System for controlling power supply from a power line to a load

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a system for controlling power supply from a power line to a load. The system (100) comprises: a first circuit (400a) comprising a first path (401a) and a first switching mechanism (402a) for controlling power supply through the first path; at least a second circuit (400b) comprising a second path (401b) and a second switching mechanism (402b) for controlling power supply through the second path; a control module (500) outputting control signals to the first circuit and the at least second circuit to independently turn on or off the respective paths; and a monitoring module (600) monitoring physical quantity parameters of the first path and the at least second path, and can detect deviation of the monitored physical quantity parameter values from corresponding reference values based on comparison to check consistency between the first path and the at least second path.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of controlling power supply from a power line to a load. Such a system can be used to supply power to a load in a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] In the automotive industry, the management of energy distribution within vehicles is becoming increasingly important. Furthermore, the development of systems for driving safety or autonomous driving requires minimizing failures in the power lines supplying systems with critical functions (known as safety loads). New regulations require certain critical functions to be available in the vehicle for as long as possible, while others can be disabled to extend the lifespan of these critical functions. For example, in the event of a power source loss, braking and steering systems must remain engaged, while rear defrosting systems must be disengaged. The aim of this measure is to ensure that the vehicle has sufficient time to stop in a safe area in the event of a failure.

[0003] To drive a load in a vehicle, it is known to place a drive circuit including a switching mechanism between the power supply line and the load in a high-side driver configuration, or between the load and ground in a low-side driver configuration. The switching mechanism is configured to connect or disconnect the load path for supplying power to the load. It may include one or more transistors, such as MOSFETs.

[0004] Different solutions exist to ensure that the load is driven correctly.

[0005] For example, a known solution for fault detection is to provide a diagnostic module to the drive circuit, which is configured to detect some standard faults, such as component failure, load disconnection, or excessive current consumption by the load. However, such a standard diagnostic module only allows the detection of a limited number of standard faults.

[0006] Other known solutions involve using multiple modules to power the safety loads in the vehicle. However, such solutions are very expensive in terms of cost and space overhead.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need to provide a more effective solution to detect and / or predict the degradation of power supply modules, thereby ensuring that the load is driven correctly. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This disclosure relates to a system for controlling power supply from a power line to a load, the system comprising:

[0009] A first circuit, the first circuit including a first path for supplying power to the load and a first switching mechanism for controlling the power supply through the first path;

[0010] At least a second circuit, the at least second circuit including a second path for supplying power to the load and a second switching mechanism for controlling the power supply through the second path;

[0011] A control module configured to output control signals to control the operation of the first circuit and the at least second circuit, thereby independently connecting or disconnecting each path in the first path and the at least second path; and

[0012] A monitoring module, configured to monitor one or more physical quantity parameters of the first path and the at least second path,

[0013] The monitoring module is configured to detect deviations between the monitored values ​​of one or more physical quantity parameters and their corresponding reference values ​​based on comparison, in order to check the consistency between the first path and the at least the second path.

[0014] This disclosure provides a solution for detecting and / or predicting the degradation of physical parameters of a circuit used to power a load, ensuring that the load is driven correctly.

[0015] According to this disclosure, the values ​​of one or more physical quantity parameters used for powering a first path and at least a second path to a load are monitored. A comparison is then performed using the acquired values ​​of one or more physical quantity parameters. Based on this comparison, deviations of the monitored one or more physical quantity parameters from corresponding reference values ​​can be detected to check the consistency between the first path and at least the second path. This allows for the detection of deviations related to any kind of element that indicate potential defaults or degradation. The comparison involves both the first path and at least the second path and is unaffected by external factors such as temperature, humidity, and voltage, as the first path and at least the second path are affected in the same way.

[0016] In one embodiment, the first circuit and the at least the second circuit are connected in parallel between the load connection node and the power line node.

[0017] The first circuit and the at least the second circuit may have the same electrical structure.

[0018] In an implementation, each of the first circuit and the at least second circuit includes one or more detection devices configured to measure the one or more physical quantity parameters.

[0019] The one or more physical quantity parameters are from a group including current, voltage, and temperature.

[0020] In this implementation, the monitoring module is configured to:

[0021] The acquisition operation acquires the values ​​of one or more physical quantity parameters of at least one of the first path and the at least second path, the acquisition operation including simultaneously or successively activating the first path and the at least second path during at least a portion of the acquisition operation, and

[0022] The comparison is performed using the value obtained in the acquisition operation.

