Power device for vehicle

Abstract

A power device for a vehicle is provided that manages the vehicle's power by performing a power-up operation according to a power-up method, wherein the power-up method is determined based on a voltage formed at a power input node connected to a battery of the vehicle when a power-up signal is applied. The power device includes: a regulator unit configured to regulate a battery voltage input through the power input node; a switch driver unit configured to turn on / off a switch that controls a connection between the battery and the regulator unit through the power input node; and a main logic unit configured to receive control authority for the switch driver unit from the power device upon receiving the power-up signal and an operating voltage generated by the regulator unit, and to control the on / off operation of the switch.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a power device for a vehicle, and more particularly, to a power device for a vehicle that substantially prevents a power-on operation failure. Background Art

[0002] A power management integrated circuit (PMIC) is a semiconductor chip used to manage the power requirements of a system and is used in various host systems to perform power conversion and power control functions. When a vehicle wake-up signal or key-on signal (hereinafter referred to as a power-on signal) is applied, the vehicle's PMIC powers on based on the power input from the battery, performing a power-on operation to manage the vehicle's overall power.

[0003] The power-up methods used in vehicle power management ICs (hereinafter referred to as IC chips) are categorized as either permanent or non-permanent battery methods, depending on how they receive power from the battery. When a power-up signal is applied, the IC chip compares the voltage of the node connected to the battery with a threshold (pre-defined as a value lower than the battery voltage), determines whether the power-up method is permanent or non-permanent, and then performs the power-up operation based on the result of this determination.

[0004] like Figure 1A As shown, the permanent battery method refers to a method in which the battery voltage VB is constantly supplied to the IC chip. When the power-up signal Power_up sig is applied, the IC chip checks the voltage at the VB_IN node and, because the voltage at the VB_IN node is the battery voltage VB and is greater than a threshold, identifies the power-up method as permanent battery. After a few microseconds (μs), the V3V3 regulator turns on, supplying the operating voltage V3V3 to the main logic module Main Logic, thereby powering up the IC chip.

[0005] like Figure 1BAs shown, the non-permanent battery method refers to a method in which, when the power-up signal Power_upsig is applied while the main relay (MR) is open and the battery voltage VB is cut off (reset state), the main relay (MR) short-circuits, and the battery voltage VB is supplied to the IC chip. When the power-up signal Power_upsig is applied, the IC chip checks the voltage at the VB_IN node and, because the voltage at the VB_IN node is less than a threshold, identifies the power-up method as a non-permanent battery method. The IC chip turns on the main relay driver (MRD). Accordingly, the main relay is turned on by the induced electromotive force approximately 100 μs later, and the battery voltage VB is supplied to the IC chip. The V3V3 regulator then turns on, supplying the operating voltage V3V3 to the main logic module Main Logic. The main logic module Main Logic controls the main relay driver (MRD) to maintain the main relay (MR) in a substantially constant state, enabling the IC chip to power up.

[0006] The above-mentioned related technologies are technical information owned by the inventors and used to derive the contents of this disclosure, or technical information obtained in the process of deriving the contents of this disclosure, and are not necessarily known technologies disclosed to the public before the application of the contents of this disclosure. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Among IC chip power-up methods, non-permanent battery methods have the potential for power-up failure during continuous power-up operations. Specifically, after the IC chip is powered on and the power-on signal is disabled to power off the IC chip, when the power-on signal is re-enabled and a power-up operation is required, power-up failure may occur, depending on the voltage formed at the node VB_IN at the time the power-on signal was enabled.

[0008] Reference Figure 2A As the main relay MR is turned on at time 'A' when the power-up signal Power_up sig is disabled, the voltage at node VB_IN begins to drop. Since the voltage at node VB_IN is lower than the threshold VB_TH when the power-up signal is re-enabled at time 'B', the IC chip recognizes the power-up method as a non-permanent battery method. Therefore, the main relay driver (MRD) is controlled by the main logic module, ensuring normal IC chip power-up.

[0009] On the other hand, refer to Figure 2BBecause the voltage at node VB_IN is equal to or greater than threshold VB_TH at time point 'B' when the power-up signal Power_up sig is reactivated, the IC chip recognizes the power-up method as a permanent battery method. As a result, the main relay driver (MRD) is no longer controlled by the main logic module. As a result, the main relay MR remains largely disconnected, causing a power-up failure in the IC chip.

