Solar Battery Charging Device with Dynamic Cell Series Reconfiguration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing photovoltaic-charged secondary battery systems suffer from reduced power generation and charge efficiency due to the use of switching devices in MPPT circuits, leading to increased manufacturing costs and efficiency losses.
Innovation Solution
A secondary battery charging device and photovoltaic generator system that optimizes the series connection of battery cells in response to variations in output voltage, allowing maximum electrical power to be obtained without relying on MPPT circuits, and includes a current backflow prevention circuit to prevent damage and reduce costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If an MPPT circuit with switching devices is used to track maximum power point, then power generation efficiency is improved, but electrical power loss occurs due to switching device resistance and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the MPPT circuit and switching devices from the system entirely. Instead of using active power electronics to track maximum power point, the invention uses passive diode-based circuitry to achieve current backflow prevention and voltage matching, thereby eliminating switching losses while maintaining power generation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive and lossy switching devices (transistors, MOSFETs) with inexpensive passive components (diodes, resistors). The diode-based current backflow prevention circuit provides the necessary functionality without the high manufacturing cost and electrical losses associated with active switching devices.
2Productivity
If an MPPT circuit is used to optimize charging, then charge efficiency is improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the MPPT circuit from the charging system. The simplified design uses direct voltage matching through diode-based current backflow prevention to achieve efficient charging without the complex and costly MPPT electronics, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining adequate charge efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simplified circuit topology that copies the essential function of voltage matching and current direction control without replicating the complex MPPT control electronics. The diode-based circuit provides a low-cost approximation of MPPT functionality for typical operating conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If switching devices are used in the charging circuit, then power conversion flexibility is improved, but electrical power loss and heat generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electronic switching mechanism (mechanical/electronic control of current flow) with a passive diode-based system that uses the inherent electrical properties of diodes to control current direction and prevent backflow. This substitution eliminates the heat-generating switching operations while maintaining adequate power conversion functionality for the intended application.
4Reliability
If a current backflow prevention circuit is added to protect the solar battery, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the current backflow prevention function from complex active circuitry and implements it using simple passive diode-based circuitry. This provides reliable solar battery protection against reverse current while maintaining minimal circuit complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inexpensive passive diodes instead of complex active protection circuits. The diode-based current backflow prevention provides reliable protection functionality with minimal added complexity, using simple components that are inexpensive and require no active control.
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
This solution maintains high power generation and charge efficiency while avoiding the inefficiencies and cost increases associated with MPPT circuits, optimizing cell balance and preventing backflow damage, thus enhancing overall system performance and reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a secondary battery pack which is charged with electrical power generated in a solar battery
Data Source
AI summary
A battery charging device includes a battery pack including a plurality of battery cells connected in series, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to change a series connection of the battery cells in response to a variation in output voltage of a solar battery.