TWI776255B - Discharge switching structure for electric vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

A discharge switching structure for electric vehicles is provided. The discharge switching structure uses the communication between the devices to achieve the switching of more than two different battery groups and to increase the endurance of the electric vehicle.

Description

Discharge switching architecture for electric vehicles

The present invention relates to a discharge switching structure, in particular to a discharge switching structure of an electric vehicle.

On electric vehicles, due to the limited capacity of the battery, the cruising range of the electric vehicle is relatively limited. In order to solve the problem of insufficient battery life, there are various ways to deal with it. The most common ways are four: (1) Widely set up replacement stations. (2) The fast-charging battery is equipped with a wide-ranging fast-charging station. (3) Large-capacity fixed battery. (4) Electric vehicles are equipped with a parallel or switch.

For the methods (1) and (2), a large amount of infrastructure construction, land rent and related maintenance costs need to be invested. Without government subsidies, it is difficult to pass the cost on to the average consumer. If the method of (3) is adopted, the selling price of the electric vehicle will be relatively increased. It is also less attractive to consumers who do not have charging facilities on the first floor of their homes. The method of (4) is the method that many car manufacturers will choose. Through the parallel or switch to achieve the improvement of the battery life of the electric vehicle. However, in the event of a failure of the paralleler or switcher, the electric vehicle may be powered off.

In order to solve the above problems, avoid the cost of paralleling or switching, and at the same time avoid the increase in failure rate caused by adding devices, the purpose of the present invention is to use each device without adding new devices or simpler devices. Communication between two or more different battery packs can be achieved for switching.

To achieve the above objective, an embodiment of the present invention provides a discharge switching structure suitable for an electric vehicle. The discharge switching structure of the present invention includes two or more battery packs, a communication module, an auxiliary battery and a start switch. The battery pack powers the electric vehicle. Each battery pack has a communication unit and a switch unit. Each switch unit can control whether a battery pack is discharged. The communication module has a communication unit and a receiving unit. The receiving unit is used for receiving an activation signal. The auxiliary battery mainly supplies power to the communication module. The start switch can be a physical key or a wireless communication module. The start switch is directly connected to the communication module. When the communication module receives the activation signal, it wakes up the battery pack through the communication unit. After waking up the battery pack, the communication module determines which battery pack to turn on first according to one of the battery pack power, serial number, placement or temperature. After the battery pack that was turned on first was used for a period of time, if the communication module found that the voltage or temperature of the battery pack that was turned on first was close to a protection point, it would turn off the battery pack that was turned on first, and then turn on another battery pack.

100, 200, 300, 400, 500: Discharge switching architecture

102, 202, 302, 402: start switch

104, 404: Communication module

106, 206, 306, 406, 506: Auxiliary battery

108, 208, 308, 408, 508: battery pack A

110, 210, 310, 410, 510: battery pack B

112, 212: receiving unit

114, 116, 120, 214: Communication unit

118, 122: switch unit

204, 504: Display module

304: Motor Control Module

412, 516: wireless communication module

414, 502: mobile phone

600:Can Bus

604, 606: load

Can-H, Can-L: Pin

608, 610: Terminal resistance

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a discharge switching structure of an electric vehicle according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is another schematic diagram of the discharge switching structure of the electric vehicle of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is another schematic diagram of the discharge switching structure of the electric vehicle of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is another schematic diagram of the discharge switching structure of the electric vehicle of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is another schematic diagram of the discharge switching structure of the electric vehicle of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a controller area network bus (Can Bus).

In order to make the objects, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the following specific embodiments are given and described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The present specification provides different embodiments to illustrate the technical features of different embodiments of the present invention. Wherein, the configuration of each element in the embodiment is for illustration, and not for limiting the present invention. In addition, parts of the reference numerals in the drawings in the embodiments are repeated for the purpose of simplifying the description, and do not mean the correlation between different embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a discharge switching structure of an electric vehicle according to the present invention. As shown, the discharge switching structure 100 is suitable for an electric vehicle, and includes a start switch 102 , a communication module 104 , an auxiliary battery 106 , a battery pack A 108 and a battery pack B 110 . The activation switch 102 is directly connected to the communication module 104 . In a possible embodiment, the activation switch 102 may be a physical key switch. In this example, when the key switch is turned on, the start switch 102 outputs a start signal.

The communication module 104 includes a receiving unit 112 and a communication unit 114 . The receiving unit 112 is used for receiving an activation signal from the activation switch 102 . communication sheet Cell 114 is used to communicate with battery pack A 108 and battery pack B 110 . In a possible embodiment, the communication unit 114 is a controller area network bus (hereinafter referred to as Can Bus). In this example, the communication module 104 communicates with the battery pack A 108 and the battery pack B 110 through the communication unit 114 .