[0010] The present disclosure is made to solve the above-mentioned problems. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an object is to provide a power device for a vehicle, which enables the power-on of an IC chip using a non-permanent battery method to be performed normally, and no power-on failure occurs even when multiple power-on operations are performed continuously in the IC chip.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a power device for a vehicle is a power device for a vehicle that manages the power of the vehicle by performing a power-on operation according to a power-on method, wherein the power-on method is determined based on a voltage formed at a power input node connected to a battery of the vehicle when a power-on signal is applied, and the power device includes: a regulator unit configured to regulate a battery voltage input through the power input node; a switch drive unit configured to turn on / off a switch that controls a connection between the battery and the regulator unit through the power input node, and when the power-on signal is initially applied, the operation of the switch drive unit is controlled by the power device; and a main logic unit configured to receive control authority for the switch drive unit from the power device when receiving the power-on signal and an operating voltage generated by the regulator unit, and to control the on / off operation of the switch by controlling the switch drive unit, wherein when the power-on signal is initially applied, the power device determines the power-on method according to the input voltage and allows subsequent power-on operations to be performed according to the determined power-on method.

[0012] In the present disclosure, when the input voltage when the power-on signal is initially applied is less than a predetermined threshold value, the power device can determine that the power-on method of the power device is a first power-on method, and when the input voltage when the power-on signal is initially applied is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the power device can determine that the power-on method of the power device is a second power-on method, and the first power-on method and the second power-on method can be opposite methods with respect to whether the switch drive unit is controlled.

[0013] In the present disclosure, when it is determined that the power-on method is the first power-on method, the power device can turn on the switch by initially controlling the switch driving unit, and the main logic unit can receive the operating voltage from the regulator unit, receive the control authority for the switch driving unit from the power device, and control the switch driving unit so as to basically maintain the on state of the switch, thereby allowing the power device to be powered on according to the first power-on method.

[0014] The power device may further include a register unit, wherein when it is determined that the power-on method is the first power-on method as a case where the power-on signal is initially applied, the power device may store a first identification parameter indicating the first power-on method in the register unit, and during a subsequent power-on operation, allow subsequent power-on operations to be performed according to the first power-on method by referring to the first identification parameter stored in the register unit.

[0015] In the present disclosure, when a secondary power-on operation is performed when a power-on signal is applied in a power-off state after an initial power-on operation, the power device may allow the secondary power-on operation to be performed according to the first power-on method by preferentially referring to the first identification parameter stored in the register unit, even if the input voltage when the power-on signal is applied is equal to or greater than the threshold.

[0016] In the present disclosure, a primary power-on operation, a power-off operation, and a secondary power-on operation of the power device may be continuously performed within a predetermined period of time.

[0017] The power device may further include a multiplexer unit, and when it is determined that the power-on method is the second power-on method as a case where the power-on signal is initially applied, the power device may store a second identification parameter indicating the second power-on method in the register unit, and the multiplexer unit may be configured to receive the identification parameter stored in the register unit so as to grant the main logic unit control authority over the switch driving unit when the first identification parameter is received, and to limit the main logic unit's control authority over the switch driving unit when the second identification parameter is received.

[0018] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, when a power-on signal is initially applied to an IC chip, the power-on method of the IC chip can be determined based on the voltage in a node connected to a battery, and the power-on method of the IC chip can be stored in a register, and power-on can be performed according to the information stored in the register during subsequent power-on operations, thereby eliminating erroneous determinations about the power-on method currently applied to the IC chip and allowing power-on of the IC chip to be performed normally without a power-on failure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1A 、 Figure 1B 、 Figure 2A and Figure 2B 1 is an exemplary schematic diagram for explaining a problem to be solved by a power device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 3 is a block diagram for explaining a power device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 4A and Figure 4BFIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram for explaining a process of normally performing power-on by a power device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Hereinafter, a power device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For clarity and convenience, the thickness of lines and the dimensions of elements shown in the drawings may be exaggerated. Furthermore, the terms described below are defined based on their functions within this disclosure and may vary depending on the user's or operator's intentions or practices. Therefore, these terms should be defined based on the disclosures in this specification.

