Dual Battery Vehicle Power Supply with DC/DC Converter Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle electric power supply systems face challenges in preventing an increase in size or cost of the DC/DC converter when the load of low-voltage auxiliary machines increases, as they require a high output capacity to match continuous maximum electric power demands.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle electric power supply apparatus comprising a first battery, a second battery with a lower output voltage, and a DC/DC converter, where the control part manages the power supply by controlling the DC/DC converter's operation based on the charging rates of both batteries, allowing the second battery to take over when its charging rate exceeds a threshold, thereby reducing the load on the first battery and maintaining a predetermined difference between their charging rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the DC/DC converter is designed with high output capacity to match continuous maximum electric power of low-voltage auxiliary machines, then the auxiliary machines can be driven reliably, but the size and cost of the DC/DC converter increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the power supply system into two battery systems: a first battery (travel battery) and a second battery (auxiliary machine battery). The second battery is specifically dedicated to supplying power to auxiliary machines, while the first battery handles vehicle propulsion. This segmentation allows the DC/DC converter to operate at lower capacity since it only needs to manage power transfer between batteries rather than directly supporting peak auxiliary loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The second battery acts as an intermediary between the first battery and the auxiliary machines. Instead of the DC/DC converter directly supporting high-power auxiliary loads, the second battery serves as a buffer that absorbs and releases power as needed. The DC/DC converter only needs to maintain charging rate balance between the two batteries, significantly reducing its required output capacity.
2Reliability
If the DC/DC converter is designed with high output capacity to match continuous maximum electric power of low-voltage auxiliary machines, then the auxiliary machines can be driven reliably, but the cost of the DC/DC converter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the power supply system into two battery systems: a first battery (travel battery) and a second battery (auxiliary machine battery). The second battery is specifically dedicated to supplying power to auxiliary machines, while the first battery handles vehicle propulsion. This segmentation allows the DC/DC converter to operate at lower capacity since it only needs to manage power transfer between batteries rather than directly supporting peak auxiliary loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The second battery acts as an intermediary between the first battery and the auxiliary machines. Instead of the DC/DC converter directly supporting high-power auxiliary loads, the second battery serves as a buffer that absorbs and releases power as needed. The DC/DC converter only needs to maintain charging rate balance between the two batteries, significantly reducing its required output capacity.
3Device complexity
If the first battery directly supplies power to the second load, then the power supply is simple, but the charging rate of the first battery increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the power supply system into two battery systems: a first battery (travel battery) and a second battery (auxiliary machine battery). The second battery is specifically dedicated to supplying power to auxiliary machines, while the first battery handles vehicle propulsion. This segmentation allows the DC/DC converter to operate at lower capacity since it only needs to manage power transfer between batteries rather than directly supporting peak auxiliary loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The second battery acts as an intermediary between the first battery and the auxiliary machines. Instead of the DC/DC converter directly supporting high-power auxiliary loads, the second battery serves as a buffer that absorbs and releases power as needed. The DC/DC converter only needs to maintain charging rate balance between the two batteries, significantly reducing its required output capacity.
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
This configuration prevents the increase in size or cost of the DC/DC converter by allowing the second battery to handle increased loads, reducing the operational frequency and maintaining efficient power distribution between the batteries, thus ensuring continuous vehicle operation while minimizing the DC/DC converter's capacity requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a DC/DC converter that reduces a voltage value of the first battery and that supplies electric power to the second load
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle electric power supply apparatus includes: a first battery that supplies electric power to a first load that is driven at a first voltage and a second load that is driven at a second voltage which is lower than the first voltage; a second battery that supplies electric power to the second load and that has a lower output voltage than that of the first battery; a DC/DC converter that reduces a voltage value of the first battery and that supplies electric power to the second load; and a control part that controls a state of supplying electric power of the first battery to the second load by controlling an operation of the DC/DC converter based on a charging rate of the first battery and a charging rate of the second battery.