Battery pack and high-voltage energy system

Abstract

The battery pack of the application comprises a plurality of batteries, a first fuse, a first switch piece, a second switch piece, a third switch piece, a pre-charge resistor and a shunt; the battery pack also comprises a plurality of batteries, the plurality of batteries in the battery pack are connected in series with each other, and charging and discharging operations are performed through the positive charging and discharging interface and the negative charging and discharging interface of the battery pack; the first fuse and the first switch piece are connected in series between the battery positive terminal of the plurality of batteries and the positive charging and discharging interface; the second switch piece and the pre-charge resistor are connected in series between the common terminal of the first fuse and the first switch piece and the positive charging and discharging interface; and the shunt and the third switch piece are connected in series between the battery negative terminal of the plurality of batteries and the negative charging and discharging interface. Therefore, the safety of the electrical architecture of the high-voltage energy system is improved, and the airworthiness requirement is met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of aviation equipment technology, specifically to a battery pack and a high-voltage energy system. Background Technology

[0002] The development of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft has attracted widespread attention from aerospace companies, the automotive industry, the transportation industry, governments, the military, and academia. Potential future applications of eVTOL include urban passenger transport, regional passenger transport, freight transport, personal aircraft, and emergency medical services, among other scenarios.

[0003] In conceiving and implementing this application, the inventors discovered at least the following problems: traditional eVTOLs cannot achieve safe redundancy in their energy architecture, cannot meet relevant airworthiness requirements, and have low safety.

[0004] The preceding description is intended to provide general background information and does not necessarily constitute prior art. Utility Model Content

[0005] To address the aforementioned technical issues, this application provides a battery pack and a high-voltage energy system that can be applied to eVTOL, ensuring high safety and meeting airworthiness requirements.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this application provides a battery pack, which includes multiple batteries, a first fuse, a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, a pre-charge resistor, and a shunt. Multiple batteries are connected in series and charged and discharged through positive and negative charging and discharging interfaces; The first fuse and the first switch are connected in series between the positive terminal of the battery and the positive charging / discharging interface of the multiple batteries; The second switching element and the pre-charge resistor are connected in series at the common terminal of the first fuse and the first switching element, between the positive charging and discharging interface and the pre-charge resistor. The shunt and the third switch are connected in series between the negative terminals of the multiple batteries and the negative charging / discharging interface.

[0007] This application also provides a high-voltage energy system, which includes multiple battery packs as described above, as well as a high-voltage power distribution module, a DC charging module, a vehicle controller module, and a battery management module and an airborne avionics system in the same number as the battery packs. The high-voltage power distribution module is connected to the battery pack via the first high-voltage cable, and to the DC charging module via the second high-voltage cable. It is also connected to the high-voltage electrical load via the third high-voltage cable to distribute power to the high-voltage electrical load through the third high-voltage cable. The DC charging module is connected to the vehicle controller module via a first communication cable and a first low-voltage cable; The battery pack and the battery management module are connected one-to-one via a second low-voltage cable and a second communication cable. The vehicle control module is connected to the battery management module via the third communication cable, to the high-voltage electrical load via the fourth communication cable, and to the airborne avionics system via the fifth communication cable.

[0008] Optionally, the control terminals of the first, second, and third switching devices are connected to the battery management module; The battery is equipped with voltage sampling wiring and temperature sampling wiring, which are connected to the battery management module.

[0009] Optionally, the high-voltage power distribution module includes multiple high-voltage power distribution units, at least one high-voltage power distribution unit has its first end connected to a corresponding battery pack, at least one high-voltage power distribution unit has its second end connected to a corresponding motor, at least one high-voltage power distribution unit has its third end connected to other corresponding electrical equipment in the high-voltage power load, and the fourth end of each high-voltage power distribution unit is connected to the fourth end of other high-voltage power distribution units.

[0010] Optionally, the fourth terminals of multiple high-voltage power distribution units are all connected to the DC charging module via a fourth switch.

[0011] Optionally, at least one high-voltage electrical distribution unit includes: at least one second fuse, a third fuse, and a fourth fuse; The second fuse is located between the corresponding battery pack and the corresponding motor; The third fuse is located between the battery pack and other electrical equipment; The fourth fuse is located between the battery pack and the fourth terminal of the high-voltage power distribution unit.

[0012] Optionally, the feature is that the motor is provided with multiple drive input interfaces, the motor is connected to the second end of the high-voltage power distribution unit through the drive input interfaces, and the drive input interfaces of the same motor are not connected to the second end of the same high-voltage power distribution unit.

