Equalizing the battery charges of rechargeable accumulators

Abstract

Charge imbalances in high-voltage batteries, including battery cell arrays, such as lithium-ion in hybrid vehicles, tend to develop and increase over time as the batteries are charged and discharged, or even when the battery remains charged but not in use. This reduces the efficiency of the battery charging and discharging modes, and limits battery life and capacity. The article describes a method and device for performing the charge equalization operation when charging a storage battery. The elements of the charger circuit have been selected, the parameters of which are sufficient for charging with equalizing the charge of the Audi Q5 hybrid Quattro car. Calculations of the pulse mode of charging the battery of the specified car, as well as the time spent on charging with equalizing the battery charges are given. The charging time of the considered battery with the elimination of a 15% imbalance of the batteries will last up to 139 minutes (2.31 hours). The results of calculating the operating parameters of the device indicate that the device for equalizing the charge of the batteries is operable, can be implemented on a modern element base at a relatively low cost, and is capable of charging the battery in a time acceptable for the operation of the car.