Vehicle Battery Cutoff and Auxiliary Power for Parasitic Drain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Batteries in vehicles experience parasitic drains when not in use, leading to depletion of charge and potential loss of power to essential systems, and alternators ceasing operation results in loss of power to critical components, posing safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A battery power management apparatus with a primary vehicle battery, main cutoff switch, vehicle ignition/On switch, and vehicle auxiliary battery, along with alternators, to disconnect and reconnect power to non-drain and drain loads, ensuring power conservation and recharging during vehicle operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the battery is disconnected when the vehicle is not in use, then battery charge is conserved, but power is lost to essential systems that require continuous operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the electrical load into two segments: drain loads (essential systems requiring continuous power) and non-drain loads (systems that can tolerate power interruption). This segmentation allows the battery to be disconnected while maintaining power to critical systems through the auxiliary battery, resolving the contradiction between charge conservation and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system acts as an intermediary that manages power distribution between the primary battery, auxiliary battery, and various electrical loads. It selectively connects/disconnects loads based on vehicle state and power requirements, enabling the primary battery to be disconnected while ensuring essential systems remain powered through coordinated auxiliary battery operation.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the alternator stops operating when the vehicle is not in use, then energy is conserved, but critical components lose power supply
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary battery is pre-charged and positioned to take over power supply duties before the alternator stops operating. The control system anticipates alternator shutdown and ensures the auxiliary battery is ready to maintain power to critical components, preventing any interruption in essential system operation while allowing the alternator to remain inactive.
3Reliability
If parasitic drain is allowed to operate continuously, then essential systems remain powered, but battery charge is depleted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments electrical loads into drain loads (essential systems) and non-drain loads (non-critical systems). The auxiliary battery is assigned to power drain loads continuously, while the primary battery powers non-drain loads. This segmentation allows essential systems to remain powered while preventing the primary battery from being depleted by parasitic drain.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary battery serves itself and the drain loads by autonomously maintaining power to essential systems without requiring continuous input from the primary battery. The control system enables the auxiliary battery to independently handle parasitic drain requirements, allowing the primary battery to recharge or remain inactive without worrying about depleting charge needed for essential operations.
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
Maintains battery charge for critical systems, prevents drain-related discharge, and ensures continuous power supply to essential components, even when the vehicle is not in use or the alternator is inactive.
Implementation Method 1
a vehicle alternator generates electrical power when the vehicle's engine is operating which power can be utilized to provide the electrical power for many of a wide variety of vehicle systems, equipment systems, and/or components, along with electrical power to charge the vehicle battery
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, including: a first circuit containing a first load, wherein a first battery is associated with the first circuit; a second circuit containing a second load, wherein the second load draws current from a second battery when the first load is not operating or is non-operational; a first switch, wherein the first switch is capable of disconnecting the first battery from the first circuit; a second switch, wherein the second switch is capable of connecting the first battery to the first circuit, wherein the first switch and the second switch are connected in series; at least one recharger, wherein the at least one recharger recharges the first battery and the second battery when the first load is operating; a third circuit containing a second battery; and a third load. The third load is connected between the first circuit and the third circuit.