Overcharging Prevention Device with Independent Transceiver Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery management systems in electric vehicles face safety risks due to potential overcharging when the microcontroller unit (MCU) is unstable or malfunctioning, leading to reduced battery lifespan, efficiency degradation, and explosion hazards.
Innovation Solution
An overcharging prevention device comprising a microcontroller unit (MCU), a sensor, and a transceiver with an external power supply, where the transceiver can independently detect overcharging states and control a switch to cut off voltage to the battery, ensuring safety even if the MCU is not functioning properly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the MCU is used to control battery charging and discharging, then the battery management system can efficiently manage charging/discharging operations, but the system becomes vulnerable to overcharging emergencies when the MCU malfunctions or stops operating
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent control paths: the MCU for normal battery management operations and the transceiver for independent overcharging detection and prevention. This segmentation ensures that MCU failure does not compromise overcharging protection, as the transceiver operates autonomously to monitor battery voltage and control the switch.
Solution Approach 2:
The transceiver acts as an intermediary safety mechanism between the battery and the MCU control system. It independently monitors battery voltage and can directly control the switch to prevent overcharging, serving as a mediator that protects the system even when the primary MCU controller fails.
2Device complexity
If the transceiver is supplied with power from the same external power supply as the MCU, then the power system is simplified, but the transceiver cannot operate independently when the MCU is malfunctioning
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into two independent paths: the external power supply connects to both the MCU and the transceiver, but the transceiver also has direct access to the battery voltage. This segmentation allows the transceiver to operate independently using battery voltage when the external power supply or MCU fails, while maintaining simplified power configuration during normal operation.
3Device complexity
If a single control system (MCU) is used for battery management, then the device structure is simple, but the system lacks redundancy and becomes unsafe when the control unit fails
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into two independent functional units: the MCU for primary battery management and the transceiver for independent overcharging detection and prevention. This segmentation adds redundancy without significantly increasing overall system complexity, as the transceiver uses existing communication interfaces and power sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The transceiver is configured as a pre-prepared safety cushion that activates when the MCU fails. It maintains independent monitoring and control capabilities, providing a safety buffer that prevents overcharging emergencies before they can occur, even though the basic control structure remains relatively simple.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an overcharging prevention device. The overcharging prevention device includes a micro controller unit (MCU) configured to control a charging or discharging of a battery, a sensor configured to obtain sensing information by sensing the battery, a transceiver configured to transmit the sensing information to the MCU, and a switch configured to cut off a voltage supplied to the battery in response to a signal from the transceiver. The MCU, the transceiver, and the sensor may be supplied with power from an external power supply. According to the present invention, safety specifications can be reinforced because whether the battery is overcharged is detected regardless of whether the MCU operates.