GB2506468A - Rechargeable battery pack management for a vehicle - Google Patents

Rechargeable battery pack management for a vehicle Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2506468A
GB2506468A GB1310345.2A GB201310345A GB2506468A GB 2506468 A GB2506468 A GB 2506468A GB 201310345 A GB201310345 A GB 201310345A GB 2506468 A GB2506468 A GB 2506468A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
battery pack
sections
section
electrical appliance
control unit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB1310345.2A
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GB201310345D0 (en
GB2506468B (en
Inventor
Stephen Nicholls
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
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Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
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Filing date
Publication date
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Publication of GB201310345D0 publication Critical patent/GB201310345D0/en
Publication of GB2506468A publication Critical patent/GB2506468A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2506468B publication Critical patent/GB2506468B/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L58/00—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles
    • B60L58/10—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries
    • B60L58/12—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries responding to state of charge [SoC]
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L1/00—Supplying electric power to auxiliary equipment of vehicles
    • B60L1/02—Supplying electric power to auxiliary equipment of vehicles to electric heating circuits
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L1/00—Supplying electric power to auxiliary equipment of vehicles
    • B60L1/003—Supplying electric power to auxiliary equipment of vehicles to auxiliary motors, e.g. for pumps, compressors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L50/00—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle
    • B60L50/50—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells
    • B60L50/52—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells characterised by DC-motors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L50/00—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle
    • B60L50/50—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells
    • B60L50/60—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells using power supplied by batteries
    • B60L50/66—Arrangements of batteries
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L58/00—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles
    • B60L58/10—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries
    • B60L58/12—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries responding to state of charge [SoC]
    • B60L58/14—Preventing excessive discharging
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L58/00—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles
    • B60L58/10—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries
    • B60L58/12—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries responding to state of charge [SoC]
    • B60L58/15—Preventing overcharging
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L58/00—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles
    • B60L58/10—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries
    • B60L58/16—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries responding to battery ageing, e.g. to the number of charging cycles or the state of health [SoH]
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L58/00—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles
    • B60L58/10—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries
    • B60L58/18—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries of two or more battery modules
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L58/00—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles
    • B60L58/10—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries
    • B60L58/18—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries of two or more battery modules
    • B60L58/20—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries of two or more battery modules having different nominal voltages
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L58/00—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles
    • B60L58/10—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries
    • B60L58/18—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries of two or more battery modules
    • B60L58/21—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries of two or more battery modules having the same nominal voltage
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L58/00—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles
    • B60L58/10—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries
    • B60L58/18—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries of two or more battery modules
    • B60L58/22—Balancing the charge of battery modules
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L58/00—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles
    • B60L58/10—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries
    • B60L58/24—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries for controlling the temperature of batteries
    • B60L58/25—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries for controlling the temperature of batteries by controlling the electric load
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L7/00—Electrodynamic brake systems for vehicles in general
    • B60L7/10—Dynamic electric regenerative braking
    • B60L7/12—Dynamic electric regenerative braking for vehicles propelled by dc motors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L2240/00—Control parameters of input or output; Target parameters
    • B60L2240/10—Vehicle control parameters
    • B60L2240/34—Cabin temperature
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L2240/00—Control parameters of input or output; Target parameters
    • B60L2240/40—Drive Train control parameters
    • B60L2240/54—Drive Train control parameters related to batteries
    • B60L2240/545—Temperature
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L2240/00—Control parameters of input or output; Target parameters
    • B60L2240/40—Drive Train control parameters
    • B60L2240/54—Drive Train control parameters related to batteries
    • B60L2240/547—Voltage
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L2240/00—Control parameters of input or output; Target parameters
    • B60L2240/40—Drive Train control parameters
    • B60L2240/54—Drive Train control parameters related to batteries
    • B60L2240/549—Current
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
    • Y02T10/70—Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

A system for providing electrical power to a vehicle comprises a rechargeable electric battery pack 20 having two battery pack sections 100, 200. A control unit is coupled to the rechargeable battery pack sections. The rechargeable electric battery pack is connected to an electric motor for propulsion of the vehicle. Each battery pack section of the battery pack comprises a plurality of rechargeable electric storage cells and two connectable terminals 101, 102, 201, 202. The control unit is configured automatically to switch the power supply for a first electric appliance 50 from the first battery pack to the second battery pack, and to automatically switch the power supply for a second electric appliance 60 from the second battery pack to the first battery pack. The power supply for the appliances may be switched between the batteries in dependence on at least one performance variable of the battery pack sections, the performance variable including state of charge, state of health, temperature or voltage of the battery packs, or cells thereof.

