Interchangeable Battery Packs for Vehicle Mission Adaptability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical energy storage systems for vehicles, such as aircraft, are specialized for either high power or high energy requirements, making them inadequate for missions that demand both, leading to inefficiencies in mass and functionality.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising interchangeable battery packs, one optimized for high power (pack(P)) and another for high energy storage (pack(E)), allowing the vehicle to adapt to different mission needs without the burden of a single, multi-functional pack, with integrated data management to optimize battery life and energy distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single battery pack is designed to satisfy both high power and high energy requirements, then the vehicle can perform both types of missions, but the mass of the battery pack increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemission capabilityVSAvoidbattery pack mass

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The battery system is segmented into two distinct types of battery packs: power-optimized packs (P) and energy-optimized packs (E). Each pack type is specialized for a specific mission profile, allowing the vehicle to carry only the necessary pack type for each mission, thereby reducing overall mass while maintaining versatility through pack interchangeability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Power

If power-optimized batteries are used to achieve high maximum power for maneuverability, then the vehicle gains better reactivity, but the energy storage capacity per unit mass decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaximum electrical powerVSAvoidenergy storage capacity per unit mass

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Different local qualities (cell characteristics) are applied to different pack types: power-optimized packs use cells with high power density and lower energy density, while energy-optimized packs use cells with high energy density and lower power density. This allows each pack type to excel at its specific function without compromise

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Duration of action of moving object

If energy-optimized batteries are used to achieve high energy storage capacity for autonomy, then the vehicle gains extended range, but the maximum power delivery capability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveautonomyVSAvoidmaximum electrical power

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

Energy-optimized packs incorporate cells with high energy density characteristics, enabling extended autonomy missions. These packs accept lower power density as a trade-off, but this is acceptable for missions where sustained energy delivery is more critical than peak power bursts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Weight of moving object

If specialized battery packs are used for specific mission types, then the vehicle mass is reduced for each mission, but the device complexity increases due to multiple pack types

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery pack massVSAvoidsystem configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Both pack types share universal mechanical interfaces, mounting structures, and electrical connection standards. This universality allows the vehicle to accommodate either pack type using the same physical infrastructure, reducing complexity despite having multiple pack variants. The system becomes multi-functional through simple interchangeability rather than requiring separate systems for each mission type

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 maneuverability and reactivity by optimizing pack mass and energy distribution, enabling the vehicle to perform various missions without modifications to power electronics, while extending battery lifespan through intelligent energy management.

Implementation Method 1

batteries comprising cells, the batteries being arranged in packs designed to be held within a structure of the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical energy storage: Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentUS10569891B2Vehicle receiving a system for storing electrical energy

Publication Date: 2020.02.25 AIRBUS (SAS)

AI summary

The vehicle receives batteries comprising cells arranged into at least one pack configured to be held in a vehicle structure, the pack being alternatively chosen from among at least one pack(P) and at least one pack(E) which are mechanically interchangeable and electrically substitutable. The pack(P) cells exhibit a maximum power density substantially higher than the pack(E) cells exhibit, and comprise cells exhibiting an energy density per unit mass substantially less than the pack(E) cells exhibit. The maximum electrical power of the pack(P) corresponds to the maximum electrical power needed to accomplish a first vehicle mission and the energy storage capacity of the pack(P) is at least sufficient to accomplish the first mission. The electrical energy storage capacity of the pack(E) corresponds to the electrical energy storage capacity needed to accomplish a second vehicle mission and the maximum electrical power is at least sufficient to accomplish the second mission.