Camera power supply device for unmanned vehicle and unmanned vehicle

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a camera power supply device for unmanned vehicle and unmanned vehicle, which can be applied to the technical field of unmanned driving. The device comprises a voltage reduction module, a switch module, a load switch and a control module. The voltage reduction module comprises a first power input end, a first power output end and a first control end. The first power input end is configured to be connected to a power supply. The first power output end is configured to be connected to the load switch. The first control end is configured to be connected to the control module. The switch module comprises a second power input end, a second power output end and a second control end. The second power input end is configured to be connected to the power supply. The second power output end is configured to be connected to the load switch. The second control end is configured to be connected to the control module. The control module comprises a signal input end, a first signal output end and a second signal output end. The signal input end is configured to be connected to the power supply. The first signal output end is configured to be connected to the first control end. The second signal output end is configured to be connected to the second control end.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of unmanned driving and the field of finance, and more particularly, to a camera power supply device for an unmanned vehicle and the unmanned vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0002] The realization of various functions of an unmanned vehicle generally relies on the realization of information acquisition by a camera. In the electrical system of the unmanned vehicle, the voltage of a power supply is generally higher than the voltage required for the operation of the camera, and therefore a step-down circuit is generally used to step down the voltage of the power supply to obtain a voltage suitable for the operation of the camera.

[0003] The output of the step-down circuit generally consists of a ripple and a direct current component. When the voltage of the power supply is less than the minimum voltage drop of the step-down circuit, the step-down circuit will be converted from a normal working state to a disordered state, and the switching frequency will be greatly reduced, thereby increasing the output ripple of the step-down circuit. A larger output ripple will cause the link of the camera output video to be disconnected with a high probability, thereby causing the camera to work abnormally and reducing the working stability of the unmanned vehicle. SUMMARY

[0004] Therefore, the present disclosure provides a camera power supply device for an unmanned vehicle and the unmanned vehicle.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a camera power supply device for an unmanned vehicle, comprising: a step-down module comprising a first power input end, a first power output end and a first control end, the first power input end being configured to be connected to a power supply, the first power output end being configured to be connected to a load switch, and the first control end being configured to be connected to a control module; a switch module comprising a second power input end, a second power output end and a second control end, the second power input end being configured to be connected to the power supply, the second power output end being configured to be connected to the load switch, and the second control end being configured to be connected to the control module; the load switch being configured to be connected to a camera module through a filter inductor; and the control module comprising a signal input end, a first signal output end and a second signal output end, the signal input end being configured to be connected to the power supply, the first signal output end being configured to be connected to the first control end, and the second signal output end being configured to be connected to the second control end, the control module being configured to switch a path through which the power supply supplies power to the camera module based on the voltage of the power supply.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control module comprises: a first triode comprising a first base, a first collector and a first emitter, the first base is configured to be connected to the signal input terminal through a first resistor, the first collector is configured to be connected to the first signal output terminal, and the first emitter is configured to be grounded; a second triode comprising a second base, a second collector and a second emitter, the second base is configured to be connected to a voltage stabilizing diode and a second resistor respectively, the second collector is configured to be connected to the first base, and the second emitter is configured to be grounded; a third triode comprising a third base, a third collector and a third emitter, the third base is configured to be connected to the first base, the third collector is configured to be connected to the second signal output terminal, and the third emitter is configured to be grounded; and the voltage stabilizing diode comprising a first anode and a first cathode, the first anode is configured to be grounded through the second resistor, and the first cathode is configured to be connected to the signal input terminal.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the voltage of the power supply is greater than the preset voltage threshold, the voltage stabilizing diode is configured to be in a breakdown state in response to the voltage of the power supply being greater than the preset voltage threshold, so as to output a first control signal at a first level to the second base; the second triode is configured to be in a conduction state in response to the first control signal at the first level, so as to provide a second control signal at a low level state to the first base; the first triode is configured to be in an off state in response to the second control signal at the low level state, so as to control the first signal output terminal to be in a suspended state, wherein the voltage reduction module is configured to be in an open state in response to the first signal output terminal being in the suspended state; and the third triode is configured to be in an off state in response to the second control signal at the low level state, so as to control the second signal output terminal to be in a suspended state, wherein the switch module is configured to be in a closed state in response to the second control terminal being in the suspended state.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in the case that the voltage of the power supply is less than or equal to the preset voltage threshold, the voltage stabilizing diode is configured to be in an off state in response to the voltage of the power supply being less than or equal to the preset voltage threshold, to output a first control signal at a second level to the second base; the second triode is configured to be in an off state in response to the first control signal at the second level, to provide a second control signal at a high level state to the first base; the first triode is configured to be in a conductive state in response to the second control signal at the high level state, to output a low level signal to the first signal output end, wherein the voltage reducing module is configured to be in an off state in response to receiving a low level signal at the first control end; and the third triode is configured to be in a conductive state in response to the second control signal at the high level state, to output a low level signal to the second signal output end, wherein the switch module is configured to be in an on state in response to receiving a low level signal at the second control end.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the device further comprises a microcontroller comprising an input / output terminal, the input / output terminal being configured to connect the first signal output end through a third resistor, and the microcontroller being configured to output a third control signal at the input / output terminal.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the device further comprises an AND gate circuit configured to be connected in series between the first base and the third base, the AND gate circuit comprising a first gate input terminal, a second gate input terminal and a gate output terminal, the first gate input terminal being configured to connect the input / output terminal, the second gate input terminal being configured to connect the first base, and the gate output terminal being configured to connect the third base.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the voltage reducing module comprises a voltage reducing circuit comprising a third power input terminal, a third power output terminal and a third control end, the third power input terminal being configured to connect the first power input terminal, the third power output terminal being configured to connect a first diode, and the third control end being configured to connect the first control end; and the first diode comprising a second anode and a second cathode, the second anode being configured to connect the third power output terminal, and the second cathode being configured to connect the first power output terminal.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the switch module comprises: a field effect tube comprising a source, a gate and a drain, the source is configured to be connected to the second power input terminal, the gate is configured to be connected to the fourth resistor, and the drain is configured to be connected to the second diode; the fourth resistor, one end of the fourth resistor is configured to be connected to the gate, and the other end is configured to be connected to the second control terminal; the fifth resistor, one end of the fifth resistor is configured to be connected to the gate and the fourth resistor respectively, and the other end is configured to be connected to the source and the second power input terminal respectively; and the second diode comprising a third anode and a third cathode, the third anode is configured to be connected to the drain, and the third cathode is configured to be connected to the second power output terminal; wherein the field effect tube is a P-channel enhancement mode field effect tube.

[0013] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides an unmanned vehicle, comprising: a chassis comprising a battery device and a power device; and an automatic driving kit comprising a camera module and a main controller; wherein a camera power supply device is connected in series between the battery device and the camera module; wherein the camera power supply device comprises: a voltage reduction module comprising a first power input terminal, a first power output terminal and a first control terminal, the first power input terminal is configured to be connected to the battery device, the first power output terminal is configured to be connected to a load switch, and the first control terminal is configured to be connected to a control module; a switch module comprising a second power input terminal, a second power output terminal and a second control terminal, the second power input terminal is configured to be connected to the battery device, the second power output terminal is configured to be connected to the load switch, and the second control terminal is configured to be connected to the control module; the load switch is configured to be connected to the camera module through a filter inductor; and the control module comprising a signal input terminal, a first signal output terminal and a second signal output terminal, the signal input terminal is configured to be connected to the battery device, the first signal output terminal is configured to be connected to the first control terminal, the second signal output terminal is configured to be connected to the second control terminal, and the control module is configured to switch the path through which the battery device supplies power to the camera module based on the voltage of the battery device.

[0014] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the battery device includes a power supply and a power management module. The power supply is configured to supply power to the power unit, the camera module, and the main controller via the power management module. The camera module is configured to be electrically connected to the main controller and to acquire environmental information of the unmanned vehicle and send the environmental information to the main controller. The main controller is configured to be electrically connected to the power unit and to process the environmental information, generate a motion control signal, and send the motion control signal to the power unit. The power unit is configured to control the movement of the unmanned vehicle in response to the motion control signal.

[0015] According to embodiments of this disclosure, by setting the camera power supply device between the power supply and the load switch, the power supply can have two power supply paths to the camera module: a first path that supplies power to the camera module sequentially through a step-down module and a load switch, and a second path that supplies power to the camera module sequentially through a switch module and a load switch. The control module can switch between the two camera power supply paths based on the power supply voltage. This allows the first path to be used when the power supply voltage meets the normal operating conditions of the step-down module, and the second path to be used when the power supply voltage does not meet the normal operating conditions. Therefore, this at least partially overcomes the technical problem in related technologies where, when the power supply voltage is less than the minimum voltage drop of the step-down module, the output of the step-down module causes a high probability of disconnection of the camera's video output link, leading to abnormal camera operation. This effectively improves the reliability of camera operation and, consequently, enhances the operational stability of the unmanned vehicle. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The above and other objects, features and advantages of this disclosure will become clearer from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a camera power supply device for an unmanned vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0018] Figure 2A A schematic diagram of a step-down module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0019] Figure 2B A schematic diagram of a step-down circuit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0020] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a switching module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0021] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a control module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0022] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a camera power supply device for an unmanned vehicle according to another embodiment of the disclosure is schematically illustrated.

[0023] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a camera power supply device for an unmanned vehicle according to yet another embodiment of the disclosure is schematically illustrated.

[0024] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a camera power supply device for an unmanned vehicle according to still another embodiment of the disclosure is schematically illustrated.

[0025] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of an unmanned vehicle according to an embodiment of the disclosure is schematically illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the description which follows is merely illustrative and is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. In the following detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the disclosure. However, it would be apparent to one skilled in the art that the embodiments of the disclosure can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and functions have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the disclosure.

[0027] The terms used herein are merely used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the disclosure. The terms "include", "comprise" and the like used herein indicate the presence of the described features, steps, operations, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, or components.

[0028] All terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, have the same meanings as those generally understood by those skilled in the art unless otherwise defined. It should be noted that the terms used herein should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with the context of the present specification, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or excessively formal manner.

[0029] In the case of using expressions like "at least one of A, B, and C", it will be understood that the phrase is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. For example, "A, B, or C" will be synonymous with "B, A, or C", "A, C, or B", "B, C, or A", "C, A, or B", "A, B, and C", "A, C and B", "B, A and C", "B, C and A", "C, A and B", "C, B and A", "A, B, C", "A, B, or C", "A, C, or B", "B, A, or C", "B, C, or A", "C, A, or B", "C, B, or A", and "C, A and B". In addition, "or" is intended to mean an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or". That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from the context, the phrase "X employs A or B" is intended to mean that the alternative is the inclusive "and" that X employs both A and B. Also, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are used herein to include the plural forms, unless the number is clearly specified otherwise by context.

