Battery Power Control for Priority Loads in Garden Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inefficiencies in battery management for gardening and agriculture tools and vehicles, particularly due to the limitations of early battery technologies like lead-acid and zinc-carbon batteries, which resulted in short battery life, frequent replacements, and the need for multiple types of batteries and chargers, making them inconvenient and less efficient compared to endothermic engines.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for optimizing battery charging and discharging processes in tools and vehicles, using a control unit to selectively charge and supply power from multiple batteries, allowing for simultaneous power transfer from different batteries to power users, and managing battery health through monitoring and diagnostic functions, enabling ergonomic battery insertion and replacement, and reducing the number of battery and charger types needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple types of batteries are used for different power requirements, then the power supply capability is improved, but the device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal battery system where a single battery type can serve multiple power requirements through a control unit that manages power distribution. The control unit enables one battery type to replace multiple battery types by selectively powering different consumers based on available capacity, thus achieving multi-functionality without increasing component variety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the battery by using a control unit to dynamically adjust which consumers are powered and at what priority levels. This parameter-based management allows a single battery type to adapt to different power demands, effectively resolving the contradiction between power supply capability and device complexity.
2Productivity
If multiple types of chargers are used for different battery capacities, then the charging efficiency is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal charger that can charge any battery in the system regardless of capacity or application. The control unit manages the charging process adaptively, allowing a single charger design to replace multiple specialized chargers, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining charging efficiency through intelligent power management.
3Duration of action of moving object
If battery capacity is increased to extend operation time, then the duration of action is improved, but the weight and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the power consumers into different priority groups (first priority, second priority, third priority consumers). The control unit selectively powers consumers based on battery capacity and priority levels, allowing extended operation time by managing power distribution across segments rather than increasing overall battery capacity, thus avoiding weight and volume increases.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts which consumers are powered based on real-time battery status and priority settings. This dynamic power management enables extended operational duration by adaptively allocating power resources, eliminating the need for larger, heavier batteries.
4Reliability
If priority-based power distribution is implemented, then the reliability of critical functions is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments power consumers into priority groups (first, second, third priority) and implements corresponding control logic. This segmentation approach ensures critical functions receive guaranteed power while maintaining manageable control complexity through structured, hierarchical management rather than complex real-time optimization algorithms.
Data Source
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AI summary
The object of the present invention is a control method of a tool or a vehicle (100) for gardening or agriculture. The tool or vehicle (100) comprises a primary power user (102), a secondary power user (101), a power supply circuit connected to the primary power user (102) and to the secondary power user (101), and a plurality of batteries (B1-B4) on board the tool or vehicle (100) for powering the primary power user (102) and the secondary power user (101) by means of the power supply circuit. The method comprises a step of enabling a power supply of the primary power user (102) or a power supply of the primary power user (102) and the secondary power user (101). In such an enabling step, an electronic control of at least one value among an electrical power, charge, voltage or current made available by the batteries (B1-B4) connected to the power supply circuit is executed or an electronic control of the number of batteries (B1-B4) installed on board the tool or vehicle (100) is executed. Based on the outcome of such an electronic control, the electrical power supply, by means of the power supply circuit, of the primary power user (102) only or the electrical power supply, by means of the power supply circuit, of the primary power user (102) and the secondary power user (101) is enabled. The object of the present invention is also a control unit (10) configured to execute the control method and a vehicle for gardening or agriculture (100) comprising the control unit (10).