Battery Management System Constant Voltage DC/DC Converter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery management systems face challenges in supplying sufficient power to integrated circuits for cell voltage measurement and balancing, especially when cell voltages are low, as the cells may not be able to provide enough power consistently.
Innovation Solution
A battery management system incorporating a constant voltage DC/DC converter and a regulator to generate a stable power supply voltage for the integrated circuit, which includes a buck-boost converter operating in buck or boost mode based on voltage comparisons, and diodes to ensure power delivery, along with resistors for voltage distribution when the number of channels exceeds the number of cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the integrated circuit operates directly from cell voltages, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of power supply deteriorates when cell voltages are low
Solution Approach 1:
A DC/DC converter is introduced as an intermediary power supply device between the battery cells and the integrated circuit. The converter receives variable cell voltages and converts them to a stable output voltage, ensuring reliable power supply to the integrated circuit while isolating it from voltage fluctuations. This mediator resolves the contradiction by adding a controlled component that maintains reliability without requiring direct connection to unstable cell voltages.
Solution Approach 2:
The DC/DC converter dynamically changes voltage parameters by converting variable input voltages from battery cells into a constant output voltage. The converter adjusts its conversion ratio based on input voltage levels, maintaining a stable output voltage that ensures reliable operation of the integrated circuit regardless of cell voltage variations or low voltage conditions.
2Reliability
If a DC/DC converter is added to stabilize power supply, then the reliability of power supply is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The DC/DC converter is designed to perform multiple functions: voltage stabilization, power management, and protection of the integrated circuit. By consolidating these functions into a single device, the system achieves improved reliability without proportionally increasing overall complexity, as the converter replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate components or circuits.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the integrated circuit has more channels than cells, then the adaptability of the system is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring voltages increases
Solution Approach 1:
When the integrated circuit has more channels than battery cells, dummy cells or resistive dividers are used to create equipotential connections for unused channels. This ensures that all channels experience comparable voltage levels and measurement conditions, simplifying the detection and measurement process while maintaining the system's adaptability to different channel configurations.
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 consistent power supply to the integrated circuit for cell voltage measurement and balancing, maintaining operational efficiency even at low cell voltages by dynamically adjusting voltage levels and distributing power effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a constant voltage DC/DC converter to receive a first voltage from a plurality of cells and generate a first output voltage at a substantially constant level
Implementation Method 2
The constant voltage DC/DC converter may be a buck-boost constant voltage DC/DC converter to receive the first voltage, the buck-boost constant voltage DC/DC converter to operate in at least a buck mode or a boost mode based on a comparison between a first voltage and the first output voltage
Implementation Method 3
a first diode including an anode connected to receive the first voltage and a cathode connected to the integrated circuit; and a second diode including an anode connected to receive the first output voltage and a cathode connected to the integrated circuit
Implementation Method 4
a plurality of resistors connected in series between a first node coupled to the first voltage and a second node coupled to the first output voltage, wherein a connection node of two adjacent resistors of the plurality of resistors is connected to a corresponding one of the channels that are not connected to the cells
Data Source
AI summary
A battery management system includes a constant voltage DC/DC converter, an integrated circuit, and a regulator. The converter receives a first voltage from a plurality of battery cells and generates a first output voltage at a substantially constant level. The integrated circuit measures voltages of the cells and balances the cells. The regulator converts the first output voltage to a second output voltage. The first output voltage is supplied as a power supply voltage of the integrated circuit.