Auxiliary Power Augmentation for Vehicle Climate Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The shrinking space in vehicle power bays due to emission-reducing components limits the ability to accommodate a separate compressor or power source for vehicle-powered transport climate control systems, making it difficult to provide high cooling power and sufficient energy for full-capacity operation.
Innovation Solution
A power system that augments the vehicle's underpowered network with an auxiliary power network, using a power conversion module to combine vehicle and auxiliary power sources to meet the demands of the transport climate control load, allowing the system to operate at full capacity by reducing the power requirements of components like compressors and fans.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If emission-reducing components are added to the vehicle power bay, then emissions are reduced, but the available space for climate control components decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The power system is segmented into multiple independent power sources: the vehicle power network and the auxiliary power network. This segmentation allows each network to be optimized independently, with the auxiliary network specifically dedicated to climate control without competing for space with emission-reducing components in the vehicle power bay.
Solution Approach 2:
The climate control power requirements are extracted from the vehicle power network and placed into a separate auxiliary power network. This extraction removes the conflict between emission-reducing components and climate control components by giving climate control its own dedicated power source outside the constrained vehicle power bay space.
2Power
If a separate compressor is added to provide high cooling power, then cooling capacity increases, but the vehicle power bay space is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The power system transitions from a single-dimension vehicle power network to a two-dimensional power architecture by adding the auxiliary power network. This dimensional expansion provides the necessary power capacity for high cooling capability without requiring additional space in the constrained vehicle power bay, as the auxiliary network can be positioned elsewhere on the vehicle.
3Device complexity
If the vehicle power network is used to power the climate control system, then the system is simplified, but the power is insufficient for full-capacity operation
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle power network and auxiliary power network are merged through the power conversion module to create a unified power supply system. This merging combines the advantages of both networks: the simplicity of the vehicle power network with the additional power capacity of the auxiliary network, enabling full-capacity climate control operation without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The power conversion module serves multiple functions: it can operate in vehicle power only mode, auxiliary power only mode, or combined mode. This multi-functionality allows the system to adapt to different operating conditions and power availability scenarios, providing both simplicity when possible and sufficient power when needed.
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
Enables the vehicle-powered transport climate control system to operate at full capacity by supplementing underpowered vehicle network power with auxiliary power, ensuring consistent climate control within cargo spaces despite limited vehicle power availability.
Implementation Method 1
a power conversion module configured to convert power supplied by the vehicle power network and power supplied by the auxiliary power network
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A method for powering a vehicle powered transport climate control system is provided. The method includes determining an amount of power requested by a load of the vehicle powered transport climate control system. The method also includes determining a vehicle power amount available from a vehicle power network. Also, the method includes calculating an auxiliary power amount from an auxiliary power network to augment the vehicle power amount from the vehicle power network. Further, the method includes converting power from the vehicle power network and power from the auxiliary power network into a load power and supplying the load power to the load of the vehicle powered transport climate control system. Also, a maximum amount of vehicle power available from the vehicle power network is less than a maximum amount of power required by the load of the vehicle powered transport climate control system.