Battery Module Switching Control for Stuck Relay Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The battery system faces issues with switches becoming stuck due to frequent switching operations, leading to deterioration and loss of control, making it difficult to maintain the connection mode of battery modules, thereby rendering the system unusable.
Innovation Solution
An electronic control unit is used to monitor deterioration parameters, such as inter-terminal voltage and elapsed time, to fix the ON-OFF states of switches before they become stuck, ensuring the battery modules remain in a series or parallel state, thus preventing further deterioration and maintaining system functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If frequent switching operations are performed to change connection modes of battery modules, then the adaptability of the battery system is improved, but the reliability of the switches deteriorates due to wear and sticking
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs preliminary detection of switch status before switching operations. When a switch is detected to be in a stuck state (either normally open or normally closed), the control device prevents further switching operations on that switch, thereby avoiding reliability issues while maintaining adaptability through alternative connection modes
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its connection mode configuration based on the operational status of switches. When certain switches are found to be stuck, the control device reconfigures the battery modules using remaining functional switches, transforming the system from a static switching architecture to a dynamic one that adapts to component degradation
2Reliability
If the ON-OFF states of switches are fixed to prevent deterioration, then the reliability of the switches is improved, but the adaptability of the battery system deteriorates as connection modes cannot be changed
Solution Approach 1:
The control device determines switch status in advance and fixes the ON-OFF states only when deterioration is detected or predicted. This preliminary detection approach allows the system to maintain full adaptability during the early and middle stages of switch life, while only restricting switching operations when reliability becomes compromised
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of switches based on their deterioration state. When a switch is healthy, it operates with full switching capability; when deterioration is detected, the control device changes its parameter to a fixed state, thereby optimizing the balance between reliability and adaptability throughout the switch lifecycle
3Duration of action of moving object
If switching operations are restricted to maintain switch durability, then the duration of switch operation is improved, but the productivity of the battery system deteriorates due to limited connection mode changes
Solution Approach 1:
The control device detects switch deterioration in advance and restricts switching operations proactively, extending the operational lifespan of switches. Meanwhile, it maintains productivity by allowing connection mode changes through alternative switching configurations using remaining functional switches
Solution Approach 2:
When certain switches are detected to be deteriorated or stuck, the control device discards their switching function and recovers system functionality by reconfiguring connection modes using remaining healthy switches, thereby extending overall system productivity while maintaining switch durability
Data Source
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AI summary
A battery system including: a plurality of battery modules (11, 12); a plurality of switches (R1, R2, R3) configured to switch a connection state of the plurality of battery modules (11, 12) between a series state and a parallel state; and an electronic control unit (100) configured: to control switching of the plurality of switches (R1, R2, R3); and to fix ON-OFF states of the plurality of switches (R1, R2, R3) such that the connection state of the plurality of battery modules (11, 12) is the series state or the parallel state when a deterioration parameter indicating a degree of deterioration of a predetermined battery module out of the plurality of battery modules (11, 12) reaches a threshold value, the ON-OFF state representing a state in which a switch is open or closed.