Motor home energy management system
By establishing a bidirectional signal connection between the controller and the high-power AC load unit and optimizing the power supply of the AC generator, the problem of starting high-power loads in RVs when the battery power is insufficient is solved, extending battery life and reducing risks, thus achieving efficient energy management for RVs.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511038831.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-25
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-11
AI Technical Summary
Starting high-power AC loads in existing RVs when the battery is low can easily lead to deep battery discharge, shortening battery life. At the same time, the increase in the number of high-power AC loads leads to increased battery capacity requirements, increasing purchase costs and safety hazards.
The controller is bidirectionally connected to a high-power AC load unit to determine whether the RV's status meets the start-up conditions. It only responds to the start-up request when the conditions are met, and optimizes power supply using an AC generator and a charger/inverter to reduce reliance on batteries.
Extend battery life, reduce damage from deep discharge, lower overload risk, reduce battery capacity requirements, and improve energy system stability.
Smart Images
Figure CN120922055A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the technical field of RV energy management, and in particular to an RV energy management system. Background Technology
[0002] RVs, as a unique mode of transportation integrating mobility and living functions, are equipped with various DC and AC loads to meet user needs. In daily use, all DC loads are directly powered by the battery. When the RV is connected to AC power, the AC loads are powered by AC power; however, once off-grid (out of AC power supply), the RV uses the battery and a converter / charger to work together to provide power to both AC and DC loads.
[0003] In existing RV usage scenarios, the power differences of AC loads are extremely significant. These AC loads range from low-power appliances such as lighting equipment and small household appliances to high-power devices such as air conditioners and electric water heaters. Under the same power supply duration, high-power AC loads will undoubtedly consume more electrical energy. However, existing RVs lack startup management for high-power AC loads, especially when the battery is low. Rushing to start a high-power AC load can easily lead to deep battery discharge and shorten battery life.
[0004] In addition, as the number of high-power AC loads equipped in RVs continues to increase, the battery capacity required for RVs must also be increased accordingly in order to ensure normal power demand. However, increasing the battery capacity will not only significantly increase the purchase cost and overall weight of the RV, but may also bring potential safety hazards. Summary of the Invention
[0005] In order to reduce damage to the battery and the RV's dependence on battery capacity to a certain extent, and to reduce the risks caused by excessive battery capacity, this application provides an RV energy management system.
[0006] This application provides a motorhome energy management system, which adopts the following technical solution: A motorhome energy management system includes: a controller and several high-power AC load units with a power not less than a preset power value. The controller is bidirectionally signal-connected to the high-power AC load units and is used to detect whether the high-power AC load units send a start request signal and to send a start signal to the high-power AC load units. After the high-power AC load unit sends a start request signal, the controller determines whether the start conditions of the high-power AC load unit are met; if the start conditions of the high-power AC load unit are met, the controller sends a start signal to the high-power AC load unit.
[0007] The controller achieves real-time sensing of high-power AC load unit start-up requests through bidirectional communication with the high-power load unit. If the controller receives a start-up request signal from the high-power AC load unit, it first determines whether the current state of the RV meets the start-up conditions. Only when the current state of the RV meets the start-up conditions will the controller respond to the start-up request and send a start-up signal to the high-power AC load unit. Using the above technical solution, this application achieves start-up management of high-power AC load units within the RV. Under certain unsuitable conditions, such as when the battery is low, this application can reduce deep discharge damage to the battery caused by forced start-up when the battery is low, thus extending battery life. This application can also reduce the risk of instantaneous overload caused by the simultaneous start-up of multiple high-power AC load units, as well as the risk of burning out the inverter / charger or experiencing a sudden drop in battery voltage.
[0008] Optionally, the system further includes a charger / reverse converter and a battery; The charger / reverse converter has an AC input terminal and a DC input terminal. The AC input terminal is used to connect to the power output terminal of an AC power source. The DC input terminal is connected to the power output terminal of a battery. The power output terminal of the charger / reverse converter is connected to the power input terminal of a high-power AC load unit. The controller's signal input terminal is connected to the signal output terminal of the charger / reverse converter to detect whether the charger / reverse converter is connected to AC power; the controller's signal input terminal is connected to the battery's signal output terminal to detect the battery's charge level. The starting conditions for a high-power AC load unit include the charging / reversing unit being connected to an AC power source; or, The starting conditions for a high-power AC load unit include that the charger / reverse converter is not connected to an AC power source and the battery charge is greater than the charge threshold.
