Modular Battery Cell Architecture with Current Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multi-cell battery management systems are inadequate in controlling current flow, leading to reduced cell life and potential safety issues such as thermal runaway due to insufficient voltage and temperature management.
Innovation Solution
A modular cell architecture with current sensors for each cell, allowing for real-time current measurement and control, and a control module to balance current flow and isolate underperforming cells, preventing thermal runaway and extending battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a multi-cell battery pack uses a conventional management system with centralized voltage measurement, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of individual cell current and the reliability of cell-level control deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the battery management system into modular units, with each cell having its own dedicated current sensor and control circuitry. This segmentation enables precise individual cell monitoring while distributing system complexity across multiple independent modules rather than requiring a complex centralized system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces individual current sensors as intermediary devices between each cell and the control system. These sensors act as mediators that provide accurate current measurement data for each cell, enabling precise control without requiring direct complex interaction between the central controller and each cell.
2Device complexity
If a multi-cell battery pack uses conventional centralized voltage control, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of battery operation and safety deteriorates due to inability to prevent thermal runaway
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements segmented control where each cell module has independent control capabilities. This allows the system to isolate and manage individual cells or modules that show signs of thermal runaway risk, preventing failure propagation to the entire battery pack while maintaining relatively simple overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs prior cushioning by continuously monitoring individual cell parameters and implementing preventive control actions before thermal runaway occurs. The system detects early signs of cell degradation or abnormal behavior and takes corrective measures such as isolating at-risk cells or adjusting charge/discharge currents to prevent catastrophic failure.
3Reliability
If individual cell current measurement and control is implemented, then the reliability and safety of the battery pack improve, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses segmentation to create standardized modular cell assemblies, each with integrated current sensors and control circuitry. This modular approach improves reliability through precise cell-level monitoring while managing complexity through standardization and repetition of identical modules rather than requiring unique complex designs for each cell.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universal control modules that can be applied to multiple cells with the same architecture. Each module performs multiple functions including current measurement, voltage monitoring, temperature sensing, and control actuation, reducing overall system complexity through component multi-functionality while maintaining high reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention relate to a multi-cell battery, with at least two cells electrically connected in a first parallel arrangement, which is connected in series to a second parallel arrangement of at least two additional cells. Each cell is locally connected to a sensor to sense and control current of each cell in parallel or parallel-series combination in the multi-cell battery. A control module is in communication with each sensor, and associated instructions electrically remove or disable a cell from the multi-cell battery determined to be defective based on measurements from the associated sensor. A configuration performs measurements and monitors a state of health of each cell in the multi-cell battery, the measurements including temperature, voltage and current sensing. Identifying one cell of the cells in the multi-cell battery as subject to a performance failure results in electrically switching the identified cell to an off position.