When the activation switch 102 outputs an activation signal, the communication module 104 simultaneously wakes up the battery pack A 108 and the battery pack B 110 through the communication unit 114 . After waking up the battery pack A 108 and the battery pack B 110, the communication module 104 decides to turn on the battery pack A 108 or the battery pack B 110 according to one of the power, serial number, placement or temperature of the battery pack A 108 and the battery pack B 110 first. Battery pack B 110. In this embodiment, only a single battery pack is turned on at the same time.

After the battery pack (such as battery pack A 108 ) that is turned on first is used for a period of time, if the communication module 104 finds that the voltage or temperature of the battery pack that is turned on first is close to a protection point, the communication module 104 first turns off the battery pack that was turned on first. battery pack, and then turn on another battery pack (eg, battery pack B 110 ), thus completing the switching operation of multiple groups of different batteries.

In other embodiments, the communication module 104 determines whether to turn off the turned-on battery pack first according to the voltage or temperature of the battery pack A 108 and the battery pack B 110 , the communication module 104 further decides whether to turn off the turned-on battery pack according to the battery pack A 108 and the battery pack B 110 . The limiting conditions of the discharge current determine whether to close the action. In this example, the condition value of the discharge current is to judge whether the electric vehicle is in a running state. In some embodiments, the communication module 104 is a vehicle control unit (Vehicle Control Unit; VCU).

In other embodiments, the communication module 104 has a display function. In this example, the communication module 104 may be an Instrument Control Module (ICM) for controlling lamps (not shown) of the electric vehicle. in another possible In an embodiment, the communication module 104 has a motor control function. In this example, the communication module 104 may be a motor control unit (Motor Control Unit; MCU).

The auxiliary battery 106 is mainly used to supply power to the communication module 104 . In a possible embodiment, the auxiliary battery 106 is a 12-volt (V) lead-acid battery, but it is not intended to limit the present invention. In other embodiments, the auxiliary battery 106 is another type of battery, such as a 12V lithium battery pack.

The battery pack A 108 at least has a communication unit 116 and a switch unit 118 . The communication unit 116 is used for communicating with the communication unit 114 . In a possible embodiment, the communication unit 116 is a Can Bus. In this example, the identification code (ID) of the Can Bus will change with the placement position of the battery pack A 108 , or with the production serial number of the battery pack A 108 . The switch unit 118 determines whether a battery module (not shown) of the battery pack A 108 is discharged according to the communication result of the communication unit 116 . In a possible embodiment, the battery module of the battery pack A 108 is a lithium battery pack.

The battery pack B 110 at least has a communication unit 120 and a switch unit 122 . The communication unit 120 is used for communicating with the communication unit 114 . In a possible embodiment, the communication unit 120 is a Can Bus. In this example, the identification code (ID) of the Can Bus will change with the different placement positions of the battery pack B 110 , or with the different production serial numbers of the battery pack B 110 . The switch unit 122 determines whether a battery module (not shown) of the battery pack B 110 is discharged according to the communication result of the communication unit 120 . In a possible embodiment, the battery module of the battery pack B 110 is a lithium battery pack.

When the activation switch 102 outputs an activation signal, the battery pack A 108 and the battery pack B 110 are awakened. After being awakened, battery pack A 108 and battery pack B 110 Through the communication units 116 and 120 , the communication module 104 is informed of its own state (such as at least one of power, serial number, placement position, temperature, and discharge current). The communication module 104 then turns on one of the battery pack A 108 and the battery pack B 110 according to the information notified by the battery pack A 108 to supply power to at least one load.

The present invention does not limit the kind of load. In a possible embodiment, the load includes at least a meter and a motor controller. In this example, in order to communicate with the battery pack A 108 and the battery pack B 110, each load also has a corresponding communication unit (eg, Can Bus). Taking the meter and the motor controller as an example, the meter and the motor controller are connected to the battery pack A 108 and the battery pack B 110 through their own communication units. In a possible embodiment, the meter and the motor controller each have a terminating resistor inside. The two ends of the terminal resistor are respectively connected to the two pins of the Can Bus. The architecture of the Can Bus will be explained later through Figure 6.

The present invention does not limit the number of battery packs. In other embodiments, the discharge switching architecture 100 may have more battery packs. In some embodiments, battery pack A 108 and battery pack B 110 each have a precharge circuit (not shown). Taking the battery pack A 108 as an example, when the communication module 104 designates the battery pack A 108 to supply power to the load, the precharge circuit of the battery pack A 108 may first provide a charging current to the load (eg, motor controller, DC transformer). In this example, the charging current is a small current. After the precharge circuit charges the load with a small current, the surge can be avoided. After pre-charging, the battery pack A 108 formally supplies power to the load. In a possible embodiment, the switch unit 118 controls whether the battery modules of the battery pack A 108 are discharged according to the magnitude of the charging current.