[0030] In the related technology, the unmanned vehicle has multiple cameras, in order to increase the transmission bandwidth and reduce the wire harness in the vehicle, GMSL (Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link) is usually used to realize the power supply and communication between the camera and the processor, that is, the camera is powered by the POC power supply, the camera data output in parallel in the camera is converted into serial data through a serializer, and the serial data can be recovered into parallel data through a deserializer at the receiving end. The camera is generally provided with a rated working voltage, and the voltage of the power supply is generally higher than the rated working voltage, for example, the rated working voltage can be 9V, and the range of the power supply voltage can be 9V to 16V. Therefore, when the power supply supplies power to the camera, a step-down circuit is generally used to convert the voltage higher than 9V to 9V.

[0031] The current GMSL requires that the POC power supply ripple frequency needs to be above 2MHZ, when the power supply frequency is lower than 2MHZ, the GMSL will appear probabilistic disconnection. Taking the example of using a step-down circuit to power the camera, the rated working voltage of the camera is 9V, and the minimum voltage drop of the step-down circuit is 10.2V; when the power supply voltage is greater than 10.2V, the switching frequency of the step-down circuit is 2.2MHz, and the power supply ripple frequency is also 2.2MHz, at this time, the GMSL can work stably; as the power supply voltage decreases to between 9V and 10.2V, since the power supply voltage is less than the minimum voltage drop of the step-down circuit, the step-down circuit enters a failure state, and its switching frequency will decrease to 52.4KHz, and the power supply ripple frequency will also decrease to 52.4KHz, at this time, the GMSL will work unstably, and the camera link will appear probabilistic disconnection. When the camera link is disconnected, the images captured by the camera cannot be sequentially transmitted to the processor for processing, thereby greatly affecting the operation of the automatic driving function of the unmanned vehicle.

[0032] Therefore, the embodiment of the present disclosure provides a camera power supply device for unmanned vehicles, by adding a power supply path, when the step-down circuit fails, another power supply path is used to supply power to the camera, thereby ensuring the stability of GMSL within the input voltage range allowed by the automatic driving kit, thereby improving the reliability of the automatic driving kit.

[0033] Specifically, the camera power supply device for unmanned vehicles includes: a step-down module including a first power input end, a first power output end and a first control end, the first power input end is configured to connect a power supply, the first power output end is configured to connect a load switch, and the first control end is configured to connect a control module; a switch module including a second power input end, a second power output end and a second control end, the second power input end is configured to connect a power supply, the second power output end is configured to connect a load switch, and the second control end is configured to connect a control module; a load switch configured to connect a camera module through a filter inductor; and a control module including a signal input end, a first signal output end and a second signal output end, the signal input end is configured to connect a power supply, the first signal output end is configured to connect the first control end, and the second signal output end is configured to connect the second control end, and the control module is configured to switch the path of the power supply to the camera module based on the voltage of the power supply.

[0034] Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the camera power supply device for unmanned vehicles according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown.

[0035] As shown in Figure 1 The camera power supply device for unmanned vehicles can include a step-down module 100, a switch module 200, a load switch 300 and a control module 400.

[0036] According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the step-down module 100 can include a first power input end Pin1, a first power output end Pout1 and a first control end CTR1, the first power input end Pin1 is configured to connect a power supply 500, the first power output end Pout1 is configured to connect a load switch 300, and the first control end CTR1 is configured to connect a control module 400.

[0037] According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the switch module 200 can include a second power input end Pin2, a second power output end Pout2 and a second control end CTR2, the second power input end Pin2 is configured to connect a power supply 500, the second power output end Pout2 is configured to connect a load switch 300, and the second control end CTR2 is configured to connect a control module 400.

[0038] According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the load switch 300 can be configured to connect a camera module 600 through a filter inductor L1.

[0039] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control module 400 can include a signal input end Sin configured to be connected to the power supply 500, a first signal output end Sout1 configured to be connected to the first control end CTR1, and a second signal output end Sout2 configured to be connected to the second control end CTR2, and the control module 400 is configured to switch the path through which the power supply 500 supplies power to the camera module 600 based on the voltage of the power supply 500.

[0040] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the step-down module 100 can be implemented based on various BUCK topologies, step-down chips, etc. The step-down module 100 can be used to reduce the voltage of the power supply 500 to a voltage suitable for the camera module 600 to work. The step-down module 100 can have multiple working modes when working, such as a normal working mode and a failure working mode. In the normal working mode, the step-down module 100 can have a higher switching frequency, and the ripple of the voltage output by the step-down module 100 is smaller. In the failure working mode, the switching frequency of the step-down module 100 decreases, and the ripple of the voltage output by the step-down module 100 increases accordingly.

[0041] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the switch module 200 can be implemented based on various transistor devices, such as field effect tubes, triodes, etc. The switch module 200 can be turned on or turned off according to the signal input from the second control end CTR2.

[0042] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control module 400 can switch the path through which the power supply 500 supplies power to the camera module 600 by controlling the step-down module 100 and the switch module 200 to be turned on or turned off respectively. Specifically, the control module 400 can detect the voltage of the power supply 500. When the voltage of the power supply 500 is greater than the minimum voltage drop of the step-down module 100, the control module 400 can send a control signal to the step-down module 100 to control the step-down module 100 to be in an on state, and send a control signal to the switch module 200 to control the switch module 200 to be in an off state. At this time, the power supply 500 can supply power to the camera module 600 through the step-down module 100, the load switch 300 and the filter inductor L1 in sequence. When the voltage of the power supply 500 is lower than the minimum voltage drop of the step-down module 100, the control module 400 can send a control signal to the step-down module 100 to control the step-down module 100 to be in an off state, and send a control signal to the switch module 200 to control the switch module 200 to be in an on state. At this time, the power supply 500 can supply power to the camera module 600 through the switch module 200, the load switch 300 and the filter inductor L1 in sequence.

