Battery-Powered Vacuum Pump Control for Extended Runtime
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum pumps used in systems like air conditioning and refrigeration face inefficiencies in managing battery power, particularly in determining battery type and optimizing discharge time, leading to suboptimal operating modes and reduced runtime.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack powered vacuum pump with a controller that senses battery voltage and current, determines impedance and type, sets voltage thresholds, and adjusts operating modes to extend discharge time based on these parameters, allowing for user input and indicator control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the vacuum pump uses a battery pack with fixed operating modes, then the device structure is simple, but the battery runtime is reduced and energy management is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum pump implements dynamic operating modes that automatically adjust motor speed and power consumption based on real-time battery voltage and impedance detection. The controller switches between multiple operating modes (normal, extended runtime, low power) to optimize battery utilization, thereby extending runtime without requiring a fundamentally different device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms through voltage sensing circuits and impedance detection that continuously monitor battery status. This feedback enables the controller to adapt operating parameters in real-time, optimizing energy management and extending battery runtime while maintaining a relatively simple overall device architecture.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the vacuum pump uses a single voltage threshold for all battery types, then the control logic is simple, but the energy management efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different voltage thresholds and operating parameters tailored to specific battery types (e.g., 18V vs. 36V lithium-ion, nickel-cadmium). By detecting battery type through impedance characteristics, the controller configures optimal local parameters for each battery chemistry, maximizing energy management efficiency for each specific battery type.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller dynamically changes operating parameters including voltage thresholds, current limits, and motor speed settings based on detected battery type and state of charge. This parameter adaptation enables efficient energy management across different battery chemistries and states without requiring completely different control logic for each type.
3Productivity
If the vacuum pump operates at high power continuously, then the productivity is high, but the battery discharge time is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum pump implements periodic operation cycles that alternate between high-power extraction mode and lower-power maintenance mode. The system performs intensive vacuum extraction when battery voltage is high, then transitions to maintenance operation as voltage decreases, optimizing the balance between productivity and discharge time throughout the battery cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts motor power output based on real-time battery voltage and impedance measurements. Operating modes transition from high-power (normal extraction) to medium-power (extended runtime) to low-power (final stage) operations, allowing the pump to maintain high productivity when energy is abundant while extending discharge time as battery capacity depletes.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A battery pack powered device includes a housing including a battery pack interface configured to receive a battery pack, a first sensing circuit configured to detect a battery pack voltage of the battery pack, a second sensing circuit configured to detect a current from the battery pack, and a controller. The controller includes a processor and a memory. The controller is configured to receive a first signal from the first sensing circuit related to the battery pack voltage, receive a second signal from the second sensing circuit related to the current from the battery pack, determine a battery pack impedance based on the battery pack voltage and the current from the battery pack, determine a battery pack type of the battery pack based on the battery pack impedance, and set a voltage threshold for the battery pack based on the battery pack type.