Dynamic Limiting Resistor for Vehicle Starter Voltage Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The starting process of a motor vehicle's internal combustion engine can cause a significant drop in onboard voltage, potentially leading to temporary failures of critical consumers due to the high load on the battery, especially with frequent start-stop systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that control the electric starter by initially operating it in series with a limiting resistor to reduce current, then transitioning to reduced resistance based on sampled electrical parameters, optimizing the power delivery while maintaining battery voltage above a threshold, accounting for mechanical resistance, temperature, and other influences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the electric starter is operated with high power to accelerate the starting process, then the starting time is reduced, but the onboard voltage drops below the predetermined value causing consumer failures
Solution Approach 1:
The limiting resistance is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The control device continuously monitors electrical parameters (current, voltage, power) and adjusts the limiting resistance value in real-time during the starting process. This allows the system to optimize the balance between starter power and voltage stability, reducing resistance when voltage is sufficient and increasing it when voltage drops, thereby resolving the contradiction between fast starting and consumer reliability
Solution Approach 2:
A feedback control mechanism is implemented where the control device samples electrical parameters from the electrical system during the starting process and uses this information to adjust the limiting resistance. The feedback loop continuously monitors the state of the system and makes real-time adjustments to maintain voltage within acceptable ranges while maximizing starter effectiveness, thus preventing consumer failures while maintaining high starting productivity
2Power
If the limiting resistance is reduced early to maximize starter power, then the starting process is accelerated, but the battery voltage falls below the predetermined value
Solution Approach 1:
The limiting resistance is transformed from a static component to a dynamic one that can be adjusted in real-time. The control device modulates the resistance value based on instantaneous electrical conditions, allowing the system to extract maximum starter power when voltage permits while preventing voltage collapse. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making resistance reduction conditional rather than predetermined
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical resistance parameter is changed dynamically during operation based on measured electrical parameters. The control device alters the resistance value in response to changing system conditions (current, voltage, power levels), enabling the system to adapt to varying load conditions and battery states. This parameter change strategy allows optimal power delivery while maintaining voltage stability thresholds
3Reliability
If the limiting resistance is kept high to maintain voltage, then consumer reliability is ensured, but the power delivered by the starter is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than maintaining a constantly high limiting resistance, the system dynamically adjusts resistance based on real-time voltage and current conditions. When voltage is stable and sufficient, the resistance is reduced to maximize starter power. When voltage approaches critical thresholds, resistance is increased to protect consumer functionality. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by making resistance adjustment conditional rather than static
Solution Approach 2:
The control device periodically samples electrical parameters and adjusts the limiting resistance in a cyclic manner throughout the starting process. This periodic monitoring and adjustment allows the system to alternate between high-power delivery phases and voltage-protection phases, optimizing both starter performance and consumer reliability over the course of the starting sequence
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 ensures a stable onboard voltage during starting, maximizing power delivery while preventing battery voltage from falling below a predetermined value, thus ensuring the reliability of critical vehicle systems.
Implementation Method 1
operating the electrical starter on the vehicle electrical system during a first period of time in series with a limiting resistor (110) in order to limit the current flowing through the starter
Implementation Method 2
operating the electrical starter on the vehicle electrical system during a second period of time with a reduced limiting resistance in order to increase the power implemented by the starter
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for maintaining a prescribed voltage in a battery-supported vehicle electrical system during operation of an electrical starter motor comprises steps of operating the electrical starter motor in the vehicle electrical system during a first time segment in series with a limiting resistor in order to limit the current flowing through the starter motor and operating the electrical starter motor in the vehicle electrical system during a second time segment having a reduced limiting resistor in order to increase the power converted by the starter motor. A transition from the first to the second time segment is thereby controlled on the basis of characteristic electrical values scanned for the limiting resistor during the first time segment.