Swappable Battery Charge State Control for Electric Power Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric power systems for vehicles, such as electric scooters, face challenges with swappable batteries, including the lack of individual control over charge states, which can lead to voltage differences causing damage and potential fires when swapping batteries without proper power management.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determine the charge states of multiple swappable battery units and decide whether to enable simultaneous or separate discharging based on the charge state differences, using a power control circuit with a microprocessor to manage the battery units and prevent damage by controlling the discharge of each unit independently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If swappable battery units are used without individual charge state control, then battery swapping speed is improved, but voltage difference between battery units increases causing damage and fire hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The power control circuit continuously monitors the charge state of each battery unit and uses this feedback information to control the discharge process. The system adjusts discharge parameters based on real-time charge state data, ensuring that voltage differences remain within safe limits while enabling rapid battery swapping operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes discharge parameters (such as discharge current and voltage thresholds) based on the charge state of individual battery units. By adjusting these parameters in real-time, the system prevents harmful voltage differences while maintaining high swapping productivity.
2Power
If simultaneous discharging of multiple battery units is enabled without charge state monitoring, then power output is improved, but voltage instability increases leading to system damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the discharging process based on real-time charge state monitoring. When battery units have similar charge states, simultaneous discharging is enabled for maximum power output. When charge states diverge, the system dynamically switches to sequential discharging or adjusts parameters to maintain voltage stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The power control circuit uses feedback from charge state measurements to control simultaneous discharging. The system continuously monitors voltage levels and adjusts discharge parameters or switches between simultaneous and sequential modes to maintain voltage stability while optimizing power output.
3Reliability
If individual charge state control is implemented for each battery unit, then battery safety is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power control circuit performs multiple functions: it monitors charge states, controls discharge parameters, prevents over-discharge, and manages voltage stability. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional control system, individual battery safety is improved without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each battery unit's charge state is independently monitored and controlled, allowing the system to manage multiple batteries using the same control logic and algorithms. This self-service approach enables safe individual control without requiring complex specialized circuits for each battery.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating an electric power system, which may include: determining a charge state of a first battery unit and a charge state of a second battery unit; determining a difference between the charge state of the first battery unit and the charge state of the second battery unit; and determining whether to enable discharging simultaneously of both the first battery unit and the second battery unit, or to enable discharging of one of the first and second battery units, based on the difference between the charge state of the first battery unit and the charge state of the second battery unit. At least one of the first and second battery units may be a swappable battery unit. The disclosure further relates to an electric power system and to a computer executable code including instructions for operating an electric power system.