Transformer Winding Configuration for Battery Charge Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery systems for hybrid and electric vehicles face challenges in maintaining optimal charging levels across battery cells, leading to reduced service life due to overcharging or excessive discharging, and lack a simple method for external charging while ensuring safety with high-voltage batteries.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a third winding in the transformer system that allows energy to be fed from an external source, such as solar cells or Peltier elements, for active charge balancing, while maintaining galvanic separation for safety, enabling efficient energy replenishment without direct high-voltage exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a transformer with first and second windings is used for active charge balancing between battery cells, then charge balancing capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transformer is designed with multiple windings that serve different functions: the first winding connected in parallel with the entire cell arrangement for overall energy transfer, and multiple second windings each connected in parallel with individual battery cells for targeted charge balancing. This multi-functional design enables both overall battery management and individual cell charge balancing without requiring separate devices.
2Productivity
If external energy source is connected directly to high-voltage battery cells, then charging efficiency is improved, but safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The transformer acts as an intermediary device between the external energy source and the high-voltage battery cells. The third winding of the transformer receives energy from the external source, and through electromagnetic induction, transfers this energy to the battery cells via the first and second windings. This indirect coupling provides galvanic separation, eliminating direct high-voltage exposure risks while maintaining efficient energy transfer.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If transformer is used for galvanic separation to improve safety, then safety is improved, but energy transfer efficiency may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct electrical (galvanic) connection with electromagnetic induction for energy transfer. The transformer uses magnetic field coupling between windings to transfer energy without physical electrical contact. This substitution maintains galvanic separation for safety while achieving high energy transfer efficiency through optimized magnetic coupling, eliminating the trade-off between safety and efficiency.
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 solution enhances the battery system's ability to perform active charge balancing and allows for external energy sourcing, improving battery life and safety by enabling efficient energy replenishment without compromising safety, particularly suitable for high-voltage applications in hybrid and electric vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a transformer having a first winding, which is connectable in parallel with the cell arrangement and several second windings, each second winding being connectable in parallel with one of the battery cells
Data Source
AI summary
A battery system has battery cells, a transformer which has a first winding which can be connected parallel to the cell arrangement, and a plurality of second windings. Each second winding can be connected parallel to one of the battery cells. The transformer includes a third winding, which is provided for feeding energy from an external energy source to the battery system.