Energy Coordinator for Mobile Machine Power Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control structures for mobile work machines lack dynamic power limitation capabilities, primarily focusing on reactive power management and not efficiently distributing power between driving and work functions, leading to inefficient energy use.
Innovation Solution
A control structure with energy coordinators that dynamically manage power by setting target values for torque and pressure medium volume flow, decoupling power control from functional requirements, and using demand interfaces to record consumer needs, allowing for proactive power distribution and limitation across various power sources and consumers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If reactive power management is used to limit power consumption when overloading begins, then power consumption is limited, but the control response is delayed and energy efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The energy coordinator proactively calculates and limits the setpoint values for power consumers before overloading occurs. By continuously monitoring the power balance between available power from the power source and required power from consumers, the system prevents energy inefficiency before it happens, rather than reacting after overload begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts setpoint values for torque and pressure medium volume flow based on real-time operating conditions. The energy coordinator continuously recalculates the optimal power distribution between drive and work functions, enabling adaptive response to changing load conditions without fixed thresholds or delayed reactions.
2Productivity
If power is distributed between drive and work functions using traditional methods, then power allocation is simple, but dynamic power optimization and energy management are not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The energy coordinator acts as an intermediary between the power source and power consumers. It receives information about available power and required power, calculates optimal setpoint values, and transmits these to the functional control systems. This mediator architecture enables sophisticated power optimization without requiring complex modifications to the individual consumer control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control structure is segmented into distinct functional modules: the energy coordinator for power management, functional control systems for consumer control, and demand interfaces for power requests. This segmentation allows the energy optimization logic to be isolated in the energy coordinator, maintaining simplicity in individual consumer controls while achieving overall system optimization.
3Loss of energy
If the power of the drive function is reduced to limit total power consumption, then power consumption is limited, but the driving performance and operator control are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The energy coordinator applies different control strategies to different power consumers based on their specific requirements. Instead of uniformly reducing all power consumption, it selectively adjusts the setpoint values for torque and pressure medium volume flow of individual consumers, maintaining optimal driving performance while limiting total power consumption through localized, targeted adjustments.
Data Source
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AI summary
A control structure for a mobile working machine with power consumers is disclosed, of which at least one each is a power source, a drive consumer, and a hydraulic working consumer. Energy coordinators are each connected to a control unit assigned to the respective consumer via a signal. A setpoint is transmitted from the energy coordinator to the control unit, which limits the power output of the consumer depending on the setpoint. A mobile working machine and a method incorporating the control structure are also disclosed.