Hybrid Supercapacitor-Battery Switching for EV Power Range Balance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The effective driving range of electric and hybrid vehicles is limited by the power capacity of their energy storage units, and supercapacitors, while offering higher energy density and longer lifespan, discharge faster than electrochemical batteries, necessitating efficient management to optimize power draw.
Innovation Solution
A system with a supercapacitor and electrochemical battery, managed by an energy controller that tracks historical power draw and switches configurations to optimize power sourcing from either based on identified needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a supercapacitor is used as an energy storage unit, then the vehicle can achieve higher power output and faster discharge rates, but the driving range is limited due to faster discharge and lower energy density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a supercapacitor and an electrochemical battery into a hybrid energy storage system. The supercapacitor handles high-power, short-duration demands while the battery provides sustained energy for longer duration, resolving the contradiction between power output and driving range by merging two complementary energy storage technologies.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between supercapacitor and battery power sources based on real-time power draw requirements. The controller monitors power demands and automatically transitions between energy sources, optimizing the use of each technology's strengths to balance power output and driving range.
2Duration of action of moving object
If an electrochemical battery is used as an energy storage unit, then the vehicle achieves longer driving range, but the power delivery speed and discharge rate are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid system merges the battery's strength in sustained energy delivery with the supercapacitor's strength in rapid power discharge. This combination allows the vehicle to achieve both long driving range and high power delivery speed when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller dynamically switches between battery and supercapacitor based on power delivery requirements. During high-power demands such as acceleration, the supercapacitor supplements or replaces battery power, enabling fast power delivery while preserving the battery for sustained range.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the vehicle switches between supercapacitor and electrochemical battery configurations, then the system optimizes power draw and extends effective range, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The energy controller performs multiple functions: monitoring power draw, tracking historical usage patterns, predicting future demands, and switching between energy sources. This multi-functionality consolidates control logic into a single component, managing system complexity while enabling optimized switching between supercapacitor and battery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from historical power draw tracking and real-time monitoring to make intelligent switching decisions. By analyzing past usage patterns and current power demands, the controller optimizes transitions between energy sources, extending effective range while managing complexity through data-driven control.
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
Enhances vehicle range by dynamically switching power sources to leverage the strengths of both supercapacitors and electrochemical batteries, balancing discharge rates and lifespan for efficient energy management.
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.