Segmented Battery Converter Reduces Peak Power Rating
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing dual accumulator systems require high-cost, high-expenditure DC-to-DC converters designed for maximal peak power, which is inefficient and costly due to the need to compensate for the entire string of cells, rather than just the peak power that can be drawn by the accumulator arrangement.
Innovation Solution
The accumulator arrangement includes a first converter connected to a subset of series-connected charge storage cells, allowing it to handle only the peak power that can be drawn, with additional converters for charging and discharging, and a control device to manage voltage and current distribution between different types of cells optimized for capacitance and current output, reducing the need for powerful converters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a DC-to-DC converter is designed for the maximal peak power of the entire cell string, then the voltage compensation between strings is achieved, but the converter requires high expenditures and results in high costs
Solution Approach 1:
The cell string is divided into multiple parallel-connected sub-strings, and the DC-to-DC converter is configured to compensate voltage for only one sub-string rather than the entire string. This segmentation allows the converter to be designed for lower power requirements, reducing cost while maintaining reliable voltage compensation for the connected sub-string.
Solution Approach 2:
The converter performs voltage compensation for only a partial portion (one sub-string) of the total cell string rather than attempting to compensate the entire string. This partial action approach reduces the converter's power rating requirements and associated costs, while the parallel architecture ensures the overall system maintains proper voltage balance.
2Reliability
If the converter is designed for the entire string, then complete power compensation is achieved, but the converter size and power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cell string is segmented into multiple parallel sub-strings, with the converter tasked to compensate only one sub-string. This reduces the converter's required power handling capacity and physical size, while the parallel architecture distributes the overall system power across multiple independent pathways.
3Productivity
If high-power converters are used to handle maximal peak power, then the entire string can be charged and discharged, but the space requirements and losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The charging and discharging function is segmented across multiple parallel sub-strings, with each converter handling only its designated sub-string. This allows the use of smaller, more compact converters that occupy less space while collectively providing the full charging and discharging capability across all sub-strings.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple smaller converters operating in parallel on different sub-strings are combined to achieve the overall charging and discharging function. This merging of multiple low-power units replaces a single high-power unit, reducing total volume and losses while maintaining full system productivity.
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 configuration reduces the power and cost requirements of the converters, enhances efficiency by allowing adjustable intermediate circuit voltage, and expands the armature setting range of the electric machine, while minimizing losses and space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
The first converter (110) is designed for transforming the voltage supplied by the third plurality of series-connected charge storage cells (106) and/or the current supplied by the third plurality of series-connected charge storage cells (106) and outputting it at the second connection pair (111)
Implementation Method 2
an first plurality of series-connected first charge storage cells (104), an second plurality of series-connected second charge storage cells (112) and an third plurality of series-connected third charge storage cells (106)
Data Source
AI summary
The rechargeable battery arrangement includes a first plurality of series-connected first charge storage cells, a second plurality of series-connected second charge storage cells, and a third plurality of series-connected third charge storage cells. The arrangement further includes a first converter having a first connection pair is connected to the third plurality of series-connected third charge storage cells, and a second connection pair, connected in series with the first plurality of series-connected first charge storage cells. A series connection consisting of the first plurality of first charge storage cells and the first converter is connected in parallel to the second plurality of second charge storage cells. Moreover, the first converter is configured to convert at least one of a voltage and a current supplied by the third plurality of series-connected third charge storage cells, and to output said voltage and/or current at the second connection pair. In addition, a lowest potential of the second plurality of series-connected second charge storage cells forms a first connection of the accumulator arrangement, and a highest potential of the second plurality of series-connected second charge storage cells forms a second connection of the accumulator arrangement.