Vehicle Energy Allocation Manager for High Voltage Power Distribution

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In vehicles powered by sources other than internal combustion engines, high voltage components often face energy shortages, leading to suboptimal operation and customer dissatisfaction when energy demands exceed available power, as simply shedding loads is not acceptable.

Innovation Solution

A method for calibrating and dynamically distributing power to high voltage components based on available and needed power, using a vehicle energy allocation manager that identifies parameters for each component and recalibrates power distribution to maintain optimal operation, ensuring efficient energy use across the vehicle's systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high voltage components are powered to meet operator energy requests, then vehicle performance and customer satisfaction are improved, but energy availability becomes insufficient when demand exceeds power supply capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle performanceVSAvoidenergy availability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts power distribution to high voltage components based on real-time conditions. The controller continuously monitors energy availability and demand, recalibrating power allocation as parameters change during vehicle operation, allowing the system to adapt to varying energy constraints while maintaining optimal performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters of high voltage components by identifying specific parameters for each component and recalibrating their operation based on available energy. This allows components to operate within adjusted parameter ranges that optimize performance under limited energy conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If power is dynamically redistributed to maintain optimal operation of all high voltage components, then system reliability is improved, but control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller performs multiple functions through a single integrated system: it calculates power needs, measures available power, identifies component parameters, and executes power redistribution. This multi-functional approach maintains reliability while managing complexity by consolidating control functions rather than requiring separate systems for each task

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8049359B2Method for allocating high voltage electrical energy to vehicle systems during propulsion

Publication Date: 2011.11.01 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A method is disclosed that defines a protocol for distributing power to high voltage components when two conditions exist: they being when the vehicle is being propelled or operated and when the power requested of the power supply is less than what the power supply can provide. The method determines which high voltage components can receive reduced or intermittent voltage and still allow the vehicle to operate in a proper manner. Calibrations of the usage and energy loss are based on parameters that dictate how important it is that a particular high voltage component receives as much of its requested power as possible. The critical function components will be weighted differently than those less critical components.