Collector Power Gap Detection for Electric Vehicle Current Drops
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles with collector devices experience conductive gaps, leading to temporary or complete shutdowns, control degradation, and potential damage to components due to reduced or absent electrical power transfer.
Innovation Solution
A system that monitors electric current to detect conductive gaps early and responds with proactive actions, such as voltage regulation and load management, to maintain vehicle propulsion and reduce damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the system monitors electric current to detect conductive gaps, then the detection timing is improved (earlier detection before voltage drop), but the system complexity increases due to additional monitoring and responsive action mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of conductive gaps by monitoring electric current before the voltage drop occurs. This early detection allows the system to take preliminary responsive actions (such as activating onboard power sources or adjusting loads) before the full impact of the conductive gap affects vehicle operation, thereby reducing shutdown time and improving continuity of operation.
2Reliability
If the system takes responsive actions to maintain vehicle propulsion during conductive gaps, then the reliability of vehicle operation is improved, but the energy consumption increases due to reliance on onboard power sources
Solution Approach 1:
The system ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining vehicle propulsion during conductive gaps through responsive actions. When a conductive gap is detected, the system activates onboard power sources (such as batteries or capacitors) and adjusts vehicle loads to maintain essential functions, ensuring that the vehicle continues to operate reliably without complete shutdown despite the interruption in external power supply.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the system reduces voltage overshoot and arcing during conductive gaps, then the damage to collector device and power circuitry is reduced, but the control complexity increases due to voltage regulation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback mechanisms to monitor voltage levels and current flow during conductive gaps. When voltage overshoot or arcing is detected, the control system adjusts voltage regulation parameters and load distribution in real-time to suppress harmful effects. This feedback-based control protects the collector device and power circuitry from damage while managing the increased control complexity through automated regulation algorithms.
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
Early detection and management of conductive gaps minimize vehicle shutdowns and component damage, improving reliability and ride quality by reducing voltage overshoot and arcing.
Implementation Method 1
monitoring electric current conducted from the conductive pathway to the collector device, and detecting a conductive gap in the conductive pathway based on a drop in the electric current
Implementation Method 2
responding to a detected drop in an amount of electric current being conducted from the conductive pathway to the collector device with a responsive action prior to or during a subsequent drop in voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method detect and manage conductive gaps between collector devices onboard vehicles and conductive pathways extending along routes traveled by the vehicles. The collector devices are conductively couplable to the conductive pathways. The system and method respond to a detected drop in an amount of electric current being conducted from the conductive pathway to the collector device of a vehicle with a responsive action prior to or during a subsequent drop in voltage being conducted from the conductive pathway to the collector device.