EV Towing Power Control for Range and Function Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles experience a reduction in cruising distance when towing due to increased power consumption, and existing solutions limit vehicle functions, such as speed and air conditioning, which can conflict with occupant preferences.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle controller that dynamically adjusts power consumption by limiting vehicle functions based on battery output and remaining energy levels, allowing desired occupant behavior while maintaining cruising distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the limit value of electric power flowing through a switching element is lowered to reduce power consumption during towing, then power consumption is reduced and cruising distance is maintained, but vehicle speed is limited and air conditioner function is limited, preventing the vehicle from achieving desired occupant behavior
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the power limit value adjustable rather than fixed. The control device dynamically changes the limit value of electric power flowing through the switching element based on real-time battery state assessments (charge level, output capacity, temperature, state of charge). This allows the system to adapt between conservative power management when battery state is poor and more liberal power usage when battery state is good, thereby resolving the contradiction between reducing power consumption and maintaining vehicle function availability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the limit value of electric power flowing through a switching element is lowered to reduce power consumption during towing, then power consumption is reduced, but the vehicle cannot achieve required cruising distance when battery output is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by continuously monitoring battery state parameters (charge level, output capacity, temperature, state of charge) and using this information to adjust the power limit value. The control device assesses the battery's current state and dynamically sets appropriate power limits, ensuring that power consumption is reduced only when necessary to protect battery health, while maintaining sufficient power availability to achieve required cruising distances when battery conditions permit.
3Ease of operation
If no function limitation is imposed during towing, then vehicle speed and air conditioner can operate freely according to occupant preference, but power consumption increases and cruising distance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the power limit parameter based on battery state conditions. Instead of imposing fixed function limitations or allowing unlimited power consumption, the system changes the power limit parameter in real-time according to battery charge level, output capacity, temperature, and state of charge. This allows the vehicle to operate with full functions when battery state is good while reducing power consumption when battery state deteriorates, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and energy usage.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle controller that is configured to control traveling of an electric vehicle which is a battery electric automobile or a fuel cell automobile, in which, when the electric vehicle performs towing, the vehicle controller judges whether or not power consumption reduction is needed based on an output of a battery that is configured to supply electric power to a traveling motor and the amount of remaining stored energy, and partially limits the function of the electric vehicle if the power consumption reduction is needed, and the amount of remaining stored energy is the amount of remaining charge in the battery when the electric vehicle is the battery electric automobile, and is the amount of remaining stored hydrogen when the electric vehicle is the fuel cell automobile.