Description

A RECHARGEABLE ELECTRIC BATTERY PACK FOR A VEHICLE
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a rechargeable electric battery pack, for example, for an electric vehicle (EV) or a hybrid electric vehicle (HEy). More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a battery pack comprising two or more battery pack sections and a system for controlling the use of the two or more battery pack sections. Aspects of the invention relate to: a battery pack; a system for providing power to a vehicle and/or its electrical appliances; a method of providing power to a vehicle and/or its electrical appliances; and to a vehicle comprising a battery pack comprising two or more battery pack sections.
BACKGROUND
Rechargeable electric battery packs (also referred to herein simply as battery packs) typically comprise a series of sealed electrochemical energy storage cells. Some known cells are Lithium-ion based and the capacity and performance of the overall battery pack is dependent upon a range of characteristics, including for example, the number of cells contained in the battery pack, the state of charge (SOC) of the cells, the temperature of the cells, the state of health (SOH) of the battery and the voltage being supplied by the cells.
Consideration of these and other factors is required in designing rechargeable battery packs.
The present invention seeks to provide an improvement in the field of battery packs, which may be used in vehicles. The invention may be utilised in applications other than for vehicles and passenger vehicles where rechargeable battery packs are used, for example, the rechargeable battery pack of the invention may find advantageous application in: commercial or utility vehicles, such as fork-lift-trucks; electricity grid storage; portable power generators; and back-up power supplies, for example in telecommunications applications.
SUMMARY
Aspects of the invention provide a system for controlling the use of a battery pack comprising two or more battery pack sections; a system for providing power to a vehicle and/or its electrical appliances; a rechargeable electric battery pack comprising two or more battery pack sections, a method and a vehicle.
According to an aspect of the invention for which protection is sought, there is provided a system for providing electrical power to a vehicle, the system comprising a rechargeable electric battery pack having two or more battery pack sections and a control unit coupled thereto, wherein the rechargeable electric battery pack is connected to an electric motor for propulsion of the vehicle, wherein each battery pack section of the battery pack comprises a plurality of rechargeable electric storage cells and two connectable terminals and wherein the control unit is configured to connect a first electrical appliance to a first battery pack and a second electrical appliance to a second battery pack, the control unit being further configured to: automatically switch the power supply for the first electrical appliance from the first battery pack to the second battery pack; and automatically switch the power supply for the second electrical appliance from the second battery pack to the first battery pack, in order to manage the use of electrical energy stored by the two or more battery pack sections.
Optionally, the control unit may be configured to exchange the power supply of the first electrical appliance for the power supply of the second electrical appliance.
Optionally, the control unit may be configured automatically to switch the power supply for one or more electrical appliances in dependence upon at least one performance variable(s) of the two or more battery pack sections.
Optionally, at least one performance variable(s) of the two or more battery pack sections may include any one or a combination of: the state of charge of each of the two or more battery pack sections; state of health of each of the two or more battery pack sections; the age of each of the two or more battery pack sections; average or maximum temperature of the two or more battery pack sections; maximum output voltage of the two or more battery pack sections; lowest voltage of any individual cell in the two or more battery pack sections; average cell voltage in the two oi more battery pack sections; a specific maximum current limit applied to the a battery pack section by the BMS and temperature of the individual cells in the two or more battery pack sections.
Optionally, the two or more battery pack sections may comprise two battery pack sections: a first battery pack section and a second battery pack section.
Additionally or alternatively, the maximum output voltage of the first battery pack section in a fully charged state may be substantially the same as the maximum output voltage of the second battery pack section in a fully charged state.
Additionally or alternatively, the first battery pack section and the second battery pack section may each comprise a similar number of rechargeable electric storage cells.
Optionally, the first battery pack section may have a maximum output voltage of about 200 V to about 400 V and the second battery pack section may have a maximum output voltage of about 200V to about 400V and the battery pack may have a total maximum output voltage of about 400V to about 800V.
Additionally, the two or more battery pack sections may be connected in series; alternatively, the two oi more battery pack sections are connected in paiallel.
Optionally, the control unit may form pad of a battery management system (BMS).
Optionally, the control unit may comprise tour controllable relays configured to connect first and second electrical appliances to either the first battery pack section or to the second battery pack section.
According to another aspect of the invention for which protection is sought, there is provided a rechargeable electric battery pack for use in a system according to any preceding paragraph, wherein the rechargeable electric battery pack comprises two or more battery pack sections, wherein each of the two or more battery pack sections comprises a plurality of rechargeable electric storage cells and two connectable terminals and wherein, each of the two or more battery pack sections is electrically coupled to at least one other of the two or more battery pack sections.
