Modular Battery Block with Autonomous Voltage Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In power source systems using multiple secondary batteries connected in series, variations in stored charge lead to accelerated degradation, reducing capacity and shortening service life, as some batteries are subjected to overcharge or over-discharge due to uneven terminal voltages, making it difficult to ensure reliability when the number of cells changes.
Innovation Solution
A battery block configuration with a voltage information output portion, acquisition portion, and discharge controller that allows each battery block to autonomously discharge when its voltage is higher than neighboring blocks, equalizing terminal voltages across the system, enabling easy adjustment of the number of secondary batteries without changing voltage-dividing resistors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If voltage-dividing resistors are used to equalize terminal voltage among secondary batteries, then terminal voltage imbalance is reduced, but the device complexity increases and the number of cells cannot be easily changed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the battery system into modular battery blocks, where each block contains a secondary battery and an equalization circuit. This segmentation allows the equalization function to be distributed across multiple independent units rather than requiring a centralized complex resistor network, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining voltage balance capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Each battery block performs self-equalization by comparing its own terminal voltage with adjacent blocks and autonomously discharging when necessary. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external voltage-dividing resistors and complex centralized control, simplifying the device while ensuring reliable voltage balance across all batteries.
2Power
If the number of secondary batteries is increased to achieve high voltage output, then power source capability is improved, but reliability decreases due to greater variation in stored charge amount
Solution Approach 1:
By organizing batteries into modular blocks with individual equalization circuits, the system can scale to high voltages while maintaining reliability. Each block independently manages its voltage balance, preventing degradation from charge variation even as the total number of batteries increases.
Solution Approach 2:
The equalization circuit continuously monitors terminal voltage differences between adjacent battery blocks and provides feedback control by activating discharge transistors when imbalance is detected. This real-time feedback mechanism ensures consistent stored charge across all batteries regardless of system size, maintaining reliability while achieving high voltage output.
3Productivity
If secondary batteries with different stored charge amounts are charged simultaneously, then charging speed is improved, but degradation is accelerated due to overcharge of batteries with greater charge amount
Solution Approach 1:
Each battery block autonomously monitors its charge state and self-regulates by discharging when its voltage exceeds adjacent blocks during charging. This self-service equalization prevents overcharge degradation while allowing the system to charge at maximum speed without compromising service life.
Data Source
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AI summary
A battery block (2) for use in a power source system (1) including battery blocks (2) is provided with: a secondary battery (B); a communication circuit (41) which outputs voltage information outside, the voltage information relating to a terminal voltage Vt of the secondary battery (B); a communication circuit (41) which acquires the voltage information output from another battery block (2) as other voltage information; and a discharge controller (43) which discharges the secondary battery (B) in a host battery block when a host voltage, which is the terminal voltage Vt of the secondary battery (B) in the host battery block, is higher than a terminal voltage indicated by the other voltage information.