Split-Source AGV Powertrain for Battery-Supercapacitor Buffering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional onboard powertrains for automated guided vehicles (AGVs) require two DC/DC converters, leading to high costs and limitations in compactness due to the integration of batteries and supercapacitors.
Innovation Solution
An onboard powertrain design that integrates a battery and a supercapacitor using a split-source inverter (SSI) without an additional DC/DC converter, where the supercapacitor is connected between the DC-link poles and the battery is connected in series with an inductor, allowing peak load shaving and buffering, and enabling a modular design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two DC/DC converters are used to interface battery and supercapacitor separately, then energy buffering capability is improved, but system cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the battery interface and supercapacitor interface into a single DC/DC converter unit. The converter uses a single inductor and control circuitry to manage power flow from both energy storage devices, eliminating the need for separate converters while maintaining the ability to buffer high-power peaks from both sources independently through intelligent control of the shared components.
Solution Approach 2:
The single DC/DC converter is designed to perform multiple functions: interfacing with both the battery and supercapacitor, performing DC/DC conversion for both sources, and providing peak power buffering for the entire hybrid energy storage system. This multi-functional design reduces component count while maintaining full functionality.
2Reliability
If two DC/DC converters are used to interface battery and supercapacitor separately, then energy buffering capability is improved, but system compactness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the battery interface and supercapacitor interface into a single DC/DC converter unit. The converter uses a single inductor and control circuitry to manage power flow from both energy storage devices, eliminating the need for separate converters while maintaining the ability to buffer high-power peaks from both sources independently through intelligent control of the shared components.
Solution Approach 2:
The single DC/DC converter is designed to perform multiple functions: interfacing with both the battery and supercapacitor, performing DC/DC conversion for both sources, and providing peak power buffering for the entire hybrid energy storage system. This multi-functional design reduces component count while maintaining full functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If two DC/DC converters are used to interface battery and supercapacitor separately, then supercapacitor integration is achieved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the battery interface and supercapacitor interface into a single DC/DC converter unit. The converter uses a single inductor and control circuitry to manage power flow from both energy storage devices, eliminating the need for separate converters while maintaining the ability to buffer high-power peaks from both sources independently through intelligent control of the shared components.
Solution Approach 2:
The single DC/DC converter is designed to perform multiple functions: interfacing with both the battery and supercapacitor, performing DC/DC conversion for both sources, and providing peak power buffering for the entire hybrid energy storage system. This multi-functional design reduces component count while maintaining full functionality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration extends battery lifetime, reduces system costs, and allows for a more compact design by eliminating the need for an extra DC/DC converter, while enabling efficient energy storage and regeneration from regenerative braking.
Implementation Method 1
a supercapacitor connected between the positive and negative DC-link poles
Implementation Method 2
an inductor connected to the positive or negative DC-link pole and to a middle point pole
Implementation Method 3
a battery and an inductor connected in series between the positive or negative DC-link pole and the middle point pole
Data Source
AI summary
An onboard powertrain for an automated guided vehicle, AGV, is presented herein. The onboard powertrain includes a split-source inverter, SSI, having at least one middle point pole, a positive DC-link pole, and a negative DC-link pole, a battery and an inductor connected in series between the positive or negative DC-link pole and the middle point pole, and a supercapacitor connected between the positive and negative DC-link poles.