Battery Pack Thermal Management via Cell Balancing Current Diversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery cells in a pack operate at different temperatures and voltages, leading to non-uniformity and reduced service life due to energy wastage from resistive cell balancing methods.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack thermal management system incorporating thermoelectric devices, temperature measuring devices, and an electronic controller that selectively diverts electric current from cells to thermoelectric devices for temperature regulation, utilizing the energy for heating or cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If resistive loads are used to balance voltage among battery cells, then voltage uniformity is improved, but energy is wasted and service life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful waste heat generated during cell balancing into a useful resource for thermal management. The resistive loads that previously only dissipated energy are now integrated with thermoelectric devices that convert the waste heat into useful cooling or heating for battery cells, thereby eliminating energy wastage while maintaining voltage uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines cell balancing functionality with thermal management functionality into a single integrated system. The resistive loads serve dual purposes: balancing voltage among cells and providing thermal control through waste heat conversion, thereby achieving multiple functions with one system.
2Stability of the object's composition
If resistive loads are used to balance voltage among battery cells, then voltage uniformity is improved, but service life is deleteriously affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful waste heat into useful thermal management, preventing temperature extremes that degrade battery service life. By utilizing thermoelectric devices to convert waste heat from resistive balancing, the system maintains optimal operating temperatures, thereby extending battery life while preserving voltage uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces thermoelectric devices as intermediary components between the resistive loads and the battery cells. These devices mediate the thermal interaction, converting waste heat into useful cooling or heating, thereby protecting the batteries from thermal damage and extending their service life.
3Adaptability or versatility
If battery cells operate at different temperatures, then individual cell characteristics are maintained, but thermal management becomes problematic and service life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing individualized thermal management for each battery cell or group of cells. The thermoelectric devices can be independently controlled to address the specific thermal needs of each cell, maintaining optimal temperature for each individual cell while extending overall service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the electrical current through thermoelectric devices to control heat transfer. By changing the current parameters, the system can switch between heating and cooling modes for different cells, thereby extending service life while respecting individual cell characteristics.
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
This solution maintains uniform cell temperatures, reduces energy wastage, and extends the useful life of battery cells by efficiently managing thermal gradients within the battery pack.
Implementation Method 1
The energy dissipated by the resistive loads is generally wasted energy
Implementation Method 2
at least one thermoelectric device is operatively disposed in thermal contact with the plurality of battery cells
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack thermal management system includes a plurality of battery cells connected to at least one DC power bus. At least one thermoelectric device is operatively disposed in thermal contact with the plurality of battery cells. At least one temperature measuring device is operatively connected to the thermal management system, and configured to measure a temperature of a predetermined portion of the plurality of battery cells. A cell balancing circuit is operatively connected to the plurality of battery cells, and configured to selectively divert a portion of electric current from at least one of the plurality of battery cells to the at least one thermoelectric device. An electronic controller is operatively connected to the cell balancing circuit, and configured to control a flow of electric current to the at least one thermoelectric device.