Battery Unit SCP Heater Switching for Reliable Fuse Cutoff

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power supplies with battery units face challenges in reliably fusion-cutting a fuse element in a self-control protector (SCP) due to varying battery voltages, leading to inefficient heat generation and complex circuit configurations.

Innovation Solution

A power supply with a battery unit that includes a self-control protector (SCP) connected in series, a switch, and a control circuit to adjust the voltage supplied to a heater based on detected battery voltage, using switching elements to ensure the heater receives a consistent operating voltage for effective fusion-cutting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the electric power supplied from the battery unit to the heater is increased to ensure fusion-cutting of the fuse element, then the reliability of fusion-cutting is improved, but the fuse element may be burned out and prevented from fusion-cutting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of fusion-cuttingVSAvoidburnout of fuse element
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the battery connection point movable through multiple selectable connection points with different voltages. The control circuit dynamically selects the appropriate connection point based on real-time battery voltage conditions, allowing the system to adapt the power supplied to the heater dynamically. This resolves the contradiction by enabling reliable fusion-cutting when battery voltage is high while preventing burnout when battery voltage is low, through dynamic adjustment rather than fixed power supply.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the voltage parameter by providing multiple connection points to the battery unit, each with different voltage levels. The control circuit selects different connection points based on battery voltage conditions, effectively changing the operating parameters of the heater. This allows the system to maintain the fuse element within safe operating limits while ensuring reliable fusion-cutting, resolving the contradiction between reliability and harmful effects through parameter adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If a constant current circuit is used to supply power from the battery unit to the heater, then the heat generation is stabilized, but the circuit size and complexity increase due to voltage reduction requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of heat generationVSAvoidcircuit configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the battery unit into multiple connection points with different voltage levels. Instead of using a complex constant current circuit with voltage reduction components, the system divides the battery's voltage output into discrete segments. The control circuit selects the appropriate segment based on battery voltage conditions, achieving stable heat generation through segmentation rather than complex circuitry, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical constant current circuit with semiconductor switching elements that can rapidly switch between different battery connection points. This substitution eliminates the need for complex voltage reduction mechanisms and constant current regulation circuits, achieving stable heat generation through electronic switching. This resolves the contradiction by replacing a complex mechanical/electrical system with a simpler electronic switching system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The power supply effectively interrupts electric current by reliably fusion-cutting the fuse element with a simple circuit configuration, adapting to varying battery voltages and preventing overcharging or over-discharging.

Implementation Method 1

a heater configured to heat and fusion-cut the fuse element by Joule heating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

The switch which is turned on supplies electric power from the battery unit to the heater

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4300527B1Power supply equipped with battery unit
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 PANASONIC ENERGY CO LTD
  • EP4300527B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

A fuse element of a SCP is reliably fusion-cut with a simple circuit configuration to interrupt an electric current. In a power supply equipped with a battery unit, a control circuit (7) is configured to control turning on and off of a switch (6) configured to connect the SCP (3) which is connected in series to a battery unit (1) and is configured to interrupt charge and discharge currents in an abnormal state. Battery unit 1 includes battery cells (2) connected in series to one another. The SCP (3) includes fuse element 4 connected in series to an output end of the battery unit (1), and a heater (5) configured to fusion-cut the fuse element (4). The switch (6) includes switching elements (10) each of which has one terminal connected to the heater (5) and another terminal connected to a corresponding one of different-voltage terminals (11) of the battery unit 1. In control circuit (7), a selection circuit (9) is configured to select, according to the voltage detected by the voltage detection circuit (8), a switching element (10) to be turned on, and the switching element (10) which is turned on connects the battery unit (1) to the heater (5) to fusion-cut the fuse element (4).