Vehicle Battery Power Prioritization at Low Remaining Charge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel-efficient vehicles face challenges in managing power distribution to electrical components when battery charge is low, as drivers are often unaware of power consumption and cannot easily turn off critical components during driving.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system with an electronic control unit (ECU) that receives priority ranks for electrical components, automatically stopping power to lower-ranked components when the battery charge is low or critical, and notifying the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the battery supplies power to all electrical components, then the user convenience is improved, but the battery charge depletes faster
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts power supply to electrical components based on real-time battery charge levels. When battery charge is sufficient, all components can operate normally. When battery charge drops below thresholds, the system automatically adjusts power distribution to prioritize critical components, thereby resolving the contradiction between user convenience and energy conservation
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments electrical components into different priority levels (critical, important, optional). This segmentation allows selective power management where critical components (e.g., motor, braking system) maintain full power supply while optional components are restricted or shut off based on battery charge levels, balancing user convenience with energy preservation
2Loss of energy
If the battery charge is low, then the vehicle should conserve power, but the user may not be aware of power consumption by electrical components
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides continuous feedback to the user through the display interface, showing real-time battery charge levels and power consumption status of individual electrical components. This feedback mechanism informs users about power usage patterns and enables them to make informed decisions about component usage, addressing the information asymmetry while maintaining power conservation goals
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary between the battery management system and the user. It processes battery charge data and component power consumption information, then presents this information in an understandable format through the display. This intermediary function bridges the gap between complex power management operations and user comprehension
3Reliability
If the battery charge is critical, then the vehicle must ensure enough power to reach charging station, but electrical components may continue to draw power
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements preliminary protective actions by monitoring battery charge levels and proactively restricting power to non-critical components before complete depletion occurs. When charge reaches critical thresholds, the system preemptively shuts off optional components and limits important components, ensuring sufficient power reserves reach the charging station and preventing vehicle immobilization
Data Source
AI summary
Vehicles and methods for controlling a battery of the vehicle based on remaining battery charge. A vehicle may include a battery configured to supply electricity to native and external electrical components of the vehicle. The vehicle may include an electronic control unit (ECU) coupled to the battery. The ECU may be configured to receive a priority rank for each of the electrical components. The ECU may be further configured to stop the battery from supplying the electricity to one or more of the electrical components that are below a predetermined priority rank when a charge of the battery is low.