Multi-Mode Energy Storage System for Electric Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles face challenges such as insufficient charger availability, long charging times, high upfront costs, and battery performance issues due to existing charging technologies, which hinder mass adoption and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A multi-mode energy storage and delivery system for electrified vehicles featuring a combination of fixed and exchangeable energy storage modules, along with a multi-mode controller that optimizes energy flow and charging, allowing for quick and efficient charging, weight reduction, and enhanced vehicle performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If conventional battery charging is used, then battery energy is replenished, but charging time is excessively long (8 hours for full charge)
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is divided into multiple modular battery packs that can be independently charged and swapped. This segmentation allows the vehicle to use multiple smaller battery units that can be quickly exchanged or charged in parallel, dramatically reducing the effective charging time from 8 hours to a much shorter duration.
Solution Approach 2:
Battery packs are pre-charged outside the vehicle at charging stations before being installed in the vehicle. This preliminary charging action separates the charging process from vehicle operation, allowing vehicles to be quickly ready for use without waiting for onboard charging to complete.
2Duration of action of moving object
If battery pack size is increased to extend range, then operating range is improved, but vehicle weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The total battery capacity needed for extended range is divided into multiple separate battery packs. The vehicle can carry only the number of packs needed for the current trip, and additional packs can be swapped at charging stations. This allows the vehicle to achieve extended range capability without permanently carrying the weight of all possible battery packs.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery configuration becomes dynamic rather than static. The vehicle can adjust its effective battery capacity by swapping packs based on trip requirements, weather conditions, and charging availability. This dynamic approach allows the vehicle to optimize between range and weight for each specific operating scenario.
3Speed
If fast charging technology is used, then charging speed is improved, but battery performance and life are negatively impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The charging load is distributed across multiple separate battery packs rather than forcing high-speed charging into a single large pack. Each smaller pack can be charged at optimized rates that balance speed with longevity, reducing the thermal and electrical stress that degrades battery life while still achieving fast overall charging through parallel processing.
Data Source
AI summary
The exemplified systems and methods provide fixed and exchangeable energy storage and delivery system in an electrified vehicle architecture with multi-mode controls. The exchangeable energy storage are configured to be optional and ultra-portable. The integration of fixed and exchangeable energy storage provides a vehicle configuration that is further optimized for size, weight, and convenience.