According to yet another aspect of the invention for which protection is sought, there is provided a control unit for use in the system according to any of the relevant preceding paragraphs, the control unit comprising a processor and at least tour controllable switches, which may optionally be relays, coupled to the processor, wherein the at least four controllable relays are configured and arranged for connecting two or more electrical appliances of a vehicle to two or more battery pack sections of a rechargeable electric battery pack of a vehicle and wherein the processor is configured and arranged to determine in dependence upon at least one performance variable(s) of the two or more battery pack sections when to disconnect an electrical appliance from one of the two or more battery pack sections and connect that electrical appliance to another one of the two or more battery pack sections.
According to a further aspect of the invention for which protection is sought, there is provided a method of controlling the use of a rechargeable electric battery pack in a vehicle, the method comprising: (i) monitoring one or more performance variable(s) of two or more battery pack sections of a rechargeable electric battery pack; (ii) determining in dependence upon said one or more performance variable(s) that a first electrical appliance connected to a first battery pack section should be disconnected and connected to a second battery pack section; (iii) disconnecting said first electrical appliance from said first battery pack section and disconnecting a second electrical appliance from said second battery pack section; and (iv) connecting said first electrical appliance to said first battery pack section and connecting said second electrical appliance to said second battery pack section.
Optionally, the method may additionally include: (v) issuing a signal to the electrical appliance or a control unit therefor to temporarily suspend operation of said electrical appliance; and (vi) issuing a signal to the electrical appliance or a control unit therefor to restart operation of said electrical appliance.
Within the scope of this application it is envisaged that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. For example, features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless such features are incompatible.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is schematic perspective view of a vehicle comprising a battery pack according to an embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 2 is a schematic perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 3 is a schematic circuit diagram of a two-section battery pack, showing two appliances of a vehicle, each connected to a battery pack section of the battery pack for electrically powering those appliances; and FIGURE 4 is the schematic diagram Figure 3 wherein the power sources for the two appliances have been switched.
To aid the understanding of the figures, the following table of reference numerals that have been used to denote features of the illustrated embodiment is provided alongside a brief
description of the feature denoted.
Reference Brief Description of Reference Brief Description of Feature Numeral Feature Numeral vehicle 100 First battery pack section battery pack 200 second battery pack section 22 battery pack cover 40 Battery management system (BMS) 24 battery pack base 50 First appliance 11, 12,13,14 Switch (relay) 60 Second appliance 101 Positive terminal of first 201 Positive terminal of second battery pack section battery pack section 102 Negative terminal of first 202 Negative terminal of second battery pack section battery pack section lOla, lOib Connections to positive 60a Positive connection to second terminal of first battery pack appliance section 102 Connections to negative 60b Negative connection to terminal of first battery pack second appliance section 50a Positive connection to first SOb Negative connection to first appliance appliance
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of the battery pack, system and methods of the present invention are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the way in which certain aspects of the invention can be implemented and do not represent an exhaustive list of all of the ways the invention may be embodied. Indeed, it will be understood that the baftery pack, system and methods described herein may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimised to show details of particular components. Well-known components! materials or methods are not necessarily described in great detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Any specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the invention.
According to an aspect of the invention a system is provided for providing electrical power to a vehicle. The system comprises a rechargeable electric battery pack having two or more separate or distinct battery pack sections which provide two or more separate electrical power supplies. These separate battery pack sections/power supplies can be used together or separately to provide a single electrical power supply for an electric motor for propulsion of the vehicle. Additionally, the separate battery pack sections/separate power supplies can be used as individual power sources for electrical appliances of the vehicle.
Typically the electrical appliances that the system of the invention is intending to power may have a reasonably high operating voltage, for example a heater or air conditioning unit.
Additionally the electrical appliances are unlikely to be used simultaneously because heating and cooling of the vehicle cabin would not necessarily be required at the same time. As such the charge depletion of the separate battery pack sections (which may also be referred to herein as power sources) may be uneven. For example, when one battery pack section is connected to the air conditioning unit and the air conditioning unit is being operated at full capacity the state of charge of that battery pack section will be noticeably depleted over time. Whereas, another battery pack section that is connected to the heater which is switched off may not draw any current at all and rnay not deplete the charge of that battery pack during the same time period. A control unit is provided to manage the use of the two or more battery pack sections that are connected to the one or more electrical appliances. The control unit is configured automatically to switch the connection of the one or more electrical appliances, between the two or more baftery pack sections in order to manage the charge depletion and state of charge of the separate battery pack sections. In this way the depletion of the electrical charge stored by the two or more battery pack sections is managed and may be rnaintained substantially the same or at least within a more acceptable tolerance.
