Inductive Cell Balancing Circuit for Battery Energy Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
In battery systems with multiple cells connected in series, differences in cell capacity and state of charge lead to inefficient energy use and potential system failure due to unequal discharge, as existing resistive cell balancing methods waste energy by converting excess energy into heat.
Innovation Solution
Inductive cell balancing using switches instead of diodes allows for efficient energy transfer between battery cells, minimizing power loss and enabling equalization of state of charge without wasting electrical energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If resistive cell balancing is used to equalize state of charge, then cell voltage differences are reduced, but electrical energy is wasted as heat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an inductor as an intermediary energy storage component between battery cells. Instead of directly dissipating excess energy through resistors, the inductor temporarily stores magnetic energy and releases it to other cells that need charging, enabling energy redistribution without waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers excess energy from overcharged cells that would otherwise be discarded as heat. By using the inductor to capture and redistribute this energy to undercharged cells, the system recovers what would have been wasted energy and puts it to useful purpose.
2Quantity of substance
If more battery cells are connected in series to increase voltage and energy capacity, then available energy content increases, but measurement and control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal cell balancing circuit module that can be applied to any battery cell in the series connection. Each module uses the same inductor-based topology and control logic, allowing the system to scale to any number of cells without proportionally increasing control complexity. The modular approach enables standardized measurement and control procedures.
3Quantity of substance
If battery cells with different capacities are used to maximize energy storage, then total energy capacity increases, but unequal discharge leads to system failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous monitoring of individual cell voltages and states of charge, using this feedback information to control the switching of balancing circuits. The system dynamically adjusts which cells receive balancing current based on real-time measurements, ensuring that all cells reach similar charge levels before the battery is considered full or empty.
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 ensures efficient energy distribution and balancing across battery cells, maximizing energy use and extending battery lifespan by reducing power loss and heat dissipation issues.
Implementation Method 1
inductive cell balancing allows electrical energy to be transferred from one battery cell to another (neighboring) battery cell
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention relates to a battery, comprising a plurality of battery cells (10-1, 10-2) connected in series between a positive output terminal and a negative output terminal, each of the battery cells (10-1, 10-2) having a positive pole and a negative pole, and at least one coil (11), a first switch (12-1) and a second switch (12-2). The first switch (12-1) is connected in series to the coil (11) and designed to switch the coil (11) between the positive pole and the negative pole of a first battery cell (10-1) in response to a first control signal generated by a controller. The second switch (12-2) has a first end connected to a contact point between the first switch (12-1) and the coil (11) and a second end connected to the negative pole of a second battery cell (10-2) and is designed to connect the contact point to the negative pole of the second battery cell (10-2) in response to a second control signal generated by the controller.