Multi-Port Battery Management for UVP Charging and Engine Start

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium iron phosphate batteries face challenges with Under Voltage Protection (UVP) and Over Voltage Protection (OVP) modes, where they appear 'dead' to automatic chargers, leading to improper vehicle system operation and potential damage from excessive electrical potential and high current flow, and existing charging systems do not provide clean direct current, causing shortened lifetimes.

Innovation Solution

A battery management system that controls charge and charging of each cell individually, enabling voltage monitoring during UVP mode, regulating input voltage and current, and using super capacitors for high instantaneous current draw events, while emulating a standard battery to maintain system stability and prevent malfunctions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If lithium iron phosphate battery enters Under Voltage Protection mode to protect from complete discharge, then battery cell is protected, but battery appears dead to automatic chargers and cannot be charged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery protectionVSAvoidcharging capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A bidirectional DC-DC converter is introduced as an intermediary device between the battery and the charging system. This converter enables communication and power transfer even when the battery is in UVP mode with zero voltage at the terminals, allowing the charger to detect the battery status and deliver charge through the converter's isolation barrier.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct electrical connection with electronic conversion. Instead of relying on direct voltage presence for charger detection, the system uses a DC-DC converter with electronic control to enable charger detection and power transfer through isolated channels, substituting direct electrical interaction with electronically mediated interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If charging system generates high voltage and current to charge battery quickly, then charging speed is improved, but excessive electrical potential can damage battery cells

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging speedVSAvoidcell damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bidirectional DC-DC converter serves as a protective intermediary that decouples the high-power charging system from the sensitive battery cells. It accepts high voltage and current from the charging system, converts and regulates them, and delivers safe, controlled charging current to the battery cells, enabling fast charging without cell damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The DC-DC converter dynamically changes voltage and current parameters during charging. It transforms the high voltage/current charging input into appropriately regulated lower voltage and current levels suitable for the battery cells, adjusting parameters in real-time to optimize charging speed while maintaining cell safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If charging system produces high current to charge battery rapidly, then charging efficiency is improved, but ripple in current causes improper charging and shortened battery lifetime

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging efficiencyVSAvoidbattery lifetime

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bidirectional DC-DC converter acts as a filtering intermediary between the rippled charging current and the battery cells. Its control circuitry detects current ripple and adjusts the conversion process to deliver smooth, clean current to the battery, maintaining high charging efficiency while protecting battery lifetime by eliminating harmful current ripple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Ensures proper charge and safe operation of lithium iron phosphate batteries by allowing voltage detection during UVP mode, preventing damage from excessive current, and maintaining system stability during OVP mode, thereby extending battery life and preventing electrical malfunctions.

Implementation Method 1

regulating input voltage and current

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage regulation:

Implementation Method 2

regulating input voltage and current

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCurrent regulation:

Implementation Method 3

using super capacitors for high instantaneous current draw events

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 4

enabling voltage monitoring during UVP mode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage detection:

Data Source

PatentUS20240198858A1Battery with battery management system for engine start applications and having multiple input ports

Publication Date: 2024.06.20 DELTRAN OPERATIONS USA INC

AI summary

A battery such as, but not limited to, electric vehicle battery packs and cells, lithium iron phosphate batteries, lead acid batteries, gel batteries, and absorbed gel mat batteries, may include a battery management system for engine start applications. The battery may include a first power port configured to receive power from a first power source and a second power port configured to received power from a second power source, whereby the first and second power sources are different.