Thermoelectric Battery Cell Balancing via Waste Heat Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-voltage storage batteries in electric vehicles often become unbalanced due to unequal state of charge across their electrochemical cells, which can affect the vehicle's performance and longevity.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a thermoelectric device and a controller that converts thermal energy into electric energy and distributes it to specific cells in the battery to balance the state of charge, using an array of switches to target cells with lower charges first and adjust based on predetermined thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If thermal energy is converted to electric energy using a thermoelectric device, then the battery can be balanced without external power sources, but the system complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The thermoelectric device utilizes waste heat from the battery itself or the engine to generate electric energy for balancing, making the system self-sufficient without requiring external power sources. The controller manages the bidirectional energy flow between cells using the thermoelectric device, enabling the system to balance itself using its own thermal resources.
2Productivity
If electric energy is distributed to all cells uniformly, then the battery balancing is simplified, but the efficiency decreases because cells with higher charge do not need additional energy
Solution Approach 1:
The controller distributes electric energy selectively to specific cells based on their individual charge states. Instead of uniform distribution, the system identifies cells with lower charge levels and directs energy flow to those specific cells through the thermoelectric device, optimizing the balancing process by applying energy only where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the energy distribution parameters based on real-time monitoring of cell charge states. The controller modifies the amount and direction of electric energy flow between cells, changing operational parameters to optimize balancing efficiency while minimizing unnecessary energy transfer.
3Reliability
If the battery is continuously monitored and balanced, then the state of balance is maintained, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors the charge state of battery cells and uses this feedback information to determine when balancing is needed. Based on the monitored state of charge levels, the controller activates the thermoelectric device only when imbalance is detected, creating a feedback loop that maintains battery balance while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption from continuous operation.
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 method effectively equalizes the electric charge across the battery cells, improving the battery's balance and overall vehicle performance by ensuring uniform charging and extending the battery's lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
The thermoelectric device is adapted to receive thermal energy and to convert the thermal energy into electric energy
Implementation Method 2
the thermoelectric device may be adapted to receive electric energy from the battery and to convert the electric energy to thermal energy to heat at least a portion of the battery
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method is provided for balancing a storage battery for an automotive vehicle. The battery is of the type including a plurality of storage cells. The system includes a thermoelectric device and a controller. The thermoelectric device receives thermal energy and converts the thermal energy into electric energy. The controller determines a subset of the storage cells in the battery to be charged based on an amount of electric charge in each of the storage cells. Furthermore, the controller causes the electric energy to be distributed to each storage cell in the subset in an effort to balance the battery in the vehicle.