Transformer Cell-Sensing Circuit for Battery Voltage Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
High capacity batteries in electric vehicles and home systems face thermal and performance issues due to cell failures, necessitating effective monitoring of state of health (SOH) and state of charge (SOC) to ensure reliable power delivery.
Innovation Solution
A cell management module with a transformer-based cell-sensing circuit that selectively pulses signals through transformer windings to measure current and infer cell voltage, allowing for parallel connection of multiple cell-sensing circuits and active balancing of power cells, reducing complexity and cost while enhancing monitoring and management capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional voltage measurement circuits are used for each power cell, then accurate voltage monitoring is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cell-sensing circuits are merged into a single circuit that can sequentially measure multiple power cells. The circuit uses a multiplexer or switching mechanism to connect different cells to the measurement components, allowing one set of measurement components to serve multiple cells, thereby reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement circuit is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple power cells through a single circuit architecture. The circuit can be configured to measure different cells at different times, making it a multi-functional instrument that eliminates the need for dedicated measurement circuits for each cell
2Measurement precision
If individual measurement circuits are implemented for each power cell, then cell voltage measurement accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost and circuit complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple measurement functions into a single circuit module that can measure voltages of multiple power cells sequentially. This consolidation reduces the total number of components needed, simplifies manufacturing processes, and lowers overall system cost while preserving the ability to accurately measure each cell's voltage
3Duration of action of stationary object
If passive monitoring of power cells is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but active balancing and extended battery life are not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The cell-sensing circuit provides real-time feedback on the voltage and charge state of each power cell to a control system. This feedback mechanism enables the system to detect imbalances between cells and activate balancing operations when needed, extending battery life through proactive management while maintaining relative system simplicity through automated control
Solution Approach 2:
The battery management system performs self-service by automatically detecting cell imbalances and executing balancing operations without external intervention. The system monitors its own state and takes corrective action, enabling extended battery life through autonomous management while keeping the user interface simple
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 enables accurate monitoring and balancing of power cells, reducing the risk of insufficient power delivery and extending the life of battery systems by efficiently managing cell health and charge state, thereby improving system reliability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a transformer including a first winding and a second winding inductively coupled to the first winding
Data Source
AI summary
A cell management module for a power supply module including a plurality of power cells includes at least one cell-sensing circuit and a current measurement circuit connected to the at least one cell-sensing circuit. The at least one cell-sensing circuit includes a transformer having a first winding and a second winding inductively coupled to the first winding. A first sub-circuit of the cell-sensing circuit includes the first winding of the transformer and is operable to selectively pulse a first signal through the first winding. A second sub-circuit of the cell-sensing circuit includes the second winding of the transformer and one of the power cells of the power supply module. The current measurement circuit is connected to the first sub-circuit of the at least one cell-sensing circuit and infers a voltage of the power cell based on a measured current of the first signal.