Automated Vehicle Fluid Exchange With Drain-Refill Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems struggle to efficiently and automatically exchange vehicle fluids, particularly in complex systems like those found in battery electric vehicles and fuel-cell vehicles, without requiring manual inputs or specific settings, and ensuring accurate fluid refill amounts.
Innovation Solution
A device with fluid control arrangements and a controller to manage fluid flow and measure drain/fill amounts and rates, enabling automated and precise fluid exchange, including features like pressure monitoring and alternative fluid paths to clear air pockets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual fluid exchange methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases and measurement precision is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid exchange system performs automatic drain and fill operations without requiring manual intervention. The controller autonomously activates the drain valve, monitors fluid flow, and controls the fill operation based on measured drain amounts, enabling the system to service itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that measure the drain amount of fluid and provide feedback to the controller. This feedback mechanism allows the controller to adjust the fill operation to match the drain amount, ensuring accurate fluid level maintenance and enabling automated control.
2Ease of operation
If automated fluid exchange is implemented, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system autonomously performs the complete fluid exchange sequence including activating the drain valve, monitoring the drain process, measuring the drain amount, and controlling the fill operation. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual operation while maintaining system simplicity through integrated control.
3Manufacturing precision
If fluid refill amount is precisely controlled, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to measure the drain amount of fluid and provides this information as feedback to the controller. The controller uses this feedback to precisely control the fill operation, ensuring that the refill amount matches the drain amount within acceptable tolerances (e.g., within five percent).
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual measurement and estimation methods with electronic sensors and digital control. The controller electronically processes the drain amount measurement and automatically adjusts the fill operation, providing precise control without complex mechanical measurement devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for exchanging vehicle fluids is disclosed. The device comprises a first fluid port to connect to a first assembly of a vehicle, the first assembly containing a first vehicle fluid. The device further comprises a second fluid port to connect to a second assembly of the vehicle, the second assembly containing a second vehicle fluid. The device further comprises a first fluid control arrangement configured to selectively permit fluid flow from the first assembly to the first fluid port and to selectively permit fluid flow from the first fluid port to the first assembly. The device further comprises a second fluid control arrangement configured to selectively permit fluid flow from the second assembly to the second fluid port and to selectively permit fluid flow from the second fluid port to the second assembly.