Hybrid Capacitor-Battery Starter Device with Thermal Barrier
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Motor vehicle batteries often discharge below the threshold voltage required for starting the engine, leading to inadequate current supply to the starter motor, making it difficult to start the engine when the battery is depleted.
Innovation Solution
An energy storage device comprising a DC-DC converter, capacitors, and a housing designed to mimic a standard motor vehicle battery, where the DC-DC converter converts battery voltage to a higher voltage stored in capacitors, which provide power directly to the starter motor during engine start cycles, while the battery recharges the capacitors, maintaining a separate electrical connection from the battery to the starter motor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a battery is used to supply power to the starter motor, then the engine can be started, but when the battery voltage drops below the threshold, the battery cannot supply adequate current to start the engine
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a battery system with a capacitor bank system to create a hybrid energy storage device. The capacitors are charged by the battery and then discharge to supplement battery current during engine starting, ensuring reliable operation even when battery voltage is low. This merging of two energy storage technologies resolves the contradiction between maintaining starting reliability and avoiding battery depletion.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitors are pre-charged to a high voltage level by the battery before the starting event occurs. This preliminary charging action stores energy in advance, so when the engine needs to be started, the capacitors can immediately discharge their stored energy to supplement the battery current, preventing battery voltage depletion during the critical starting moment.
2Power
If a DC-DC converter is used to charge capacitors, then high voltage energy can be stored for starting, but heat is generated that could damage the capacitors
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into separate compartments: a first compartment for the DC-DC converter and a second compartment for the capacitors. This segmentation physically separates the heat-generating converter from the heat-sensitive capacitors, allowing the converter to operate at high power without exposing the capacitors to damaging temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
A thermal barrier is introduced as an intermediary element between the DC-DC converter and the capacitors. This thermal barrier blocks heat transfer from the converter to the capacitors, protecting the capacitors from thermal damage while allowing the converter to function at full power for charging the capacitors.
3Ease of operation
If the housing is sized and shaped as a standard motor vehicle battery, then easy installation is achieved, but internal space for components is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested compartment structure where the housing is divided into multiple internal compartments (first compartment for DC-DC converter, second compartment for capacitors, third compartment for retention structures). This nesting arrangement maximizes the use of internal space within the standard battery外形, allowing all necessary components to be accommodated while maintaining the compact form factor for easy installation.
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
Ensures reliable engine starting even when the battery voltage is low, allowing for multiple unassisted engine crank cycles and protecting capacitors from heat generated by the DC-DC converter with an insulated thermal barrier, thus enhancing engine starting capabilities and battery efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The DC-DC converter converts a voltage provided by the motor vehicle battery to a second voltage, which is stored by the capacitors
Implementation Method 2
The capacitors are charged by the motor vehicle battery through the DC-DC converter. During an engine start cycle, energy discharges from the capacitors to the starter motor of the engine
Implementation Method 3
an insulated, thermal barrier positioned between the DC-DC converter and the capacitors. The barrier physically separates the DC-DC converter and the capacitors, thereby protecting the capacitors from any heat generated by the DC-DC converter
Implementation Method 4
A heat sink is provided to allow heat generated by the DC-DC converter to dissipate to the atmosphere
Data Source
AI summary
An energy storage device for storing energy for starting an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle includes a DC-DC converter, a plurality of capacitors connected electrically to the DC-DC converter, and a housing for containing the DC-DC converter and the capacitors. The DC-DC converter converts a voltage provided by the motor vehicle's battery to a second voltage stored by the capacitors. During an engine start cycle, energy discharges from the capacitors to the starter motor of the engine, wherein the stored voltage of the capacitors provides energy to start the engine. The capacitors are recharged by the vehicle's battery. A thermally insulated barrier separates the DC-DC converter and the capacitors. The housing may be sized and shaped substantially as that of a standard motor vehicle battery, enabling the energy storage device to be installed within the motor vehicle as a substitute for one or more of the vehicle's batteries.