Hybrid Vehicle External Interface for Trailer Energy Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional external interfaces for vehicles are typically designed for specific purposes, limiting their flexibility and universality in connecting and managing energy and data with external devices such as trailers or semi-trailers.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle equipped with a hybrid drive unit and a bidirectional external interface that includes both a data interface for exchanging identification and operating data and a high-voltage interface for energy transfer, allowing for coordinated control of the vehicle's and external device's components through a control device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional external interfaces are designed for specific purposes, then they can fulfill dedicated functions reliably, but they lack flexibility and universality in connecting with different external devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing an external interface that can connect to multiple types of external devices (trailers with different electrical systems, stationary energy storage devices, other vehicles) through a single standardized connection. The control device automatically detects the connected device type and configures the energy management system accordingly, enabling one interface to serve multiple functions without requiring different specialized connectors for each device type.
2Productivity
If a hybrid vehicle uses a high-voltage traction energy network for propulsion, then it achieves improved energy efficiency and power, but it requires specialized high-voltage interfaces that limit compatibility with conventional external devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the external interface electrically configurable rather than fixed. The control device dynamically adjusts the electrical characteristics of the external interface based on the detected external device type, enabling the same physical interface to safely connect to both high-voltage hybrid components and conventional low-voltage external devices. This dynamic adaptation allows the vehicle to maintain high-voltage propulsion efficiency while achieving broad external device compatibility.
3Ease of operation
If the vehicle control system manages only internal energy distribution, then it maintains simple control logic, but it cannot optimize energy exchange with connected external devices or coordinate their operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by implementing automatic device detection and identification functionality. When an external device is connected, the control device automatically detects its presence, identifies its type and electrical characteristics through the data interface, and configures the energy management system without requiring manual intervention. This self-service approach maintains control simplicity while enabling sophisticated external device coordination and optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies feedback by using the bidirectional data interface to continuously exchange information between the control device and external devices. The control device receives operational status, energy availability, and device identification data from external devices, and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust energy distribution and coordination strategies. This feedback mechanism enables adaptive optimization while keeping the control logic manageable through automated decision-making algorithms.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a motor vehicle, preferably a commercial vehicle, with a hybrid drive unit (11) connected to a traction energy network (7) of the motor vehicle; and an external interface device (3). The external interface device (3) comprises a bidirectional data interface for data exchange with an external device (2) and a high-voltage interface (5) for exchanging electrical energy with the external device (2), wherein the high-voltage interface (5) is connected to the traction energy network (7) of the motor vehicle (1).The motor vehicle further comprises a control unit (6) which is configured to receive identification data and/or operating data from the external device (2) via the data interface (4), which identifies an electrical energy storage device (14) and/or a current-driven drive unit (15) of the external device (2), wherein the control unit (6) is further configured, depending on the received identification data and/or operating data, both to control an energy transfer via the high-voltage interface (5) and to determine control data for the external device (2) and to send it to the external device (2) via the data interface (4).