Parallel Energy Storage Module Disconnection Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical energy storage modules in electric motor vehicles face challenges in managing operations when characteristics diverge due to a malfunction, particularly in disconnecting defective modules without disrupting vehicle power or causing damage.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for controlling the operation of electric motor vehicles with multiple energy storage modules connected in parallel, allowing for the disconnection of defective modules while maintaining power delivery between minimum and maximum thresholds, using a power controller to reduce maximum power and ensure safe disconnection, and informing users of anomalies through alerts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If a defective energy storage module is disconnected without reducing maximum power, then the disconnection operation can be performed quickly, but the vehicle may experience power difficulty or damage to the disconnection mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisconnection timeVSAvoidvehicle power stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by reducing the maximum power before disconnecting the defective module. The power controller lowers the maximum power threshold to a safe level, ensuring that when disconnection occurs, the remaining modules can handle the load without causing vehicle difficulty or damage to disconnection mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If maximum power is reduced before disconnection, then vehicle safety is improved, but the disconnection process is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle safetyVSAvoiddisconnection delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies dynamics by making the maximum power adjustable and variable. The power controller dynamically changes the maximum power threshold from its initial value to a reduced safe value during the disconnection process, and can restore it afterward. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to balance safety requirements with operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Power

If a defective module is disconnected while high power is demanded, then the user's power request is satisfied, but the disconnection mechanism may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower deliveryVSAvoiddisconnection mechanism durability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by preemptively reducing the maximum power before disconnection occurs. This prevents the harmful condition of high current flow during disconnection, protecting the disconnection mechanism from damage while still allowing the system to meet power requirements through the remaining healthy modules at the reduced power level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the maximum power is continuously reduced progressively, then sudden speed drops and accidents are prevented, but the power reduction takes longer to complete

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesudden speed drop riskVSAvoidpower reduction time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic action by continuously and progressively reducing the maximum power in controlled increments rather than making a single abrupt change. This continuous adjustment allows the vehicle speed and power demand to adapt gradually, preventing sudden speed drops that could cause accidents, while the power controller monitors and manages the reduction process efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP2892754B1Control method and apparatus for energy storage assemblies of an electric motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2019.05.01 BLUE SOLUTIONS
  • EP2892754B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2892754B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2892754B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method of controlling the operation of the electrical power supply to an electric motor vehicle comprising at least two energy storage modules connected in parallel, said modules being able to provide the motor with a delivered electrical power lying between a predetermined minimum power and a predetermined maximum power, noteworthy in that the method comprises the following steps: - detection (100, 110) of an operating anomaly of at least one defective module, - reduction (120, 130) of the maximum power that can be provided by the modules, - electrical disconnection (140) of each defective module, the disconnection step being implemented after the reduction of the maximum power.