Claims:1. A connector for series voltage balancing of a plurality of cells of a lithium battery pack, said connector configured as a battery balancing port having one or more pins connected to the plurality of cells in series such that each pin shares series voltage data that is used to pass energy to balance the plurality of cells using an external balancing device.
2. The connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the external balancing device is an external capacitor-based active balancing device.
3. The connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein each pin is connected to corresponding pins of the plurality of cells in series.
4. The connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery pack is directly connected to the connector without requirement of a battery management system (BMS) for the cell balancing.
5. The connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the balancing device balances the plurality of cells using any or a combination of active or passive balancing technique.
6. The connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the balancing device is operatively coupled with multiple battery packs so as to balance cells of respective multiple battery packs.
7. The connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connector is attached to the battery pack.
8. A system comprising
a connector for series voltage balancing of a plurality of cells of a lithium battery pack; and
an external balancing device, wherein said connector is configured as a battery balancing port having one or more pins connected to the plurality of cells in series such that each pin reads and shares series voltage data that is used to pass energy to balance the plurality of cells using the external balancing device.
9. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the external balancing device is an external capacitor-based active balancing device.
10. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the battery pack is directly connected to the connector without requirement of a battery management system (BMS) for the cell balancing, and wherein the connector is attached to the battery pack.
, Description:FIELD OF DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present disclosure relates to voltage balancing in a battery. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a system for voltage balancing in a battery unit of an electric vehicle and a connector for the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] A battery may be defined as a container consisting of one or more cells, in which chemical energy is converted into electricity and used as a source of power. Such batteries are having its application in vast domains, and one such application is in an electric vehicle (EV). Also, the cells within the battery needs to be well balanced for optimized use of the battery. In a conventional approach, the electric vehicle batteries which store high energy use Battery Management System to do such cell balancing. Main functions of Battery Management System are collecting voltage, current, and temperature parameters of the cells and battery pack, state-of-charge estimation, charge-discharge process management, battery balancing management, heat management, data communication, and safety management. However, in order to monitor and maintain the said parameters, the BMS should include a plurality of components which not only increases the weight of the battery, makes it bulky but also becomes expensive, specially to use an active balancing method with higher power ratings; which can be therefore be less affordable by the users.
[0004] In addition, such systems takes a long time to balance the batteries or cells as it runs inside the Battery Management System which has a lower power rating. Higher power rating is not possible due to heat and cooling limitations inside the battery pack.
[0005] Furthermore, the battery unit may be housed within the electric vehicle. However, the majority of the Electric Vehicles (EV) use Lithium Battery packs/units for power supply. The lifetime and performance of the Lithium Battery pack may be influenced by voltage imbalance between cells. Such cell imbalance which varies each cell voltage in the battery pack overtime and hence decreases battery capacity rapidly. Henceforth, in order to increase the lifetime of the battery pack, the battery cells should be frequently equalized to keep the voltage difference between the cells as small as possible. Lithium Battery packs come with a Battery Management System which has active and passive cell balancing as one of the functions. Passive cell balancing allows all batteries to have the same state of charge (SOC). It has a discharge resistor which wastes energy during balancing the cells. As current value is very small it takes significant time to balance the cells and may also result in heat dissipation issues. On the other hand, the active cell balancing allows transferring of energy from higher SOC cell to lower SOC cell till all the cells in the battery pack may achieve voltage balance. However, such a technique adds cost and complexity in the Battery Management System (BMS). Both active and passive balancing from the Battery Management System happens at very low current so it works mainly for smaller battery packs. For Electric Vehicles battery pack size is large and the current rating is high, due to which such a system cannot be implemented efficiently.
[0006] Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide an improved connector for voltage balancing in a battery unit of an electric vehicle and an upgraded system for battery voltage management using the connector.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as listed herein below.
[0008] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved system for voltage balancing in a battery unit.
[0009] It is another object of the present disclosure to reduce complexity of the Battery Management System for Cell Balancing.
[00010] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a cost-effective system as hardware cost of BMS is reduced with less complexity, wherein overall cost as a single external balancer can be used with many batteries for cell balancing which makes the system less expensive.
