Electric Vehicle Power Supply Bus Switching Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for supplying electrical power to a DC supply bus in electric vehicles are limited in their ability to efficiently switch between catenaries with different alternating voltages, often requiring additional current surge limitation means and physical modifications to existing circuits.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that control the closure of precharge and isolating switches to connect the bus to different transformer terminals, using a single current surge limitation means to manage current surges when switching between catenaries with varying voltages, allowing the bus to be supplied with power from either catenary without additional surge limitation means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a second current surge limitation means is added to supply power from the second catenary, then current surge is limited when switching from the second catenary, but the device complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The first current surge limitation means is designed to serve dual purposes: limiting current surge when switching from the first catenary and when switching from the second catenary. The control unit achieves this by controlling the precharge switch timing differently based on which catenary is the source, making a single component perform multiple functions that would traditionally require separate components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the function of two separate current surge limitation means into a single means. By combining the current surge limitation function for both catenary sources into one component and controlling it through a unified control unit that adapts its operation based on the source catenary, the system reduces component count while maintaining protection functionality
2Device complexity
If the same current surge limitation means is used for both catenaries, then device complexity is reduced, but current surge may not be adequately limited when switching from the second catenary
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically adjusts the operation of the precharge switch based on which catenary is the power source. When switching from the second catenary, the control unit controls the precharge switch to close at a specific timing that ensures adequate current surge limitation, adapting the switch control strategy to the specific source catenary characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the precharge switch control based on the source catenary. The control unit modifies the switch closure timing and control signals according to whether the first or second catenary is the source, effectively changing the operational parameters to achieve adequate current surge limitation for each scenario using the same physical component
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
This approach allows efficient power supply from both high and low voltage catenaries with minimal modifications to existing circuits, reducing production costs and simplifying the system by using a single current surge limitation means, such as a resistor.
Implementation Method 1
a step for controlling the rectifier/booster in order to rectify and increase the alternating voltage supplied by the first terminal
Implementation Method 2
a controllable voltage rectifier/booster which is connected to the supply bus in order to supply it with rectified voltage produced from an alternating voltage which is supplied through the electrical power supply circuit via the first or second terminal
Implementation Method 3
a means for limiting current surge caused by at least one rechargeable temporary energy storage unit of the bus
Data Source
AI summary
A method for supplying electrical power to a DC supply bus of a rotating electric motor of an electric vehicle is provided. The method includes the steps of selectively supplying electrical power to the bus via a first power supply at a first alternating voltage and selectively supplying electrical power to the bus via a second power supply at a second alternating voltage that is less than the first alternating voltage.