Multi-Port Battery Pack Charging for Parallel Sub-Pack Fast Charge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fast charging technologies for battery systems, such as those used in electric vehicles, are costly and complex, and existing public charging stations often limit simultaneous use of multiple charge plugs, leading to inefficiencies and longer charging times.
Innovation Solution
A battery charging system with multiple charge ports that can recognize and utilize different types of charge plugs simultaneously, allowing parallel charging of battery modules, and includes a power management system to ensure even charging across all modules, using industry-standard components to reduce cost and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If DC fast charging technology is used to reduce charging time, then charging speed is improved, but cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is divided into multiple independent modules, each with its own charging port and charging circuit. This segmentation allows parallel charging of individual modules while using simpler, lower-cost charging components for each module rather than requiring a complex high-power DC fast charging system for the entire pack.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple module-level charging circuits are combined to achieve pack-level fast charging capability. By merging the charging functions of several simpler circuits operating in parallel, the system achieves high charging speed without requiring a single complex high-power charging system.
2Loss of time
If multiple charge ports are used to charge battery modules in parallel, then charging time is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is segmented into multiple independently chargeable modules, each equipped with its own charging port. This allows simultaneous charging of multiple modules through parallel connections, reducing total charging time while keeping individual module charging circuits simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
Each module is designed with universal charging capability through standardized charging ports and circuits that can operate independently or in parallel. This multi-functionality allows the same charging circuit design to be replicated across multiple modules, reducing overall system complexity through standardization.
3Ease of manufacture
If industry-standard components are used instead of custom fast charging components, then cost is reduced, but charging speed may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple standard-speed charging circuits operate in parallel to achieve high charging speed. By combining several industry-standard charging components, the system reaches fast charging performance without requiring expensive custom high-power components, thus reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining charging speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multiple lower-cost, industry-standard charging components rather than a single expensive, custom-designed fast charging component. The parallel arrangement of cheaper standard components achieves the same performance as more expensive specialized components.
Data Source
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AI summary
A fast charging battery system and method for charging battery systems can be applied to most battery types in use for electric vehicles (EVs), electronic devices, and wireless electrical machines. The system could employ industry proven battery charger systems and off-the-shelf electrical components (e.g., contactors, relay switches, semiconductor parts, DC-DC converters, and the like) to keep cost and complexity low. The system provides for two or more charging ports in the electronic device, such as an EV, that may be able to receive and recognize a charging type, such as charging voltage, current and the like, and provide directed charging to multiple battery sub-packs that make up the entire battery. By charging sub-packs in parallel, the charge time can be substantially reduced.