Electric vehicle and power battery pack management method for electric vehicle

Abstract

An electric vehicle and a management method for a power battery pack of the electric vehicle are provided. The electric vehicle includes: a plurality of power battery packs that can be independently disassembled and installed, where at least one of the plurality of power battery packs is a modular battery pack that can be manually disassembled and installed by a user. The device and method according to the present invention provide a more flexible power battery pack solution.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electric vehicles, and more particularly, to an electric vehicle having a plurality of power battery packs. Background Art

[0002] Currently, electric vehicles are limited by their cruising range. Replacing the battery to increase the vehicle's cruising range is an effective means to improve the cruising range of electric vehicles. However, since the existing electric vehicle batteries are designed as a whole and are relatively heavy, specific equipment is required for battery replacement operations. Users have to drive the vehicle to the location where the specific equipment is located for battery replacement, which increases the burden on the users. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to solve or at least alleviate the problems existing in the prior art.

[0004] According to some aspects, there is provided an electric vehicle in which a plurality of power battery packs that can be independently disassembled and installed are provided, and at least one of the plurality of power battery packs is a modular battery pack that can be manually disassembled and installed by a user.

[0005] Optionally, the plurality of power battery packs include a plurality of power battery packs provided at the bottom of the vehicle body.

[0006] Optionally, one or more of the plurality of power battery packs are configured to be inserted into a battery pack slot for accommodating them from the side of the vehicle body.

[0007] Optionally, the plurality of power battery packs include a first battery pack group composed of one or more power battery packs provided at the bottom of the vehicle body, a second battery pack group provided in the vehicle engine compartment, and / or a third battery pack group provided in the vehicle trunk, wherein both the second battery pack group and the third battery pack group are composed of one or more power battery packs.

[0008] Optionally, the power battery packs of the first battery pack group, the second battery pack group, and the third battery pack group are configured to be electrically connected to each other after being installed in the vehicle.

[0009] Optionally, the plurality of power battery packs include a second battery pack in the vehicle engine compartment and / or a third battery pack in the vehicle trunk, the second battery pack being a modular battery pack installed in a second battery pack storage compartment at the front of the vehicle by opening the vehicle hood, and / or the third battery pack being a modular battery pack installed in a third battery pack storage compartment at the rear of the vehicle by opening the vehicle trunk lid.

[0010] Optionally, the electric vehicle includes a first motor for driving the front wheels and / or a second motor for driving the rear wheels. The electric vehicle further includes a circuit connected to the plurality of power battery packs and a battery management device configured to control the plurality of power battery packs to supply power to the first motor and / or the second motor in multiple modes.

[0011] Optionally, the battery management device is configured to control the plurality of power battery packs to supply power to the first motor and / or the second motor in any combination of the following modes:

[0012] First mode: Integrate the power of all power battery packs to supply power to the first motor;

[0013] Second mode: Integrate the power of all power battery packs to supply power to the second motor;

[0014] Third mode: Integrate the power of all power battery packs to supply power to the first motor and the second motor;

[0015] Fourth mode: Enable some power battery packs to supply power to the first motor and some power battery packs to supply power to the second motor, and integrate the power output by the first motor and the second motor; and

[0016] Fifth mode: Use some power battery packs to supply power to the first motor and / or the second motor, and put the remaining battery packs in a standby state.

[0017] Optionally, the plurality of power battery packs include modular battery packs and spare battery packs. The battery management device is configured to first use the modular battery packs, and prompt the user to replace the modular battery packs when the modular battery packs are out of power. If the user does not replace the modular battery packs, then start using the spare battery packs.

[0018] Optionally, the electric vehicle includes a second battery accommodation compartment in the vehicle engine compartment, a third battery accommodation compartment in the vehicle trunk, and battery pack slots on one or both sides of the vehicle bottom.

[0019] Optionally, the energy of the modular battery pack is in the range of 10 kWh to 100 kWh, preferably in the range of 20 to 40 kWh.

[0020] Optionally, the weight of the modular battery pack is in the range of 10 to 20 kg.

[0021] Optionally, the modular battery pack is composed of 6 to 10 batteries with a voltage of 36V to 96V, preferably composed of 6 to 10 batteries with a voltage of 36V to 96V.

[0022] There is also provided a method for managing a power battery pack of an electric vehicle, where the electric vehicle is the electric vehicle according to the embodiments of the present invention, and the method includes:

[0023] Detecting a plurality of power battery packs;

[0024] Using the modular battery pack to supply power to the motor;

[0025] When the modular battery pack is out of power, asking the user whether to replace the standard replacement battery pack,

[0026] If so, replacing the modular battery pack and continuing to supply power to the motor using the modular battery pack,

[0027] If not, starting the backup battery pack until the backup battery pack is out of power, reminding to replace the modular battery pack again, and prompting to charge the backup battery pack.

