Trailer Charging Panel and Battery Control for Autonomous Power Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for power supply and distribution in overland trucking trailers are inefficient and require manual intervention for power management, lacking autonomy and seamless integration with tow vehicles and external charging stations.
Innovation Solution
A system for a trailer that includes a battery assembly, charging panel, motor, and controller, which autonomously manages power distribution between the trailer, tow vehicle, and external charging stations, using sensors to detect conditions and adjust power flow accordingly, and a panel actuator to facilitate inductive charging without mechanical connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual power management is used in existing trailer systems, then system complexity is reduced, but operational efficiency and autonomy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The controller automatically manages power distribution between the battery assembly, motor, and external charging stations without requiring manual intervention. The system self-regulates power flow based on operational conditions, achieving autonomous power management that improves operational efficiency while maintaining manageable system complexity through integrated control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller continuously monitors system conditions and adjusts power distribution accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system. This feedback mechanism enables the trailer to autonomously optimize power management decisions, improving productivity while the complexity is confined to the control unit rather than distributed throughout the entire system.
2Ease of operation
If inductive charging without mechanical connections is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to panel actuator and sensing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical cable connections with inductive charging technology. The charging panel and external charging stations communicate and transfer energy through electromagnetic fields, eliminating the need for physical plugging and unplugging of cables. This substitution improves ease of operation while the added complexity of sensors and actuators is centralized in the control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging panel acts as an intermediary between the trailer's battery assembly and external charging stations. It facilitates wireless energy transfer through inductive coupling, providing a convenient charging interface that improves operational ease while managing system complexity through a dedicated charging interface rather than direct battery connections.
3Loss of time
If autonomous power distribution is implemented, then loss of time is reduced, but device complexity increases due to controller and sensor integration
Solution Approach 1:
The controller autonomously manages power distribution without requiring manual intervention, automatically making decisions about power flow based on system conditions. This self-service capability eliminates the time loss associated with manual power management operations while consolidating control complexity into a single intelligent unit that can process decisions rapidly.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller proactively monitors system conditions and pre-adjusts power distribution settings in anticipation of operational needs. By performing preliminary assessments and adjustments, the system minimizes response time and eliminates delays associated with reactive manual adjustments, while the complexity is managed through predictive control algorithms in the controller.
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
Enables efficient and autonomous power management between the trailer, tow vehicle, and external charging stations, optimizing charge distribution and reducing manual intervention, enhancing operational efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The charging panel 150 is coupled to the trailer chassis 121, arranged on the second end 129 of the trailer 120 adjacent the battery assembly 140, and configured to inductively couple to an external charging element
Data Source
AI summary
One variation of a system for power distribution of a trailer includes: a trailer chassis; a driven axle suspended from the trailer chassis; and a motor coupled to the driven axle. The system further includes a battery assembly coupled to the trailer chassis and configured to supply electrical energy to the motor to drive the driven axle and source electrical energy from the motor to slow motion of the driven axle. The system also includes a charging panel coupled to the trailer chassis and configured to couple to an external charging element. The system further includes a panel actuator configured to advance the charging panel from the trailer chassis to an open position to form a target gap between the external charging element and the charging panel and to retract the charging panel to a closed position to decouple the charging panel from the external charging element.