Vehicle Energy Control Unit Dynamic Price Prioritization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy management systems in vehicles prioritize auxiliary systems over propulsion, leading to insufficient engine output during heavy loads or acceleration, affecting driveability and safety, especially in heavy-duty vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A control unit method that sets adaptive energy price limits and prioritizes energy distribution by converting energy between subsystems, ensuring essential systems like brakes and propulsion receive energy first, using converters to manage energy flows and optimize unitary energy prices based on demand and supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If auxiliary systems are prioritized for energy supply, then auxiliary system performance is improved, but propulsion power becomes insufficient during heavy loads or acceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic energy price limits that adapt in real-time based on vehicle operating conditions. The control unit continuously adjusts the energy price for different subsystems depending on whether the vehicle is accelerating, climbing, or operating under normal conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to automatically prioritize propulsion when power demand increases, resolving the contradiction between auxiliary system operation and propulsion power availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the energy price parameter dynamically to reflect varying vehicle states. By modifying the energy price that auxiliary systems must pay based on current propulsion demands, the system optimizes energy distribution. When propulsion power is needed, energy prices for auxiliary systems increase, automatically reducing their energy consumption and making power available for propulsion.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple auxiliary systems operate simultaneously, then vehicle functionality is improved, but available energy for propulsion is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts energy allocation based on real-time vehicle conditions and driver demands. When the driver requests increased propulsion power, the control unit responds by increasing energy prices for auxiliary systems, automatically reducing their energy consumption. This allows multiple auxiliary systems to operate simultaneously under normal conditions while ensuring propulsion needs can be met when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control unit continuously monitors vehicle state, driver demands, and energy consumption patterns. Based on this feedback, the system adjusts energy price limits for different subsystems in real-time, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes the balance between auxiliary functionality and propulsion power availability.
3Device complexity
If energy is distributed to all subsystems simultaneously, then system complexity is reduced, but driveability and safety are compromised under heavy loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes (energy price limits) as a simple yet effective mechanism to control energy distribution without requiring complex manual intervention. The control unit automatically adjusts these parameters based on vehicle state, providing sophisticated energy management while maintaining system simplicity and improving driveability under varying operating conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
In a method performed by a control unit for controlling energy flows of a vehicle, where the vehicle includes a vehicle energy system which in turn includes a plurality of energy subsystems. Within each energy subsystem one form of energy is used. The energy subsystems are operationally connected by converters, wherein converters are devices converting at least one form of energy to another form of energy. By setting a price, limits for the converters converting energy between the energy subsystem the energy flows of the vehicle can be controlled by the control unit such that at least during period of times the order in which the energy subsystems of the vehicle is provided with energy can be changed.