Dual Battery Pack Energy Management for EV Range and Life

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Solution Overview

Problem

High energy batteries in electric and hybrid vehicles have limited quick charging capabilities due to their high internal resistance, which reduces their driving range and cycle life, while high power batteries prioritize fast charging but have lower energy density.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a dual battery system with a high power battery pack and a high energy battery pack, managed by an energy management system that separates their charging and discharging cycles, prioritizing the high power pack for motive power and limiting the high energy pack's charge cycles to extend its life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If high energy batteries are used to extend driving range, then energy density is improved, but quick charging capability deteriorates due to high internal resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy densityVSAvoidquick charging capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery system is segmented into two distinct battery packs: a high power battery pack for fast charging and power delivery, and a high energy battery pack for extending driving range. This segmentation allows each battery type to operate in its optimal performance zone, resolving the contradiction between energy density and quick charging capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If high power batteries are used for fast charging, then charging speed is improved, but energy density deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging speedVSAvoidenergy density

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If high energy battery pack undergoes frequent charging and recharging cycles, then driving range flexibility is improved, but cycle life deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriving range flexibilityVSAvoidcycle life

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The high power battery pack serves as an intermediary that absorbs the stress of frequent charging and discharging cycles. The control system manages power flow to limit the high energy battery pack's charge cycles, thereby protecting it and extending its cycle life while maintaining driving range flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The high power battery pack performs multiple functions: it provides fast charging capability, delivers power during acceleration, and protects the high energy battery pack by limiting its charge cycles. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between driving range flexibility and cycle life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10814743B2Energy management system and method for vehicle with high power and high energy battery packs

Publication Date: 2020.10.27 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

An energy management system for a vehicle has a battery system including a first battery pack with a first set of battery cells and a second battery pack with a second set of battery cells. The first battery pack has a relatively high power density in comparison to the second battery pack, and the second battery pack has a relatively high energy density in comparison to the first battery pack. An electronic controller is operatively connected to the battery system and is configured to control charging and discharging of the first battery pack and the second battery pack. The first battery pack and the second battery pack are configured to be separately charged and discharged. The electronic controller prioritizes charging and discharging of the first battery pack over the second battery pack.