Voltage Divider Circuit for Series Battery Balancing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices with multiple batteries connected in series face challenges in voltage balancing and power management, requiring additional circuits for voltage regulation and balancing, which increases complexity and cost.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a voltage divider circuit with a power management module and processor to monitor and control the voltage difference between batteries, turning on the voltage divider circuit when a designated condition is met to balance the batteries and adjust the on-resistance of transistors for efficient charging and discharging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If multiple batteries are connected in series to increase power capacity, then the power source capability is improved, but additional circuits for voltage regulation and balancing are required, increasing device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower source capabilityVSAvoidcircuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The voltage divider circuit is merged with the existing battery management system by utilizing the connection nodes between series batteries. The circuit combines voltage measurement functionality with balancing control, where the same voltage divider structure serves both to measure individual battery voltages and to implement voltage balancing through controlled discharge paths, thereby reducing the need for separate dedicated circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The voltage divider circuit performs multiple functions simultaneously: it measures the voltage of each individual battery in the series connection, provides a reference for balancing control, and enables the processor to monitor battery states. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate measurement and control circuits, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining full power source capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If additional circuits are added for battery balancing and voltage regulation, then battery management capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery management capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit design merges voltage measurement and balancing functions into a single integrated structure. The voltage divider circuit uses the existing connection nodes between series batteries, combining what would traditionally be separate measurement and control circuits into one unified implementation, thereby reducing component count and manufacturing cost while maintaining comprehensive battery management capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The voltage divider circuit utilizes the inherent voltage differences between batteries during charging to automatically establish measurement reference points. The system leverages the natural electrical characteristics of the battery series connection to provide its own measurement and control infrastructure, reducing the need for additional active components and lowering manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If a voltage divider circuit is used to monitor battery voltage, then voltage measurement precision is improved, but the circuit requires additional connection points, increasing device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage measurement precisionVSAvoidcircuit connection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The voltage divider circuit is designed to use the existing connection nodes between series batteries for multiple purposes: voltage measurement, balancing control reference, and processor communication. By making these connection points multi-functional, the circuit achieves precise voltage measurement without requiring additional dedicated connection points, thereby maintaining measurement precision while minimizing circuit complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The voltage divider circuit acts as an intermediary that utilizes the natural voltage distribution across series battery connections. Rather than requiring separate measurement points, the circuit mediates between the existing battery nodes to derive precise individual voltage measurements through voltage division, achieving accurate measurement without adding structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11695280B2Electronic device for managing multiple batteries connected in series and method for operating same
Publication Date: 2023.07.04 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • US11695280B2 patent drawing
  • US11695280B2 patent drawing
  • US11695280B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a voltage divider circuit, a first battery electrically connected to a first point of the voltage divider circuit, and a second battery connected in series to the first battery. A second point different from the first point of the voltage divider circuit is electrically connected from a first node on an electric path through which the first battery and the second battery are electrically connected.