Vehicle Idle Management With Auxiliary Power for Engine-Off Climate Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles face the challenge of draining their batteries when trying to power systems while the engine is off, leading to the need for alternative methods to maintain system functionality without engine idling, which is inefficient in terms of fuel and emissions.
Innovation Solution
An idle management system that includes a power storage unit, a controller, and an environmental package to regulate climate within the vehicle, allowing electrical power to be drawn from the storage unit to operate systems even when the engine is off, with features like a heater and compressor to maintain vehicle conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If the vehicle battery is used to power systems while the engine is off, then the vehicle systems can operate without engine idling, but the battery will drain until it has insufficient power to operate the vehicle systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by charging the battery from external power sources (generator, solar panels, wind turbines) before the battery would be depleted. This ensures the battery has sufficient power储备 to operate vehicle systems for extended periods without engine idling, resolving the contradiction between reducing emissions and maintaining battery power availability
2Reliability
If the engine is idled to produce power while the vehicle is parked, then the vehicle systems can be powered continuously, but fuel consumption increases and emissions are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the power generation function from the internal combustion engine by introducing external power sources (generator, solar panels, wind turbines). This separates the power production function from the vehicle's primary propulsion system, allowing the engine to remain off while still providing continuous power to vehicle systems through the external sources, thus eliminating fuel consumption and emissions associated with idling
3Loss of energy
If the engine is shut down to conserve fuel, then fuel consumption is reduced, but the vehicle cannot power systems or start the engine when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary power storage and management system between the external power sources and the vehicle systems. This intermediary includes the battery, controller, and power management circuitry that ensures reliable power delivery for starting the engine and operating vehicle systems, while allowing the engine to remain off during normal operation. The intermediary manages power distribution to maintain ease of operation without requiring continuous fuel consumption
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the operation of vehicle systems, including climate control, without the need for engine idling, thereby reducing fuel consumption and emissions while maintaining vehicle functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a power storage unit for the storage of electrical power
Implementation Method 2
a heater adapted to provide heat to coolant in order to heat a vehicle compartment of the vehicle
Implementation Method 3
a compressor adapted to communicate working fluid with a vehicle environmental package
Data Source
AI summary
An idle management system for a vehicle is disclosed herein. In various aspects, the idle management system includes an auxiliary power storage unit for the storage of electrical power. The idle management system includes an environmental package adapted to interconnect with a vehicle environmental package to regulate the climate within a vehicle compartment of a vehicle. The environmental package may be in electrical communication with the power storage unit to receive electrical power therefrom. A controller may be in communication with the power storage unit to derive electrical power therefrom, and the controller may be in communication with the environmental package to regulate the operation thereof. The idle management system may draw electrical power from the power storage unit to be operable with an engine in an engine OFF condition.