Vehicle Solar Charging Control for Auxiliary Load Prioritization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar charging systems for vehicles often abruptly stop charging the drive battery after activation due to high initial power consumption by auxiliary systems, leading to insufficient charging.
Innovation Solution
A solar charging system with a control unit that calculates the generated power and adjusts the power distribution between the auxiliary system and the drive battery by stopping power supply to the auxiliary system when the difference between the generated power and the average power consumption is less than a threshold value, ensuring sufficient charging of the drive battery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If power is supplied to the auxiliary system immediately after activation, then the auxiliary devices can operate, but the power consumption increases and causes abrupt stopping of drive battery charging
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit calculates the difference between generated power and average auxiliary power consumption before deciding to supply power to the auxiliary system. This preliminary calculation prevents abrupt charging stoppage by ensuring sufficient power margin is available.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from power consumption monitoring to dynamically adjust power supply decisions. The control unit continuously monitors the difference between generated power and auxiliary power consumption, and adjusts auxiliary power supply accordingly to maintain stable charging.
2Reliability
If power is supplied to charge the drive battery, then the battery can be charged, but the auxiliary system power consumption reduces the available charging power
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit changes the parameter of power supply decision based on the calculated difference between generated power and average auxiliary consumption. When the difference exceeds a threshold, power is supplied to the auxiliary system; otherwise, charging is prioritized.
3Productivity
If the solar charging system is activated, then charging can begin, but high initial power consumption causes insufficient charging
Solution Approach 1:
Before activating power supply to the auxiliary system, the control unit performs a preliminary calculation of the difference between generated power and average auxiliary consumption. This prevents energy loss from abrupt charging stoppage and ensures sufficient charging output.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring power consumption and generated power, adjusting the power supply to the auxiliary system to maintain optimal charging output while accounting for energy losses.
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
This approach prevents abrupt stopping of drive battery charging and ensures continued charging, even with high initial power consumption by the auxiliary system, thereby maintaining battery levels effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a solar panel configured to generate power in response to irradiation with solar light
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle is equipped with a drive system and an auxiliary system including one or more auxiliary devices. A solar charging system includes a solar panel and a control unit. The control unit calculates a generated power that is power generated by the solar panel. When power is supplied to the auxiliary system and the drive battery is charged, the control unit stops supplying power to the auxiliary system and charging a drive battery in a case in which a difference obtained by subtracting an average value of a supplied power to the auxiliary system during a previous charging of the drive battery from the generated power is less than a first threshold value.