An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 1, wherein a battery pack 20 is provided having a significantly higher power capacity compared to the voltage requirement of the electrical appliances to be powered. An optional aspect of the invention additionally therefore provides for the division of the power capacity of the overall battery pack into separate rechargeable battery pack sections capable of each delivering a different voltage which may be tailored to the electrical power/voltage requirement of existing electrical appliances such that the battery pack 20 is compatible for use with known existing electrical appliances whilst at the same time being able to provide a greater amount of electrical power to an electric motor used for the propulsion of the vehicle.
In Figure 1 there is shown a vehicle 10 that may optionally be an electric vehicle (EV) having a battery pack 20. The battery pack 20 is coupled to an electric motor (not shown) of the powertrain (not shown) to provide electrical power for propulsion of the vehicle 10. In the illustrated arrangement, the baftery pack 20 comprises two separate battery pack sections 100, 200 each having a positive terminal 101, 201 and a negative terminal 102, 202.
The battery pack 20 is illustrated schematically in Figure 2. The battery pack 20 optionally comprises a battery pack base 24 and a battery pack cover 22. The battery pack base 24 provides a surface for supporting the components of the battery pack 20 and the battery pack cover 22 provides a protective barrier to prevent the ingress of, for example dust, moisture and dirt, into the battery pack 20. The shape, size, configuration and structure of the base 24 and cover 22 may be altered dependent upon the shape, size; configuration and structure of the battery pack 20 contained therein. More specifically but not exclusively, the shape, size, configuration and orientation of the battery pack 20 within the vehicle 10 may be dependent upon the number, size and shape of the battery pack sections 100, 200 comprised within the battery pack 20.
The battery pack 20 may additionally comprise a temperature control system (not shown) for monitoring and adjusting the temperature of the cells contained in the battery pack 20. In addition the battery pack 20 may comprise additional components (partially shown schematically in Figure 3), for example, electronic circuitry for managing, controlling and balancing the electric charge stored in and discharged from the individual cells of the separate battery pack sections 100, 200.
Each battery pack section 100, 200 of the battery pack 20 comprises a plurality of sealed rechargeable electrochemical energy storage cells (not shown). The rechargeable electrochemical energy storage cells may also be referred to herein as cells, pouches and cell pouches. Optionally, each cell may be a Li-ion (Lithium-ion) based electrochemical energy storage cell. In other envisaged embodiments alternative suitable electrochemical storage cells or combinations thereof may be used. The cells of each battery pack section 100, 200 are electrically coupled together.
Each battery pack section 100. 200 is structured and configured such that it can be electrically connected to the other battery pack section 200, 100 and/or to electrical appliances 50, 60 of the vehicle 10.
In accordance with the illustrated embodiment of a battery pack 20, a first battery pack section 100 is electrically connected in series with the second battery pack section 200. In this way, the battery pack 20 comprises a positive terminal 101 and a negative terminal 202, which can be used to connect the battery pack 20 to the electric motor for providing maximum electrical power to the electric motor.
By providing separate or distinct battery pack sections 100, 200 with their own terminals, separate and distinct electrical power supplies cane be provided, optionally at a voltage output that matches the voltage requirement of existing electrical appliances 50, 60 to be powered by the battery pack sections 100, 200.
The number of cells comprised in each battery pack section 100, 200 is determined by the required voltage output of that battery pack section 100, 200. In accordance with the presently described embodiment, each rechargeable battery pack section 100, 200 comprises the same number of cells such that each battery pack section 100, 200 can deliver the same or a similar voltage. Optionally, eighty-seven cells are provided in each battery pack section 100, 200 and each battery pack section 100, 200 is configured to output a nominal voltage V100, V200 of around 322V. The first and second battery pack sections 100, are optionally connected together in series such that the overall battery pack 20 has a nominal voltage output V20, wherein V20 = V100 + V200. Optionally the nominal voltage output by the battery pack V20 is about 644V.
The battery pack 20 is configured such that it can be electrically connected to one or more electrical motor(s) (not shown)for propulsion of the vehicle 10.
The electrical appliances 50, 60 of the vehicle 10 to be powered by the separate battery pack sections 100, 200 (electrical power supplies 100, 200), may require a greater voltage than other low-voltage-range appliances, for example, in-car audio system, vehicle lights and vehicle electric power-assist steering system (EPAS). These low-voltage electrical appliances typically have a nominal operating voltage of about 1OV to about 15V or optionally less and are powered by a separate battery.
