Dynamic Voltage Limit Control for Vehicle Energy Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle electrical systems have a fixed voltage limit, leading to inefficiencies in energy recovery during braking, resulting in high fuel consumption and safety concerns due to limited use of higher voltages for battery recharge.
Innovation Solution
Adapting the voltage limit in a vehicle's electrical system based on vehicle data such as speed, acceleration, and braking conditions to dynamically adjust the maximum permissible voltage, allowing for efficient energy storage and use while ensuring safety by temporarily increasing the voltage limit during braking and lowering it when not needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the voltage limit is fixed at a low value for safety, then safety is improved, but braking energy recovery efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage limit is changed from a fixed value to a dynamically adjustable parameter. The control device adapts the voltage limit based on vehicle operating conditions (speed, acceleration, braking state), allowing the system to switch between safety-oriented low voltage limits and efficiency-oriented high voltage limits. This resolves the contradiction by making the voltage limit flexible rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage limit parameter is modified based on vehicle data such as speed and acceleration. When the vehicle is stationary or moving slowly, a lower voltage limit (e.g., 60V) is applied for safety. When the vehicle exceeds a predefined speed threshold, the voltage limit is increased to capture more braking energy. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction between safety and energy recovery efficiency.
2Loss of energy
If the voltage limit is increased to recover more braking energy, then energy recovery efficiency is improved, but safety deteriorates due to higher voltage exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage limit parameter is adaptively changed based on vehicle operating conditions. By monitoring vehicle data (speed, acceleration, braking state), the system increases the voltage limit only when necessary for energy recovery (during braking at higher speeds) and maintains lower limits during normal operation. This conditional parameter change allows high voltage usage only when beneficial, minimizing safety risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device continuously monitors vehicle data and adjusts the voltage limit accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that high voltage limits are applied only when vehicle conditions warrant energy recovery (e.g., braking at speeds above threshold), and low voltage limits are applied otherwise. The feedback loop resolves the contradiction by ensuring high voltage is used only when necessary and safe.
3Device complexity
If a fixed voltage limit is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different driving conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage control system transitions from a static fixed-limit approach to a dynamic adaptive approach. The control device automatically adjusts the voltage limit based on real-time vehicle data without requiring complex manual intervention. This dynamic adaptation improves versatility across different driving conditions while maintaining relative system simplicity through automated control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage limit parameter is changed from a fixed constant to a variable that adapts to driving conditions. By monitoring vehicle speed, acceleration, and braking state, the system automatically selects appropriate voltage limits (low for safety during stationary/slow movement, high for energy recovery during braking). This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling a voltage limit for a maximally permissible operating voltage in the electrical system of a vehicle, comprising the step of adapting the voltage limit as a function of vehicle data, wherein an actual voltage is determined and the actual voltage is short-circuited or limited if the actual voltage exceeds the voltage limit. The invention further relates to a device for controlling a voltage limit for a maximally permissible operating voltage in an electrical system of a vehicle, comprising an adaptation device for adapting the voltage limit as a function of vehicle data.