Passive Voltage Booster for Dual-Voltage Climate Control Power Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transport climate control systems require different electrical component designs for various utility power voltages, leading to increased complexity and costs, as they cannot seamlessly adapt to different voltage options like 110V and 220V without specific factory configurations.
Innovation Solution
A transport climate control system with a passive boost circuit and a controller that determines the input voltage from the utility power source and adjusts the passive boost circuit to either use the input voltage or boost it to meet the back electromotive force requirements of the motor, allowing for a single configuration to operate with multiple utility power supplies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specific factory options are ordered for different voltage configurations (110V or 220V), then the electrical components can be optimized for each voltage, but the system complexity increases and flexibility decreases due to needing multiple configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The passive boost circuit is designed to universally accept both 110V and 220V utility power inputs and automatically adapt its operation. The circuit can function in two modes: direct operation when receiving 220V, or voltage boosting operation when receiving 110V, eliminating the need for separate electrical component designs for different voltage configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The passive boost circuit changes its operational parameters based on the detected input voltage. When 110V is detected, the circuit activates its voltage boosting function to convert it to 220V equivalent. When 220V is detected, the circuit operates in direct mode without boosting, thus adapting to different voltage conditions while maintaining consistent output for the load
2Reliability
If different electrical components and wiring are used for 110V and 220V options, then each configuration can be optimized, but manufacturing costs increase due to producing and inventorying multiple component sets
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal electrical component design with the passive boost circuit can handle both 110V and 220V configurations, eliminating the need to manufacture and inventory separate component sets for different voltage options, thus reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining optimization for both voltages
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functionality of separate 110V and 220V electrical component designs into a single integrated system. The passive boost circuit is incorporated into the electrical components such that one component design serves dual voltage purposes, combining what would traditionally require two separate designs
3Device complexity
If a single configuration is used for both 110V and 220V, then flexibility and manufacturing simplicity improve, but the system cannot be optimized for specific voltage requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The passive boost circuit introduces dynamic adaptability to the electrical components. The circuit automatically detects the input voltage level and dynamically adjusts its operation - remaining inactive when 220V is detected (allowing direct optimized operation) and activating when 110V is detected (providing voltage boosting). This dynamic behavior enables a single static configuration to achieve voltage-optimized performance
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 a single electrical component design to accept various utility power options without the need for different components or wiring, ensuring efficient temperature control across different voltage conditions, thereby reducing complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
the passive boost circuit is configured to boost a second voltage from the second utility power, and the passive boost circuit is configured to drive the load using the boosted voltage
Data Source
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Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
Methods and systems for reconfigurable utility power with passive voltage booster for a transport climate control system are provided. The transport climate control system includes a passive boost circuit. The system also includes a controller configured to determine whether the passive boost circuit is connected to one of a first utility power and a second utility power. The controller instructs the passive boost circuit to operate in a first configuration when the passive boost circuit is connected to the first utility power and instructs the passive boost circuit to operate in a second configuration when the passive boost circuit is connected to the second utility power. The system further includes a load such as a motor. The load can drive a device such as a compressor, a fan, etc. The load is connected to the passive boost circuit and configured to receive power from the passive boost circuit.