Vehicle Power Network Solar Charging Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical power supply networks for motor vehicles are inefficient due to high converter losses when charging low-voltage batteries from high-voltage batteries via DC/DC converters, especially when solar energy is used for charging.
Innovation Solution
A control device manages the connection of solar module energy to high-voltage or low-voltage batteries based on State of Charge (SOC) thresholds, allowing energy to be stored in the low-voltage battery during vehicle standstill and ensuring continuous power supply by selectively charging the high-voltage battery from the low-voltage battery when necessary, thereby reducing converter losses and optimizing energy distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the high-voltage battery is charged from the low-voltage battery via DC/DC converter during vehicle standstill, then the solar energy is stored in the high-voltage battery, but converter losses occur reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The control device determines the State of Charge (SOC) of the low-voltage battery before initiating charging operations. By preliminarily assessing the SOC level, the system decides whether to charge the high-voltage battery from the low-voltage battery or directly charge the low-voltage battery from the solar module, thereby avoiding unnecessary converter operations and reducing converter losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device acts as an intermediary that manages the charging pathways between the solar module, low-voltage battery, and high-voltage battery. It selectively activates appropriate DC/DC converters based on SOC conditions, optimizing the energy flow to minimize converter losses while ensuring efficient energy storage.
2Productivity
If the low-voltage battery is continuously charged from the solar module, then solar energy is utilized, but overcharging may occur reducing system reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The control device continuously monitors the State of Charge (SOC) of the low-voltage battery and uses this feedback to regulate charging operations. When the SOC reaches a predetermined threshold, the control device prevents further charging from the solar module or redirects the charging path, thereby avoiding overcharging and ensuring system reliability while maximizing solar energy utilization.
3Reliability
If the high-voltage battery charges the low-voltage battery via DC/DC converter, then power supply continuity is ensured, but converter losses reduce overall system efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the charging strategy based on real-time SOC conditions of the low-voltage battery. The control device selectively activates DC/DC converters only when necessary (when low-voltage battery SOC is below threshold), and chooses the optimal charging path (from high-voltage battery or directly from solar module), thereby ensuring power supply continuity while minimizing converter losses.
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 enhances the efficiency of energy distribution by minimizing converter losses and ensuring a stable power supply, while preventing overcharging and optimizing the use of solar energy, thereby improving the overall performance of the electrical power supply network.
Implementation Method 1
A solar module (4) is connected to the low-voltage battery (3) via a DC/DC converter (5)
Implementation Method 2
at least one DC/DC converter (9) arranged between the high-voltage battery (2) and the low-voltage battery (3)
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical power supply network for a motor vehicle, including at least one high-voltage battery and one low-voltage battery, wherein at least one DC/DC converter is arranged between the high-voltage battery and the low-voltage battery, which is designed such that the high-voltage battery charges the low-voltage battery, and at least one solar module, which is connected to the low-voltage battery via a DC/DC converter, wherein at least one control device is associated with the low-voltage battery which is designed such that an SOC value of the low-voltage battery is ascertained, wherein during a vehicle standstill, the high-voltage battery is charged from the low-voltage battery via a DC/DC converter until the SOC value of the low-voltage battery reaches a first threshold value. Also disclosed is a method for distributing electrical energy in such a power supply network.