MODULAR POWERTRAIN, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS

• US 20100291427A1
• Filed: 05/13/2010
• Published: 11/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sinoelectric Powertrain Corporation
• Original Assignee: Sinoelectric Powertrain Corporation
• Inventors: Zhou, Peng
• Application Number:
  US12/779,877
• Publication Number:
  US 20100291427A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/100
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/30 AC to DC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/40 DC to AC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/64 Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/66 Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/80 Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/21 having the same nominal voltage
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/482 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/486 for measuring temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/204 Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/249 specially adapted for aircraft or vehicles, e.g. cars or trains constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles B60L50/64
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4973 Replacing of defective part
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A power delivery system in an electric vehicle comprises a connection backplane configured to receive a plurality of modular batteries. The connection backplane operates to route power, status and control signals between a modular battery back, a controller, and a powertrain. A method of operating an EV comprises determining a route for an EV and an amount of energy required to complete the route. The method further comprises coupling an appropriate number of batteries to a connection backplane, wherein the batteries have sufficient energy to power the EV for the duration of the route.

Claims

1. In a power delivery system in an electric vehicle, a connection backplane comprising:

a. a plurality of mounting positions, each configured to receive a battery, wherein each mounting position has;

i. coupling means for routing power from at least one battery among the plurality of batteries to an electric motor; and

ii. coupling means for routing a communication signal between at least one battery and a powertrain controller;

wherein the connection backplane is operable to remove or add a battery during operation of the electric vehicle without impeding the operation.

2. The backplane of claim 1 wherein the mounting positions each comprise a latching mechanism for securing the plurality of batteries to the connection backplane.

3. The backplane of claim 1 further comprising a system ground.

4. The backplane of claim 3 wherein the system ground is electrically coupled to a chassis of the electric vehicle.

5. The backplane of claim 1 further comprising a power bus, wherein the power bus is electrically connected to each of the coupling means for routing power.

6. The backplane of claim 1 further comprising a communication bus, wherein the communication bus is electrically connected to each of the coupling means for routing a communication signal.

7. The backplane of claim 1 wherein the communications signal comprises a battery status signal.

8. The backplane of claim 7 wherein the battery status signal comprises an indication of the remaining energy within a battery.

9. The backplane of claim 7 wherein the battery status signal comprises an indication of the conductivity between a battery and the backplane.

10. The backplane of claim 7 wherein the battery status signal comprises an indication of the temperature of a battery.

11. The backplane of claim 1 wherein the communication signal comprises a battery control signal.

12. The backplane of claim 11 wherein the battery control signal comprises a shutdown instruction.

13. A method of powering an electric vehicle comprising:

a. determining an amount of energy required to power the electric vehicle for a predetermined route; and

b. coupling an appropriate number of batteries to the electric vehicle according to the determined amount of energy.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising identifying a non functioning battery from among the appropriate number of batteries.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising electrically decoupling the non functioning battery from the electric vehicle.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the non functioning battery is a battery having a charge below a predetermined charge.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the non functioning battery is an overheating battery.

18. The method of claim 13 further comprising recharging the batteries at the end of the predetermined route.

19. The method of claim 13 further comprising recharging the batteries at a charging point along the predetermined route.

20. The method of claim 13 further comprising swapping out discharged batteries with charged batteries at the end of the predetermined route.

21. The method of claim 13 further comprising swapping out discharged batteries with charged batteries along the predetermined route.