Temperature controlled goods vehicles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Temperature control units in goods vehicles consume excessive fuel, particularly when running the engine to recharge batteries intermittently, due to increasing fuel costs and emission regulations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a solar panel and a controller to dynamically adjust the engine operation based on solar energy availability, increasing or reducing the cycle threshold for engine deactivation to optimize fuel usage, by monitoring battery voltage and energy delivery from the solar panel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the engine operates continuously to recharge the battery, then the battery remains charged, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the engine operation mode based on real-time conditions. The controller monitors battery voltage and solar panel output, then switches between continuous operation mode, intermittent operation mode, and solar-only mode. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain battery charge reliability while minimizing fuel consumption by operating the engine only when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters based on environmental conditions. When solar irradiance is sufficient, the controller adjusts the engine cycle threshold parameter to prevent operation, relying instead on solar charging. When battery voltage drops below thresholds, the controller increases engine operation frequency. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting engine operation to actual charge needs rather than continuous operation.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the engine operates intermittently to reduce fuel consumption, then fuel efficiency improves, but the battery may not remain adequately charged
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors battery voltage and solar panel output current, using this feedback to determine engine operation timing. When battery voltage remains above the first threshold, the system reduces engine operation. When voltage drops below the threshold, the controller increases engine operation to recharge the battery. This feedback mechanism ensures fuel efficiency through intermittent operation while maintaining adequate battery charge status.
Solution Approach 2:
The solar panel serves the system by providing charging current to the battery during daytime operation. The system uses its own solar energy resource to reduce the burden on the engine, allowing intermittent engine operation to suffice for maintaining battery charge. This self-service approach resolves the contradiction by using available solar energy to supplement engine charging capacity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If solar energy is utilized to charge the battery, then fuel consumption decreases, but the system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The solar panel and controller are integrated into the existing temperature control system, serving multiple functions. The solar panel provides both auxiliary battery charging and information about environmental conditions (through output current) that the controller uses for decision-making. The controller simultaneously manages temperature control engine operation and battery charging strategy. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity despite adding solar components.
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 reduces the time the engine is used solely to recharge the battery, thereby lowering fuel consumption while maintaining the temperature control unit's operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a solar panel configured to provide a first charging current to the battery
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method (500) for operating a temperature control system for a temperature controlled goods vehicle (100), wherein the temperature control system comprises: a solar panel (200) and a temperature control unit (300) comprising: one or more temperature control components (350); a battery (310) coupled to the solar cell (200) for receiving a first charging current i1 from the solar cell (200); an engine (340) operative to supply a second charging current i2 to the battery (310); and a controller (320). The method (500) comprises: at the controller (320): monitoring (510) a voltage of the battery (310); if the voltage of the battery (310) exceeds a first battery voltage threshold for a first predetermined amount of time: determining (530) a first energy count value representing an amount of energy delivered by the solar panel (200) in a predetermined time period; if the first energy count value exceeds a first energy count value threshold: determining (550) an average current value representing an average amount of energy delivered by the solar panel (200) in the predetermined time period; and increasing a cycle threshold value that determines when the engine (340) is deactivated so as to stop supplying the second charging current i2 to the battery (310) based on the average current value.