Battery Input Power Control for Current-Limited Vehicle Packs

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicles equipped with power restricting control devices face difficulties in adopting current restricting battery packs, as there is a lack of studies on using both systems in combination, making it challenging to implement current restricting battery packs effectively.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle configuration that includes a battery pack with a first control device for obtaining a current upper limit value and a second control device, separate from the pack, which uses a converter to convert the current upper limit value into a power upper limit value by multiplying the battery's voltage, enabling power-based input restriction even when a current restricting battery pack is used.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a current restricting battery pack is used, then the battery pack is more easily available, but the vehicle cannot perform power-based input restriction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavailability of battery packVSAvoidpower-based input restriction capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a converter as an intermediary device that translates current upper limit values from the battery pack into power upper limit values that the vehicle control device can use. This mediator enables compatibility between the current restricting battery pack and the power restricting control system, allowing both to work together effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the parameter type from current (I) to power (P) by multiplying the current upper limit value by the battery voltage. This parameter change allows the vehicle control device to perform power-based input restriction using data originally provided in current form, resolving the incompatibility between battery pack output and vehicle control input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a power restricting control device is used, then power-based input restriction can be performed, but current restricting battery packs cannot be effectively integrated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower-based input restriction capabilityVSAvoidcompatibility with battery pack types

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the vehicle control system universal by enabling it to work with both power restricting battery packs and current restricting battery packs. The converter allows the system to accept current upper limit values and convert them to power upper limit values, making the power restricting control device compatible with multiple battery pack types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The converter serves as a mediator that bridges the gap between different battery pack control approaches. It allows the power restricting control device to effectively control current restricting battery packs by translating the control parameters into a compatible format.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If only current-based control is implemented in the battery pack, then the battery pack design is simpler, but the vehicle cannot perform power-based input restriction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery pack control complexityVSAvoidpower-based input restriction capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The converter acts as an intermediary that performs the necessary calculation (power = current × voltage) to enable power-based control without requiring complex power control circuitry in the battery pack itself. The calculation is performed in the vehicle control system where the voltage data is already available.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the need for complex power-based control hardware in the battery pack with a software/calculation-based approach. By using the relationship P = I × V, the system performs power-based control through computational means rather than requiring dedicated power control hardware in the battery pack.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11833926B2Vehicle, vehicle control system, and vehicle control method that can perform power-based input restriction on a secondary battery included in a current restricting battery pack

Publication Date: 2023.12.05 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A vehicle includes a battery pack including a secondary battery, a battery sensor that detects a state of the secondary battery, and a first control device, a second control device provided separately from the battery pack, and a converter. The first control device is configured to use a detection value of the battery sensor to obtain a current upper limit value indicating an upper limit value of an input current of the secondary battery. The second control device is configured to use a power upper limit value indicating an upper limit value of an input power of the secondary battery to control the input power of the secondary battery.