Vehicle Battery Module Configuration for Asymmetric Drive Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern electric vehicles with multiple drive motors face challenges in managing unequal torque distribution and energy state disparities between front and rear axles, leading to inefficient energy transmission and potential battery degradation due to differing energy consumption patterns.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that estimate energy consumption for each drive motor, configuring a battery with modular energy modules and power switches to tailor energy supply, allowing for asymmetrical assignment and reduced energy exchange between modules based on load estimation, using a multi-level converter system to manage power distribution efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single energy storage element is used for both front and rear axles, then the system complexity is reduced, but the state of charge becomes dependent only on total energy extraction which does not account for unequal torque distribution and leads to inefficient energy management
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is divided into multiple energy storage elements (first energy storage element for front axle, second energy storage element for rear axle) instead of using a single unified energy storage element. This segmentation allows independent management of energy for each axle, enabling the system to adapt to unequal torque distribution patterns while maintaining overall system functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate energy storage elements are used for front and rear axles, then energy supply adaptability to unequal torque distribution is improved, but the difference in state of charge increases over time requiring energy transmission systems which add complexity and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the connection configuration of energy modules between series and parallel arrangements based on real-time state of charge differences between the first and second energy storage elements. When state of charge difference exceeds a threshold, the connection is changed to enable energy transmission; when within threshold, the connection returns to normal operation. This dynamic adaptation eliminates the need for permanent complex energy transmission infrastructure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If DC/DC converters are used for energy transmission between energy storage elements, then energy transmission capability is improved, but weight and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the DC/DC converter component from the energy transmission system. Instead of using active power conversion devices, the system uses direct electrical connection reconfiguration (switching between series and parallel arrangements of energy modules) to transmit energy between energy storage elements. This removal of the DC/DC converter significantly reduces weight and space requirements while maintaining energy transmission capability.
4Ease of manufacture
If energy modules are assigned symmetrically to both axles, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the system cannot accommodate unequal torque distribution and different energy consumption patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements local quality by allowing different groups of energy modules to be connected in series for the first energy storage element (front axle) and differently configured for the second energy storage element (rear axle). This asymmetric local configuration within the otherwise symmetric modular battery structure enables each axle to receive energy tailored to its specific torque distribution pattern and energy consumption characteristics.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for configuring a battery for operation of at least two N-phase electric machines, in which a battery includes a plurality of energy modules, and the energy modules each have at least one energy cell and at least two power switches. A respective N-phase electric machine is assigned a respective group of the plurality of energy modules, and the assignment is carried out in accordance with an estimation of a respective energy consumption of the respective N-phase electric machines on the basis of a respective load of the respective N-phase electric machines which load is to be assumed.