Dual Processing Modules for Safe Zero-Current Switching in Power Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage apparatuses face safety risks due to thermal runaway and exceptional processor conditions during large-current charging and discharging, as they lack redundancy in battery management systems to ensure safe operation.
Innovation Solution
A power conversion apparatus with dual processing modules that serve as backups, allowing one module to control the switch and power conversion operations even if the other fails, ensuring safe zero-current transitions and disconnections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single processor is used to control charging and discharging operations, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates when the processor becomes exceptional
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into two independent processing modules (first processing module and second processing module) that function as backups of each other. Each module can independently control the switch module and power conversion module, ensuring that control functions remain available even if one module becomes exceptional.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational state parameter of the processing modules from a single-active state to a dual-standby state. Both processing modules remain operational and capable of controlling the system, with the ability to switch between them based on exceptional conditions, thereby maintaining reliability without significantly increasing complexity.
2Productivity
If the switch module is turned on during normal current flow, then the charging and discharging operations can proceed, but safety risks increase if the processor is exceptional
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification by requiring both processing modules to confirm the switching condition before activating the switch module. This preliminary action ensures that the switch is only turned on when both modules agree the conditions are safe, preventing harmful effects from exceptional processor states.
Solution Approach 2:
The second processing module acts as an intermediary verification layer for the switch control. Before the first processing module can activate the switch, the second processing module must also confirm the switching condition, providing an intermediate safety check that prevents unsafe operations.
3Reliability
If redundancy is added to the battery management system with dual processing modules, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The two processing modules are merged in functionality where both modules perform identical control tasks and can independently manage the switch module and power conversion module. This merging approach allows either module to take over if the other becomes exceptional, improving reliability while keeping the complexity manageable through functional equivalence.
4Speed
If the switch module is controlled without zero-current verification, then the operation speed is faster, but harmful effects occur during exceptional conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback control where the processing modules continuously monitor current conditions and verify zero-current status before permitting switch activation. This feedback mechanism ensures safe switching operations by confirming the absence of harmful current flow before the switch is turned on, preventing arcing and safety hazards.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides a power conversion apparatus and an energy storage apparatus. The power conversion apparatus includes a switch module, a power conversion module, a first processing module, and a second processing module, the power conversion module receives, by using the switch module, power discharged by a battery or charges the battery by using the switch module, the first processing module outputs a first on signal and a first start signal, and the second processing module outputs a second on signal and a second start signal. In response to the first on signal and the second on signal, the switch module conducts connection between the power conversion module and the battery. In response to the first start signal or the second start signal, the power conversion module starts. In a structure provided in this application, the first processing module and the second processing module are backups of each other. When the first processing module and the second processing module work normally, it can be ensured that the power conversion module normally starts and the switch module is turned on at a zero current. In this way, charging and discharging between the power conversion module and the battery can safely run.