Auxiliary Electrical System for Broadcast Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Broadcast vehicles equipped with traditional AC generator systems face issues of noise and high maintenance costs, which degrade the quality of filming due to the need for continuous engine operation to produce AC electrical power.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle with a primary electrical system and an auxiliary electrical system, where the auxiliary system includes a DC alternator and battery that can operate independently of the engine, providing power to various systems for extended periods without engine operation, using an inverter to convert DC to AC power, and incorporating solar panels for energy supplementation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a traditional AC generator system is used to power electrical systems, then electrical power can be produced, but noise increases and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical AC generator system with an electrical system consisting of a DC alternator, DC-DC converter, and inverter. This substitution eliminates the need for a separate generator engine, thereby reducing noise and maintenance requirements while maintaining the ability to produce electrical power for vehicle systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The DC alternator serves multiple functions: it can directly power DC loads through the DC-DC converter, and it can also generate AC power through the inverter when needed. This multi-functionality replaces the need for separate AC and DC power systems, reducing overall system complexity and maintenance needs.
2Power
If the engine runs continuously to power AC generator systems, then electrical power is available, but filming quality degrades due to generator noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the noise-generating AC generator system with an electrical power system that uses the vehicle's existing engine alternator to charge a battery, which then powers electrical loads. This eliminates generator noise during filming while maintaining continuous electrical power availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery acts as an intermediary energy storage device between the engine alternator and the electrical loads. It stores energy when the engine is running and provides power when the engine is off, enabling quiet operation during filming while ensuring power availability when needed.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a dual electrical system with electrical decoupling is implemented, then noise and maintenance costs are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrical system into distinct functional modules: a DC alternator for power generation, a DC-DC converter for voltage regulation and battery charging, and an inverter for AC power conversion. This modular segmentation makes the complex system more manageable and easier to maintain despite its sophistication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of traditional AC generation and DC power supply into a single integrated system using the vehicle's existing alternator, a battery, and power electronic converters. This merging reduces overall system complexity compared to maintaining separate AC generator and DC electrical systems.
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 reduces noise and maintenance costs by allowing the vehicle to operate electrical systems without the engine running, improving the quality of filming by eliminating generator noise and reducing operational expenses.
Implementation Method 1
converting mechanical energy from an engine of the vehicle into primary direct current electrical energy with a primary alternator
Implementation Method 2
supplying at least a portion of the primary direct current electrical energy to a primary battery
Implementation Method 3
using an inverter to convert DC to AC power
Implementation Method 4
incorporating solar panels for energy supplementation
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a chassis, an engine coupled to the chassis, a primary electrical system including a primary alternator and a primary battery, and an auxiliary electrical system including an auxiliary alternator and an auxiliary battery. At least one of (a) the primary alternator is electrically decoupled from the auxiliary battery and (b) the auxiliary alternator is electrically decoupled from the primary battery, and the primary battery is electrically coupled to one or more electrical loads.