Split Charge Battery Start Assist System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motor vehicles often face challenges in starting when the primary battery's state of charge is low, old, or underperforming, especially in cold temperatures, as existing systems lack effective assistance mechanisms to ensure reliable engine cranking.
Innovation Solution
An electrical system is implemented with a first battery, a second auxiliary battery, and programmable switches and a computer that monitors the state of charge and health of both batteries, connecting the auxiliary battery to assist the primary battery during engine starting and charging it when necessary, ensuring sufficient charge levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the primary battery is used to start the vehicle, then the vehicle starting function is achieved, but the reliability is insufficient when the battery state of charge is low or the battery is old
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into a primary battery and one or more auxiliary batteries. The primary battery remains responsible for vehicle starting operations, while auxiliary batteries serve as backup power sources. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high reliability by isolating the starting function to the primary battery while using auxiliary batteries to compensate when the primary battery's state of charge is low or when the primary battery is old and underperforming.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters by monitoring the primary battery's state of charge, age, and performance metrics. When parameters indicate degradation (low state of charge, advanced age, reduced cranking capability), the system automatically transitions to using auxiliary batteries or a combination of batteries, thereby adapting to varying battery conditions and maintaining reliable vehicle starting.
2Reliability
If auxiliary batteries are added to assist the primary battery, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery management system operates autonomously by continuously monitoring the primary battery's state of charge, age, and performance. The system automatically determines when auxiliary battery assistance is needed and manages the power distribution without requiring user intervention. This self-service approach simplifies the user experience while maintaining the added reliability of multiple batteries, as the complexity is confined to the automated control system rather than requiring manual management of the battery configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary batteries serve multiple functions: they assist the primary battery during engine cranking when needed, provide backup power for vehicle electronics, and can be charged during key-off periods. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing several benefits from a single auxiliary battery addition, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing system complexity.
3Reliability
If the auxiliary battery is used to charge the primary battery during key-off periods, then the primary battery state of charge is maintained, but the loss of energy in the auxiliary battery increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery management system continuously monitors the state of charge of both the primary and auxiliary batteries, as well as the primary battery's age and performance metrics. Based on this feedback, the system intelligently decides when to transfer charge from the auxiliary to the primary battery. Charging occurs selectively during key-off periods only when the primary battery's state of charge falls below a threshold or when the primary battery is old, thereby maintaining primary battery readiness while minimizing unnecessary energy loss from the auxiliary battery.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuously charging the primary battery from the auxiliary battery, the system applies partial action by charging only when necessary (when the primary battery's state of charge is low or the primary battery is old). This selective charging approach maintains the primary battery's readiness without excessively depleting the auxiliary battery, optimizing the energy balance between the two battery systems.
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 system effectively assists the primary battery in starting the vehicle by maintaining a sufficient state of charge in the auxiliary battery, enhancing engine cranking performance and prolonging the primary battery's life through strategic charging during key-off periods.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical system of a vehicle includes a first battery, a second battery, a first switch electrically connected in series between the first battery and the second battery
Implementation Method 2
a computer communicatively coupled to the first switch and the second switch. The computer may be programmed with computer executable instructions to determine that the first battery will need assistance to start an engine of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical system of a vehicle includes a first battery, a second battery, a first switch electrically connected in series between the first battery and the second battery, an external connection point, and a second switch electrically connected in series between the second battery and the external connection point. The system and a method of operating the system include determining that the first battery will need assistance to start an engine of the vehicle, opening the second switch in response to a state of charge of the second battery decreasing below a charge threshold, and closing the first switch for the second battery to assist the first battery to crank the engine for starting.