Battery Series Voltage Control via Dynamic Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric power supply systems using DC-DC converters face inefficiencies and battery degradation when attempting to achieve a higher output voltage, as they are limited by the range of variation in battery capacities when batteries are connected in series, leading to ineffective discharge and charge capacity utilization, increased costs for sorting, and potential overcharge/overdischarge issues.
Innovation Solution
An electric power supply system that connects first and second batteries in series, using a switch group to select the battery with the larger remaining content for efficient discharge and charge, allowing balanced remaining content and independent charging/discharging to maximize capacity utilization without battery degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If batteries are connected in series to achieve higher output voltage, then the output voltage is improved, but the range of variation in battery capacities causes ineffective discharge and charge capacity utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the battery system into multiple independent battery units (first battery and second battery) that can be individually managed. Each battery is equipped with its own discharge switch and charge switch, allowing independent control of discharge and charge operations. This segmentation enables the system to handle batteries with capacity variations effectively by managing each unit separately rather than as a unified series connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic switching between different battery configurations using switch groups. The system can dynamically change between series connection mode (for higher voltage output) and parallel connection mode (for balanced charge/discharge), or independently control each battery. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to adapt to different operational requirements and battery states, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high output voltage and achieving effective capacity utilization.
2Power
If batteries with varying capacities are connected in series, then higher voltage is achieved, but sorting costs increase and overcharge/overdischarge issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the battery system into independently controllable segments with individual discharge switches (first discharge switch, second discharge switch) and charge switches (first charge switch, second charge switch). This segmentation allows the system to monitor and control each battery's charge and discharge states separately, preventing overcharge and overdischarge conditions even when batteries have different capacities. The independent control eliminates the need for costly sorting while maintaining system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces switch groups as intermediary control elements between the batteries and the load/power source. These switches act as mediators that can isolate individual batteries from the series connection when needed, allowing the system to manage batteries with capacity variations safely. The intermediary switches enable flexible reconfiguration to prevent harmful conditions while maintaining the desired high voltage output when appropriate.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional DC-DC converters are used for voltage conversion, then voltage conversion function is achieved, but power loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional DC-DC converter (an active electronic system with inherent power losses) with a passive switching-based voltage conversion approach. By using switch groups to directly connect batteries in series or parallel configurations, the system achieves voltage conversion without the power losses associated with conventional DC-DC converter circuits. This substitution eliminates the need for complex conversion circuits while maintaining voltage adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
In an electric power supply system, a plurality of batteries (405, 406) are connected in series by a switch group (402 to 404, 407 to 409), and a higher voltage and a lower voltage are output through a terminal and a VOL terminal, respectively, and are respectively converted in the voltage thereof by two step-down DC-DC inverters (105, 106). During a discharge operation upon a serial connection, remaining content of the batteries is measured in a period other than the period of discharge from the batteries (105, 106), and the connection mode of the serial connection is controlled based on the remaining content, to control the discharge of the respective batteries up to the discharge capacity.