Battery Swap Station Control for Parallel Vehicle Coordination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current battery swap stations have inefficiencies due to sequential operations between vehicles and swap stations, leading to prolonged battery swapping times and reduced efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a parallel control method for battery swap operations between vehicles and swap stations, where mechanical preparation and swap operations are performed simultaneously, including authentication, wheel positioning, battery swapping, and end operations, to streamline the process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If sequential operations are used between vehicle and battery swap station, then operation simplicity is maintained, but battery swapping time increases and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery swapping efficiencyVSAvoidbattery swapping time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by having the vehicle complete authentication, wheel positioning, and preparation operations before the battery swap station begins its mechanical preparation. This allows both vehicle and station operations to be staged and coordinated, enabling parallel execution of compatible tasks and reducing overall swapping time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuous useful action by orchestrating parallel operations between the vehicle and battery swap station. The vehicle performs preparation operations while the station simultaneously performs mechanical preparation, and both continue their respective tasks without idle waiting time, maximizing resource utilization and reducing total swapping duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Productivity

If parallel operations are implemented between vehicle and battery swap station, then battery swapping efficiency improves and time is reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery swapping efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback mechanisms where the vehicle and battery swap station continuously exchange status information and completion signals. The vehicle notifies the station when preparation is complete, and the station notifies the vehicle when mechanical operations are complete, allowing coordinated parallel execution while maintaining control through structured communication protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The battery swapping process is segmented into distinct phases: vehicle preparation operations, mechanical preparation operations, battery swap operations, and end operations. Each phase can be executed in parallel by different components (vehicle systems and station systems), reducing overall time while the modular structure manages complexity through clear phase boundaries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of time

If more operations are performed in parallel, then battery swapping time is further reduced, but coordination difficulty and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery swapping timeVSAvoidoperation coordination
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service through automated coordination where the vehicle and station autonomously manage their own operations and notify each other of completion status. The vehicle independently performs its preparation operations and notifies the station, while the station independently performs mechanical operations and notifies the vehicle, reducing the need for complex external coordination while maintaining efficient parallel execution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4406769A1Battery swap control method, battery swap control system, and computer storage medium
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 NIO TECH ANHUI CO LTD
  • EP4406769A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4406769A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4406769A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The disclosure relates to the technical field of battery swapping, and more specifically, to a battery swap control method for a battery swap station, a battery swap control method for a vehicle, a battery swap control system for a battery swap station, a battery swap control system for a vehicle, and a computer storage medium. The battery swap control method for a battery swap station according to an aspect of the disclosure includes: in response to receiving a battery swap start signal from a vehicle with a battery to be swapped (101), performing a mechanical battery swap preparation operation in parallel with a battery swap preparation operation of the vehicle with a battery to be swapped; in response to completing the mechanical battery swap preparation operation and receiving a battery swap preparation operation completion signal from the vehicle with a battery to be swapped, performing a mechanical battery swap operation (103); and in response to completing the mechanical battery swap operation, performing a mechanical battery swap end operation in parallel with a battery swap end operation of the vehicle with a battery to be swapped (105).