FIG. 2 is another schematic diagram of the discharge switching structure of the electric vehicle of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the discharge switching structure 200 includes a start switch 202, a display module 204 , an auxiliary battery 206 , a battery pack A 208 and a battery pack B 210 . Since the characteristics of the start switch 202 , the auxiliary battery 206 , the battery pack A 208 and the battery pack B 210 are similar to those of the start switch 102 , the auxiliary battery 106 , the battery pack A 108 and the battery pack B 110 in FIG. 1 , they will not be repeated here. .

The display module 204 and the battery pack A 208 and the battery pack B 210 are in communication with each other (possibly a Can Bus). The display module 204 receives power through the auxiliary battery 206 . When the display module 204 receives a start signal from the start switch 202, it wakes up the battery pack A 208 and the battery pack B 210 simultaneously through communication, but only allows a single battery pack (eg, the battery pack A 208) to discharge first. When the voltage or temperature of the turned on battery pack is close to the protection point of the battery, the display module 204 first turns off the turned on battery pack (eg, battery pack A 208 ), and then turns on another battery pack (eg, battery pack B 210 ), In this way, the switching of two sets of different batteries is completed.

In this embodiment, the display module 204 at least includes a receiving unit 212 and a communication unit 214 . Since the characteristics of the receiving unit 212 and the communication unit 214 are similar to those of the receiving unit 112 and the communication unit 114 in FIG. 1 , detailed descriptions are omitted. In a possible embodiment, the display module 204 is an instrument control module for controlling lamps (not shown) of the electric vehicle. In another possible embodiment, the display module 204 may further display information such as vehicle speed or power level. In some embodiments, the display module 204 has other control circuits (not shown) for controlling the lamps of the electric vehicle.

FIG. 3 is another schematic diagram of the discharge switching structure of the electric vehicle of the present invention. As shown, the discharge switching structure 300 includes a start switch 302 , a motor control module 304 , an auxiliary battery 306 , a battery pack A 308 and a battery pack B 310 . Since the start switch 302, auxiliary battery 306, battery pack A 308 and battery pack B 310 have similar characteristics The characteristics of the start switch 102 , the auxiliary battery 106 , the battery pack A 108 and the battery pack B 110 shown in FIG. 1 will not be repeated here.

The motor control module 304 and the battery pack A 308 and the battery pack B 310 are in communication with each other (possibly a Can Bus). The motor control module 304 receives power through the auxiliary battery 306 . When the motor control module 304 receives a start signal from the start switch 302, it uses communication to wake up the battery pack A 308 and the battery pack B 310 at the same time, but only allows a single battery pack (eg, the battery pack A 308) to discharge first. When the voltage or temperature of the turned-on battery pack (eg, battery pack A 308 ) is close to the protection point of the battery, the motor control module 304 first turns off the turned-on battery pack (eg, battery pack A 308 ), and then turns on another battery pack (eg battery group B 310 ), thus completing the switching of two sets of different batteries.

In this embodiment, the motor control module 304 at least includes a receiving unit 312 and a communication unit 314 . Since the characteristics of the receiving unit 312 and the communication unit 314 are similar to those of the receiving unit 112 and the communication unit 114 in FIG. 1 , they will not be described again. In a possible embodiment, the motor control module 304 is a motor control unit. In this example, the motor control module 304 may further include other control circuits (not shown) for controlling the operation of the motor.

FIG. 4 is another schematic diagram of the discharge switching structure of the electric vehicle of the present invention. As shown, the discharge switching structure 400 includes a start switch 402 , a communication module 404 , an auxiliary battery 406 , a battery pack A 408 , a battery pack B 410 and a wireless communication module 412 . In this embodiment, the wireless communication module 412 and the activation switch 402 are integrated together. In this example, the wireless communication module 412 functions like a vehicle key. When the user sends an activation signal through a mobile phone 414, the wireless communication module 412 turns on the activation switch 402. Therefore, the user can start the vehicle without a physical key. The present invention does not limit the type of the wireless communication module 412 . In a possible embodiment, the wireless communication module 412 is a Bluetooth module or a Near Field Communication (NFC) module.

When the start switch 402 is turned on, the start switch 402 outputs a start signal. Therefore, the communication module 404 wakes up the battery pack A 408 and the battery pack B 410 simultaneously. Since the characteristics of the communication module 404, the auxiliary battery 406, the battery pack A 408, and the battery pack B 410 are the same as those of the communication module 104, the auxiliary battery 106, the battery pack A 108, and the battery pack B 110 in FIG. Repeat.

