Power Source Adaptation Device for Transport Refrigeration Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transport refrigeration units (TRUs) designed for vehicles with thermal engines are not compatible with battery electric vehicles, as they lack a generator to power the TRU, requiring significant hardware and software updates to operate with battery electric vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A power source adaptation device that measures the operating parameters of the battery electric vehicle's battery and generates signals to emulate an encoder signal, allowing the TRU to receive power from the battery through a generator port, thus enabling the use of conventional TRUs in battery electric vehicles without hardware modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional TRU hardware and software are used as-is, then the TRU can operate reliably with generator-powered vehicles, but it cannot operate with battery electric vehicles due to incompatibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device that connects between the battery electric vehicle and the conventional TRU. This intermediary translates battery parameters into encoder signals that the TRU expects from a generator, enabling communication compatibility without modifying the TRU's core hardware or software.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediary device creates a copy or simulation of the encoder signal that would normally be generated by a generator-encoder system. By replicating the expected signal format and characteristics, the TRU can operate with a battery-powered vehicle as if it were connected to a generator.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the TRU is modified to work with battery electric vehicles, then compatibility is achieved, but the cost and complexity of modification increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solution segments the adaptation function into a separate intermediary device rather than integrating modifications into the TRU itself. This allows the TRU to remain unchanged while the intermediary handles all the translation and adaptation logic, simplifying manufacturing and deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediary device serves multiple functions: it measures battery parameters, generates encoder signals, and interfaces between different power source types. This multi-functional approach consolidates the adaptation capability into a single component that can work with various battery configurations.
3Reliability
If a completely new TRU design is developed for battery electric vehicles, then optimal performance is achieved, but development time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediary device is designed and configured in advance to handle the translation between battery parameters and encoder signals. This preliminary preparation of the adaptation layer allows conventional TRUs to be deployed immediately with battery electric vehicles without requiring redesign or redevelopment.
Data Source
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AI summary
A power source adaptation device 20 for configuring a transport refrigeration unit 100 for use in a battery electric vehicle 10 having a battery 12, the transport refrigeration unit 100 comprising a generator port 102 configured to receive power from a generator, and an encoder port 103 configured to receive signals from an encoder operatively connected to a generator; the power source adaptation device 20 comprising: a measurement module 22 configured to measure at least one operating parameter of the battery 12 of the electric vehicle 10; and a signal module 24 configured to generate a signal based on the at least one measured operating parameter of the battery 12 and provide the generated signal to the encoder port 103 of the transport refrigeration unit 100; wherein the generated signal is generated to emulate an encoder signal in order to configure the transport refrigeration unit 100 to receive power from the battery 12 of the electric vehicle 10 through the generator port 102.