Vehicle Power Source Control for Load-Specific Backup Adaptability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing vehicle-mounted power source systems require separate software development and semiconductor chips for each combination of loads, leading to increased manufacturing and management costs due to the need for customized solutions for different vehicle types.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle-mounted power source control apparatus that includes a setting unit and a control unit, which sets and manages a setting value based on information determining candidate values for each combination of loads, allowing for versatile backup control using a second power source unit with multiple power storage elements, enabling suitable control across various vehicle types with different load combinations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate software and semiconductor chips are developed for each combination of loads, then the backup control can be precisely adapted to each vehicle type, but the manufacturing cost and management cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebackup control adaptabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single semiconductor chip that can handle multiple load combinations through software configuration. The chip is designed to support various backup control scenarios (different load combinations) by changing software settings rather than requiring separate hardware for each scenario. This allows one chip design to serve multiple vehicle types and load configurations, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses parameter changes by modifying software parameters (setting values) to adapt the backup control behavior for different load combinations. Instead of changing hardware architecture for each vehicle type, the system changes operational parameters through software configuration. The setting unit adjusts parameters based on the detected load combination, enabling the same hardware to perform different backup control functions without requiring separate semiconductor chips for each configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate software and semiconductor chips are developed for each combination of loads, then the backup control can be precisely adapted to each vehicle type, but the management cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebackup control adaptabilityVSAvoidsystem management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces management complexity by creating a universal semiconductor chip that can be deployed across all vehicle types. Instead of managing multiple separate software versions and chip variants, the system uses a single chip design with configurable software. The setting unit automatically detects the load combination and configures appropriate parameters, eliminating the need for manual intervention or complex version management across different vehicle types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies self-service through the setting unit that automatically detects the load combination and configures the appropriate setting value without requiring external intervention. The semiconductor chip self-adapts to different vehicle types by responding to software configuration based on detected load conditions, eliminating the need for manual setup or complex management procedures for each vehicle type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If a single power storage element is used in the backup power source, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of backup power supply decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower source structure complexityVSAvoidbackup power supply reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the number of power storage elements configurable rather than fixed. The setting unit determines the appropriate number of power storage elements based on the detected load combination, allowing the system to dynamically adjust its configuration. For higher-power loads, more power storage elements are activated; for lower-power loads, fewer elements are used. This dynamic adaptation maintains reliability by matching the backup power capacity to the actual load requirements while avoiding the complexity of always having maximum capacity configured.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11264828B2Vehicle-mounted power source control apparatus, vehicle-mounted power source apparatus, and vehicle control method
Publication Date: 2022.03.01 AUTONETWORKS TECH LTD
  • US11264828B2 patent drawing
  • US11264828B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Provided are a vehicle-mounted power source control apparatus, a vehicle-mounted power source apparatus, and a vehicle control method that are highly versatile. A power source control apparatus sets a setting value corresponding to a combination of loads to be connected to multiple output ports based on information determining a candidate value for a setting value for each combination of the loads. Also, control relating to backup is performed based on the set setting value. By doing so, it is possible to perform control relating to backup in a mode corresponding to the combination of the loads.