Remote Climate Control for Electric Vehicles with Battery Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote climate control systems for electric vehicles lack compatibility and features, particularly in preventing excessive battery discharge and ensuring safe operation, especially when used with hybrid or electric vehicles without combustion engines.
Innovation Solution
A remote climate control system for electric vehicles that includes a rechargeable electrical power source, an electrical AC unit selectively powered by the source, a sensor associated with the power source, and a data communications bus, with a vehicle remote climate controller that communicates with the AC unit and sensor to manage power usage and prevent excessive discharge, and a security circuit for enabling remote operation while ensuring safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the AC unit is operated remotely in an electric vehicle, then climate control functionality is improved, but battery discharge risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors battery voltage through a sensor and communicates this information to the remote climate controller. Based on the feedback regarding battery state, the controller dynamically adjusts or prevents AC operation to avoid excessive discharge, thus resolving the contradiction between enabling remote operation and preventing battery depletion.
Solution Approach 2:
The climate control system transitions from a static on/off control to a dynamic control that adapts to real-time battery conditions. The controller modifies its operation based on varying battery voltage levels, enabling flexible climate management that responds to changing power availability while preventing harmful discharge.
2Reliability
If the AC unit is selectively powered based on battery voltage, then battery protection is improved, but climate control availability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operational parameters of the AC unit based on battery voltage thresholds. When voltage remains above critical levels, the AC operates normally; when voltage drops below thresholds, the system adjusts or shuts down the AC. This parameter-based control protects the battery while maintaining climate control availability under suitable conditions.
3Reliability
If a security circuit is added for remote operation safety, then system safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The security circuit acts as an intermediary layer between the remote control signal and the AC unit/power system. It includes authentication mechanisms and safety checks that verify legitimate operation requests before allowing AC activation, thus enhancing safety without requiring fundamental redesign of the core climate control functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A remote climate control system is for an electric vehicle without a combustion engine and having a rechargeable electrical power source and an electrical AC unit selectively powered thereby, a sensor associated with the rechargeable electrical power source, and a data communications bus extending throughout the hybrid vehicle. At least one of the electrical AC unit and the sensor is coupled to the data communications bus. The remote climate control system includes a remote transmitter and a receiver to be positioned at the hybrid vehicle for receiving signals from said remote transmitter. A vehicle remote climate controller cooperates with said receiver and to be coupled to the data communications bus extending within the hybrid vehicle for communication thereover to selectively operate the electrical AC unit responsive to the sensor and said remote transmitter.