Vehicle-TCCS Power Interface for Continuous Refrigeration Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport climate control systems face challenges in maintaining continuous operation of electrically powered accessories, such as refrigeration units, when the vehicle's ignition is turned off or during charging, leading to potential load loss and safety issues with perishable goods.
Innovation Solution
A two-way interface system that connects a vehicle's electrical system with an electrically powered accessory, enabling communication and power distribution between the vehicle's energy source and the accessory, prioritizing the accessory's power needs when necessary to ensure continuous operation and prevent load loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle's ignition is turned off or during charging, then the vehicle's electrical system is unavailable or limited, but the climate control system requires continuous power to maintain cargo temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The interface system establishes communication and power distribution protocols in advance through the two-way communication interface, allowing the climate control system to be pre-configured and ready for autonomous operation before the vehicle ignition is turned off or during charging events
Solution Approach 2:
The interface system acts as an intermediary between the vehicle electrical system and the climate control system, managing power distribution and communication to enable the climate control system to operate autonomously when the vehicle electrical system is unavailable or limited
2Reliability
If power is prioritized to the climate control accessory, then the accessory can operate continuously, but the vehicle's own power needs may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The power interface dynamically adjusts power distribution between the vehicle electrical system and the climate control system based on real-time conditions, enabling the climate control system to receive prioritized power when needed while allowing the vehicle to maintain its own operational requirements
3Reliability
If a two-way communication interface is implemented, then power and status can be coordinated between vehicle and accessory, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The two-way communication interface performs multiple functions including status monitoring, power coordination, and control signal transmission between the vehicle electrical system and the climate control system, reducing the need for separate dedicated systems for each function
Data Source
AI summary
An interface system for connecting a vehicle and a transport climate control system (TCCS) is disclosed. The interface system includes a two-way communication interface that connects a vehicle electrical system (VES) controller and a TCCS controller. The interface system also includes a power interface that connects a vehicle energy source of the VES to the TCCS and a TCCS energy source of the TCCS to the VES. The two-way communication interface is configured to distribute a TCCS status from the TCCS controller to the VES controller, and is configured to distribute a VES status from the VES controller to the TCCS controller. The power interface is configured to distribute power from the vehicle energy source to the TCCS when a VES instruction is received, and distribute power from the TCCS energy source to the VES when a TCCS instruction is received.