TWI886747B - Battery charging system, battery module detection circuit, control switch detection circuit, abnormality detection circuit, power configuration, and battery charging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The charging and/or discharging of a set of swappable battery modules in a battery system is carried out automatically using a set of charging and/or discharging control switches linked in a sequential charging and/or a discharging control chain. The charging and discharging of the set of battery modules can be done sequentially or in parallel, and is hardware-based with minimal software/firmware involvement. The system is scalable and automatically reconfigurable for use in an infrastructure and/or in an electric vehicle. The swappable battery modules may be positioned in the battery slots or butted together in the battery system.

Description

Battery charging system, battery module detection circuit, charging control switch detection circuit, abnormal detection circuit, power supply configuration, and battery charging equipment

The present invention relates to a scalable method and system for charging and discharging multiple replaceable battery modules.

Electric vehicles EVs usually use large battery packs for vehicles. When the energy is exhausted, it takes time to charge the entire battery pack. Challenges are often encountered in charging the battery pack, such as the availability of fast chargers on the road, lack of internal chargers for apartment dwellers, etc. In addition, due to the excessive weight of the battery pack that EVs carry when driving around, large battery packs may not be energy-efficient for short-distance commuters.

There are various solutions to address the challenge of battery charging, such as installing more and higher-powered chargers in more areas to meet the needs of EV drivers, or building battery swap stations to remove depleted batteries from EVs and replace them with fully charged ones. Building such battery swap facilities and the storage and charging of depleted batteries at the swap facilities also require a lot of labor.

The use of replaceable batteries is commonplace in applications such as rechargeable batteries for flashlights or consumer electronics. A more recent application is the use of rechargeable, replaceable batteries for electric vehicles. For example, the GoStation from GOGORO is a battery swap station (BSS) or battery swap kiosk that provides battery swap services for electric scooters. The GoStation enables a passenger to remove a spent battery module from an electric scooter and replace it with a charged battery. In the GoStation, when a spent battery module is placed into an empty slot of the swap kiosk, the spent battery module triggers a controller or computer in the GoStation to check which replaceable battery has the most energy for the passenger to swap. There is no indicator light on the GoStation regarding the energy status of the replaceable batteries. Instead, the controller selects the one with the most energy and pops it out for the passenger to swap.

Another example is the DJI Matrice 300 BS60 Smart Battery Station, which is used to charge eight flight batteries and two remote batteries, where two flight batteries and one remote battery can be charged simultaneously. An internal control mechanism determines which two flight batteries and which one remote battery have the most power and will be charged first to minimize the waiting time for battery replacement. The station uses a USB Type-C connection for firmware updates.

Existing methods for charging replaceable batteries either directly supply power to all batteries in a charging station/system without on-site control, or use a controller or computer with control software/firmware for charging control and monitoring of the energy status of the replaceable batteries. This control software/firmware is more flexible, but more complex to configure and manage, and makes the charging station more vulnerable to malware or ransomware attacks.

In view of this, we inventors have devoted ourselves to further research and development and improvement, hoping to find a better invention to solve the above problems. After continuous testing and modification, the present invention was born.

According to an embodiment disclosed in this specification, the battery system is divided into multiple smaller removable battery modules. Each battery module is controlled by a control switch, which can be linked with control switches associated with other battery modules in the battery system to form a sequential charging control chain and/or a sequential discharging control chain, thereby controlling the sequential charging and/or sequential discharging of multiple battery modules. The battery system can also provide a parallel charging function and/or a parallel discharging function for the battery modules.

In one embodiment, the battery system may be a battery pack in an electric vehicle. In another embodiment, the battery system may be an energy storage system in a DC-centric or combined AC and DC power environment. For example, a removable battery module used in an electric vehicle may be swapped with a battery module used in an energy storage system in a building or home. Additionally, a depleted removable battery module in an electric vehicle may be swapped with a fully charged battery module in a battery service station when a fast charger is not available. The sequential charging and discharging capability of multiple battery modules in a battery system provides many advantages to battery packs in electric vehicles and energy storage systems in homes. The charging and discharging of multiple battery modules can be segmented to regulate the charging rate and adjust the output voltage and/or current of the battery system. Another aspect disclosed in the present specification provides a defect detection circuit for identifying defective battery modules in a sequential charging control chain.

A system according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured to charge a plurality of battery modules disposed in a plurality of battery slots. One of the battery slots includes, in part: a receiving portion adapted to receive and hold a battery module; a detector adapted to detect the presence of a battery module at an associated receiving portion; and a charging control unit. The charging control unit includes, in part: a charging comparator adapted to monitor the energy level of an associated battery module; a charging input enable signal for enabling a charging multiplexer disposed in the charging control unit; and a charging enable output signal generated by the charging multiplexer, wherein the charging multiplexer is adapted to: when the energy level detected by the charging comparator is lower than a charging reference voltage, activate a transmission device disposed in the system to transmit energy from a DC power source to charge the battery module, and, when the energy level detected by the charging comparator reaches the charging reference voltage, validate the charging enable output signal to activate the charging control unit at the subsequent battery slot.

In one embodiment, the charging reference voltage is an attenuated voltage derived from the output of the battery module. In one embodiment, the charging control unit and the transmission device form a charging control switch. In one embodiment, the charging enable output signal of the (k-1)th charging control unit associated with the (k-1)th battery slot and the charging input enable signal of the kth charging control unit associated with the kth battery slot are linked to form a sequential charging control chain in the system, wherein k is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and wherein, in the sequential charging control chain, the (k-1)th charging control unit has a higher priority than the kth charging control unit to perform charging.

In one embodiment, a sequential charge control chain sequentially controls the charging of multiple battery modules according to the chaining sequence of the charge control units forming the charge control chain associated with multiple battery slots. In one embodiment, when the sequential charge control chain is enabled, the sequential charge control chain automatically performs the charging of multiple battery modules whose energy levels are lower than the charging reference voltage.

In one embodiment, the system is adapted to automatically reconfigure the charging control chain when rearranging the plurality of battery slots, wherein the rearranging of the plurality of battery slots includes one or more of the following: reordering the link sequence of the plurality of battery slots; increasing the number of the plurality of battery slots; and decreasing the number of the battery slots.

In one embodiment, the parallel charging enable signal is ORed with the charging input enable signal to generate a combined signal suitable for enabling a charging multiplexer in a charging control unit. In one embodiment, the parallel charging enable signal is suitable for enabling one or more charging control units associated with multiple battery slots to charge battery modules disposed in one or more battery slots in parallel, wherein the DC power is distributed to one or more charging control units.

In one embodiment, the charging control chain is divided into one or more charging segments, wherein the segment charging input enable signal is applied in parallel to the charging input enable terminal of the charging control unit in the charging segment; and wherein the segment charging enable output signal is generated by performing an AND operation on the charging enable output signals of the charging control units in the charging segment to enable the next charging segment in the charging control chain of the system.

In one embodiment, the battery cell further includes, in part, a discharge control unit. The discharge control unit includes, in part: a discharge comparator for monitoring the energy level of an associated battery module; a discharge input enable signal adapted to enable a discharge demultiplexer disposed in the discharge control unit; and a discharge enable output signal generated by the discharge demultiplexer. In such an embodiment, when the discharge input enable signal is valid, the discharge demultiplexer is adapted to: when the discharge comparator detects that the energy level in the battery module reaches the discharge reference voltage, activate the closure of the normally open switch coupled to the output of the battery module to deliver energy for external use; and, when the discharge comparator detects that the energy level in the battery module is lower than the discharge reference voltage, enable the discharge enable output signal to activate the discharge control of the next battery cell.

In one embodiment, the discharge reference voltage is a decay voltage derived from the output of the battery module. In one embodiment, the charge reference voltage is higher than the discharge reference voltage. In one embodiment, the discharge control and transmission device form a discharge control switch. In one embodiment, the charge control unit, the discharge control unit and the transmission device form a charge and discharge control switch.

In one embodiment, the discharge enable output signal of the (k-1)th discharge control unit associated with the (k-1)th battery cell and the discharge input enable signal of the kth discharge control unit associated with the kth battery cell are linked to form a sequential discharge control chain in the system, wherein k is an integer greater than or equal to 2. In such an embodiment, in the sequential discharge control chain, the discharge of a battery module designated as a higher priority by a preceding discharge control unit has a higher priority than the discharge of a battery module designated as a lower priority by a succeeding discharge control unit.

In one embodiment, according to the link sequence of the discharge control unit, the sequential discharge control chain sequentially controls the discharge of multiple battery modules to form a discharge control chain associated with multiple battery slots. In one embodiment, when the discharge control chain is enabled, the sequential discharge control chain automatically discharges the battery module with an energy level higher than the discharge reference voltage. In one embodiment, the system is suitable for automatically reconfiguring the discharge control chain when the battery slots in the system are rearranged, and the rearrangement of the battery slots in the system includes one or more of the following situations: reordering the link sequence of multiple battery slots; increasing the number of multiple battery slots; and reducing the number of multiple battery slots.

In one embodiment, the parallel discharge enable signal is ORed with the discharge input enable signal to generate a combined signal suitable for enabling a discharge multiplexer in a discharge control unit. In one embodiment, the validation of the parallel discharge enable signal enables one or more discharge control units associated with multiple battery cells to discharge energy from battery modules disposed in the battery cells in parallel. Discharging more than one battery module in parallel increases the output energy of the system.

In one embodiment, the discharge control chain is divided into one or more discharge segments. In such an embodiment, the segment discharge input enable signal is applied in parallel to the discharge input enable terminal of the discharge control unit in the discharge segment; and the segment discharge enable output signal is generated by performing an AND operation on the discharge enable output signal of the discharge control unit in the discharge segment to enable the next discharge segment in the discharge control chain of the system.

A circuit suitable for detecting whether a battery module placed in a battery slot controlled by a charge control switch of a sequential charge control chain is defective, in part comprising: a decrement counter; and a set/reset trigger (SRFF). When the battery module is placed in the battery slot, the output of the direct contact switch coupled to the battery slot is negated. In addition, when a charge input enable signal applied to the charge control switch is valid, and when a charge enable output signal generated by the charge control switch for input into a continuous charge control switch in the sequential charge control chain is invalid, a preset value is loaded into the decrement counter, and the decrement counter starts to decrement the count of the decrement counter. When the down counter counts down to zero, SRFF is set, and when the charge enable output signal is asserted, the down counter stops counting before reaching zero.