In the illustrated embodiment, a first electrical appliance 50 is an air conditioning unit pump and a second electrical appliance 60 is a positive temperature coefficient (FTC) heater which typically operates at a nominal voltage of about 322V. In this embodiment, the electrical appliances 50, 60 require a significantly greater voltage across them compared to any low-voltage-range electrical appliances operating at about 12V.
According to a beneficial aspect of the invention, the connection between the battery pack sections 100, 200 and the higher-voltage electrical appliances 50, 60 is variably controllable.
More specifically, each appliance 50, 60 can be connected to the first battery pack section and each appliance can be connected to the second battery pack section 200. The appliances 50, 60 are not connected to the same battery pack section 100, 200 simultaneously and a control unit, for example the Battery Management System (BMS), is configured to determine to which power source (first battery pack section 100 or second battery pack section 200) each appliance 50, 60 should be connected.
Advantageously therefore, the electrical power supplied by (and therefore the electrical charge discharged by) the battery pack sections 100, 200 to the electrical appliances 50, 60 can be actively managed by the BMS of the battery pack 20 (or optionally by an auxiliary control unit). The electrical appliances 50, 60 when operating may, over time, significantly impact the state-of-charge of the first or second battery pack 100, 200 selected to provide electrical power to the electrical appliance 50, 60.
Further advantageously, in an embodiment where the overall battery pack 20 has an output voltage that exceeds the operating voltage of an electrical appliance 50, 60, a suitable voltage for that appliance 50, 60 can be provided by one of the battery pack sections 100, 200. In other envisaged embodiments, the output voltage delivered by the overall battery pack 20 does not exceed the operating voltage range for one or any of the electrical appliances 50, 60 (for example, where the two or more battery pack sections are connected in parallel). Nevertheless, the provision of more than one battery pack section 100, 200 operable at a suitable output voltage for one or more electrical appliances 50, 60 enables management of the state of charge of the battery sections 100, 200 (in both discharging and charging scenarios).
Referring to the circuit illustrated in Figure 3, the battery pack 20 is shown which comprises the first and second battery pack sections 100, 200. The negative terminal 102 of first battery section 100 is electrically connected in series to the positive terminal 201 of the second battery section 200 via connection 90. The battery pack 20 can be connected to one or more electrical motor(s) (not shown) for propulsion of the vehicle 10 via connections with the positive terminal 101 of the first battery pack section 100 and the negative terminal 202 of the second battery pack section 200.
A plurality of electrically controllable switches or relays 11, 12, 13, 14 are provided.
Optionally, the relays 11, 12, 13, 14 may form part of the battery management system (BMS) or other control unit for the system of the present invention.
Each relay is controllable and can be switched between at least two connecting positions (as illustrated schematically in Figure 3). Each battery pack section 100, 200 is electrically connected to the relays 11, 12, 13, 14 such that by controlling the connectivity of the relays 11, 12, 13, 14, a selection asto which battery pack section 100, 200 is connected to which electrical appliance 50, 60 can be made. In this embodiment, two battery pack sections 100, are provided and two appliances 50, 60 can be connected to either of them. In other envisaged embodiments, more than two electrical appliances may be selectively connectable to two or more battery pack sections.
With reference to Figure 3, a first relay 11 is connected to: the second negative terminal 202 of the second battery pack 200 by connection 202a; the connection 90 between the first and second battery pack sections by connection 90a; and a positive terminal of the second electrical appliance 60 by connection 60a.
The first relay 11 is controllable such that it can either connect the positive terminal of the second electrical appliance 60 to the connection 90 between the first and second battery pack sections 100, 200 OR connect the positive terminal of the second electrical appliance to the second negative terminal 202 of the second battery pack 200.
A second relay 12 is connected to: the connection 90 between the first and second battery pack sections 100, 200 by connection 90b; the first positive terminal 101 of the first battery section 100 by connection 1 Ola; and to a negative terminal of the second electrical appliance 60 by connection 6Db.
The second relay 12 is controllable such that it can either connect the negative terminal of the second electrical appliance 60 to the first positive terminal 101 of the first battery section OR connect the negative terminal of the second electrical appliance 60 to the connection 90 between the first and second battery pack sections 100, 200.
A third relay 13 is connected to: the first positive terminal 101 of the first battery section 100 by connection 101 b; the connection 90 between the first and second battery pack sections 100, 200 by connection 90c; and to a negative terminal of the first electrical appliance 50 by connection 50b.
