Electrical Module Control for Low-Loss Multi-Battery Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for selecting an appropriate power source for electronic devices in vehicles do not efficiently manage power loss across multiple batteries with different output voltages, leading to suboptimal performance and energy efficiency.

Innovation Solution

An electrical module with a controller that determines the power requirements of an external device and calculates the power losses associated with multiple batteries, automatically selecting the battery with the lowest power loss to supply electrical current, thereby optimizing power delivery and minimizing losses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a system uses multiple batteries with different output voltages to power external devices, then the system can provide continuous power supply and increased reliability, but the system experiences increased power loss and reduced energy efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous power supplyVSAvoidpower loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes the operating parameters by selecting different batteries based on their output voltages and the power requirements of external devices. The controller calculates power loss for each battery-device combination and selects the optimal pairing, thereby minimizing energy loss while maintaining reliable power supply.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic battery selection rather than a fixed configuration. The controller continuously monitors power requirements and power loss characteristics, automatically switching between different battery devices to optimize energy efficiency while ensuring continuous power availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of energy

If the system automatically selects the optimal battery based on power loss calculations, then energy efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional control circuitry

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower lossVSAvoidcontrol circuitry
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-optimization by automatically calculating power loss for each battery configuration and selecting the most efficient option without external intervention. The controller autonomously monitors system parameters and makes real-time decisions to minimize power loss, reducing the need for complex external control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the controller continuously monitors power requirements of external devices and calculates the corresponding power loss for each battery. This feedback loop enables the system to adaptively select the optimal battery configuration, balancing energy efficiency with manageable system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4557567A1Electrical module and related methods
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 APTIV TECHNOLOGIES AG
  • EP4557567A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4557567A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4557567A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electrical module (10) is configured for connection with a first battery (12), a second battery (14), and an external electrical device (18a, 18b). The electrical module (10) includes a first switch (40a), a second switch (40b), and a controller (30) electrically connected to the first switch (40a) and the second switch (40b). The controller (30) is configured to determine at least one of a power requirement of, or an electrical load drawn by, the external electrical device (18a, 18b). In response to determining the at least one of the power requirement of, or the electrical load drawn by, the external electrical device (18a, 18b), the controller (30) is configured to determine (i) a first power loss associated with the first battery (12) and (ii) a second power loss associated with the second battery (14). The controller (30) is configured to automatically select the first battery (12) to supply electrical current to the external electrical device (18a, 18b) based on the first power loss being less than the second power loss.