Vehicle Power Supply Threshold Control During External Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicle power source systems, when the state of charge (SOC) of the battery drops below a predetermined value, the allowable power consumption is reduced, limiting the ability to supply electric appliances with sufficient power during external charging.
Innovation Solution
A power source apparatus for vehicles that includes a battery for charging during vehicle stops, a DC/AC converter for converting battery power to AC, and a control unit that adjusts the power supply threshold based on whether the battery is being externally charged, allowing for increased power usage by electric appliances during external charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the allowable power consumption is lowered when SOC drops below a predetermined value, then the battery is protected from over-discharge, but the electric appliance cannot be supplied with sufficient electric power during external charging
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply threshold is made dynamic by switching between a first threshold value when not externally charged and a second (lower) threshold value when externally charged. This allows the system to adapt its power management strategy based on charging conditions, enabling sufficient power supply to appliances during external charging while maintaining battery protection during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit changes the power supply threshold parameter based on the external charging state. When external charging is detected, the threshold is lowered from the first value to the second value, allowing the battery to discharge to lower SOC levels while external power is being supplied, thus enabling sufficient power for appliances without compromising battery safety.
2Ease of operation
If the power supply threshold is maintained at a high value, then the electric appliance can be supplied with sufficient electric power, but the battery may be over-discharged when SOC is low
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the power supply threshold based on external charging conditions. During external charging, the threshold is lowered to protect the battery, while during normal operation with sufficient SOC, the threshold remains high to ensure adequate power supply to appliances. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the threshold adaptive to system conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors the external charging state and SOC levels, using this feedback to adjust the power supply threshold appropriately. When external charging is detected, the system feedback mechanism triggers a threshold reduction, preventing over-discharge while still allowing sufficient power delivery to appliances when conditions permit.
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 convenience of using electric appliances by increasing the opportunity for in-vehicle battery power to be utilized during external charging, thereby improving the overall power management and convenience of the vehicle power source system.
Implementation Method 1
a DC/AC converter to convert the electric power of the battery into an AC power
Data Source
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AI summary
[Problem to be Solved] It is to provide a power source apparatus of a vehicle capable of increasing, during an external charging, an opportunity where an electric power of an in-vehicle battery is usable for an electric appliance, thereby improving a convenience. [Solution] An ECU is configured to allow a DC/AC power supply of converting an electric power of a high-voltage battery into an AC power by a DC/AC converter to thereby supply the power (step S8), if a state of charge of the high-voltage battery or a capacity of the high-voltage battery indicative of a dischargeable electric power thereof is a predetermined power supply allowance threshold or higher ("YES" at step S7). The ECU is configured to: set the predetermined power supply allowance threshold as a first threshold value (step S6), when the battery is not in an external charging ("NO" at step S4); and set the predetermined power supply allowance threshold as a second threshold value smaller than the first threshold value (step S5), when the battery is in the external charging ("YES" at step S4).