The third relay 13 is controllable such that it can either connect the negative terminal of the first electrical appliance 50 to the first positive terminal 101 of the first battery section 100 OR connect the negative terminal of the first electrical appliance 50 to the connection 90 between the first and second battery pack sections 100, 200.
A fourth relay 14 is connected to: the second negative terminal 202 of the second battery section 200 by connection 202b; the connection 90 between the first and second battery pack sections 100, 200 by connection 90d; and to a positive terminal of the first electrical appliance 50 by connection 50a.
The fourth relay 14 is controllable such that it can either connect the positive terminal of the first electrical appliance 50 to the second negative terminal 202 of the second battery section OR connect the positive terminal of the first electrical appliance 50 to the connection 90 between the first and second battery pack sections 100, 200.
In Figure 3 it is illustrated that the relays 11, 12, 13, 14 have been controlled and switched such that the first electrical appliance 60 is connected across the first battery section 100 and the second electrical appliance 50 is connected across second battery section 200. The relays are controllable and can all be switched into their alternative configurations in dependence on various criteria as described below.
In Figure 4 it is illustrated that the relays 11, 12, 13, 14 have been controlled and switched such that the first electrical appliance 60 is connected across the second battery section 200 and the second electrical appliance 50 is connected across the first battery section 100.
The demand placed on the first and second electrical appliances may not be even. For example, where the first electrical appliance 60 is an air conditioning unit component and where the second electrical appliance 50 is a heater, a user of the vehicle 10 may not necessarily require both appliances 50, 60 to operate simultaneously. As such, in use, a sectioned battery pack 20 may be susceptible to uneven discharge of stored electrical energy. In some embodiments, the air conditioning unit may form part of a chiller for the battery pack 20 itself. In such an embodiment, the air conditioning unit and heater may be used at the same time. However, the charge depletion on the two battery pack sections delivering electrical power to the air-con unit and heater may not be even or uniform (due to the load characteristics of the heater and air-con unit) Advantageously however, the present invention provides for a BMS (or other control unit) that is configured to manage the states of charge of the first and second battery pack sections 100, 200 by automatically switching between battery pack sections 100, 200. For example, when the air conditioning unit component 60 is connected, as shown in Figure 3, it is being supplied with electrical energy from the cells of the first battery section 100. The heater 50 is not in use and therefore the second battery section 200 at least substantially maintains its state of charge.
After a period of usage of the first electrical component 60, the electrochemical energy stored in the first section of the battery pack 100 is depleted and the BMS determines that the second battery section 200 should supply the electrical power required by the first electrical component 60. The exact command sequence that may be implemented to affect such control may differ from that now described. Nevertheless, in an example control sequence the following steps may occur: (i) The BMS (or other control unit) determines, in dependence upon one or more parameters, that an in-use appliance (for example, the first electrical appliance, the air-con 60) currently powered by a first battery section 100 should be powered by an alternative baftery pack section 200; (ii) Optionally, the BMS causes a command signal to be issued to the control system for the in-use first electrical appliance 60 to cause the first electrical appliance to be switched off; (iH) The BMS controls the relays 11, 12, 13, 14 to switch the power source for the first electrical appliance 60 from the first battery section 100 (as per Figure 3) to the second battery section 200 (as per Figure 4). At the same time, the power source for the second electrical appliance 50 is disconnected and the second electrical appliance connected to the first battery section 100. In this way, the second electrical appliance remains connected to a power source (save for a very short, likely unnoticeable, disconnection during the switch over); and (iv) Optionally, the BMS causes a command signal to be issued to the control system for the "in-use' first electrical appliance 60 to cause the first electrical appliance to be switched back on.
The one or more variables or parameters upon which the BMS (or other control unit) may be configured to determine whether it is desirable to switch the power sources for the first and second electrical appliances from one battery pack section to another battery pack section may optionally include any one or more or a combination of any of the following: * Maximum (or minimum) measured temperature of the cells of the first or second battery pack section 100, 200; * Average derived temperature of the cells of the first or second battery pack section 100, 200; * Voltage supplied by the first or second battery pack section 100, 200; * State of Charge (SOC) of any individual cell of the first or second battery pack section 100, 200; * Average SOC of the cells of the first or second battery pack section 100, 200; * Length of time an appliance has been powered by the first or second battery pack section 100, 200 (this may include: the length of the continuous period of time the power source has been in use for; the total length of time the power source has been in use for, optionally since last charging; * State of Health (SOH) of either of the first or second battery pack section 100, 200; and * Optimise head-room to optimise the electrical energy that can be drawn down during regenerative braking.
