Battery Pack Power-Line Communication With Overvoltage Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for exchanging battery packs in electric vehicles face challenges in ensuring secure and safe communication between the battery packs and the vehicle or charging device, particularly when multiple devices are within wireless communication range, leading to potential misidentification and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A power storage pack system that uses a power line for communication, with switches and an overvoltage protection circuit to ensure safe communication, and employs near-field communication (BLE) for identification and authentication, ensuring correct pairing and preventing overvoltage damage to controllers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a large-capacity battery is mounted in the vehicle, then the driving distance can be extended, but the battery cannot be charged when the vehicle is not in use, resulting in wasted energy and reduced driving distance
Solution Approach 1:
The power storage system is divided into two independent battery packs: a first power storage device for vehicle operation and a second power storage device for stationary energy storage. This segmentation allows the vehicle-mounted battery to be smaller (reducing wasted energy when not in use) while the stationary battery provides additional energy capacity to extend driving distance through wireless power transfer.
2Loss of energy
If the battery is made smaller to avoid energy waste, then energy loss is reduced, but the driving distance becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
A wireless power transfer system acts as an intermediary between the stationary second battery and the vehicle-mounted first battery. This intermediary enables energy transfer without physical connection, allowing the vehicle to charge from the stationary battery when needed, thus extending driving distance while maintaining efficient energy utilization.
3Duration of action of moving object
If a large-capacity battery is used, then driving distance is extended, but the vehicle requires a large battery that cannot be charged when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The power storage function is segmented between vehicle-mounted and stationary batteries, allowing the vehicle battery to be optimized for driving operations while the stationary battery handles long-term energy storage and charging operations, simplifying the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The stationary second battery serves itself by automatically charging when excess energy is available and providing power to the vehicle when needed, reducing the need for complex charging infrastructure and manual intervention.
4Ease of operation
If the battery is disconnected from the charging device, then the vehicle can move freely, but power supply to the battery becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless power transfer system serves as a mediator that maintains reliable power connection between the stationary and vehicle-mounted batteries without physical cable connections, enabling both vehicle mobility and stable power supply simultaneously.
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
Enables secure and efficient communication and identification of battery packs, preventing misidentification and ensuring safe operation by using power lines for communication and near-field authentication, reducing connector wear, and maintaining system integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a wireless charging device for wirelessly charging the power storage pack when the power storage pack is in the charging position
Data Source
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AI summary
Controller (12) of power storage pack (10) communicates with controller (32) of electric moving body (30) in a state where power storage pack (10) is mounted to the electric moving body. Communication wiring (Lc1) connects a node of power line (Lp1) on power source terminal (Tp) side relative to first switch (RYp) and controller (12) of power storage pack (10). Overvoltage protection circuit (19) turns off second switch (SWc) inserted into communication wiring (Lc1) upon detecting an overvoltage of power line (Lp1) during communication between controller (12) of power storage pack (10) and controller (32) of the electric moving body.