Dynamic Threshold Segmentation for Battery Cell Balance Charging

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery balancing techniques fail to ensure all battery cells reach full charge state, leading to battery imbalance and reduced lifespan, as they are not activated unless the entire battery pack reaches specific voltage thresholds, often not met in real-world usage.

Innovation Solution

A balance charging method that sets multiple threshold values and control parameters to dynamically determine charging rules based on battery cell voltages, allowing for balance charging in various voltage states, ensuring all cells are properly charged and extending battery life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional battery balancing techniques are used with fixed voltage thresholds, then the charging control is simple to implement, but the balance charging cannot be activated in various voltage states and some battery cells remain undercharged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging completenessVSAvoidcontrol parameter structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The voltage range is segmented into multiple intervals with different threshold values. Instead of using a single fixed threshold, the patent divides the charging voltage range into segments, each with its own threshold values for triggering balance charging. This segmentation allows the system to adapt to different voltage states and ensure all battery cells are properly charged across the entire operating range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The threshold values are made dynamic rather than fixed. The patent employs multiple sets of threshold values that are selectively applied based on the current voltage state of the battery pack. This dynamic approach enables the balance charging function to be activated appropriately across various operating conditions, improving charging completeness without requiring an overly complex control structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the battery pack must reach minimum start voltage to activate balance charging, then the control logic is simple, but the balance charging is never activated when the battery is used without full charging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol logic simplicityVSAvoidbalance charging activation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The voltage range is segmented into multiple intervals with different threshold values. Instead of using a single fixed threshold, the patent divides the charging voltage range into segments, each with its own threshold values for triggering balance charging. This segmentation allows the system to adapt to different voltage states and ensure all battery cells are properly charged across the entire operating range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The threshold parameters are changed based on the operating state. The patent uses multiple sets of threshold values that are selected according to the current voltage state of the battery pack. This parameter change strategy allows the system to maintain simple control logic while ensuring balance charging is activated under various usage conditions, not just when the battery reaches a minimum start voltage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a single threshold value is used for balance charging, then the control system is simple, but it cannot meet balance charging requirements across various voltage states

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethreshold value structureVSAvoidvoltage state coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The voltage range is segmented into multiple intervals with different threshold values. Instead of using a single fixed threshold, the patent divides the charging voltage range into segments, each with its own threshold values for triggering balance charging. This segmentation allows the system to adapt to different voltage states and ensure all battery cells are properly charged across the entire operating range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The threshold values are made dynamic rather than fixed. The patent employs multiple sets of threshold values that are selectively applied based on the current voltage state of the battery pack. This dynamic approach enables the balance charging function to be activated appropriately across various operating conditions, improving charging completeness without requiring an overly complex control structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3843235B1Balance charging method and charging device

Publication Date: 2023.08.16 ACER INC

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AI summary

A balance charging method and a charging device are provided. The method includes: obtaining a voltage parameter of a plurality of battery cells (S401); determining a control parameter set according to a first value relationship between the voltage parameter and a plurality of first threshold values, wherein the control parameter set includes a plurality of second threshold values (S402); determining a charging rule of balance charging according to a second value relationship between the voltage parameter and the second threshold values (S403); and performing the balance charging on the battery cells according to the charging rule (S404).