Parallel Sub-Pack Charging for Multi-Port EV Battery Packs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fast charging battery systems for electric vehicles and electronic devices are costly and complex, requiring significant time to fully charge lithium-ion cells, and existing public charging stations often cannot accommodate multiple charge plug types simultaneously, leading to inefficiencies and space utilization issues.
Innovation Solution
A battery charging system with multiple charge ports that can recognize and utilize different charging types in parallel, allowing simultaneous charging of battery sub-packs, and incorporating a power management system to optimize charging cycles and ensure even voltage distribution across modules, while also enabling the use of electrical energy storage systems to manage power demand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If multiple charge ports are used simultaneously to charge battery sub-packs in parallel, then charging time is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is divided into multiple independent sub-packs, each capable of being charged separately through dedicated charge ports. This segmentation allows parallel charging operations while maintaining modular simplicity in each individual charging path.
Solution Approach 2:
The power management system is designed to universally handle multiple charge plug types (Level 1, Level 2, DC fast charging) across multiple ports, allowing the same system architecture to support various charging standards simultaneously without requiring separate dedicated systems for each type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple charge ports with different plug types are supported, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each charge port is equipped with the capability to accept multiple plug types (Level 1, Level 2, DC fast charging), making the charging system universally compatible with different standards. This multi-functionality is achieved through a unified power management architecture that can recognize and adapt to various plug types without requiring separate dedicated charging systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The power management system dynamically changes operating parameters (voltage, current, charging mode) based on the detected plug type and battery sub-pack state. This parameter adaptation allows the same hardware to support multiple charging standards by adjusting electrical characteristics rather than requiring different hardware configurations.
3Speed
If DC fast charging is implemented, then charging speed is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into multiple sub-packs that can be charged in parallel through separate ports. This allows DC fast charging capability to be distributed across multiple independent charging paths, reducing the complexity and cost burden on any single charging system while maintaining overall high charging speed through parallel operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of implementing a single high-power DC fast charging system, the solution uses multiple lower-power charging ports operating in parallel. This partial action approach achieves comparable or superior overall charging speed while reducing the complexity and cost of individual charging components, as each port handles a portion of the total charging load.
Data Source
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AI summary
A fast charging station, 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.