Modular EV Battery System with Supercapacitor Emulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current modular battery systems for power systems, particularly in electric vehicles, face limitations in fast charging and cycle life due to the inherent differences between batteries and supercapacitors, with batteries offering higher energy density but lower power density and shorter cycle life compared to supercapacitors.
Innovation Solution
A single battery system comprising a fast-charging lithium ion module and a supercapacitor-emulating fast-charging lithium ion module, both with the same anode active material, configured to operate at high charging rates and within a narrow state of charge range, managed by a control unit to emulate supercapacitor performance, thereby enhancing power delivery and extending cycle life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If batteries are used to provide high energy density, then energy storage capacity is improved, but power density and cycle life deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is divided into multiple modules, each with specific capacity and power characteristics. The control unit segments the total power demand between different modules based on their individual capabilities, allowing the system to simultaneously achieve high energy density (by utilizing full-capacity modules) and high power density (by utilizing fast-response modules).
2Quantity of substance
If batteries are used to provide high energy density, then energy storage capacity is improved, but cycle life deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments cycling tasks between different battery modules. High-cycle modules handle frequent charge-discharge operations while long-life modules provide baseline energy storage. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high energy capacity without subjecting all capacity-providing modules to excessive cycling, thereby extending overall system cycle life.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit dynamically adjusts operating parameters (charge/discharge rates, voltage limits, temperature management) based on real-time module states. By optimizing these parameters for each module's condition and role in the system, the control unit extends cycle life while maintaining high energy storage capacity.
3Power
If supercapacitors are used to provide high power density, then power delivery capability is improved, but energy density deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges battery modules and supercapacitor modules into a hybrid architecture. The supercapacitor modules provide high-power bursts while the battery modules provide sustained energy. The control unit combines their outputs to deliver both high power density (from supercapacitors) and high energy density (from batteries), achieving performance superior to either component alone.
4Adaptability or versatility
If modular battery system is used to provide flexibility, then system adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit implements a universal management architecture that handles multiple functions (power allocation, state monitoring, thermal management, fault detection) through a single integrated system. This universal controller manages the modular configuration without requiring separate control systems for each module, thereby achieving high system adaptability while limiting the increase in 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 solution enables batteries to provide high power density and extended cycle life, bridging the gap between battery and supercapacitor performance, with improved energy storage and delivery capabilities while maintaining a stable operation range.
Implementation Method 1
the operation of batteries is based on electrochemical redox reactions
Implementation Method 2
the operation of supercapacitors is based on electrostatic energy storage
Data Source
AI summary
Single, internally adjustable modular battery systems are provided, for handling power delivery from and to various power systems such as electric vehicles, photovoltaic systems, solar systems, grid-scale battery energy storage systems, home energy storage systems and power walls. Batteries comprise a main fast-charging lithium ion battery (FC), configured to deliver power to the electric vehicle, a supercapacitor-emulating fast-charging lithium ion battery (SCeFC), configured to receive power and deliver power to the FC and/or to the EV and to operate at high rates within a limited operation range of state of charge (SoC), respective module management systems, and a control unit. Both the FC and the SCeFC have anodes based on the same anode active material and the control unit is configured to manage the FC and the SCeFC and manage power delivery to and from the power system(s), to optimize the operation of the FC.