[0013] Optionally, at least one high-voltage power distribution unit includes: at least one high-voltage interlock interface; At least one high-voltage interlock interface is provided at the second and / or third end of the high-voltage power distribution unit.

[0014] Optionally, the vehicle control module includes multiple vehicle controllers; The vehicle control module is also connected to the airborne avionics system via a fifth communication cable.

[0015] This application also provides an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, including the aforementioned high-voltage power system.

[0016] The battery pack disclosed in this application includes a first fuse, a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, a pre-charge resistor, and a shunt. The battery pack also includes multiple batteries connected in series, which are charged and discharged through the positive and negative charging / discharging interfaces of the battery pack. The first fuse and the first switch are connected in series between the positive terminal of each battery and the positive charging / discharging interface. The second switch and the pre-charge resistor are connected in series at the common terminal of the first fuse and the first switch, and between the second switch and the positive charging / discharging interface. The shunt and the third switch are connected in series between the negative terminal of each battery and the negative charging / discharging interface. The pre-charge resistor reduces the damage to the battery pack caused by current surges when the charging power supply is connected. Each battery pack is connected to a corresponding battery management module, and each battery pack is equipped with voltage and temperature sampling wiring connected to the corresponding battery management module, enabling independent monitoring and control of the battery pack and achieving safety redundancy. Therefore, this application improves the electrical architecture safety of the high-voltage energy system and meets airworthiness requirements. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application. To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without any creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a high-voltage energy system according to an embodiment of this application.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit connection relationship of a battery pack according to an embodiment of this application.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a high-voltage power distribution module according to an embodiment of this application.

[0021] In the diagram: B1~B6 - First battery pack to sixth battery pack; F1 - First fuse; F2 - Second fuse; F3 - Third fuse; F4 - Fourth fuse; S1 - First switch; S2 - Second switch; S3 - Third switch; S4 - Fourth switch; K1 - Power switch; K2 - Gear switch; C1~C8 - First battery to eighth battery; R - Precharge resistor.

[0022] The realization of the objectives, functional features, and advantages of this application will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings have illustrated specific embodiments of this application, which will be described in more detail below. These drawings and textual descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the concept in any way, but rather to illustrate the concepts of this application to those skilled in the art through reference to specific embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0023] To make the implementation techniques, creative features, achieved purposes and effects of this application easy to understand, the following description, in conjunction with specific illustrations, further elaborates on this application. In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linkage" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can be fixed connections, detachable connections, integral connections, mechanical connections, or electrical connections; they can be direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and they can be internal connections between two components.

[0024] The battery pack of this application includes multiple batteries, a first fuse, a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, a pre-charge resistor, and a shunt. The battery pack further includes multiple batteries connected in series, which are charged and discharged through the positive and negative charging / discharging interfaces of the battery pack. The first fuse and the first switch are connected in series between the positive terminal of each battery and the positive charging / discharging interface. The second switch and the pre-charge resistor are connected in series between the common terminal of the first fuse and the first switch and the positive charging / discharging interface. The shunt and the third switch are connected in series between the negative terminal of each battery and the negative charging / discharging interface. This battery pack can be applied to a high-voltage energy system, improving the safety of eVTOLs using this high-voltage energy system and meeting airworthiness requirements.

[0025] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a high-voltage energy system according to an embodiment of this application. The high-voltage energy system includes: a high-voltage power distribution module, a DC charging module, a vehicle controller module, at least one battery pack (six are shown in the figure, namely battery packs B1 to B6, but this application is not limited to this), and a battery management system (BMS) with the same number of battery packs. The high-voltage energy system uses three types of cable connections: low-voltage cables, high-voltage cables, and communication cables. The high-voltage cables include a first high-voltage cable, a second high-voltage cable, and a third high-voltage cable. The low-voltage cables include a first low-voltage cable and a second low-voltage cable. The communication cables include a first communication cable, a second communication cable, and a third communication cable.

[0026] The high-voltage power distribution module is connected to battery packs B1-B6 via a first high-voltage cable, to the DC charging module via a second high-voltage cable, and to the high-voltage electrical load via a third high-voltage cable, distributing power to the high-voltage electrical load through the third high-voltage cable. The DC charging module is connected to the vehicle controller module via a first communication cable and a first low-voltage cable. Battery packs B1-B6 are connected to the BMS (Battery Management System) via a second low-voltage cable and a second communication cable, respectively. The vehicle control module is connected to the battery management module via a third communication cable and to the high-voltage electrical load via a fourth communication cable.