[0028] The device and method according to the present invention provide a more flexible solution for power battery packs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the disclosure of the present invention will become more readily understandable. It is easily understood by those skilled in the art that these drawings are only for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. In addition, similar numbers in the figures are used to represent similar components, where:

[0030] Figure 1 A side view of a vehicle and a plurality of power battery packs therein according to one embodiment is shown;

[0031] Figure 2 A top view of a vehicle and a plurality of power battery packs therein according to one embodiment is shown;

[0032] Figure 3 A top view of a vehicle and a plurality of power battery packs therein according to another embodiment is shown;

[0033] Figure 4 A side view of a vehicle and a plurality of power battery packs therein according to still another embodiment is shown;

[0034] Figure 5 A top view of a vehicle and a plurality of power battery packs therein according to still another embodiment is shown; and

[0035] Figure 6 An exemplary power battery pack control strategy is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0036] It is easy to understand that according to the technical solution of the present invention, without changing the essential spirit of the present invention, those of ordinary skill in the art can propose various mutually replaceable structural forms and implementation manners. Therefore, the following specific embodiments and the accompanying drawings are only illustrative descriptions of the technical solution of the present invention, and should not be regarded as the whole of the present invention or as a limitation or restriction on the technical solution of the present invention.

[0037] The orientation terms such as up, down, left, right, front, back, front side, back side, top, bottom, etc. mentioned or possibly mentioned in this specification are defined relative to the structures shown in the respective drawings. They are relative concepts and may therefore change accordingly depending on their different positions and different usage states. Therefore, these or other orientation terms should not be construed as restrictive terms.

[0038] First, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2, which respectively show a side view and a top view of an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electric vehicle includes: a plurality of power battery packs 21, 22, 23 that can be independently disassembled and installed, and at least one of the plurality of power battery packs 21, 22, 23 is a modular battery pack, and the modular battery pack herein refers to a power battery pack that can be manually disassembled and installed by a user. In this embodiment, the electric vehicle includes a first battery pack 21 at the bottom of the vehicle, and the first battery pack 21 is a spare battery pack that must be installed and disassembled by specific equipment, for example, having an energy of 50-100 kwh. In this embodiment, the electric vehicle further includes a second battery pack 22 in the vehicle engine compartment and a third battery pack 23 in the vehicle trunk. The second battery pack 22 and the third battery pack 23 can be modular battery packs, they can have the same shape and size, and can be a common type of power battery pack that can be used for multiple vehicle models. In some embodiments, the modular battery pack can have a power of 20 to 40 kwh. It should be understood that although in the illustrated embodiment, the electric vehicle includes: the first battery pack 21, the second battery pack 22, and the third battery pack 23, in an alternative embodiment, the electric vehicle can include only two of them, such as only including the first battery pack 21 and the second battery pack 22, or only including the first battery pack 21 and the third battery pack 23, or only including the second battery pack 22 and the third battery pack 23. In some other alternative embodiments, the electric vehicle can include more battery packs, and these battery packs can be modular battery packs and placed at other suitable positions of the vehicle. In some other alternative embodiments, the first battery pack 21, the second battery pack 22, and the third battery pack 23 can be a first battery pack group, a second battery pack group, and a third battery pack group, and each battery pack group can include one or more power battery packs. In some embodiments, after the plurality of power battery packs in each of the first battery pack group, the second battery pack group, and the third battery pack group are set at specific positions on the vehicle, the power battery packs in each battery pack group can be electrically connected to each other, thereby jointly driving the motor.

