Auxiliary Power System for Vehicle Starter Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles often experience 'dead' battery states due to insufficient charging, self-discharge, cold weather, or aging, leading to stranded situations as legacy remedies like jump-starting are not readily available.
Innovation Solution
An auxiliary power system is designed to be mounted within a vehicle, featuring an auxiliary battery and circuitry that detects trigger events to provide power to the starter circuit, including a manual switch, automatic detection of a failing start, or remote activation, to assist in starting the engine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the battery is used to power auxiliary features while the engine is off, then the battery may enter a 'dead' battery state, but the vehicle cannot be started
Solution Approach 1:
The power system is divided into two separate batteries: a starter battery dedicated to engine starting and an auxiliary battery dedicated to powering features when the engine is off. This segmentation prevents the auxiliary battery from depleting the starter battery, ensuring the vehicle can always be started regardless of auxiliary power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
A controller acts as an intermediary between the two batteries, managing power flow and determining when to draw from each battery. The controller monitors charge levels and automatically switches between batteries or charges the auxiliary battery from the starter battery, preventing the starter battery from entering a dead state.
2Productivity
If legacy remedies like jump-starting are used, then the vehicle can be started, but external assistance is required and waiting time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary charging of the auxiliary battery from the starter battery when the engine is running and the alternator is charging. This preliminary action ensures the auxiliary battery is ready to take over auxiliary power demands, preventing future dead battery situations and eliminating the need for external jump-starting assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual battery system with automatic controller enables the vehicle to self-manage its power needs. The system automatically charges the auxiliary battery, monitors charge levels, and switches between batteries as needed, making the vehicle independent from external assistance for starting problems.
3Device complexity
If a single battery is used for both starting and auxiliary power, then the system is simpler, but the battery charge level becomes insufficient for starting
Solution Approach 1:
The power system is divided into two separate batteries: a starter battery dedicated to engine starting and an auxiliary battery dedicated to powering features when the engine is off. This segmentation prevents the auxiliary battery from depleting the starter battery, ensuring the vehicle can always be started regardless of auxiliary power consumption.
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 auxiliary power system effectively addresses the issue of 'dead' batteries by providing a reliable means to start the vehicle, reducing the need for external assistance and minimizing waiting times for charging.
Implementation Method 1
The auxiliary power system may include an auxiliary battery and circuitry electrically coupled to the auxiliary battery
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, systems and methods associated with an auxiliary power system design are disclosed herein. In embodiments, an auxiliary power system may be mounted within a vehicle or integrated into a starter battery of the vehicle. The auxiliary power system may include an auxiliary battery and circuitry coupled to the auxiliary battery and a vehicle electrical system of the vehicle. The vehicle electrical system may be used to start an engine of the vehicle. The circuitry may detect a trigger and couple the auxiliary battery to the vehicle electrical system in response to detection of the trigger. The auxiliary battery may provide power to the vehicle electrical system to start the engine of the vehicle when the auxiliary battery is coupled to the vehicle electrical system. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.