Vehicle Battery Refresh Control Using Solar Charging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The endurance life of vehicle batteries is reduced due to frequent charging and discharging, memory effect, and incomplete charging during short trips, leading to decreased battery capacity and lowered fuel economy.
Innovation Solution
A power supply device that uses a solar generator to charge the battery if a battery refresh condition is met, including a controller that manages charging based on the battery's state of charge, light exposure, and power generation, prioritizing charging when the battery is partially charged and light is sufficient, and terminating charging when full.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the battery is frequently charged and discharged to meet vehicle travel demands, then the vehicle can operate continuously, but the endurance life of the battery is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary charging actions during vehicle parking periods using solar generators before the battery is fully depleted. By proactively charging the battery when the vehicle is stationary and solar energy is available, the system reduces the frequency of deep discharge cycles that would otherwise occur during normal operation, thereby extending battery endurance life while maintaining operational readiness.
2Quantity of substance
If the battery is charged to full capacity during short trips, then the charge amount is sufficient for next travel, but the battery life is reduced due to incomplete discharge cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic charging cycles during vehicle parking periods using solar generators. Rather than allowing the battery to discharge completely and then recharge in large cycles, the system performs multiple smaller, periodic charging sessions when solar energy is available. This periodic action maintains the battery within optimal charge ranges, preventing both complete discharge and excessive charging, thereby extending battery life while ensuring sufficient charge for subsequent trips.
3Reliability
If solar charging is performed during vehicle parking, then battery life is extended and fuel economy is improved, but the charging efficiency is reduced when light exposure is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes free solar energy available during vehicle parking periods to charge the battery without consuming additional fuel or external power resources. By harnessing naturally occurring solar radiation, the system performs self-service charging that extends battery life and improves fuel economy. The controller intelligently activates charging only when sufficient light exposure is detected, ensuring that the system leverages available environmental resources efficiently.
4Quantity of substance
If the battery is charged using alternator during travel, then the charge amount increases, but the fuel economy is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces solar generators as an intermediary power source between the environment and the battery. Instead of directly using the alternator (which consumes fuel) to charge the battery during travel, the system uses solar energy as an intermediate source to charge the battery during parking periods. This intermediary approach reduces the reliance on fuel-based charging, thereby improving fuel economy while still increasing the battery's charge amount over time.
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
Extends battery life by maintaining charge balance, preventing capacity reduction, and enhancing fuel efficiency by optimizing charging based on solar power availability and battery state.
Implementation Method 1
a solar generator; a battery configured to supply power for driving at least one load and on which recharging is performed
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling a vehicle includes: determining whether a condition for entry into a refresh mode of a battery in the vehicle is satisfied; when the condition is satisfied, predicting an amount of power generated by a solar generator; determining whether to perform the refresh mode based on the predicted amount of power; when the refresh mode is determined to perform, charging the battery using the power generated by the solar generator; identifying a charge amount of the battery; when the identified charge amount is greater than or equal to a first reference charge amount, terminating charging the battery; when an ignition-on command is received, determining whether the charge amount of the battery is greater than or equal to the first reference charge amount; when the charge amount of the battery is less than the first reference charge amount, charging the battery using power generated by an alternator.