Modular Battery Packs for Electric Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current battery pack designs for electric vehicles are inefficient due to cost, lack of modularity, and inflexibility, leading to high design and manufacturing costs, limited customer configuration options, and long charging times.
Innovation Solution
Development of universal modular battery packs that can be interchanged and configured for various applications, allowing connection in series, parallel, or a mix of both, with a battery management system and DC/DC converters for efficient power supply, and a system for battery swapping and renting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If different battery pack designs are manufactured for different applications (electric vehicles, scooters, energy storage systems), then each application receives optimized performance, but design costs and manufacturing costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal battery pack design that can serve multiple applications including electric vehicles, electric scooters, and energy storage systems. The standardized battery pack interface and modular architecture allow the same battery pack to be used across different device types, eliminating the need for separate optimized designs for each application while maintaining cost-effectiveness
2Reliability
If application-specific battery packs are manufactured for different electric vehicle models and manufacturers, then each vehicle receives tailored performance, but customers cannot interexchange battery packs between devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a universal battery pack standard that enables interchangeability across different electric vehicle models and manufacturers. The standardized mechanical, electrical, and communication interfaces allow customers to use the same battery pack in various vehicles, providing flexibility and adaptability while maintaining performance through proper matching
3Use of energy by moving object
If traditional charging methods are used for electric vehicles, then batteries can be recharged, but charging time exceeds 20 minutes for partial charge and over an hour for full charge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the battery system into modular battery packs that can be quickly swapped between vehicle and charging station. Instead of charging the entire battery system at once, the system segments the battery into replaceable units, allowing the vehicle to exchange depleted packs for charged ones in minutes, dramatically reducing the effective charging time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a battery swapping station as an intermediary system that maintains inventory of charged battery packs. The station acts as a mediator between power sources and vehicles, pre-charging battery packs offline while vehicles quickly exchange packs at the station, eliminating the need for prolonged on-site charging
4Ease of manufacture
If consumers purchase electric vehicles with fixed battery configurations, then the vehicle is ready for immediate use, but consumers have very limited freedom to reconfigure battery packs based on their needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the battery system into independent, user-replaceable modules. Consumers can purchase vehicles with base configurations and later add or replace battery packs based on their evolving needs, whether for extended range, different performance characteristics, or compatibility with other vehicles in their fleet
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic reconfiguration of the battery system throughout the vehicle's lifecycle. The modular architecture and standardized interfaces allow consumers to adapt their battery configuration over time, transitioning from fixed to flexible arrangements as their usage patterns change
Data Source
AI summary
Electric vehicles with easily configurable and detachable battery modules are disclosed. An electric vehicle may include a battery module that includes a plurality of modular battery packs, each of which can be detached without affecting the normal functions of the electric vehicle. The number of modular battery packs installed on the electric vehicle can be configured by the manufacturer, retailer, and/or customer based on the customer's needs. Systems and methods of servicing electric vehicles with modular battery packs are also disclosed. Battery swapping and/or renting stations allows electric vehicle users to swapping batteries whose charges run low with fully charged batteries and/or to rent additional batteries to temporary use. A centralized or distributed data system may be used to track each modular battery pack's conditions such use history, capacity degrade, charge cycles, etc. The costs battery swapping and/or renting can be based conditions of the battery packs.