In one embodiment, if SRFF is set, the battery module is detected as defective; and if the charge enable output signal is valid before the countdown counter counts down to zero, the battery module is not detected as defective. In one embodiment, the preset value is programmed based on the energy capacity of the battery module and the power of the external DC power supply used to charge the battery module. In one embodiment, the status of the battery module detected as defective can be observed by detecting the output of SRFF.

In one embodiment, when the battery module is detected as defective, the SRFF is set to disable the charge control switch, and the charge enable output signal of the subsequent charge control switch is enabled to charge the battery. In one embodiment, by removing the battery module from the battery slot, the output of the direct contact switch is enabled to reset the SRFF.

A circuit adapted to detect a battery module placed in a battery slot controlled by a charge control switch of a sequential charge control chain includes, in part: an incrementing counter; a comparator; and a set/reset trigger (SRFF). When the battery module is placed in the battery slot, the output of the direct contact switch coupled to the battery slot is negated. When a charge input enable signal applied to the charge control switch is valid, and when a charge enable output signal generated by the charge control switch for input to a successive charge control switch in the sequential charge control chain is invalid, the incrementing counter is enabled to increment the count of the incrementing counter in response to each transition of a clock signal. When the incrementing counter reaches the preset value detected by the comparator, SRFF is set. When the charge enable output signal is asserted, the incrementing counter stops counting before reaching the preset value.

In one embodiment, if SRFF is set, the battery module is detected as defective; and, if the charge enable output signal is asserted before the incrementing counter reaches a preset value, the battery module is detected as not defective. In one embodiment, the preset value may be programmed based on the energy capacity of the battery module and the power of the external DC power source used to charge the battery module.

In one embodiment, the status of a defective battery module can be observed by detecting the output of the SRFF. In one embodiment, when the battery module is detected as defective, the SRFF is set to: (i) disable the charge control switch to validate the charge enable output signal to the continuous charge control switch to charge the battery, and (ii) clear the increment counter. In one embodiment, by removing the battery module from the battery slot, the output of the direct contact switch is validated to reset the SRFF.

According to an embodiment disclosed in the present specification, a circuit suitable for detecting an abnormality in a charging control switch of a battery module coupled to a battery tank is provided, the circuit performing an AND function of the following inputs: inversion of the output of a direct contact switch coupled to the battery tank; inversion of the energy state of the battery module monitored by a comparator provided in the charging control switch, wherein the comparator is saturated to a logical low level when the attenuated energy obtained from the battery module and monitored by the comparator is lower than a reference voltage; inversion of the output of a detection circuit suitable for detecting a defect in the battery module; and validation of a charging enable output signal from the charging control switch.

A circuit adapted to detect one or more anomalies in a control switch by performing an OR operation on one or more anomalies including at least one of over-temperature, over-current, short circuit and over-voltage of an external power supply input, wherein the OR operation output is observable at the pin of the control switch.

According to an embodiment disclosed in the present specification, an AC power configuration partially includes: an AC power panel, which includes multiple circuit breakers, which are suitable for controlling the AC power distribution of multiple AC power distribution circuits coupled to the AC power panel; and a battery charging system, which includes multiple battery slots for adopting multiple replaceable battery modules controlled by multiple charging control switches provided in the battery charging system. A first charge control switch among the plurality of charge control switches is coupled to a first replaceable battery module among the plurality of replaceable battery modules; a charge enable output signal of the (k-1)th charge control switch among the plurality of charge control switches is coupled to a charge input enable signal of the kth charge control switch among the plurality of charge control switches to form a sequential charge control chain to sequentially control the charging of the plurality of replaceable battery modules when the battery charging system is enabled, wherein k is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

In one embodiment, the battery charging system receives a DC power source input selected from one or more of a persistent DC power source module or a regenerative DC power source. In one embodiment, the discharge control switch is also coupled to a replaceable battery module in a battery slot to form a battery charging and discharging system, wherein the discharge enable output signal of the discharge control switch coupled to the replaceable battery module associated with the (k-1)th charge control switch and the discharge input enable signal in the discharge control switch coupled to the battery module associated with the kth charge control switch are linked to form a discharge control chain to sequentially control the discharge of multiple replaceable battery modules when the battery discharge system is enabled.

In one embodiment, the AC power configuration further includes, in part, a DC-AC inverter coupled to the output of the charging and discharging system, wherein the DC-AC inverter is adapted to generate inverted AC power to the AC power panel during an AC power interruption. In one embodiment, each of the replaceable battery modules is replaceable with a battery node of the electric vehicle.

According to an embodiment disclosed in the present specification, a DC power supply configuration partially includes: a DC power supply panel, which includes multiple circuit breakers, which are suitable for controlling the DC power distribution of multiple DC power distribution circuits coupled to the DC power supply panel; and a battery charging and discharging system, which includes multiple battery slots for receiving and holding multiple replaceable battery modules controlled by multiple charging and discharging control switches provided in the battery charging and discharging system, wherein each battery slot includes a charging and discharging control switch, which is suitable for coupling to the replaceable battery module when the battery module is placed in the battery slot. In such an embodiment, the charge enable output signal of the (k-1)th charge and discharge control switch among the multiple charge and discharge control switches is coupled to the charge input enable signal of the kth charge and discharge control switch among the multiple charge and discharge control switches to form a charge control chain, which is suitable for sequentially controlling the charging of multiple replaceable battery modules when the charge control chain is enabled, where k is an integer greater than or equal to 2. In addition, in such an embodiment, the discharge enable output signal of the (k-1)th charge and discharge control switch among the multiple charge and discharge control switches is coupled to the discharge input enable signal of the kth charge and discharge control switch among the multiple charge and discharge control switches to form a discharge control chain to sequentially control the discharge of multiple replaceable battery modules when the discharge control chain is enabled. Such an embodiment also includes, in part: a DC-DC converter adapted to convert a DC power input into: (i) a panel voltage for powering a DC power panel, and (ii) a battery voltage for charging a battery charging and discharging system; and a voltage detector for detecting the panel voltage, wherein when the voltage detector detects the panel voltage, the panel voltage is detected by the voltage detector. When the attenuated panel voltage reaches the reference voltage, the panel enable signal is effective to enable the panel voltage to be input to the DC power panel, and when the attenuated panel voltage detected by the voltage detector is lower than the reference voltage, the output of the DC-DC regulator is input to the DC power panel, wherein the DC-DC regulator converts the voltage output from the charging and discharging battery system into the panel voltage.

In one embodiment of the DC power supply configuration, a discharge enable signal is asserted to enable the battery charging and discharging system to output power for the DC-DC regulator to pre-generate the panel voltage.

A battery charging device according to one aspect disclosed in the specification is included in a battery pack of an electric vehicle. The battery pack includes, in part: a plurality of battery modules. A first battery module of the plurality of battery modules is controlled by a first control switch, which includes, in part: an enable input signal for enabling the first control switch; an enable output signal for enabling a second control switch for controlling a second battery module of the plurality of battery modules; and a comparator adapted to monitor the energy level of the first battery module.

When the comparator detects that the energy level of the first battery module is lower than the reference voltage, the transmission device controlled by the first control switch is enabled to transmit energy from the DC power source to charge the first battery module. When the comparator detects that the energy level of the first battery module reaches the reference voltage, the transmission device is disabled and the enable output is valid to enable the second control switch. The first control switch and the second control switch form a link to sequentially control the charging of the first battery module and the second battery module. The link is part of a sequential charging control chain, which includes a plurality of control switches associated with sequentially charging a plurality of battery modules.

In one embodiment, the battery charging device is configured to perform parallel charging of battery packs. In one embodiment, the battery charging device is coupled to an energy storage system in a building. In one embodiment, the plurality of battery modules are removable and replaceable with the energy storage system. In one embodiment, a first battery module of the plurality of battery modules is configured to have a circular, square, or rectangular cross-section. In one embodiment, the plurality of battery modules are placed in a plurality of battery slots of the battery charging device. In one embodiment, the plurality of battery modules are butted together in the battery charging device.

[The present invention]

