Switched Accumulator Battery Circuit for Control Power Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Batteries with switched accumulators face a significant disadvantage where the control circuit is no longer powered if the accumulator supplying it is discharged or fails, leading to a loss of switching capability.
Innovation Solution
The battery design includes a first unit and multiple series-connected second units, each comprising an electric accumulator, switches, and diodes, with a control circuit that can measure and control these components to ensure continuous power supply by rerouting voltage during accumulator failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the control circuit is powered by a single accumulator, then the circuit can be simply powered, but the control circuit loses power when the accumulator is discharged or fails
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply structure is segmented into multiple independent accumulators (first accumulator and second accumulator) instead of relying on a single accumulator. Each accumulator can independently power the control circuit, creating redundant power sources that prevent total power loss when one accumulator fails or becomes discharged.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the power supply parameter from a single-voltage source to a multi-voltage source configuration. The control circuit can switch between different voltage sources (first accumulator voltage or second accumulator voltage) depending on their charge states, maintaining operational reliability through parameter variation.
2Productivity
If accumulators are switched based on charge level, then optimal voltage selection is achieved, but switching capability is lost when the powering accumulator fails
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of multiple accumulator charge levels before switching operations. By pre-evaluating the state of both the first and second accumulators, the control circuit can proactively select the appropriate power source to maintain switching capability, rather than reacting after a failure occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit acts as an intermediary that manages the relationship between multiple accumulators and the load. It monitors the charge levels of both accumulators and intelligently selects which accumulator to use for powering the switching operations, ensuring continuous functionality even when one accumulator fails.
3Device complexity
If a single accumulator powers the control circuit, then the circuit design is simple, but the battery cannot maintain functionality when voltage drops significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The dual-accumulator configuration ensures continuous useful action by providing uninterrupted power to the control circuit. When the first accumulator voltage drops below the threshold required for control circuit operation, the second accumulator automatically takes over, maintaining continuous operational capability without interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for potential voltage drop failures in advance by having a second accumulator ready as a backup power source. This beforehand cushioning ensures that when the first accumulator can no longer maintain sufficient voltage, the control circuit immediately switches to the second accumulator, preventing operational interruption.
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 design ensures the control circuit remains powered as long as any accumulator has not failed, maintaining the battery's switching functionality even when one accumulator's voltage drops significantly.
Implementation Method 1
a first diode, the anode of the first diode being coupled to the cathode of the accumulator, the cathodes of the first diodes being connected to an output node
Implementation Method 2
Switches connected in series and in parallel with the accumulators enable to couple or not in series each accumulator between the output nodes of the module, to select the output voltage among the different combinations of the voltages supplied by the accumulators
Implementation Method 3
a control circuit capable of measuring characteristics of at least certain accumulators and of controlling the first, second, and third switches according to the characteristics
Data Source
AI summary
A battery with switched accumulators, including: a first cell; a plurality of second cells series-connected with the first cell, each first and second cell including: an electric accumulator series-connected with a first switch, a second switch connected in parallel with the accumulator and the first switch, and a first diode, the cathodes of the first diodes being connected to an output node, the anode of the accumulator of the first cell being connected to ground, the anode of the first diode of each second cell being coupled to the cathode of the accumulator by at least one third switch; and a control circuit capable of measuring characteristics of at least certain accumulators and of controlling the first, second, and third switches according to the characteristics.