Matrix Cell Switching for Individual Battery Balancing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current battery management systems are expensive and inefficient, as they require high-performance battery cells with identical characteristics, leading to premature degradation and high power losses due to passive balancing, and lack the ability to individually switch off defective cells, resulting in reduced battery lifetime and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A control device with a smart matrix switching system that allows individual activation and deactivation of each battery cell, using a matrix control unit to generate activation signals for electronic switches organized in rows and columns, enabling efficient and selective management of battery cells within the energy storage arrangement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional BMS systems are used with passive balancing across all battery cells, then all cells are managed uniformly, but this results in high power losses, high heat development, and degradation of individual cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the battery management into individual cell-level control by introducing switching elements for each cell. This segmentation allows selective activation and balancing of individual cells rather than uniform management, reducing power losses and heat development while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts which cells are active based on their state of charge and performance characteristics. The switching elements enable real-time reconfiguration of the battery arrangement, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions and optimize energy efficiency while managing thermal characteristics
2Reliability
If only high-performance battery cells with identical characteristics are used, then the battery module achieves consistent performance, but this results in high costs and high rejection of battery cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different battery cells with varying characteristics to coexist in the same module. Each cell can have its own performance characteristics, and the switching elements enable individualized management, eliminating the need for uniform high-performance cells while maintaining overall system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of individual cells dynamically based on their specific characteristics. By monitoring and adjusting which cells are active based on their state of charge, capacity, and performance, the system accommodates cells with different parameters without requiring all cells to be identical high-performance units
3Reliability
If the weakest battery cell determines the overall power and capacitance of the battery module, then the battery module operates safely, but this results in premature degradation and reduction of lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables partial action by selectively activating only the necessary number of cells based on current power requirements. When the weakest cell limits overall performance, the system can compensate by using additional stronger cells in parallel, thereby achieving the required power output without over-stressing the weakest cell and extending overall battery lifetime
Solution Approach 2:
The system temporarily discards (switches off) degraded or weak cells from active duty when they would otherwise limit performance. These cells can be recovered later when their state improves or when less power is required, allowing the battery system to maintain high lifetime by preventing continuous stress on weakened cells
4Duration of action of stationary object
If individual activation of battery cells is implemented, then selective management and extended lifetime are achieved, but this increases system complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions by integrating switching elements directly into the cell module structure. This consolidation allows individual cell management while reducing overall system complexity compared to separate external control systems for each cell, making the individual activation approach more practical and cost-effective
Data Source
AI summary
An individual cell control of an energy storage arrangement (1) is to be achieved with reduced effort. Thereto, a control device for controlling an energy storage arrangement (1) is proposed, which comprises a plurality of individual cells (2, 2′). In addition, the control device comprises a switching device with individual switching elements (4, 4′) for one or more of the individual cells. The individual switching elements (4, 4′) of the switching device are organized in rows and columns in matrix-like manner. Each of the rows and columns of the switching device is activatable separately from each other such that each of the individual switching elements (4, 4′) can be individually switched on and switched off. A matrix control unit (5) is provided for individually generating a respective activation signal for each individual switching element (4, 4′) of the switching device.