100:Battery charging system

1000:AC power distribution environment

1001:AC power supply

1002: Regenerative DC power supply

101: Key switch

1010:AC power panel

1011:AC main switch

1015: Persistent DC power configuration

1016: DC main switch

1020:DC-DC converter

1025: Long-lasting DC power module

1026: DC power supply

1030: Replaceable battery module charging and discharging system

1040:DC-AC inverter

1041: Switch

105:DC power supply

1050, ..., 1090: AC circuit breaker

1051, ..., 1091: AC power distribution circuit

106: Power connection

107: Ground connection

1100: DC power distribution environment settings

1105: Regenerative DC power supply

1106: DC input switch

111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119: Control switch

1110:DC-DC converter

1115: Voltage detector

1120: DC switch panel

1121: Panel switch

1130: Replaceable battery module charging and discharging system

1140:DC-DC converter

1141: Switch

1150, ..., 1190: DC circuit breaker

1151, ..., 1191: DC power distribution circuit

121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129: Battery tank

130: Charging control chain

200: Replaceable battery charging system

201, 202: Key switch

205:DC power supply

211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219: Control switch

221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229: Battery tank

230: Charging control chain

253: Ground contact

254: Power contact

300: Replaceable battery charging system

301: Key switch

305:DC power supply

306, 307: AND gate

311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319: Control switch

321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329: Battery tank

330: Charging control chain

331, 332, 333: Control segment

400:Battery charging system

401, 402: key switch

405:DC power supply

406: Charging control chain

410, 420, 430: control switch

411, 421, 431: OR gate

412, 413: Comparator

414:NAND gate

417, 418, 427: AND gate

419: Transmission device

425, 445: Inverter

450, 460, 470: Battery tank

451: Direct contact limit switch

452, 462, 472: Battery module

500:Battery charging system

501:Key switch

510, 520, 530: control switch

539:AND gate

545: Control three stages

550, 560, 570: Battery tank

551, 561, 571: Direct contact limit switch

552, 562, 572: Battery module

605:DC power supply

610: Control switch

612: Comparator

620: Detector

624:Default value

625:Decrement counter

626:Timer

629:SRFF

630:AND gate

650:Battery tank

651: Direct contact limit switch

652:Battery module

660: Control switch

662: Voltage comparator

666: Abnormality Detector

670: Detector

672:Timer

673:Default value

674: Comparator

675: Increment counter

679:SRFF

680:Battery slot

681: Direct contact limit switch

682:Battery module

701:AC power supply

702: Regenerative DC power supply

710: Persistent DC power configuration

720:DC-DC converter

730: Long-lasting DC power module

731:DC power supply

740:Battery charging system

800: Replaceable battery charging and discharging system

801, 802, 803, 804: key switches

810: Charging control chain

811, 812, 813, 814, 815, 816, 817, 818: control switch

820:Discharge control chain

821, 822, 823, 824, 825, 826, 827, 828: battery tank

830, 832, 834, 836: paragraphs

831, 833, 835: AND gate

900:System

901: Charging control chain

902:Discharge control chain

905:DC power supply

909: Comparator

910, 970: Control switch

910A: Control section

910B: Transmission part

912: Comparator

914, 916, 917, 924, 926, 927:AND

915: Charging multiplexer

918: Transmission device

919, 939, 979: Battery module

920, 940, 980: Battery tank

922: Comparator

923: Direct contact limit switch

925: discharge multiplexer

928: Switch

930: Control switch

930A: Control section

930B: Transmission part

[FIG. 1] is an exemplary configuration of a replaceable battery module charging system with a sequential charging control chain according to an embodiment disclosed in this specification; [FIG. 2] is an exemplary configuration of a replaceable battery module charging system with a sequential charging control chain and a direct parallel charging function according to an embodiment disclosed in this specification; [FIG. 3] is an exemplary configuration of a replaceable battery module charging system with a "sequential parallel" charging control chain according to an embodiment disclosed in this specification; [FIG. 4] is an exemplary configuration of a replaceable battery module charging system with a "sequential parallel" charging control chain according to an embodiment disclosed in this specification. [0013] An exemplary replaceable battery module charging system according to an embodiment disclosed in the specification, wherein control switches are linked in a sequential charging control chain with direct parallel charging control; [FIG. 5] shows a set of control switches in a triple configuration according to an embodiment disclosed in the specification to charge three replaceable battery modules in parallel in a sequential parallel charging control chain; [FIG. 6A] shows an exemplary circuit for detecting a defective battery module in a sequential charging control chain according to an embodiment disclosed in the specification; [FIG. 6B] shows another implementation of a defective battery module detection circuit for a sequential charging control chain according to an embodiment disclosed in this specification; [FIG. 7] is an exemplary replaceable battery module charging system powered by a continuous DC power source according to an embodiment disclosed in this specification; [FIG. 8] is an exemplary replaceable battery module charging and discharging system combining sequential and parallel functions and with charging and discharging control according to an embodiment disclosed in this specification; [FIG. 9] is an exemplary replaceable battery module charging and discharging system according to an embodiment disclosed in this specification An exemplary implementation of a set of charging and discharging control switches in a sequential control chain with parallel charging function and parallel discharging function for a replaceable battery module according to an embodiment disclosed in this specification; [Figure 10] shows an exemplary replaceable battery charging and discharging system in an AC power distribution environment according to an embodiment disclosed in this specification; [Figure 11] shows an exemplary replaceable battery charging and discharging system in a DC power distribution environment according to an embodiment disclosed in this specification.

Regarding the technical means of our inventors, several preferred embodiments are described in detail below with accompanying drawings, so that you can have a deeper understanding and recognize the present invention.

If the battery pack in an EV can be replaced with a set of smaller, removable, replaceable battery modules so that any exhausted battery module can be easily swapped and replaced with a fully charged battery module, this can alleviate the battery energy anxiety encountered with EVs and can promote the acceptance of EVs by potential EV buyers with the option of obtaining a minimal set of replaceable battery modules to meet their usage needs to reduce ownership costs. In situations where more battery modules are required for long-distance driving, leasing battery modules for use in EVs may be a viable option. The replacement cost of a defective battery module is cheaper than the replacement cost of the entire battery pack. Adopting a set of replaceable battery modules in an EV has advantages over large battery packs. Replaceable batteries as a service (BaaS) could become a popular business to alleviate future range concerns.

In one embodiment, the replaceable battery charging system is composed of a set of charging control switches linked in a sequential charging control chain, and also includes a set of battery slots or receiving parts to receive and hold a set of replaceable battery modules set in the slots, and to charge the set of battery modules in a predetermined sequence under the control of the sequential control chain. When the energy of the battery module is full, the system can automatically disconnect the continuous charging of the battery module by the external power source to prevent overcharging. A status indicator can be associated with each slot to indicate the energy status of each replaceable battery module in the slot.

Charging the replaceable batteries sequentially can minimize the power requirements for the charging system. For such a charging system, the public 240V AC power source may be sufficient for the replaceable battery charging system without the need for a high power charger, such as a three-stage battery charger.

Advances in battery technology may allow more energy to be stored in battery modules. If it is assumed that a replaceable battery module can achieve an energy storage capacity of 5KWh, then a 50KWh battery EV may include ten such battery modules. For a battery charging system connected to a 240V, 200A AC power panel, it can be configured to include five 240V x 40A (9.6KW) power chargers, each of which can charge approximately two 5KWh battery modules per hour, or approximately 45 such replaceable battery modules per day, which is enough to power more than four 50KWh battery capacity EVs. Alternatively, a 200A power panel can power more than 20 EVs per day. The average energy efficiency of a Tesla Model 3 is about 4 miles per KWh. A 50 KWh battery capacity EV is enough to travel about 200 miles. When driving an EV on the road, only some of the depleted battery modules can be replaced with fully charged ones enough to reach the destination, and then at the destination, the entire set of battery modules will be fully charged.

Faster charging can be achieved by increasing the system's charging current, but this may reduce the life of the battery modules. The size of the battery charging system is scalable, determined by the usage needs of the replaceable batteries, and can be more affordable for small businesses and can be self-service to reduce operating costs. For BaaS, when more power is available, more charging systems can be installed to charge more exhausted battery modules in parallel. When external power sources (such as regenerative power) increase, parallel charging can smooth the external power supply to charge more battery modules in parallel at a more even rate.

This specification describes two techniques for parallel charging. According to the first technique, parallel charging can be applied to a portion of the battery modules in the system, also referred to as partial parallel charging in this specification. According to the second technique, all battery modules in the system can be charged in parallel, also referred to as direct parallel charging in this specification. Charging control depends on how the external parallel control signal is connected to the control switch that enables the input signal to the system.

For partial parallel charging, multiple control switches in the system's charging control chain can be grouped into segments to control the charging of multiple associated replaceable battery modules in the same segment, such as grouping two control switches into a binary segment, or grouping three control switches into a ternary segment, or grouping four control switches into a quaternary segment, and so on. The control switches in the entire control chain can be divided into multiple segments, where the segments are sequentially linked to form a control chain. The battery modules arranged in each segment are charged in parallel. When, for example, all battery modules in the first segment are fully charged, the segment enable signal is enabled to enable parallel charging of all battery modules controlled by the control switches grouped in the second and last segments. Charging will proceed in sequence, segment by segment, until all battery modules controlled by the entire control chain have been fully charged; this is "sequential parallel charging". Sequential parallel charging enables more battery modules in the system to be charged simultaneously at a slower charging rate if the same external DC power source is used.

According to the embodiments disclosed in this specification, the battery charging system can be installed at home. If a family has multiple EVs, using such a battery module charging system, enough battery modules can be fully charged in a day to meet the needs of all EVs, rather than requiring multiple chargers at home to charge all battery packs in the EV. If only a secondary charger is available, the battery charging system does not need to monitor the charging status of the battery pack in each EV.

Fewer battery modules may be sufficient for short-distance commuters, depending on daily driving distances. Installing a smaller number of battery modules in an electric vehicle can minimize energy waste compared to a similar EV carrying a large battery pack. In addition, if only a few battery modules are exhausted, fewer exhausted battery modules may need to be replaced, eliminating the need to frequently charge an entire battery pack that is only partially exhausted to avoid degradation of the battery pack life due to frequent charging. There are many advantages to using a bank of smaller, replaceable battery modules in an EV compared to a single large battery pack.

As renewable energy sources become more popular, a set of batteries can be installed at home to store energy in preparation for power outages or to find energy in a DC-centric environment. This home battery is usually different from the battery used in electric vehicles. It would be advantageous and cost-effective to eliminate the incompatibility between home batteries and EV batteries so that the same battery can be used for home and EV.

In the battery charging system, the discharge function may be incorporated into the control switch to achieve sequential charging and sequential discharging of replaceable battery modules in the system, wherein the sequential discharge function provides the required power during the power outage. Thus, the system will become a sequential charging and discharging system for replaceable battery modules.

Aspects disclosed herein relate to controlling the charging and discharging of multiple replaceable battery modules without the use of a microcontroller or computer. Embodiments disclosed herein minimize the complexity of configuring a battery charging system at a more affordable cost.

FIG1 shows a replaceable battery charging system 100 with a sequential charging control chain according to an exemplary embodiment disclosed in this specification. The system is shown as partially including a plurality of battery slots 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, wherein each battery slot 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129 is adapted to receive and hold a replaceable battery module. The control switches 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119 are used to control the charging of the associated battery modules disposed in the associated slots, wherein each of the control switches 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119 is associated with and coupled to a different one of the battery slots 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129. The DC power source 105 supplies power to the battery charging system 100. Control switches 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119 are sequentially connected to form a sequential charging control chain 130, which is enabled by the key switch 101. When the signal EN1 is effective to close the normally open key switch 101, the sequential charging enable signal SCEN is effective to enable the charging control chain 130. When the signal EN1 is invalid, the key switch is opened, causing the pull-down resistor R1 to take non-SCEN, thereby disabling the sequential charging control chain 130.

The chaining sequence of the control switches 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119 in the charging control chain 130 determines the charging priority for the battery modules. In the charging control chain 130, the battery module controlled by the previous control switch has a higher charging priority than the battery module controlled by the next control switch. When the battery module controlled by the previous control switch of higher priority is fully charged, the charging control will be transferred to charge the battery module controlled by the next control switch of lower priority in the order determined by the chaining sequence of the control switches in the control chain until all battery modules in the system are fully charged.

However, when a fully charged battery module in a slot controlled by a higher priority switch is removed and a depleted battery module is placed in the slot, the charging control order will be changed to charge the depleted battery module in the higher priority slot. All other fully charged battery modules in lower priority slots remain available for battery replacement.

