EV Battery Connection System with Position Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for connecting batteries in electric vehicles lack secure and automated mechanisms for ensuring proper positioning and locking before establishing electrical connections, leading to potential risks of short-circuiting and inefficient energy exchange.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising logic processing units, communication modules, and locking mechanisms in both batteries and vehicles, which use energy from the batteries to verify and authorize connections only when batteries are correctly positioned and locked, employing optical or radio wave communication for secure exchange and mechanical or electrical actuators for safe connection to the electric motor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If batteries are made removable for quick exchange, then battery replacement speed is improved, but electrical connection security deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery replacement speedVSAvoidelectrical connection security
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of locking state and compartment closing state before establishing electrical connection. The control unit receives detection signals confirming proper battery positioning and locking, then authorizes the connection means to establish electrical contact. This preliminary verification ensures connection security while maintaining quick exchange capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where detection means continuously monitor the locking state and compartment closing state, sending signals to the control unit. The control unit processes this feedback and only enables electrical connection when all safety conditions are met, creating a closed-loop control system that balances speed and security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If electrical connection is established immediately upon battery insertion, then energy exchange efficiency is improved, but short-circuit risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy exchange efficiencyVSAvoidshort-circuit risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Before establishing electrical connection for energy exchange, the system performs preliminary safety checks by detecting the locking state and compartment closing state. The control unit only authorizes connection establishment when detection means confirm proper battery positioning and secure compartment closure, eliminating short-circuit risks before energy exchange begins.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary between the battery insertion action and the electrical connection establishment. It receives detection signals, processes safety conditions, and only then permits the connection means to establish electrical contact, serving as a safety mediator that prevents direct unauthorized connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If detection means are added to verify battery positioning, then connection security is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection means are integrated with the existing locking mechanism and compartment structure. The detection signals are merged into the existing control unit, which already manages battery exchange operations. This merging approach adds detection capability without creating separate independent systems, thus limiting the increase in overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the original battery exchange controller and as the processor for detection signals. By making the control unit universal, the system avoids adding dedicated separate processing hardware, thereby minimizing complexity increase while achieving enhanced connection security through integrated detection and control.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2539167B1System for connecting batteries for an electric vehicle and associated set of batteries
Publication Date: 2014.04.02 RENAULT SA
  • EP2539167B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2539167B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a system (20) for connecting a set of batteries (4) intended to supply at least one electric motor for powering a motor vehicle and intended to be accommodated inside a compartment (2) provided on the vehicle. Each battery (5) includes a logic processing unit (24), a communication module (25) and means (27) for connecting to the motor, and is characterized in that the vehicle includes a logic processing unit (30) connected to a stationary auxiliary battery, a communication module (31) capable of communicating with the communication module (25) of each battery (5) and means for locking and blocking the batteries (5) in position.