Vehicle Power Flow Control for Prioritized Energy System Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for controlling power flows in motor vehicles do not optimally distribute cost-effectively generated power among energy systems, failing to consider the specific states and efficiencies of individual energy storage devices, leading to suboptimal fuel consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method that prioritizes power distribution based on predicted cross-influences between energy systems, determining the remaining time until forced charging conditions and efficiency thresholds to optimize power allocation, ensuring that power is stored efficiently and used by systems that can process it most effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If excess power is distributed across all energy systems via the engine's main drive shaft, then power is utilized in driving situations where it is available at low cost, but different states and properties of the energy systems are not sufficiently taken into account, leading to suboptimal consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs preliminary prioritization of energy systems based on their current state (charge level, processing efficiency, remaining time until forced charging) before distributing cost-effective power. This advance planning ensures that power is allocated to the most suitable systems first, optimizing fuel consumption while avoiding the complexity of real-time redistribution
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of power distribution from equal allocation to prioritized allocation based on multiple parameters including charge level, processing efficiency, and time until forced charging. This parameter-based differentiation resolves the contradiction by enabling optimized energy usage without requiring overly complex real-time control mechanisms
2Use of energy by moving object
If power is distributed without considering current charge levels of energy storage devices, then distribution is simplified, but the available power is not utilized in a way that optimizes consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces charge level as a key parameter in the power distribution decision-making process. Energy systems with lower charge levels are prioritized for power allocation, ensuring optimal utilization of cost-effective power while maintaining manageable control complexity through predefined prioritization rules
3Productivity
If energy systems are charged without prioritization, then all systems receive power equally, but systems that can process power most efficiently do not receive preferential treatment, reducing overall optimization
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs preliminary prioritization of energy systems based on their power processing efficiency before distributing cost-effective power. Systems with higher efficiency ratings are identified and given priority in the power allocation sequence, maximizing overall productivity while using straightforward control logic
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the distribution parameter from equal power allocation to efficiency-based prioritized allocation. By using processing efficiency as a sorting criterion, the system ensures that power is directed to the most efficient systems first, enhancing productivity without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms
4Use of energy by moving object
If forced charging conditions are not predicted, then power distribution is simpler, but forced charging may occur when power is no longer available cost-effectively, increasing fuel consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs preliminary prediction of forced charging conditions for each energy system based on current charge levels and consumption rates. This advance prediction allows the system to prioritize charging of systems that are close to forced charging conditions, ensuring cost-effective power utilization while avoiding expensive forced charging later
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces 'remaining time until forced charging' as a new parameter for power distribution decisions. By calculating and prioritizing systems with shorter remaining times, the system proactively prevents forced charging events, optimizing fuel consumption while using clear, implementable control logic
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling power flows in a motor vehicle for the consumption-optimized supply of several energy systems in the motor vehicle, the several energy systems comprising at least two of the following energy systems: a compressed air system (10), a cooling system (20), an air conditioning system (30) and a Vehicle electrical system (40) with an electrical energy store (42). According to the method, in driving situations of the motor vehicle in which power (1) is available at low cost, for example when overrun and/or driving under partial load when the internal combustion engine’s load point increases, a power consumption of at least one of the energy systems (10, 20, 30, 40) increased in order to increase the energy stored in the at least one energy system, the cost-effectively available power (1) depending on a prioritization (S6, S6a) of the energy systems being distributed to the energy systems.