Hybrid Battery Pack Charging with Dynamic Current Split Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hybrid battery packs face challenges in balancing device usage time and charging time due to the disparity in charging rates and capacities between energy cells and power cells, leading to inconvenient long charging times for energy cells and short-lasting charges from power cells.
Innovation Solution
A processor-implemented method and battery management system (BMS) determine a dynamic current split ratio for allocating charging current between energy cells and power cells based on state of charge, adapter wattage, and charging time period, optimizing charging efficiency and capacity utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If energy cells are used to increase battery capacity, then the battery capacity is improved, but the charging time becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is segmented into two distinct cell types: energy cells for capacity and power cells for fast charging. This segmentation allows each cell type to specialize in its strength, with the BMS intelligently distributing charging current to optimize overall performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging current distribution is dynamically adjusted based on real-time conditions. The BMS determines optimal current split ratios that vary during the charging process, transitioning from power-cell-focused charging at the beginning to energy-cell-focused charging as the battery approaches full capacity.
2Speed
If power cells are used to enable fast charging, then the charging speed is improved, but the battery capacity and usage time are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges power cells and energy cells into a hybrid battery pack, combining the fast charging capability of power cells with the high capacity of energy cells. The BMS coordinates both cell types to achieve fast charging while maintaining adequate capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging current parameters are dynamically changed during the charging process. The BMS adjusts the current split ratio between power and energy cells based on state of charge levels, allowing optimal charging speed at different stages while maximizing overall capacity utilization.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple power cells are used to increase battery capacity, then the capacity is improved, but the volume occupied increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack uses a composite structure combining different cell types (power cells and energy cells) with different capacity-to-volume ratios. This composite approach allows optimized space utilization, placing higher-density energy cells in positions that maximize volume efficiency while incorporating power cells for fast charging capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for charging a hybrid battery pack, the method including determining, by a battery management system (BMS), a current split ratio for allocating charging current to an energy cell and a power cell in a hybrid battery pack, based on any one or any combination of a state of charge (SoC) level of the energy cell at an instance of initiation of charging, a SoC level of the power cell at the instance of the initiation of the charging, a wattage of an adapter for charging the hybrid battery pack, a capacity of the hybrid battery pack, and a charging time period, and charging, by the BMS, the hybrid battery pack by allocating the charging current to the energy cell and the power cell based on the current split ratio.