Electric Vehicle Power Storage Control for Switching and Charging Coordination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric powered vehicles with a power supply system comprising a main power storage device and multiple sub power storage devices lack an effective control technique for coordinating switching control and charging control, which limits the efficient use and extension of electric vehicle travel distance.

Innovation Solution

An electric powered vehicle equipped with a control device that includes a charging control unit, a switching control unit, and a selection control unit, allowing for coordinated charging and switching of sub power storage devices based on their state of charge, ensuring appropriate power distribution and extending travel distance by optimizing the use of both main and sub power storage devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If switching control is executed to replace a sub power storage device with decreased state of charge, then the travel distance of the electric vehicle is extended, but the charging control may be interrupted causing energy loss or incomplete charging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetravel distanceVSAvoidcharging control stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control device determines whether to prioritize switching control or charging control before executing either operation. By making this determination in advance based on the state of charge and vehicle conditions, the system prevents conflicts between switching and charging operations, ensuring that charging is completed before switching occurs or that switching is delayed until charging is safe to interrupt.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device dynamically adjusts the control priority between switching control and charging control based on real-time vehicle conditions, state of charge levels, and power supply availability. This dynamic prioritization allows the system to adapt to changing conditions and resolve the contradiction between extending travel distance through switching and maintaining charging stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Quantity of substance

If charging control is executed simultaneously with switching control, then the state of charge is maintained, but the control complexity increases and conflicts may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestate of chargeVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device determines the priority between charging control and switching control before executing either operation. This preliminary determination simplifies the control logic by establishing a clear execution sequence rather than attempting to coordinate both operations simultaneously, thereby reducing control complexity while maintaining state of charge management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system ensures that charging control is executed continuously and completed before switching control is initiated, or that switching is delayed until charging can be safely interrupted. This continuous execution approach maintains state of charge while avoiding the complexity of coordinating intermittent switching with charging operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Quantity of substance

If multiple sub power storage devices are used sequentially to increase travel distance, then the energy storage capacity is increased, but the switching frequency increases causing wear and control complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy storage capacityVSAvoidswitching control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device monitors the state of charge of each sub power storage device and uses this feedback information to determine when switching is necessary. By bas switching decisions on actual state of charge levels rather than arbitrary time intervals or distance markers, the system reduces unnecessary switching operations and extends the使用寿命 of connection components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control device changes the operational parameters of sub power storage devices based on their state of charge, vehicle conditions, and charging availability. By adjusting which devices are active and when switching occurs based on parameter thresholds rather than fixed schedules, the system optimizes energy storage utilization while minimizing switching frequency and associated wear.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 appropriate execution of switching control and charging control, thereby enhancing the electric vehicle's travel distance by efficiently managing the power storage devices, ensuring stable operation and preventing overcharging or overdischarging.

Implementation Method 1

a load device capable of converting kinetic energy of the electric powered vehicle into electric power

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectKinetic energy conversion:

Data Source

PatentEP2353920B1Electrically driven vehicle and electrically driven vehicle control method
Publication Date: 2019.01.23 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP2353920B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2353920B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2353920B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A power supply system includes a main power storage device (BA) and a plurality of sub power storage devices (BB1, BB2). A converter (12B) is connected so a selected one of the sub power storage devices (BB1, BB2) to perform voltage conversion bidirectionally between the selected sub power storage device and an electric power feeding line (PL2). A control device (30) executes charging control for controlling input of electric power from a load device (MG2, 22) to the main power storage device (BA) and selected sub power storage device, and switching control for switching electrical connection between the plurality of sub power storage devices (BB1, BB2) and electric power feeding line (PL2), according to a braking request of the electric powered vehicle. The control device (30) prohibits or limits, until completion of one of the charging control and switching control, the other control.