The battery slot in the battery system includes a contact switch to detect the presence of a replaceable battery module. The battery slot also includes a power contact and a ground contact for charging the battery module. Placing the replaceable battery module in the battery slot engages the associated control switch in the control chain. If there is no battery module in the slot, the associated control switch automatically disconnects from the charging control chain. The number of charging slots in the system or the length of the charging control chain is scalable, which can be easily expanded as the need for replacement battery modules increases.

In each battery slot, a power connection 106 (coupled to a DC power source 105) and a ground connection 107 (coupled to system ground) provide power and current return paths for the battery module. A battery status indicator provided and associated with each battery slot is used to provide a readout of the energy status of the battery module in the slot.

2 shows a replaceable battery charging system 200 with parallel charging control functionality according to another exemplary embodiment disclosed in this specification. The replaceable battery charging system 200 is shown as comprising, in part: a plurality of battery slots 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, each battery slot being adapted to receive and hold a replaceable battery module when placed therein. The control switches 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219 are used to control the charging of the associated battery modules disposed in the associated slots, and each of the control switches 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219 is associated with and coupled to a different one of the battery slots 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229. The parallel charging function is controlled by the key switch 202. When the signal EN2 is effective to close the key switch 202, the parallel charging enable signal PCEN is effective, thereby enabling the DC power supply 205 to charge all control switches 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, and 219 in the charging control chain 230 in parallel. The sequential charging enable signal SCEN is used for sequential charging as described above with respect to FIG. 1.

With the same amount of power from the DC power source 205, parallel charging may take longer to charge the battery modules in the replaceable battery charging system 200, but all battery modules will be charged at the same time. Signal PCEN or signal SCEN can be enabled to perform parallel charging or sequential charging, respectively, for the battery modules placed in the replaceable battery charging system 200. However, when both signal PCEN and signal SCEN are effective, parallel charging takes precedence over sequential charging, and sequential charging is disabled. Therefore, the replaceable battery charging system 200 can switch between parallel charging and sequential charging by simply switching the PCEN signal ON or OFF while SCEN is effective. When both key switches 201 and 202 are turned on, the associated pull-down resistors R1 and R2 of key switches 201 and 202 will negate the signals PCEN and SCEN, respectively, to disable charging of the entire replaceable battery charging system 200. When the signal SCEN is valid but the PCEN is negated (i.e., invalid), the charging control chain 230 performs sequential charging on a group of battery modules in the battery slots 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, and 229.

3 shows a replaceable battery charging system 300 according to another exemplary embodiment disclosed herein, which incorporates a sequential parallel charging function in a charging control chain 330. The replaceable battery charging system 300 is shown as including, in part, a plurality of battery slots 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, each battery slot being adapted to receive and securely hold a replaceable battery module when inserted into the battery slot. The control switches 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319 are used to control the charging of the associated battery modules disposed in the associated slots, and each control switch 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319 is associated with and coupled to a different one of the battery slots 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329. The sequential parallel charging control chain 330 divides the control chain into a plurality of segments, wherein each segment includes a set of control switches suitable for controlling the parallel charging of the associated battery modules in the segment. As shown in FIG. 3 , the charging control chain 330 is divided into three exemplary triplets or three control segments 331, 332, 333, each (triplet) including three battery slots or three controller switches. For example, the control segment 331 is shown to include battery slots 321, 322, and 323. The control segments 331, 332, 333 are connected in series to form a sequential chain with a previous segment having a higher priority than a later segment. Accordingly, the control segment 331 has a higher priority than the control segment 332, and the control segment 332 has a higher priority than the control segment 333. Different numbers of control switches can be grouped in the segments. For example, the control segment can include two control switches or four control switches, depending on, for example, the power of the external DC power source 305.

All control switches set in the same control segment receive the same enable input signal from the previous segment or from external control. For example, control switches 311, 312, 313 forming control segment 331 receive the same enable input signal SCEN1 from external key switch 301. When key switch 301 is closed, enable input signal SCEN1 is effective to connect DC power supply 305, thereby charging all replaceable battery modules associated with control segment 331 in battery slots 321, 322 and 323 in parallel, while battery modules in subsequent control segments 332 and 333 are not charged.

When all the battery modules controlled by the control switches 311, 312, 313 in the control segment 331 are fully charged, the enable output signals from the control switches 311, 312 and 313 are ANDed together through the AND gate 306 to generate the segment enable output signal SCEN2, thereby enabling the control switches 314, 315, 316 in the subsequent control segment 332 to charge the battery modules in the battery slots 324, 325, 326 in parallel. Similarly, when all battery modules in battery slots 324, 325, 326 are fully charged, control segment 332 will enable another segment enable output signal SCEN3, which will AND the enable output signals from control switches 314, 315, 316 in control segment 332 through AND gate 307 to enable parallel charging of battery modules in battery slots 327, 328, 329 of control segment 333. This process continues until all battery modules in replaceable battery charging system 300 are fully charged. The sequential parallel charging function is a choice between sequential power supply charging and direct parallel charging, which depends on the available power for battery charging at a controlled battery charging rate.

4 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary battery charging system 400 shown as having three control switches linked in a sequential charging control chain and a direct parallel charging control coupled to each control switch. The direct parallel charging control is optional and can be eliminated from the charging control chain. The battery charging system 400 is shown as partially including similar three control switches 410, 420 and 430, wherein the control switch 410 is shown as partially including a comparator 413 suitable for monitoring the energy level of a battery module 452 disposed in a battery slot 450. The control switch 410 shown also partially includes a 1:2 multiplexer 416. Here, the demultiplexer 416 includes a pair of AND gates 417, 418 at its two outputs and an inverter 425 to activate one of the two outputs when the demultiplexer is enabled.

If (i) the comparator 413 detects that the energy in the battery module 452 is insufficient, and (ii) the enable input signal SCEN applied to the control switch 410 is valid, then, when valid, the output of the AND gate 418 enables the transmission device 419 set in the control switch 410 to transmit energy from the DC power supply 405 to charge the battery module 452. When valid, when the energy in the battery module 452 is detected to be full (or higher than the threshold voltage), or when an abnormality is detected in the control switch 410, the output of the AND gate 417 enables the subsequent control switch 420. The NAND gate 414 generates a selection control signal for the demultiplexer 416. The enable input signal PSCEN is applied to the AND gates 417 and 418 set in the demultiplexer 416. Comparator 412, which monitors the energy level from external DC power source 405, is optional. Inverter 445 inverts the INHIBIT signal shown as being applied to NAND gate 414. Signal INHIBIT provides a means for suspending operation of associated control switches 410 in battery charging system 400 for external events. Although not shown, signals indicating other anomalies (e.g., over-current, over-temperature, or short circuit) may be input to NAND gate 414 to generate a demultiplexer select control signal.

A direct contact limit switch in each slot detects the presence of a battery module. When there is no battery module in the slot, the closure of the normally closed direct contact switch will enable the output to disable the associated control switch to disconnect the control switch from the charging control chain. An open or deactivated control switch will enable the enable output signal to enable the next control switch in the next slot. When a battery module is in the slot, the direct contact switch is turned on. A pull-down resistor connected to the output of the direct contact switch outputs a low signal to negate the INHIBIT input to the associated control switch, which disconnects the control switch from the charging process in the charging control chain. Non-contact proximity sensors (such as capacitive sensors, electrostatic sensors, magnetic sensors, or optical sensors) can also be applied to detect the presence of a battery module in a battery compartment.

4, a direct contact limit switch 451 is used to detect the presence of a battery module 452 in a battery slot 450 of a battery charging system 400. The direct contact limit switch 451 is a normally closed sensor suitable for detecting the presence of a battery module having a first terminal connected to a logical high _VINIBIT and a second terminal connected to a relatively high resistance pull-down R7, which is further connected to the INHIBIT input of the control switch 410. When there is no battery module in the battery slot 450, the normally closed direct contact limit switch 451 applies V _INIBIT to the INHIBIT input of the control switch 410, which inhibits the control switch 410 from performing the charging function in the charging control chain 406; this enables the signal NXEN1 to enable the subsequent control switch 420 in the charging control chain 406 to continue the charging function for the battery module 462 set in the battery slot 460.

When a battery module 452 is present in the slot 450, the direct contact limit switch 451 becomes open. There are power contacts 254 and ground contacts 253 coupled to the battery module 452 in the slot 450. The pull-down resistor R7 at the output of the direct contact limit switch 451 negates the INHIBIT input to the control switch 410 and causes the control switch 410 to engage in the charging operation of the charging control chain 406. The output of the comparator 413 monitors the energy (charge) level of the battery module 452, wherein the comparator 413 compares the input of the voltage divider R5, R6 with the reference charging voltage Vref. The saturated low signal at the output of the comparator 413 (which indicates insufficient energy in the battery module 452) causes the demultiplexer 416 to enable the transmission device 419 to charge the battery module 452 through the power contact 254 until the battery is fully charged or charged to the desired level. Thereafter, the output of the NAND gate 414 changes state to disable the transmission device 419 (which disconnects the DC power supply 405 from charging the battery module 452) and enables the signal NXEN1 to enable the control switch 420 to charge the battery module 462 in the next battery slot 460. This process continues until all battery modules 452, 462, 472 in battery slots 450, 460, and 470 are fully charged or charged to a desired level. Control switches 410, 420, and 430 are linked in a sequential charging control chain 406 to automatically facilitate sequential charging of all battery modules 452, 462, 472 without the need for an external microcontroller to control the sequential enablement of the battery modules. The charging control chain in a replaceable battery system can automatically skip all slots that do not have a battery module in the slot by using direct contact limit switches to detect the presence of a battery module in the system.

By applying a parallel enable signal PCEN to all control switches, an external DC power source 405 can be applied to charge all battery modules 452, 462, and 472 in the battery charging system 400 in parallel. In FIG4, the PCEN signal output from the key switch 402 and the enable input signal to each control switch are respectively ORed at OR gates 411, 421, and 431 to become a new enable input signal to each control switch 410, 420, and 430 in the battery charging system 400, wherein the enable input signal includes SCEN output from the key switch 401, and NXEN1 and NXEN2 output from AND gates 417 and 427.

