs face inefficiencies in charging and discharging high-power applications, particularly in scenarios where a separate power source is needed for devices like home vacuum cleaners without AC power, as they require high-capacity batteries that are not efficiently managed for both charging and discharging.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design that includes a battery module with multiple units connected in series for discharging and in parallel for charging, utilizing a control unit with charge/discharge terminal units and a charge recognition unit to switch configurations based on electrical parameters, allowing for efficient high-power discharging and charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If battery units are connected in series for discharging to achieve high voltage and power output, then the discharging power capability is improved, but the charging time increases and charging efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack employs a dynamic switching mechanism that changes the connection configuration of battery units based on operational mode. During discharging, units are connected in series to provide high voltage and power. During charging, units are reconfigured to parallel connection to reduce charging time and improve efficiency. This dynamic reconfiguration is controlled by a control unit that detects the operational state and switches the connection topology accordingly.
2Productivity
If battery units are connected in parallel for charging to reduce charging time, then charging efficiency is improved, but the discharging voltage and power output decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically reconfigures the battery unit connections based on whether the pack is charging or discharging. When charging, the control unit switches to parallel connection to maximize charging efficiency and reduce time. When discharging, it switches to series connection to ensure adequate voltage and power output. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize for the current operational requirement without permanent compromise.
3Device complexity
If a single configuration is used for both charging and discharging, then device complexity is reduced, but the efficiency of both charging and discharging operations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack incorporates a control unit with switching mechanisms that enable dynamic reconfiguration of battery unit connections. The control unit detects operational state (charging or discharging) and automatically switches between series and parallel configurations. While this adds some complexity to the device, it dramatically improves the efficiency of both charging and discharging operations compared to a fixed single configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery pack design makes the connection configuration multi-functional, serving different purposes for charging and discharging operations. The same battery units can be reconfigured to serve either series connection for high-power discharge or parallel connection for efficient charging, making the system adaptable to different operational requirements without needing separate dedicated configurations.
4Power
If high-capacity batteries are used to provide 100V or higher for portable power source applications, then the power output capability is improved, but the charging time and energy loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack uses dynamic reconfiguration to switch between series and parallel connections based on operational mode. During charging, the parallel connection reduces the voltage stress on individual units and allows more efficient energy transfer, reducing charging energy loss. During discharging, the series connection provides the necessary high voltage and power output. This dynamic approach allows high-capacity batteries to operate efficiently in both directions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A battery pack is provided. In one embodiment, the battery pack includes a battery module including a plurality of single battery units, a battery management unit including a plurality of charge terminals and a plurality of discharge terminals electrically connected to electrode terminals of the plurality of single battery units, and controlling charging/discharging of the battery module, and a control unit including a plurality of discharge control terminals electrically connected to the plurality of discharge terminals, a discharge control switch installed between each of the plurality of discharge control terminals, and a charge recognizing unit, and controlling the operation of the discharge control switch according to the level of voltage detected by the charge recognizing unit.