Vehicle On-Board Electrical System Generator Load Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicle on-board electrical systems using multiple generators, unequal electrical loading leads to uneven wear and reduced lifespan, as conventional devices fail to effectively balance the load across generators.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a pulse-width-modulated control signal to control output stage transistors of additional regulators, allowing them to switch to autonomous regulation mode and monitor their own voltage inputs, ensuring equal loading and increased reliability by compensating for manufacturing and equalization-related scatterings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple generators are used to supply power to the electrical system, then the required power and reliability are improved, but the wear becomes uneven and the lifespan is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control signal from the primary regulator is monitored by additional regulators. Each additional regulator compares the received control signal with its own generated signal, and when deviations are detected indicating unequal loading, the system automatically adjusts the loading distribution. This feedback loop ensures that generators share the electrical load equally, preventing uneven wear and extending overall system lifespan while maintaining high power output.
2Ease of operation
If conventional voltage regulators are used for each generator, then independent control is achieved, but manufacturing and equalization scatterings cause unequal loading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions by having additional regulators not only control their own generators but also monitor and respond to the control signals of the primary regulator. This combination of independent control with collective monitoring compensates for manufacturing variations. The error recognition and autonomous regulating mode allow the system to adapt to individual regulator characteristics while maintaining overall load balance, effectively overcoming manufacturing and equalization scatterings.
3Reliability
If additional regulators monitor the control signal and switch to autonomous mode upon error detection, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through autonomous regulating mode where additional regulators automatically detect errors in control signals and independently adjust their own operation without external intervention. When a control signal deviation is detected, the affected additional regulator autonomously generates its own control signal to maintain proper generator loading. This self-correcting mechanism enhances reliability while the modular design keeps the complexity manageable by distributing the intelligence across multiple independent regulators rather than requiring a centralized complex control system.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a device for providing the supply voltage for the loads of a vehicle on-board electrical system, using a plurality of generators. A regulator unit having at least one output stage transistor is allocated to each of the generators. The output stage transistor is controlled by means of a pulse-width-modulated control signal. The control signal generated in one of the regulator units, or a control signal derived therefrom that describes the pulse-duty factor of the pulse-width-modulated signal, is also supplied to the regulator units of the additional generators, and is also used there to control the output stage transistors. This procedure may bring into agreement the degree of loading of the generators.