Multi-Battery System with Selective Switching for Electric Range
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric and hybrid vehicles face limitations in increasing their electric range due to high-voltage battery systems, where parallel connections lead to energy losses and require pre-decision on which battery to use for a trip, necessitating potential stops for battery swaps if one is insufficient.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle system with multiple batteries connected via a switching device, where each battery is selectively connected and disconnected from the on-board high-voltage power supply during travel by contactors, avoiding parallel connections and allowing continuous operation without pre-defining the route, using special and simple contactors based on load demands to manage energy distribution efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If parallel connection of batteries is used to increase capacity, then the storage capacity increases, but compensating currents between cells lead to energy losses
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into multiple independent battery packs, each with its own control unit. Instead of parallel connection of cells, the system uses sequential connection of complete battery packs through switching units, eliminating compensating currents while maintaining increased capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different battery packs based on state of charge, temperature, and load requirements. The switching units enable real-time reconfiguration of the battery architecture from series to parallel connections at the pack level rather than cell level, optimizing energy efficiency while providing increased capacity when needed.
2Device complexity
If a single battery is assigned to the drive before departure, then the system complexity is reduced, but the vehicle must stop for battery swaps if the battery capacity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system transitions from a static single-battery assignment to a dynamic multi-battery configuration. The control unit continuously monitors state of charge and automatically switches between battery packs during operation, enabling the vehicle to extend range without stopping while managing complexity through intelligent control algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple battery packs serve universal functions in the system. Any battery pack can be activated to provide power, extend range, or serve as backup. The switching units and control system enable any battery to assume the primary drive function, creating a multi-functional battery system that eliminates the need for pre-trip decisions and battery swaps.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple batteries are connected in parallel to increase capacity, then the storage capacity increases, but the system requires complex control and monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the battery architecture into independent packs with individual control units. Each pack manages its own charging, discharging, and temperature control, simplifying the overall monitoring complexity while providing increased total capacity through the addition of more independent segments rather than complex parallel cell connections.
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 solution enhances the electric range by eliminating energy losses from parallel connections, allowing seamless battery switching during travel without stops, reducing the need for expensive special contactors, and optimizing battery usage based on load demands and state of charge, thereby extending vehicle range without additional electronics.
Implementation Method 1
The switching unit separates hereby this multi-battery system galvantically from the on-board high-voltage power supply
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle includes an high-voltage power system, a multi-battery system including energy stores for supplying power to an electric drive motor, and switching units connecting the energy stores to the power system. A control device detects a state of charge of each energy store and to selectively connect and/or disconnect the energy stores as a function of their state of charge during travel to and from the power system. The switching units include each contactors to disconnect the energy stores on a plus side and on a minus side from the power system, with only either the positive side or negative side of each energy store including a contactor configured to switch when a load is greater than a minimum load, whereas the other one of the positive and negative sides includes a contactor that is adequate only for a load demand which is less than the minimum load.