Dual-Battery Vehicle Power Switching for Pre-Conditioning Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles face reduced travel distance due to high power consumption by in-vehicle devices like air conditioners, and existing pre-air-conditioning methods can decrease charging efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control apparatus with a switcher and control processor that manages power distribution between two batteries, calculating necessary power amounts and switching between them to supply power efficiently, preventing overcharging and optimizing power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If pre-air-conditioning is performed using excess output from charger during battery charging, then the temperature inside vehicle compartment is adjusted to appropriate temperature before travel, but the charging efficiency is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the battery system into two separate batteries: a first battery dedicated to charging during stop periods and a second battery that supplies power during travel. This segmentation allows the first battery to be charged efficiently without power demands from in-vehicle devices, while the second battery handles the power needs during operation, thereby resolving the contradiction between pre-air-conditioning and charging efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs pre-air-conditioning by supplying external electric power to the first battery during vehicle stop periods, storing energy in advance. This preliminary charging action enables the air conditioner to operate during travel without significantly impacting overall charging efficiency, as the first battery is recharged during idle time when no travel power is needed.
2Ease of operation
If in-vehicle device is activated during battery charging, then the vehicle functions are available, but the amount of electric power to be supplied exceeds the battery's acceptable amount causing component damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power supply function by assigning the first battery exclusively to charging operations and the second battery to power supply operations. This allows in-vehicle devices to be activated during charging without risking overcharging damage, as the second battery independently handles the additional power demands while the first battery continues charging.
Solution Approach 2:
The control processor acts as an intermediary that manages power distribution between the two batteries and monitors the charging state. It calculates the necessary electric power amount and controls the switcher to prevent the first battery from receiving excessive power when in-vehicle devices are activated, thereby protecting against component damage while maintaining device availability.
3Ease of operation
If frequent use of in-vehicle device like air conditioner is made during travel, then the vehicle comfort is improved, but the travel distance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling or heating of the vehicle compartment during stop periods by utilizing the charged first battery. This pre-conditioning reduces the cooling or heating load during actual travel, allowing frequent air conditioner use for comfort without significantly reducing travel distance, as the majority of energy consumption is shifted to off-travel periods.
Solution Approach 2:
By separating the battery functions, the system enables the second battery to supply power to in-vehicle devices during travel without impacting the charging capacity of the first battery. This allows comfortable frequent use of air conditioning during travel while the first battery continues to accumulate charge for future pre-conditioning operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control apparatus includes a control processor including: a necessary-electric-power-amount calculator calculating a necessary electric power amount that is a sum of an electric power amount suppliable to a first battery and an electric power amount necessary to activate an in-vehicle device; an operation state determiner determining a state of operation of the in-vehicle device; and a switching processor controlling a switchover of a destination of external electric power between the first battery and a second battery. The control processor supplies the external electric power to the first battery, based on the necessary electric power amount, and when the in-vehicle device is switched from an operation state to a non-operation state while the first battery is being supplied with the external electric power, supplies an electric power amount equal to the electric power amount necessary to activate the in-vehicle device, from the external electric power to the second battery.