Battery Switch Sequencing for Inrush Current Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery management systems face challenges in managing inrush currents during charging and discharging operations, leading to inefficient power supply capacity and potential damage from simultaneous or prolonged switch events.

Innovation Solution

A battery management device that includes a detection circuit to monitor battery states and a control circuit to transmit turn-on signals at predetermined time intervals to switches, ensuring sequential switching of battery racks and power supplies to reduce inrush currents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If multiple switches are activated simultaneously to connect battery racks to power supply, then charging/discharging operation starts quickly, but inrush current increases causing potential damage and requiring larger power supply capacity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching speedVSAvoidinrush current
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by activating multiple switches in a sequential manner with predetermined time intervals rather than simultaneously. The control circuit transmits turn-on signals to switches SW11-SW14 in sequence, with each switch being activated after a predetermined time interval has elapsed since the previous switch was activated. This periodic activation pattern reduces inrush current while maintaining efficient charging/discharging operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If switches are activated with long time intervals to reduce inrush current, then inrush current is managed, but charging/discharging operation becomes slower and less efficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinrush currentVSAvoidcharging/discharging efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the predetermined time interval between switch activations. The control circuit is configured to transmit turn-on signals at specific time intervals that balance inrush current reduction with operational efficiency. By carefully selecting and adjusting this time interval parameter, the system achieves both inrush current management and maintained charging/discharging speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If simultaneous switching is allowed to maintain operational efficiency, then charging/discharging starts quickly, but power supply capacity must be larger to handle inrush current

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidpower supply capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by preparing and sequencing switch activation signals in advance before actual switching occurs. The control circuit pre-determines the activation sequence and time intervals for switches SW11-SW14, ensuring that switches are activated in a controlled sequential manner. This preliminary planning of switch activation timing allows the system to maintain operational efficiency without requiring excessive power supply capacity to handle simultaneous inrush current from all switches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4704294A1Battery management device, energy storage device including same and controlling method of energy storage device
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP4704294A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4704294A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4704294A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a battery management device (100) including a detection circuit (110) configured to detect a state of a battery (102), and a control circuit (120) configured to monitor the state of the battery (102) and configured to control functions associated with the battery (102), wherein the control circuit (120) is configured to transmit turn-on signals at a predetermined time interval to each of a first switch (106) and a second switch (108) that electrically connect or disconnect the battery (102) and a power supply (104) in response to a start signal associated with charging or discharging of the battery (102).