FIG. 5 shows a set of control switches 510, 520, 530 configured in a control segment 545 for charging three replaceable battery modules 552, 562, 572 in a "sequential parallel" charging control chain in a battery charging system 500. In this example, one control segment 545 is shown. The control segment 545 is enabled by the SCEN signal output of the key switch 501. When the key switch 501 is closed, the control segment 545 is enabled to charge the battery modules 552, 562, 572 disposed in the battery slots 550, 560, 570 in parallel. The direct contact limit switches 551, 561, 571 are configured to detect the presence of replaceable battery modules 552, 562, 572 in the battery slots 550, 560, 570, respectively. When the battery module is fully charged or when the battery module is not in the slot, the signals NXEN1, NXEN2, NXEN3 output from the control switches 510, 520, 530, respectively, will be effective. The signals NXEN1, NXEN2, NXEN3 are ANDed by the AND gate 539 to generate an enable signal for the next triplet (not shown in FIG. 5 ). When all NXEN1, NXEN2, NXEN3 are asserted, indicating (i) battery slots 550, 560, 570 are empty, or (ii) battery modules 552, 562, 572 are fully charged, or (iii) some battery slots are open and some battery modules are fully charged, the output of AND gate 539 will be asserted to enable the next triplet of battery charging system 500 (not shown in FIG. 5 ).

The sequence control chain must be able to detect and skip a defective replaceable battery module placed in a slot that cannot be charged to prevent the defective replaceable battery module from clamping or stopping the sequence control chain. The detection circuit can be embedded in the battery slot as a companion logic to the control switch to detect the defective battery module.

In one embodiment, the detection circuit may include a timer, timer enable control logic, and a set-reset trigger (SRFF), wherein the timer may consist of a decrementing counter, a controllable preset value, and logic to trigger loading the preset value into the counter. The output of the SRFF is connected to the INHIBIT input of an associated control switch. The SRFF is set by the timer upon timeout and reset by removing the battery module from the slot.

FIG6A illustrates an exemplary circuit coupled to a charge control switch suitable for detecting a defective module in a sequential battery charging system. The defective battery module detector 620 includes a preset value 624, a decrementing counter 625, a set-reset trigger (SRFF) 629, and associated control logic. The preset value reflects the maximum time required to fully charge a battery module positioned in a battery slot 650, which is a programmable preload value in the detector 620 determined by the energy capacity of the battery module 652 and the strength of the DC power source 605. The preset value 624 and the decrementing counter 625 together with the clock form a timer 626 in the detector 620.

In normal operation, when the battery module positioned in the battery slot does not have sufficient energy, and when the sequence enable input (SCEN) is asserted to the associated control switch, it triggers the preset value to be loaded into the down counter and enables the counter to count down. However, if the energy in the battery module is fully charged before the down counter reaches zero, the down counting will be disabled. However, if the counter counts down to zero continuously, the SRFF 629 output will be set, indicating that the battery module cannot be fully charged within a specific time interval and the battery module may be defective. The SET output of the SRFF 629 enables the INHIBIT signal to the associated control switch to deactivate it from the charging system. Assertion of the SRFF 629 output indicates that there may be a defective battery module in the charging system.

As shown in FIG. 6A , if the replaceable battery module 652 in the battery slot 650 does not have enough energy, when the enable input signal SCEN to the control switch 610 is valid, without the NXEN signal being valid, it will trigger the preset value 624 to be loaded into the decrement counter 625, and also enable its decrement count in response to each transition of the clock signal CLK. The clock can be generated internally in the defect detection circuit 620. The defect detection circuit 620 can be incorporated into the control switch 610, or implemented as a separate ASIC, or implemented by using discrete devices.

The rise of signal ENA loads the preset value 624 to the decrement counter 625. When the decrement counter 625 counts down to zero, the timeout output sets SRFF 629, which indicates a defective battery module in the battery slot 650. The output Q of SRFF 629 is ORed with the output of the direct contact limit switch 651 as the input signal to INHIBIT of control switch 610, which is suitable for: (i) deactivating control switch 610 from the sequential charging control chain, and (ii) enabling signal NXEN to enable the subsequent control switch to continue the charging operation of the battery system.

If a functioning battery module is in the battery slot, the battery module may be fully charged before the decrement counter reaches zero. When the comparator 612 in the control switch 610 detects that the battery module 652 is fully charged, the comparator asserts the signal NXEN to enable the subsequent control switch in the charging control chain. The assertion of the signal NXEN also disables the signal ENA, thereby stopping the decrement counter 625. When any battery module, including a defective battery module, is removed from the battery slot 650, the direct contact switch 651 becomes closed and its output becomes high to reset the SRFF 629.

The countdown stops when the control switch 610 asserts the signal NXEN, which may occur due to the battery module being fully charged or an abnormal event occurring in the control switch 610. It is useful to identify abnormal events in the control switch. AND gate 630 may monitor abnormal events in the control switch 610 by performing AND operations with (i)-(iv) described below: (i) the inverter output from the direct contact limit switch 651, (ii) the NXEN output from the control switch 610, (iii) the inverter defective battery module indication signal generated by the defective battery detector 620, and (iv) the inverter STATUS output.

In normal operation, when there is a battery module in the battery slot 650, the direct contact limit switch 651 outputs a low signal. When the control switch 610 enables the enable output signal NXEN before the counter 625 times out, it indicates that no defective battery module is detected when the SRFF 629 is not set. After the NXEN signal is enabled but the counter 625 has not timed out, the low level at the STATUS output indicates that the battery module charging process is still in progress and the battery module in the battery slot is operating normally. Therefore, the validation of the output of the AND gate 630 indicates that the control switch 610 may have suffered an abnormality, such as overheating, short circuit, overcurrent, etc.

For example, an optional implementation for detecting a defective battery module in a sequential battery charging system may use an incrementing counter, a preset value, and a comparator. The incrementing counter is cleared or initialized to zero by the assertion of an enable control signal NXEN applied to a subsequent control switch. The incrementing counter is also cleared by a system reset or the absence of a battery module in the associated battery slot. When the enable control signal SCEN to its associated control switch is asserted to charge the battery module, the incrementing counter is enabled to increment, but stops incrementing when the signal NXEN is asserted. For a running battery module, the counter stops incrementing before the preset value is reached. The STATUS output from the control switch reflects the energy status of the associated battery module in the slot. The assertion of the STATUS output from the control switch indicates that the battery module in the slot is fully charged. However, when the incrementing counter matches the preset value (as detected by the amplitude comparator), the amplitude comparator output will set SRFF 629 to assert the INHIBIT signal, thereby deactivating/disabling the sequence of the associated control switch in the control chain. The asserted SRFF 629 output indicates the presence of a defective battery in the battery charging system.

FIG6B is a schematic diagram of an optional defective battery module detection circuit for a sequence control chain according to an embodiment disclosed in this specification. In this embodiment, an incrementing counter is used instead of a decrementing counter. The defective battery module detector 670 includes a timer 672, which includes, in part, an incrementing counter 675, an amplitude comparator 674, enable and clear/reset logic for the incrementing counter 675, an SRFF 679, and a preset value. Similarly, the preset value 673 is programmable and preloaded into a register. It reflects the maximum time required to charge the battery module, whose energy level is monitored by the voltage comparator 662.

When the battery module 682 is placed in the battery slot 680, the direct contact switch 681 transmits a low level output through its associated pull-down resistor R7. The effectiveness of the enable input signal SCEN of the control switch 660, when the NXEN signal has not yet been effective, will cause the control switch 660 to charge the battery module 682 in the battery slot 680 and enable the incrementing counter 675 to increment its count in response to each transition of the clock signal CLK. The value (count) of the incrementing counter 675 is compared with the preset value 673 through the amplitude comparator 674. For normal operation, whenever the battery module in the battery slot 680 is fully charged, the signal NXEN is asserted by the control switch 660 to enable the subsequent control switch and simultaneously clear the increment counter 675 before the counter reaches the preset value. However, when the increment counter 675 continues to count up and reaches the preset value, the timeout signal will be asserted by the amplitude comparator 674 to set the SRFF 679, which can be observed externally through the defective battery indication output. The asserted Q output of the SRFF 679 indicates the presence of a defective battery module in the battery slot 680 that cannot be fully charged in time.

The increment counter 675 can be cleared by a system reset, the assertion of the NXEN signal, or the removal of the battery module 682 from the battery slot 680, which causes the output of the direct contact limit switch 681 to assert high. The SRFF 679 is reset simply by removing the defective battery module from the battery slot 680. The resetting of the SRFF 679 also clears the defective battery indication output. In an optional embodiment, any abnormality detected by the abnormality detector 666 in the control switch 660 can be directly observed at a dedicated output pin. Alternatively, a similar abnormality detection circuit as shown in FIG. 6A can be used.

7 is a schematic diagram of a replaceable battery charging system 740 according to one embodiment disclosed in the present specification. The replaceable battery charging system 740 is shown as being connected to a persistent DC power configuration 710, which receives power (i) from a regenerative DC power source 702 or (ii) from an AC power source 701. In the persistent DC power configuration 710, the input from the regenerative DC power source 702 is regulated by a DC-DC converter 720 to generate a regulated voltage applied to a persistent DC power module 730, which in turn generates DC power that is delivered to a DC power source 731 for use by the battery charging system 740. When the internal voltage comparator in the persistent DC power module 730 detects that the regulated voltage from the DC-DC converter 720 is lower than the threshold, the persistent DC power module 730 will enable the AC power supply 701 to supply power to the persistent DC power module 730. The AC-DC converter provided in the persistent DC power module 730 converts the AC voltage into a DC voltage whose level matches the regulated voltage. The converted DC voltage is supplied to the DC power supply 731, which is used as a DC power supply to the battery charging system 740. However, if the regulated voltage increases and recovers, the persistent DC power module 730 disconnects the AC power received by the AC-DC converter and switches to the regulated voltage to provide DC power to the DC power source. Thus, the power system optimizes the use of available power for the battery charging system 740.

