A high-voltage power distribution module, a high-voltage energy system and an electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft

Abstract

The high-voltage power distribution module of the application connects the battery pack and the high-voltage load, the high-voltage load includes the motor and other electrical equipment, the high-voltage power distribution module includes a plurality of high-voltage power distribution units, the first end of at least one high-voltage power distribution unit is connected with the corresponding battery pack, the second end of at least one high-voltage power distribution unit is connected with the corresponding motor, the third end of at least one high-voltage power distribution unit is connected with the corresponding other electrical equipment in the high-voltage load, and the fourth end of each high-voltage power distribution unit is connected with the fourth end of other high-voltage power distribution units. Therefore, the electrical architecture of the high-voltage power distribution of the application improves the safety of the electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, so as to meet the airworthiness requirements.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of aviation equipment technology, specifically to a high-voltage power distribution module, a high-voltage energy system, and an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. 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 high-voltage power distribution module that can be applied to eVTOL, ensuring high safety and meeting airworthiness requirements.

[0006] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this application provides a high-voltage power distribution module. The high-voltage power distribution module connects a battery pack to a high-voltage electrical load, which includes a motor and other electrical equipment. 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 a corresponding other electrical equipment in the high-voltage electrical load, and the fourth end of each high-voltage power distribution unit is connected to the fourth ends of other high-voltage power distribution units.

[0007] Optionally, at least one high-voltage electrical distribution unit includes: at least one first fuse, a second fuse, and a third fuse; The first fuse is located between the corresponding battery pack and the corresponding motor; The second fuse is located between the battery pack and other electrical equipment; The third fuse is located between the battery pack and the fourth terminal of the high-voltage power distribution unit.

[0008] Optionally, the motor is provided with multiple input terminals, and the motor is connected to the second terminal of the high-voltage power distribution unit through the input terminals. The multiple input terminals of the same motor are respectively connected to the second terminals of different high-voltage power distribution units.

[0009] Optionally, at least one high-voltage power distribution unit includes: a high-voltage interlock interface; The high-voltage interlock interface is located on the second and / or third end of the high-voltage power distribution unit and is connected to the first or second fuse of the high-voltage power distribution unit.

[0010] Optionally, at least one high-voltage power distribution unit further includes a power switch and / or a stop switch; the power switch or stop switch is located between the corresponding second fuse and the corresponding other electrical equipment.

[0011] This application also provides a high-voltage energy system, including the above-mentioned high-voltage power distribution module, and further including a DC charging module, a vehicle control module, at least one battery pack and a number of battery management modules equal to the number of 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. The DC charging module is connected to the vehicle control 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 and to the high-voltage electrical load via a fourth communication cable.

[0012] Optionally, the fourth terminals of multiple high-voltage power distribution units are all connected to the DC charging module via the first switching element.

[0013] Optionally, the battery pack includes multiple batteries, a fourth fuse, a second switch, a third switch, a fourth switch, a pre-charge resistor, and a shunt. Multiple batteries within 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. The fourth fuse and the second switch are connected in series between the positive terminal of the batteries and the positive charging / discharging interface of the multiple batteries; The third switch and the pre-charge resistor are connected in series at the common terminal of the fourth fuse and the second switch, between the positive charging and discharging interface and the positive terminal. The shunt and the fourth switch are connected in series between the negative terminals of multiple batteries and the negative charging / discharging interface. The control terminals of the second, third, and fourth switching devices are connected to the battery management module.

[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 high-voltage power distribution module of this application connects a battery pack to a high-voltage electrical load, which includes a motor and other electrical equipment. The module comprises multiple high-voltage distribution units. At least one high-voltage distribution unit has its first terminal connected to a corresponding battery pack, its second terminal connected to a corresponding motor, and its third terminal connected to the corresponding other electrical equipment within the high-voltage electrical load. The fourth terminal of each high-voltage distribution unit is connected to the fourth terminals of all other high-voltage distribution units. By allocating at least two independent high-voltage distribution units to power a single motor, safety redundancy is achieved. Therefore, the electrical architecture of the high-voltage power distribution module in this application improves the safety of electric vertical takeoff and landing (EVTOL) aircraft, enabling them to meet 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 architecture of a high-voltage power distribution module according to an embodiment of this application.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit connection relationship of a battery pack 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] This application provides a high-voltage power distribution module that connects a battery pack to a high-voltage electrical load, including a motor and other electrical equipment. The module comprises multiple high-voltage power distribution units. At least one high-voltage power distribution unit has its first terminal connected to a corresponding battery pack, its second terminal connected to a corresponding motor, and its third terminal connected to a corresponding other electrical equipment within the high-voltage electrical load. The fourth terminal of each high-voltage power distribution unit is connected to the fourth terminals of all other high-voltage power distribution units. This high-voltage power distribution module can be applied to a high-voltage energy system, improving the safety of eVTOL systems using this 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 control 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 control 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 architecture of a high-voltage power distribution module according to an embodiment of this application, as shown below. Figure 2 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] The third terminal of each high-voltage power distribution unit is connected to the corresponding electrical equipment in the high-voltage electrical load, such as... Figure 2As shown, other electrical equipment can be at least one of the following: a first DC-DC converter (also known as DCDC1), a second DC-DC converter (also known as DCDC2), a battery liquid heating device, a cabin air conditioner, a cabin heating system at level 1, and a cabin heating system at level 2.