[0023] Figure 3 is a block diagram for explaining a power device for a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 4A and Figure 4B FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram for explaining a process of normally powering on a power device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] The power device 1 for a vehicle according to the present embodiment may be implemented as a semiconductor chip (e.g., a power management IC) that manages the power of the vehicle by performing a power-on operation according to a power-on method determined based on a voltage formed at a node connected to a battery of the vehicle when a power-on signal (e.g., a wake-up signal or a key-on signal) is applied. Figure 3 As shown, this embodiment assumes that the power device employs a non-permanent battery method. Therefore, switch SW can be connected between power device 1 and the battery (however, its application can be extended to a permanent battery method via multiplexer unit 50, as will be described below). Switch SW can be implemented as a main relay, and for the convenience of the following description, the node where the switch contact of the main relay connects to power device 1 will be defined as the 'power input node' VB_IN, the node connected to the inductor of the main relay will be defined as the 'drive node' DRV_NODE, and the voltage formed at the power input node will be referred to as the 'input voltage'.

[0025] The power device 1 for a vehicle according to this embodiment may include Figure 3 The regulator unit 10 , the switch driving unit 20 , the main logic unit 30 , the register unit 40 and the multiplexer unit 50 are shown.

[0026] The regulator unit 10 may operate as a regulator that generates an operating voltage V3V3 for an operation of a main logic unit 30 (to be described below) by regulating a battery voltage input through the above-mentioned power input node.

[0027] The switch driving unit 20 may be operated to turn on / off the switch SW that controls the connection between the battery and the regulator unit 10 through the power input node. Figure 3 As shown, the switch drive unit 20 may correspond to a main relay driver (MRD) implemented as a FET. When the switch drive unit 20 is turned on, the inductor of the switch SW is energized, short-circuiting the switch contacts to connect the battery and the regulator unit 10 via the power input node, allowing the battery voltage to be supplied to the regulator unit 10. When the switch drive unit 20 is turned off, the switch contacts are opened, disconnecting the battery and the regulator unit 10 from each other via the power input node. The above-described control of the switch drive unit 20 is initially performed at the level of the power device 1 (i.e., the IC chip) of this embodiment, and then control authority is transferred to the main logic unit 30 described below.

[0028] The main logic unit 30 may operate as a switch controller that receives control authority for the switch driving unit 20 from the power device 1 upon receiving a power-on signal and an operating voltage generated by the regulator unit 10 , and controls the on / off operation of the switch SW by controlling the switch driving unit 20 .

[0029] The register unit 40 is implemented as a flip-flop and is configured to store an identification parameter indicating a power-up method as described below. The multiplexer unit 50 is configured to receive the identification parameter stored in the register unit 40 and grant or restrict the control authority of the main logic unit 30 over the switch driving unit 20. Details will be described below.

[0030] The power device 1 of this embodiment, including the above-described sub-configuration, can determine a power-on method based on the input voltage when a power-on signal is initially applied, and allows subsequent power-on operations to be performed according to the determined power-on method. The power-on methods for powering on the power device 1 can be divided into a first power-on method and a second power-on method, corresponding to mutually opposite methods with respect to whether the switch drive unit 20 is controlled. The first power-on method can correspond to a non-permanent battery method, in which the main logic unit 30 can have control authority over the switch drive unit 20 and control the switch drive unit 20. The second power-on method can correspond to a permanent battery method, in which the switch drive unit 20 is not controlled. In this case, at the time point when the power-on signal is initially applied, when the input voltage of the power input node is less than a predetermined threshold value (predetermined to be a value lower than the battery voltage), the power device 1 determines that the power-on method is the first power-on method, and when the input voltage is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the power device 1 determines that the power-on method is the second power-on method, and stores a first identification parameter indicating the first power-on method (for example, a binary code value of '0') or a second identification parameter indicating the second power-on method (for example, a binary code value of '1') in the register unit 40 according to the determination result. The identification parameters stored in the register unit 40 serve as reference factors for determining subsequent power-on methods.

