Dynamic Battery Pack Operating Range Control for Electric Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage systems in electric or hybrid electric vehicles face challenges when an abnormality occurs in one battery pack, leading to either overuse of remaining packs or impaired power functionality, as existing methods either disconnect the faulty pack or restrict power, both of which are suboptimal.
Innovation Solution
A method that disconnects a faulty battery pack and adjusts the operating range of the remaining packs to an increased range to maintain nominal power functionality, while monitoring parameters to switch back to a decreased range before damage occurs, balancing performance and longevity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the allowed operating extent of remaining battery packs is increased to maintain nominal power functionality after disconnection, then the power functionality is preserved, but the battery packs risk premature aging and deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the operating extent of battery packs adjustable rather than fixed. The control device dynamically modifies the allowed operating extent based on real-time system conditions, specifically transitioning from a nominal working range during normal operation to an increased working range when a battery pack is disconnected, and subsequently to a decreased working range when accumulated damage risk reaches a threshold. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to maintain power functionality when necessary while protecting battery longevity when conditions permit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the operating parameters (state of charge limits, power output levels) of the remaining battery packs based on the number of disconnected battery packs. When one or more battery packs are disconnected, the control device increases the operating extent parameters to compensate for the lost capacity and maintain nominal power functionality. Conversely, when the accumulated damage parameter reaches a threshold, the system decreases these parameters to protect the remaining battery packs. This parameter adjustment strategy directly addresses the contradiction between maintaining power output and preserving battery longevity.
2Reliability
If the abnormal battery pack is disconnected to ensure safety, then the safety is improved, but the remaining battery packs cannot provide sufficient power functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the operating extent of the remaining battery packs based on the number of disconnected battery packs. When a battery pack is disconnected for safety reasons, the control device increases the allowed operating extent (state of charge range, power output) of the remaining packs to compensate for the lost capacity. This ensures that the system can maintain its nominal power functionality despite the reduction in the number of active battery packs, thereby resolving the contradiction between safety (disconnecting faulty packs) and power functionality (maintaining sufficient output).
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling the operation of an energy storage system (10) in a vehicle (30), preferably an electric or hybrid electric vehicle, said energy storage system (10) comprising at least two battery packs (12) connected in parallel, said energy storage system (10) being adapted to provide at least a nominal power functionality for propulsion of said vehicle (30) using an allowed operating extent of all of said battery packs (12) of said energy storage system (10), said allowed operating extent being a nominal working range of said battery packs (12); said method comprising disconnecting at least one battery pack (12); and setting said allowed operating extent for said remaining connected and active battery pack(s) (12) to an increased working range so as to enable said energy storage system (10) to provide said nominal power functionality to said vehicle (30), the method further comprising monitoring at least one accumulated parameter indicative of the operation of said energy storage system (10) from the time of disconnection of said at least one battery pack (12), and when said accumulated parameter reaches a threshold value, setting said allowed operating extent for said remaining battery pack(s) (12) to a decreased working range. The invention also relates to a control unit for controlling the operation of an energy storage system (10).