Battery Voltage Balancing Without Converters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric power supply apparatuses with multiple batteries face complexity, increased costs, and inefficiencies due to the need for converters to manage voltage differences between batteries, which complicates structural simplification, size reduction, and cost reduction.
Innovation Solution
An electric power supply control device that includes a voltage comparison unit, a voltage adjustment unit, and a connection processing unit, which allows for parallel connection of batteries without converters by adjusting output voltages to within a predetermined threshold, using charging and discharging processes to equalize voltage differences between batteries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a converter is used to manage voltage differences between batteries, then voltage balance is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the converter component from the system by using control strategies that manage voltage differences through existing battery operations (charging/discharging) rather than through dedicated voltage conversion hardware, thereby simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining voltage balance
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the batteries' own charging and discharging operations to self-regulate voltage differences without external conversion devices. The control unit manages which battery charges or discharges to maintain voltage balance, allowing the battery system to serve its own voltage regulation needs
2Reliability
If a converter is used to manage voltage differences between batteries, then voltage balance is achieved, but system size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The converter hardware is completely removed from the system architecture. Voltage balance is achieved through control logic that manages battery charging and discharging states, eliminating the need for additional conversion equipment and reducing overall system volume
Solution Approach 2:
The existing battery system performs multiple functions: energy storage, power supply, and voltage regulation. By using the batteries' inherent charging/discharging capabilities for voltage balance, the system avoids adding dedicated voltage conversion equipment that would increase system size
3Reliability
If a converter is used to manage voltage differences between batteries, then voltage balance is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The expensive converter component is extracted and removed from the system. The patent achieves voltage balance through control strategies using existing battery operations, eliminating the need for costly voltage conversion hardware and reducing manufacturing expenses
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses inexpensive control logic and existing battery operations instead of expensive converter hardware. The approach leverages the batteries' natural charging/discharging processes, which are already part of the system, rather than adding costly conversion equipment
4Device complexity
If batteries are connected in parallel without voltage adjustment, then connection is simple, but electric energy loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary voltage balancing by managing battery charging and discharging operations before parallel connection. This pre-adjustment ensures that voltage differences are minimized prior to connection, preventing energy loss while maintaining connection simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The battery system uses its own charging and discharging operations to self-regulate voltage levels before parallel connection. This self-service approach achieves voltage balance without external conversion devices, maintaining both connection simplicity and energy efficiency
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution simplifies the apparatus, reduces energy loss, and lowers costs by enabling parallel connection of batteries while suppressing voltage variations, resulting in a more compact and inexpensive system.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage comparison unit performing comparison between output voltages of the plurality of storage batteries
Implementation Method 2
charging processing by electric power feeding from the electric power generator to the storage battery having the lowest output voltage
Implementation Method 3
discharging processing by electric power feeding from the storage battery having the highest output voltage to a load circuit
Implementation Method 4
a connection processing unit performing the parallel connection in a case where output voltage difference between the plurality of storage batteries becomes equal to or less than a previously-determined threshold
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an electric power supply control device for an electric power supply apparatus including a plurality of storage batteries and an electric power generator performing charging of the plurality of storage batteries, the electric power supply control device controlling a parallel connection between the plurality of storage batteries. Voltage adjustment by one of a) charging processing by electric power feeding from the electric power generator to the storage battery having the lowest output voltage among the plurality of storage batteries and b) discharging processing by electric power feeding from the storage battery having the highest output voltage among the plurality of storage batteries to a load circuit connected to the storage battery having the highest output voltage is performed. Parallel connection is performed in a case where output voltage difference between the plurality of storage batteries becomes equal to or less than a previously-determined threshold.