[0009] The inverter / charger has both an AC input terminal and a DC input terminal. The AC input terminal is used to electrically connect to the power output terminal of an AC power source, and the power output terminal is electrically connected to the power input terminal of a high-power AC load unit. When an AC power source is connected to the inverter / charger's AC input terminal, the high-power AC load unit is directly powered by the AC power source. When a battery is connected to the inverter / charger's DC input terminal, the battery's power is converted to AC by the inverter / charger to power the high-power AC load unit. The controller's signal input terminal is connected to the inverter / charger's signal output terminal to detect whether the inverter / charger is connected to an AC power source. By using the above connection method, the controller can monitor the inverter / charger's operating status in real time.
[0010] When the AC input terminal of the charger / reverse converter is connected to an AC power source, the controller detects that the charger / reverse converter is connected to an AC power source. At this time, the AC power source supplies power to the high-power AC load unit, thereby reducing the dependence on and wear and tear on the battery.
[0011] The controller's signal input terminal is connected to the battery's signal output terminal to detect the battery's charge level. When the AC input terminal of the inverter / charger is not connected to an AC power source, the controller detects this and, if the battery has sufficient charge, uses the battery to power a high-power AC load unit via inverter technology. This reduces the risk of startup failure or unstable operation due to insufficient power and improves the stability of the RV's energy system.
[0012] Optionally, the system further includes an alternator, and the signal output terminal of the controller is also connected to the signal input terminal of the alternator for controlling the alternator to start. After the high-power AC load unit sends a start request signal, the controller determines whether the start conditions of the AC generator are met; if the start conditions of the AC generator are met, the controller sends a start signal to the AC generator.
[0013] When the controller receives a start request from a high-power AC load unit, it controls the AC generator by determining whether the current state of the RV meets the start conditions. By adopting the above scheme, when the current state of the RV meets the start conditions of the AC generator, this application can start the AC generator in a timely manner to supply power to the high-power AC load unit, reducing the RV's dependence on battery capacity and mitigating the risks associated with excessive battery capacity.
[0014] Optionally, the starting conditions for the alternator include the inverter / charger not being connected to an AC power source; or, The starting conditions for the alternator include that the inverter / charger is not connected to an AC power source and the battery charge is not greater than the charge threshold.
[0015] Optionally, the power input terminal of the alternator is electrically connected to the power output terminal of the battery, and the battery is used to provide the power required for starting the alternator.
[0016] Optionally, the controller is bidirectionally connected to the charging / reverse converter and is used to control the opening and closing of the charging / reverse converter.
[0017] Optionally, before using the AC power output from the integrated charger and inverter to power the high-power AC load unit, the integrated charger and inverter is also used to determine whether the AC power to be output meets the output conditions. If the AC power to be output meets the output conditions, the AC power output from the integrated charger and inverter is used to power the high-power AC load unit. The output condition is that the AC power to be output is stable within the voltage threshold range.
[0018] Optionally, the system further includes an alarm, and the signal output terminal of the controller is connected to the signal input terminal of the alarm. If the battery level is not greater than the power threshold, the controller will activate the alarm to send an alarm signal.
[0019] Optionally, the system further includes: Several low-power AC load units with power less than the preset power value are connected to the power output terminal of the charger / reverse converter and the power input terminal of the low-power AC load units. And / or, Several DC load units, wherein the power input terminal of the DC load unit is electrically connected to the power output terminal of the battery.
[0020] In summary, this application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects: 1. Upon receiving a start request signal from a high-power AC load unit, the controller first determines whether the current state of the RV meets the start conditions for the high-power AC load unit. Only when the current state of the RV meets the start conditions will the controller respond to the start request and send a start signal to the high-power AC load unit, thus achieving start management of the high-power AC load unit. Compared to traditional RVs that rely primarily on the battery via a charger-inverter to power the high-power AC load unit when not connected to mains power, the technical solution proposed in this application enables the high-power AC load unit to primarily rely on the AC generator for power consumption by starting the AC generator. This effectively addresses the problem of the high-power AC load unit rapidly depleting battery power, thereby reducing the RV's dependence on large-capacity batteries and mitigating various problems caused by excessively large battery capacities.
