Vehicle Refrigerator Failure Detection Using Power Consumption Maps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting failures in refrigerators installed in vehicles rely on refrigeration temperature sensors, which can lead to false positives or negatives and are unable to distinguish between sensor errors and refrigerator failures, causing economic and logistical issues.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that detect refrigerator failures by comparing expected and actual cumulative power consumption using current consumption maps and correction factors, without relying on refrigeration temperature sensors, allowing for accurate detection during vehicle operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If refrigeration temperature sensors are used to detect refrigerator failures, then failure detection can be performed, but false positives or negatives occur and sensor errors cannot be distinguished from actual failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces power consumption data as an intermediary parameter to detect refrigerator failures. Instead of directly monitoring temperature sensor data which may be erroneous, the system monitors the power consumption of the compressor and compares it against expected values from a consumption map, using power consumption as a mediator to indirectly assess refrigerator health without relying on potentially faulty temperature sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical temperature sensing system with an electrical power consumption monitoring system. By substituting temperature-based detection with power-based detection, the system eliminates reliance on temperature sensors and uses electrical parameters (current, power consumption) to determine refrigerator operational status
2Measurement precision
If power consumption monitoring is used to detect refrigerator failures, then detection accuracy improves, but device complexity increases due to current sensors and consumption maps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the current sensor serve multiple functions: it not only monitors power consumption for failure detection but also provides data for calculating both expected and actual cumulative power consumption, and enables comparison against the consumption map. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each detection task
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-generates a power consumption map that contains expected power consumption values for various operating conditions before actual use. This preliminary action allows the system to quickly compare real-time measurements against pre-computed reference values, simplifying the real-time detection process without requiring complex real-time calculations
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator failure detection method and device are provided. The refrigerator failure detection method is for detecting a failure of a refrigerator installed in a vehicle. The method includes: obtaining expected current consumption of the refrigerator based on a current consumption map predefined for the refrigerator; calculating an expected cumulative power consumption based on the expected current consumption; obtaining real-time current consumption of the refrigerator through a current sensor installed in the power supply unit of the refrigerator; calculating actual cumulative power consumption based on the real-time current consumption; and comparing a difference between the expected cumulative power consumption and the actual cumulative power consumption with a predetermined error tolerance to determine whether the refrigerator is broken.