Vehicle Electrical Load Management via Selective Decoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles face challenges in ensuring sufficient electrical energy supply to loads when alternators or batteries malfunction, leading to insufficient power distribution.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system that includes a controller to monitor the charge level and energy output, generating control signals to selectively decouple non-essential electrical loads from the charging system, prioritizing critical loads during power shortages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all electrical loads are maintained during charging system malfunction, then complete electrical functionality is preserved, but power insufficiency occurs causing system failure
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical loads are segmented into critical and non-critical categories. The controller selectively decouples non-critical loads while maintaining critical loads, thereby segmenting the total load to match the limited available power from the malfunctioning charging system and ensure system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of maintaining all loads (excessive action), the system applies partial action by selectively maintaining only critical loads. This partial load maintenance ensures that essential vehicle functions continue operating with the limited power available during charging system malfunctions.
2Reliability
If non-critical loads are decoupled during power shortage, then power distribution to critical loads is ensured, but electrical functionality is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments electrical loads into critical and non-critical groups. During power shortages, non-critical loads are decoupled while critical loads remain connected, allowing the system to adapt its functionality to match available power while ensuring critical operations continue reliably.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the configuration of electrical loads based on real-time power availability. The controller continuously monitors charging system status and selectively couples or decouples loads, making the electrical system adaptable and flexible in response to changing power conditions.
3Measurement precision
If controller continuously monitors charge level and energy output, then power management accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs multiple functions including monitoring charge level, monitoring energy output, determining power sufficiency, generating control signals, and coordinating with the power distribution module. By consolidating these functions in a single multi-functional controller, the system achieves precise power management without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller continuously monitors charge level and energy output parameters, using this feedback information to dynamically determine whether available power is sufficient and to generate appropriate control signals for load management, thereby achieving precise power management through closed-loop control.
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
Effectively manages electrical load distribution by allocating limited power to essential loads, ensuring continued operation of critical vehicle systems during alternator or battery malfunctions.
Implementation Method 1
The alternator is configured to convert mechanical energy generated by the prime mover into electrical energy to charge the charge storing device
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a prime mover, a charging system, a plurality of electrical loads electrically coupled to the charging system, and a controller. The charging system is coupled to the prime mover and includes a charge storing device and an alternator. The alternator is configured to convert mechanical energy generated by prime mover into electrical energy to charge the charge storing device. The electrical loads are electrically coupled to the charging system via a power distribution module. The controller is configured to receive an indication that an electrical output of the charging system is unable to provide sufficient electrical energy to each of the plurality of electrical loads, and provide a control signal to the power distribution module in response to the indication. The control signal is configured to cause the power distribution module to decouple at least one of the plurality of electrical loads from the charging system.