Vehicle Power Distributor With Time-Multiplexed Socket Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern motor vehicles face challenges in charging multiple electronic devices simultaneously via the cigarette lighter socket, as the maximum connection power is often exceeded, leading to fuse tripping and restricted power supply usage.
Innovation Solution
A distribution unit for parallel connection of electrical consumers to the vehicle's electrical system, featuring an input interface, output interfaces, and distribution electronics with a controller and electronic switch, allowing flexible and simultaneous charging of multiple devices without overloading the system, with features like fixed or dynamic switching sequences and current sensing to manage energy distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple adapters are plugged into the cigarette lighter socket to charge several electronic devices simultaneously, then the charging capability is improved, but the maximum connection power is exceeded causing fuse tripping
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution unit implements periodic time-multiplexed power supply to multiple output interfaces. The controller activates each output interface in sequence for a predetermined time period, allowing multiple devices to be charged alternately rather than simultaneously. This periodic switching enables the system to serve multiple consumers without exceeding the maximum connection power of the cigarette lighter socket, thus maintaining system stability while providing versatile charging capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the distribution unit supplies power to all output interfaces simultaneously, then all connected devices can be charged, but the total power consumption exceeds the vehicle's power supply capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution unit employs periodic time-multiplexed power supply where the controller sequentially activates each output interface for a predetermined time period. This ensures that at any given moment, only one output interface receives power, keeping the instantaneous power consumption within the vehicle's power supply capacity while still providing power distribution capability to multiple devices over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution unit dynamically switches power supply between different output interfaces based on a predetermined switching sequence. The electronic switch, controlled by the controller, dynamically redirects power to different outputs in sequence, allowing the system to adapt power distribution to the vehicle's power supply constraints while maintaining the ability to serve multiple consumers.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the distribution unit uses a fixed switching sequence for power distribution, then energy distribution is uniform, but charging time for each device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution unit implements periodic time-multiplexed power supply with a predetermined switching sequence that activates each output interface for a specific time period. This periodic approach ensures uniform energy distribution across all connected devices while keeping the charging time manageable through optimized switching intervals.
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution unit allows the controller to adjust the predetermined time period for power supply to different output interfaces. By changing the time parameter, the system can optimize the balance between energy distribution uniformity and total charging time, adapting to different usage scenarios and device power requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a distributor unit for the parallel connection of at least two electrical consumers to the vehicle electrical system of a motor vehicle, comprising an input interface for electrically connecting the distributor unit to a socket of a motor vehicle, at least two output interfaces for electrically connecting the distributor unit to an electrical consumer, and distributor electronics. The distributor electronics establish an electronic connection between the input interface and the output interfaces and comprise a control unit and an electronic switch. The switch can be controlled by the control unit such that one of the output interfaces is supplied with power from the input interface while all the other output interfaces are not supplied with power.