Series Battery Charging with Dynamic Equalizing Trigger Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for charging series lithium-ion battery cells result in uneven voltage distribution among individual cells, leading to reduced power supply efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A total voltage follow-up charging method and system that performs voltage equalization by discharging battery cells with voltages higher than a modified equalizing trigger voltage, ensuring all cells reach a similar charge state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional charging method is used to charge series battery cells, then charging speed is maintained, but voltage distribution among individual cells becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the charging control into individual cell-level management. Each battery cell is monitored independently with its own voltage detection, and the control unit processes each cell's data separately to determine charging adjustments, enabling precise voltage equalization across all cells while maintaining overall charging speed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts charging parameters (current allocation to individual cells) based on real-time voltage measurements. The control unit modifies charging current distribution among cells according to their specific voltage states, changing operational parameters to achieve uniform voltage distribution while preserving charging efficiency
2Productivity
If charging continues until total voltage reaches target, then charging efficiency is improved, but overcharging of individual cells occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time feedback control where the control unit continuously monitors individual cell voltages during charging and compares them against safety thresholds. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts or stops charging to specific cells, preventing overcharging while maintaining efficient overall charging by utilizing available capacity in each cell
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial charging action to individual cells based on their specific states. Instead of uniform charging to all cells, the system applies charging current only to cells that have not reached their voltage threshold, using excessive action (continued charging) only where safe and beneficial, thereby improving efficiency without compromising safety
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 method achieves uniform voltage distribution among series battery cells, thereby enhancing the overall power supply efficiency and ensuring consistent charging levels.
Implementation Method 1
A battery management system modifies an equalizing trigger voltage with reference to a total voltage of the series battery cells
Implementation Method 2
A battery control unit discharges a battery cell with a voltage higher than a modified equalizing trigger voltage
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a method and system for charging rechargeable battery cells in series. When the voltage of a specific battery cell is too high, discharge the specific battery cell, and at the same time let other battery cells with lower voltage continue to charge, so that each battery cell in series can be charged to almost the same level. This invention designs in a “Total voltage follow-up charging method”, a Battery Manage System (BMS) detects total voltage of the series-connected battery in real-time and modifies an “equalizing trigger voltage”, as the total voltage drifts the equaling function still works well.