Multi-voltage Vehicle Electrical Supply System Topology
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-voltage vehicle electrical systems require costly and complex DC/DC converters, which limit efficiency, especially during recuperation operations where large amounts of power need to be rapidly fed into the system.
Innovation Solution
A novel topology where the first and second energy stores are connected in series, with a controllable switching device allowing the multi-voltage generator to be connected either in parallel with the first energy store or the series circuit of both energy stores, eliminating the need for a DC/DC converter and allowing both vehicle electrical system branches to be decoupled from their consumers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a DC/DC converter is used to transform voltage levels between low-voltage and high-voltage vehicle electrical system branches, then voltage adaptation is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of voltage transformation and energy storage by connecting the first and second energy stores in series. This combination eliminates the need for a separate DC/DC converter, as the series-connected energy stores naturally provide the required voltage levels for both low-voltage and high-voltage branches through the switching device.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching device serves multiple functions: it distributes energy from the multi-voltage generator to different vehicle electrical system branches and simultaneously transforms voltage levels by selecting which energy stores are connected in series or parallel. This multi-functional approach replaces the dedicated DC/DC converter while achieving the same voltage adaptation goal.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a DC/DC converter is used for voltage transformation, then voltage levels are adapted between branches, but efficiency is strongly reduced during recuperation operations
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the voltage transformation function into the energy storage system itself (through series/parallel switching of energy stores), the patent eliminates the energy losses inherent in DC/DC converter operation. During recuperation, energy can be directly fed into the series-connected energy stores without passing through a converter, maximizing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between series and parallel configurations of energy stores based on operational requirements. During recuperation operations, the series configuration allows direct energy input at higher voltage levels, optimizing efficiency by avoiding converter losses while maintaining the ability to adapt to different voltage demands.
3Power
If the second energy store is designed for high voltage to support high-voltage consumers, then high-power delivery is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two energy stores in series to achieve the required high voltage level for supporting high-power consumers. Instead of designing a single complex high-voltage energy store, the system uses two standard-voltage energy stores connected in series, simplifying individual component design while achieving the necessary overall voltage and power delivery capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-voltage vehicle electrical system for a motor vehicle is provided, including at least one multi-voltage generator, a first energy store, whose energy may be fed into a first low-voltage vehicle electrical system branch having low-voltage consumers, and a second energy store, whose energy may be fed into a second high-voltage vehicle electrical system branch having high-voltage consumers, as well as at least one controllable switching device, using which the energy generated by the multi-voltage generator may be distributed to the first and the second vehicle electrical system branches, the first and the second energy stores being connected in series to one another and the first vehicle electrical system branch being connected to a node between the first and the second energy store and to a reference potential of the first energy store.