[00011] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to balance the battery using a cell balancing port using an advanced external balancer.
[00012] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a system to reduce time required for battery or cell balancing as external active balancers can have higher power rated circuits which can balance cells with higher current rating.
[00013] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a system which can increase battery life and battery performance with cell balancing.
[00014] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to simplify the maintenance process of the Battery pack.

SUMMARY
[00015] This summary is provided to introduce simplified concepts of a connector and a system for series voltage balancing of the cells in a Lithium Battery pack, which are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for use in determining/limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[00016] An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a connector and a system for voltage balancing in a battery unit. A connector for series voltage balancing of a plurality of cells of a lithium battery pack is disclosed, which is a battery balancing port having one or more pins connected to the plurality of cells in series such that each pin shares series voltage data that is used to pass energy to balance the plurality of cells using an external balancing device. Furthermore, a system for series voltage balancing of a battery pack is provided. The system comprises a connector for series voltage balancing of a plurality of cells of a lithium battery pack and an external balancing device. The connector is configured as a battery balancing port having one or more pins connected to the plurality of cells in series such that each pin reads and shares series voltage data that is used to pass energy to balance the plurality of cells using the external balancing device. The connector also includes balancing the energy level in each of the plurality of battery cells upon identifying the imbalance in at least one of the plurality of battery cells using a balancing means.
[00017] In an aspect, a connector for series voltage balancing of a plurality of cells of a lithium battery pack, the connector configured as a battery balancing port having one or more pins connected to the plurality of cells in series such that each pin shares series voltage data that is used to pass energy to balance the plurality of cells using an external balancing device.
[00018] In an aspect, the external balancing device can be an external capacitor-based active balancing device.
[00019] In an embodiment, each pin of the connector can be connected to corresponding pins of the plurality of cells in series.
[00020] In yet another embodiment, the battery pack can be directly connected to the connector without requirement of a battery management system (BMS) for the cell balancing.
[00021] In yet another embodiment, the balancing device can balance the plurality of cells using any or a combination of active or passive balancing technique.
[00022] In yet another embodiment, the balancing device can be operatively coupled with multiple battery packs so as to balance cells of respective multiple battery packs.
[00023] In an aspect, a system comprising a connector for series voltage balancing of a plurality of cells of a lithium battery pack and an external balancing device is disclosed wherein the connector can be configured as a battery balancing port having one or more pins connected to the plurality of cells in series such that each pin reads and shares series voltage data that is used to pass energy to balance the plurality of cells using the external balancing device.
[00024] In an embodiment, the external balancing device can be an external capacitor-based active balancing device.
[00025] In an embodiment, the battery pack can be directly connected to the connector without requirement of a battery management system (BMS) for the cell balancing, and wherein the connector is attached to the battery pack.
[00026] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like features.
[00027] Within the scope of this application, it is expressly envisaged that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless such features are incompatible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[00028] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure, and wherein:
[00029] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of a system for voltage balancing in a battery unit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[00030] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic representation of a circuit of the system for voltage balancing in a battery unit of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00031] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[00032] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.
[00033] If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
[00034] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[00035] The present disclosure relates to voltage balancing in a battery. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a system for voltage balancing in a battery unit of an electric vehicle and a method to operate the same.
[00036] In an aspect, a connector for series voltage balancing of a plurality of cells of a lithium battery pack, the connector configured as a battery balancing port having one or more pins connected to the plurality of cells in series such that each pin shares series voltage data that is used to pass energy to balance the plurality of cells using an external balancing device.
[00037] In an aspect, the external balancing device can be an external capacitor-based active balancing device.
[00038] In an embodiment, each pin of the connector can be connected to corresponding pins of the plurality of cells in series.
[00039] In yet another embodiment, the battery pack can be directly connected to the connector without requirement of a battery management system (BMS) for the cell balancing.
[00040] In yet another embodiment, the balancing device can balance the plurality of cells using any or a combination of active or passive balancing technique.
[00041] In yet another embodiment, the balancing device can be operatively coupled with multiple battery packs so as to balance cells of respective multiple battery packs.
