Interlock mechanism for a multiple battery pack

摘要

A method for operating a battery system having multiple battery packs. The method includes decoupling the output of a discharged battery pack from the vehicle load, reducing the voltage between an output of a charged battery pack and the vehicle load prior to coupling the output of the charged battery pack to the vehicle load.

主权项

1. A method of operation in a battery system having multiple battery packs, the method comprising:
decoupling an output of a first battery pack from a first load terminal; reducing a voltage between an output of a second battery pack and the first load terminal prior to coupling the output of the second battery pack to the first load terminal; coupling the output of the second battery pack to the first load terminal via a switch, in response to determining that the voltage has been reduced below a predetermined threshold; coupling a load between the first load terminal and a further output of the second battery pack, wherein a current flowing through the load detects the switch is closed irrespective of whether the further output of the second battery pack is coupled to or decoupled from a second load terminal; and sensing whether current is flowing through the load.