Multi-Output Cell Protection Circuit for Battery Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices with two output interfaces cannot meet the diverse power supply requirements of various components, leading to costly and space-consuming conversion modules and inefficient charging and discharging processes, as well as inadequate protection against signal abnormalities like overcurrent and short circuits.

Innovation Solution

A cell protection circuit with three or more output interfaces, featuring a control module, multistage cell units, and a protection module with charging and discharging sub-modules, which selectively engages and disengages output interfaces to manage power distribution and protect cells from abnormalities, allowing for efficient charging and discharging of specific cell units based on their voltage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conversion modules are added to meet diverse power supply requirements, then power supply adaptability is improved, but device complexity and space consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply adaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack is designed with multiple output interfaces (first output interface, second output interface, and third output interface) that can directly provide different electrical signals without requiring external conversion modules. Each interface is configured to output electrical signals with different characteristics suitable for different components, making the battery pack universally adaptable to various power supply requirements while avoiding the complexity of additional conversion devices.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If conversion modules are added to meet diverse power supply requirements, then power supply adaptability is improved, but space consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply adaptabilityVSAvoidspace consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack integrates multiple output interfaces within its internal structure, eliminating the need for external conversion modules. The first output interface, second output interface, and third output interface are all built into the battery pack, providing different electrical signals directly from the battery terminals. This integration significantly reduces the space required in the electronic device while maintaining the ability to meet diverse power supply requirements.

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

3Device complexity

If traditional two-interface battery protection is used, then protection simplicity is maintained, but protection effectiveness for multiple interfaces is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection circuit complexityVSAvoidprotection effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protection circuit is segmented into multiple independent protection modules, each dedicated to a specific output interface. A first protection module is configured to protect the first output interface, a second protection module protects the second output interface, and a third protection module protects the third output interface. Each protection module independently monitors and protects its assigned interface, ensuring comprehensive protection effectiveness across all interfaces while maintaining clear functional separation that simplifies the overall protection architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If all cell units are charged and discharged together, then charging process simplicity is maintained, but charging efficiency and service life are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging process simplicityVSAvoidcharging efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack is divided into multiple independently controllable cell units (first cell unit, second cell unit, third cell unit), each with its own charging and discharging control capabilities. The control circuit can selectively charge or discharge specific cell units based on their individual states and requirements, rather than treating all cell units as a single group. This segmentation enables more efficient charge management while extending the overall service life of the battery pack.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

5Ease of operation

If all cell units are charged and discharged together, then charging process simplicity is maintained, but energy waste increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging process simplicityVSAvoidenergy waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The charging and discharging process is made dynamic and adaptive through independent control of each cell unit. The control circuit continuously monitors the state of each cell unit (first cell unit, second cell unit, third cell unit) and adjusts the charging/discharging operation accordingly. Cell units can be charged or discharged based on their individual needs, avoiding the energy waste that occurs when all units are forced to operate together. This dynamic control optimizes energy utilization while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3771057B1Cell protection circuit and electronic device
Publication Date: 2023.06.21 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP3771057B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3771057B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP3771057B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a cell protection circuit and an electronic device. The circuit includes a control module, multistage cell units coupled in series and N output interfaces. A positive electrode of a first-stage cell unit and a negative electrode of a last-stage cell unit are each coupled to an output interface, and a negative electrode of each upper-stage cell unit and a positive electrode of an adjacent lower-level cell unit are coupled to a same output interface. A protection module is coupled between at least one output interface in the N output interfaces and a cell unit coupled thereto. The control module is coupled to the protection module, and is configured to control the protection module to be turned off when an electrical signal on a path where the protection module is located is abnormal. N is an integer greater than or equal to 3. The technical solution according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can implement three or more output interfaces in a cell protection circuit, and realize charging and discharging protection of the cell based on the output interfaces.