# US 11,999,307 B2 · Vehicle power supply system

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- Number: US 11,999,307 B2
- Document ID: US11999307B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/982,751
- Filed: 2022-11-08
- Published: 2023-03-02
- Granted: 2024-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2020-05-20
- Assignees: Ningbo Geely Automobile Research & Development Co.; Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., Ltd.
- Applicants: Ningbo Geely Automobile Research & Development Co., Ltd.; Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., Ltd.
- Inventors: Linus Hallberg; Naveen Raja Rajarathinam
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11999307B2

## CPC

- B60L 50/50: using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells
- B60R 16/033: characterised by the use of electrical cells or batteries (for propulsion puposes B60K1/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06; testing of charge state G01R31/36)
- B60L 3/0046: {relating to electric energy storage systems, e.g. batteries or capacitors}
- B60L 3/0092: {with use of redundant elements for safety purposes}
- B60L 50/60: using power supplied by batteries (in combination with fuel cells B60L50/75)
- B60L 50/64: Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles
- B60L 50/66: {Arrangements of batteries}
- B60L 58/10: for monitoring or controlling batteries
- B60L 58/18: of two or more battery modules
- B60L 58/19: Switching between serial connection and parallel connection of battery modules
- B60L 58/20: having different nominal voltages
- B60L 58/21: having the same nominal voltage
- H02J 9/061: {for DC powered loads}
- B60L 2260/162: of electrical cells or capacitors
- Y02T 10/70: Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
- B60L: PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES (arrangements or mounting of electrical propulsion units or of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion in vehicles B60K1/00, B60K6/20; arrangements or mounting of electrical gearing in vehicles B60K17/12, B60K17/14; preventing wheel slip by reducing power in rail vehicles B61C15/08; dynamo-electric machines H02K; control or regulation of electric motors H02P); SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES (electric coupling devices combined with mechanical couplings of vehicles B60D1/64; electric heating for vehicles B60H1/00); ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL (control or regulation of electric motors H02P); MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
- B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION

## Abstract

A vehicle power supply system provides redundant high-voltage and low-voltage power supply for an electric vehicle or a hybrid-electric vehicle. The power supply system includes first and second high-voltage battery units. A positive terminal of the first unit is connected to a positive power distribution arrangement and a positive terminal of the second unit is connected to a negative terminal of the first high-voltage battery unit via an intermediate power distribution arrangement, and a negative terminal of the second unit is connected to a negative power distribution arrangement. The system has a first bypass line connecting the positive power distribution arrangement with the intermediate power distribution arrangement, and a second bypass line connecting the negative power distribution arrangement with the intermediate power distribution arrangement.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A vehicle power supply system configured for providing redundant high-voltage and low-voltage power supply for an electric vehicle or hybrid-electric vehicle, the power supply system comprising:
a first high-voltage battery unit having a positive terminal and a negative terminal, wherein the positive terminal is connected to a positive power distribution arrangement,
a second high-voltage battery unit having a positive terminal and a negative terminal, wherein the positive terminal is connected to the negative terminal of the first high-voltage battery unit via an intermediate power distribution arrangement, and wherein the negative terminal is connected to a negative power distribution arrangement,
a first bypass line connecting the positive power distribution arrangement with the intermediate power distribution arrangement, wherein the first bypass line includes a first circuit breaker,
a second bypass line connecting the negative power distribution arrangement with the intermediate power distribution arrangement, wherein the second bypass line includes a second circuit breaker,
a first DC/DC converter connected to the positive and negative power distribution arrangements and configured for providing a first low-voltage DC output,
a second DC/DC converter connected to the positive and negative power distribution arrangements and configured for providing a second low-voltage DC output,
a first main contactor connected to the positive power distribution arrangement and a second main contactor connected to the negative power distribution arrangement, wherein the first and second main contactors in engaged state are configured for connecting the first and second high-voltage battery units with a first high-voltage DC output, and in disengaged state configured for disconnecting the first and second high-voltage battery unit from the first high-voltage DC output,
a third main contactor connected to the positive power distribution arrangement and a fourth main contactor connected to the negative power distribution arrangement, wherein the third and fourth main contactors in engaged state are configured for connecting the first and second high-voltage battery units with a second high-voltage DC output, and in disengaged state configured for disconnecting the first and second high-voltage battery units from the second high-voltage DC output.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The vehicle power supply system according to claim 1, wherein each of the positive and negative power distribution arrangements include one, two, three, four, five or six individual power distribution units for connecting:
the positive terminal of the first high-voltage battery unit or the negative terminal of the second high-voltage battery unit,
one of the first and second bypass lines,
the first and second DC/DC converters,
one of the first and second main contactors, and
one of the third and fourth main contactors.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The vehicle power supply system according to claim 1, wherein each of the positive and negative power distribution arrangements includes a first power distribution unit joining:
a high-voltage cable or conductor connected to or associated with the positive terminal of the first high-voltage battery unit or the negative terminal of the second high-voltage battery unit, and
a high-voltage cable or conductor connected to or associated with the first DC/DC converter, and/or a high-voltage cable or conductor connected to or associated with the first or second main contactors.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The vehicle power supply system according to claim 3, wherein each of the positive and negative power distribution arrangements includes a second power distribution unit joining:
a high-voltage cable or conductor associated with the first or second bypass lines, and
a high-voltage cable or conductor connected to or associated with the second DC/DC converter, and/or a high-voltage cable or conductor connected to or associated with the third or fourth main contactors.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The vehicle power supply system according to claim 4, wherein each of the positive and negative power distribution arrangements includes a third power distribution unit joining:
a high-voltage cable or conductor connected to or associated with the first power distribution unit, and
a high-voltage cable or conductor connected to or associated with the first or second main contactors or a high-voltage cable or conductor connected to or associated with the first DC/DC converter.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The vehicle power supply system according to claim 5, wherein each of the positive and negative power distribution arrangements includes a fourth power distribution unit joining:
a high-voltage cable or conductor connected to or associated with the third power distribution unit,
a high-voltage cable or conductor connected to or associated with the second power distribution unit, and
a high-voltage cable or conductor connected to or associated with the third or fourth main contactors or a high-voltage cable or conductor connected to or associated with the second DC/DC converter.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The vehicle power supply system according to claim 1, wherein each of the positive and negative power distribution arrangements includes:
a first power distribution unit joining a high-voltage cable or conductor connected to or associated with the first DC/DC converter and a high-voltage cable or conductor connected to or associated with the first or second main contactors, and
a second power distribution unit joining a high-voltage cable or conductor connected to or associated with the second DC/DC converter and a high-voltage cable or conductor connected to or associated with the third or fourth main contactors.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The vehicle power supply system according to claim 7, wherein each of the positive and negative power distribution arrangements includes:
a third power distribution unit joining a high-voltage cable or conductor connected to or associated with the first power distribution unit and a high-voltage cable or conductor connected to or associated with the positive terminal of the first high-voltage battery unit or the negative terminal of the second high-voltage battery unit, and
a fourth power distribution unit joining a high-voltage cable or conductor connected to or associated with the third power distribution unit, a high-voltage cable or conductor connected to or associated with the second power distribution unit, and a high-voltage cable or conductor associated with the first or second bypass lines.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The vehicle power supply system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle power supply system further comprises a third circuit breaker connected in series with the first high-voltage battery unit and configured for enabling selective connection and disconnection of the first high-voltage battery unit from the vehicle power supply system, and a fourth circuit breaker connected in series with the second high-voltage battery unit and configured for enabling selective connection and disconnection of the second high-voltage battery unit from the vehicle power supply system.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The vehicle power supply system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle power supply system further comprises a first fuse connected in series with the first or second main contactors, a second fuse connected in series with the third or fourth main contactors, a third fuse connected in series with the first high-voltage battery unit, and a fourth fuse connected in series with the second high-voltage battery unit, wherein the first and second fuses have lower rated current value than the third and fourth fuses.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The vehicle power supply system according to claim 10, wherein the first fuse has a rated current value differing at least 5%, specifically at least 10%, and more specifically at least 20%, from the rated current value of the second fuse, and/or wherein the third fuse has a rated current value differing at least 5%, specifically at least 10%, and more specifically at least 20%, from the rated current value of the fourth fuse.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The vehicle power supply system according to claim 10, wherein the vehicle power supply system further comprises a fifth fuse connected in series with the first DC/DC converter and a sixth fuse connected in series with the second DC/DC converter, wherein the fifth fuse has a rated current value differing at least 5%, specifically at least 10%, and more specifically at least 20%, from the rated current value of the sixth fuse.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

An electrical drivetrain for a vehicle comprising the vehicle power supply system according to claim 1, wherein the electrical drivetrain comprises a first electrical traction motor connected to the first high-voltage DC output via a first power converter and a second electrical traction motor connected to the second high-voltage DC output via a second power converter.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

A vehicle comprising the electrical drivetrain according to claim 13.

### Claim 15

A method for supplying redundant high-voltage and low-voltage electrical power to an electric vehicle or a hybrid-electric vehicle, the method comprising:
providing first and second series connected high-voltage battery units mutually interconnected via an intermediate power distribution arrangement and connected to a positive power distribution arrangement and a negative power distribution arrangement, providing a first bypass line including a first circuit breaker, wherein the first bypass line is connected to the positive power distribution arrangement and to the intermediate power distribution arrangement, and providing a second bypass line including a second circuit breaker, wherein the second bypass line is connected to the negative power distribution arrangement and to the intermediate power distribution arrangement,
supplying low-voltage DC at a first low-voltage DC output via a first DC/DC converter that is connected to the positive and negative power distribution arrangements and/or supplying low-voltage DC at a second low-voltage DC output via a second DC/DC converter that is connected to the positive and negative power distribution arrangements, and supplying high-voltage DC at a first high-voltage DC output via first and second main contactors that are connected to the positive and negative power distribution arrangements and/or supplying high-voltage DC at a second high-voltage DC output via third and fourth main contactors that are connected to the positive and negative power distribution arrangements.