Magnetic Coupling for Active Battery Module Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery balancing systems for electric or hybrid vehicles are inefficient, particularly in active balancing across multiple coupled modules, as they either dissipate energy or lack automation for parallel connections, leading to suboptimal performance and potential damage from transient discharge currents.
Innovation Solution
A system that designates one module as a master to discharge and others as slaves, using magnetic storage elements like inductors or transformers for energy balancing, with control mechanisms to manage the modules' roles and communication for synchronized charging and discharging, allowing for efficient energy redistribution without significant component addition or complex control circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If passive balancing systems with resistors are used, then implementation is simple, but energy is dissipated through Joule effect and overheating occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a magnetic coupling intermediary between battery modules that enables indirect energy transfer. Instead of direct resistive dissipation, the system uses magnetic fields as an intermediary to transfer energy from high-voltage modules to low-voltage modules, converting harmful Joule heating into useful energy redistribution through inductive coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical resistor-based dissipative system with a magnetic field-based inductive coupling system. By substituting direct electrical contact and resistive dissipation with magnetic field mediation, the system eliminates Joule heating losses while maintaining balancing functionality.
2Loss of energy
If active balancing systems with magnetic storage elements are used, then energy is not dissipated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the balancing function with the existing battery module structure by integrating magnetic coupling elements directly into the module architecture. This consolidation allows active balancing to be achieved without adding separate complex balancing systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic coupling elements serve multiple functions: they enable both energy transfer for balancing and potential other functions within the battery system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated components, thereby lowering overall system complexity despite implementing active balancing.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple battery modules are coupled in parallel, then energy capacity increases, but transient discharge currents may damage modules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary voltage equalization through magnetic coupling before parallel connection of battery modules. By pre-balancing the voltage levels of modules using inductive energy transfer, the system prevents dangerous transient discharge currents from occurring when modules are connected in parallel, thereby ensuring safe operation and maintaining reliability.
4Reliability
If dissipative balancing is used during charging phases, then cell charge imbalance is reduced, but energy available for consuming application decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses magnetic field coupling as an intermediary to transfer excess energy from charged cells to discharged cells without dissipating it as heat. This intermediary approach preserves energy within the system, maintaining energy availability for consumption while achieving charge balance, unlike resistive dissipation which permanently loses energy.
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 enables cost-effective, efficient balancing and coupling of multiple modules, reducing overheating and energy loss, while ensuring safe and balanced charging across all modules, thus extending battery life and maintaining performance.
Implementation Method 1
balancing is implemented by the charge of a magnetic storage element of the master module
Implementation Method 2
The structure is made up of the following elements: one or more energy storage inductors arranged in series
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is a system and a method for active balancing of several coupled energy storage modules (10). The modules are controlled either as master module to be discharged or as slave module to be charged. Balancing is being implemented by the charge of a magnetic storage element (2, 11, 12) of the master module. The invention pools the balancing and coupling functions.