Series Battery Pack Switching for Balanced Charge and Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Series-connected battery packs in battery power sources are limited by the pack with the lowest capacity, leading to inefficient energy discharge and charging, especially when packs have different capacities and states of charge, resulting in unused capacity and uneven charging.
Innovation Solution
A battery power device with a circuit that selectively connects and disconnects battery packs in series for discharging and in parallel for charging, using a boost converter to maintain a constant output voltage and a balance circuit to equalize state of charge, allowing for efficient energy utilization and simultaneous discharge of all packs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If battery packs are connected in series to provide desired operating voltage, then the total terminal voltage is increased, but the system is limited by the pack with the lowest capacity resulting in unused capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between series and parallel connections of battery packs based on real-time state of charge monitoring. The system transitions from fixed series connection to dynamic reconfiguration, allowing packs to be connected in parallel when capacity imbalance is detected, thereby maximizing energy utilization while maintaining required output voltage through controlled connection topology changes
2Adaptability or versatility
If series-connected battery packs operate with different capacities and states of charge, then system flexibility is improved, but discharge must be stopped when one pack reaches end of discharge condition
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically reconfigures connection topology between series and parallel based on real-time state of charge monitoring. When packs have different capacities or states of charge, the system switches to parallel connection for charging to allow independent charge acceptance, and manages discharge to equalize states of charge, thereby extending operational duration while maintaining flexibility to use different pack configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary balancing of battery packs before series discharge operation. By monitoring state of charge levels and performing equalization charging in advance, the system ensures all packs start discharge from similar states, preventing premature termination and maximizing the utilization of all pack capacities during subsequent series discharge
3Stability of the object's composition
If battery packs are charged in parallel to bring to same state of charge, then charging balance is improved, but different capacities between packs are not addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic connection reconfiguration that switches between parallel and series connections based on real-time state of charge monitoring. During charging, packs are connected in parallel to achieve balanced state of charge. During discharge, the system transitions to series connection to maximize voltage output while managing the discharge process to equalize capacity utilization, thereby addressing both charging balance and capacity utilization through dynamic topology changes
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
Enables efficient discharge of all battery packs to the same capacity and balanced charging, maximizing energy use and extending runtime by ensuring all packs reach end of discharge simultaneously and maintaining a universal power source with a consistent output voltage.
Implementation Method 1
a boost converter electrically connected to the circuit and operable to boost a voltage at the output terminal
Data Source
AI summary
A power device including a housing, charging circuitry, and discharge circuitry. The housing defining a first support operable to support a first battery pack, and a second support operable to support a second battery pack. The charging circuitry electrically is connected to the first battery pack and the second battery pack in a parallel-type connection. The charging circuitry is configured to simultaneously charge the first battery pack and the second battery pack. The discharge circuitry is electrically connected to the first battery pack and the second battery pack. The discharge circuitry is configured to electrically connect the first battery pack and the second battery pack in a series-type connection during a discharge