Hybrid Supercapacitor-Battery Switching for Vehicle Power Draw
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy management systems in vehicles struggle to optimize power draw from both electrochemical batteries and supercapacitors, leading to limited driving range and inefficient energy usage.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a plurality of energy storage units including a supercapacitor and an electrochemical battery, managed by an energy controller that tracks historical power draw and switches between configurations to draw power from either the battery or the supercapacitor based on identified power needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If power is drawn from electrochemical battery, then energy storage capacity is sufficient, but power delivery speed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage system is segmented into two distinct components: an electrochemical battery for energy storage and a supercapacitor for power delivery. Each component is optimized for its specific function, with the battery providing sufficient energy capacity and the supercapacitor enabling fast power delivery when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the electrochemical battery and supercapacitor into a hybrid energy storage system. The controller manages both components working together, allowing the system to leverage the energy capacity of the battery while utilizing the supercapacitor's ability to deliver power quickly during high-demand situations.
2Speed
If supercapacitor is used for power delivery, then power delivery speed is fast, but energy storage capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the power delivery function between two components: the supercapacitor handles high-speed power delivery for transient demands, while the electrochemical battery provides sustained energy supply for longer-duration requirements, ensuring both speed and capacity needs are met.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the supercapacitor and electrochemical battery into a coordinated hybrid system, the patent enables the supercapacitor to deliver fast power when needed while the battery supplements energy supply during extended operation, combining the advantages of both technologies.
3Device complexity
If single energy storage unit is used, then system complexity is low, but energy efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between using the electrochemical battery alone, the supercapacitor alone, or both together based on real-time power demands and state of charge levels. This dynamic adaptation optimizes energy efficiency by selecting the most appropriate energy source for each operating condition while managing system complexity through a coordinated control strategy.
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 enhances energy efficiency and extends the driving range by dynamically switching between the battery and supercapacitor configurations, leveraging the strengths of both energy storage types.
Implementation Method 1
A supercapacitor is a type of capacitor that can be used as an energy storage unit
Implementation Method 2
an electrochemical battery
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for energy management. A system, such as a vehicle, includes a plurality of energy storage units that include a supercapacitor and an electrochemical battery. The system includes an energy controller that tracks historical power draw from the plurality of energy storage units over time in power tracking data, and that identifies a power draw based on the power tracking data. The energy controller switches between a first configuration and a second configuration based on the identified power draw. The first configuration is configured for drawing power from the electrochemical battery and disconnecting from the supercapacitor, while wherein the second configuration is configured for drawing power from the supercapacitor and disconnecting from the electrochemical battery.