Dual Voltage Battery System for Cold Weather Engine Startability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle battery systems face challenges in efficiently managing dual voltage systems, particularly in maintaining sufficient energy levels for starting engines in cold weather while minimizing battery size and cost, as existing systems often operate at 12V and transitioning to higher voltage systems like 48V is complicated due to component compatibility issues.
Innovation Solution
A power management system that includes a first battery monitoring module, a second battery monitoring module, and a control module using a DC to DC converter to selectively charge and discharge power between a 12V and a 48V battery based on state of charge, temperature, and predicted ambient conditions to ensure optimal energy distribution and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the capacity of the battery is increased to ensure engine startability in cold weather, then the reliability of engine starting is improved, but the footprint and cost of the battery increase
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into two separate batteries: a first battery (12V) and a second battery (48V). Each battery is optimized for its specific function and voltage level, allowing the system to achieve reliable engine starting without requiring a single oversized battery. The 48V battery provides high power for starting while the 12V battery handles auxiliary loads, reducing the overall footprint compared to a single 12V battery system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the voltage parameter by introducing a 48V battery alongside the traditional 12V battery. This voltage parameter change allows the second battery to deliver higher power density for engine starting tasks, reducing the capacity and physical size required compared to a 12V system while improving cold weather startability reliability.
2Reliability
If the capacity of the battery is increased to ensure engine startability in cold weather, then the reliability of engine starting is improved, but the cost of the battery increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into two separate batteries: a first battery (12V) and a second battery (48V). Each battery is optimized for its specific function and voltage level, allowing the system to achieve reliable engine starting without requiring a single oversized battery. The 48V battery provides high power for starting while the 12V battery handles auxiliary loads, reducing the overall footprint compared to a single 12V battery system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the voltage parameter by introducing a 48V battery alongside the traditional 12V battery. This voltage parameter change allows the second battery to deliver higher power density for engine starting tasks, reducing the capacity and physical size required compared to a 12V system while improving cold weather startability reliability.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the vehicle transitions to a higher voltage battery system (48V) to improve energy efficiency, then the use of energy is improved, but the compatibility with existing 12V vehicle components deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical system is segmented into two voltage domains: 12V for existing auxiliary components and 48V for high-power applications. This segmentation allows the vehicle to leverage energy efficiency benefits of 48V systems while maintaining compatibility with the existing 12V component base through dedicated voltage domains and conversion interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
DC-DC converters serve as intermediary devices between the 12V and 48V battery systems, enabling power conversion and bidirectional energy transfer. These converters facilitate communication and power exchange between the two voltage domains, allowing existing 12V components to operate with the 48V battery system while maintaining component compatibility and enabling gradual transition.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a dual voltage battery system is implemented to balance energy efficiency and component compatibility, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The DC-DC converters are designed with multi-functionality, serving as power conversion devices, communication interfaces, and control nodes within the dual voltage system. This universality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby managing system complexity while maintaining the adaptability benefits of the dual voltage architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The control module continuously monitors the state of charge and operational status of both 12V and 48V batteries, using feedback signals to dynamically manage power flow and charging decisions. This feedback mechanism automates the complexity of coordinating two voltage systems, reducing the burden on manual intervention and simplifying system management despite the increased device complexity.
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
The system effectively manages energy between batteries to maintain sufficient state of charge and temperature, ensuring engine startability in cold conditions while minimizing battery size and cost, and optimizing energy use by shifting power between batteries as needed.
Implementation Method 1
using a direct current (DC) to DC converter, selectively charge the second battery with power from the first battery
Implementation Method 2
selectively apply power to a heater of the second battery based on a temperature of the second battery
Data Source
AI summary
A power management system for a vehicle includes a first battery monitoring module configured to monitor a first state of charge (SOC) of a first battery of the vehicle. The first battery has a first nominal voltage. A second battery monitoring module is configured to monitor a second SOC of a second battery of the vehicle. The second battery has a second nominal voltage that is greater than the first nominal voltage. A control module is configured to selectively apply power to a heater of the second battery based on an estimated value of the second SOC of the second battery at a next startup of an engine.