Battery Management System Dynamic Charging Current Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rechargeable batteries in various applications, such as electric vehicles and warehouse equipment, face operational inefficiencies due to undesired standstills during charging, which reduce the operational cycle and can lead to battery damage from excessive temperature fluctuations.

Innovation Solution

A battery management system (BMS) with a controller that monitors temperature and adjusts charging current based on threshold values to prevent overheating, allowing for safe and efficient charging across a wide temperature range, including hot and cold environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If rapid charging is applied to rechargeable batteries, then charging speed is improved, but battery temperature increases causing potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging speedVSAvoidbattery temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The charging current is made dynamic rather than constant. The BMS continuously monitors battery temperature and adjusts the charging current in real-time, increasing current when temperature is low and decreasing it when temperature rises, thereby enabling rapid charging while preventing overheating damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The BMS implements a feedback control system where temperature sensors continuously monitor battery temperature and feed this information back to the controller. The controller then adjusts the charging current accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that balances charging speed with temperature management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If charging current is reduced to prevent overheating, then battery safety is improved, but charging time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery safetyVSAvoidcharging time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than using a static, conservative charging current that prioritizes safety over speed, the system dynamically adjusts current based on real-time temperature conditions. This allows the system to operate at high current when safe and reduce current only when necessary, optimizing both safety and charging time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the charging current parameter dynamically based on temperature thresholds. When temperature is below the threshold, high current is applied for rapid charging; when temperature exceeds the threshold, current is reduced to prevent overheating, thus balancing safety and time efficiently

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 BMS ensures rapid charging while maintaining battery performance and preventing damage by throttling the charging current according to temperature, ensuring the battery operates within a safe temperature range, thus extending its lifespan and maintaining performance in diverse environmental conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature sensor (107) that provides a temperature signal based on the temperature of the rechargeable battery (105)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Data Source

PatentEP3398240B1Battery management system
Publication Date: 2022.06.08 HYPERDRIVE INNOVATION LTD
  • EP3398240B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3398240B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3398240B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A battery management system for use in charging a rechargeable battery is disclosed. The battery management system comprises a controller and a temperature sensor, wherein the temperature sensor is configured to provide a temperature signal based on a temperature of the rechargeable battery, and wherein the controller is configured to control a charging current for charging the rechargeable battery based on the temperature signal. In response to the temperature signal indicating that the temperature exceeds a first threshold temperature signal value the charging current is tapered down as a function of increasing temperature.