Battery Switching Circuit for Parallel Charging Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply devices face challenges in properly charging and discharging battery modules when their charging rates differ, particularly when connected in parallel, leading to inefficiencies and potential short circuits.
Innovation Solution
A power supply device with a battery unit comprising first and second lithium-ion batteries, capable of switching between series and parallel configurations, utilizing a controller and switching units to manage the connection and prevent reverse current flow by forming a parallel circuit based on voltage monitoring, thereby ensuring safe and efficient charging and discharging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If battery modules are connected in parallel with different charging rates, then charging capacity is improved, but reverse current flow and short circuits occur
Solution Approach 1:
Diodes are introduced as intermediary components in the circuit paths between battery modules. These diodes act as one-way valves for current flow, allowing charge to flow from higher voltage to lower voltage batteries while preventing reverse current flow that would cause short circuits. This mediator component enables safe parallel charging of batteries with different charging rates.
2Ease of operation
If switching units are added to manage battery connections, then charging control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into modular units with standardized connection interfaces. Each battery module has dedicated diodes and connection terminals, allowing independent management while enabling simple parallel or series configurations through modular assembly. This segmentation reduces the complexity of switching control by making the system inherently reconfigurable through module arrangement rather than complex switch matrices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables dynamic reconfiguration between series and parallel connections through simple switching mechanisms. The connection topology can be changed on-the-fly to adapt to different charging scenarios, allowing the system to optimize performance while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized dynamic reconfiguration protocols.
3Reliability
If voltage monitoring is implemented to prevent reverse current, then safety is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The diodes are positioned to naturally handle reverse current protection, converting the potential harmful reverse current flow into a controlled path. The diodes' inherent electrical characteristics (forward voltage drop) provide the protection mechanism, reducing the burden on voltage monitoring systems while maintaining safety.
Data Source
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AI summary
In a power supply device (1), a battery switching unit (50) is a circuit capable of switching a series-connected relay (56), a parallel-connected relay (51), a parallel-connected relay (52), and a parallel-connected relay (53) to switch to a series circuit connecting a first battery (11) and a second battery (12) in series or a parallel circuit connecting the first battery (11) and the second battery (12) in parallel. When charging the first battery (11) and the second battery (12), a controller (60) controls the battery switching unit (50) to switch to a parallel circuit (Q1), controls the parallel-connected relay (51) based on voltages applied to a first cathode terminal (cd1) and a first anode terminal (ad1), and further controls the parallel-connected relay (52) based on voltages applied to a second cathode terminal (cd2) and a second anode terminal (ad2).