[0043] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, by arranging the camera power supply device between the power supply and the load switch, the power supply can have two paths for supplying power to the camera module, a first path for supplying power to the camera module through the voltage reduction module and the load switch in sequence, and a second path for supplying power to the camera module through the switch module and the load switch in sequence. The control module can switch the two camera power supply paths according to the voltage of the power supply, and can supply power using the first path when the voltage of the power supply meets the normal working condition of the voltage reduction module, and supply power using the second path when the voltage of the power supply does not meet the normal working condition of the voltage reduction module, thereby at least partially overcoming the technical problem that when the voltage of the power supply is less than the minimum voltage drop of the voltage reduction module, the output of the voltage reduction module will cause the link of the camera output video to be disconnected with a high probability, causing the camera to work abnormally, thereby effectively improving the reliability of the camera working, and further improving the working stability of the unmanned vehicle.

[0044] The method shown in Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figures 3-6 will be further described below in conjunction with specific embodiments. Figure 1

[0045] Figure 2A An illustrative diagram of a voltage reduction module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0046] As shown in Figure 2A , the voltage reduction module 100 can include a voltage reduction circuit 110 and a first diode 120.

[0047] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the voltage reduction circuit 110 can include a third power input end Pin3, a third power output end Pout3, and a third control end CTR3, the third power input end Pin3 is configured to be connected to the first power input end Pin1, the third power output end Pout3 is configured to be connected to the first diode 120, and the third control end CTR3 is configured to be connected to the first control end CTR1.

[0048] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first diode 120 can include a second anode and a second cathode, the second anode is configured to be connected to the third power output end Pout3, and the second cathode is configured to be connected to the first power output end Pout1.

[0049] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first diode 120 can be any model of power diode, which is not limited here.

[0050] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first diode 120 can be used to prevent current from flowing back to the power supply 500 through the voltage reduction circuit 110 when the power supply 500 supplies power through the switch module 200.

[0051] ​According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the voltage reduction circuit 110 can be implemented by using a voltage reduction chip.

[0052] Figure 2B A schematic diagram of a voltage reduction circuit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown schematically.

[0053] As shown in Figure 2B , the voltage reduction circuit 110 can be composed of a voltage reduction chip 111 and its peripheral circuit.

[0054] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the model of the voltage reduction chip 111 can be determined according to the requirements for parameters such as rated power, input and output voltage range, voltage resistance value, etc. in specific application scenarios, which are not limited herein.

[0055] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the voltage reduction chip 111 can include an input end VDD, an output end LX, a feedback end FB, and an enable end EN. The input end VDD can be connected to the third power input end Pin3, the output end LX can be connected to the third power input end Pout3, and the enable end EN can be connected to the third control end CTR3.

[0056] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the peripheral circuit of the voltage reduction chip 111 can include an inductor L2, a sixth resistor R6, a seventh resistor R7, and a capacitor C.

[0057] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the inductor L2 can be one of the basic components for the voltage reduction chip 111 to implement the voltage reduction function. The inductance value of the inductor L2 can be used to adjust the switching frequency of the voltage reduction chip 111, and the specific value can be determined according to specific application scenarios, which are not limited herein.

[0058] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, one end of the sixth resistor R6 can be connected to the output end LX of the voltage reduction chip 111, and the other end can be connected to the seventh resistor R7. The other end of the seventh resistor R7 can be grounded. The connection end of the sixth resistor R6 and the seventh resistor R7 can be connected to the feedback end FB of the voltage reduction chip 111, so that the voltage reduction chip 111 determines the output voltage value of the voltage reduction chip 111 according to the resistance value of the sixth resistor R6 and the resistance value of the seventh resistor R7.

[0059] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the sixth resistor R6 and the seventh resistor R7 can be a single resistor, or a resistor group formed by a plurality of resistors in series or parallel, which are not limited herein.

[0060] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the sixth resistor R6 and the seventh resistor R7 can be any type of fixed resistor, such as a surface mount resistor, a carbon film resistor, a metal film resistor, a wire-wound resistor, etc.

[0061] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the capacitor C can be a single capacitor or a capacitor bank formed in series and / or in parallel. The capacitor C can be various types of capacitors, such as paper dielectric capacitors, ceramic capacitors, thin film capacitors, etc.

[0062] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the capacitor C can be used to filter the output of the voltage reduction chip 111.

[0063] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the voltage reduction chip 111 can have a working voltage range and a failure voltage range. When the voltage input at the input end VDD is within the working voltage range, the voltage output at the output end LX can have a higher switching frequency and a lower ripple. When the voltage input at the input end VDD is within the failure voltage range, the voltage output at the output end LX can have a lower switching frequency and a higher ripple.

[0064] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the signal received by the enable end EN can be used to control the working state of the voltage reduction chip 111. When the enable end EN receives a low-level signal, the voltage reduction chip 111 can stop working. When the enable end EN receives a high-level signal, the voltage reduction chip 111 can start working. For some voltage reduction chips 111, when the enable end EN is in a floating state, the voltage reduction chip 111 can also maintain the working state.

[0065] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a switch module according to embodiments of the present disclosure is schematically shown.

[0066] As shown in Figure 3 , the switch module 200 can include a field effect transistor 210, a fourth resistor R4, a fifth resistor R5, and a second diode 220.

[0067] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the field effect transistor 210 can include a source S, a gate G, and a drain D. The source S is configured to be connected to the second power input end Pin2. The gate G is configured to be connected to the fourth resistor R4. The drain D is configured to be connected to the second diode 220.