FIG8 is a schematic diagram of a replaceable battery charging and discharging system 800 suitable for providing sequential and parallel control for charging and discharging systems according to one embodiment disclosed in the present specification. In this example, eight charging and discharging control switches 811, 812, 813, 814, 815, 816, 817, and 818 are shown, which are associated with battery slots 821, 822, 823, 824, 825, 826, 827, and 828, respectively. It should be understood that other embodiments may have more or fewer charging/discharging control switches and battery slots. The charging functions of the control switches 811, 812, 813, 814, 815, 816, 817, 818 are linked to form a pair of segmented sequential charging control chains 810. The sequential charge control chain 810 is enabled by the key switch 801 when the signal EN1 key is valid, and is disabled by the pull-down resistor R1 when the signal EN1 key is invalid. The discharge functions of the control switches 811, 812, 813, 814, 815, 816, 817, 818 are linked to form the sequential discharge control chain 820. The sequential discharge control chain 820 is enabled by the key switch 804 when the signal EN4 key is valid, and is disabled by the pull-down resistor R4 when the signal EN4 key is invalid.

In this example, the sequential charging control chain 810 is divided into four charging segments 830, 832, 834, 836. Each charging segment consists of a pair of control switches. The four charging segments are enabled by four enable signals SCEN1, SCEN2, SCEN3 and SCEN4, respectively, and are ANDed with the NXEN1 and NXEN2, NXEN3 and NXEN4, NXEN5 and NXEN6 outputs of the control switches in the segments 830, 832 or 834, respectively. These four enable signals partially respond to the output of the key switch 801 and the outputs of the AND gates 831, 833 and 835. When a charging segment is enabled, all control switches in the segment will be enabled to charge all battery modules in the associated battery slots in parallel. Different numbers of control switches can be grouped into segments by ANDing all enable outputs NXENx from all control switches in the same segment to generate a segment enable output signal for the following segment.

By applying the same parallel charge enable signal PCEN enabled by key switch 802 to all control switches in the replaceable battery charging and discharging system 800, the system of the parallel sequential battery charging control chain can be converted to a fully parallel charging system. Similarly, by applying the parallel discharge enable signal PDEN enabled by key switch 803 to all control switches in the replaceable battery charging and discharging system 800, a parallel discharge system can be implemented.

In addition to detecting empty and defective battery module slots, the sequential charge control chain can automatically skip all slots whose associated battery modules are charged to above the charging reference voltage to search for any exhausted battery modules in the control chain for charging. The sequential charge control chain does not require a computer or controller to control the charging process of the battery system. Status indicators can be placed near each battery slot to indicate the energy status of the associated battery module.

Similarly, the sequential discharge control chain can automatically skip all slots whose associated battery modules have a charge below the discharge reference voltage to search for a battery module whose energy is higher than the discharge reference voltage for discharge use. For the charging segment, all battery modules associated with the control switches in the same charging segment are charged above the charging reference voltage before moving to the next segment. For the discharge segment, the control switches in the same segment can be configured to increase the output voltage or increase the output current, and have different configurations for consistent output voltage or consistent output current.

In FIG8 , the discharge control chain 820 is not segmented. If desired, the discharge control chain can be segmented differently than the charge control chain. For example, when the discharge control chain is segmented, and groups of control switches in the same segment are enabled to discharge in parallel, the output current can increase in proportion to the number of control switches in the segment.

FIG. 9 shows in more detail three charge and discharge control switches 910, 930, and 970 linked in an exemplary sequential control chain, which have parallel charging functions and parallel discharge functions for associated battery modules 919, 939, and 979 disposed in battery slots 920, 940, and 980, respectively. However, more control switches may be used. Each control switch 910, 930, 970 includes a control portion and a transmission portion. Control switch 910 is shown as including control portion 910A and transmission portion 910B. Similarly, control switch 930 is shown as including control portion 930A and transmission portion 930B, and so on.

The control switch 910 is shown as partially including a control portion 910A, which includes a charge demultiplexer 915 and various control logics for charge demultiplexer control, wherein the control logic includes, for example, a charge enable input logic for generating a signal CEN1 and a charge demultiplexer selection control logic of an AND gate 914. The control portion 910A also partially includes a discharge demultiplexer 925 and various control logics for discharge demultiplexer control, such as a discharge enable input logic generating a signal DEN1 and a discharge demultiplexer selection control logic of an AND gate 924.

Each charging demultiplexer in the control switch has a charging enable input signal. In the example of FIG. 9 , signal CEN1 is an input enable signal for charging demultiplexer 915, which is generated by ORing the sequential input enable signal SCEN1 input to control switch 910 with the parallel charging input enable signal PCEN. Charging demultiplexer 915 generates two output signals, one of which is a charging enable output signal (e.g., NXCEN1) to be linked with the sequential charging enable input signal SCEN3 to the charging demultiplexer in the control portion 930A of the subsequent control switch 930, which in turn is linked in sequence to the charging demultiplexer in the control portion of the subsequent control switch 970 to form a charging control chain 901.

Each discharge demultiplexer in the control switch has a discharge enable input signal, such as DEN1 in the control switch 910, which is generated by ORing the sequential discharge enable output signal SDEN1 with the parallel discharge enable input signal PDEN. The discharge demultiplexer also generates a discharge enable output signal (such as NXDEN1 from the control switch 910) to be linked with the sequential discharge enable input signal SDEN3 to the discharge demultiplexer in the control part 930A of the subsequent control switch 930, which is then linked in turn to the discharge demultiplexer in the control part of the subsequent control switch 970 to form the discharge control chain 902.

In addition, taking the control switch 910 as an example, when the charging enable input signal CEN1 to the charging demultiplexer 915 is valid, one of its outputs at the AND gate 917 coupled to the transmission device 918 is valid to transmit the DC power supply 905 to charge the battery module 919 in the battery tank 920 when the energy in the battery module 919 detected by the charging comparator 912 is saturated to a logical low level. That is, when the attenuated voltage VBATT derived from the voltage divider R1, R2 coupled to the output of the battery module 919 detected by the comparator 912 is lower than the charging threshold voltage Vrefc, the charging of the battery module 919 will occur. When the energy in the battery module 919 becomes fully charged, that is, when the attenuated voltage VBATT derived from the output of the battery module 919 detected by the comparator 912 reaches the charging reference voltage Vrefc, another output at the AND gate 916 generates an enable output signal NXCEN1 as an input to the charging multiplexer in the control part 930A of the subsequent control switch 930.

Similarly, the discharge comparator 922 compares the decay voltage VBATT to the discharge reference voltage Vrefd. When the VBATT input to the comparator 922 drops below Vrefd, the battery module will stop discharging its energy. When the input to the comparator 912 reaches Vrefc, the external DC power supply 905 will stop charging the battery module 919. The voltage Vrefc is higher than the voltage Vrefd.

When the discharge enable input signal DEN1 is enabled, and if the discharge comparator 922 output is saturated to a logical high level, indicating that the battery module 919 has sufficient energy for output, the DISCHARGE1 control signal is asserted by the discharge demultiplexer 925 at one of the outputs of its AND gate 927 to close, for example, a normally open single-pole single-throw (SPST) switch 928 (shown as coupled to the output of the battery module 919). However, if the discharge comparator 922 is saturated to a logical low level, indicating that the energy in the battery module 919 is exhausted or does not have sufficient charge, the other output at the AND gate 926 is asserted to enable the discharge demultiplexer in the control portion 930A of the subsequent control switch 930.

Each battery slot in the battery charging and discharging system 900 includes a presence detection switch (e.g., a normally closed direct contact limit switch 923 in the battery slot 920 coupled to the control switch 910) to detect the presence of a battery module in the slot. For example, if there is no battery module in the battery slot 920, the direct contact limit switch 923 will be output high to disable the control switch 910, wherein the charging control and discharging control at the control switch 910 will be switched to the charging multiplexer and discharging multiplexer in the subsequent control switch 930. Similarly, any abnormality occurring in the control switch will also cause the charging control and discharging control in the control switch to switch to the subsequent control switch.

When the battery module is properly positioned in the battery slot, the pull-down resistor (e.g., R7 coupled to the direct contact limit switch 923) will take the INHIBIT input of the unassociated control switch, which is used to enable normal operation of the control switch.

The validation of the parallel charge enable input signal PCEN or the validation of the sequential charge enable input signal SCENx enables the charge multiplexer in the control switch to continue the charge function. The parallel charge enable input signal inhibits the sequential charge operation between the control switches connected to the parallel charge enable input signal. Similarly, the validation of the parallel discharge enable input signal PDEN or the validation of the sequential discharge enable input signal SDENx enables the discharge multiplexer in the control switch to continue the discharge function. Similarly, the parallel discharge enable input signal inhibits the sequential discharge operation between the control switches connected to the parallel discharge enable input. The sequential charging control chain 901 controls the sequential charging of all battery modules in the system 900, and the sequential discharging control chain 902 controls the sequential discharging of the same battery module group in the system 900. The parallel discharging will increase the output current from the battery system accordingly.

Both the charge and discharge control chains operate independently. However, if sufficient energy is detected in the DC power source 905 by the comparator 909, and if the transmission device is enabled to charge the battery module, the simultaneous assertion of the enable input signals to both the charge demultiplexer and the discharge demultiplexer will cause the DC power source 905 to output directly to VOUT. A DC-DC converter can be coupled to the VOUT of the battery module to ensure a consistent DC voltage output.

The control portion and the transmission portion of the control switch can be integrated in a single chip to minimize the device count. Optionally, the transmission device in the transmission portion of the charge and discharge control switches can be separated from its control portion, so that the appropriate transmission device can be selected to meet different power requirements. The control switch can also be implemented using discrete devices. The output of the charge comparator (e.g., 912) is connected to the STATUS output of the control switch in the control switch to indicate whether the battery module 919 is fully charged.

10 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary replaceable battery module charging and discharging system 1030 according to one embodiment disclosed herein. The replaceable battery module charging and discharging system 1030 is partially shown coupled to an AC power distribution environment 1000. The replaceable battery module charging and discharging system 1030 is shown coupled to a persistent DC power configuration 1015, which includes a DC main switch 1016 to enable a regenerative DC power source 1002 (e.g., a solar panel) as an input to a DC-DC converter 1020 before being input to a persistent DC power module 1025. When the regenerative DC power source becomes unavailable, the persistent DC power configuration 1015 is switched to power from the AC power source 1001. The permanent DC power module 1025 outputs DC power 1026 to the replaceable battery module charging and discharging system 1030. The battery module in the slot of the replaceable battery module charging and discharging system 1030 is removable to be replaced with a battery module in the EV after charging.