[0027] The aforementioned high voltage refers to a voltage value greater than the preset high voltage value. This preset high voltage value can be a user-defined value or a system default value. Specifically, high voltage can refer to electricity supply with voltage levels ranging from 400-800 volts and above.

[0028] The aforementioned low voltage refers to a voltage value lower than the preset low voltage value. This preset low voltage value can be a user-defined value or a system default value. Specifically, low voltage can be, for example, electricity with voltage levels ranging from 12 to 48 volts and below.

[0029] In one embodiment, the high-voltage electrical load may include motors and other electrical equipment. Specifically, the motor may be, for example, an excitation motor or a permanent magnet motor, and the other electrical equipment may be, for example, a cabin air conditioner or a battery liquid heating device.

[0030] In one embodiment, the vehicle control module includes multiple vehicle control units (VCUs). Only the first vehicle controller VCU1 and the second vehicle controller VCU2 are shown in the figure, but this application is not limited thereto. The vehicle control module is also connected to the airborne avionics system via a fifth communication cable. Each VCU of the vehicle control module has full functionality and serves as safety redundancy. In one embodiment, the vehicle control module in the high-voltage energy system can respond to the high-voltage command from the airborne avionics system and distribute power to the high-voltage electrical loads through the high-voltage power distribution module, enabling them to perform their intended functions.

[0031] In one embodiment, after receiving a high-voltage command, the high-voltage energy system can determine whether to respond to the high-voltage command based on the eVTOL's flight mode, motor speed, etc., and perform corresponding operations based on the determination result.

[0032] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit connection relationship of a battery pack according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 2As shown, the battery pack includes multiple batteries and a battery pack. Only eight batteries C1 to C8 are shown in the figure, but this application is not limited to this. The battery pack includes a first fuse F1, a first switch S1, a second switch S2, a third switch S3, a pre-charge resistor R, and a shunt.

[0033] The batteries C1 to C8 in the battery pack are connected in series and are charged and discharged through the positive and negative charging and discharging interfaces of the battery pack.

[0034] The first fuse F1 and the first switch S1 are connected in series between the positive terminal and the positive charging / discharging interface of batteries C1 to C8. The positive terminal of each battery is the positive terminal of the battery at the beginning of the series, and the negative terminal of each battery is the negative terminal of the battery at the end of the series.

[0035] The second switch S2 and the pre-charge resistor R are connected in series at the common terminal of the first fuse F1 and the first switch S1, between the first switch and the positive charging / discharging interface. In one embodiment, the second switch S2 and the pre-charge resistor R form a pre-charge circuit, which can prevent damage to the battery pack from excessive current or voltage when the battery pack is in use for charging or discharging.

[0036] The shunt and the third switch S3 are connected in series between the negative terminals of multiple batteries and their negative charging / discharging interfaces. The control terminals of the first switch S1, the second switch S2, and the third switch S3 are connected to the battery management module.

[0037] like Figure 2 The third terminal of each high-voltage power distribution unit shown is connected to other electrical equipment in the high-voltage power load. Other electrical equipment can be at least one of the following: first DC-DC converter (also known as DCDC1), second DC-DC converter (also known as DCDC2), battery liquid heating equipment, cabin air conditioner, cabin heating at level 1, and cabin heating at level 2.

[0038] The fourth terminal of each high-voltage distribution unit is connected to the fourth terminal of other high-voltage distribution units to balance the voltage difference between battery packs and keep the voltage difference within the expected range.

[0039] Specifically, such as Figure 3 As shown, in one embodiment, the fourth terminals of multiple high-voltage power distribution units are all connected to the DC charging module via a fourth switch S4.

[0040] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a high-voltage power distribution module according to an embodiment of this application, as shown below. Figure 3 As shown, the high-voltage power distribution module includes multiple high-voltage power distribution units. The number of high-voltage distribution units can be the same as the number of battery packs.

[0041] In this configuration, the first terminal of each high-voltage power distribution unit is connected to the corresponding battery pack, such as... Figure 2 As shown, if the number of battery packs is 6, the high-voltage power distribution module can include 6 high-voltage power distribution units, and the 6 high-voltage power distribution units are connected to the 6 battery packs one by one.

