Segmented Battery System with Center Tap and Changeover Switch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern vehicles require multiple consumers with different input voltages, leading to the need for large, heavy, and expensive DC-DC converters to convert central battery voltage, and there is a limited supply of charging options for high-voltage batteries.
Innovation Solution
A battery system with a center tap dividing it into multiple battery elements, each providing the same voltage, and a power changeover switch that switches between these elements at a controlled rate to ensure balanced energy removal, potentially eliminating the need for large DC-DC converters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a high-voltage battery is used to provide sufficient energy for multiple consumers with different input voltages, then the energy supply capability is improved, but large and heavy DC-DC converters are required to convert the voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is divided into multiple battery elements with a center tap, creating separate voltage sources (first and second partial voltages) that can be independently selected. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex DC-DC converters by providing directly compatible voltage levels for different consumers.
Solution Approach 2:
A power changeover switch dynamically selects between the first and second battery elements based on the required voltage. This dynamic switching capability allows the system to adapt to different consumer voltage requirements without requiring fixed voltage conversion hardware.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the battery is divided into multiple battery elements with a center tap, then the adaptability to different voltage requirements is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is segmented into multiple elements with a center tap, creating naturally compatible voltage levels for different consumers without requiring complex external conversion equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
A power changeover switch acts as a simple intermediary component to select between battery elements. This minimal intermediary provides voltage adaptation without the complexity of traditional DC-DC converters.
3Power
If a large DC-DC converter is used to handle high energy consumption, then the power conversion capability is improved, but the cost and size of the converter increase
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the battery into multiple elements allows direct connection of appropriate voltage sources to consumers, eliminating the need for large power conversion equipment and reducing overall system size and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery structure itself is designed to provide multiple voltage levels through segmentation, copying the function of multiple batteries or complex converters into a single integrated structure.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the changeover rate is increased to balance energy removal from battery elements, then the energy distribution uniformity is improved, but the switching frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power changeover switch operates periodically to alternate between battery elements, ensuring balanced energy removal. This periodic switching maintains uniform energy distribution while allowing control over the switching frequency.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery system (10) has a battery (12) for providing a first voltage and has at least one tap (15, 19, 21) that divides the battery (12) into at least one first battery element (14) for providing a first partial voltage and at least one second battery element (16) for providing a second partial voltage. A power changeover switch (18) is arranged between the at least one first battery element (14) and the at least one second battery element (16) and is designed to change over between the at least one first battery element (14) and the at least one second battery element (16) at a changeover rate to be specified.