[0036] 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.

[0037] Specifically, such as Figure 2 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 first switch S1.

[0038] In one embodiment, the high-voltage power distribution unit includes at least one first fuse F1, a second fuse F2, and a third fuse F3.

[0039] The first fuse F1 is located between the corresponding battery pack and the corresponding motor. If there are multiple motors corresponding to the battery pack, the number of first fuses F1 can also be multiple. Specifically, the number of first 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 second fuse F2 is located between the battery pack and other electrical equipment. The third fuse F3 is located between the battery pack and the fourth terminal of the high-voltage power distribution unit.

[0040] In one embodiment, a power switch K1 or a gear switch K2 is provided between the second fuse F2 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 realize the start / stop or gear selection of other electrical equipment.

[0041] 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 first fuse F1 or the second fuse F2 of the high-voltage power distribution unit through the high-voltage interlock interfaces.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit connection relationship of a battery pack according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 3 As shown, the battery pack includes multiple batteries. Only eight batteries C1 to C8 are shown in the figure, but this application is not limited to this. The battery pack also includes a fourth fuse F4, a second switch S2, a third switch S3, a fourth switch S4, a pre-charge resistor R, and a shunt.

[0045] 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.

[0046] The fourth fuse F4 and the second switch S2 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.

[0047] The third switch S3 and the pre-charge resistor R are connected in series at the common terminal of the fourth fuse F4 and the second switch S2, between the second and the positive charging / discharging interface. In one embodiment, the third switch S3 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.

[0048] The shunt and the fourth switch S4 are connected in series between the negative terminals of multiple batteries and their negative charging / discharging interfaces. The control terminals of the second switch S2, the third switch S3, and the fourth switch S4 are connected to the battery management module.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] The high-voltage power distribution module of this application connects a battery pack to a high-voltage electrical load, which includes a motor and other electrical equipment. The module comprises multiple high-voltage distribution units. At least one high-voltage distribution unit has its first terminal connected to a corresponding battery pack, its second terminal connected to a corresponding motor, and its third terminal connected to the corresponding other electrical equipment within the high-voltage electrical load. The fourth terminal of each high-voltage distribution unit is connected to the fourth terminals of all other high-voltage distribution units. By allocating at least two independent high-voltage distribution units to power a single motor, safety redundancy is achieved. Therefore, the electrical architecture of the high-voltage power distribution module in this application improves the safety of electric vertical takeoff and landing (EVTOL) aircraft, enabling them to meet 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 high-voltage power distribution module, characterized in that, The high-voltage power distribution module connects the battery pack to the high-voltage electrical load, which includes motors and other electrical equipment. 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, its second end connected to a corresponding motor, its third end connected to other corresponding electrical equipment, and its fourth end connected to the fourth ends of other high-voltage power distribution units.

2. The high-voltage power distribution module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, At least one high-voltage electrical distribution unit includes: at least one first fuse, a second fuse, and a third fuse; The first fuse is located between the corresponding battery pack and the corresponding motor; The second fuse is located between the battery pack and the other electrical equipment; The third fuse is located between the battery pack and the fourth terminal of the high-voltage power distribution unit.

3. The high-voltage power distribution module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The motor is provided with multiple input terminals, and the motor is connected to the second terminal of the high-voltage power distribution unit through the input terminals. Moreover, the multiple input terminals of the same motor are connected to the second terminals of different high-voltage power distribution units.

4. The high-voltage power distribution module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, At least one of the high-voltage power distribution units includes: a high-voltage interlock interface; The high-voltage interlock interface is located on the second end and / or the third end of the high-voltage power distribution unit.

5. The high-voltage power distribution module as described in claim 2, characterized in that, At least one of the high-voltage power distribution units further includes a power switch and / or a stop switch; The power switch or gear switch is located between the corresponding second fuse and the corresponding other electrical equipment.

6. A high-voltage energy system, characterized in that, The high-voltage power distribution module, as described in any one of claims 1-5, further includes a DC charging module, a vehicle control module, multiple battery packs, and multiple battery management modules. The high-voltage power distribution module is connected to the battery pack 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, so as to distribute power to the high-voltage electrical load via the third high-voltage cable. The DC charging module is connected to the vehicle control module via a first communication cable and a first low-voltage cable. The battery pack and the corresponding 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 and to the high-voltage electrical load via a fourth communication cable.

7. The high-voltage energy system as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The fourth terminals of the plurality of high-voltage power distribution units are all connected to the DC charging module via the first switching element.

8. The high-voltage energy system as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The battery pack includes multiple batteries, a fourth fuse, a second switch, a third switch, a fourth switch, a pre-charge resistor, and a shunt. The multiple batteries 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. The fourth fuse and the second switch are connected in series between the positive terminal of the plurality of batteries and the positive charging / discharging interface; The third switch and the pre-charge resistor are connected in series at the common terminal of the fourth fuse and the second switch, and between them and the positive charging / discharging interface; The shunt and the fourth switch are connected in series between the negative terminal of the plurality of batteries and the negative charging / discharging interface; The control terminals of the second, third, and fourth switches are connected to the battery management module.

9. The high-voltage energy system as described in claim 6, characterized in that, 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.

10. An electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, characterized in that, Includes the high-voltage energy system as described in any one of claims 6 to 9.

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