Vehicle Battery Refresh via Voltage Pulse in Start-Stop Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle batteries in start-stop systems deteriorate over time, leading to reduced performance and potential failure of critical electronic systems due to sulfation and reduced charge acceptance, which can cause the vehicle to become stranded.
Innovation Solution
A power management system that detects a battery's charge acceptance value below a threshold, disables the start-stop mode, displays a message, refreshes the battery by increasing the charging voltage, and re-enables the start-stop mode once the battery's performance is restored.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the start-stop mode is continuously operated, then fuel economy is improved, but battery performance deteriorates due to sulfation and reduced charge acceptance
Solution Approach 1:
The power management system continuously monitors battery charge acceptance and provides feedback to the control system. When charge acceptance falls below a threshold, the system automatically disables the start-stop mode, creating a closed-loop control that prevents battery degradation while maximizing fuel economy during normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the start-stop mode operation based on real-time battery conditions. The start-stop mode is enabled when battery charge acceptance is above the threshold and disabled when it falls below, allowing the system to adapt to changing battery health and operational conditions
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the battery is operated beyond its charge acceptance threshold, then operational continuity is maintained, but battery degradation accelerates leading to potential failure
Solution Approach 1:
The system takes preliminary protective action by disabling the start-stop mode before the battery reaches a critically degraded state. By monitoring charge acceptance and preemptively preventing further stress on the battery when the threshold is approached, the system extends battery service life while maintaining operational continuity through alternative starting methods
3Reliability
If the start-stop mode is disabled to protect the battery, then battery degradation is prevented, but fuel economy benefits are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between start-stop mode and conventional operation based on battery charge acceptance. During periods when battery charge acceptance is above the threshold, start-stop mode provides fuel economy benefits. When charge acceptance falls below the threshold, the system transitions to conventional operation to protect battery health, optimizing the trade-off between fuel efficiency and battery reliability
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
Prevents battery degradation, maintains the functionality of electronic systems, and ensures the vehicle can operate without being stranded by refreshing the battery and adjusting charging parameters to alleviate sulfation and restore performance.
Implementation Method 1
refreshing the battery by increasing the charging voltage
Implementation Method 2
deteriorate over time, leading to reduced performance and potential failure of critical electronic systems due to sulfation and reduced charge acceptance
Data Source
AI summary
System and method are disclosed for detecting and refreshing an aged battery in a vehicle with a start-stop system. An example vehicle includes an engine configured to operate in a start-stop mode and a power management system. The power management system is configured for determining that a charge acceptance value of a battery is below a threshold, responsively disabling the start-stop mode and displaying a message via a display, refreshing the battery and enabling the start-stop mode after refreshing the battery.