BMIC Power Supply from Balancing Batteries During Cell Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery monitoring integrated circuits (BMICs) require a power supply for voltage monitoring and standby operations, which is not efficiently managed in existing battery systems, leading to increased power consumption during cell balancing operations.
Innovation Solution
A battery system that utilizes power conversion units, including DC-DC converters and balancing batteries, to generate and supply power to BMICs during cell balancing operations, reducing power consumption by leveraging energy otherwise wasted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a battery monitoring integrated circuit is added to monitor cell voltages, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases due to continuous monitoring and standby power requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the balancing operation itself to generate power for the BMIC. The balancing battery, which is charged during cell balancing operations, serves dual purposes: enabling cell voltage equalization and providing power to the monitoring circuit. This self-service approach allows the BMIC to power itself using energy already being utilized in the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The balancing battery performs multiple functions: it enables cell balancing operations by charging from higher-voltage cells, and simultaneously serves as a power source for the BMIC after voltage conversion. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate power supply components and minimizes overall power consumption.
2Reliability
If cell balancing operation is performed to balance voltage between battery cells, then reliability is improved, but use of energy increases due to additional power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the energy that would otherwise be wasted during cell balancing operations into useful power for the BMIC. By using the DC-DC converter to transform the balancing battery's voltage into a suitable form, the system turns the energy consumption inherent in balancing operations into a beneficial power source for monitoring functions.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the energy consumed during cell balancing as waste, the system recovers it by charging the balancing battery and then utilizing that stored energy to power the BMIC through voltage conversion. This recovery process eliminates the need for additional power sources.
3Reliability
If power is supplied to BMIC from battery pack during cell balancing, then reliability is improved, but loss of energy increases due to additional power draw from battery pack
Solution Approach 1:
The balancing battery acts as an intermediary between the battery pack and the BMIC. Instead of drawing power directly from the battery pack, the system charges the balancing battery during cell balancing operations and then uses it to power the BMIC through the DC-DC converter. This intermediary approach eliminates direct power draw from the battery pack for BMIC operation.
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
The system effectively supplies power to BMICs during cell balancing, reducing overall power consumption and optimizing energy usage within the battery pack.
Implementation Method 1
a direct-current to direct-current (DC-DC) converter receiving voltages from the plurality of balancing batteries and configured to convert the voltages into output voltages
Implementation Method 2
a capacitor charged with a first voltage generated by using a voltage of the battery pack
Data Source
AI summary
Discussed is a battery system including: a battery pack including a plurality of battery cells; a battery monitoring integrated circuit (BMIC) configured to monitor each of a plurality of cell voltages of the plurality of battery cells; a plurality of balancing batteries each charged by a target battery cell requiring a cell balancing among the plurality of battery cells; a power conversion unit including a direct-current to direct-current (DC-DC) converter receiving voltages from the plurality of balancing batteries and configured to convert the voltages into output voltages; and a power supply unit configured to supply the output voltages to the BMIC when the output voltages have a voltage equal to or greater than a predetermined level for driving the BMIC.