Segmented Battery Blocks with DC/DC Converters for Voltage Boosting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Li-ion battery systems require complex electronics for charge/discharge control and equalization, especially at higher voltages, making them unreliable due to potential cell degradation and voltage imbalances, which can lead to system failure.
Innovation Solution
A power management system with a generative power source, a main bus, an energy accumulator comprising multiple energy storage blocks with dedicated DC/DC bidirectional power converters, and a load controller that allows parallel connection of energy storage blocks, enabling voltage boosting and independent operation of each block to maintain system reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple battery cells are connected in series to achieve higher voltage, then the output terminal voltage increases, but the system reliability decreases due to potential cell degradation and voltage imbalance
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is divided into multiple independent battery packs, each with its own control unit. This segmentation allows individual monitoring and management of each pack, preventing failure propagation and maintaining system reliability while achieving higher voltage through series connection of packs.
Solution Approach 2:
Control units continuously monitor voltage and state of charge of each battery pack and provide feedback to the power management controller. This enables real-time detection of voltage imbalance and cell degradation, allowing the system to adjust charging/discharging strategies and maintain reliable operation.
2Reliability
If conventional charge/discharge control electronics are used for each cell, then charge management is achieved, but the device complexity increases considerably
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple battery packs are electrically connected in parallel to form a unified energy storage system with a common positive and negative bus. This merging approach reduces the number of independent control circuits needed while maintaining individual pack monitoring through shared control units and centralized power management.
Solution Approach 2:
The control units and power management controller perform multiple functions including voltage monitoring, state of charge estimation, charge/discharge control, and fault detection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated electronics for each function, simplifying the overall system.
3Power
If the number of cells in series is increased for higher voltage batteries, then the power level increases, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase due to voltage imbalance sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary equalization charging before full charge operations, and continuously monitors voltage differences between packs. This preliminary and ongoing attention to voltage balance prevents accumulation of imbalances that would require extremely tight manufacturing precision, allowing standard manufacturing tolerances to be maintained.
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 the number of cells needed for higher voltage systems, enhances reliability by isolating faulty blocks, and optimizes energy distribution among active blocks, ensuring continuous operation even if one or more blocks fail.
Implementation Method 1
DC/DC bidirectional converters
Data Source
AI summary
A power management system may comprise a generative power source, a main bus between the generative power source and electrical loads, a energy accumulator and a main bi directional power converter interposed between the main bus and the energy accumulator unit. The energy accumulator may comprise a plurality of energy storage blocks. The energy storage blocks may individually comprise energy storage units and control units with dedicated DC/DC bidirectional power converters.