[0068] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, one end of the fourth resistor R4 is configured to be connected to the gate G, and the other end is configured to be connected to the second control end CTR2.

[0069] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, one end of the fifth resistor R5 is configured to be connected to the gate G and the fourth resistor R4, respectively. The other end is configured to be connected to the source S and the second power input end Pin2, respectively.

[0070] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the second diode 220 can include a third anode and a third cathode. The third anode is configured to be connected to the drain D. The third cathode is configured to be connected to the second power output end Pout2.

[0071] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the field effect tube 210 can be any type of P-channel enhancement mode field effect tube, which is not limited herein.

[0072] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the fourth resistor R4 and the fifth resistor R5 can be a single resistor, or a resistor group formed by a plurality of resistors in series or parallel, which is not limited herein.

[0073] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the fourth resistor R4 and the fifth resistor R5 can be any type of fixed resistor, such as a chip resistor, a carbon film resistor, a metal film resistor, a wire-wound resistor, etc.

[0074] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second diode 220 can be any type of power diode, which is not limited herein.

[0075] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control module 400 can control the second control end CTR2 to be in a suspended state, or control the second control end CTR2 to be grounded.

[0076] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in the case that the second control end CTR2 is in a suspended state, the source S and the gate G of the field effect tube 210 are connected through the fifth resistor R5, that is, the voltage of the source S is equal to the voltage of the gate G, and the field effect tube 210 is in a cut-off state, that is, the switch module 200 is in an off state.

[0077] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in the case that the second control end CTR2 is grounded, the fourth resistor R4 and the fifth resistor R5 are equivalent to constitute a voltage division unit, the voltage of the source S of the field effect tube 210 is the voltage of the power supply 500 , and the voltage of the gate G is the voltage division of the power supply 500 on the fourth resistor R4, which is , wherein, represents the resistance value of the fourth resistor R4, represents the resistance value of the fifth resistor R5. The resistance values of the fourth resistor R4 and the fifth resistor R5 can be configured to make the voltage of the source S and the voltage of the gate G of the field effect tube 210 satisfy the conduction condition of the field effect tube 210. At this time, the field effect tube 210 is switched to a conduction state, that is, the switch module 200 is in an on state.

[0078] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a control module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown.

[0079] As shown in Figure 4 , the control module 400 can include a first triode 410, a second triode 420, a third triode 430, and a voltage stabilizing diode 440.

[0080] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first triode 410 can include a first base B1 configured to connect the signal input end Sin through the first resistor R1, a first collector C1 configured to connect the first signal output end Sout1, and a first emitter E1 configured to be grounded.

[0081] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second triode 420 can include a second base B2 configured to connect the voltage stabilizing diode 440 and the second resistor R2 respectively, a second collector C2 configured to connect the first base B1, and a second emitter E2 configured to be grounded.

[0082] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the third triode 430 can include a third base B3 configured to connect the first base B1, a third collector C3 configured to connect the second signal output end Sout3, and a third emitter E3 configured to be grounded.

[0083] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the voltage stabilizing diode 440 can include a first anode configured to be grounded through the second resistor R2 and a first cathode configured to connect the signal input end Sin.

[0084] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first triode 410, the second triode 420, and the third triode 430 can be NPN type triodes of any model, which are not limited herein.

[0085] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the model of the voltage stabilizing diode 440 can be determined according to the minimum voltage drop required by the voltage reduction module 100, which is not limited herein. The voltage stabilizing diode 440 can have a breakdown voltage related to the specific model of the voltage stabilizing diode 440.

[0086] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 can be a single resistor, or a resistor group formed by a plurality of resistors in series or parallel, which are not limited herein.

[0087] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 can be any type of fixed resistor, for example, a chip resistor, a carbon film resistor, a metal film resistor, a wire-wound resistor, etc.

[0088] According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the voltage of the power supply 500 is greater than the preset voltage threshold, i.e., the voltage of the power supply 500 is higher than the minimum voltage drop of the voltage reduction module 100, the voltage input at the signal input end Sin of the power supply 500 is greater than the breakdown voltage of the voltage stabilizing diode 440, at this time, the reverse resistance of the voltage stabilizing diode 440 is reduced to a very small value, so that the current passing through the voltage stabilizing diode 440 can change in a very large range while the voltage is basically unchanged. That is, the voltage stabilizing diode 440 is configured to be in a breakdown state in response to the voltage of the power supply being greater than the preset voltage threshold, to output the first control signal at the first level to the second base B2. The second base B2 receives the high-level signal, and the second triode 420 is configured to be in a conduction state in response to the first control signal at the first level. Since the second triode 420 is in a conduction state, the resistance value of the internal resistance thereof is much smaller than the resistance value of the first resistor R1, so that the second triode 420 can provide the second control signal at the low-level state to the first base B1. The first triode 410 is configured to be in an off state in response to the second control signal at the low-level state, to control the first signal output end Sout1 to be in a suspended state. The voltage reduction module 100 can be configured to be in an on state in response to the first signal output end Sout1 being in a suspended state. The third triode 430 can be configured to be in an off state in response to the second control signal at the low-level state, to control the second signal output end Sout2 to be in a suspended state. The switch module 200 is configured to be in an off state in response to the second control end Sout2 being in a suspended state.

