Dual Source Battery Pack System for Electric Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Metal-air batteries offer high energy density but have limitations in power density and cycle life, making them less efficient than conventional battery types, especially when used alone in electric vehicles, and require careful management to avoid electrolyte evaporation and ensure air supply.
Innovation Solution
A dual battery system combining a metal-air battery pack with a conventional battery pack, where the controller optimizes power distribution by determining the state-of-charge and vehicle efficiency to minimize the use of the less efficient metal-air cells while ensuring sufficient power for the vehicle's travel distance, setting acceleration and speed limits based on battery conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If metal-air battery cells are used to provide high energy density, then the capacity-to-weight ratio is improved, but the power density and maximum discharge rate deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines metal-air battery cells with conventional battery cells in a hybrid configuration. The metal-air cells provide high energy density for extended range, while conventional battery cells supplement power density for acceleration and high-demand scenarios. This merging allows the system to achieve both high energy density and adequate power density that neither cell type could provide alone.
2Use of energy by moving object
If metal-air battery cells are used to maximize energy storage, then the capacity-to-volume ratio is improved, but the cycle life and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid battery system merges metal-air cells with conventional battery cells, where the conventional cells provide superior cycle life and reliability. This combination allows the system to maintain high energy density from the metal-air cells while the conventional cells handle frequent charge-discharge cycles, thereby improving overall system reliability and cycle life.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system acts as an intermediary that manages power distribution between metal-air and conventional battery cells. It monitors the state of charge, temperature, and health of each cell type, directing high-power demands to conventional cells and using metal-air cells primarily for baseline energy storage, thereby protecting the metal-air cells from excessive cycling and improving overall system reliability.
3Productivity
If a dual battery pack system is implemented to optimize power distribution, then the overall efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into distinct metal-air and conventional battery packs, each with specialized functions. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each cell type while simplifying the control logic, as each segment can be managed according to its specific characteristics without requiring complex cross-management of a fully integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed to universally manage both metal-air and conventional battery cells through a unified interface and common power management architecture. This multi-functionality allows the same control hardware and software to efficiently manage different battery chemistries and characteristics, reducing overall system complexity despite the dual-battery configuration.
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 approach maximizes the benefits of both battery types, reducing the negative effects of metal-air cells by minimizing their use while maintaining a power reserve in the conventional battery pack, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency and range of electric vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
A dual source battery pack system for an electric vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A method of optimizing the operation of the power source of an electric vehicle is provided, where the power source is comprised of a first battery pack (e.g., a non-metal-air battery pack) and a second battery pack (e.g., a metal-air battery pack). The power source is optimized to minimize use of the least efficient battery pack (e.g., the second battery pack) while ensuring that the electric vehicle has sufficient power to traverse the expected travel distance before the next battery charging cycle.