Vehicle Propulsion System Optimizing Battery Charging Power Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hybrid and electric vehicle propulsion systems face inefficiencies due to oversized batteries, aggressive thermal management, and lack of predictive control over battery degradation, leading to increased size, weight, cost, and reduced operating efficiency, as well as suboptimal DC link voltage management.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle propulsion system with a controller that optimizes charging power allocation for energy storage devices using a multi-objective optimization algorithm, dynamically controls DC bus voltage, and adjusts power split between energy storage units to maximize state of charge and health, and system efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If batteries are oversized to reduce power and cyclic stresses, then reliability is improved, but weight and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic battery sizing that adapts to actual vehicle usage patterns and driving conditions. The system monitors real-time operational data and adjusts the effective battery capacity and power management strategy accordingly, allowing the battery to operate optimally without being permanently oversized, thus reducing weight while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as charge-discharge rates, voltage thresholds, and power allocation dynamically based on actual stress conditions. By adjusting these parameters in real-time, the battery can handle variable loads without requiring excessive capacity margins, reducing overall battery size while maintaining reliability under normal operating conditions.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If aggressive thermal management controls are implemented, then battery lifespan is extended, but system complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-regulating thermal management system that uses passive thermal pathways and control algorithms to maintain battery temperature within optimal ranges. The system monitors battery state and automatically adjusts cooling/heating activation and intensity based on actual thermal conditions, avoiding continuous aggressive management while extending battery lifespan through intelligent, condition-based control.
3Power
If multiple energy storage sources are incorporated, then power density is increased, but system size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the energy storage system into multiple functional units with different power and energy characteristics. By dividing the system into modular components that can be independently sized and configured, the overall power density is increased without requiring a single oversized battery, thus managing system weight more effectively through distributed architecture.
4Reliability
If optimization algorithms are applied to charging power allocation, then state of charge and health are optimized, but computational requirements and control complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback-based optimization where the control system continuously monitors battery state of charge, state of health, and charging conditions, then adjusts charging power allocation in real-time based on this feedback. This closed-loop approach optimizes battery performance without requiring overly complex open-loop control algorithms, using iterative adjustment based on measured outcomes to achieve optimal charging strategies.
Data Source
AI summary
A charging system for a vehicle includes a first energy storage device, a first DC-DC converter coupled between a DC bus and the first energy storage device, and a controller. The controller is programmed to identify charging parameters of a charging source coupleable to the first energy storage device through the first DC-DC converter, apply an optimization algorithm to iteratively define a charging power allocation to charge the first energy storage device using the charging source, and selectively control the first DC-DC converter to recharge the first energy storage device in accordance with the charging power allocation. The charging power allocation optimizes at least one of a state of charge (SOC) and a state of health (SOH) of the first energy storage device.