Vehicle Battery Control via SOC Prediction for Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle battery control systems face challenges in automatically starting an engine after a vehicle is stopped and in effectively managing the State of Charge (SOC) of vehicle batteries to supply power to electric devices, particularly in improving fuel efficiency and managing multiple batteries.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle battery controlling apparatus and method that includes a sensor to detect the SOC of a battery and a controller to manage the connection/disconnection of the battery to an alternator based on predetermined reference values and operational states, such as fuel-cut sections and Idle Stop and Go (ISG) operations, to optimize charging and discharging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the battery is continuously connected to the alternator to maintain charge, then the battery can supply power to electric devices, but the battery experiences increased wear and reduced durability
Solution Approach 1:
The controller predicts future battery charge levels based on current SOC and scheduled vehicle operations (fuel-cut sections, ISG stops) before actually connecting or disconnecting the battery. This preliminary prediction allows the system to prepare connection/disconnection timing in advance, reducing unnecessary connections and extending battery life while ensuring charge availability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the battery connection state based on real-time conditions including current SOC, predicted charge/discharge events, and vehicle operation patterns. Rather than a static connection state, the battery is continuously evaluated for optimal connection timing, balancing durability with charge maintenance needs through adaptive control.
2Reliability
If the battery is disconnected to extend durability, then battery wear is reduced, but the battery cannot supply power when needed for engine starting or electric devices
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors battery SOC and compares it against reference values, using this feedback to determine optimal connection/disconnection timing. The system also incorporates feedback from predicted vehicle operations (fuel-cut sections, ISG events) to anticipate future power needs and adjust battery connection state accordingly, ensuring power availability while maximizing durability.
Solution Approach 2:
By predicting future charge events based on scheduled fuel-cut sections and ISG operations, the system preliminarily determines when the battery will need to be connected for power supply. This allows the controller to maintain disconnection (for durability) until just before power is needed, then connect in advance of the actual power requirement.
3Productivity
If the battery is frequently connected and disconnected to optimize SOC management, then power supply efficiency is improved, but the switching operations increase wear on the switch and battery
Solution Approach 1:
The controller predicts future battery charge levels by analyzing scheduled vehicle operations (fuel-cut sections, ISG stops) before actually making switching decisions. This preliminary prediction allows the system to consolidate switching operations and avoid frequent, unnecessary connections and disconnections, reducing wear on the switch and battery while maintaining power supply efficiency through strategic timing.
4Power
If multiple batteries are installed to increase power capacity, then power supply to electric devices is improved, but the system complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements a universal management approach that handles multiple batteries through a single integrated control system. The same prediction algorithms, SOC reference value comparisons, and connection/disconnection logic are applied uniformly across all batteries, allowing the system to manage multiple battery units without proportionally increasing control complexity. Each battery follows the same multi-functional control strategy.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle battery controlling apparatus is provided and includes a sensor that senses a SOC of a battery connected to a switch among a plurality of batteries and a controller that controls the on/off of the switch based on a first result of determining whether a vehicle enters a fuel-cut section and a second result of comparing the SOC of the battery with at least one or more predetermined reference values. The apparatus improves fuel efficiency by increasing energy regeneration, and improves battery durability by minimizing battery SOC in a non-regeneration section.