[0031] Based on the above, a topology structure will be described in detail below. The topology structure is adopted in this embodiment to substantially prevent power-on failure when performing a continuous power-on operation of the power device 1.

[0032] When it is determined that the power-on method is the first power-on method, because the input voltage of the power input node is less than the threshold value at the time when the power-on signal is initially applied to power device 1, power device 1 first operates to turn on switch SW by initially controlling switch driving unit 20 (i.e., turning on switch driving unit 20) at the power device level (i.e., IC chip level). At the same time, power device 1 stores a first identification parameter indicating the first power-on method in register unit 40.

[0033] The regulator unit 10 then regulates the battery voltage supplied by the switch SW, generating an operating voltage for the main logic unit 30. The main logic unit 30 receives the operating voltage from the regulator unit 10, receives control authority for the switch driver 20 from the power device 1, and controls the switch driver 20 to substantially maintain the switch SW in the on state. Accordingly, the main logic unit 30 controls the switch driver 20, substantially maintaining the switch SW in the on state, thereby powering on the power device 1 according to the first power-on method.

[0034] When a power-on operation is performed according to the first power-on method and a subsequent power-on operation is performed after the power-off operation is performed, the power device 1 can allow the subsequent power-on operation to be performed according to the first power-on method by referring to the first identification parameter stored in the register unit 40. Specifically, in the case where a secondary power-on operation is performed as a power-on signal is applied in the power-off state after the initial power-on operation, even when the input voltage of the power input node is equal to or greater than the threshold value when the power-on signal is applied (that is, even when it is determined that the power-on method corresponds to the second power-on method), the power device 1 can allow the secondary power-on operation to be performed according to the first power-on method by preferentially referring to the first identification parameter stored in the register unit 40.

[0035] Will refer to Figure 4A and Figure 4B To describe its specific examples. Figure 4A and Figure 4B The illustrated initial power-on operation, power-off operation, and secondary power-on operation may correspond to operations that are continuously performed within a predetermined period of time.

[0036] Figure 4A A case is shown in which, after the initial power-on operation (On①), a secondary power-on operation (On②) is performed when the power-on signal Power_up sig is applied in the power-off state (Off①). The switch driving unit 20 is disconnected during the power-off period (Off①), so the inductor is discharged, causing the input voltage of the node VB_IN to drop below the threshold VB_TH at the time point 'A' when the power-on signal Power_up sig is applied. This case corresponds to the case where the power device 1 normally determines that the power-on method is the first power-on method. However, in this embodiment, the power device 1 determines that the power-on method is the first power-on method by referring to the first identification parameter stored in the register unit 40 during the secondary power-on operation (On②), rather than the input voltage of the power input node.

[0037] Figure 4BThe present invention illustrates a case in which, after an initial power-on operation (On①), a secondary power-on operation (On②) is performed while a power-on signal Power_up sig is applied in a power-off state (Off①). At time point 'A' when the power-on signal Power_up sig is applied, the input voltage at node VB_IN is equal to or greater than the threshold value VB_TH. In this case, the power device 1 determines the power-on method based on the identification parameter stored in the register unit 40, rather than the input voltage. Therefore, the power device 1 can determine that the power-on method corresponds to the first power-on method based on the first identification parameter stored in the register unit 40, and transfer control authority of the switch driving unit 20 to the main logic unit 30, causing the switch driving unit 20 to be turned on by the main logic unit 30, thereby continuously turning on the switch SW, thereby allowing the secondary power-on operation to be performed according to the first power-on method. Accordingly, even if the input voltage is equal to or greater than the threshold value when the power-on signal Power_up sig is applied, power-on can be performed normally according to the first power-on method, rather than the second power-on method.

[0038] In the above description, a configuration is described in which the power device 1 is powered on according to the first power-on method (i.e., the non-permanent battery method); however, the power device 1 may be powered on according to the second power-on method (i.e., the permanent battery method), depending on the specifications of the host system used by the power device 1. Accordingly, this embodiment may further include a multiplexer unit 50 configured to receive the identification parameter stored in the register unit 40 and to permit or restrict the control authority of the main logic unit 30 over the switch driving unit 20.