The AC power source 1001 supplies power to the AC power panel 1010 through the AC main switch 1011, wherein a plurality of AC circuit breakers 1050, ..., 1090 are respectively coupled to a plurality of AC power distribution circuits 1051, ..., 1091. In the event of an AC power outage, energy stored in the battery module of the replaceable battery module charging and discharging system 1030 can be supplied to the AC power panel 1010 for use. A DC-AC inverter 1040 having an input connected to a discharge DC output from the replaceable battery module charging and discharging system 1030 can convert the stored DC power into AC power when the normally open AC switch 1041 is closed to provide the converted AC to the two live wires of the AC power. For large battery charging and discharging systems, the stored energy can be fed back to the AC grid. The persistent DC power module 1025 that receives and monitors the AC power source 1001 asserts the DC enable output signal DENA to enable the output of the DC-AC inverter 1040 when the AC power source 1001 becomes unavailable.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary replaceable battery module charging and discharging system 1130 in a DC power distribution environment 1100. The regenerative DC power source 1105, which is gated by a DC input switch 1106 controlled by DCEN, is input to a DC-DC converter 1110 to generate two converted outputs, one of which is a panel voltage PV for use by a DC power switch panel 1120. The other output is a battery voltage BV for charging the battery module in the replaceable battery module charging and discharging system 1130, as described above. When the energy from the regenerative DC power source 1105 is sufficient, the BV energy charges the replaceable battery module in the battery tank.

The voltage detector 1115 detects the converted voltage PV to generate two control signals. One control signal is the DC panel enable signal DCPENA, which is effective when the converted voltage PV is high enough. The effectiveness of the signal DCPENA closes the panel switch 1121 to supply PV to the DC circuit breakers 1150, ..., 1190 set in the DC switch panel 1120 to supply power to the DC power distribution circuits 1151, ..., 1191 respectively, while the normally open switch 1141 at the output of the DC-DC converter 1140 coupled to the replaceable battery module charging and discharging system 1130 remains open.

Another control signal generated by the voltage detector 1115 is the discharge enable signal DENA. When the converted voltage PV drops below the threshold level, the low level of the DCPENA control signal causes the panel switch 1121 to open and the switch 1141 to close, thereby enabling the voltage PV generated by the DC-DC converter 1140 to power the DC switch panel 1120. When the discharge enable signal DENA is effective, it can enable the replaceable battery module charging and discharging system 1130 and the DC-DC converter 1140.

The voltage used in the EV battery and the pressure used in the DC power distribution circuit can be different. Therefore, the DC-DC converter 1110 can generate two converted outputs at different voltages to meet this need.

The battery charge and discharge system is a hardware based system with minimal software/firmware requirements for the charge and discharge control of the system. The hardware approach of controlling the charge and discharge of multiple replaceable battery modules without the use of a microcontroller or computer minimizes the complexity of configuring the battery charge and discharge system and potentially at a lower cost to make it more attractive for general use.

The system is scalable. Its configuration can be expanded by adding more battery slots and sequentially linking the control switches associated with each slot. Its configuration can be reduced by simply removing one or more battery slots from the system. Changes in the configuration and size of the system can be easily achieved without system software reconfiguration or restart, thereby avoiding complexity and malware attacks. The geometry of the replaceable battery modules and the power distribution battery slots can be configured to have circular, rectangular, square or other cross-sections that meet space constraints, space utilization, maintain stability and accessibility in the battery system. The system can be configured to adapt to space limitations. The replaceable battery modules can be positioned in the battery slots, or abutted together in the system. Users can choose a charging-only solution or a charging and discharging solution based on their needs.

A status indicator (such as an external LED or display panel) can be coupled to the STATUS output of the control switch to indicate the energy status of the battery module in the battery slot. When there is no battery module in the slot, the pull-down resistor of the voltage divider circuit coupled to the power contact of the battery slot applies zero voltage to the comparator input, thereby disabling the status indicator.

A battery charging and discharging system according to an embodiment disclosed in this specification has many advantages. For example, when such a system is installed in a home or apartment building, multiple EVs can share the same battery charging system without the need to install multiple chargers. The battery system can also deliver battery energy for use in the event of a power outage, wherein the battery module is compatible for both home and EV use.

When the replaceable battery module is used by, for example, an EV and is controlled by a sequential charging control chain with a parallel charging function, as described above, then the group of battery modules can be charged not only in parallel by a fast charger (e.g., a three-stage charger), but can also be charged sequentially by a charger with a smaller power (e.g., an on-site renewable energy source or a charger at home) to simply charge the battery module that has run out of energy without recharging the fully charged battery module. If necessary, the replaceable battery module can be replaced at a battery station when its energy is exhausted. If, for example, the replaceable battery modules in an EV are also controlled by a sequential charging control chain for battery charging, the exhausted battery module can be directly charged by a charger connected to the sequential control chain without the need to remove the exhausted battery module from the EV to replace it with a fully charged battery module from the battery charging system.

In summary, the technical means disclosed in this invention can effectively solve the problems of knowledge and achieve the expected purpose and effect. It has not been seen in publications before the application, has not been publicly used, and has long-term progress. It is indeed an invention as defined in the Patent Law. Therefore, I have filed an application in accordance with the law and sincerely pray that the Supreme Court will give a detailed review and grant the invention patent. I will be very grateful.

However, the above are only several preferred embodiments of the present invention, and should not be used to limit the scope of implementation of the present invention. In other words, all equivalent changes and modifications made according to the scope of the patent application of the present invention and the content of the invention specification should still fall within the scope of the present invention patent.

100: Battery charging system 101: Key switch 105: DC power supply 106: Power connection 107: Ground connection 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119: Control switch 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129: Battery slot 130: Charging control chain

Claims (50)