It will be understood that other variables and/or parameters in addition to or alternative to those provided in the list above may be used to determine whether a power source switch over should take place.
The Battery Management System 40 for the battery pack 20 of the illustrated embodiment is configured to change power source dependent upon the continuous period of time that a power source has been in use and dependent upon the load profile of that appliance. As such, the BMS may determine that a power source switch over (from the first battery section to the second battery section) is required if the in-use electrical appliance 60 has run at maximum power usage for a time period ti, which may be about 20 minutes. Whereas, if the average power consumption of the in-use electrical appliance 60 is only about 50% of its maximum, then the BMS may not determine that a power source switch over is necessary at tl, but rather only at t2, wherein t2>tl (t2 may be about 30 minutes).
It is desirable that the power supply switch over does not happen too frequently and therefore an optimum time period between switches may be between about 20 minutes and about 30 minutes, albeit the power supply switch over may be needed more rapidly in certain circumstances. For example, a significant and/or rapid decrease of the State of charge; a significant and/or rapid increase of the temperature; a significant and/or rapid decrease in voltage.
Advantageously, the present invention may provide a system for actively managing the depletion of the electrical charge stored by the cells of two or more separately usable battery pack sections 100, 200, preferably so that the two or more separately usable battery pack sections 100, 200 do not have a significantly high SOC differential, by controlling the connection of the battery pack sections to electrical appliances.
Further advantageously, the present invention may provide a system for managing the recharging of cells of two or more separately usable battery pack sections 100, 200, preferably so that the recharging of each of the two or more separately usable battery pack sections 100, 200 can be optimised. The battery pack sections 100, 200 may be used independently and therefore discharged differently such that at any given time, the two or more battery pack sections 100, 200 may be at different levels of state of charge (SOC).
During charging, for example, during regenerative braking the battery pack 20 may be re-charged. As the battery pack 20 is charged, the battery pack sections 100, 200 will be supplied with substantially the same amount of electrical charge. When one battery pack section 100, 200 has reached its maximum charge capacity, recharging of the battery pack must stop to avoid over-charging. This is despite the fact that one or more of the other battery pack sections 100, 200 has not reached its charge capacity. This aspect of the present invention manages a state of charge differential between two or more battery pack sections by providing a BMS (or other control unit) that deliberately causes one or more battery pack sections 100, 200 to discharge a portion of its charge to an in-use electrical appliance 50, 60. Thereby, the state of charge of that battery pack section may be more closely matched with the battery pack section having the lowest state of charge.
In one embodiment of the invention, this active discharging may be achieved by actively loading one or more of the battery pack sections 100, 200, using one of the electrical appliances 50, 60.
It can be appreciated that various changes may be made within the scope of the present invention, for example, in other envisaged embodiments, the vehicle 10 is not a fully electric vehicle, but rather a hybrid electric vehicle (HEy), for example a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). In yet other envisaged embodiments, the vehicle 10 is not powered solely or in part by electric power, but may nevertheless comprise a rechargeable electric battery pack 20 for powering electronic appliances other than the drivetrain of the vehicle 10.
Other applications for a battery pack 20 are envisaged, for example, electrical power storage for portable power sources; electric grid; renewable energy generators; and back-up power supply.
In other envisaged embodiments, the battery pack 20 may comprise more than two battery pack sections 100, 200. In other envisaged embodiments, the two or more sections of the battery pack 20 are electrically coupled together in parallel rather than in series. In other envisaged embodiments the two or more cells do not necessarily comprise the same or similar number of cells and do not necessarily output the same or similar voltage.
In other envisaged embodiments, the relays are controlled by the BMS but do not themselves form part of the BMS, In yet further envisaged embodiments, the relays are controlled by a separate control unit and are not part of the BMS.
In other envisaged embodiments two or more electrical appliances may be powered simultaneously by two or more battery pack sections. A battery pack 20 may be provided with a spare battery pack section 20.
As used herein the term controllable switch may refer to any one or more or a combination of: any suitable electrically controllable switch, a relay or other electromechanical switch, a transistor, a semiconductor switch for example a thyristor and a contactor.
As used herein the term State of Health, may be taken to mean any quantitative or qualitative assessment of the operating ability of the two or more battery pack sections and may include consideration of any combination of the following, non-limiting, characteristics: battery pack section degradation due to different temperature zones in car effecting cell degradation locally; poor individual performance of any cell due to manufacturing tolerances.

