Modular Series Battery Pack With Internal Cell Balancing and Overheat Cut-Off

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lithium battery management systems lack internal modular architectures that integrate operational safety functionalities, leading to issues such as overheating detection, inefficient voltage balancing, and reliance on external sensors and cloud servers, which can result in battery dysfunction and reduced performance.

Innovation Solution

A series modular block (BIMoSe) with integrated lithium accumulator cells, a processing circuit for voltage measurement, and a management system that includes heating resistors, temperature probes, and a cut-off mechanism, allowing for internal monitoring and control of cell voltages, temperatures, and current balancing without external wiring, enabling the battery to remain functional during overheating incidents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a remote BCU decision-making and storage unit is used with external modular architecture, then data communication capability is improved, but device complexity and wiring requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata communication capabilityVSAvoidwiring requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the decision-making unit, storage unit, and communication interface into an integrated BMS module that is internally connected to battery cells. This merging eliminates the need for external wiring to a remote BCU while maintaining full data communication capabilities for monitoring cell voltage, temperature, and managing battery safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The BMS module acts as an intermediary between the battery cells and external systems. It internally processes data from temperature sensors and voltage measurements, then communicates only essential information externally, reducing wiring complexity while preserving communication functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If individual balancing circuits are provided for each cell or group of cells, then voltage balancing precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage balancing precisionVSAvoidcircuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The BMS module provides a universal balancing circuit that can balance any cell or group of cells as needed. Rather than dedicating separate balancing circuits to each cell, the single multi-functional circuit dynamically allocates balancing current to where it is most needed, achieving precise voltage balancing across all cells while minimizing circuit complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Speed

If the cut-off mechanism is in the operational position when powered and in the bypass position when not powered, then safety response time is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to unintended diversion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety response timeVSAvoidoperational stability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional cut-off mechanism logic. Instead of being normally closed (operational when powered), the mechanism is normally open (bypass position when powered) and closes only when a safety event is detected. This inversion ensures that the battery operates normally during regular use while providing rapid safety response when needed, eliminating unintended diversion caused by power loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Measurement precision

If external sensors and cloud servers are used for battery monitoring, then monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity and external dependencies increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring capabilityVSAvoidexternal dependencies
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The BMS module is designed to autonomously monitor battery cells, process sensor data, and execute safety decisions without requiring external cloud servers or complex external systems. The module independently measures cell voltage and temperature, balances cell voltages, detects safety events, and activates protective measures, making the battery system self-sufficient while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

The BIMoSe system effectively manages lithium battery safety by maintaining functionality during overheating events, preventing voltage changes, and allowing for continued operation while alerting users, thus enhancing battery longevity and reducing maintenance needs.

Implementation Method 1

The central part (62), arranged vertically, comprises the heating resistors of the modular block

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

The central part (62), arranged vertically, comprises the heating resistors of the modular block and these resistors being connected on command of the management circuit to one or more accumulator cells of the modular block for their power supply

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4189766B1Modular series-connected battery pack (blmose)
Publication Date: 2024.12.18 LIMATECH
  • EP4189766B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4189766B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b
  • EP4189766B1 patent drawingFigure 3c~3d

AI summary

The subject matter of the present invention is a modular series-connected battery pack (BlMoSe) consisting of lithium battery cells having the same characteristics, connected in series by connections in a given direction (S) corresponding to the direction of the currents in order to obtain the necessary voltage.