[0042] At least one high-voltage electrical distribution unit has its second end connected to a corresponding motor. Each high-voltage electrical distribution unit's second end may correspond to one or more motors, for example, each high-voltage electrical distribution unit may correspond to three or four motors, but this application is not limited thereto. Specifically, as shown... Figure 2 As shown, the motors include a first motor to an eleventh motor. The first to fourth sub-terminals of the second terminal of the first high-voltage distribution unit are respectively connected to the first motor, the second motor, the fifth motor, and the ninth motor. The first to fourth sub-terminals of the second terminal of the second high-voltage distribution unit are respectively connected to the first motor, the second motor, the fifth motor, and the ninth motor. In one embodiment, at least one of the first motor, the second motor, the fifth motor, and the ninth motor includes two input terminals, and the two input terminals of at least one of the first motor, the second motor, the fifth motor, and the ninth motor are respectively connected to the second terminals of different high-voltage distribution units. The first to fourth sub-terminals of the second terminal of the first high-voltage distribution unit are respectively connected to the first input terminal of the first motor, the first input terminal of the second motor, the first input terminal of the fifth motor, and the first input terminal of the ninth motor. The first to fourth sub-terminals of the second terminal of the second high-voltage distribution unit are respectively connected to the second input terminal of the first motor, the second input terminal of the second motor, the first input terminal of the sixth motor, and the second input terminal of the ninth motor. The first to third sub-terminals of the second terminal of the third high-voltage electrical distribution unit are respectively connected to the second input terminals of the fifth, sixth, and eleventh motors. The first to fourth sub-terminals of the second terminal of the fourth high-voltage electrical distribution unit are respectively connected to the first input terminals of the third, fourth, seventh, and tenth motors. The first to fourth sub-terminals of the second terminal of the fifth high-voltage electrical distribution unit are respectively connected to the second input terminals of the third, fourth, eighth, and tenth motors. The first to third sub-terminals of the second terminal of the sixth high-voltage electrical distribution unit are respectively connected to the second terminal of the seventh, sixth, and eleventh motors.

[0043] In one embodiment, voltage sampling wiring and / or temperature sampling wiring are provided between multiple batteries, and the voltage sampling wiring and / or temperature sampling wiring are connected to the battery management module. The battery management module can report the battery temperature and voltage information to the vehicle control module and / or the avionics system.

[0044] In one embodiment, the high-voltage electrical equipment further includes an environmental control system, and the battery pack further includes a thermal management interface. The environmental control system may be connected to the thermal management interface of the battery pack via a pipeline to support its battery pack cooling / heating function.

[0045] In one embodiment, the high-voltage power distribution unit includes at least one second fuse F2, a third fuse F3, and a fourth fuse F4.

[0046] The second fuse F2 is located between the corresponding battery pack and the corresponding motor. If there are multiple motors corresponding to the battery pack, there can also be multiple second fuses F2. Specifically, the number of second fuses in the high-voltage power distribution unit can be, but is not limited to, the same as the number of motors corresponding to the high-voltage power distribution unit. The third fuse F3 is located between the battery pack and other electrical equipment. The fourth fuse F4 is located between the battery pack and the fourth terminal of the high-voltage power distribution unit.

[0047] In one embodiment, a power switch K1 or a gear switch K2 is provided between the third fuse F3 and other electrical equipment. The high-voltage energy system can control the opening or closing of the power switch K1 or the gear switch K2 to start or stop or select the gear of other electrical equipment.

[0048] In one embodiment, the second and third ends of the high-voltage power distribution unit are provided with high-voltage interlock interfaces, and the high-voltage electrical equipment is connected to the second fuse F2 or the third fuse F3 of the high-voltage power distribution unit through the high-voltage interlock interfaces.

[0049] In one embodiment, the DC charging module of the high-voltage energy system can be inserted into a charging gun to activate the charging of battery packs B1 to B6. When the vehicle control module determines that the high-voltage energy system is in an external power supply state, it can report information such as the charging voltage, charging current, state of charge (SOC), and remaining charging time of each battery pack to the airborne avionics system.

[0050] In one embodiment, when the vehicle control module determines that the high-voltage energy system is powered by an external power source, it can control the high-voltage power distribution module to use the external power source to supply power to other electrical equipment in the high-voltage load. Simultaneously, the high-voltage power distribution module outputs the power supply status information of the external power source to the airborne avionics system.

