Charging Cable Detection for Vehicle Brake Immobilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The safety concerns associated with the fast and efficient recharging of electrical energy storage devices in electric vehicles and transport refrigeration units (TRUs) due to high voltage power supplies, and the risk of damage or electrical hazards when charging cables are left connected during vehicle movement.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle immobilization system that includes a power management system with a controller to detect a charging cable connection, and a braking system with a park release emergency valve and a release valve to immobilize the vehicle by controlling the flow of compressed air to the brakes, ensuring the vehicle cannot move when a charging cable is engaged.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the vehicle is allowed to move freely during charging, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of cable damage and electrical hazards increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by detecting charging cable connection status and automatically engaging the parking brake to prevent vehicle movement before damage can occur. The controller monitors the charging state and preemptively immobilizes the vehicle, counteracting the potential harmful effect of movement during charging.
2Reliability
If a charging cable connection detection system is implemented, then the safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves universality by integrating the charging detection function into the existing power management controller, which already manages battery charging operations. The same controller that monitors battery state of charge also detects charging cable connection status and controls the parking brake, eliminating the need for separate dedicated components and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by utilizing the existing controller's processing capabilities to handle charging detection and brake control functions. The controller automatically monitors charging status and activates the parking brake without requiring external intervention or additional specialized hardware, allowing the system to serve itself with its existing resources.
3Strength
If the parking brake is engaged during charging, then the protection of charging equipment is improved, but the vehicle mobility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies dynamics by making the parking brake engagement conditional rather than static. The brake is engaged only when the controller detects that a charging cable is connected, and disengaged when charging is complete or interrupted. This dynamic response allows the vehicle to be immobilized only when necessary for equipment protection, maintaining mobility during non-charging periods.
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 vehicle movement when a charging cable is connected, mitigating the risk of cable damage and electrical hazards, and providing a redundant control mechanism for reliable immobilization.
Implementation Method 1
the release valve is configured to decompress fluid supplied to the park release emergency valve such that the vehicle is immobilised
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A vehicle and a method of immobilising a vehicle is described herein. The vehicle (100) comprises a transport refrigeration unit (10), a power management system (20) for supplying power to the transport refrigeration unit (10), and a braking system (30). The power management system (20) comprises an electric charging connector (26) and controller (24) configured to determine if a charging cable is engaged with the electric charging connector (26). If the controller (24) determines that a charging cable is engaged with the electric charging connector (26), the braking system (30) is configured to immobilise the vehicle (100).