Redundant electrical power for autonomous vehicles

摘要

A system includes a first (auxiliary) battery (101) configured to power at least one vehicle subsystem and a second (main or drive) battery 103 configured to power an electric motor to propel a vehicle. The second battery might include a plurality of cells 201. A processing device 218 is configured to detect an inadequate power level provided from the first battery to the subsystem(s) 209-212 and selectively partition 220 the second battery to power the vehicle subsystem(s). Voltage taps 202-208 and relay switches could be used to connect selected cells to the subsystem(s). The subsystems could include steering, brakes, and an accelerator. Independent clams are also included for a method, and a vehicle, having reconfigurable cells.