Reconfigurable Battery Pack Topology for Voltage Threshold Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Newer battery chemistries exhibit a sloped discharge curve, leading to premature voltage drop below useful levels despite significant remaining capacity, necessitating a method to utilize remaining battery capacity effectively.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack and management system that dynamically reconfigures battery modules by connecting them in series or parallel using switching units and controllers to maintain voltage within predetermined thresholds, doubling or halving the number of strings as needed during discharge and charge cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If newer battery chemistries are used to increase capacity, then battery capacity is improved, but voltage drops below useful level prematurely
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack dynamically reconfigures the connection topology of battery modules between series and parallel arrangements based on real-time voltage measurements. During discharge, when voltage drops below a threshold, the system switches from series to parallel configuration to maintain voltage above the useful level, thereby extending usable capacity while maintaining voltage stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the electrical configuration parameters of the battery pack by altering the number of series-connected strings and parallel modules. The controller adjusts the series string count and parallel module count based on voltage thresholds, transforming the battery pack from a fixed configuration to a variable configuration system that adapts to maintain optimal voltage levels.
2Power
If battery modules are connected in series to increase voltage, then voltage is improved, but capacity utilization decreases due to premature voltage depletion
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between series and parallel configurations based on voltage thresholds. When voltage exceeds an upper threshold during charge or drops below a lower threshold during discharge, the system reconfigures the number of series strings and parallel modules to optimize both voltage and capacity utilization throughout the battery's operational cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery management system performs periodic voltage measurements and executes stepwise reconfiguration changes at predetermined voltage thresholds. During discharge, each reconfiguration step doubles the number of series strings; during charge, each step halves the number of series strings, creating a periodic cycle of reconfiguration that maximizes capacity utilization.
3Device complexity
If fixed battery configuration is used to simplify design, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to voltage variations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack transitions from a fixed static configuration to a dynamic reconfigurable configuration. The switching unit, controlled by a controller, enables real-time changes in the electrical connection topology between battery modules, allowing the system to adapt to varying voltage conditions while managing complexity through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching unit acts as an intermediary component between the battery modules and the external circuitry. This intermediary enables flexible reconfiguration of the battery pack's electrical topology without requiring complex external circuitry, simplifying the overall design while providing adaptability through the switching mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack, and a method and system for controlling the voltage across the battery pack. The battery pack may have a plurality of individual battery modules controlled by one or more switching units and one or more controllers. The switching units may electrically connect one or more battery modules in parallel to form one or more strings, which are connected in series.