EV Battery Pack Balancing With Intermittent Switching Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The flow of current between multiple battery packs in electric vehicles can lead to overcurrents, damaging the battery packs and electrical components, reducing their service life.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a pack balance control mechanism that uses switching elements to perform intermittent charging and discharging operations between battery packs, reducing potential differences and preventing overcurrents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If battery packs are electrically connected to supply power to the motor, then the electric vehicle can travel, but current flows between battery packs causing overcurrent damage and reduced service life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by using a switching element to repeatedly open and close the electric power path at predetermined intervals. This intermittent connection allows charge redistribution between battery packs with different potentials without causing continuous overcurrent, thereby preventing damage while maintaining power supply capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit performs preliminary assessment of potential differences between battery packs before enabling power supply. When the potential difference exceeds a threshold, the system preemptively activates the switching element to perform intermittent charge balancing, preventing overcurrent conditions before they occur.
2Stability of the object's composition
If battery packs with potential difference are connected, then charge redistribution occurs, but overcurrent damages electrical components
Solution Approach 1:
The switching element creates periodic action by cycling between connected and disconnected states. During connected phases, charge redistribution occurs to balance potentials; during disconnected phases, overcurrent is prevented. This periodic switching achieves potential equalization without harmful continuous current flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static connected state to a dynamic intermittent state. The switching element dynamically adjusts the connection status based on potential difference conditions, enabling the system to adapt between charge balancing mode and protection mode, thereby preventing overcurrent damage.
3Stability of the object's composition
If continuous charging and discharging operation is performed between battery packs, then potential difference is reduced, but excessive current flows causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing intermittent charging and discharging cycles through the switching element. Instead of continuous operation, the system performs brief charging/discharging pulses separated by idle periods, reducing the magnitude of current while still achieving potential equalization over time.
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 intermittent charging and discharging operation effectively reduces potential differences between battery packs, preventing overcurrents and protecting the battery packs and electrical components.
Implementation Method 1
the switching element to repeatedly open and close to perform an intermittent charging and discharging operation between the plurality of battery packs
Data Source
AI summary
There are provided an electric vehicle and a control method thereof, the electric vehicle including: a motor configured to cause the electric vehicle to travel; a plurality of battery packs configured to supply electric power to the motor; an electric power path electrically connecting the motor and the plurality of battery packs; a switching element configured to electrically switch disconnection and connection of the electric power path; and a controller configured to control the switching element. The controller performs a pack balance control that causes, when at least one of predetermined control start conditions is satisfied, the switching element to repeatedly open and close to perform an intermittent charging and discharging operation between the plurality of battery packs, and reduces a potential difference between the plurality of battery packs.