[0021] 2. When the battery power is low, this application can reduce the damage caused by deep discharge of the battery due to forced start-up at low power, and extend the battery's service life. This application can also reduce the risk of instantaneous overload caused by the simultaneous start-up of multiple high-power AC load units, as well as the risk of burning out the charger / reverse converter or a sudden drop in battery voltage. Attached Figure Description
[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the signal connection when powered by AC power in Embodiment 1 of this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit connection when using AC power supply in Embodiment 1 of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the signal connection when using battery power in Embodiment 1 of this application; Figure 4This is a schematic diagram of the circuit connection when using battery power in Embodiment 1 of this application; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the signal connection of Embodiment 2 or Embodiment 3 of this application; Figure 6 This is a circuit connection diagram of Embodiment 2 or Embodiment 3 of this application; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the signal connection in Embodiment 4 of this application; Figure 8 This is a circuit connection diagram of Embodiment 4 of this application; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the signal connection in Embodiment 5 of this application. Detailed Implementation
[0023] The following combination Figures 1 to 9 This application will be described in further detail.
[0024] Motorhomes typically rely on the limited power stored in their batteries to power various loads within the vehicle. Currently, motorhomes are equipped with both DC and AC loads. Because the power of these AC loads varies, the energy consumed by different loads within the same timeframe differs; higher power loads consume more energy. Therefore, in this application, AC loads with power levels below a preset threshold are designated as low-power AC load units, while those with power levels not below the preset threshold are designated as high-power AC load units, thus differentiating between AC loads. In this embodiment, the preset power threshold is set to 400W. In other embodiments, the preset power threshold can be set according to requirements. The number of high-power AC load units in existing motorhomes is increasing, such as air conditioners, induction cookers, and water heaters. To support the normal operation of these high-power AC loads, the motorhome's battery often needs sufficient capacity.
[0025] However, the environment of a motorhome is relatively compact. In order to reduce the overall weight, reduce manufacturing costs, and improve driving flexibility and fuel economy, the battery capacity is often required to be as small as possible. When the battery is large, the probability of the battery being damaged by external forces increases. Some external forces can cause the battery to catch fire, resulting in economic losses. From a safety perspective, the battery capacity should also be as small as possible.
[0026] When the battery capacity is set to be small, the time it can support high-power loads will be shorter. If the energy of the RV is not effectively allocated and managed, a small-capacity battery can easily cause high-power loads to suddenly stop during operation, which will seriously affect the user experience and may also damage the load.
[0027] Based on the above, this application provides a motorhome energy management system. For ease of description, the terms and concepts involved in this application are explained as follows: Electrical connection refers to connecting different devices through conductors (such as metal wires, cables, etc.) to conduct current and enable the transmission and distribution of electrical energy between various parts.
[0028] "Connection" refers to the state in which electrical energy is being transmitted.
[0029] Note: An electrical connection only means that electrical energy can be transmitted between two parties, not that electrical energy is being transmitted at this time, or that an electrical connection is a prerequisite for access to electrical energy.
[0030] Example 1: This example discloses a motorhome energy management system, referring to... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The system includes: a controller, several high-power AC load units with a power of not less than a preset power value, a charging and reversing unit, and a battery. The charging and reversing unit has an AC input terminal and a DC input terminal, and the AC input terminal is used to electrically connect to the power output terminal of an AC power source.
[0031] The controller establishes a bidirectional signal connection with each high-power AC load unit via RS485 bus, CAN bus, wireless communication module, etc., to detect whether the high-power AC load unit sends a start request signal and to send a start signal to the high-power AC load unit.
[0032] After the high-power AC load unit sends a start request signal, the controller will determine whether the start conditions of the high-power AC load unit are met based on the current state of the RV. If the current state of the RV meets the start conditions of the high-power AC load unit, the controller sends a start signal to the high-power AC load unit; otherwise, no action is taken or the controller sends a signal to the high-power AC load unit that start is not allowed.
