Equalization Circuit with Inductor and Variable Resistance Loops
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing equalization circuits for battery cells struggle with fine-tuning capacities while minimizing circuit area, especially when energy imbalances are small, and face inefficiencies in heat dissipation due to increased current requirements in large battery packs.
Innovation Solution
An equalization circuit with a voltage detector, controller, inductor, cell selection circuit, and energy holding-consuming circuit that forms closed loops with varying resistance components, allowing for efficient energy transfer and consumption, thereby enabling easy fine-tuning of cell capacities without significant increases in circuit area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the passive method is used to eliminate energy imbalance by discharging cells with high voltage through resistors, then the circuit configuration remains simple and cost-effective, but the heat value increases significantly when large currents are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a capacitor as an intermediary energy storage element between the cells and resistors. The capacitor temporarily stores energy from cells with high voltage and then releases it to cells with low voltage, mediating the energy transfer process. This allows the system to use the simple passive method configuration while significantly reducing heat generation by enabling controlled energy redistribution through the capacitor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the equalization process by introducing time-based control and energy threshold detection. Instead of continuous discharge through resistors, the system controls the charging and discharging cycles of the capacitor, changing the temporal and energetic parameters to reduce peak currents and associated heat generation while maintaining equalization effectiveness.
2Loss of energy
If the active method is used to transfer energy among cells, then power loss is reduced and heat value is decreased, but the circuit area increases due to additional components required for each cell
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the equalization function for multiple cells into a single capacitor-based energy transfer mechanism. Instead of implementing separate active equalization circuits for each cell pair, the system uses one capacitor that can sequentially transfer energy among all cells with high voltage imbalance, combining multiple equalization functions into a single shared component structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitor serves multiple functions: it acts as an energy buffer, a transfer medium, and a control element for the equalization process. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for dedicated active circuit components for each cell, reducing overall circuit area while maintaining the low power loss benefits of active energy transfer.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing equalization circuits combine both active and passive methods with resistors and switches for each cell, then both large energy transfer and fine-tuning are achieved, but the circuit area increases causing waste in design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between energy transfer modes using a controller that monitors cell voltages and adjusts the equalization process in real-time. The system dynamically determines when to charge or discharge the capacitor based on real-time voltage measurements, enabling both large energy transfer and fine-tuning capabilities through temporal dynamics rather than redundant hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates voltage detection and control feedback mechanisms that monitor cell voltages and adjust the equalization process accordingly. This feedback control enables the single capacitor-based circuit to adaptively handle both large imbalances and fine-tuning requirements, replacing the need for multiple fixed-function circuit paths with one adaptive, feedback-controlled mechanism.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The proposed solution allows for efficient fine-tuning of cell capacities in battery packs while reducing circuit area and heat dissipation requirements, effectively addressing both large energy transfers and small energy imbalances.
Implementation Method 1
the active method can transfer energy among a plurality of cells while suppressing heat generation
Implementation Method 2
The passive method eliminates an imbalance of energy by consuming a capacity of a cell having a high voltage using a resistor, so that increase in amount of current flowing into the resistor increases a heat value
Data Source
AI summary
An equalization circuit includes a cell selection circuit that is provided between n cells and an inductor, and that can electrically connect both ends of any cell of the n cells to both ends of the inductor. An energy holding-consuming circuit can form a closed loop including the inductor when the cell selection circuit does not select any cell. The energy holding-consuming circuit also can form a closed loop of a first pattern with a small resistance component of the closed loop and a closed loop of a second pattern with a large resistance component of the closed loop.