[00042] In an aspect, a system comprising a connector for series voltage balancing of a plurality of cells of a lithium battery pack and an external balancing device is disclosed wherein the connector can be configured as a battery balancing port having one or more pins connected to the plurality of cells in series such that each pin reads and shares series voltage data that is used to pass energy to balance the plurality of cells using the external balancing device.
[00043] In an embodiment, the external balancing device can be an external capacitor-based active balancing device.
[00044] In an embodiment, the battery pack can be directly connected to the connector without requirement of a battery management system (BMS) for the cell balancing, and wherein the connector is attached to the battery pack.
[00045] Turning to FIGs 1 and 2, FIG. 1 illustrate a schematic representation of a system for voltage balancing in a battery unit, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; and FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic representation of a circuit representation of the system for voltage balancing in a battery unit of FIG. 1, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.
[00046] The system includes a plurality of battery cells 202 within the battery unit 204. Each of the plurality of battery cells 202 can be operatively coupled to each other in a first pre-defined format. In one embodiment, the battery unit may be housed inside an electric vehicle. In one specific embodiment, the plurality of battery cells 202 may be connected in series to each other which may correspond to the first pre-defined format.
[00047] Furthermore, the system includes a battery management unit 206 operatively coupled to the corresponding plurality of battery cells 202. The battery management unit 206 may be configured to determine energy level within each of the plurality of battery cells. In one exemplary embodiment, the battery management unit 206 may include a display unit which may be configured to display the energy level of each of the plurality of cells 202.
[00048] The system 200 also includes at least one connector 208 operatively coupled to the plurality of battery cells 202 in a second pre-defined format. In one exemplary embodiment, the second pre-defined format may be a series connection. More specifically, the plurality of battery cells 202 may be coupled to the corresponding at least one connector 208 in a series combination format.
[00049] In one specific embodiment, the at least one connector 208 may be a 24-pin female connector (as shown in FIG. 2) which may be installed on batteries with 16-24 Series configuration. Each pin of the connector 208 may be connected to a corresponding cell of the plurality of battery cells 202.
[00050] The system 200 also includes a balancing means 210 operatively coupled to the plurality of battery cells 202. The balancing means 210 is configured to balance energy level in the plurality of battery cells 202 upon identifying the imbalance in at least one of the plurality of battery cells 202. Referring to the above-mentioned embodiment, each Pin of the connector 208 may share voltage data of the series and the connection may be used to pass energy to balance the battery cells 202 in that series.
[00051] In one exemplary embodiment, the system 200 may include a charging port 212 and a discharging port 214. The charging port 212 and the discharging port 214 are operatively coupled to the battery management unit 206, and may be configured for charging and discharging of the battery cells 202.
[00052] In operation, considering a lithium battery, port will be installed on each battery which will allow an external cell balancing means 210 to connect each series of the lithium battery. Port may be connected to each series inside so the external device may read voltage data and balance the series as per requirement.
[00053] In one exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, power in cell S3 and cell S6 may be about 70% each which may be determined by the battery management unit 206. Also, power in the cell S5 and S8 may be 40% each. In order to balance the power distribution in each of the cells, power from the cells S3 and S6 may be transmitted to the cells S5 and S8 respectively via the balancing means 210 which may be coupled through the connector 208, thereby the entire battery unit 204 may be balanced.
[00054] While some embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, those are completely exemplary in nature. The disclosure is not limited to the embodiments as elaborated herein only and it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. All such modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents are completely within the scope of the present disclosure. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[00055] The present invention provides an improved system for voltage balancing in a battery unit.
[00056] The present invention also reduces complexity of the Battery Management System for Cell Balancing.
[00057] The present invention further provides a cost-effective system as hardware cost of BMS is reduced with less complexity.
[00058] The present invention further reduces the overall cost of the battery.
[00059] The present invention further provides the system to reduce time required for battery or cell balancing.
[00060] The present invention further provides a system which can increase battery life and battery performance with cell balancing.
[00061] The present invention further provides a system which avoids heat management issues that existed with the earlier BMS.
[00062] The present disclosure enables smooth access to the cells and the series cables thereby simplifying the maintenance process.