Battery Pack Assembly Process Series 8 - Cell Consistency and Balancing Method
01 Cell Consistency
1.1 What is cell consistency?
Cell consistency refers to the degree of difference between the performance parameters (such as capacity, internal resistance, voltage, etc.) of the same batch of cells under the same conditions.
1.2 Importance of cell consistency
Due to manufacturing tolerances, material differences, assembly errors, etc., there are inevitably differences in the capacity, internal resistance and other parameters of the cells. The inconsistency of cell performance is mainly formed in the production process and will be aggravated during use. The cells in the same battery pack are always weak and become weaker at an accelerated rate.
Cell consistency is one of the key factors affecting battery pack performance. In a battery pack, if there is inconsistency between cells, it will lead to a decrease in battery pack performance, shortened life, and may even cause safety accidents. Therefore, improving cell consistency is of great significance to improving the overall performance of the battery pack.
1.3 Factors affecting cell consistency
Include: raw materials, production process, environmental conditions, use process, etc.
1.4 Indicators for measuring cell consistency
The indicators for measuring cell consistency mainly include: capacity, internal resistance, voltage, cycle life, self-discharge rate, etc.
02 Implementation Methods Of Cell Balancing Management
2.1 Sorting:
Grouping cells with similar performance parameters into one group is the basis for achieving cell balancing. High precision sorting equipment is a key tool to ensure the consistency of battery cells. Taking our independently developed Lithium battery cell sorting machine as an example, this equipment adopts a high-precision internal resistance tester. Through multi parameter collaborative detection (capacitance resistance, voltage, etc.), it can achieve an internal resistance detection accuracy of ± 0.5% and a voltage detection accuracy of ± 0.05%, greatly improving the performance matching of the same group of batteries.
Prismatic Battery Voltage & IR Sorting Machine
2.2 Thermal management:
Adjust the temperature difference of the entire battery pack to prevent cell imbalance caused by temperature differences. The thermal management system can keep the cell temperature within a small range, slow down the degradation rate of the cell, and maintain the performance balance between cells.
Generally, when designing and testing the thermal management system of the battery pack, it is required that the temperature difference between the cells is <3℃.
2.3 BMS balancing function:
When a cell reaches the charge cutoff voltage first, the BMS starts the charge balancing function, discharges part of the power of the high-voltage cell (passive balancing) or transfers energy to the low-voltage cell (active balancing) by connecting a resistor, removes the charge cutoff condition restriction, and enables the battery pack to charge more power.
03 BMS Balancing Function And Method
In order to keep the performance of each cell in the battery pack consistent, the cells need to be balanced. Cell balancing technology can ensure that the voltage, capacity and other parameters of each cell in the battery pack are consistent during the charging and discharging process, thereby improving the overall performance and safety of the battery pack.
3.1 Active balancing
(1) Principle
Active balancing transfers the cells with higher energy in the battery pack to the cells with lower energy through energy transfer to achieve energy balance between the cells.
(2) Technical classification and characteristics
Active balancing technology includes: direct energy transfer, indirect energy transfer, etc.
Active balancing has the characteristics of fast balancing speed and high efficiency, but requires a complex control system, high cost, and long balancing time.
ACEY-BBT100-24S series lithium battery equalizer is widely used for the maintenance of lithium battery packs in new energy vehicles. It can solve the problem of inconsistent battery cells after connecting power batteries in series, leading to further expansion of battery cell unevenness, shortened battery life, shortened range, and even battery failure.
3.2 Passive balancing
(1) Principle introduction
The energy of the cells with higher energy in the battery pack is consumed through simple resistance discharge or heat transfer to achieve energy balance between the cells.
(2) Technical classification and characteristics
Passive balancing technology includes: constant resistance discharge, switch resistance discharge, etc.
Passive balancing has the advantages of simple circuit structure and low cost, but it is easy to cause energy waste, and the heat generated may cause the battery pack temperature to rise, thereby affecting the life and performance of the battery cell.
3.3 Comparison of balancing methods and analysis of advantages and disadvantages
In general, active balancing has better effect, but higher cost; passive balancing has lower cost, but relatively poor balancing effect.