Auto-Calibrated Transconductor for Switching Power Pulse Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery management systems (BMS) for electric vehicles struggle to effectively control switching devices to prevent damage from excessive heat dissipation, particularly in high-voltage applications.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of techniques that convert sensed voltage into a series of electrical pulses, indicative of cumulative thermal energy or average thermal power dissipated in switching devices, allowing for controlled operation and prevention of damage by breaking the electrical current path when heat exceeds safe operating ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical switches are used in battery management systems for high-voltage devices, then reliability and response time are improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical switches with solid-state switching devices (MOSFETs or IGBTs) controlled by a battery management system. The BMS monitors current through shunt resistors, converts the voltage signal to digital format using ADCs, and controls the solid-state switches to protect against excessive heat dissipation. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical components while maintaining reliability and improving response time through electronic control.
2Ease of manufacture
If solid-state switches are used in battery management systems, then cost is reduced, but response time and reliability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the BMS continuously monitors the voltage across shunt resistors to detect current flow, converts this analog signal to digital format, calculates power dissipation, and compares it against predefined thresholds. When excessive heat dissipation is detected, the BMS immediately adjusts the solid-state switches to limit current. This closed-loop feedback ensures rapid response and high reliability despite using solid-state components.
3Reliability
If complex control circuitry is implemented to monitor and control switching devices, then protection from excessive heat dissipation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the battery management system to perform multiple functions using integrated circuits. The BMS simultaneously monitors voltage across shunt resistors, converts analog signals to digital format, calculates power dissipation for multiple switching devices, compares against thresholds, and controls solid-state switches. This multi-functional integration reduces overall system complexity compared to using separate dedicated circuits for each function while maintaining comprehensive protection capabilities.
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 approach enables the fabrication of BMS for high-voltage devices using solid-state switches, reducing costs, improving reliability, and enhancing response time by preventing damage from cumulative heating.
Implementation Method 1
a second circuit coupled to the first circuit to receive the detected voltage, and to generate a first current based on the detected voltage and the obtained transconductance
Implementation Method 2
a first capacitor to integrate the second current generated by the converter circuit to generate an integrated voltage
Implementation Method 3
a signal that is indicative of electrical power dissipated by the switching circuit responsive to the current
Data Source
AI summary
A device to convert a detected voltage, that is indicative of current conducted by a switching circuit, to a series of electrical pulses that is indicative of electrical power dissipated by the switching circuit responsive to the current. The device includes a transconductor circuit including a first circuit to receive a reference current and a first reference voltage, and to obtain a transconductance based on an auto-generated bias current and the reference current and the first reference voltage, where a value of the transconductance is determined by the reference current and the first reference voltage. The transconductor circuit further includes a second circuit coupled to the first circuit to receive the detected voltage, and to generate a first current based on the detected voltage and the obtained transconductance.