Parallel Multi-Pack Power Control for Low-Resistance Pack Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
In parallel multi pack modules, battery packs with low resistance are at risk of overcharge or overdischarge due to their increased pack power, which can compromise safety and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A power control apparatus and method that includes sensor units to measure operation characteristics, a power management unit to control power distribution, and a multi pack management unit to determine the total power of the module by calculating the minimum available power and adjusting power consumption to prevent overcharge or overdischarge of battery packs with low resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If battery packs with low resistance are connected in parallel to increase total power capacity, then the total power output of the module increases, but the pack power of low-resistance packs increases disproportionately causing overcharge or overdischarge
Solution Approach 1:
The management apparatus continuously monitors the pack power of each battery pack and compares it with the available power. When the pack power exceeds the available power (indicating risk of overcharge/overdischarge), the system provides feedback to adjust the total power output, thereby preventing safety issues while maintaining high power capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the total power output parameter based on the minimum available power among all battery packs. By changing the total power parameter to account for resistance variations, the system ensures that no individual pack exceeds its safe operating limits while maintaining optimal overall performance
2Reliability
If total power is determined by multiplying minimum available power by number of packs, then safety is improved, but the actual power utilization decreases due to resistance variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically determines total power based on real-time monitoring of each pack's resistance and available power. Instead of using a static conservative estimate, the management apparatus continuously adjusts the total power output to match the actual capabilities of each pack, thereby improving power utilization while maintaining safety through continuous adaptation
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for controlling power of a parallel multi pack module. The apparatus determines a minimum available power of first to nth battery packs based on operation characteristic values of the first to nth battery packs, determines a total power of the parallel multi pack module from the minimum available power and a ratio of a summed current value to a maximum current value among the measured current values of the first to nth battery packs, and transmits the determined total power of the parallel multi pack module to the power management unit, and the power management unit controls the power consumed in a load or the power provided to the parallel multi pack module by a charging device so as not to exceed the total power of the parallel multi pack module.