Vehicle Battery Control System for Load Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle batteries face strain from increased electrical demands and aging, leading to potential over-discharge issues that can impact the ability to start an internal combustion engine, as electrical components often cannot be manually isolated from the battery and may remain active when unattended.
Innovation Solution
A battery control system that selectively connects and disconnects loads based on battery condition, ignition key state, and engine status, using a controller and sensor unit to monitor and manage the battery's state of charge and function, and provides information on load connections through an interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electrical components and devices are permanently connected to the battery to ensure functionality, then ease of operation is improved, but the battery becomes susceptible to over-discharge and aging accelerates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of electrical loads by selectively connecting and disconnecting them based on real-time battery condition monitoring. The controller dynamically adjusts the connection state of loads (such as audio systems, climate control, and other accessories) based on battery charge level, thereby transforming the static permanent connection into a dynamic conditional connection that adapts to battery state.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs continuous feedback mechanisms where the controller monitors battery condition parameters (charge level, voltage, current) and uses this feedback to automatically control the connection state of electrical loads. This closed-loop feedback system ensures that loads are disconnected when battery charge falls below thresholds and reconnected when charge is sufficient, preventing over-discharge while maintaining operational convenience.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electrical features and devices are added to meet consumer demands, then adaptability is improved, but the battery experiences increased strain and over-discharge risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic power management across multiple electrical features by selectively controlling their connection to the battery. Instead of all features being permanently powered, the system dynamically activates or deactivates specific loads (audio system, climate control, navigation, etc.) based on battery charge level and operational context, thereby supporting vehicle adaptability while preventing excessive energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by selectively powering only the necessary subset of electrical features at any given time rather than all features simultaneously. When battery charge is sufficient, more features can operate; when charge drops below thresholds, non-essential features are partially deactivated or disconnected, allowing the vehicle to maintain core functionality while conserving battery energy.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the battery is monitored continuously and loads are selectively disconnected to preserve battery health, then battery life is extended, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrical load system into multiple controllable groups or individual loads that can be independently managed. The controller divides the overall electrical system into manageable segments (such as audio system, climate control, lighting, accessories) that can be selectively connected or disconnected based on battery condition, making the complexity manageable through modular control rather than monolithic system management.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller serves as an intermediary between the battery and multiple electrical loads, mediating the connection and disconnection decisions. This intermediary component centralizes the complexity of monitoring battery conditions and managing multiple loads, shielding the battery from direct complex interactions while providing unified control logic that simplifies the overall system architecture despite the multiple involved components.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery control system and method for a battery of a vehicle includes a battery for supplying electrical power to a plurality of loads of the vehicle and a controller that receives a battery signal representative of a condition of the battery, an ignition key signal representative of a state of an ignition key of the vehicle, and an engine signal representative of a state of an engine in the vehicle. The controller selectively electrically connects/disconnects the plurality of loads of the vehicle and the battery based on at least one of the battery signal, the ignition key signal, and the engine signal. An interface provides information on at least one of the battery and a connection state between the plurality of loads and the battery.