Battery Pack Switch Retention Circuit for Fault Reset Hold

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery packs may unintentionally disconnect electrical connections due to control device faults, leading to potential accidents, especially in high-speed operations.

Innovation Solution

A switch control device with a retention circuit that generates a trigger signal based on fault detection, producing a retention signal to maintain the switch state for a predetermined time, using components like capacitors, diodes, and transistors to stabilize the switch operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a control device that controls the switch is reset due to a fault of the control device, then the control device can be restarted, but the electrical connection between the battery pack and the vehicle body may be unintentionally disconnected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitch control reliabilityVSAvoidunintentional disconnection hazard
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The retention circuit is configured to maintain the driving signal at its previous level for a predetermined time period after a fault is detected. This preliminary action ensures that the switch control signal remains stable during the reset process, preventing unintentional disconnection before the control device fully restarts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The retention circuit acts as a cushioning mechanism by preserving the original driving signal state during fault conditions. This cushioning effect prevents sudden signal changes that could cause harmful disconnections, providing a buffer period while the control device recovers

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

2Reliability

If the battery pack is designed to include a retention circuit for maintaining the operating state of the switch, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitch state maintenanceVSAvoidcontrol circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retention circuit is integrated into the existing control device structure, merging the fault detection, signal retention, and switch control functions into a unified circuit architecture. This reduces overall system complexity compared to adding a separate standalone retention system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The retention circuit serves multiple functions: it detects faults, maintains the driving signal at previous levels, generates appropriate switch control signals, and provides timing control. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated circuits for each function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4456361B1Switch control device and battery pack including the same
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP4456361B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4456361B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4456361B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The switch control device may be provided. The switch control device includes: a retention circuit configured to generate a trigger signal based on a fault signal indicating whether a fault in a power signal occurred, generate a reset signal based on the trigger signal, pick a driving signal at an active edge of the trigger signal, and output the picked driving signal as a retention signal during a time set by the reset signal; and a driving circuit configured to generate a switch control signal based on the retention signal and the driving signal and output the switch control signal to a switch.