Segmented Battery Architecture for Autonomous Drive Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing autonomous electric motorization systems for light vehicles and tools face challenges in meeting high power requirements while ensuring significant autonomy and ease of maintenance, as they are often heavy, bulky, and complex, with battery elements not easily dissociable from the device.

Innovation Solution

An autonomous motorization system comprising a set of power-type accumulators associated with a motor and a set of removable and transportable energy-type accumulators, featuring a DC converter for controlled charging and a cut-off device to manage power distribution, allowing for pulsed charging and easy maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If power-type accumulators are used to meet high power requirements, then power delivery capability is improved, but energy capacity and autonomy are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower delivery capabilityVSAvoidautonomy
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The battery system is segmented into two distinct functional modules: power-type accumulators for high-power delivery and energy-type accumulators for extended energy storage. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized for its specific function without compromise, resolving the contradiction between power and autonomy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges two different types of accumulators (power-type and energy-type) into a single hybrid power supply system. The controller manages the coordination between these two modules, allowing the system to simultaneously achieve high power delivery capability and extended autonomy by drawing from both power and energy reserves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Device complexity

If a single integrated battery system is used, then system simplicity is improved, but maintenance complexity and difficulty of battery replacement increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidbattery replacement ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The battery system is divided into separable modules (power-type and energy-type accumulators) that can be independently removed and replaced. This modular segmentation maintains system simplicity during operation while dramatically improving maintenance ease, as depleted modules can be quickly swapped without complex disassembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static integrated battery design to a dynamic modular architecture where battery modules can be flexibly added, removed, or replaced based on operational needs. This dynamic design allows the system to adapt to different power and autonomy requirements while simplifying maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Duration of action of moving object

If high-capacity batteries are used to ensure autonomy, then energy storage capacity is improved, but weight and bulk increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveautonomyVSAvoidbattery weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The battery system segments energy storage function from power delivery function, placing only the necessary energy-type accumulators in the vehicle for autonomy extension. Additional energy modules can be externally attached or removed, allowing autonomy to be increased without permanently increasing vehicle weight and bulk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extends the autonomy dimension by adding external or removable battery modules rather than increasing the size of the integrated battery system. This dimensional approach allows autonomy to be scaled independently from vehicle weight and bulk constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 enables efficient power supply to meet both high power and autonomy needs, simplifies maintenance by allowing easy recharging and replacement of batteries, and avoids transport restrictions by using compact, lightweight batteries.

Implementation Method 1

a DC converter (2) connecting said energy battery (4) to said power battery (5)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical energy conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a set of power-type accumulators (5) adapted to supply said motor (9)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical energy storage: Electrical Accumulator

Implementation Method 3

a set of removable and transportable energy-type accumulators (4) arranged on a base (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical energy storage: Electrical Accumulator

Data Source

PatentEP2372864B1Autonomous drive system
Publication Date: 2017.05.24 GARDES FLORIAN
  • EP2372864B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2372864B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP2372864B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

The system has a controller (8) for driving operation of an electric motor (9) e.g. brushless direct current motor, and a set of power type accumulators (5) e.g. lithium type accumulators or nickel-metal hydride type accumulators, for powering the motor. A base (3) receives a set of energy type accumulators (4) in a removable manner. A direct current converter (2) links the set of energy type accumulators to the set of power type accumulators. A central control unit (7) controls the direct current converter.