Vehicle On-Board Electrical System With Segmented Battery Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing onboard electrical systems for motor vehicles face challenges in efficiently managing power distribution between low voltage and high voltage subsystems, particularly in hybrid and electric vehicles, where seamless power supply is required without voltage dips and with optimized energy storage and recovery during braking processes.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a coupling unit with selectively connectable battery units and switches with reverse and forward blocking capabilities, allowing unidirectional power transfer from a high voltage subsystem to a low voltage subsystem, enabling efficient power distribution and storage, and using a controller to manage battery states of charge for optimized operation across different vehicle phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a traditional 12V onboard electrical system is used with a starter battery and generator, then the system can supply power to electrical loads, but the system lacks efficiency in energy recovery during braking and requires additional components like DC/DC converters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the starter battery and generator into a single starter generator unit that can both consume and generate electrical energy. This merging eliminates the need for separate DC/DC converters and reduces system complexity while enabling efficient energy recovery during braking by directly charging the battery through the generator function
Solution Approach 2:
The starter generator serves multiple functions: it acts as a starter motor to crank the engine, as a generator to charge the battery during braking (boost recuperation), and as a voltage source for the onboard electrical system. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed and improves overall system efficiency
2Power
If battery units are connected in series to increase voltage for the high voltage subsystem, then power output increases, but the system cannot efficiently supply low voltage loads without additional conversion components
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into multiple battery units that can be independently connected to different subsystems. The high voltage subsystem can draw power from series-connected battery units while the low voltage subsystem draws from parallel-connected units, eliminating the need for DC/DC conversion and allowing direct power supply at different voltage levels
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dimensional change in voltage supply by providing multiple voltage taps from the battery units. This allows the system to simultaneously provide high voltage (series connection) for the high voltage subsystem and low voltage (parallel connection) for the low voltage subsystem, resolving the voltage conversion requirement
3Adaptability or versatility
If the starter generator is used to supply both high voltage and low voltage subsystems simultaneously, then system integration is improved, but power distribution management becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling unit dynamically reconfigures the battery unit connections based on the operational requirements of the high voltage and low voltage subsystems. Switches controlled by a control unit adjust the series/parallel configuration in real-time, optimizing power distribution while simplifying management through automated 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
This solution ensures uninterrupted power supply to both low and high voltage loads, optimizes energy storage and recovery during braking, and extends battery life by balancing battery states of charge, reducing the need for additional components like DC/DC converters and starters, resulting in a more efficient and cost-effective electrical system.
Implementation Method 1
the high voltage subsystem has a battery that is set up to produce the high voltage and to output it to the high voltage subsystem
Implementation Method 2
the coupling unit is set up to draw power from the high voltage subsystem and to supply it to the low voltage subsystem
Data Source
AI summary
An on-board electrical system for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The on-board electrical system has a low-voltage subsystem for at least one low-voltage load, and has a high-voltage subsystem for at least one high-voltage load, and has a starter generator, wherein the high-voltage subsystem is connected to the low-voltage subsystem by means of a coupling unit, wherein the on-board electrical system has a battery which has at least two battery units having individual voltage taps which are routed to the coupling unit. In this case, the coupling unit is designed such that, in a first operating state, the high-voltage subsystem is fed from all of the battery units and the low-voltage subsystem is fed from one battery unit, and, in a second operating state, the high-voltage subsystem is fed from one battery unit and the low-voltage subsystem is fed from at least one battery unit.