Battery Pack Signal Transmission for High-Voltage Cell Balancing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing secondary battery packs face limitations in withstanding voltage and power consumption when multiple batteries are connected in series, requiring high voltage-withstanding components or insulation methods that increase costs and energy loss.

Innovation Solution

The secondary battery pack employs a transmission system with constant current transmission and OR functions, allowing information to be transmitted without voltage limitations and reducing power consumption by using a cascade connection of control ICs with level conversion and high-resistance circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If multiple batteries are connected in series to increase voltage, then the voltage output is improved, but the withstanding voltage requirement and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage outputVSAvoidwithstanding voltage requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack is divided into multiple unit blocks, each with its own battery adjustment section. These unit blocks are connected in series to achieve high voltage output, while each unit block operates independently with its own control circuitry, avoiding the need for a single high voltage-withstanding control system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A transmission section is introduced as an intermediary between unit blocks to transmit information signals. This transmission section enables communication across unit blocks without requiring high voltage-withstanding capabilities in the signal transmission path, as it handles only low-voltage control signals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If insulation measures are implemented to handle high voltage, then the safety is improved, but the power consumption and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the battery pack into unit blocks with independent control sections, each operating at lower voltages, the need for high voltage insulation is eliminated. This segmentation allows standard low-voltage components to be used, reducing power consumption and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each unit block has its own battery adjustment section that monitors and controls its local batteries. This distributed control approach copies the control functionality across multiple low-voltage units rather than using a single high-voltage control system, reducing insulation requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Power

If high voltage-withstanding components are used, then the voltage handling capability is improved, but the cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage handling capabilityVSAvoidcircuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into multiple battery adjustment sections, each handling a small number of batteries at low voltage. This avoids the need for high voltage-withstanding components in the control circuitry, simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining high voltage handling capability through series connection of unit blocks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission section acts as an intermediary that enables communication between unit blocks without requiring high voltage-withstanding components. It transmits control and status signals between distributed battery adjustment sections, maintaining system coordination while using only low-voltage components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2451000B1Secondary battery pack
Publication Date: 2023.10.04 AESC JAPAN LTD
  • EP2451000B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2451000B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2451000B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A secondary battery pack of the present invention includes a secondary battery block 3 in which a plurality of unit blocks 2 are connected in series; battery adjustment sections 5 that are each provided for each of the unit blocks 2 and have a function of monitoring the voltage of secondary batteries and a function of adjusting the balance; a charge switch 8; and a discharge switch 9. The secondary battery pack includes transmission sections 17 that receive information from the corresponding battery adjustment sections 5. The transmission sections are connected to the preceding or subsequent transmission sections and are so set that at least either information input from the preceding transmission sections or information input from the battery adjustment sections 5 is output to the subsequent transmission sections. The transmission sections are equipped with a constant current transmission section that transmits with a constant value of current; and a current detection section that can detect the value of the constant current.