Inter-Battery Switching for Fault-Tolerant EV Voltage Reconfiguration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery systems for electric vehicles face challenges such as inability to switch to a fault-free low-voltage mode in case of local battery faults, leading to reduced convenience and safety, and the risk of internal short circuits during voltage switching.
Innovation Solution
A battery system comprising an energy storage apparatus with multiple battery packs and inter-battery switches, connected through a DC charging and discharging interface with relays, allowing for switching between high-voltage and low-voltage modes based on fault detection and charging/discharging parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If relay, contactor, or other power relays are used for switching between different voltage platforms, then voltage switching can be achieved, but internal short circuit risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the battery system into multiple battery packs (first battery pack, second battery pack, etc.) with inter-battery switches between adjacent packs. This segmentation allows the system to switch between series connection (high voltage) and parallel connection (low voltage) configurations, enabling voltage platform adaptation while maintaining system reliability through modular fault isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces inter-battery switches as intermediary components between battery packs, which act as controlled connection points. These switches provide precise control over battery pack connections, replacing traditional relay/contactor systems and eliminating internal short circuit risks while enabling safe voltage platform switching.
2Reliability
If the system cannot be discharged during internal local faults for safety, then safety is maintained, but power loss or vehicle breakdown occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the battery system into multiple independently controllable battery packs with inter-battery switches. When a local fault occurs in one pack, the system can isolate the faulty pack and continue discharging through healthy packs, maintaining power output capability while ensuring safety through fault isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic switching capability through inter-battery switches that can reconfigure the battery system topology in real-time. During local faults, the system dynamically switches to a fault-free low-voltage mode by isolating affected packs and reconfiguring remaining packs, allowing continued operation with partial power output.
3Power
If a high-voltage battery system is used but a low-voltage power-driven device is employed, then high voltage capability is achieved, but partial voltage discharging (e.g., 400 V) requires complex switching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the high-voltage battery system into multiple battery packs that can be selectively connected in series or parallel through inter-battery switches. This segmentation enables flexible voltage output (high voltage or partial voltage) by simply changing the connection configuration, reducing switching complexity compared to traditional relay-based systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The inter-battery switches serve multiple functions: they enable both high-voltage operation (series connection) and partial-voltage operation (parallel connection) using the same hardware infrastructure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate switching mechanisms for different voltage modes, reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery system of a vehicle, a charging and discharging method, and a vehicle. The system includes an energy storage apparatus (1) and a direct current (DC) charging and discharging interface (2), where the energy storage apparatus (1) includes a first battery pack (17) and a second battery pack (18), and a first inter-battery switch (11) and a second inter-battery switch (12) are disposed between adjacent battery packs; an incoming line terminal (111) of the first inter-battery switch (11) is connected to a first electrode of the first battery pack (17); a second outgoing line terminal (113) of the second inter-battery switch (12) is connected to a second electrode of the energy storage apparatus (1); and a first electrode of the DC charging and discharging interface (2) is connected to the first electrode of the energy storage apparatus (1).