Vehicle Relay Switching Notification for Charging Interruptions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles equipped with high-voltage batteries, the temporary shutdown of power supply units during charging can cause unexpected interruptions to on-vehicle devices, leading to user inconvenience and a sense of incongruity, especially when devices are in use.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system incorporating a battery, an electric power acquirer, a power supply unit, first and second relays, and notification processors that manage relay switching to isolate the battery during charging, providing user notifications and allowing user approval or disapproval of power supply interruptions, thereby minimizing device shutdowns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the first relay is switched to disconnect the battery from the power supply line during charging, then charging can be performed, but the power supply unit is temporarily shut down causing device interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The notification processor issues a notification to the user before the relay switching operation that would interrupt power supply. This preliminary notification allows the user to take preparatory actions (such as saving work or shutting down devices manually) before the power interruption occurs, thereby reducing the negative impact of device interruptions while maintaining charging reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to the user through notifications about the upcoming power supply interruption. This feedback mechanism informs users of the temporary shutdown before it occurs, allowing them to respond appropriately and maintain awareness of system state changes, thus improving ease of operation during charging cycles
2Reliability
If the battery is disconnected from the power supply line during charging, then charging safety is improved, but user awareness of power supply changes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The notification processor provides feedback to the user about the upcoming power supply interruption caused by relay switching. This feedback ensures that users are informed of the system state changes and can take appropriate actions, preventing information loss while maintaining charging safety through proper relay disconnection
3Adaptability or versatility
If relay switching is performed to isolate the battery during charging, then charging functionality is enabled, but unexpected device shutdowns occur
Solution Approach 1:
By notifying users in advance of the relay switching operation, the system enables users to take preliminary actions to protect their devices from unexpected shutdowns. This maintains charging functionality while improving device stability through user-aware preparatory measures
Solution Approach 2:
The notification processor acts as an intermediary between the relay switching operation and the user. It mediates the information flow, alerting users to the upcoming power interruption so they can respond appropriately, thereby reducing the harmful effect of unexpected device shutdowns while preserving charging functionality
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
The system effectively alleviates user inconvenience by anticipating and allowing control over power supply interruptions, ensuring that devices are not unexpectedly shut down during battery charging, thus enhancing user experience.
Implementation Method 1
The non-contact charging includes acquiring electric power non-contact from a power transmitting coil of ground facilities
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a battery, an electric power acquirer, a power supply unit, first and second relays, a charging controller, and a first notification processor. The first relay connects the battery to a power supply line or disconnects the battery from the power supply line. The charging controller switches, on a request for charging of the battery with the first relay in a connected state, the first relay to a disconnected state, brings the second relay to a connected state, and switches the first relay to a connected state to start the charging of the battery. The first notification processor gives, on the request for the charging of the battery, a user a notification of temporary shutdown of the power supply unit at a start of the charging of the battery.