Electro-Hydraulic Steering Backup Battery Load Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods do not provide a simple and effective way to test the condition and health of backup batteries in electro-hydraulic steering systems, which are crucial for maintaining fail-operational capability in case of main power supply failure.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where the main power supply is disconnected from the backup battery branch, and this branch is used as a test load to check the backup battery's ability to power the system components, with periodic voltage monitoring and discharge curve analysis to assess battery health.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If the backup battery is permanently connected to the branch, then the branch can be operated continuously, but the main electrical power supply cannot charge the backup battery and the backup battery cannot be tested
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a dynamic switching mechanism that changes the electrical connection state based on operational requirements. The switchable connection allows the backup battery to be permanently connected during normal operation for continuous power supply, while enabling temporary disconnection during testing periods. This dynamic reconfiguration resolves the contradiction by making the connection state adaptable rather than fixed.
2Reliability
If the main electrical power supply is disconnected from the branch during testing, then the backup battery can be tested, but the branch cannot be operated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic testing through a control unit that schedules disconnection and reconnection of the main electrical power supply at predetermined intervals. During these periodic testing phases, the main power supply is temporarily disconnected to allow backup battery testing, then reconnected to restore normal operation. This periodic action ensures both reliable backup battery functionality and continuous system availability.
3Measurement precision
If the voltage of the backup battery is monitored continuously, then the battery status can be tracked, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control unit as an intermediary component that centralizes the monitoring and control functions. This single control unit manages voltage monitoring, switch actuation, and test scheduling, simplifying the overall system architecture compared to distributed monitoring approaches. The control unit processes all monitoring data and executes control decisions, reducing system complexity while maintaining precise battery status tracking.
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 allows for efficient identification of backup battery suitability, enabling timely replacement and ensuring continuous system operation by detecting voltage drops or discharge curves, thereby maintaining system reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The backup battery is used in order to be fail operational even in case of a failure of the main electrical power supply
Implementation Method 2
When the main electrical power supply is disconnected from the branch and only the backup battery is used to supply electrical power it is to be expected that the voltage at the backup battery decreases
Implementation Method 3
a discharge curve of the backup battery is recorded. This can be used to monitor the health of battery status of the backup battery
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for testing an electro-hydraulic steering system (1) of a vehicle is described, the system (1) having two parallel branches (4, 5), wherein each branch (4, 5) is able to control the steering of the vehicle system (1) comprising a main electric power supply (20) connected to both branches (4, 5), wherein at least one of the branches (5) is connected to a backup battery (25). The backup battery should be tested in a simple way. To this end testing is performed by disconnecting the main electric power supply (20) from this branch (5) and using this branch (5) as test load of the backup battery (25).