Battery Module Balancing Method Using a Single Inductor

Battery Module Balancing Method with Improved Efficiency via Hierarchical Single-Inductor Balancing

This technology enhances efficiency by configuring dedicated single inductors and switching circuits for balancing between modules and between cells within a battery pack, performing hierarchical (module/cell) balancing simultaneously.

Conventional resistive methods suffer from high power loss, capacitor-based methods face efficiency drops due to hard switching and limitations in resolving voltage imbalances, and existing flyback methods encounter issues with increasing component (magnetic core) size and costs as the number of battery cells grows.

By configuring a first single-inductor transfer unit to control M battery modules and a second single-inductor transfer unit to control N cells within each module in parallel, this technology improves both the performance and commercial viability of battery management systems.

‍

‍

Key Features:

• Configuring a battery module pack equipped with multiple series-connected battery modules and a first access unit to access them
• Configuring a first single inductor that temporarily stores and transfers electrical energy accessed through the first access unit
• Configuring dedicated single inductors and switching circuits for inter-module balancing and intra-module cell balancing, respectively
• Configuring hierarchical, simultaneous balancing of battery modules and cells to increase overall balancing efficiency

‍