Parallel Battery Pack with Semiconductor Switching Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery systems in electric vehicles lack efficient control mechanisms for managing current flow between batteries and loads, leading to suboptimal charging and discharging processes, which can affect performance and longevity.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack configuration that includes semiconductor switching modules arranged in series with each battery, allowing bi-directional current flow, and a battery control module to selectively manage these switches based on monitored characteristics, enabling individual charging and discharging of batteries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If semiconductor switching modules are added to control current flow in each battery, then control precision and battery management capability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is divided into multiple independently controllable battery modules, each with its own semiconductor switching module. This segmentation allows individual control of each battery's charging and discharging processes, enabling precise management of current flow while maintaining modular architecture that simplifies overall system design.
Solution Approach 2:
The semiconductor switching modules serve multiple functions: controlling current direction (charging/discharging), isolating faulty batteries, and enabling flexible configuration of battery strings. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control mechanisms, thereby managing device complexity while achieving precise control.
2Reliability
If individual battery control is implemented with semiconductor switching modules, then battery performance and longevity improve, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the battery pack into standardized modules with integrated switching modules, each unit can be manufactured and tested independently before assembly. This modular approach improves reliability through individual optimization while facilitating standardized manufacturing processes that reduce overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control module continuously monitors battery characteristics (voltage, current, temperature) and provides feedback to adjust switching operations. This feedback mechanism enables adaptive control that optimizes battery performance and longevity while using simple, repeatable control algorithms that are easy to manufacture and implement.
3Productivity
If bi-directional current flow control is enabled for each battery, then charging and discharging optimization improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The semiconductor switching modules dynamically adjust current flow direction and magnitude based on real-time battery state and system requirements. This dynamic control enables optimized charging and discharging operations, allowing batteries to operate in parallel or series configurations as needed, while the modular design keeps the dynamic control mechanism manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack for an electric vehicle includes a first battery arranged in parallel with a load of the electric vehicle. A second battery is arranged in parallel with the first battery and the load. A first semiconductor switching module is arranged in series with the first battery and is arranged to selectively allow current flow from the first battery to the load and from the load to the first battery. A second semiconductor switching module is arranged in series with the second battery and is arranged to selectively allow current flow from the second battery to the load and from the load to the second battery. A battery control module selectively turns on and off the first semiconductor switching module and the second semiconductor switching module.