BEV Battery Charging Control for Altitude-Based Regen Reserve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) face the challenge of needing additional braking systems and cooling circuits due to stringent braking regulations, which add weight and cost, and existing altitude-based charging protocols are not robust against inaccurate map data.
Innovation Solution
An energy management system that controls the state of charge (SOC) setpoint based on orthometric height using a lookup map, optimizing energy storage to compensate for regenerative braking needs, thus reducing the necessity for additional braking systems and cooling circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an additional braking system (brake resistor) and cooling circuit are equipped to maintain endurance braking performance when battery is fully charged, then braking performance is maintained, but vehicle weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by reducing the state of charge setpoint before reaching 100% charge when altitude indicates potential downhill sections ahead. This creates free battery capacity in advance to store regenerative braking energy, eliminating the need for additional braking systems and cooling circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces altitude information from a navigation system as an intermediary parameter to predict future braking energy recovery opportunities. This intermediary data allows the control system to proactively adjust charging behavior, avoiding the need for physical additional braking components.
2Productivity
If route information and complicated calculations are used for altitude-based charging protocols, then charging control is optimized, but system robustness decreases when map information is inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex, expensive route information and map data with simple, readily available altitude information from the navigation system. This simpler data source is more reliable and less prone to accuracy issues, while still enabling effective charging optimization through the altitude-SOC setpoint relationship.
3Quantity of substance
If the battery is charged to 100% state of charge, then energy storage is maximized, but regenerative braking capability is lost when altitude indicates downhill sections
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the state of charge setpoint based on real-time altitude information from the navigation system. When altitude indicates the vehicle is in or approaching a downhill section, the setpoint is reduced to preserve battery capacity for regenerative braking. When altitude shows flat or uphill terrain, the setpoint increases to maximize energy storage, thus adapting charging behavior to terrain conditions.
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
Optimizes battery range and lifetime by conservatively reserving energy for downhill braking, maximizing energy recovery and minimizing system weight and cost, while maintaining endurance braking performance.
Implementation Method 1
an electric battery (500)
Implementation Method 2
transforming the brake energy generated in the E-motor into electric energy that is transported back to the battery
Implementation Method 3
a lookup map that couples the actual vehicle altitude to a SOC setpoint
Data Source
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AI summary
It is aimed to provide an energy management system for an BEV vehiclescomprising an electric powertrain powered by an electric battery, said energy management system comprising a state of charge (SOC) setpoint controller, said SOC setpoint controller arranged to control, when charging the battery, a maximum charge level of the battery in dependence of an orthometric altitude, in order to free up battery capacity to compensate for potential energy to be stored in the battery due to regenerative braking, wherein the SOC setpoint is controlled in dependence of a lookup map that couples the actual vehicle orthometric altitude to a SOC setpoint, wherein the lookup map is provided with a lookup function that determines the maximum charge level at 100 % when the vehicle is in range below a first altitude level; wherein the lookup function lowers the SOC setpoint dependent on the altitude of the vehicle when the vehicle is above the first altitude level; and wherein the lookup function keeps the SOC setpoint at a constant value, when the vehicle is above a second altitude level the SOC setpoint, the second altitude determined by a maximum altitude descent that is available for the BEV vehicle.