[0039] Such as Figure 1As shown, in some embodiments, within the engine compartment of the vehicle, there is a second battery compartment 220 for accommodating the second battery pack 22 between the two front wheels 41. Its top has a flip-up cover 223. The second battery pack 22 is first placed in the first position 221 depicted by the dashed line and inserted into the second position 222 in the second battery compartment 220, and then the cover 223 is closed. The entire operation can be manually completed by the user. Similarly, in some embodiments, within the trunk of the vehicle, there is a third battery compartment 230 for accommodating the third battery pack 23 between the two rear wheels 42. Its rear side has a flip-up rear cover 233. The third battery pack 23 is first placed in the position 231 depicted by the dashed line and inserted into the second position 232 in the third battery compartment 230, and then the rear cover 233 is closed. The entire operation can be manually completed by the user. In some embodiments, the second battery compartment 220 and the third battery compartment 230 may have guide wheels to assist in the manual installation and removal of the modular battery packs. In some embodiments, each battery pack and each battery compartment may have matching connectors such that after the battery pack is installed in place, it is electrically connected to other battery packs in the same battery pack group or directly electrically connected to the vehicle's circuitry. In some embodiments, the electric vehicle includes a first motor 31 driving the front wheels 41 and a second motor 32 driving the rear wheels 42. In alternative embodiments, the electric vehicle may include only one motor. The electric vehicle also includes circuitry connected to multiple power battery packs 21, 22, 23 and a battery management device (not shown), and the battery management device is configured to control the multiple power battery packs 21, 22, 23 to supply power to the first motor 31 and / or the second motor 32 in multiple modes.

[0040] Continuing to refer to Figure 3 , in this embodiment, the vehicle includes only the third battery pack 23 as the modular battery pack, while the vehicle bottom includes a first battery pack group, which includes two spare battery packs 218, 219 that need to be installed and removed by specific equipment. Alternatively, four spare battery packs can also be provided at the vehicle bottom. Such an arrangement can be used for compact vehicles or micro vehicles. Dividing the first battery pack into two or four battery packs can improve the safety of the battery packs.

[0041] Continuing to refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 , another embodiment of the electric vehicle according to the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, parts similar to those in the embodiment of Figure 1 will not be described in detail. The difference in this embodiment is that the electric vehicle includes a first battery pack group at the vehicle bottom, and the first battery pack group includes multiple modular battery packs 211, 212. The multiple modular battery packs 211, 212 of the first battery pack group can be inserted into the battery pack slots 11 at the vehicle bottom from one side or both sides, and the slots of the modular battery packs can be located under the vehicle floor. As Figure 5More clearly shown, the first battery pack group includes a modular battery pack 211 inserted into the first side of the vehicle bottom and a modular battery pack 212 inserted into the second side of the vehicle bottom. It should be understood that although in the illustrated embodiment, the modular battery packs 211, 212 at the vehicle bottom, the second battery pack 22, and the third battery pack 23 are modular battery packs of different specifications, in an alternative embodiment, the modular battery packs 211, 212 at the vehicle bottom, the second battery pack 22, and the third battery pack 23 can be modular battery packs of the same specification. Although the figure shows that the first battery pack group includes a total of 12 standardized batteries, in an alternative embodiment, the first battery pack group can have more or fewer standardized batteries. In some embodiments, a spare battery pack and multiple modular battery packs can also be installed at the vehicle bottom. In some embodiments, the slots of the modular battery packs can have guide wheels to assist in the installation and removal of the battery packs. With this arrangement, the user can manually install and remove the modular battery packs 211, 212 in the first battery group.

[0042] In some embodiments, the energy of the standardized battery according to each embodiment can be between 20 kWh and 40 kWh. In some embodiments, the weight of the standardized battery according to each embodiment can be in the range of 10 to 20 kg. In some embodiments, the modular battery pack according to each embodiment can be composed of 6 to 10 battery cells with a voltage of 36V to 96V.

[0043] In some embodiments, the battery management device of the electric vehicle is configured to control the multiple power battery packs 21, 22, 23 to supply power to the first motor 31 and / or the second motor 32 in the following modes:

[0044] First mode: Integrate the power of the power battery packs to supply power to the first motor;

[0045] Second mode: Integrate the power of the power battery packs to supply power to the second motor;

[0046] Third mode: Integrate the power of the power battery packs to supply power to the first motor and the second motor;

[0047] Fourth mode: Make some power battery packs supply power to the first motor and some power battery packs supply power to the second motor, and integrate the power output by the first motor and the second motor; and

[0048] Fifth mode: Use some power battery packs to supply power to the first motor and / or the second motor, and make the remaining battery packs in a standby state.

[0049] In some embodiments, the battery management device is configured to control the multiple power battery packs 21, 22, 23 to supply power to the first motor 31 and / or the second motor 32 in any combination of the above modes, such as any two, three, or four of the above modes.

