Battery Unit Mode Locking for Electric Propulsion Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric propulsion machines lack a mechanism to restrict changes in operating modes set by administrators, particularly for vehicles used by young, elderly, or beginner riders, where arbitrary mode changes are undesirable.
Innovation Solution
An electric propulsion machine with a battery unit that includes a mode-setting manipulation element, allowing administrators to set and lock operating modes, which cannot be changed by the rider or driver during operation, using a detachable battery unit with a storage device to store mode information and a control circuit to enforce the designated mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If switches for mode selection are disposed near the driver's seat or around the handlebar for improved manipulability, then ease of operation is improved, but the ability to restrict arbitrary mode changes by administrators deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into two distinct mode selection mechanisms: one located on the vehicle body (near driver's seat or handlebar) for runtime mode changes, and another located on the battery unit for administrator-only mode setting. This segmentation allows the vehicle to maintain ease of operation for runtime adjustments while preventing arbitrary mode changes by restricting the authoritative mode-setting function to the battery unit only.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery unit serves as an intermediary that mediates between the administrator's mode-setting intent and the vehicle's mode execution. The mode-setting manipulation element on the battery unit acts as a controlled interface that administrators can access (when battery is detached) to set modes, while the vehicle's own switches can only change modes within the constraints set by the battery unit, thus preventing arbitrary changes.
2Ease of operation
If mode-setting manipulation element is placed on the vehicle body for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but the ability to lock modes set by administrators deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The administrator performs the mode-setting action in advance when the battery unit is detached and accessible. The mode setting is established before the battery unit is mounted to the vehicle, and this pre-set mode then constrains the vehicle's operation. This preliminary action ensures that mode restrictions are established before the vehicle is put into service, preventing later arbitrary changes.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing the mode-setting element on the vehicle body where users can easily access it, the invention inverts the approach by placing the authoritative mode-setting element on the battery unit. The battery unit becomes the source of mode control, and the vehicle body switches become secondary that can only operate within the constraints set by the battery unit.
3Ease of operation
If the battery unit is made detachable for ease of maintenance and charging, then ease of operation is improved, but the complexity of ensuring mode setting persistence deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The battery unit autonomously manages mode information storage and retrieval without requiring external systems. The battery control circuit automatically reads the mode information from the storage device when the battery unit is mounted, and the electric motor control circuit automatically uses this mode information to control motor output. This self-service mechanism simplifies the overall system despite the detachable battery design.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage device on the battery unit serves multiple functions: it stores mode information that persists across battery detachments, and it provides a foundation for the battery control circuit to manage power delivery according to the stored mode. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mode storage systems in both the battery unit and vehicle body.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electric propulsion machine (1) includes an electric motor (6), an electric motor control circuit (51), a propulsion mechanism (4) to generate thrust from an output of the electric motor, and a battery unit (20) to supply electric power to the electric motor. The battery unit (20) includes a mode-setting manipulation element to accept a designation of an operating mode. The electric motor control circuit (51) outputs a control signal for controlling the electric motor based on an operating mode which is designated from among plural operating modes.