[0089] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the voltage of the power supply 500 is less than or equal to the preset voltage threshold, that is, when the voltage of the power supply 500 is lower than the minimum voltage drop of the voltage reduction module 100, the voltage input at the signal input end Sin is less than the breakdown voltage of the voltage stabilizing diode 440, that is, the voltage stabilizing diode 440 is configured to be in an off state in response to the voltage of the power supply 500 being less than or equal to the preset voltage threshold. At this time, the reverse resistance of the voltage stabilizing diode 440 has a large reverse resistance, and the value of the reverse resistance can be much larger than the resistance value of the second resistor R2. The voltage at the second base B2, that is, the voltage division value of the second resistor R2, can be less than the turn-on threshold of the second triode 420, that is, the voltage stabilizing diode 440 can output a first control signal at a second level to the second base B2. The second triode 420 can be configured to be in an off state in response to the first control signal at the second level, at this time, the first base B1 and the third base B3 are both connected to the signal input end Sin through the first resistor R1, and the first base B1 and the third base B3 can both receive a high-level signal, that is, the power supply 500 can provide a second control signal at a high level to the first base B1 and the third base B3, respectively. The first triode 410 is configured to be in a conductive state in response to the second control signal at the high level to output a low-level signal to the first signal output end Sout1. The voltage reduction module 100 is configured to be in an off state in response to receiving a low-level signal at the first control end Sout1. The third triode 430 is configured to be in a conductive state in response to the second control signal at the high level to output a low-level signal to the second signal output end Sout2. The switch module 200 is configured to be in an on state in response to receiving a low-level signal at the second control end Sout2.

[0090] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, by setting the control module 400, the on-off of the voltage reduction module 100 and the switch module 200 can be adaptively controlled according to the voltage change of the power supply 500, realizing automatic switching of the power supply path and ensuring the running stability of the unmanned vehicle.

[0091] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a camera power supply device for an unmanned vehicle according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown.

[0092] As Figure 5 shown, the camera power supply device for an unmanned vehicle can further include a microcontroller 700.

[0093] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the microcontroller 700 can include an input-output end IO, and the input-output end IO is configured to be connected to the first signal output end Sout1 through a third resistor R3.

[0094] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the microcontroller 700 can be implemented by a programmable chip, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic array (PLA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc., without limitation.

[0095] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the third resistor R3 can be a single resistor, or a resistor group formed by a plurality of resistors in series or in parallel, without limitation.

[0096] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the third resistor R3 can be any type of fixed resistor, such as a chip resistor, a carbon film resistor, a metal film resistor, a wire-wound resistor, etc.

[0097] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the microcontroller 700 can be configured to output a third control signal at the input / output terminal IO, so as to control the working state of the buck chip 111 by using the third control signal. The third control signal can be a high-level signal or a low-level signal.

[0098] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, in the case that the third control signal is a high-level signal, and when the first triode 410 is in the off state, the buck chip 111 can receive a high-level signal at the enable terminal EN, and the buck chip 111 enters the working state; when the first triode 410 is in the on state, the buck chip 111 can receive a low-level signal at the enable terminal EN, and the buck chip 111 stops working.

[0099] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, in the case that the third control signal is a low-level signal, regardless of whether the first triode 410 is on or off, the buck chip 111 can receive a low-level signal at the enable terminal EN, and the buck chip 111 stops working.

[0100] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a camera power supply device for an unmanned vehicle according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown.

[0101] As shown in Figure 6 The camera power supply device for the unmanned vehicle can further include an AND gate 800.

[0102] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the AND gate 800 can be configured to be connected in series between the first base B1 and the third base B3, and the AND gate 800 includes a first gate input terminal Gin1, a second gate input terminal Gin2, and a gate output terminal Gin3. The first gate input terminal Gin1 is configured to be connected to the input / output terminal IO, the second gate input terminal Gin2 is configured to be connected to the first base B1, and the gate output terminal Gout is configured to be connected to the third base B3.

[0103] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the AND gate circuit 800 can be any gate circuit that can satisfy the truth table as shown in Table 1, i.e., the gate output Gout can output a low-level signal when at least one of the first gate input Gin1 and the second gate input Gin2 inputs a low-level signal; only when the first gate input Gin1 and the second gate input Gin2 both input a high-level signal, the gate output Gout can output a high-level signal. "0" in Table 1 represents a low-level signal, and "1" represents a high-level signal.

[0104] Table 1

[0105] Gin1 Gin2 Gout 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 1

[0106] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, through the AND gate circuit 800, the microcontroller 700 can be used to control the opening and closing of the switch module 200. Specifically, when the third control signal output by the microcontroller 700 through the input and output terminal IO is a high-level signal, the control module 400 can normally control the opening and closing of the switch module 200; when the third control signal output by the microcontroller 700 is a low-level signal, the third triode 430 is in a cut-off state, the field effect tube 210 in the switch module 200 is in a cut-off state, and the switch module 200 is always in a closed state.

[0107] Figure 7 An illustrative diagram of a camera power supply device for an unmanned vehicle according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown schematically.

[0108] As Figure 7 shown, the camera power supply device for the unmanned vehicle can be used to implement power supply to a plurality of camera modules 600.

[0109] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the camera module 600 can include a power conversion module 610, a camera assembly 620, and a serializer 630.

[0110] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the parallel signal output by the camera assembly 620 can be converted into a serial signal by the serializer 630; the serial signal can pass through two AC coupling capacitors such as C1 and C2 at the camera end and the receiving end, and be input to a deserializer 900; the deserializer 900 can convert the serial signal into a MIPI (Mobile Industry Processor Interface) and send it to a host controller 1000.

[0111] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the power input by the power supply 500 can be loaded onto the coaxial cable through the voltage reduction module 100, the load switch 300 and the filter inductor in sequence, or through the switch module 200, the load switch 300 and the filter inductor in sequence. On the camera side, the power conversion module 610 can convert the power on the coaxial cable into the working voltage of the camera assembly 620 and the serializer 630.

