Dynamic Battery Charging Control for Voltage Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electric automobiles, battery units with varying nominal voltages due to physical differences are often charged to the same voltage, leading to overcharging of some batteries, which affects performance and shortens their lifespan.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with modules for monitoring and managing battery connections, including a voltage monitoring module, battery grouping module, and alarm module, dynamically switches batteries between charge and discharge units based on voltage data to prevent overcharging and over-discharging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If all batteries in a battery unit are charged to the same nominal voltage, then the charging process is simple and efficient, but some batteries may be overcharged which affects battery performance and shortens their useful life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by transitioning from uniform charging to individualized charging strategies. Each battery is monitored for its specific voltage characteristics and charged according to its own needs rather than following a single nominal voltage target. This allows each battery to receive the appropriate charging treatment based on its individual state, preventing overcharging while maintaining overall system efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically adjusting charging parameters (voltage thresholds, charging rates) based on real-time monitoring of each battery's actual voltage and state of charge. Instead of using fixed nominal voltage values, the system continuously adapts charging parameters to match the actual conditions of each battery, thereby optimizing both charging efficiency and battery longevity.
2Ease of operation
If batteries with different nominal voltages are charged to the same voltage, then the charging system is simple to operate, but it causes overcharging and affects battery performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling each battery to effectively 'monitor itself' through voltage sensors that detect its own voltage state. The control system automatically adjusts charging parameters based on this self-reported data, eliminating the need for manual intervention or complex user decisions. This maintains ease of operation while ensuring each battery is charged appropriately for its specific characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where voltage sensors continuously monitor each battery's voltage and feed this information back to the control system. The control system then adjusts charging parameters based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop system that automatically compensates for voltage differences between batteries. This maintains operational simplicity while preventing overcharging through real-time adjustments.
3Reliability
If dynamic switching between charge and discharge units is implemented, then battery lifespan is extended and overcharging is prevented, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the battery unit into multiple charge units and discharge units that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows the system to manage different batteries with different strategies, extending lifespan through customized charge/discharge cycles. The modular structure makes the complexity manageable by organizing it into discrete, independently controllable segments rather than a monolithic system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the charge/discharge configuration flexible and adaptable rather than fixed. The system can dynamically switch which batteries are in charge mode and which are in discharge mode based on real-time voltage measurements and battery states. This dynamic reconfiguration optimizes battery lifespan while the control system manages complexity through automated decision-making algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is electrically connected to a battery unit consisting of multiple batteries, an energy conversion system, and power-driven equipment. The apparatus sets number requirements of batteries to be connected to a discharge unit and a charge unit of the battery unit. When the power-driven equipment is started, the apparatus receives an open-circuit voltage of each battery detected by a sensor connected to the battery, and establishes connections of the batteries with the discharge unit or the charge unit according to the open-circuit voltages of the batteries and the number requirements. During the discharge unit supplying power to the power-driven equipment and the energy conversion system charging the charge unit, the apparatus monitors variations of the open-circuit voltages of the batteries, and switches the connections of batteries with the discharge unit or the charge unit according to associations between open-circuit voltages, cut-off discharge voltages, and nominal voltages of the batteries.