Drive System Series Parallel Switching for Motor Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle drive systems require additional components like boost converters, leading to increased size and energy losses, and methods to switch battery connections result in upsizing, compromising the simplicity and downsizing goals.
Innovation Solution
A drive system with a switching device that dynamically switches between series and parallel connections of batteries and power generation devices, controlled by a drive controller to optimize voltage distribution and reduce component count, eliminating the need for boost converters and reactors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a boost converter is added between battery and motor to cover drive region, then motor size can be reduced, but system size increases due to additional boost converter component
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the battery and power generation device into a single integrated power supply unit that can operate in series or parallel configurations. This eliminates the need for separate boost converters by directly connecting the integrated power supply to the motor, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining motor downsizing benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated power supply system serves multiple functions: it can provide high voltage in series mode for high-speed operation and high current in parallel mode for low-speed operation. This multi-functionality replaces the need for additional components like boost converters, achieving both downsizing and simplified structure
2Volume of moving object
If boost converter is used to downsize motor, then motor size is reduced, but energy loss increases due to switching operations and cooling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the battery and power generation device into an integrated power supply, the patent eliminates the boost converter and its associated switching losses. The direct connection between the integrated power supply and motor reduces energy loss while maintaining the downsized motor configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated power supply provides continuous power delivery without the intermittent switching operations required by boost converters. The system can smoothly transition between series and parallel modes, maintaining continuous useful action and reducing energy loss from switching and cooling requirements
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple batteries are connected in series to increase motor operation range, then operation range increases, but device size increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple battery units into a single integrated power supply that can switch between series and parallel configurations. This approach increases motor operation range through voltage switching without requiring additional external components, thereby avoiding device upsizing
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between series and parallel connections of the integrated power supply based on operating conditions. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the motor to operate across a wide range without requiring permanent additional components, maintaining compact device size while expanding operation range
Data Source
AI summary
In a drive system including a battery, a power generation device (PGD) including a generator mounted to an engine shaft, and a drive device (DD) including a motor for driving a driven component, a drive controller performs a drive control for PGD and DD and a switching control for a switching device. During a parallel connection, respective high-voltage side terminals (HVTs) of PGD and the battery are connected to a HVT of DD, and respective low-voltage side terminals (LVTs) of PGD and the battery are connected to LVT of DD. During a series connection, HVT of any one of PGD and the battery is connected to HVT of DD, and LVT of another one of PGD and the battery is connected to LVT of DD, and terminals of PGD and the battery, which are not connected to DD, are connected to each other.