Multi-Lane Drive Energy Transfer via Magnetic Lane Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

In electric drive systems with multiple lanes, a component failure can lead to the entire drive system failing, as the energy stored in batteries connected to faulty lanes becomes unusable due to differential loading of lane groups.

Innovation Solution

Energy is transferred between lane groups without galvanic coupling through a generator or transformer, allowing inverters to regulate voltage and ensure energy availability across the system, even if one lane group fails.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If lanes are combined into lane groups to minimize wiring effort, then wiring complexity is reduced, but energy becomes unusable when a lane group fails due to differential loading

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiring complexityVSAvoidenergy availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a transformer as an intermediary device that magnetically couples lane groups without galvanic connection. This allows energy to be transferred from a failed lane group to functional lane groups through magnetic coupling, while maintaining electrical isolation. The transformer acts as a mediator that enables energy sharing without direct electrical connection, resolving the contradiction between simplified wiring and energy availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If maximum separation of lanes is achieved to ensure maximum availability, then system reliability is improved, but wiring effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem availabilityVSAvoidwiring effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transformer serves as a magnetic intermediary that enables energy transfer between galvanically isolated lane groups. This maintains the electrical separation needed for high availability while providing a path for energy sharing when needed, thus resolving the contradiction between maximum separation for reliability and the need for energy sharing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Use of energy by moving object

If inverters regulate DC voltage to control battery charging/discharging, then energy management is improved, but energy cannot be shared between lane groups without galvanic coupling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy managementVSAvoidenergy availability across lane groups
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The transformer provides a magnetic coupling pathway that enables energy transfer between lane groups without requiring galvanic connection. This allows the inverter-based energy management system to share energy across lane groups while maintaining electrical isolation, resolving the contradiction between localized energy management and system-wide energy availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 ensures that electrical energy from a weakened lane group can be made available to other functional lane groups, maintaining system availability and utilizing stored energy effectively.

Implementation Method 1

an electromagnetic converter configured to electromagnetically link the AC voltages of the AC/DC actuators

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4088354B1Energy exchange between lanes of electrical multi-lane drives
Publication Date: 2024.01.31 SIEMENS ENERGY GLOBAL GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4088354B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4088354B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4088354B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention specifies an electrical drive system which has: a plurality of multi-phase multi-lane electric motors (1), wherein the same lanes of different electric motors (1) together form a lane group (LG1, LG2, LG3); at least one electrical energy store (3.1, 3.2, 3.3) for each lane group (LG1, LG2, LG3); an electrical AC/DC setting device (4.1, 4.2, 4.3) for each lane group (LG1, LG2, LG3); a DC bus (10.1, 10.2, 10.3) for each lane group (LG1, LG2, LG3), wherein via the DC bus (10.1, 10.2, 10.3) a DC/AC setting device (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) for each lane of the electric motors (1) can be supplied with direct current by the AC/DC setting devices (4.1, 4.2, 4.3); an electromagnetic transducer (5, 7) which is designed to electromagnetically interlink the alternating voltages of the AC/DC setting devices (4.1, 4.2, 4.3); an open- and closed-loop control unit (11) which is configured, in the event of the loss of a lane group (LG1, LG2 or LG3), to make the electrical energy of the electrical energy store (3.1, 3.2 or 3.3) of the lost lane group (LG1, LG2 or Lg3) available for at least one not lost lane group (LG1, LG2 or LG3) by means of a closed-loop control of the voltage of the AC/DC setting devices (4.1, 4.2, 4.3). A vehicle having such a drive system and an operating method for the electrical drive system are also specified.