Segmented Battery Modules with Selective Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Series-connected battery modules in energy storage systems for electric vehicles are prone to failure and power reduction due to increased internal resistance at low temperatures, requiring energy-intensive and time-consuming heating to maintain functionality, especially during startup.
Innovation Solution
An energy storage device with individually connectable energy storage modules, where only a subset of cells is preheated using dedicated heating elements, reducing the energy and time required for warming and allowing these preheated cells to supply initial power during startup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If all battery cells are heated to reduce internal resistance at low temperatures, then power output is improved, but energy consumption and heating time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is divided into multiple independent energy supply branches, each with selectable battery modules. Only the necessary subset of battery modules required for initial power output are heated, rather than heating the entire battery system. This segmentation allows selective heating of specific modules to minimize energy consumption while maintaining adequate power output capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of heating all battery cells uniformly, the system applies partial heating action by selecting and heating only the specific number of battery modules needed to meet the minimum power requirements. This partial action reduces the total energy consumed for heating while still achieving the necessary power output for vehicle startup or operation.
2Power
If all battery cells are heated to reduce internal resistance, then power output is improved, but heating time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is divided into multiple independent energy supply branches, each with selectable battery modules. Only the necessary subset of battery modules required for initial power output are heated, rather than heating the entire battery system. This segmentation allows selective heating of specific modules to minimize energy consumption while maintaining adequate power output capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of heating all battery cells uniformly, the system applies partial heating action by selecting and heating only the specific number of battery modules needed to meet the minimum power requirements. This partial action reduces the total energy consumed for heating while still achieving the necessary power output for vehicle startup or operation.
3Power
If series-connected battery modules are used to meet power requirements, then power capability is improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to single point of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is divided into multiple independent energy supply branches, each with selectable battery modules. The coupling device allows selective connection of modules from different branches in series to achieve the required voltage and power output. This segmentation creates redundancy, as the system can draw from multiple independent branches, improving reliability by eliminating single points of failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device serves multiple functions: it can selectively connect battery modules in series to achieve required voltage, bypass defective modules, and reconfigure the circuit topology dynamically. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain power capability while improving reliability through flexible reconfiguration around failures.
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 approach significantly reduces the energy and time needed for warming the cells, enabling efficient initial power supply during startup by utilizing cells with low internal resistance at low temperatures, thereby minimizing heating demands.
Implementation Method 1
The groups of energy storage modules in an energy supply branch also have in each case one heating element for the at least one energy storage cell; and a heating device, which is connected to the heating elements and is designed to control the heating elements in order to heat the energy storage cells
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an energy storage device (1) for generating an n-phase supply voltage for an electric machine (2), wherein n≧1, with n energy supply branches which are connected in parallel and which can each be connected to one of n phase conductors (2a, 2b, 2c), wherein each of the energy supply branches has a large number of energy storage modules (1a, 1b) which are connected in series and which each comprise: an energy storage cell module (5, 7) which has at least one energy storage cell (5a, 7a) and a coupling device (3), which is designed to connect the energy storage cell module (5, 7) selectively into the respective energy supply branch or to bridge said energy storage cell module, wherein in each case at least one of the energy storage modules (1b) also has in each case one heating element (8) for the at least one energy storage cell (7a); and a heating device (9), which is connected to the heating elements (8) and which is designed to actuate the heating elements (8) for heating the energy storage cells (7a) in the groups of energy storage modules (1b).