Climate Control Power Distribution With Fault Isolation for EV Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

In electric vehicles and transport containers, faults in electrical systems or energy storage components often lead to complete shutdowns, disrupting critical and safety systems, and there is a need to isolate faulty components to maintain partial system operation, especially during transport.

Innovation Solution

A power management system that monitors fault reports and controls power distribution by isolating faulty sub-systems, allowing non-faulted systems to continue operating and enabling partial power connections through alternate battery module connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fault monitoring and isolation systems are implemented, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical system is divided into modular sub-systems with individual fault detection and isolation capabilities. Each sub-system can be independently monitored and isolated, allowing the rest of the system to continue operating. This segmentation approach improves reliability by containing faults locally while managing complexity through standardized modular interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A power controller acts as an intermediary between power sources and power users, monitoring fault conditions and managing power distribution. This intermediary component centralizes fault management functions, improving system reliability through coordinated response while preventing complexity from propagating throughout the entire system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If complete system shutdown occurs upon fault detection, then safety is improved, but productivity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidproductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The faulty sub-system is extracted or isolated from the overall system through controlled disconnection. This allows the harmful effects of the fault to be contained and eliminated while preserving the operation of non-faulted systems, thereby maintaining productivity during critical transport operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static all-or-nothing operation mode to a dynamic state where individual sub-systems can be independently controlled. When faults are detected, the system dynamically adjusts by isolating affected components while maintaining power flow to critical systems, balancing safety requirements with operational continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple power sources are integrated, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power controller is designed with multi-functional capabilities to manage multiple power sources and various fault conditions through a single integrated device. This universal approach improves adaptability by handling diverse power configurations while preventing complexity multiplication by consolidating control functions in one component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3819142B1Power and fault management of electrical components of a transport climate control system powered by an electric vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 THERMO KING CORP
  • EP3819142B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3819142B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3819142B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

A power management system for managing power of a climate control unit (CCU) configured to be used with at least one of an electric vehicle, a trailer, or a transport container and at least partially powered by the electric vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a power distribution system that includes a power input, a power distributor electrically connected to the power input, a fault detecting and isolating circuit electrically connected to the power input, and a connection point for receiving the CCU. The connection point is electrically connected to the fault detecting and isolating circuit. A power controller is electrically connected to the power distribution system. The power controller includes a processor and a memory.