Vehicle Alternator Voltage Control for Headlight Stability and Regeneration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric power generation control devices for motor vehicles struggle to maintain a stable power generation voltage for headlights, leading to flickering and reduced bulb life, especially in regions where headlights must be turned on during the day, which limits regenerative efficiency and fuel efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An electric power generation control device that includes electricity storage amount detection, lighting detection, sunlight state detection, and control means to adjust power generation voltage based on daylight or nighttime conditions, preventing voltage fluctuations and optimizing regenerative effects by varying the power generation voltage accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the power generation voltage is varied to improve regenerative efficiency, then the charged capacity of the battery can be optimized, but the headlight bulb life is reduced and flickering occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The power generation voltage is made dynamically adjustable based on driving conditions. During deceleration, the voltage is increased to enhance regenerative efficiency, while during normal operation it is maintained at a stable level to protect headlight bulb life. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by applying different voltage strategies at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the power generation voltage parameter according to specific conditions. By detecting deceleration states and adjusting the voltage parameter accordingly, the system achieves high regenerative efficiency when needed while maintaining bulb life under normal conditions. The voltage parameter is modified within a controlled range to balance both objectives.
2Reliability
If the power generation voltage is restricted to prevent headlight flickering, then bulb life is extended, but regenerative effect is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The operation is segmented into different modes: normal mode with restricted voltage range for headlight protection, and regenerative mode during deceleration with higher voltage for energy recovery. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both headlight stability and regenerative effect by applying appropriate voltage control in each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage restriction is made dynamic rather than static. During deceleration events, the system temporarily relaxes the voltage restriction to enable regenerative charging, then returns to restricted mode afterward. This dynamic approach allows both headlight stability and regenerative effect to be achieved at different times.
3Productivity
If the target charged capacity is set low to improve regeneration, then regenerative efficiency increases, but the battery may not have sufficient capacity during high demand
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary charging actions during deceleration when regenerative efficiency is high, storing energy in advance for future use. By capturing energy during braking events, the battery is pre-charged to maintain sufficient capacity for subsequent high-demand periods, resolving the contradiction between low target capacity and sufficient charged capacity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively prevents flickering and extends headlight bulb life by stabilizing the supply voltage at night and enhancing regenerative efficiency during the day, even in regions where headlights are always on, by dynamically adjusting the power generation voltage in response to lighting and sunlight conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an electric power generation control device for a motor vehicle, for generating electric power by an internal combustion engine (4)
Implementation Method 2
a battery (electricity storage means) so that electric power may be supplied from the battery to the electrical devices. Further, the electric generator has the function of charging the battery
Implementation Method 3
during the deceleration, kinetic energy is converted to electric energy to be stored in the battery
Data Source
AI summary
An electric power generation control device for a motor vehicle is provided which ensures a satisfactory regenerative effect without entailing flickering of or reduction in life of headlights even if the headlights are turned on at all times. The electric power generation control device lowers the power generation voltage of an alternator when the electricity storage amount of a battery is at or above a predetermined level. While lighting of a headlight bulb is detected, lowering of the power generation voltage is restrained if the state of sunlight is equivalent to nighttime, and the power generation voltage is allowed to be lowered if the sunlight state is equivalent to daytime.