[0033] One of the starting conditions for the high-power AC load unit is that the charger / reverse converter is connected to an AC power source, enabling the AC power source to provide input electrical energy to the charger / reverse converter.
[0034] The controller's signal input terminal is connected to the signal output terminal of the inverter / charger. The controller can detect whether the inverter / charger is connected to AC power through this connection method. When the inverter / charger is connected to AC power, it will send a signal indicating that it is connected to AC power to the controller's signal input terminal through its signal output terminal, informing the controller that it is currently connected to AC power.
[0035] In other embodiments, refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4The high-power AC load unit is activated when the inverter / charger is not connected to an AC power source and the battery charge is greater than a threshold value, which is set to 30% of the total battery capacity. In other embodiments, the threshold value can be set according to requirements. If the inverter / charger is not connected to an AC power source, the RV will use the battery to power the high-power AC load unit. This will cause the battery charge to be heavily consumed by the high-power AC load unit in a short period. If the battery charge is not greater than the threshold value, this can easily lead to over-discharge and shorten battery life. Therefore, the inverter / charger can only convert the DC power output from the battery into the AC power required by the high-power AC load unit in inverter mode when the inverter / charger is not connected to an AC power source and the battery charge is greater than the threshold value. The connection method of the inverter / charger in inverter mode is as follows: The DC input terminal of the integrated charger / reverse converter is electrically connected to the power output terminal of the battery, and the power output terminal of the integrated charger / reverse converter is electrically connected to the power input terminal of the high-power AC load unit. The signal input terminal of the controller is connected to the signal output terminal of the battery for detecting the battery's power level. When the controller detects that the integrated charger / reverse converter is not connected to an AC power source and the battery's power level is greater than a power threshold, the controller controls the integrated charger / reverse converter to convert the DC power output from the battery into the AC power required by the high-power AC load unit.
[0036] Example 2: Refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the system further includes an AC generator, and the AC power source includes mains power and AC power output from the AC generator.
[0037] After the high-power AC load unit sends a start request signal, the controller will determine whether the start conditions of the AC generator are met. The start conditions of the AC generator include that the charger / reverse converter is not connected to the AC power supply.
[0038] In this embodiment, the AC generator is started immediately regardless of whether the high-power AC load unit is started or not. If the high-power AC load unit has already started and is powered by the battery through the inverter module inside the charging and reversing unit, the power supply to the battery is disconnected after the AC generator is started, thus ensuring that the battery consumption is minimized.
[0039] The connection methods for each part in this embodiment are as follows: The controller's signal output terminal is connected to the alternator's signal input terminal to control the alternator's startup; the alternator's power input terminal is also electrically connected to the battery's power output terminal, and the battery provides the power required for the alternator to start.
[0040] Example 3: Reference Figure 5 and Figure 6The difference between this embodiment and embodiment 2 is that the starting conditions of the alternator include that the inverter / charger is not connected to an AC power source and the battery charge is not greater than the charge threshold.
[0041] If the inverter / charger is not connected to an AC power source and the battery charge is greater than the power threshold, the battery will first power the high-power AC load unit via the inverter / charger. The alternator will not need to be started immediately. Only when the battery charge is less than the power threshold, indicating that the battery charge is insufficient to support the operation of the high-power AC load unit for an extended period, will the alternator be turned on to power the high-power AC load unit. This scheme consumes the battery charge when it is sufficient and only uses the alternator when the battery charge is insufficient, which can reduce the noise generated when the alternator starts to a certain extent.
[0042] Example 4: Reference Figure 7 and Figure 8 In this embodiment, the controller is bidirectionally connected to the charging / reverse converter and is used to control the opening and closing of the charging / reverse converter.
[0043] The charger / reverse converter is equipped with a mains priority module, which prioritizes mains power to supply power to high-power AC load units when the RV is connected to mains power.
[0044] Before using the AC power output from the integrated charger / reverse converter to power the high-power AC load unit, this embodiment also uses the voltage regulation judgment module inside the integrated charger / reverse converter to determine whether the AC power to be output meets the output conditions. If the AC power to be output meets the output conditions, it means that the AC power to be output is in a stable state. At this time, the AC power output from the integrated charger / reverse converter is used to power the high-power AC load unit.