[0039] Specifically, the multiplexer unit 50 may be configured to grant the main logic unit 30 the control authority over the switch driving unit 20 when receiving the first identification parameter from the register unit 40, and to restrict the main logic unit 30's control authority over the switch driving unit 20 when receiving the second identification parameter. Figure 3 As shown, when the multiplexer unit 50 receives the first identification parameter from the register unit 40, it can operate the regulator unit 10 and simultaneously grant the main logic unit 30 the control authority over the switch driver unit 20, thereby allowing the power device 1 to be powered on according to the first power-on method. When the multiplexer unit 50 receives the second identification parameter from the register unit 40, it can operate the regulator unit 10 and simultaneously limit the control authority of the main logic unit 30 over the switch driver unit 20, thereby allowing the power device 1 to be powered on according to the second power-on method.

[0040] As described above, in this embodiment, when the power-on signal is initially applied to the IC chip, the power-on method of the IC chip can be determined based on the voltage of the node connected to the battery, and the power-on method of the IC chip can be stored in a register, and power-on can be performed according to the information stored in the register during subsequent power-on operations, which can prevent the incorrect determination of the power-on method currently applied to the IC chip and allow the power-on of the IC chip to be performed normally without a power-on failure.

[0041] Although the present disclosure is described with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for illustrative purposes, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible from the embodiments. Therefore, the true technical scope of the present disclosure should be defined by the technical solutions.

Claims

1. A power device for a vehicle, which manages power of the vehicle by performing a power-on operation according to a power-on method, wherein the power-on method is determined based on a voltage formed at a power input node connected to a battery of the vehicle when a power-on signal is applied, the power device comprising: a regulator unit configured to regulate a battery voltage input through the power input node; a switch driving unit configured to turn on / off a switch controlling a connection between a battery and the regulator unit via the power input node, wherein operation of the switch driving unit is controlled by the power device when a power-on signal is initially applied; register unit; and a main logic unit configured to receive control authority for the switch driving unit from the power device when receiving a power-on signal and an operating voltage generated by the regulator unit, and control an on / off operation of the switch by controlling the switch driving unit; wherein, when a power-on signal is initially applied, the power device determines a power-on method according to the input voltage and allows subsequent power-on operations to be performed according to the determined power-on method; wherein, when the input voltage when the power-on signal is initially applied is less than a predetermined threshold, the power device determines that the power-on method of the power device is a first power-on method, and when the input voltage when the power-on signal is initially applied is equal to or greater than the threshold, the power device determines that the power-on method of the power device is a second power-on method, and the first power-on method and the second power-on method are opposite methods with respect to whether the switch drive unit is controlled; When the power-on method is determined to be the first power-on method, the power device initially controls the switch driving unit to turn on the switch, and the main logic unit receives the operating voltage from the regulator unit, receives the control authority for the switch driving unit from the power device, and controls the switch driving unit to substantially maintain the on state of the switch, thereby allowing the power device to be powered on according to the first power-on method; wherein, when it is determined that the power-on method is the first power-on method as a case where a power-on signal is initially applied, the power device stores a first identification parameter indicating the first power-on method in the register unit, and during a subsequent power-on operation, allows a subsequent power-on operation to be performed according to the first power-on method by referring to the first identification parameter stored in the register unit; and Wherein, when a secondary power-on operation is performed when a power-on signal is applied in a power-off state after an initial power-on operation, even if the input voltage when the power-on signal is applied is equal to or greater than a threshold, the power device allows the secondary power-on operation to be performed according to the first power-on method by preferentially referring to the first identification parameter stored in the register unit.

2. The power device according to claim 1, wherein: An initial power-on operation, a power-off operation, and a secondary power-on operation of the power device are continuously performed within a predetermined period of time.

3. The power device according to claim 1 , further comprising: Multiplexer unit, wherein, when determining that the power-on method is the second power-on method as a case where a power-on signal is initially applied, the power device stores a second identification parameter indicating the second power-on method in the register unit, and The multiplexer unit is configured to receive the identification parameter stored in the register unit so as to grant the main logic unit control authority over the switch driving unit upon receiving the first identification parameter, and to limit the main logic unit's control authority over the switch driving unit upon receiving the second identification parameter.

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