Dynamic Series-Parallel Battery Switching for Fast Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Series battery packs experience prolonged charging times due to differentiated battery units, leading to reduced charging current and system performance degradation.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that identify differentiated battery units in a series battery pack and dynamically change their connection to parallel or series-parallel configurations for optimized charging, utilizing a switch array module to adjust connections based on charge parameters and available charging current.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If battery units are connected in series to achieve high voltage, then voltage requirement is met, but charging time increases due to limited charging current
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the connection configuration changeable between series and parallel modes. The battery management system dynamically switches between series connection (for high voltage during discharge) and parallel connection (for high current during charging), allowing the system to adapt its electrical characteristics based on operational requirements. This resolves the contradiction by enabling high voltage when needed while permitting high charging current when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the battery pack into multiple independently controllable battery units with switching elements (MOSFETs) for each unit. This segmentation allows selective connection of individual battery units in series or parallel configurations, enabling flexible control over voltage and current characteristics. By dividing the battery pack into controllable segments, the system can optimize charging current while maintaining required voltage levels.
2Stability of the object's composition
If all battery units are charged in series, then system voltage is maintained, but charging speed is limited by the weakest battery unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different battery units to have different connection states (series or parallel) based on their individual characteristics. The battery management system identifies units with different charge states or capacities and connects them differently, enabling faster charging for units that can accept higher current while maintaining series connection for units that need slower charging. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction by enabling overall faster charging without compromising system voltage stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameters (connection configuration) of battery units based on their charge parameters (voltage, capacity, charge state). The system monitors individual unit parameters and dynamically adjusts connection configurations to optimize charging speed while maintaining system voltage requirements. This parameter-based control allows the system to achieve higher productivity without sacrificing voltage stability.
3Ease of manufacture
If battery units with different charge parameters are connected in series, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but system performance degrades due to inconsistent charging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the connection configuration dynamic rather than fixed, allowing the system to adapt to variations in battery unit parameters. The switching elements enable real-time reconfiguration based on monitored charge parameters, resolving the contradiction by maintaining manufacturing simplicity (fixed physical connections) while achieving reliable performance through dynamic control adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring charge parameters of individual battery units and using this information to control the switching elements. The battery management system receives feedback on voltage, capacity, and charge state of each unit, then adjusts connection configurations accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable system performance despite manufacturing variations, while the physical connection structure remains simple and easy to manufacture.
Data Source
AI summary
A fast charging method, a fast charging system, and a fast charging apparatus for a series battery pack, where the fast charging method including obtaining charge parameters of battery units in a series battery pack, determining, based on the charge parameters, whether there is a differentiated battery unit in the series battery pack, where the differentiated battery unit is a battery unit whose charge parameter is different from a charge parameter of the rest battery units in the series battery pack, and changing the battery units in the series battery pack to a parallel connection when there is a differentiated battery unit in the series battery pack, and performing parallel charging on the battery units. Hence, the fast charging method for a series battery pack can effectively shorten a charging time.