BMS Controller Backup Power for Low-Voltage Drop Continuity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery management systems (BMS) face issues with uninterrupted power supply to controllers when low-voltage terminals experience momentary drops, leading to potential vehicle safety hazards due to shutdown of normal functions.

Innovation Solution

A power maintenance apparatus with a power conversion part and a processor that converts voltage from a battery pack or cells into operating voltage for the controller, ensuring continuous power supply through isolated DC/DC converters or backup power supply parts like buck-boost converters, which are controlled by monitoring the vehicle terminal voltage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the MCU is powered through a separate ignition circuit from the vehicle terminal, then the MCU can operate independently, but the MCU will shut down when the low voltage from the vehicle terminal drops momentarily

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveMCU operation continuityVSAvoidpower supply system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-charging a capacitor with energy from the battery pack before power is needed. When the vehicle terminal voltage drops, the capacitor immediately discharges to maintain MCU operation, avoiding shutdown without requiring complex real-time power conversion systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a capacitor as an intermediary energy storage element between the battery pack and the MCU. This capacitor acts as a buffer that mediates power supply interruptions, absorbing voltage drops and maintaining stable operation of the MCU during transient low-voltage conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If the low voltage from the vehicle terminal drops momentarily, then the power consumption is reduced, but the normal functions of the MCU are shut down

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumption during voltage dropVSAvoidMCU function continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements beforehand cushioning by pre-storing energy in a capacitor from the battery pack. When voltage drops occur, this pre-stored energy cushions the impact, maintaining MCU operation without requiring additional power consumption during the critical moment of voltage drop.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If a backup power supply part is used to ensure uninterrupted power supply, then the MCU remains operational during voltage drops, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply stabilityVSAvoidpower conversion system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a capacitor as a simple, inexpensive energy storage device that provides short-term power support during voltage drops. This disposable-like approach (the capacitor discharges briefly and then recharges) provides reliable backup power without the complexity of sophisticated power conversion systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

Ensures uninterrupted power supply to the controller, allowing it to maintain control over the battery pack even during low-voltage terminal disruptions, thus preventing safety issues.

Implementation Method 1

a power conversion part converting voltage from a battery pack into operating voltage required for operation of a controller

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the power conversion part may be an isolated DC/DC converter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

the backup power supply part may be a buck-boost converter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic energy storage: Inductor

Data Source

PatentEP4579999A1Backup power supply for a BMS controller
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP4579999A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4579999A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4579999A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A power maintenance apparatus is disclosed. The power maintenance apparatus includes: a power conversion part (200) configured for converting voltage from a battery pack (P) into operating voltage required for operation of a controller (40) adapted to manage the battery pack (P) and supplying the operating voltage to the controller (40); and a processor (100) configured for controlling the power conversion part (200) by monitoring voltage supplied from a vehicle terminal to the controller (40). The power maintenance apparatus can ensure uninterrupted power supply to the controller (40) even when supply of power from a low-voltage terminal to the controller (40) is cut off, thereby allowing the controller (40) to maintain control over the battery pack (P).