Multi-Cell-to-Multi-Cell Battery Equalization in Series Battery Packs Based on Variable Duty Cycle

Batteries are widely used in our lives, but the inevitable inconsistencies in series-connected battery packs will seriously impact their energy utilization, cycle life and even jeopardize their safety in use. This paper proposes a balancing topology structure combining Buck-Boost circuit and switch array to reduce this inconsistency. This structure can realize multi-cell-to-multi-cell (MC2MC) battery balancing by controlling the switch array and having a fast balancing speed, easy expansion and few magnetic components. Then, the operation principle of the proposed balancing topology is analyzed, and the simulation model is verified. In addition, the effects of switching frequency and voltage difference on the equalization effect are further analyzed. The results show that the higher the switching frequency, the lower the time efficiency, but the higher the energy efficiency. The voltage difference significantly impacts the duty cycle, so it is absolutely necessary to introduce a variable duty cycle in the multi-cell-to-multi-cell equalization. Finally, eight series batteries are selected for simulation verification. The simulation results show that, compared with any-cell-to-any-cell (AC2AC) equalization, the time efficiency of multi-cell-to-multi-cell equalization is improved considerably, the energy efficiency is improved slightly, and the variance of the completed equalization is reduced, demonstrating the excellent performance of multi-cell-to-multi-cell equalization.

Automated summary

This paper proposes a balancing topology structure combining Buck-Boost circuit and switch array to reduce the inconsistencies in series-connected battery packs. The structure enables multi-cell-to-multi-cell battery balancing with fast speed, easy expansion, and few magnetic components. Simulation results show that multi-cell-to-multi-cell equalization significantly improves time efficiency and slightly improves energy efficiency compared to any-cell-to-any-cell equalization.