Programmable Battery Pack Switching for Wide-Range Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery packs have limited optimal charging voltage ranges, require specific current strengths, and generate electromagnetic interference, leading to reduced battery life and potential damage, and often necessitate balancing hardware for varying cell charges.
Innovation Solution
A programmable battery pack with an external power supply, controller module, and switch arrangement module that allows charging across a wide voltage range, eliminates the need for balancing hardware, and reduces electromagnetic interference through programmable interconnections and switch configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If battery packs use fixed charging voltage ranges and current restrictions, then battery safety is maintained, but charging flexibility and adaptability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between series and parallel battery cell configurations using control circuits and switching elements. This allows the battery pack to adapt its voltage output in real-time, transforming from a static voltage source to a dynamic one that can adjust to different charging requirements while maintaining safety through controlled operation
Solution Approach 2:
The battery pack is designed with multi-functionality to serve both series and parallel configurations, eliminating the need for separate battery packs for different voltage requirements. The same battery pack can charge devices requiring different voltages by reconfiguring the cell connections, enhancing versatility without compromising reliability
2Adaptability or versatility
If battery packs use multiple different voltage outputs with Buck-Boost DC/DC convertors, then voltage adaptability is improved, but electromagnetic interference is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the Buck-Boost DC/DC convertor from the system, replacing it with direct series-parallel switching of battery cells. This removes the source of electromagnetic interference while maintaining the ability to provide different voltage outputs through configuration changes rather than active conversion
3Quantity of substance
If battery packs contain multiple battery cells with varying capacities, then energy storage capacity is increased, but charge balancing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-balancing through intelligent control algorithms that monitor individual cell voltages and automatically adjust the charging current distribution. The system serves itself by detecting charge imbalances and redistributing energy without external intervention or dedicated balancing hardware, reducing complexity while maintaining total capacity
Data Source
AI summary
A programmable battery pack including a switch arrangement module having at least one rechargeable battery with and at least one single pole single throw (SPST) switch, a system power supply having at least one linear regulator and at least one single pole single throw (SPST) switch, at least one controller module having a micro-controller executing a pre-programmed firmware, and an external power supply.