[0045] The output condition is that the AC power to be output is stable within the voltage threshold range.
[0046] Example 5: Refer to Figure 9 In this embodiment, the system further includes: The alarm is configured such that the signal output terminal of the controller is connected to the signal input terminal of the alarm. When the controller detects that the battery power is not greater than the power threshold, the controller controls the alarm to issue an alarm signal.
[0047] Example 6: In this example, the system further includes: Several low-power AC load units with power less than a preset power value are connected to the power input terminals of the charger / reverse converter. This allows the DC power output from the AC power source or battery to be converted into AC power required by the low-power AC load units. Low-power AC load units refer to devices or apparatuses that require AC power to operate and have power less than a preset power value, such as small fans or small desk lamps.
[0048] And / or, Several DC load units are provided, wherein the power input terminal of each DC load unit is electrically connected to the power output terminal of a battery, and the battery supplies power to each DC load unit.
[0049] The above are all preferred embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, all equivalent changes made in accordance with the structure, shape and principle of this application should be covered within the scope of protection of this application.
Claims
1. A motorhome energy management system, characterized in that, include: The controller and several high-power AC load units with power not less than a preset power value are connected in two directions. The controller is used to detect whether the high-power AC load unit sends a start request signal and to send a start signal to the high-power AC load unit. After the high-power AC load unit sends a start request signal, the controller determines whether the start conditions of the high-power AC load unit are met; if the start conditions of the high-power AC load unit are met, the controller sends a start signal to the high-power AC load unit.
2. The RV energy management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The system also includes a charger / reverse converter and a battery; The charger / reverse converter has an AC input terminal and a DC input terminal. The AC input terminal is used to connect to the power output terminal of an AC power source. The DC input terminal is connected to the power output terminal of a battery. The power output terminal of the charger / reverse converter is connected to the power input terminal of a high-power AC load unit. The controller's signal input terminal is connected to the signal output terminal of the charger / reverse converter to detect whether the charger / reverse converter is connected to AC power; the controller's signal input terminal is connected to the battery's signal output terminal to detect the battery's charge level. The starting conditions for a high-power AC load unit include the charging / reversing unit being connected to an AC power source; or, The starting conditions for a high-power AC load unit include that the charger / reverse converter is not connected to an AC power source and the battery charge is greater than the charge threshold.
3. The RV energy management system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The system also includes an alternator, and the signal output terminal of the controller is also connected to the signal input terminal of the alternator for controlling the start of the alternator. After the high-power AC load unit sends a start request signal, the controller determines whether the start conditions of the AC generator are met; if the start conditions of the AC generator are met, the controller sends a start signal to the AC generator.
4. The RV energy management system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The starting conditions for the AC generator include that the integrated charger and inverter are not connected to an AC power source; or, The starting conditions for the alternator include that the inverter / charger is not connected to an AC power source and the battery charge is not greater than the charge threshold.
5. The RV energy management system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The power input terminal of the alternator is electrically connected to the power output terminal of the battery, and the battery is used to provide the power required for starting the alternator.
6. The RV energy management system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The controller is bidirectionally connected to the charging / reverse converter and is used to control the opening and closing of the charging / reverse converter.
7. The RV energy management system according to claim 6, characterized in that, Before using the AC power output from the integrated charger and inverter to power the high-power AC load unit, the integrated charger and inverter is also used to determine whether the AC power to be output meets the output conditions. If the AC power to be output meets the output conditions, the AC power output from the integrated charger and inverter is used to power the high-power AC load unit. The output condition is that the AC power to be output is stable within the voltage threshold range.
8. The RV energy management system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The system also includes an alarm, and the signal output terminal of the controller is connected to the signal input terminal of the alarm. If the battery level is not greater than the power threshold, the controller will activate the alarm to send an alarm signal.
9. The RV energy management system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The system also includes: Several low-power AC load units with power less than the preset power value are connected to the power output terminal of the charger / reverse converter and the power input terminal of the low-power AC load units. And / or, Several DC load units, wherein the power input terminal of the DC load unit is electrically connected to the power output terminal of the battery.