Vehicle Generator Control System for Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric power generation control systems for vehicles using internal combustion engines often lead to overheating of electrical components due to high generated voltage, which can cause deterioration, while reducing voltage to prevent overheating limits battery charging efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An electric power generation control system that selectively switches between two power generation modes based on a calculated ratio parameter, inhibiting the high-voltage mode when the parameter reaches a predetermined limit to prevent overheating and ensuring sufficient battery charging, using a counter to track the mode ratio and adjust the generated voltage accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the supply current to the coil is set to an initial value to start electric power generation, then the generated voltage is high which enables sufficient battery charging, but the electrical component generates heat and may overheat causing deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by alternating between first and second power generation modes based on a counter value. The control unit switches between high-voltage mode (first mode) and low-voltage mode (second mode) periodically, allowing the electrical component to cool down during low-voltage periods while still achieving sufficient battery charging over time through accumulated high-voltage operation periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the power generation mode adjustable and time-dependent. The control unit dynamically switches between different power generation modes based on the counter value, which tracks the cumulative operation time. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt the generated voltage and current levels to prevent overheating while maintaining charging efficiency.
2Temperature
If the generated voltage of the generator is reduced as a whole to prevent overheating, then the electrical component overheating is avoided, but the battery cannot be charged sufficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action to alternate between high-voltage operation (first power generation mode) for battery charging and low-voltage operation (second power generation mode) for thermal management. The counter value determines when to switch modes, ensuring that the battery receives sufficient charging energy during high-voltage periods while the electrical component has opportunities to cool during low-voltage periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by applying different voltage levels to different time periods rather than uniformly reducing voltage. The first power generation mode provides high voltage for effective battery charging when thermal conditions permit, while the second mode provides low voltage for thermal management. This localized application of different voltage qualities in time resolves the contradiction between charging efficiency and temperature control.
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 effectively suppresses heat generation in electrical components, prevents overheating, and maintains efficient battery charging by dynamically adjusting the power generation mode based on vehicle conditions and fuel supply, thereby balancing power generation and component safety.
Implementation Method 1
a generator (4) that generates electric power using an internal combustion engine (3) as a motive power source
Data Source
AI summary
An electric power generation control system for a vehicle, which enables generation of electric power by a generator as much as possible while preventing an electrical component from being overheated by power generation by the generator. The electric power generation control system selectively switches a mode of the generator between first and second modes in which an instruction voltage is higher and not higher than an allowable voltage of a wire harness, respectively. A counter value is counted up in the first mode and down in the second mode. When the counter value has reached a higher limit value, the first mode is inhibited and the power generation mode is set to the second mode. This increase the proportion of an execution time period of the first, and accordingly, when a possibility of overheating the wire harness becomes high, the instruction voltage is lowered.