Dual-Battery Vehicle Power Switching for Stable Output

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing in-vehicle electric power storage systems face issues with sudden output decreases during battery switching and inefficient weight management due to high-output and high-capacity battery configurations, affecting vehicle control and ride comfort.

Innovation Solution

A system with a high-capacity battery set and a high-output battery set coupled in parallel, controlled by a switch mechanism and battery control apparatus, which decouples the high-capacity set when its voltage reaches a lower limit to continue outputting from the high-output set.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a high-output battery and a high-capacity battery are coupled in parallel to provide both high output and high capacity, then the system can meet various traveling situations, but the vehicle weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery outputVSAvoidvehicle weight
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic switching between parallel coupling and independent operation modes of the high-output battery and high-capacity battery. The switch mechanism dynamically adjusts the battery configuration based on real-time power and capacity requirements, allowing the system to transition from a fixed heavy configuration to a flexible dynamic one that only engages both batteries when simultaneously needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Each battery type is designed with dual functionality: the high-output battery can operate both as a power source and as a capacity supplement, while the high-capacity battery can serve as both a capacity reservoir and a power source. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve both high output and high capacity requirements without permanently coupling both batteries, thereby reducing overall vehicle weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Duration of action of moving object

If switching is performed from a high-output battery to a high-capacity battery when the high-output battery is depleted, then the system can continue operation, but the battery output suddenly decreases affecting vehicle control and ride comfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery operation durationVSAvoidbattery output
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent monitors the voltage of the high-output battery in advance and performs preliminary switching to the high-capacity battery before the high-output battery is completely depleted. This preliminary action prevents sudden output drops by ensuring a smooth transition while the high-output battery still maintains sufficient voltage and output capability, thereby maintaining vehicle control and ride comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains both batteries in parallel operation as a cushioning configuration, allowing the high-capacity battery to gradually share the load before complete switching is necessary. This beforehand cushioning prevents sudden output changes by providing a gradual transition path, ensuring continuous stable power delivery during battery state transitions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Weight of moving object

If the high-output battery is not coupled in parallel to the high-capacity battery when high output current is not required, then the vehicle weight is reduced, but the system becomes less efficient and more complex to manage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle weightVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic switching between parallel coupling and independent operation modes of the high-output battery and high-capacity battery. The switch mechanism dynamically adjusts the battery configuration based on real-time power and capacity requirements, allowing the system to transition from a fixed heavy configuration to a flexible dynamic one that only engages both batteries when simultaneously needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If both high-output and high-capacity batteries are always coupled in parallel, then the system can provide both high power and high capacity, but the vehicle weight increases and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery system adaptabilityVSAvoidvehicle weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic switching between parallel coupling and independent operation modes of the high-output battery and high-capacity battery. The switch mechanism dynamically adjusts the battery configuration based on real-time power and capacity requirements, allowing the system to transition from a fixed heavy configuration to a flexible dynamic one that only engages both batteries when simultaneously needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12472841B2In-vehicle electric power storage system, vehicle, and recording medium in which computer program is recorded
Publication Date: 2025.11.18 SUBARU CORP
  • US12472841B2 patent drawing
  • US12472841B2 patent drawing
  • US12472841B2 patent drawing

AI summary

In an in-vehicle electric power storage system including a high-capacity battery set and a high-output battery set coupled in parallel to each other, a battery control apparatus is configured to, when a voltage value of the high-capacity battery set reaches a lower-limit voltage or becomes close to the lower-limit voltage, decouple the high-capacity battery set from a circuit via a switch mechanism and continue outputting from the high-output battery set.