[0112] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, by arranging the camera power supply device between the power supply and the load switch, the microcontroller and the AND gate circuit can be used to control whether the control module is effective, and when the control module is selected to be effective, the control module can switch the power supply path of the camera according to the voltage of the power supply, so that the first path is used for power supply when the voltage of the power supply meets the normal working condition of the voltage reduction module, and the second path is used for power supply when the voltage of the power supply does not meet the normal working condition of the voltage reduction module. Therefore, at least part of the technical problems that the output of the voltage reduction module will cause the link of the camera output video to be disconnected with a high probability when the voltage of the power supply is less than the minimum voltage drop of the voltage reduction module, and the camera works abnormally are overcome, thereby effectively improving the reliability of the camera working, and further improving the working stability of the unmanned vehicle.

[0113] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of an unmanned vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown.

[0114] As shown in Figure 8 , the unmanned vehicle can include a chassis and an automatic driving kit.

[0115] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the chassis can include a battery device and a power device.

[0116] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the automatic driving kit can include a camera module 600 and a main controller 1000.

[0117] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the camera power supply device is connected in series between the battery device and the camera module 600.

[0118] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the camera power supply device can include a voltage reduction module 100, a switch module 200, a load switch 300 and a control module 400.

[0119] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the voltage reduction module 100 can include a first power input end, a first power output end and a first control end, the first power input end is configured to be connected to the battery device, the first power output end is configured to be connected to the load switch 300, and the first control end is configured to be connected to the control module 400.

[0120] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the switch module 200 can include a second power input end configured to connect the battery device, a second power output end configured to connect the load switch 300, and a second control end configured to connect the control module 400.

[0121] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the load switch 300 can be configured to connect the camera module 600 through a filter inductor.

[0122] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control module 400 can include a signal input end configured to connect the battery device, a first signal output end configured to connect the first control end, and a second signal output end configured to connect the second control end, the control module 400 being configured to switch a path through which the battery device supplies power to the camera module 600 based on a voltage of the battery device.

[0123] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery device can include a power supply 500 and a power management module, the power supply 500 being configured to supply power to the power device, the camera module 600, and the main controller 1000 through the power management module.

[0124] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the camera module 600 can be configured to be electrically connected to the main controller 1000, the camera module 600 being configured to acquire environmental information of the unmanned vehicle and send the environmental information to the main controller 1000.

[0125] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the main controller 1000 can be configured to be electrically connected to the power device, the main controller 1000 being configured to process the environmental information, generate a motion control signal, and send the motion control signal to the power device.

[0126] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the power device can be configured to control motion of the unmanned vehicle in response to the motion control signal.

[0127] It should be noted that the camera power supply device part in the embodiments of the present disclosure corresponds to the camera power supply device part for the unmanned vehicle in the embodiments of the present disclosure, and the description of the camera power supply device part is specifically referred to the camera power supply device part for the unmanned vehicle, which will not be described here.

