HV Battery Equalization via Insulation Transformer

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing high-voltage battery equalization systems in power supply systems for vehicles are either energy-inefficient due to power consumption in passive methods or costly and complex in active methods, lacking a novel and energy-efficient solution.

Innovation Solution

An equalization and transmission processing part is introduced, utilizing an insulation transformer, switch, and diode to transmit energy from high-voltage cells to a sub-battery in the low-voltage system without discharging, allowing for energy accumulation and redistribution, thereby maintaining battery performance efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If passive equalization is used to equalize high-voltage battery cells, then the configuration is simple, but energy is consumed by discharging which wastes energy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveequalization system configurationVSAvoidenergy waste during equalization
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

An insulation transformer is introduced as an intermediary device to enable energy transfer between high-voltage battery cells during equalization. The transformer allows energy to be transferred from cells with higher charge capacity to cells with lower charge capacity without direct discharge to ground, thus maintaining energy within the battery system while achieving equalization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The equalization system uses the battery cells themselves as both source and destination for energy transfer. By utilizing the insulation transformer to enable inter-cell energy transfer, the system makes the battery cells serve their own equalization needs without requiring external power sources or complex active equalization circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of energy

If active equalization is used to equalize high-voltage battery cells, then energy efficiency is improved, but the configuration becomes complicated which increases cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiency during equalizationVSAvoidequalization system configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The insulation transformer serves as a mediator that simplifies the equalization process while maintaining energy efficiency. Instead of requiring complex active equalization circuits with multiple switches and control elements for each cell, the transformer provides a unified energy transfer path that achieves the same energy-efficient equalization with simpler hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The insulation transformer provides a universal equalization mechanism that can handle multiple battery cells simultaneously through a single device. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate active equalization circuits for each cell, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the energy efficiency benefits of active equalization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This approach provides a novel and energy-efficient high-voltage battery equalization system that maintains battery performance by transmitting energy from high-voltage cells to a sub-battery in the low-voltage system, reducing energy waste and operational costs while ensuring power redundancy.

Implementation Method 1

an insulation transformer, switch, and diode to transmit energy from high-voltage cells to a sub-battery

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3540902B1Power supply system including high-voltage system and low-voltage system
Publication Date: 2022.09.07 YAZAKI CORP
  • EP3540902B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3540902B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3540902B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A power supply system including a low-voltage system and a high-voltage system having the high-voltage battery, that can provide an energy-efficient system of equalization of the high-voltage battery, is provided. The power supply system includes the high-voltage system having the high-voltage battery constituted of a plurality of battery cells, the low-voltage system, an insulation transmission part configured to transmit, in an insulated fashion, energy from each of the battery cells to the low-voltage system individually, and an equalization and transmission processing part configured to measure voltage of each of the battery cells, set a target battery cell to be processed for equalization, and control operation of the insulation transmission part and thereby transmit energy of the target battery cell to the low-voltage system.