Switchable Battery Configuration for Electric Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrically powered vehicles face challenges in effectively utilizing the power of both the originally loaded battery and an additionally loaded battery when there are substantial differences in specifications or conditions between the two, leading to inefficient energy use and potential overheating or excessive current flow.
Innovation Solution
An electrically powered vehicle with a switchable battery configuration that includes a mounting member for a supplementary battery, a switch, and a switch controller that adjusts the connection mode between series and parallel based on the condition information of both batteries to optimize power usage and prevent excessive current flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the connection mode between the first power storage unit and the second power storage unit is switched based on state of charge difference, then the power supply efficiency is improved, but the switching frequency increases causing excessive heat generation and reduced component life
Solution Approach 1:
The control device predicts future state of charge differences between the first and second power storage units based on their current states and discharge characteristics. By performing this prediction in advance, the system can proactively switch connection modes before large SOC differences develop, reducing the frequency of switching operations and minimizing heat generation from frequent switching while still maintaining power supply efficiency.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the connection mode is switched frequently to maintain optimal power distribution, then energy efficiency is improved, but the reliability of the switching component deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs predictive analysis of state of charge differences to determine optimal switching timing. By predicting future SOC states based on current battery conditions and discharge rates, the system can switch connection modes at strategically optimal moments rather than reactively switching whenever SOC differences occur, thereby reducing total switching frequency and extending switch component life while maintaining energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device continuously monitors the actual state of charge of both power storage units and compares it with predicted values. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adjust switching decisions dynamically, ensuring that switching operations are performed only when truly necessary to maintain optimal power distribution, thus reducing unnecessary switching cycles and improving component reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the switching decision is based on real-time state of charge comparison, then the adaptability is improved, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device calculates predicted state of charge values for both power storage units based on their current states and known discharge characteristics. This preliminary prediction step simplifies the control logic by transforming a complex real-time optimization problem into a more manageable comparison of predicted versus actual states, reducing computational complexity while maintaining high adaptability to changing battery conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrically powered vehicle includes a battery, a mounting member, a switch, and a switch controller. The battery is configured to supply power for moving. On the mounting member, a supplementary battery configured to supply power for moving is detachably mountable. The switch is configured to switch connection of the battery and the supplementary battery mounted on the mounting member between series and parallel connections. The switch controller is configured to control the switch in accordance with condition information about the battery and condition information about the supplementary battery mounted on the mounting member.