Auxiliary Power Supply Device for Electric Vehicles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional auxiliary power supply devices for electric vehicles often experience delays in initiating charging and discharging due to software-based control, which can lead to inefficient power supply during abnormal operations.

Innovation Solution

An auxiliary power supply device comprising an electricity storage unit, a diode allowing current flow in one direction, a current sensor to detect current, and a controller to perform predetermined control actions based on detected current, ensuring rapid initiation of charging and discharging by storing and supplying power from the electricity storage unit to the inverter when needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If software processing is used for charging/discharging control, then control flexibility is improved, but response speed deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol flexibilityVSAvoidresponse speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

A dedicated hardware circuit is introduced as an intermediary between the power source and the charging/discharging control system. This hardware circuit performs preliminary processing of charging/discharging control signals, enabling faster response while the main controller maintains overall control flexibility through software. The hardware circuit acts as a mediator that bridges the speed requirements and flexibility requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces pure software-based control with a hybrid approach that incorporates hardware circuitry. The hardware circuit substitutes for the slow software processing in critical time paths, providing rapid response for charging/discharging initiation while the software controller maintains adaptability for various operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If charging/discharging control is performed by software processing, then control precision is improved, but initiation speed deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidinitiation delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The hardware circuit performs preliminary processing of charging/discharging control signals before they reach the main software controller. By pre-processing signals in hardware, the system reduces initiation delay while the software controller maintains precise control over the charging/discharging process based on system state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The hardware circuit serves as an intermediary that handles time-critical signal processing, separating the fast response function from the precise control function. This allows the software controller to focus on precise control without being bottlenecked by initiation speed requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 enables smooth and rapid initiation of charging and discharging, maintaining a high input voltage to the inverter even during abnormal operations by using the diode and controller to manage power flow effectively, ensuring reliable power supply to the electric vehicle.

Implementation Method 1

A diode allowing a current to flow in one direction is placed in series with the electricity storage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiode: Diode

Data Source

PatentEP3275720B1Auxiliary power supply device
Publication Date: 2020.01.29 KK TOSHIBA
  • EP3275720B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3275720B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3275720B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An auxiliary power supply device of embodiments includes an electricity storage, a diode, a current sensor, and a controller. The electricity storage is configured to store electric power supplied from a power source supplying the electric power to a load, the electricity storage being connected in parallel to the power source with respect to the load. The diode is configured to allow a current in one direction, the diode being placed in series with the electricity storage. The current sensor is configured to detect the current flowing through the diode. The controller is configured to perform a predetermined control when the current is detected by the current sensor.