Voltage equalizing apparatus for battery devices

• US 20030141843A1
• Filed: 02/03/2003
• Published: 07/31/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nagano Japan Radio Co. (HK) Ltd. (Japan Radio Company Limited), Fuji Heavy Industries Limited (Subaru Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Nagano Japan Radio Co. (HK) Ltd. (Japan Radio Company Limited), Fuji Heavy Industries Limited (Subaru Corp.)
• Inventors: Nishizawa, Hiroshi, Anzawa, Seiichi, Matsui, Fujio
• Granted Patent: US 6,670,789 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/118
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0018 using separate charge circuits

Abstract

A voltage equalizing apparatus for battery devices includes a core, a plurality of first battery devices interconnected in series with each other, each consisting of one or more cells, a plurality of secondary windings magnetically connected with each other through the core, a plurality of first switching devices, each connected to one of the plurality of secondary windings and one of the plurality of first battery devices to constitute a first closed circuit, one or more second battery devices provided separately from said plurality of first battery devices interconnected in series or a second battery device provided by rendering the whole of said plurality of first battery devices interconnected in series one battery device, a primary winding magnetically connected with the plurality of secondary windings through the core, and a second switching device connected in series with the second battery device and the primary winding to constitute a second closed circuit. The plurality of first switching devices and the plurality of second switching device are alternately turned ON and OFF to equalize the output voltages of the first battery devices. The plurality of first switching devices continue to be turned ON after exciting energy stored in the core is transported by the charging to the battery devices having lower voltages among said plurality of first battery devices, to effect the charging from the battery devices having higher voltages among said plurality of first battery devices to the battery devices having lower voltages among said plurality of first battery devices and/or to store energy in said core.

Claims

1. A voltage equalizing apparatus for battery devices comprising:

a core;

a plurality of first battery devices interconnected in series with each other, each consisting of one or more cells;

a plurality of secondary windings magnetically connected with each other through the core;

a plurality of first switching devices, each connected to one of the plurality of secondary windings and one of the plurality of first battery devices to constitute a first closed circuit;

one or more second battery devices;

a primary winding magnetically connected with the plurality of secondary windings through the core; and

a second switching device connected in series with the second battery device and the primary winding to constitute a second closed circuit;

wherein the plurality of first switching devices and the second switching device are alternately turned ON and OFF to equalize the output voltages of the plurality of first battery devices;

when the second switching device is turned ON, exciting energy stored in the core is transported by the charging to the battery devices having lower voltages among said plurality of first battery devices; and

the plurality of first switching devices continue to be turned ON after completion of the transportation of the exciting energy, to effect the charging from the battery devices having higher voltages among said plurality of first battery devices to the battery devices having lower voltages among said plurality of first battery devices and/or to store energy in said core.

3. A voltage equalizing apparatus for battery devices according to claim 1 or 2,

wherein said plurality of first battery devices are made a battery for driving a hybrid car which travels with an engine as well as a motor or an electric car which travels only with a motor.

4. A voltage equalizing apparatus for battery devices according to claim 1 or 2,

wherein a resistor is provided in said first closed circuit.

5. A voltage equalizing apparatus for battery devices according to claim 1,

wherein said second battery device is a capacitor.

2. A voltage equalizing apparatus for battery devices comprising:

a core;

a plurality of first battery devices interconnected in series with each other, each consisting of one or more cells;

a plurality of secondary windings magnetically connected with each other through the core;

a plurality of first switching devices, each connected to one of the plurality of secondary windings and one of the plurality of first battery devices to constitute a first closed circuit;

a primary winding magnetically connected with the plurality of secondary windings through the core; and

a second switching device connected between a second battery device, which the whole of said plurality of first battery devices interconnected in series has been rendered, and the primary winding to constitute a second closed circuit;

wherein the plurality of first switching devices and the second switching device are alternately turned ON and OFF to equalize the output voltages of the plurality of first battery devices;

when the second switching devices are turned ON, exciting energy stored in the core is transported by the charging to the battery devices having lower voltages among said plurality of first battery devices;

the plurality of first switching devices continue to be turned ON after completion of the transportation of the exciting energy, to effect the charging from the battery devices having higher voltages among the plurality of first battery devices to the battery devices having lower voltages among the plurality of first battery devices and/or to store energy in the core.