[0050] In some embodiments, taking an electric vehicle as an example, the battery management device therein is configured such that the vehicle can freely switch between nine modes, including: Figure 1 Taking an electric vehicle as an example, the battery management device therein is configured such that the vehicle can freely switch between nine modes, including:

[0051] 1) Second battery pack + first motor - low endurance front-wheel two-wheel drive;

[0052] 2) Third battery pack + second motor - low endurance rear-wheel two-wheel drive;

[0053] 3) Second battery pack / first motor + third battery pack / second motor - high endurance all-wheel drive;

[0054] 4) Second battery pack and third battery pack + first motor - high endurance front-wheel two-wheel drive;

[0055] 5) Second battery pack and third battery pack + second motor - high endurance rear-wheel two-wheel drive;

[0056] 6) Second battery pack and third battery pack + first motor and second motor - high endurance all-wheel drive;

[0057] 7) First battery pack + first motor - low endurance front-wheel two-wheel drive;

[0058] 8) First battery pack + second motor - low endurance rear-wheel two-wheel drive;

[0059] 9) First battery pack + first motor and second motor - low endurance all-wheel drive.

[0060] It should be understood that the matching between the motor and the power battery pack should conform to the following principles:

[0061] 1. Each power battery pack or battery pack group can reach the voltage of the drive motor, that is, it can drive alone or drive two motors;

[0062] 2. Multiple battery packs or battery pack groups can be used in parallel to increase power and endurance;

[0063] 3. The motor and the battery can be connected through a driver or a control board (device), and such devices can be selected according to needs.

[0064] On the other hand, a method for managing a power battery pack of an electric vehicle is also provided. The method includes: detecting multiple power battery packs; using the modular battery pack to provide power for the motor; when the modular battery pack is out of power, asking the user whether to replace the standard replacement battery pack. If so, replace the modular battery pack and continue to use the modular battery pack to supply power to the motor. If not, start the backup battery pack until the backup battery pack is out of power, then remind to replace the modular battery pack again and prompt to charge the backup battery pack. In some embodiments, such asFigure 5 In the electric vehicle shown, the battery pack management method may include first using the modular battery pack on one side, which enables the user to operate only on one side of the vehicle when changing the battery if the battery is not exhausted.

[0065] More specifically, as shown in Figure 6 , taking the Figure 1 electric vehicle as an example, the method includes:

[0066] Step S1, detecting a plurality of power battery packs;

[0067] Step S2, when the vehicle starts, travels, and brakes, using the modular battery packs, such as the second battery pack 22 and the third battery pack 23, to provide power for the motors 31, 32;

[0068] Step S3, the modular battery pack runs out of power;

[0069] Step S4, asking the user whether to replace the battery pack. If so, execute S7; if not, execute S5.

[0070] Step S5, starting the backup battery pack, such as the first battery pack 21.

[0071] Step S6, the backup battery pack runs out of power.

[0072] Step S7, purchasing, replacing, and manually installing the modular battery pack at a nearby store, supermarket, gas station, etc. In step S7, if the backup battery pack runs out of power, remind the user to charge the backup battery pack; and

[0073] Step S8, continue to drive.

[0074] The electric vehicle and the battery management method according to some embodiments of the present invention may have the following advantages:

[0075] Miniaturize the battery pack of the electric vehicle. For example, divide a 90 kWh battery pack into three 30 kWh modular battery packs, which is easy for battery pack replacement, repair, and upgrade, etc.;

[0076] Facilitate the supplier to provide more flexible battery replacement services, such as providing at supermarkets, gas stations, etc., and even allowing users to replace the battery by themselves;

[0077] Disperse the vehicle's power battery packs, making it easier to control the temperature of each power battery pack and improving safety.

[0078] The miniaturized battery pack can also have other uses, such as being universal with electric bicycles, etc.

[0079] The specific embodiments described above are only for more clearly describing the principles of the present invention, in which each component is clearly shown or described to make the principles of the present invention easier to understand. Without departing from the scope of the present invention, those skilled in the art can easily make various modifications or changes to the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that these modifications or changes should be included within the scope of the patent protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electric vehicle, characterized in that, The electric vehicle is provided with a plurality of power battery packs that can be independently disassembled and installed, and at least one of the plurality of power battery packs is a modular battery pack that can be manually disassembled and installed by the user. Among them, the electric vehicle includes a first battery pack at the bottom of the vehicle, a second battery pack in the vehicle engine compartment and / or a third battery pack in the vehicle trunk. Among them, the first battery pack is set as a spare battery pack that must be installed and disassembled through specific equipment, or the first battery pack is set as the first battery pack group including a spare battery pack and a plurality of modular battery packs. The second battery pack and / or the third battery pack are the modular battery packs. Among them, the second battery pack is arranged in the engine compartment of the vehicle and in the second battery pack accommodation chamber between the two front wheels; the third battery pack is arranged in the trunk of the vehicle and in the third battery pack accommodation chamber between the two rear wheels; Among them, the electric vehicle further includes a circuit connected to the plurality of power battery packs and a battery management device; Among them, the battery management device is configured to first use the modular battery pack and ask the user whether to replace the modular battery pack when the modular battery pack runs out of power, if so, replace the modular battery pack and continue to use the modular battery pack to supply power to the motor, if not, start the spare battery pack until the spare battery pack runs out of power, remind to replace the modular battery pack again, and prompt to charge the spare battery pack.

2. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein The second battery pack and the third battery have the same shape and size and are general types of power battery packs that can be used for multiple vehicle models.

3. The electric vehicle according to claim 2, wherein The first battery pack is configured as a first battery pack group that can be inserted into the battery pack slot accommodating it from the side of the vehicle body.

4. The electric vehicle according to claim 3, wherein The second battery pack is configured as a second battery pack group arranged in the vehicle engine compartment and / or the third battery pack is configured as a third battery pack group arranged in the vehicle trunk. Among them, both the second battery pack group and the third battery pack group are composed of one or more power battery packs.

5. The electric vehicle according to claim 4, wherein The power battery packs of the first battery pack group, the second battery pack group, and the third battery pack group are configured to be electrically connected to each other after being arranged in the vehicle.

6. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electric vehicle includes a first motor for driving the front wheels and / or a second motor for driving the rear wheels. The electric vehicle further includes a circuit connected to the plurality of power battery packs and a battery management device. The battery management device is configured to control the plurality of power battery packs to supply power to the first motor and / or the second motor in multiple modes.

7. The electric vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that, The battery management device is configured to control the plurality of power battery packs to supply power to the first motor and / or the second motor in the following modes: First mode: Integrate the power of all power battery packs to supply power to the first motor; Second mode: Integrate the power of all power battery packs to supply power to the second motor; Third mode: Integrate the power of all power battery packs to supply power to the first motor and the second motor; Fourth mode: Make some power battery packs supply power to the first motor and make some power battery packs supply power to the second motor, and integrate the power output by the first motor and the second motor; And Fifth mode: Use a part of the power battery pack to supply power to the first motor and / or the second motor, and put the remaining battery packs in a standby state.

8. The electric vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that, The battery management device is configured to enable the vehicle to freely switch between nine modes, including: 1) Low-endurance front-wheel two-wheel drive with the second battery pack + the first motor; 2) Low-endurance rear-wheel two-wheel drive with the third battery pack + the second motor; 3) High-endurance all-wheel drive with the second battery pack / the first motor + the third battery pack / the second motor; 4) High-endurance front-wheel two-wheel drive with the second battery pack and the third battery pack + the first motor; 5) High-endurance rear-wheel two-wheel drive with the second battery pack and the third battery pack + the second motor; 6) High-endurance all-wheel drive with the second battery pack and the third battery pack + the first motor and the second motor; 7) Low-endurance front-wheel two-wheel drive with the first battery pack + the first motor; 8) Low-endurance rear-wheel two-wheel drive with the first battery pack + the second motor; 9) Low-endurance all-wheel drive with the first battery pack + the first motor and the second motor.

9. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electric vehicle includes a second battery containment compartment in the vehicle engine compartment, a third battery containment compartment in the vehicle trunk, and battery pack slots on both sides of the vehicle bottom. Among them, the battery management device is configured to first use the modular battery pack on one side of the vehicle bottom.

10. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The energy of the modular battery pack is between 10 kWh and 100 kWh.

11. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The energy of the modular battery pack is in the range of 20 to 40 kWh.

12. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein The weight of the modular battery pack is in the range of 10 to 20 kg.

13. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, The modular battery pack is composed of 6 to 10 batteries with voltages ranging from 36V to 96V.

14. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, The second battery containment compartment and the third battery containment compartment have guide wheels to assist in the manual installation and removal of the modular battery pack. Among them, the second battery pack and the second battery containment compartment, and the third battery pack and the third battery containment compartment have matching plug connectors, so that after the battery pack is installed in place, it is electrically connected to other battery packs in the same battery pack group or directly electrically connected to the vehicle's circuit.

15. A method for managing a power battery pack of an electric vehicle, where the electric vehicle is the electric vehicle described in any one of claims 1-14, and the method includes: Detect multiple power battery packs; Use the modular battery pack to supply power to the motor; When the modular battery pack runs out of power, ask the user whether to replace the modular battery pack. If so, replace the modular battery pack and continue to use the modular battery pack to supply power to the motor. If not, start the backup battery pack until the backup battery pack runs out of power, remind the user to replace the modular battery pack again, and prompt to charge the backup battery pack.

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