Removable Vehicle Battery Cells for Trip-Based Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle battery modules are inefficient as they require carrying full modules even for shorter trips, leading to unnecessary weight and energy consumption due to the need for full capacity, which can be mitigated by optimizing the number of cells based on trip requirements.
Innovation Solution
A battery module with removable cells and a management system that determines the necessary cells for a trip based on trip information, including starting point, destination, traffic conditions, weather, and cell state, allowing for the removal of unnecessary cells and the use of swappable/rentable cells from nearby charging stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a full battery module is carried to ensure sufficient capacity for any trip, then the vehicle has adequate energy for long journeys, but the vehicle experiences unnecessary weight increase and reduced efficiency for short trips
Solution Approach 1:
The battery module is divided into multiple individual cells that can be independently removed or retained. The frame structure is designed to accommodate a plurality of cells, allowing selective removal of unused cells while keeping the structural framework in place. This segmentation enables the vehicle to carry only the necessary battery capacity for each specific trip, reducing unnecessary weight for short journeys while maintaining full capacity availability when needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cells are kept in the vehicle to ensure sufficient capacity, then the vehicle can handle varying trip requirements, but the vehicle carries extra weight from unused cells
Solution Approach 1:
The battery configuration is made dynamic through the ability to selectively add or remove cells based on real-time trip requirements. The system determines the optimal number of cells needed for each journey and allows the user to reconfigure the battery module accordingly. This dynamic adaptability enables the vehicle to optimize its weight for each trip while maintaining the versatility to handle various range requirements, rather than being fixed at a static full-capacity configuration.
3Weight of moving object
If cells are made removable and replaceable, then the vehicle can optimize battery weight for each trip, but the system complexity increases with management and tracking requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The battery cells are designed with self-identifying features including unique identifiers and visual indicators that automatically communicate cell status and location. The system includes a battery management system that automatically tracks cell positions, monitors state of charge, and provides guidance on which cells to remove or retain. This self-service approach reduces the complexity burden on the user, as the system autonomously manages the removable cell configuration without requiring manual tracking or complex user intervention.
4Ease of operation
If visual indicators are added to each cell, then the user can easily identify which cells to remove or retain, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Visual indicators on the battery cells utilize color-coded lighting or color-changing elements to communicate cell status and identification information. Each cell can display different colors or lighting patterns to indicate whether it should be retained or removed, its charge status, or its unique identifier. This color-based visual communication system provides intuitive, easy-to-understand guidance for users while using relatively simple and cost-effective indicator technology compared to more complex electronic interfaces or display systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module with removable cells and a battery management system or charging station system that determines the number of cells to use for a given trip. Thus, the system receives trip information (starting point, destination, stops, etc.) and determines the number of cells required for the trip, optionally based on traffic conditions, weather, prior driving habits, cell state of charge (SOC), cell state of health (SOH), and the like. The system can recommend which cells to leave in the vehicle, which cells to remove from the vehicle, which cells to place in the vehicle, which cells to charge, and the like, via a visual indicator. Importantly, a number of cells actually required for the trip can be suggested, without extra cells, such that extra weight in terms of unused cells may be removed from the vehicle, thereby increasing trip efficiency.