Battery Connection Switching in Power Conversion for Redundant Supply

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power conversion devices lack the ability to efficiently switch between series and parallel connection states of power storage units, such as batteries, leading to potential operational failures and reduced redundancy in electrical device operation.

Innovation Solution

A power conversion device with a high-side and low-side electrical path, an inverter, and a motor, equipped with switches and sensors, allows for switching between series and parallel connections of batteries through a storage-to-storage switch and a bypass switch, enhancing redundancy by allowing different electrical devices to operate independently based on the state of the power conversion device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a power supply device switches the connection state of two batteries between series and parallel using a relay, then the connection state can be changed, but the reliability is reduced because both batteries must be in a normal state for the relay to operate properly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection state switching capabilityVSAvoidoperational reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the battery system into two independent power supply paths: a first power supply path with a first battery and a second power supply path with a second battery. Each path can independently supply power to electrical devices, allowing the system to maintain operation even when one battery fails. This segmentation enables the system to achieve series/parallel connection switching while maintaining high reliability, as the failure of one battery does not prevent the other from operating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a relay is used to switch connection states, then the switching function is achieved, but the device complexity increases and redundancy is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection state switching capabilityVSAvoidswitching device complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inverter serves multiple functions: it acts as the switching device for changing connection states between series and parallel, simultaneously serves as a power conversion device, and functions as a control center for managing power flow. By making the inverter multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate relay switches and reduces overall device complexity while maintaining the required switching capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If both batteries must be normal for relay operation, then the switching mechanism is simple, but the redundancy in electrical device operation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswitching mechanism complexityVSAvoidoperational redundancy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the battery system into two independent power supply paths: a first power supply path with a first battery and a second power supply path with a second battery. Each path can independently supply power to electrical devices, allowing the system to maintain operation even when one battery fails. This segmentation enables the system to achieve series/parallel connection switching while maintaining high reliability, as the failure of one battery does not prevent the other from operating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs the system with redundant power supply paths in advance, so that when one battery fails, the other battery can immediately take over without interrupting power supply to electrical devices. This prior cushioning approach ensures that the system has built-in redundancy to handle battery failures, maintaining operational continuity without requiring complex real-time switching mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS20250206190A1Power conversion device and computer program product for application to the same

Publication Date: 2025.06.26 DENSO CORP

AI summary

A power conversion device equipped with an inverter, a motor including an armature winding, a storage-to-storage switch provided in a storage-to-storage electrical path that electrically connects a negative terminal of a first power storage unit and a positive terminal of a second power storage unit, a bypass switch, and a motor-side electrical path that electrically connects the armature winding and the storage-to-storage electrical path, a first electrical device, and a second electrical device. The first electrical device is electrically connectable in parallel with a subject power storage unit that is either the first or second power storage unit. The second electrical device is electrically connectable with something other than the first electrical device.