[0051] The battery pack of this application includes a first fuse, a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, a pre-charge resistor, and a shunt. The battery pack also includes multiple batteries connected in series, which are charged and discharged through the positive and negative charging / discharging interfaces of the battery pack. The first fuse and the first switch are connected in series between the positive terminal of each battery and the positive charging / discharging interface. The second switch and the pre-charge resistor are connected in series at the common terminal of the first fuse and the first switch, and between the second switch and the positive charging / discharging interface. The shunt and the third switch are connected in series between the negative terminal of each battery and the negative charging / discharging interface. The pre-charge resistor reduces the damage to the battery pack caused by current surges when the charging power supply is connected. Each battery pack is connected to a corresponding battery management module, and each battery pack is equipped with voltage and temperature sampling wiring connected to the corresponding battery management module, enabling independent monitoring and control of the battery pack and achieving safety redundancy. Therefore, this application improves the electrical architecture safety of the high-voltage energy system and meets airworthiness requirements.

[0052] The technical features of the present application can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of the present application.

[0053] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is only a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A battery pack, characterized by, The battery pack includes multiple batteries, a first fuse, a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, a pre-charge resistor, and a shunt. The multiple batteries are connected in series and are charged and discharged through a positive charging and discharging interface and a negative charging and discharging interface. The first fuse and the first switch are connected in series between the positive terminal of the plurality of batteries and the positive charging / discharging interface; The second switching element and the pre-charge resistor are connected in series at the common terminal of the first fuse and the first switching element, and between them and the positive charging / discharging interface; The shunt and the third switch are connected in series between the negative terminal of the plurality of batteries and the negative charging / discharging interface.

2. A high voltage energy system, characterized by The high-voltage energy system includes multiple battery packs as described in claim 1, and also includes a high-voltage power distribution module, a DC charging module, a vehicle controller module, and a battery management module and an airborne avionics system in the same number as the battery packs. The high-voltage power distribution module is connected to the battery pack via a first high-voltage cable, and to the DC charging module via a second high-voltage cable. It is also connected to the high-voltage electrical load via a third high-voltage cable, so as to distribute power to the high-voltage electrical load through the third high-voltage cable. The DC charging module is connected to the vehicle controller module via a first communication cable and a first low-voltage cable. The battery pack and the battery management module are connected one-to-one via a second low-voltage cable and a second communication cable. The vehicle control module is connected to the battery management module via a third communication cable, to the high-voltage electrical load via a fourth communication cable, and to the airborne avionics system via a fifth communication cable.

3. The high voltage energy system of claim 2, wherein, The control terminals of the first switch, the second switch, and the third switch are connected to the battery management module. The battery is equipped with voltage sampling wiring and temperature sampling wiring, which are connected to the battery management module.

4. The high voltage energy system of claim 2, wherein, The high-voltage power distribution module includes multiple high-voltage power distribution units. The first end of at least one high-voltage power distribution unit is connected to a corresponding battery pack, the second end of at least one high-voltage power distribution unit is connected to a corresponding motor, the third end of at least one high-voltage power distribution unit is connected to other corresponding electrical equipment in the high-voltage power load, and the fourth end of each high-voltage power distribution unit is connected to the fourth end of other high-voltage power distribution units.

5. The high voltage energy system of claim 4, wherein, The fourth terminals of the plurality of high-voltage power distribution units are all connected to the DC charging module via a fourth switch.

6. The high voltage energy system of claim 4, wherein, At least one high-voltage electrical distribution unit includes: at least one second fuse, a third fuse, and a fourth fuse; The second fuse is located between the corresponding battery pack and the corresponding motor; The third fuse is located between the battery pack and the other electrical equipment; The fourth fuse is located between the battery pack and the fourth terminal of the high-voltage power distribution unit.

7. The high voltage energy system of claim 6, wherein, The motor is provided with multiple drive input interfaces. The motor is connected to the second end of the high-voltage power distribution unit through the drive input interfaces, and the drive input interfaces of the same motor are not connected to the second end of the same high-voltage power distribution unit.

8. The high-voltage energy system as described in claim 4, characterized in that, At least one of the high-voltage power distribution units includes: at least one high-voltage interlock interface; The at least one high-voltage interlock interface is disposed at the second end and / or the third end of the high-voltage power distribution unit.

9. The high voltage energy system of claim 2, wherein, The vehicle control module includes multiple vehicle controllers; The vehicle control module is also connected to the airborne avionics system via the fifth communication cable.

10. An electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, characterized in that, Includes the high-voltage energy system as described in any one of claims 2 to 9.

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