Dynamic Battery Wiring Topology for Fast Charging and Cell Life
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage systems using chemical-based cells, such as Lithium and Nickel, are sensitive to voltage, current, and temperature variations, leading to a short life cycle and inefficiencies when scaled for large applications, and existing fast charge methods further shorten this life cycle.
Innovation Solution
A scalable and manageable energy storage system that accounts for the individual characteristics of each cell, employing a dynamic wiring topology and cell control units to optimize charge and discharge cycles, enabling fast charging while extending the life span and efficiency of the cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If chemical-based cells are used for energy storage, then high energy density is achieved, but the life cycle is shortened due to sensitivity to voltage, current, and temperature variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the battery pack into individually controllable cell groups, with each group managed by a dedicated cell control unit. This segmentation allows independent monitoring and control of voltage, current, and temperature for each cell group, preventing stress on individual cells while maintaining high energy density through efficient use of chemical-based cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic wiring topology that can reconfigure cell connections between series and parallel arrangements based on real-time conditions. The cell control units dynamically adjust charging parameters and cell group configurations to optimize performance while protecting cells from damaging conditions, thereby extending life cycle without sacrificing energy density.
2Productivity
If fast charge methods are applied to chemical-based cells, then charging speed is improved, but the life cycle is further shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different charging strategies to different cell groups based on their individual characteristics and real-time conditions. Cell control units monitor each group's voltage, current, and temperature, applying fast charging only to cells that can tolerate it while protecting vulnerable cells with gentler charging profiles, thus achieving fast charging overall without sacrificing life cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes charging parameters including current, voltage, and temperature thresholds based on real-time cell conditions. The cell control units adjust these parameters continuously to enable fast charging when conditions permit while preventing damage when conditions are unfavorable, resolving the contradiction between charging speed and life cycle extension.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cells are aggregated into battery packs with static wiring, then system scalability is limited, but device complexity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs universal cell control units and standardized interfaces that can manage different cell types and configurations. The dynamic wiring system uses a standardized set of switches and control circuits that can create multiple wiring topologies (series, parallel, combinations) without requiring different hardware for each configuration, enabling scalability while controlling complexity through reuse of standard components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces static wiring with dynamic reconfigurable connections controlled by energy rail switches. This allows the battery pack to adapt its internal topology based on operational requirements, enabling scalable configurations from small to large capacity packs using the same modular building blocks and control architecture, thus improving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
4Reliability
If individual cell characteristics are monitored and controlled, then cell life is extended, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the monitoring and control functions into independent cell control units, each managing a specific cell group. This segmentation distributes the complexity across multiple simple, identical modules rather than requiring one complex centralized controller, making the system more manageable and easier to implement while still providing individual cell monitoring and control to extend life.
Solution Approach 2:
The cell control units operate autonomously, making local decisions about charging and discharging based on real-time sensor data from their respective cell groups. This self-service capability reduces the burden on centralized control, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining individualized cell management that extends cell life through optimized charging profiles and stress prevention.
Data Source
AI summary
A scalable and manageable energy storage system and methods are disclosed. By accounting for the characteristics of an individual cell in a battery, the disclosed system and method prevents cell stress to extend the useful life span of the cell. A dynamic wiring topology allows the scalable and manageable energy storage system to directly control a load or be charged by a volatile energy source.