[0128] Those skilled in the art can understand that the features described in various embodiments and / or claims of the present disclosure can be combined and / or integrated in various combinations, even if such combinations or integrations are not explicitly described in the present disclosure. In particular, the features described in various embodiments and / or claims of the present disclosure can be combined and / or integrated in various combinations without departing from the spirit and teachings of the present disclosure. All these combinations and / or integrations fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0129] The above describes embodiments of the present disclosure. However, these embodiments are merely for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Although each embodiment is described above separately, this does not mean that the measures in each embodiment cannot be advantageously used in combination. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. Those skilled in the art can make various substitutions and modifications without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, and such substitutions and modifications should all fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A camera power supply device for an unmanned vehicle, comprising: The step-down module includes a first power input terminal, a first power output terminal, and a first control terminal. The first power input terminal is configured to connect to a power supply, the first power output terminal is configured to connect to a load switch, and the first control terminal is configured to connect to a control module. The switching module includes a second power input terminal, a second power output terminal, and a second control terminal. The second power input terminal is configured to be connected to the power supply, the second power output terminal is configured to be connected to the load switch, and the second control terminal is configured to be connected to the control module. The load switch is configured to connect to the camera module via a filter inductor; as well as The control module includes a signal input terminal, a first signal output terminal, and a second signal output terminal. The signal input terminal is configured to be connected to the power supply, the first signal output terminal is configured to be connected to the first control terminal, and the second signal output terminal is configured to be connected to the second control terminal. The control module is configured to detect the voltage of the power supply. When the voltage of the power supply is greater than the minimum voltage drop of the buck module, the control module sends a control signal to the first control terminal of the buck module through the first signal output terminal to control the buck module to be in the on state, and sends a control signal to the second control terminal of the switch module through the second signal output terminal to control the switch module to be in the off state. When the voltage of the power supply is less than or equal to the minimum voltage drop of the buck module, the control module sends a control signal to the first control terminal of the buck module through the first signal output terminal to control the buck module to be in the off state, and sends a control signal to the second control terminal of the switch module through the second signal output terminal to control the switch module to be in the on state.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The control module includes: The first transistor includes a first base, a first collector, and a first emitter. The first base is configured to be connected to the signal input terminal through a first resistor, the first collector is configured to be connected to the first signal output terminal, and the first emitter is configured to be grounded. The second transistor includes a second base, a second collector, and a second emitter. The second base is configured to be connected to a Zener diode and a second resistor, respectively. The second collector is configured to be connected to the first base. The second emitter is configured to be grounded. A third transistor includes a third base, a third collector, and a third emitter. The third base is configured to be connected to the first base, the third collector is configured to be connected to the second signal output terminal, and the third emitter is configured to be grounded. The Zener diode includes a first anode and a first cathode, the first anode being configured to be grounded through the second resistor, and the first cathode being configured to be connected to the signal input terminal.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, When the voltage of the power supply is greater than the minimum voltage drop of the buck module, The Zener diode is configured to be in a breakdown state in response to the voltage of the power supply being greater than the minimum voltage drop of the buck module, so as to output a first control signal at a first level to the second base; The second transistor is configured to be in an on state in response to the first control signal at the first level, so as to provide a second control signal at the first base at a low level. The first transistor is configured to be in a cutoff state in response to the second control signal being in a low-level state, thereby controlling the first signal output terminal to be in a floating state, wherein the buck module is configured to be in an on state in response to the first signal output terminal being in a floating state; and The third transistor is configured to be in a cutoff state in response to the second control signal which is in a low-level state, so as to control the second signal output terminal to be in a floating state, wherein the switching module is configured to be in a turn-off state in response to the second control terminal being in a floating state.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, When the voltage of the power supply is less than or equal to the minimum voltage drop of the buck module, The Zener diode is configured to be in a cutoff state in response to the voltage of the power supply being less than or equal to the minimum voltage drop of the buck module, so as to output a first control signal at a second level to the second base; The second transistor is configured to be in a cutoff state in response to the first control signal at the second level, so as to provide the first base with a second control signal at a high level. The first transistor is configured to be in a conducting state in response to the second control signal that is in a high-level state, so as to output a low-level signal to the first signal output terminal, wherein the buck module is configured to be in a turning-off state in response to receiving a low-level signal at the first control terminal; and The third transistor is configured to be in a conducting state in response to the second control signal which is in a high-level state, so as to output a low-level signal to the second signal output terminal, wherein the switching module is configured to be in an on state in response to receiving a low-level signal at the second control terminal.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: A microcontroller includes input and output terminals, the input and output terminals being configured to be connected to a first signal output terminal via a third resistor, and the microcontroller being configured to output a third control signal at the input and output terminals.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: An AND gate circuit is configured to be connected in series between the first base and the third base. The AND gate circuit includes a first gate input, a second gate input, and a gate output. The first gate input is configured to be connected to the input and output terminals, the second gate input is configured to be connected to the first base, and the gate output is configured to be connected to the third base.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The step-down module includes: A step-down circuit includes a third power input terminal, a third power output terminal, and a third control terminal. The third power input terminal is configured to be connected to the first power input terminal, the third power output terminal is configured to be connected to a first diode, and the third control terminal is configured to be connected to the first control terminal. The first diode includes a second anode and a second cathode, the second anode being configured to be connected to the third power output terminal, and the second cathode being configured to be connected to the first power output terminal.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The switching module includes: A field-effect transistor includes a source, a gate, and a drain, wherein the source is configured to be connected to a second power input terminal, the gate is configured to be connected to a fourth resistor, and the drain is configured to be connected to a second diode; The fourth resistor, one end of which is configured to be connected to the gate, and the other end of which is configured to be connected to the second control terminal; A fifth resistor, one end of which is configured to be connected to the gate and the fourth resistor, and the other end of which is configured to be connected to the source and the second power input terminal; and The second diode includes a third anode and a third cathode, the third anode being configured to be connected to the drain, and the third cathode being configured to be connected to the second power output terminal; The field-effect transistor is a P-channel enhancement-mode field-effect transistor.

9. An unmanned vehicle, comprising: Chassis, including battery and power units; as well as The autonomous driving kit includes a camera module and a main controller; A camera power supply device is connected in series between the battery device and the camera module; The camera power supply device includes: The step-down module includes a first power input terminal, a first power output terminal, and a first control terminal. The first power input terminal is configured to connect to the battery device, the first power output terminal is configured to connect to a load switch, and the first control terminal is configured to connect to a control module. The switching module includes a second power input terminal, a second power output terminal, and a second control terminal. The second power input terminal is configured to connect to the battery device, the second power output terminal is configured to connect to the load switch, and the second control terminal is configured to connect to the control module. The load switch is configured to be connected to the camera module via a filter inductor; and The control module includes a signal input terminal, a first signal output terminal, and a second signal output terminal. The signal input terminal is configured to connect to the battery device, the first signal output terminal is configured to connect to the first control terminal, and the second signal output terminal is configured to connect to the second control terminal. The battery device includes a power supply and a power management module, and The control module is configured to detect the voltage of the power supply. When the voltage of the power supply is greater than the minimum voltage drop of the buck module, the control module sends a control signal to the first control terminal of the buck module through the first signal output terminal to control the buck module to be in the on state, and sends a control signal to the second control terminal of the switch module through the second signal output terminal to control the switch module to be in the off state. When the voltage of the power supply is less than or equal to the minimum voltage drop of the buck module, the control module sends a control signal to the first control terminal of the buck module through the first signal output terminal to control the buck module to be in the off state, and sends a control signal to the second control terminal of the switch module through the second signal output terminal to control the switch module to be in the on state.

10. The unmanned vehicle according to claim 9, wherein, The power supply is configured to supply power to the power unit, the camera module, and the main controller via the power management module. The camera module is configured to be electrically connected to the main controller, and the camera module is configured to acquire environmental information of the unmanned vehicle and send the environmental information to the main controller. The main controller is configured to be electrically connected to the power unit, and is configured to process the environmental information, generate motion control signals, and send the motion control signals to the power unit; and The power unit is configured to control the movement of the unmanned vehicle in response to the motion control signal.

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