Power Switch Buffer Circuit for Battery Heating Peak Voltage Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery heating systems face issues with power switch devices being subjected to large peak voltages due to rapid current changes, leading to overheating and potential damage during the heating process.

Innovation Solution

A heating system with a buffer module that includes RCD buffer circuits connected in parallel to the power switch units, providing a short-time path to gradually increase voltage during switching, ensuring safe and stable operation by minimizing peak voltage exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the power switch device is used to charge and discharge the energy storage device for heating the battery pack, then the heating rate is improved, but the power switch device is subjected to large peak voltage causing overheating and potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating rateVSAvoidpower switch device stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

An RC buffer circuit is introduced as an intermediary component between the power switch device and the circuit network. The buffer circuit includes a resistor and capacitor that work together to absorb voltage spikes and limit current changes, thereby protecting the power switch device from large peak voltages while maintaining the rapid heating function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The RC buffer circuit is pre-configured in the circuit to provide cushioning protection before voltage spikes occur. The capacitor stores energy and the resistor limits current, creating a protective barrier that absorbs harmful voltage transients before they can damage the power switch device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 effectively prevents power switch devices from overheating and ensures stable operation by gradually increasing voltage during switching, enhancing the safety and efficiency of the battery heating process.

Implementation Method 1

The buffer module includes a first buffer unit and a second buffer unit, wherein the first buffer unit is connected in parallel to both ends of the first switch unit for providing a short-time path when the first switch unit is being switched on or switched off; and the second buffer unit is connected in parallel to both ends of the second switch unit for providing a short-time path when the second switch unit is being switched on or switched off

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRCD buffering:

Implementation Method 2

by controlling a power switch device to charge and discharge an energy storage device, current may flow through internal of a power battery continuously, such that the power battery may be heated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3573173B1Heating system with power switch device
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO LTD

AI summary

The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a heating system and a power switch device. A switch module of the heating system includes a first switch unit (K1) and a second switch unit (K2); a control module (101) controls that the first switch unit (K1) is switched on and the second switch unit (K2) is switched off, so that a battery pack, the first switch unit (K1) and an energy storage module (102) form a discharge circuit (1), the control module (101) controls that the first switch unit (K1) is switched off and the second switch unit (K2) is switched on, so that the energy storage module (102), the second switch unit (K2) and the battery pack form a charge circuit (2); a buffer module includes a first buffer unit (H1) and a second buffer unit (H2), the first buffer unit (H1) is connected in parallel to both ends of the first switch unit (K1) for providing a short-time path when the first switch unit (K1) is being switched on or switched off; and the second buffer unit (H2) is connected in parallel to both ends of the second switch unit (K2) for providing a short-time path when the second switch unit (K2) is being switched on or switched off. With the technical solution in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the power switch device may be prevented from being subjected to a large peak voltage.