Supercapacitive Storage Voltage Control Eliminates DC-DC Converter
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Solution Overview
Problem
The coupling of storage systems and drive and energy recovery systems in electric vehicles results in cumulative conversion losses due to the efficiencies of DC-DC converters and current converters, leading to decreased energy efficiency and increased mass and dimension.
Innovation Solution
An electrical energy storage system that eliminates the need for a DC-DC converter by using a control device to manage the charging of capacitive storage elements based on voltage levels, allowing charging only when the storage element voltage is below a certain threshold and prohibiting charging when the voltage exceeds the maximum operating voltage, thereby optimizing voltage adaptation and reducing conversion losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a DC-DC converter is used to adapt voltage between storage elements and drive system, then voltage adaptation is achieved, but cumulative conversion losses occur due to both DC-DC converter and current converter inefficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the DC-DC converter from the system architecture. The storage elements are directly connected to the drive and energy recovery system, eliminating one conversion stage. The current converter alone handles both voltage adaptation and power conversion, reducing cumulative losses while maintaining functional capability through direct coupling of storage and drive systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of voltage adaptation and power conversion into a single current converter stage. By eliminating the separate DC-DC converter, the system combines what were previously two distinct conversion functions into one integrated conversion process, reducing energy losses from multiple conversion stages
2Adaptability or versatility
If a DC-DC converter is included in the storage system, then voltage adaptation is ensured, but the overall mass and dimension of the storage system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the DC-DC converter component from the storage system architecture. This elimination directly reduces the mass and dimensional footprint of the storage system while maintaining voltage adaptation capability through the simplified direct connection to the drive system
3Ease of manufacture
If a DC-DC converter is used for power transfer, then traction and storage functions are decoupled, but the converter's significant mass and dimension are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the DC-DC converter from the system, eliminating its volume occupation. The decoupling of traction and storage functions is maintained through the control system architecture rather than requiring a physical converter component, thus achieving functional separation without the volumetric penalty
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 increases the energy efficiency of the coupling between the storage system and the drive and energy recovery system, reduces the overall mass and dimension of the storage system, and limits conversion losses to only the current converter's efficiency, while protecting the storage elements from overvoltages.
Implementation Method 1
capacitive storage elements likely to be charged by a charging voltage delivered by the electrical power distribution network
Implementation Method 2
a reversible electric machine enabling an operation according to a mode called generator mode so as to ensure the conversion of the mechanical energy due to the braking or to the deceleration of the vehicle into electrical energy
Implementation Method 3
a reversible electric machine enabling an operation according to a mode called motor mode so as to ensure the driving or the traction/propulsion of the vehicle using a supplied electrical energy
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a supercapacitive storage system (10) for the electricity of a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a control device (12) arranged to allow charging of capacitive storage elements (11) or the storage system (10) when the voltage of the capacitive storage elements (11) is below or equal to a maximum voltage value of the operating range of a driving and energy recovery system (20), and to prohibit charging of the capacitive storage elements (11) when the voltage of the electricity distribution grid (2) is above a maximum operating voltage value of the capacitive storage elements (11), a driving and energy recovery system (20) and a control method.