Series Booster Pack for Battery Capacity Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rechargeable battery systems in electric and hybrid vehicles experience capacity loss over time due to aging, leading to reduced range and eventual uselessness, necessitating costly replacement.
Innovation Solution
A battery system comprising a base battery pack and a container that can receive a boost battery pack, allowing for electric power coupling to restore or enhance vehicle range by adding a boost battery pack in series or parallel configuration when the base pack degrades, thereby reducing current demand and extending battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If the base battery pack is used alone, then the device complexity is reduced, but the duration of action decreases due to capacity loss over time
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is divided into two separate modules: a base battery pack and a boost battery pack. The base pack handles normal operation while the boost pack provides additional capacity when needed. This segmentation allows the system to extend duration of action without permanently increasing complexity, as the boost pack remains dormant until required.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery system transitions from a static single-pack configuration to a dynamic multi-pack configuration. The container can selectively receive and integrate the boost battery pack based on operational needs, allowing the system to adapt its capacity and complexity dynamically rather than being fixed.
2Duration of action of moving object
If a boost battery pack is added to extend range, then the duration of action increases, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The boost battery pack serves multiple functions: it extends vehicle range when attached to the base pack, can be stored in the container when not needed, and provides modular scalability. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The boost battery pack is designed to nest within the container that already houses the base battery pack. This nesting arrangement allows the system to extend range capability without proportionally increasing overall system volume or structural complexity, as the boost pack integrates into existing space.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the base battery pack capacity is increased initially, then the duration of action is extended, but the loss of substance increases due to accelerated aging from higher charging rates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing full extended range capacity from the base pack (which would accelerate aging), the system uses partial action by adding the boost pack only when additional range is needed. This allows the base pack to operate at moderate charging rates during normal use, reducing degradation, while still achieving extended range when the boost pack is attached.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery system is provided. The battery system includes a base battery pack and a container having the base battery pack therein. The container is configured to receive a boost battery pack, wherein the container can hold the base battery pack and the boost battery pack. The battery system includes a coupling operable to provide electric power from the base battery pack alone or from the base battery pack in combination with the boost battery pack. A method of cooperating a battery pack is included.