Vehicle On-Board Power Supply Segmentation for Voltage Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle electrical systems face challenges in efficiently supplying voltage, particularly when high current consumers are connected, leading to increased engine power consumption and difficulty in maintaining voltage stability, which results in higher fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Innovation Solution

The system divides electrical loads into insensitive and sensitive groups, with a semiconductor diode blocking current flow from a capacitor-based area to a generator-based area, allowing the generator to operate at lower voltages for insensitive consumers and ensuring stable voltage for sensitive consumers through a double-layer capacitor, optimizing energy distribution and reducing generator power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the generator operates at higher voltage to supply sensitive consumers, then voltage stability for sensitive consumers is improved, but generator power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage stability for sensitive consumersVSAvoidgenerator power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical system is divided into two separate areas: a first area for insensitive consumers connected to the generator, and a second area for sensitive consumers connected to the double-layer capacitor. This segmentation allows each area to operate independently with appropriate voltage levels, resolving the contradiction between voltage stability and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A blocking device (diode) is introduced as an intermediary between the two electrical system areas. This diode prevents reverse current flow from the capacitor area to the generator area, enabling independent operation of each area and allowing the generator to operate at lower voltages while sensitive consumers receive stable voltage from the capacitor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the generator supplies power to all consumers, then system complexity is reduced, but engine power consumption increases due to higher generator load

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem structureVSAvoidengine power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into two electrical areas with different functions: the first area handles insensitive consumers with variable voltage, while the second area handles sensitive consumers with stable voltage from the capacitor. This segmentation reduces the power requirements of the generator, thereby reducing engine power consumption despite the added complexity of the dual-area structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Use of energy by moving object

If voltage is reduced for insensitive consumers, then generator power consumption decreases, but voltage stability for insensitive consumers may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegenerator power consumptionVSAvoidvoltage stability for insensitive consumers
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Different voltage quality requirements are applied to different consumer groups: insensitive consumers in the first area can tolerate voltage fluctuations and operate with reduced voltage from the generator, while sensitive consumers in the second area receive high-quality stable voltage from the capacitor. This local differentiation of voltage quality allows the generator to operate at lower power consumption levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 approach reduces generator power consumption and fuel emissions by allowing the generator to operate at lower voltages for insensitive consumers and maintaining stable voltage for sensitive consumers, thereby decreasing CO2 emissions and improving energy efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

A blocking device, preferably a semiconductor diode between the first and second vehicle electrical system areas, which enables a current flow from the first vehicle electrical system area to the second vehicle electrical system area and a reverse current flow from the second vehicle electrical system area to the first vehicle electrical system area largely prevented.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSemiconductor diode blocking: Diode

Implementation Method 2

The second vehicle electrical system area has a double-layer capacitor or a so-called supercap, in parallel with the second electrical consumers provided

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP2047580B1System for supplying voltage to electrical loads of a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2017.10.11 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG
  • EP2047580B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention proposes a system (100) for supplying voltage to electrical loads in the on-board electrical system of a motor vehicle, in which system (100) the on-board electrical system comprises at least two on-board electrical system regions (A, B). The first on-board electrical system region (A) has an electrical generator (101), a vehicle battery (102) and one or more first electrical loads (103), and the second on-board electrical system region (B) has a double-layer capacitor or a so-called supercap (105) and one or more second electrical loads (106). A blocking apparatus (104), in particular a semiconductor diode or a circuit breaker, is provided between the two on-board electrical system regions (A, B), said blocking apparatus permitting current to flow from the first on-board electrical system region (A) to the second on-board electrical system region (B) and largely preventing current from flowing in reverse from the second on-board electrical system region (B) to the first on-board electrical system region (A). The output voltage of the electrical generator (101) is increased and the supercap (105) is charged when a first threshold value of the electrical voltage is undershot in the second on-board electrical system region (B).