Battery Converter Dead-Time Control for Higher Discharge Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing converters used in charging and discharging secondary batteries exhibit inefficiencies due to differences in charging and discharging efficiencies, particularly attributed to the positioning of dead time periods in the primary switching circuit.
Innovation Solution
A controller and charger-discharger system that adjusts the dead time periods of switches in the primary switching circuit to optimize the overlap between charging and discharging operations, ensuring shorter overlaps during discharging to enhance efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the dead time period of the primary switching circuit is positioned to ensure proper switching operation, then switching reliability is improved, but the overlap between dead time and second delivery period becomes longer during discharging, causing efficiency reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the dead time period adjustable and repositionable based on operating conditions. The controller dynamically shifts the timing of the dead time period in the primary switching circuit depending on whether the battery is charging or discharging, allowing the system to adapt to different operational states and optimize performance for each mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the timing parameter of the dead time period based on the battery's operational state. By modifying when the dead time occurs in the switching cycle according to whether charging or discharging is active, the system optimizes the overlap characteristics and improves discharging efficiency while maintaining switching reliability.
2Device complexity
If the converter uses a fixed switching pattern for both charging and discharging, then device complexity is reduced, but efficiency difference between charging and discharging increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the converter universal by enabling it to perform both charging and discharging functions with optimized performance for each mode. The same converter circuitry handles both operations, but with dynamically adjusted switching patterns that account for the different efficiency characteristics of charging versus discharging, thereby eliminating the need for separate dedicated circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching control pattern is made dynamic rather than fixed, allowing the controller to adapt the timing and duration of switching operations based on whether the converter is charging or discharging. This dynamic adjustment resolves the efficiency difference between modes while maintaining a single unified device design.
3Loss of energy
If the overlap between dead time period and second delivery period is minimized during discharging, then discharging efficiency is improved, but switching transition timing becomes more critical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the controller monitors the operational state and adjusts the switching timing accordingly. By detecting the battery's charging or discharging state and the current timing conditions, the controller provides feedback to optimize the dead time positioning, ensuring minimal overlap during discharging while maintaining reliable switching transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical or fixed timing mechanisms with electronic control that can precisely adjust switching timings through software or digital logic. This substitution allows for fine-grained control of the dead time period positioning without the limitations of mechanical timing systems, achieving both minimal overlap and reliable transitions.
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 improves the efficiency of battery discharging by adjusting the dead time periods, thereby reducing inefficiencies and enhancing overall energy conversion performance.
Implementation Method 1
a transformer configured to deliver power between a power source unit and the battery
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a charger and discharger of a battery. The charger and discharger includes a converter, the converter including a transformer, a first switching circuit configured to form a current path between the power source unit and a primary side winding of the transformer during a first delivery period, and a second switching circuit configured to form a current path between the battery and a secondary side winding of the transformer during a second delivery period, and the first switching circuit has a dead time period in which the current path between the power source unit and the primary side winding is not formed, and the converter is operated to form a length of a portion where the dead time period and the second delivery period overlap each other when the battery is discharged to be shorter than the length of the portion when the battery is charged.