Bistable Relay Battery Disconnection Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Batteries, especially those in high-power applications like electric vehicles, are prone to deep discharge and overvoltage damage due to improper usage, such as not being switched off or being connected to systems with different voltages, which existing protection systems do not adequately address without causing further discharge during operation.
Innovation Solution
A circuit with a voltage-measuring apparatus and reversible disconnection apparatus that can disconnect the battery from the electrical supply system when deep discharge or overvoltage is detected, featuring a bistable relay or semiconductor switch that remains open even when not powered, and can be selectively reactivated for charging or discharging, with threshold values for deep-discharge and overvoltage protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protection circuit with disconnection apparatus is used to prevent deep discharge and overvoltage damage, then battery reliability is improved, but the circuit contributes to self-discharge and further discharge during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power supply function from the protection circuit by using a bistable relay that maintains its switching state without continuous power. The relay is powered only momentarily during state changes (closing or opening), but retains its position without power, thereby eliminating continuous self-discharge caused by powered electronic switches or microcontrollers.
Solution Approach 2:
The bistable relay serves itself by maintaining its closed or open state without external power supply. Once switched, it remains in that state using its internal magnetic latching mechanism, requiring no continuous energy input. This self-sustaining characteristic eliminates the parasitic power consumption that plagues active electronic protection circuits.
2Reliability
If a disconnection apparatus is used to protect against deep discharge, then battery reliability is improved, but the disconnection cannot be easily reversed for charging or discharging operations
Solution Approach 1:
The protection system dynamically adapts its state based on battery conditions. The bistable relay can be switched between closed and open states by providing momentary power to the coil. During normal operation, the relay remains closed; when deep discharge or overvoltage is detected, it opens to protect the battery. For charging operations, power is temporarily supplied to close the relay again, enabling reversible protection without permanent disconnection.
3Measurement precision
If electronic protection circuits are continuously powered to monitor battery voltage, then measurement precision is improved, but energy consumption increases causing self-discharge
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous monitoring and powering, the system uses periodic action only when needed. The bistable relay is powered momentarily to switch states (close or open) based on battery condition thresholds. Once switched, no power is needed to maintain the state. Voltage monitoring can be performed passively through voltage-dividing resistors that require no active power, with the relay state changing only when threshold violations occur.
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
Effectively prevents battery damage from deep discharge and overvoltage in high-power applications by interrupting the voltage supply without contributing to self-discharge, allowing for safe operation and recharging when conditions are met, and can be integrated with existing battery management systems.
Implementation Method 1
voltage-measuring apparatus for determining a battery voltage
Implementation Method 2
The disconnection apparatus is a semiconductor switch or a bistable relay, wherein opening the disconnection apparatus interrupts a supply of voltage to the circuit
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a battery including a voltage-measuring apparatus, at least one reversible disconnection apparatus, and a circuit of electronic components. The voltage-measuring apparatus is configured to determine a battery voltage. The at least one reversible disconnection apparatus is configured to electrically disconnect the battery from an electrical supply system, such that the disconnection can be cancelled again, for charging or discharging the battery. The circuit of electronic components is a circuit configured to open the disconnection apparatus in the event of an undervoltage and/or an overvoltage of the battery.