Claims (16)

  1. CLAIMS1. A system for providing electrical power within a vehicle, the system comprising a rechargeable electric battery pack having two or more battery pack sections and a control unit coupled thereto, wherein the rechargeable electric battery pack is connected to an electric motor for propulsion of the vehicle, wherein each battery pack section of the battery pack comprises a plurality of rechargeable electric storage cells and two connectable terminals and wherein the control unit is configured to connect a first electrical appliance to a first battery pack and a second electrical appliance to a second battery pack, the control unit being further configured to: automatically switch the power supply for the first electrical appliance from the first battery pack to the second battery pack; and automatically switch the power supply for the second electrical appliance from the second battery pack to the first battery pack, in order to manage the use of electrical energy stored by the two or more battery pack sections.
  2. 2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the control unit is configured automatically to switch the power supply for one or more electrical appliances in dependence upon at least one performance variable(s) of the two or more battery pack sections.
  3. 3. A system according to claim 2 wherein at least one performance variable(s) of the two or more battery pack sections includes any one or a combination of: the state of charge of each of the two or more battery pack sections; state of health of each of the two or more battery pack sections; average or maximum temperature of the two or more battery pack sections; maximum output voltage of the two or more battery pack sections; lowest voltage of any individual cell in the two or more battery pack sections; average cell voltage in the two or more battery pack sections; a specific maximum current limit applied to the a battery pack section by the BMS and temperature of the individual cells in the two or more battery pack sections.
  4. 4. A system according to any preceding claim wherein the two or more battery pack sections comprises two battery pack sections: a first battery pack section (100) and a second battery pack section (200).
  5. 5. A system according to claim 4 wherein the maximum output voltage of the first battery pack section in a fully charged state is substantially the same as the maximum output voltage of the second battery pack section in a fully charged state.
  6. 6. A system according to claim 5 wherein the first battery pack section and the second battery pack section each comprise a similar number of rechargeable electric storage cells.
  7. 7. A system according to claim 5 wherein the first battery pack section has a maximum output voltage of about 200V to about 400V and the second battery pack section has a maximum output voltage of about 200V to about 400V and the battery pack has a total maximum output voltage of about 400V to about 800V.
  8. 8. A system according to any preceding claim wherein the two or more battery pack sections are connected in series or wherein the two or more battery pack sections are connected in parallel.
  9. 9. A system according to any preceding claim wherein the control unit forms part of a battery management system.
  10. 10. A system according to any preceding claim dependent upon claim 4, wherein the control unit comprises four controllable switches (11, 12, 13, 14) configured to connect first and second electrical appliances (50. 60) to either the first battery pack section (100) or to the second battery pack section (200).
  11. 11. A control unit for use in the system according to any of claims 1 to 10, the control unit comprising a processor and at least four controllable relays (11, 12, 13, 14) coupled to the processor, wherein the at least four controllable relays (11, 12, 13, 14) are configured and arranged for connecting two or more electrical appliances (50, 60) of a vehicle to two or more battery pack sections of a rechargeable electric battery pack of a vehicle and wherein the processor is configured and arranged to determine in dependence upon at least one performance variable(s) of the two or more battery pack sections when to disconnect an electrical appliance from one of the two or more battery pack sections and connect that electrical appliance to another one of the two or more battery pack sections.
  12. 12. A vehicle comprising a system or a control unit as claimed in any preceding claim.
  13. 13. A method of controlling the use of a rechargeable electric battery pack in a vehicle, the method comprising: (i) monitoring one or more performance variable(s) of two or more battery pack sections of a rechargeable electric battery pack; (ii) determining in dependence upon said one or more performance variable(s) that a first electrical appliance connected to a first battery pack section should be disconnected and connected to a second battery pack section; (iH) disconnecting said first electrical appliance from said first battery pack section and disconnecting a second electrical appliance from said second battery pack section; and (iv) connecting said first electrical appliance to said first battery pack section and connecting said second electrical appliance to said second battery pack section.
  14. 14. A method according to claim 13 wherein the method additionally includes issuing a signal to the electrical appliance or a control unit therefor to temporarily suspend operation of said electrical appliance prior to disconnecting said electrical appliance.
  15. 15. A method according to claim 13 or 14 wherein the method additionally includes issuing a signal to the electrical appliance or a control unit therefor to restart operation of said electrical appliance after connecting said electrical appliance.
  16. 16. A vehicle, battery pack, system for a battery back, or a method of controlling the use of battery pack constructed and/or arranged substantially as described herein with reference to and/or as illustrated by one or more of the accompanying Figures.
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