Single Disconnect Switch Layout for Dual Battery Isolation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Packaging a single point disconnect switch for high current battery systems on compact equipment is challenging due to the switch's large size and expense, and existing systems require separate manual disconnect switches for each battery system, which occupy valuable space and are difficult to access.
Innovation Solution
An electrical system utilizing a single point manual disconnect switch that disconnects a low voltage battery system, causing a chain reaction to disable the main electronic control module and subsequently disconnecting power from all battery systems, eliminating the need for separate disconnect switches and allowing additional batteries to be added.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate manual disconnect switches are used for each battery system, then each battery system can be independently disconnected, but the number of switches increases occupying valuable space and making them difficult to access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple disconnect functions into a single manual disconnect switch. This single switch controls disconnection for both the first battery system (high voltage) and the second battery system (low voltage) through a unified mechanism, eliminating the need for separate switches while maintaining independent disconnection capability for each battery system.
Solution Approach 2:
The single manual disconnect switch is designed to perform multiple functions: it can disconnect the first battery system, disconnect the second battery system, and control the electronic control module's access to both systems. This multi-functional design reduces the total number of switches required while preserving all necessary disconnection capabilities.
2Device complexity
If a single point disconnect switch is used for multiple battery systems, then the number of devices is reduced and space is saved, but the switch must handle high current from multiple battery systems
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic control module acts as an intermediary between the manual disconnect switch and the first battery system. The switch controls the electronic control module, which in turn manages the connection to the high current first battery system. This intermediary approach allows the switch to handle control signals rather than directly managing high current loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical switching of high current with an electronic control system. The manual disconnect switch initiates electronic control signals that cause the electronic control module to disconnect the battery systems electronically, rather than requiring the mechanical switch to directly interrupt high current flows.
3Ease of operation
If the manual disconnect switch disconnects the low voltage battery system, then a chain reaction disables the main electronic control module and disconnects power from all battery systems, but this requires careful coordination of disconnection sequences
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed so that disconnecting the low voltage battery system first triggers the electronic control module to subsequently disconnect the high voltage battery system. This preliminary action approach ensures that the electronic control module loses power in a controlled manner, preventing any potential issues from sudden high voltage disconnection while maintaining simple single-switch operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical system for providing electrical power to an electric machine, where the electrical system includes a single point disconnect switch for multiple battery systems. The single point disconnect switch may be remotely mounted. In some examples, operation of the disconnect switch disconnects a first battery system, e.g., a 12 VDC nominal battery system, which, in turn, causes a disconnection of a second battery system, e.g., a 48 VDC nominal battery system.