Train Battery Charging Control for Regenerative Power Utilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional techniques for charging storage batteries in trains result in inefficient utilization of regenerative power, as the batteries need to operate at decreased voltage to prevent power consumption as heat, leading to suboptimal capacity utilization when maximum regenerative power is not generated.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle information management device that obtains and responds to the operational state of a train, using an information obtainer, storage, and controller to set and execute charging control strategies for the storage battery, optimizing charging based on the train's operational state, including power generated by the engine and regenerative power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the storage battery is operated at a decreased voltage to prevent regenerative power from being consumed as heat, then the loss of energy is reduced, but the productivity of the storage battery decreases because it cannot fully utilize its capacity when regenerative power is not generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the storage battery's operating voltage variable rather than fixed. The control device dynamically adjusts the voltage based on real-time detection of regenerative power generation status. When regenerative power is generated, the voltage is decreased to prevent heat loss; when regenerative power is not generated, the voltage returns to the maximum operable voltage to fully utilize battery capacity. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between preventing energy loss and maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameter (voltage) of the storage battery based on different operational conditions. By detecting whether regenerative power is being generated and adjusting the voltage accordingly, the system optimizes both energy efficiency and battery utilization. This parameter change approach allows the battery to operate at optimal voltage levels for each specific condition, resolving the contradiction between energy conservation and productivity.
2Productivity
If the storage battery operates at maximum operable voltage to fully utilize capacity, then the productivity increases, but the loss of energy occurs when regenerative power is generated and voltage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously detecting the generation status of regenerative power and using this information to adjust the storage battery's operating voltage. The control device receives feedback signals about regenerative power conditions and automatically modifies the voltage setting accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables the system to prevent energy loss during regenerative braking while maintaining high productivity during normal operation, resolving the contradiction between these two objectives.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static voltage operation to dynamic voltage adjustment based on real-time conditions. The storage battery operates at maximum voltage during normal conditions to maximize productivity, but automatically adjusts to a decreased voltage when regenerative power generation is detected to prevent energy loss. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to optimize both productivity and energy efficiency under different operating conditions.
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 charging of the storage battery in response to the train's operational state, maximizing capacity utilization and minimizing power wastage, by dynamically controlling charging rates based on factors like train location and passenger load.
Implementation Method 1
a storage battery is charged with regenerative power obtained from a regenerative brake
Implementation Method 2
regenerative power obtained from a regenerative brake
Implementation Method 3
to convert regenerative power into heat and consume the heat when the voltage of the storage battery reaches the set voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle information management device that executes control of charging a storage battery with power generated in a train, the vehicle information management device includes an information obtainer to obtain information on a current operational state of the train, a storage to store charging control information therein, where in the charging control information, control contents of charging the storage battery with power generated by using an engine to be installed in the train are set correspondingly to an operational state of the train, and a controller to obtain charging control information that matches the current operational state of the train from the storage, and to control charging of the storage battery on the basis of the charging control information obtained.