Trailer Towing Battery SOC Control to Reduce Ah Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
High Amp-hour (Ah) throughput during trailer towing and other high-demand scenarios leads to rapid deterioration of the State of Health (SoH) of high voltage (HV) battery packs in electrified vehicles.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a control strategy that inserts a charge sustaining zone within the typical charge depletion zone, defining upper and lower battery State of Charge (SOC) thresholds to operate the electric machine and secondary power source accordingly, reducing Ah throughput by maintaining the SOC within a battery health zone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the electric machine operates in charge depletion mode to provide maximum propulsion during trailer towing, then vehicle performance is improved, but battery State of Health deteriorates rapidly due to high Ah throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts the operating mode between charge depletion and charge sustaining modes based on real-time SOC measurements. The controller monitors SOC levels and automatically transitions between modes to optimize both vehicle performance and battery health, making the system adaptive rather than static
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters by defining specific SOC thresholds (first threshold above 50%, second threshold below 50%) that trigger mode transitions. By adjusting these parameter thresholds, the system optimizes the balance between power delivery and battery protection during high-demand trailer towing operations
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the controller sustains SOC within a health zone by operating the secondary power source, then battery life is improved, but vehicle performance may be limited during high-demand conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The SOC range is segmented into different zones: a health zone (between first and second thresholds) for battery protection, and depletion zones (above first threshold or below second threshold) for maximum performance. This segmentation allows the system to optimize for either battery life or power delivery depending on the operating zone
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically switches between sustaining SOC within the health zone and allowing SOC to deplete into the depletion zones based on vehicle demand. During trailer towing, the system can temporarily allow SOC to enter depletion zones to provide maximum power while still protecting the battery long-term
3Reliability
If the controller detects trailer towing conditions and adjusts SOC management strategy, then battery health is protected during high-demand operation, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors SOC levels and provides feedback to adjust the operating mode. This closed-loop feedback mechanism automatically manages battery health without requiring complex external intervention, using simple threshold comparisons to trigger mode transitions
Solution Approach 2:
The control system integrates multiple functions into a single controller that detects trailer towing conditions, monitors SOC, determines operating mode, and manages power delivery. This multi-functional approach consolidates complexity into one coordinated system rather than requiring separate systems for each function
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for a vehicle having a traction battery, an electric machine, and a secondary power source, such as an engine, operate the electric machine and secondary power source to sustain a state of charge (SOC) of the traction battery when the SOC is either: a) below a first threshold and above a second threshold; or b) below a third threshold; and to deplete the SOC of the traction battery when the SOC is between the second and the third thresholds in response to detecting an operating condition associated with high Amp-hour (Ah) throughput of the traction battery, such as towing a trailer. The system and method operate the electric machine and the secondary power source to deplete the SOC when the SOC is above the third threshold and sustain the SOC when the SOC is below the third threshold when the condition is not detected.