Cyclic Cell Balancing Control for Battery Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery management systems face challenges in efficiently equalizing the cell balancing execution times across multiple battery modules due to differences in activation times, leading to potential heat generation and inefficiencies in balancing processes.
Innovation Solution
A battery management system that includes a battery controller capable of cyclically shifting the order of cell balancing activation for each battery module, ensuring that the average balancing execution time is equalized across all modules by changing the sequence of outputting balancing start signals in each cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If cell balancing is performed simultaneously for all battery modules, then the balancing process is completed faster, but heat generation increases and system reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cell balancing process into segments by sequentially activating balancing for different battery modules rather than performing it simultaneously for all modules. This segmentation reduces the total current draw and heat generation while maintaining effective balancing across all modules over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by cycling through different activation sequences of battery modules across multiple balancing periods. The system activates balancing for different modules in different sequences during different time periods, ensuring all modules receive balancing attention while distributing heat generation over time.
2Device complexity
If cell balancing is activated in a fixed sequence for all cycles, then the control process is simpler, but deviations in balancing execution times persist across modules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by changing the activation sequence of battery modules dynamically across different balancing cycles. Instead of using a fixed sequence, the system varies the order in which modules are activated for balancing, allowing each module to receive appropriate balancing attention and equalizing execution times across all modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of activation sequence across different balancing cycles. By varying which modules are activated and in what order during different cycles, the system achieves equalized balancing execution times while maintaining relatively simple control logic.
3Reliability
If cell balancing is performed continuously without interruption, then the balancing completeness is higher, but energy consumption increases and system reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action by interrupting and resuming cell balancing in cycles rather than performing it continuously. The system activates balancing for different modules in different cycles with periods of inactivity between activations, reducing overall energy consumption while ensuring all modules receive necessary balancing attention over time.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery management system for a plurality of battery modules, the battery management system including, for each battery module among the plurality of battery modules, a respective integrated circuit configured to perform a cell balancing control function of the battery module; and a battery controller in communication with the integrated circuits, the battery controller configured to control the integrated circuits according to a cycle that includes a first mode for sequentially activating cell balancing of the battery modules during a first period and a second mode for stopping the cell balancing of the battery modules during a second period that follows the first period, the battery controller repeating the cycle after the second period, repeating the cycle including changing an order in which the cell balancing of the battery modules is activated in the first mode.