Wheel Axle Fluid Preheating Control for Timed Vehicle Start
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle preconditioning systems do not effectively determine when to initiate conditioning procedures for wheel axle fluids, leading to potential operational inefficiencies and energy losses due to cold fluids.
Innovation Solution
A control unit that determines whether to initiate a conditioning procedure based on information about propulsion assembly inactivity, expected operation start time, and wheel axle fluid temperature, using mechanisms like heat exchangers and fluid pumps to adjust fluid temperature before operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a conditioning procedure is initiated to increase wheel axle fluid temperature, then energy losses are reduced, but energy consumption for the conditioning procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit initiates a conditioning procedure to heat the wheel axle fluid in advance before the vehicle operation starts. By determining the expected operation start time and current fluid temperature, the system performs the heating action preliminarily, ensuring the fluid reaches optimal temperature before operation begins, thus reducing energy losses during actual operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors the temperature of the wheel axle fluid and uses this feedback information to determine whether to initiate or continue the conditioning procedure. The control unit adjusts the heating operation based on the measured temperature, ensuring energy-efficient operation by stopping heating when the target temperature is reached.
2Temperature
If a conditioning procedure is initiated based on temperature alone, then fluid temperature is optimized, but unnecessary energy consumption occurs when operation starts soon
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit determines the expected operation start time and calculates the time remaining until operation. It only initiates the conditioning procedure if there is sufficient time remaining, performing the heating action preliminarily but only when it makes sense temporally. This prevents unnecessary energy consumption when operation is about to start anyway.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit dynamically adjusts the conditioning strategy based on the expected operation start time. When operation is expected to start soon, the conditioning procedure is not initiated or is terminated early. When operation is expected to start later, the conditioning procedure is initiated and maintained, creating a dynamic response to temporal conditions.
3Productivity
If vehicle preconditioning is performed, then operational efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs multiple functions: it monitors fluid temperature, determines expected operation start time, decides whether to initiate conditioning, and controls the conditioning procedure. By consolidating these functions in a single control unit, the system achieves operational efficiency improvements without proportionally increasing system complexity.
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
Reduces energy losses and ensures optimal vehicle operation by appropriately initiating conditioning procedures, minimizing unnecessary energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
circulate the wheel axle fluid through the wheel axle fluid circuit
Implementation Method 2
The temperature of the wheel axle fluid may be increased in a plurality of ways when circulating the same through the wheel axle fluid circuit. Purely by way of example, the temperature may be increased due to friction between the wheel axle fluid and the wheel axle fluid circuit.
Implementation Method 3
The wheel axle fluid circuit is fluidly connected to the wheel axle fluid heat exchanger such that wheel axle fluid passes through the wheel axle fluid heat exchanger when the wheel axle fluid is circulated through the wheel axle fluid circuit.
Implementation Method 4
the transmission converter being arranged in relation to the wheel axle fluid heat exchanger such that transmission fluid leaving the transmission converter can be used as a heat source for the wheel axle fluid heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a control unit for a vehicle. The vehicle includes a wheel axle fluid circuit adapted to feed wheel axle fluid to one or more wheel axles of the vehicle. The vehicle further includes a propulsion assembly adapted to propel the vehicle. The control unit is adapted to, on the basis of at least the following:information indicative of the propulsion assembly being inactive,information indicative of an expected time range until an expected operation starttime of the vehicle, andinformation associated with a temperature of the wheel axle fluid, determine whether or not a conditioning procedure, during which the temperature of the wheel axle fluid is increased as compared to a present temperature of the wheel axle fluid, should be initiated for the wheel axle fluid.