Hybrid Vehicle Power Storage System External Charging Efficiency
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing power storage systems for hybrid vehicles increase charging costs due to the power required for temperature control of the engine and battery during external charging, with inefficiencies in voltage conversion leading to additional power loss.
Innovation Solution
A power storage system that uses a single DC/DC converter to supply both the engine and battery heaters, minimizing the number of converters and controllers needed during external charging, thereby reducing power consumption and voltage conversion losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If multiple DC/DC converters are used to supply power to engine heater and battery heater during external charging, then temperature control of engine and battery can be achieved, but power consumption and charging cost increase due to multiple converters and voltage conversion losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power supply function for both engine heater and battery heater into a single DC/DC converter. This converter simultaneously performs voltage conversion and distributes power to both heating devices, eliminating the need for separate converters and reducing overall power consumption during external charging.
Solution Approach 2:
The single DC/DC converter is designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple purposes: it converts voltage from the external power supply and simultaneously supplies power to both the engine heater and battery heater. This universal approach reduces the number of components and minimizes voltage conversion losses.
2Temperature
If multiple DC/DC converters and controllers are used for temperature control during external charging, then engine and battery can be heated, but device complexity and power loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple control functions into a single controller that manages both the DC/DC converter and the heating operations. This integration reduces the number of separate controllers and simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining effective temperature control of both engine and battery.
Solution Approach 2:
The single controller is designed with multi-functionality to perform external charge control and temperature regulation control simultaneously. It manages the DC/DC converter's voltage conversion and distributes power to both heaters, reducing device complexity while achieving the desired temperature control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If voltage conversion is performed multiple times during external charging, then power can be supplied to different voltage requirements, but power loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates voltage conversion operations into a single DC/DC converter that performs the necessary voltage transformation once, then distributes the converted power to both the engine heater and battery heater. This eliminates multiple voltage conversion steps and reduces associated energy losses.
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 reduces the external charging cost by minimizing power consumption and losses, allowing for more efficient temperature control of the engine and battery during charging, which in turn improves fuel efficiency by minimizing engine usage during vehicle operation.
Implementation Method 1
an engine heater that increases a temperature of the engine
Implementation Method 2
a battery heater that increases a temperature of the battery
Implementation Method 3
a DC/DC converter that converts voltage of electric power supplied from the external power supply
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a power storage system of a hybrid vehicle in which a battery can be charged with electric power supplied from an external power supply. The power storage system includes an engine heater and a battery heater, a DC/DC converter that converts a voltage of input power and outputs the power to the engine heater and the battery heater, respectively, a charger connected to the external power supply and operable to outputs power supplied from the external power battery to the battery and the DC/DC converter, and a controller that performs external charge control for charging the battery with power supplied from the external power supply, and temperature regulation control for raising the temperatures of the engine and the battery, by supplying power from the external power supply to the engine heater and the battery heater via the DC/DC converter, until the external charge control ends.