FIG. 5 is another schematic diagram of the discharge switching structure of the electric vehicle of the present invention. As shown, the discharge switching architecture 500 includes a display module 504 , an auxiliary battery 506 , a battery pack A 508 and a battery pack B 510 . FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 , except that the start switch 402 of FIG. 4 is omitted in FIG. 5 , and the display module 504 has a built-in wireless communication module 516 . In a possible embodiment, the wireless communication module 516 may be a Bluetooth module or a Near Field Communication (NFC) module. In other embodiments, the wireless communication module 516 may be built into the communication module 104 of FIG. 1 to replace the activation switch 102 .

When the user sends an activation signal through a mobile phone 502 , the wireless communication module 516 receives the activation signal and provides the activation signal to the receiving unit 512 . The communication unit 514 wakes up the battery pack A 508 and the battery pack B 510 . After waking up the battery pack A 508 and the battery pack B 510, the display module 504 communicates with the battery pack A 508 and the battery pack B 510 to know the status of the battery pack A 508 and the battery pack B 510 (such as power level, serial number, place location or temperature), and depending on the status of battery pack A 508 and battery pack B 510, either battery pack A 508 or battery pack B 510 is turned on.

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the Can Bus. As shown, the battery pack 602 communicates with the loads 604 and 606 through the Can Bus 600 . In a possible embodiment, the load 604 is a meter or a display module, and the load 606 is a controller, such as a motor controller. Can Bus 600 includes pins Can-H and Can-L. In this embodiment, the load 604 has a terminating resistor 608 , and the load 606 has a terminating resistor 610 . Two ends of the terminal resistor 608 are respectively coupled to the pins Can-H and Can-L. Two ends of the terminal resistor 610 are respectively coupled to the pins Can-H and Can-L. In a possible embodiment, the resistances of the terminal resistors 608 and 610 may be 120 ohms, but are not intended to limit the present invention. In other embodiments, the termination resistors 608 and 610 have other resistance values.

Although the present invention has been disclosed above with preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone with ordinary knowledge in the technical field can make some changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. . For example, the system, apparatus, or method described in the embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in a physical embodiment of hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the appended patent application.

100: Discharge switching architecture

102: start switch

104: Communication module

106: Auxiliary battery

108: battery pack A

110: Battery pack B

112: Receiver unit

114, 116, 120: Communication unit

118, 122: switch unit

Claims (10)

A discharge switching structure suitable for an electric vehicle, the discharge switching structure comprises: two or more battery packs supplying power to the electric vehicle, wherein each battery pack has a communication unit and a switch unit, each switch unit can control Whether a battery pack is being discharged; a communication module including a communication unit and a receiving unit, wherein the receiving unit is used to receive a start signal; an auxiliary battery mainly supplies power to the communication module; and a start switch , which can be a physical key or a wireless communication module, wherein the activation switch is directly connected to the communication module, when the communication module receives the activation signal, the battery packs are awakened through the communication units, and the After waking up the battery packs, the communication module determines which battery pack to turn on first according to one of the battery pack power, serial number, placement and temperature, and the battery pack turned on first is used for a period of time Then, if the communication module finds that the voltage or temperature of the battery pack that is turned on first is close to a protection point, it first turns off the battery pack that was turned on first, and then turns on another battery pack. The discharge switching structure of claim 1, wherein the communication module has a display function. The discharge switching structure of claim 1, wherein the communication module has a motor control function. The discharge switching architecture of claim 1, wherein each of the battery packs is a lithium battery pack. The discharge switching structure of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary battery is a 12-volt lead-acid battery or a 12-volt lithium battery pack. The discharge switching architecture of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication module is a Bluetooth module or a Near Field Communication (NFC) module. The discharge switching architecture of claim 1, wherein each of the communication unit of the communication module and the communication units of the battery packs is a Can Bus, the controller area The inside of the network bus bar has a first terminal resistance and a second terminal resistance, the first terminal resistance is placed in a meter, the second terminal resistance is placed in a motor controller, the first terminal resistance and the The resistance value of the second terminal resistor is 120 ohms. According to the discharge switching structure of claim 7, the identification code (ID) of the controller area network bus of each battery pack will be changed with different placement positions or different production serial numbers of the battery packs. The discharge switching structure of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication module of the activation switch is built in the communication module. For example, in the discharge switching structure of claim 1, when the discharge current of the first-turned-on battery pack is less than a certain value, the closing action is performed, and the conditional value of the discharge current is to determine whether the electric vehicle is in a running state.

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