PCB Battery Cell Management for Safe Parallel Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery management systems face challenges with parallel connections of cylindrical battery cells, where a defective cell can lead to unsafe conditions, and require all cells to have the same chemistry and capacity, making independent replacement risky and maintenance difficult.
Innovation Solution
A battery management system utilizing a printed circuit board with current collector circuits, battery cell management circuits, and a microcontroller to independently regulate voltage, amperage, and temperature of each battery cell, allowing for safe parallel operation and independent replacement of cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If battery cells are connected in parallel for concurrent electrical energy transfer, then electrical energy transfer efficiency is improved, but safety deteriorates due to shared voltage and amperage exposure to defective cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the battery pack into multiple independent modules, each with its own management circuit. This segmentation allows individual monitoring and control of each cell or cell group, enabling safe parallel operation by isolating defective cells through independent circuit breakers while maintaining overall system productivity.
2Ease of manufacture
If all battery cells are manufactured with the same chemistry and capacity, then manufacturing consistency is improved, but maintenance flexibility deteriorates as single cells cannot be independently replaced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic reconfiguration capability through switchable circuit architecture. This allows the battery system to adapt its configuration based on operational needs and cell status, enabling individual cell replacement and maintenance while maintaining manufacturing consistency standards for the overall pack.
3Productivity
If a single defective battery cell is present in parallel connection, then system operation continues, but thermal safety deteriorates leading to potential thermal runaway
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary protective measures including individual circuit breakers, temperature sensors, and management circuits for each cell or cell group. These pre-installed safety mechanisms detect and isolate defective cells before they can cause thermal runaway, maintaining system operation continuity while preventing thermal hazards.
4Volume of stationary object
If battery cells are densely packed to reduce volume, then space utilization is improved, but thermal management capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the densely packed battery cells into multiple independent modules with individual management circuits and circuit breakers. This segmentation enables targeted thermal monitoring and isolation of overheating cells, maintaining compact volume while improving thermal management capability through distributed control.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery management system comprises a printed circuit board having a current collector circuit and at least one independent battery cell management circuits. Each battery cell management circuit can sense and regulate the voltage and amperage of a single battery cell, such that each battery cell is independently managed for operation. Each battery cell management circuit includes a means for independently connecting a battery cell with said current collector circuit for electrical energy transfer. Said battery cell management circuits further include operational voltage and amperage values for a battery cell, which may vary over time, based on predetermined parameters. Each battery cell management circuit further includes operational limits, and a means for independently disconnecting a battery cell from said current collector circuit for electrical energy transfer. The battery cell management circuits can be operated concurrently for electrical energy transfer.