Ultracapacitor Module for Vehicle Start-Stop Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
The continuous starting and stopping of engines in automotive start-stop systems puts significant strain on the 12-volt vehicle electrical system, leading to electrical fluctuations and inefficiencies, and replacing the lead-acid battery with a lithium-ion battery can be incompatible, while adding cost and complexity.
Innovation Solution
Employing ultracapacitors as an energy storage device that can switch between parallel and series configurations to provide higher voltage and controlled current, disconnecting from the low voltage power network to charge and reconnecting to start the engine, thereby reducing stress on the electrical system and extending starter motor life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lead-acid battery is used in the start-stop system, then the engine can be restarted reliably, but the electrical system experiences significant fluctuations and stress during continuous starting and stopping
Solution Approach 1:
An ultracapacitor module is introduced as an intermediary energy storage device between the battery and the starter motor. The ultracapacitor handles high-current discharge demands during engine restarts, isolating the battery from electrical fluctuations and reducing stress on the electrical system while maintaining reliable engine restart capability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the battery is disconnected from the low voltage power network to charge, then energy can be stored for engine restart, but the system complexity increases with switching control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between charging and discharging modes based on real-time conditions. The controller monitors battery state of charge, vehicle operating conditions, and starter motor demands to automatically transition the ultracapacitor module between connected and disconnected states, optimizing energy management without requiring complex manual intervention.
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 solution minimizes electrical fluctuations, reduces the burden on the 12-volt system, and extends the life of the starter motor by using ultracapacitors that can handle high discharge currents and maintain efficient energy transfer.
Implementation Method 1
A vehicle starter assembly includes an ultracapacitor module. The ultracapacitor module may be configured in a charging state where the ultracapacitor module is electrically connected to a low voltage power network and configured in a discharging state where the ultracapacitor module is electrically connected to a starter.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle starter assembly includes a switching circuit configured to operate in a charging state and a discharging state, and a first energy storage device and a second energy storage device electrically connected to the switching circuit. The first energy storage device and the second energy storage device are connected in parallel to one another in the charging state and in series with one another in the discharging state. The processor is programmed to detect an engine start request and output a switch control signal that toggles the switching circuit between the charging state and the discharging state to start an internal combustion engine of a host vehicle.