Swap Battery Power Conversion for Simultaneous Discharge Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current power conversion systems for electric vehicles face challenges in minimizing the cost of high-voltage batteries while maintaining travel distance and motor/inverter output, particularly when using 48 V class batteries with differing state of charge, which can lead to safety risks and inefficiencies due to the need for additional power conversion components and limited simultaneous discharging capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A power conversion apparatus and method that includes a secondary converter, switching circuits, and a bypass circuit to enable simultaneous discharging of swap batteries, optimizing operation across buck, bypass, and hybrid modes based on voltage comparisons, allowing for efficient power circulation and charging speed enhancement while reducing the number of power circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If additional power conversion components are added for SOC management and current control of swap batteries, then the charging speed and simultaneous discharging capability are improved, but the device complexity and price increase
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary converter is designed to perform multiple functions: it converts AC power to DC power for charging the main battery, and simultaneously manages power circulation between multiple swap batteries. The controller coordinates the secondary converter and switching circuits to enable both charging and simultaneous discharging operations using a single power conversion component, eliminating the need for separate power conversion devices for each swap battery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the charging function and swap battery discharging function into a single secondary converter system. The switching circuits integrate the control of multiple swap batteries with the main battery charging process, merging what would traditionally require separate power conversion components into one unified system, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high charging speed.
2Device complexity
If the number of power circuit devices is minimized to reduce volume and price, then the device complexity is reduced, but the simultaneous discharging capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic switching circuits that can reconfigure the electrical connections between the secondary converter and multiple swap batteries based on real-time operational requirements. The controller dynamically controls the switching circuits to enable or disable simultaneous discharging of swap batteries, allowing the system to adapt its functionality without adding permanent hardware components, thus maintaining low device complexity while enabling on-demand simultaneous discharging capability.
3Quantity of substance
If swap batteries with different SOC are connected to increase travel distance and motor output, then the energy capacity is improved, but the safety risk increases due to voltage difference
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary converter acts as an intermediary between swap batteries with different SOC levels and the main battery. It actively manages the voltage differences by controlling power flow and circulation, preventing direct connection of batteries with large voltage differences that would cause safety issues. The controller monitors and adjusts the charging/discharging rates to maintain safe operating conditions even when batteries with different SOC are connected.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts operating parameters such as charging current, discharging rate, and voltage thresholds based on the real-time SOC and voltage states of connected batteries. When batteries with different SOC are connected, the controller modifies these parameters to ensure safe operation, thereby enabling the use of diverse battery configurations for increased energy capacity while maintaining safety through adaptive parameter control.
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
Enables simultaneous discharging of swap batteries, optimizes operation across varying voltage conditions, and increases charging speed of the main battery, thereby improving electric vehicle performance and reducing system complexity and cost.
Implementation Method 1
a secondary converter configured to convert alternating current (AC) power into direct current (DC) power
Implementation Method 2
a switching circuit configured to turn on or off electrical connection between the replaceable swap battery block and the secondary converter
Implementation Method 3
a bypass circuit configured to turn on or off electrical connection between the swap battery block and the main battery
Implementation Method 4
a power conversion apparatus configured for simultaneously discharging swap batteries
Data Source
AI summary
A power conversion apparatus capable of simultaneously discharging swap batteries even while reducing the number of power circuits includes a secondary converter configured to convert alternating current (AC) power into direct current (DC) power, a main battery connected to the secondary converter to receive the DC power, a replaceable swap battery block connected to the secondary converter configured for simultaneous discharge with the main battery, a switching circuit configured to turn on or off electrical connection between the replaceable swap battery block and the secondary converter, and a bypass circuit configured to turn on or off electrical connection between the swap battery block and the main battery.