A system configured to charge multiple battery modules in multiple battery slots, wherein a first battery slot of the multiple battery slots comprises: a receiving portion, the receiving portion being adapted to receive and hold a battery module; a detector, the detector being adapted to detect the presence of the battery module at an associated receiving portion; and a charging control unit, the charging control unit comprising: a charging comparator, the charging comparator being adapted to monitor an energy level of the associated battery module; a charging input enable signal, the charging input enable signal being used to enable a charging demultiplexer provided in the charging control unit; and a charging enable output signal, the charging enable output signal being generated by the charging demultiplexer, wherein the charging demultiplexer is adapted to: When the energy level detected by the charging comparator is lower than the charging reference voltage, the transmission device provided in the system is activated to transmit energy from the DC power source to charge the battery module, and When the energy level detected by the charging comparator reaches the charging reference voltage, the charging enable output signal is enabled to activate the charging control unit at the next battery slot. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the charging reference voltage is an attenuated voltage derived from the output of the battery module. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the charging control unit and the transmission device form a charging control switch. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the charge enable output signal of the (k-1)th charge control unit associated with the (k-1)th battery slot among the multiple battery slots and the charge input enable signal of the kth charge control unit associated with the kth battery slot among the multiple battery slots are linked to form a sequential charge control chain in the system, wherein k is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and wherein, in the sequential charge control chain, the (k-1)th charge control unit has a higher priority for performing charging than the kth charge control unit. A system as described in claim 4, wherein the sequential charging control chain sequentially controls the charging of the multiple battery modules according to the link sequence of the charging control units forming the charging control chain associated with the multiple battery slots. A system as described in claim 5, wherein, when the sequential charging control chain is enabled, the sequential charging control chain automatically performs charging of the multiple battery modules having energy levels lower than the charging reference voltage. A system as described in claim 5, wherein the system is adapted to automatically reconfigure the charging control chain when rearranging the plurality of battery slots in the system, wherein rearranging the plurality of battery slots in the system includes one or more of the following: Reordering the chaining sequence of the plurality of battery slots; Increasing the number of the plurality of battery slots; and Reducing the number of the plurality of battery slots. A system as described in claim 1, wherein a parallel charging enable signal is ORed with the charging input enable signal to generate a combined signal suitable for enabling the charging multiplexer in the charging control unit. A system as described in claim 8, wherein the parallel charging enable signal is suitable for enabling one or more charging control units associated with the multiple battery slots to parallel charge battery modules arranged in one or more battery slots, wherein the DC power source is distributed to one or more charging control units. A system as described in claim 7, wherein the charging control chain is divided into one or more charging segments, wherein a segment charging input enable signal is applied in parallel to the charging input enable terminals of multiple charging control units in the charging segment; and a segment charging enable output signal is generated by performing an AND operation on multiple charging enable output signals of multiple charging control units in the charging segment to enable the next charging segment in the charging control chain of the system. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the battery cell further comprises a discharge control unit, the discharge control unit comprising: a discharge comparator, the discharge comparator being used to monitor the energy level of the battery module; a discharge input enable signal, the discharge input enable signal being suitable for enabling a discharge multiplexer disposed in the discharge control unit; and a discharge enable output signal, the discharge enable output signal being generated by the discharge multiplexer, wherein when the discharge input enable signal is effective, the discharge multiplexer is suitable for: activating the closure of a normally open switch coupled to the output of the battery module to deliver energy for external use when the discharge comparator detects that the energy level in the battery module reaches a discharge reference voltage; and When the discharge comparator detects that the energy level in the battery module is lower than the discharge reference voltage, the discharge enable output signal is enabled to activate the discharge control of the next battery cell. The system of claim 11, wherein the discharge reference voltage is an attenuated voltage derived from an output of the battery module. A system as described in claim 11, wherein the charging reference voltage is higher than the discharging reference voltage. A system as described in claim 11, wherein the discharge control and the transmission device form a discharge control switch. A system as described in claim 11, wherein the charge control unit, the discharge control unit and the transmission device form a charge and discharge control switch. A system as described in claim 11, wherein the discharge enable output signal of the (k-1)th discharge control unit associated with the (k-1)th battery cell among the multiple battery cells and the discharge input enable signal of the kth discharge control unit associated with the kth battery cell among the multiple battery cells are linked to form a sequential discharge control chain in the system, wherein k is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and wherein, in the sequential discharge control chain, the discharge of a battery module designated as a higher priority by a preceding discharge control unit has a higher priority than the discharge of a battery module designated as a lower priority by a succeeding discharge control unit. A system as described in claim 16, wherein the sequential discharge control chain sequentially controls the discharge of the plurality of battery modules according to the chaining sequence of the discharge control units forming the discharge control chain associated with the plurality of battery cells. A system as described in claim 17, wherein when the discharge control chain is enabled, the sequential discharge control chain automatically performs the discharge of the multiple battery modules having energy levels higher than the discharge reference voltage. A system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the system is adapted to automatically reconfigure the discharge control chain when rearranging the plurality of battery slots in the system, wherein rearranging the plurality of battery slots in the system comprises one or more of the following: reordering the link sequence of the plurality of battery slots; increasing the number of the plurality of battery slots; and decreasing the number of the plurality of battery slots. A system as described in claim 11, wherein a parallel discharge enable signal is ORed with the discharge input enable signal to generate a combined signal suitable for enabling the discharge demultiplexer in the discharge control unit. A system as described in claim 20, wherein the effectiveness of the parallel discharge enable signal enables one or more discharge control units associated with the multiple battery slots to discharge in parallel from battery modules disposed in one or more battery slots, wherein discharging more than one battery module in parallel increases the output energy of the system. A system as described in claim 19, wherein the discharge control chain is divided into one or more discharge segments, wherein a segment discharge input enable signal is applied in parallel to the discharge input enable terminals of multiple discharge control units in the discharge segment; and a segment discharge enable output signal is generated by performing an AND operation on multiple discharge enable output signals of multiple discharge control units in the discharge segment to enable the next discharge segment in the discharge control chain of the system. A circuit suitable for detecting whether a battery module placed in a battery slot controlled by a charging control switch of a sequential charging control chain has a defect, the circuit comprising: a decrement counter; and a set/reset trigger (SRFF), wherein, when the battery module is placed in the battery slot, the output of a direct contact switch coupled to the battery slot is negated; and When the charging input enable signal applied to the charging control switch is valid, and when the charging enable output signal generated by the charging control switch for input into the continuous charging control switch in the sequential charging control chain is invalid, a preset value is loaded into the decrement counter, and the decrement counter starts to decrement the count of the decrement counter, wherein, When the decrement counter counts down to zero, the SRFF is set, and When the charging enable output signal is valid, the decrement counter stops counting before reaching zero. A circuit as described in claim 23, wherein, if the SRFF is set, the battery module is detected as defective; and if the charge enable output signal is valid before the decrement counter counts down to zero, the battery module is not detected as defective. A circuit as described in claim 23, wherein the preset value is programmed based on the energy capacity of the battery module and the power of the external DC power source used to charge the battery module. A circuit as described in claim 23, wherein the state of the battery module detected as defective can be observed by detecting the output of the SRFF. A circuit as described in claim 23, wherein, when the battery module is detected as defective, the SRFF is set to disable the charge control switch and the charge enable output signal of the subsequent charge control switch is enabled to charge the battery. A circuit as described in claim 23, wherein the output of the direct contact switch is enabled to reset the SRFF by removing the battery module from the battery slot. A circuit suitable for detecting a battery module placed in a battery slot controlled by a charging control switch of a sequential charging control chain, the circuit comprising: an incrementing counter; a comparator; and a set/reset trigger (SRFF); wherein, when the battery module is placed in the battery slot, the output of a direct contact switch coupled to the battery slot is negated, and when a charging input enable signal applied to the charging control switch is valid, and when a charging enable output signal generated by the charging control switch for input into a continuous charging control switch in the sequential charging control chain is invalid, the incrementing counter is enabled to increment the count of the incrementing counter in response to each transition of a clock signal, wherein, When the incrementing counter reaches a preset value detected by the comparator, the SRFF is set, and when the charge enable output signal is asserted, the incrementing counter stops counting before reaching the preset value. A circuit as described in claim 29, wherein, if the SRFF is set, the battery module is detected as defective; and if the charge enable output signal is asserted before the incrementing counter reaches the preset value, the battery module is detected as not defective. A circuit as described in claim 29, wherein the preset value can be programmed based on the energy capacity of the battery module and the power of the external DC power source used to charge the battery module. A circuit as described in claim 29, wherein the status of a defective battery module can be observed by detecting the output of the SRFF. A circuit as described in claim 29, wherein, when the battery module is detected as defective, the SRFF is set to: (i) disable the charge control switch to validate the charge enable output signal to the continuous charge control switch to charge the battery, and (ii) clear the incrementing counter. A circuit as described in claim 29, wherein the output of the direct contact switch is enabled to reset the SRFF by removing the battery module from the battery slot. A circuit adapted to detect an anomaly in a charge control switch of a battery module coupled to a battery cell, the circuit comprising an AND function of the following inputs: Inversion of an output of a direct contact switch coupled to the battery cell; Inversion of an energy state of the battery module monitored by a comparator disposed in the charge control switch, wherein the comparator saturates to a logically low level when the attenuated energy derived from the battery module and monitored by the comparator is lower than a reference voltage; Inversion of an output of a detection circuit adapted to detect a defect in the battery module; and Validation of a charge enable output signal from the charge control switch. A circuit adapted to detect one or more anomalies in a control switch by performing an OR operation on one or more anomalies including at least one of over-temperature, over-current, short circuit and over-voltage of an external power supply input, wherein the OR operation output is observable at the pins of the control switch. An AC power configuration, comprising: an AC power panel, wherein the AC power panel includes a plurality of circuit breakers adapted to control AC power distribution of a plurality of AC power distribution circuits coupled to the AC power panel; and a battery charging system, wherein the battery charging system includes a plurality of battery slots for using a plurality of replaceable battery modules controlled by a plurality of charging control switches disposed in the battery charging system, wherein: a first charging control switch of the plurality of charging control switches is coupled to a first replaceable battery module of the plurality of replaceable battery modules, and The charging enable output signal of the (k-1)th charging control switch among the multiple charging control switches is coupled to the charging input enable signal of the kth charging control switch among the multiple charging control switches to form a sequential charging control chain to sequentially control the charging of the multiple replaceable battery modules when the battery charging system is enabled, wherein k is an integer greater than or equal to 2. An AC power configuration as described in claim 37, wherein the battery charging system receives a DC power input selected from one or more of a permanent DC power module or a regenerative DC power source. An AC power supply configuration as described in claim 37, wherein the discharge control switch is also coupled to the replaceable battery module in the battery slot to form a battery charging and discharging system, wherein the discharge enable output signal of the discharge control switch coupled to the replaceable battery module associated with the (k-1)th charge control switch and the discharge input enable signal of the discharge control switch coupled to the battery module associated with the kth charge control switch are linked to form a discharge control chain to sequentially control the discharge of the multiple replaceable battery modules when the battery discharge system is enabled. The AC power configuration as described in claim 37 further includes a DC-AC inverter, which is coupled to the output of the charging and discharging system, wherein the DC-AC inverter is suitable for generating inverted AC power to the AC power panel during AC power interruption. An AC power configuration as described in claim 37, wherein each of the replaceable battery modules is capable of being replaced with a battery node of an electric vehicle. A DC power supply configuration, comprising: a DC power supply panel, the DC power supply panel including a plurality of circuit breakers adapted to control the DC power distribution of a plurality of DC power distribution circuits coupled to the DC power supply panel; a battery charging and discharging system, the battery charging and discharging system including a plurality of battery slots, the battery slots being used to receive and hold a plurality of replaceable battery modules controlled by a plurality of charging and discharging control switches disposed in the battery charging and discharging system, wherein each battery slot includes a charging and discharging control switch adapted to couple to a replaceable battery module when the battery module is placed in the battery slot; wherein, The charging enable output signal of the (k-1)th charging and discharging control switch among the multiple charging and discharging control switches is coupled to the charging input enable signal of the kth charging and discharging control switch among the multiple charging and discharging control switches to form a charging control chain, which is suitable for sequentially controlling the charging of the multiple replaceable battery modules when the charging control chain is enabled, wherein k is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and The discharge enable output signal of the (k-1)th charge and discharge control switch among the plurality of charge and discharge control switches is coupled to the discharge input enable signal of the kth charge and discharge control switch among the plurality of charge and discharge control switches to form a discharge control chain to sequentially control the discharge of the plurality of replaceable battery modules when the discharge control chain is enabled; a DC-DC converter, the DC-DC converter being adapted to convert a DC power supply input into: (i) a panel voltage for supplying power to the DC power supply panel, and (ii) a battery voltage for charging the battery charging and discharging system; and a voltage detector, the voltage detector being used to detect the panel voltage, wherein, When the attenuated panel voltage detected by the voltage detector reaches a reference voltage, a panel enable signal is enabled to enable the panel voltage to be input to the DC power panel, and When the attenuated panel voltage detected by the voltage detector is lower than the reference voltage, the output of a DC-DC regulator is input to the DC power panel, wherein the DC-DC regulator converts the voltage output from the charging and discharging battery system into the panel voltage. A DC power supply configuration as described in claim 42, wherein, a discharge enable signal is activated to enable the battery charging and discharging system to output power to the DC-DC regulator to pre-generate the panel voltage. A battery charging device included in a battery pack of an electric vehicle, wherein the battery pack includes a plurality of battery modules, wherein a first battery module among the plurality of battery modules is controlled by a first control switch, comprising: an enable input signal, the enable input signal being used to enable the first control switch; an enable output signal, the enable output signal being used to enable a second control switch controlling a second battery module among the plurality of battery modules; and a comparator, the comparator being adapted to monitor an energy level of the first battery module, wherein, when the comparator detects that the energy level of the first battery module is lower than a reference voltage, a transmission device controlled by the first control switch is enabled to transmit energy from a DC power source to charge the first battery module, and When the comparator detects that the energy level of the first battery module reaches the reference voltage, the transmission device is disabled and the enable output is effective to enable the second control switch; The first control switch and the second control switch form a link to sequentially control the charging of the first battery module and the second battery module; and The link is part of a sequential charging control chain, and the sequential charging control chain includes: a plurality of control switches associated with sequentially charging the plurality of battery modules. A battery charging device as described in claim 44, wherein the battery charging device is configured to perform parallel charging of the battery packs. A battery charging device as described in claim 44, wherein the battery charging device is coupled to an energy storage system in a building. A battery charging device as described in claim 46, wherein the multiple battery modules are removable and replaceable with the energy storage system. A battery charging device as described in claim 44, wherein the first battery module among the plurality of battery modules is configured to have one of a circular, square and rectangular cross-section. A battery charging device as described in claim 44, wherein the multiple battery modules are placed in multiple battery slots of the battery charging device. A battery charging device as described in claim 44, wherein the multiple battery modules are abutted together in the battery charging device.