Battery Relay Driver Voltage Boosting to Cut PWM Power Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery management systems (BMS) in vehicles and stationary energy storage systems face issues with high power consumption and heat generation due to the use of PWM control for relay operation, leading to increased costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A battery system design that includes a DC/DC converter and a system basis chip (SBC) with a microcontroller controlling the DC/DC converter to increase output voltage before relay switching, eliminating the need for PWM control, thereby reducing power consumption and heat generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If PWM control is used for relay operation, then relay switching capability is improved, but power consumption and heat generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the voltage parameter dynamically by using a DC/DC converter to boost the supply voltage to the relay driver only during the relay switching moment. This allows the relay to switch with high power capability when needed, while maintaining low power consumption during steady-state operation when the relay is already in its target position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-charging the relay driver circuit with boosted voltage before the actual switching event. The DC/DC converter is activated in advance to prepare the necessary voltage level, ensuring the relay can switch reliably without requiring continuous high power supply.
2Manufacturing precision
If PWM control is used for relay operation, then relay switching precision is improved, but heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the voltage parameter dynamically by using a DC/DC converter to boost the supply voltage to the relay driver only during the relay switching moment. This allows the relay to switch with high power capability when needed, while maintaining low power consumption during steady-state operation when the relay is already in its target position.
3Reliability
If voltage is continuously increased for relay switching, then relay operation reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-charging the relay driver circuit with boosted voltage before the actual switching event. The DC/DC converter is activated in advance to prepare the necessary voltage level, ensuring the relay can switch reliably without requiring continuous high power supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic action by activating the DC/DC converter only during the brief moment when relay switching is required, rather than maintaining continuous high voltage. This periodic activation ensures reliable relay operation while minimizing overall power consumption during non-switching periods.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution reduces power consumption and heat generation by optimizing relay operation, simplifying relay driver design, and eliminating the need for EMC measures, while maintaining system functionality and reducing overall costs.
Implementation Method 1
a DC/DC converter electrically connected to the power source and configured to output an output voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A battery system includes: a battery management system comprising a DC/DC converter and a system basis chip; a microcontroller connected to the system basis chip to receive power from the system basis chip; and a relay driver configured to control a relay. The DC/DC converter receives power from a power source, and the system basis chip receives an output voltage from the DC/DC converter. The relay driver is connected to a node between the system basis chip and the DC/DC converter to receive the output voltage from the DC/DC converter. The microcontroller is electrically connected to the relay driver and is configured to: before switching the relay, control the DC/DC converter to increase the output voltage from a first voltage to a higher second voltage; and control the relay driver to switch the relay while the DC/DC converter outputs the second voltage.