Hybrid Battery Charging via Shared Current Path
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hybrid battery systems require duplicate protective and control circuits, leading to increased costs and longer charge times, which degrade the user experience due to the need to manage different impedance and capacity battery cell strings separately.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid battery system configuration with a shared input current path allows simultaneous charging of battery cell strings with different capacities and impedances, using a single set of charge/discharge control circuitry and protective fuse circuitry to ensure each string receives currents within its maximum allowable limits, reducing the need for duplicate circuits and optimizing charge time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate current paths with duplicate control circuitry are used for each battery cell string, then each string can be independently controlled to prevent overcharging, but system cost increases and charge time extends
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control circuitry by implementing a single charge control circuit that manages multiple battery cell strings with different impedances. The controller monitors individual string voltages and dynamically adjusts the charging current distribution, eliminating the need for separate duplicate control circuits for each string while maintaining overcharge protection for all strings.
2Reliability
If separate current paths with duplicate control circuitry are used for each battery cell string, then each string can be independently controlled, but charge time increases due to sequential charging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous simultaneous charging of multiple battery cell strings by using a single control circuit that dynamically balances current distribution. The controller continuously monitors voltage levels across all strings and adjusts switching elements to maintain optimal charging current in each string concurrently, eliminating sequential charging delays while ensuring no string exceeds its maximum voltage limit.
3Quantity of substance
If different types of battery cells are used in a hybrid battery pack, then maximum battery energy capacity can be achieved in restricted volume, but impedance and capacity differences cause uneven charging current distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic charging current distribution by using a controller that continuously monitors the voltage levels of different battery cell strings and adjusts the charging current in real-time. The system uses switching elements to dynamically allocate charging current based on the instantaneous impedance and capacity characteristics of each string, ensuring optimal charging performance for hybrid battery configurations with different cell types.
4Device complexity
If a single set of control circuitry is shared among multiple battery cell strings, then system cost and complexity are reduced, but control precision for each individual string may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal charge control circuit that serves multiple battery cell strings simultaneously. The controller incorporates individual voltage monitoring for each string and uses digital signal processing to maintain precise measurement and control capabilities. The single control circuit performs multiple functions including voltage monitoring, current regulation, and protection for all strings, achieving both simplicity and precision through integrated multi-functional design.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for simultaneously charging two or more cell strings of a hybrid battery system from a shared input current path to the battery system. An input common charging current may be limited to the smallest maximum allowable charging current value of multiple battery cell strings of a hybrid battery system, or may be provided as the greater of the maximum allowable charging currents of multiple battery cell strings of a hybrid battery system with current supplied to individual cell strings that require less than the maximum current being individually controlled so as not to exceed the maximum allowable current for each of the individual cell strings of the hybrid battery system.