Modular Auxiliary Battery Architecture for EV Range Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles require flexible and customizable battery systems to address issues of energy storage capacity and range anxiety, as existing battery packs have limitations in weight, current capacity, and operating voltage, necessitating a supplementary solution.
Innovation Solution
A modular battery system comprising a main battery pack and a secondary battery pack, with integrated control circuitry and contactors, allowing for parallel connection and communication to manage state of charge and power distribution, enabling flexible energy storage expansion and redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a larger battery pack is used to increase energy storage capacity, then the range and charge capacity are improved, but the weight and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is divided into a main battery pack integrated into the vehicle and a secondary battery pack that can be separately added or removed. This segmentation allows the system to provide increased energy storage capacity when needed without permanently increasing the vehicle's base weight, as the secondary pack can be detached when not required for extended range operations
2Quantity of substance
If a larger battery pack is used to increase energy storage capacity, then the range and charge capacity are improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary battery pack is designed with universal functionality to operate independently or in parallel with the main battery pack. The control system automatically manages power distribution between the two packs based on vehicle needs, providing a simple interface for the user while handling the complexity of dual-battery management internally. This allows the system to scale capacity without proportionally increasing operational complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed battery pack is used, then the system is simple, but the system lacks flexibility for customization and range extension
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system architecture is designed to be dynamic rather than fixed, allowing the secondary battery pack to be connected or disconnected based on operational requirements. The control system dynamically manages power flow between the main and secondary packs, adjusting their operational states in real-time. This dynamic configuration enables customization and range extension while maintaining manageable system complexity through automated control
Data Source
AI summary
A battery system of a vehicle may include a main battery pack, a secondary battery pack, and one or more secondary contactors. The main battery pack is integrated into the vehicle and includes a first plurality of battery cells, a first DC bus coupled to the first plurality of battery cells, and main contactors coupled to the first DC bus to form a switched DC bus. The secondary battery pack includes a second plurality of battery cells, and a second DC bus coupled to the second plurality of battery cells. The second DC bus of the secondary battery pack is electrically coupled to the switched DC bus of the main battery pack via the secondary contactors. In some embodiments, the main battery pack includes control circuitry configured to communicate with control circuitry of the secondary battery pack to manage or monitor coupling of the battery packs.