Electric Drive System And Energy Management Method
Patent No. US11374508 (titled "Electric Drive System And Energy Management Method") was filed by Edison Innovations Llc on May 4, 2020.
What is this patent about?
’508 is related to the field of electric drive systems, particularly those used in electric vehicles (EVs). The background acknowledges the growing interest in EVs due to concerns about energy crises and pollution, highlighting the importance of efficient and high-performance electric drive systems. Existing systems often struggle to balance energy and power requirements, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
The underlying idea behind ’508 is to improve the efficiency and performance of electric drive systems by using multiple energy storage units and multiple AC motors , managed by a sophisticated energy management system. This allows for a more flexible distribution of power and torque, optimizing the system for different operating conditions. The key is to intelligently combine these components to overcome the limitations of single-source and single-motor designs.
The claims of ’508 focus on a drive system for a vehicle that includes an energy storage system (ESS), a power conversion device, a first and second electric motor, a transmission device, a power split device with planetary gears , and an energy management system (EMS). The EMS is configured to selectively enable the first motor for cruising and starting, and both motors for acceleration or uphill driving, effectively distributing the load between the two motors based on the driving mode.
In practice, the system uses the EMS to determine the optimal configuration based on vehicle speed and power demand. For example, during cruising, only one motor is engaged to maximize efficiency. During acceleration or uphill driving, both motors are activated, with the power split device distributing torque from the second motor directly to the wheels, while the first motor's torque is transmitted through a transmission. This allows for a smaller, more efficient motor to be used for cruising, while still providing the necessary power for demanding situations.
This approach differentiates itself from prior solutions by intelligently managing multiple power sources and motors. Instead of relying on a single, oversized motor or a single energy storage system that must meet all demands, ’508 uses a combination of components and a sophisticated control system to optimize performance and efficiency. The planetary gear-based power split device is crucial for effectively combining the torque from the two motors, allowing for a more compact and efficient drive system.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the early 2010s when ’508 was filed, electric vehicles were at a time when systems commonly relied on single energy storage systems and single motors, rather than multiple units. At that time, hardware or software constraints made it non-trivial to efficiently manage power flow between multiple energy sources and multiple motors in a complex electric drive system.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The claims were rejected in a non-final office action. The claims were rejected for nonstatutory double patenting and obviousness-type rejections over prior art. The applicant's arguments were considered but not persuasive. The examiner indicated that a new office action would be issued in view of newly found prior art. The action was made final.
Claims
This patent contains 17 claims, of which claims 1, 7, and 12 are independent. The independent claims are directed to drive systems for vehicles, focusing on the configuration and operation of electric motors, energy storage, and energy management systems to control vehicle propulsion in different driving modes. The dependent claims generally elaborate on and refine the specific components and functionalities described in the independent claims.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
Patent Family
File Wrapper
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Date
Description
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US11374508
- Application Number
- US16866028
- Filing Date
- May 4, 2020
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- May 24, 2034
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents