Battery Control Switch Chain for Glitch-Free Power Sequencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power switches and multiplexers require a microcontroller to manage power sequencing and often result in voltage gaps during switching due to break-before-make or make-before-break power switching, necessitating a handshake protocol for power status monitoring.
Innovation Solution
The development of control switches that can perform concurrent, break-before-make, or make-before-break power multiplexing, configured for charging, discharging, or combined operations, and linked into control chains to manage energy storage devices like batteries without the need for an external microcontroller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional power switches use break-before-make or make-before-break switching, then power sequencing control is achieved, but voltage gaps occur during switching and handshake protocols are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary circuit that automatically detects the power status of predecessor switches and triggers successor switches without requiring external microcontrollers or handshake protocols. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by eliminating the complexity of manual power status monitoring while maintaining reliable sequencing control.
Solution Approach 2:
The control switches are designed to automatically monitor and respond to power status changes of predecessor switches through integrated detection circuits. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external control systems and handshake protocols, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable power sequencing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If external microcontrollers are used to control power sequencing, then flexible power management is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control switches incorporate integrated power status detection and automatic triggering mechanisms that eliminate the need for external microcontrollers. The switches autonomously manage power sequencing based on predefined conditions, maintaining adaptability while significantly reducing device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The control switch integrates multiple functions including power status detection, sequencing control, and automatic triggering within a single device. This multi-functionality replaces the need for separate microcontrollers and associated circuits, achieving flexible power management without the added complexity.
3Reliability
If power status monitoring is implemented between neighboring control switches, then reliable switching control is achieved, but additional control circuits and time delays are required
Solution Approach 1:
The control switches are designed with preliminary detection capabilities that continuously monitor power status conditions before switching is required. This preliminary action allows the system to be ready for immediate switching when conditions are met, eliminating the need for time-consuming handshake protocols while maintaining reliable control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements automatic feedback mechanisms where power status information from predecessor switches is continuously monitored and immediately used to trigger successor switches. This real-time feedback eliminates time delays associated with manual monitoring and handshake protocols, achieving both reliability and speed.
Data Source
AI summary
A control switch incorporating a 1:2 demultiplexer is used to control timing for a concurrent switching, break-before-make and make-before-break power multiplexing, and is configurable to link a plurality of the control switches into a control chain to perform sequential charging, sequential discharging, parallel charging, parallel discharging, and concurrent sequential charging and discharging for a plurality of batteries coupled to the control chain in a power system.