Vehicle Electrical System Voltage Stabilization with Double-Layer Capacitor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle electrical systems face challenges in compensating for overvoltages and undervoltages, particularly with high-pulsed currents, which disrupt sensitive consumers like those in start/stop systems, and require expensive DC-DC converters or additional energy storage.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle electrical system with a DC-DC converter coupled to the energy store's connections, allowing it to act as both an overvoltage compensator and a redundant energy source for safety-relevant consumers, using a single energy store to stabilize voltage and provide redundant supply, avoiding the need for expensive converters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a generator is used to provide electrical voltage to consumers, then the vehicle electrical system can supply power during engine operation, but the generator is too sluggish to provide high pulsed currents quickly, causing voltage drops that disrupt sensitive consumers
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical power supply system is segmented into two distinct components: a generator for steady-state power supply and a capacitor for rapid pulsed power delivery. The capacitor is connected in parallel to the generator output, allowing it to independently handle high-current pulses while the generator maintains stable voltage, thus resolving the contradiction between power capacity and response speed.
Solution Approach 2:
A capacitor is introduced as an intermediary energy storage element between the generator and the electrical consumers. This capacitor acts as a buffer that can quickly discharge high currents during pulsed demands without requiring the generator to respond rapidly, thereby stabilizing the electrical system voltage and preventing disruptions to sensitive consumers.
2Reliability
If additional energy storage is connected in parallel with the vehicle battery, then the overall impedance is reduced and voltage drop is minimized, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as an energy storage device for pulsed power delivery, a voltage stabilizer for the electrical system, and a protective element for sensitive consumers. By consolidating these functions into a single component rather than adding separate systems, the solution improves voltage stability without proportionally increasing system complexity.
3Reliability
If a DC-DC converter is used to compensate for voltage fluctuations, then voltage stability can be improved, but the system cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using an expensive DC-DC converter, the solution employs a simple capacitor that can be manufactured at low cost. The capacitor provides effective voltage stabilization through passive electrical properties rather than active conversion circuitry, achieving the same functional goal with significantly reduced manufacturing complexity and cost.
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 ensures reliable operation of safety-critical consumers by compensating for voltage fluctuations without expensive converters, maintaining system stability and reducing costs through a compact, cost-effective design.
Implementation Method 1
an energy store (32), in particular a double-layer capacitor
Implementation Method 2
Switching means (22) are provided which, in a first switching state, couple the positive terminal of the energy store (32) to the vehicle battery (16) and the negative terminal of the energy store (32) to the electrical consumer (30)
Data Source
AI summary
The aim of the invention is a solution for allowing a safety load (33) in a vehicle electric system (10) to operate reliably and for simultaneously providing the possibility to compensate for power surges occurring in the vehicle electric system. A vehicle electric system (10) is provided which has a vehicle battery (16), an electric load (30), and a double-layer capacitor (32) with a positive and a negative terminal (34, 36). Switching means (22) are provided. In the first switching state, the system can compensate for a power surge because the double-layer capacitor (32) is connected in series with opposite polarity to the vehicle battery (16). The vehicle electric system (10) also has a further load (33) - in particular for providing a functionality that is relevant to the safety of the vehicle occupants - which can be supplied with a voltage (Ub, Uv, Ug) present at the vehicle battery (16) and/or at the electric load (39). A DC-to-DC converter (37) taps an electric voltage (Us) present at the energy store (32) and can convert said tapped voltage (Us) into a supply voltage (Uf), with which the further load (33) can be redundantly supplied.