[0023] In this implementation, the monitoring module is configured to:

[0024] For each physical quantity parameter, calculate the difference or ratio related to that physical quantity parameter, and compare the calculated difference or ratio with the corresponding benchmark value.

[0025] The values ​​used to calculate the difference or ratio include two values ​​obtained for the first path and the at least second path, respectively, or two values ​​obtained for the selected path before and after disconnecting other paths.

[0026] This disclosure also relates to a vehicle that includes the aforementioned system. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Other features, objects, and advantages of this disclosure will become clearer from reading the detailed description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a system for controlling power supply from a power line to a load, according to an embodiment, is shown.

[0029] Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating an operation for monitoring one or more physical parameters of a first path and at least a second path for powering a load, according to an embodiment, to detect or predict degradation in the path.

[0030] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a system for controlling power supply from a power line to a load, according to another embodiment, is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0031] This disclosure relates to a system 100 for controlling the supply of power from a power line 300 to a load 200. The power line 300 may be connected to a power battery or a power distribution network. For example, the system 100 may be used in a vehicle to supply power to a load, such as an electric steering system, lights, a radio system, or any other system or component that consumes electricity.

[0032] In this implementation, system 100 includes a first circuit 400a, at least a second circuit 400b, a control module 500, and a monitoring module 600. The phrase "at least a second circuit" means that in addition to the first circuit 400a and the second circuit 400b, system 100 may also include one or more other circuits, such as a third circuit 400c, a fourth circuit 400d, etc. The various additional circuits 400c, 400d, etc., may be the same as or similar to the second circuit 400b and will not be described in further detail. Figure 1 A specific implementation of a system 100 comprising only two circuits (first circuit 400a and second circuit 400b) is shown.

[0033] The first circuit 400a includes a first path 401a for supplying power to the load 200 via a first path 401a and a first switching mechanism 402a. The second circuit 400b includes a second path 401b for supplying power to the load 200 via a second path 401b and a second switching mechanism 402b. By definition, the path for supplying power is the path through which current flows from the power supply line to the load.

[0034] In one implementation, the first circuit 400a and at least the second circuit 400b may be connected in parallel between two nodes. These two nodes may include a power line node ND1 and a load connection node ND2. The power line node ND1 is connected to the power line 300. In a high-side configuration, such as... Figure 1 As shown, power line node ND1 is a positive power supply potential (e.g., battery potential V). bat The node with available power supply potential (or distribution network potential). Alternatively, in a low-end configuration, power supply node ND1 can be connected to ground (GND). Load connection node ND2 is connected to load 200.

[0035] Alternatively, the first path 401a and at least the second path 401b can be connected in series, such as... Figure 3 exemplified.

[0036] Each circuit in the first circuit 400a and at least the second circuit 400b can be an integrated circuit, such as a chip, including components mounted on a printed circuit board. The first circuit 400a and at least the second circuit 400b can be implemented on the same chip or on two separate chips. In embodiments, the first circuit 400a and at least the second circuit 400b can have the same or similar electrical structure or configuration. However, the two circuits 400a and 400b can use components from different manufacturers. An embodiment of the first circuit 400a will be described below. At least the second circuit 400b can have the same electrical structure as the first circuit 400a and / or perform the same function, and will not be described in further detail. In particular, the second switching mechanism 402b can be structurally identical to the first switching mechanism 402a.

[0037] In each circuit of the first circuit 400a and at least the second circuit 400b, switching mechanisms 402a, 402b are configured to turn on or off corresponding paths 401a, 401b for supplying power to the load 200. These include one or more switches, such as transistors, such as MOSFETs. In an embodiment, the switching mechanisms 402a, 402b may have at least a first group of N1 transistors 404a, 404b, where N1 ≥ 1. Optionally, each switching mechanism 402a, 402b may also have a second group of N2 transistors 405a, 405b, where N2 ≥ 1. The numbers N1 and N2 may be the same or different. The number of transistors N1, N2 can be adapted to the amount of current in the circuit. Typically, MOSFETs cannot handle too much current. Therefore, the number of MOSFETs N1, N2 in each group is more important for high currents than for low currents. Figure 1 In the specific implementation shown, N1 = 2 and N2 = 2.

[0038] The N1 transistors 404a and 404b of the first group can be connected in parallel between the power line node ND1 and the first internal node ND. int 1a, ND int Between 1b. The N2 transistors 405a and 405b of the second group can be connected in parallel between the load connection node ND2 and the second internal node ND. int 2a, ND int Between 2b. In each circuit of the first circuit 400a and at least the second circuit 400b, the first internal node ND int 1a or ND int 1b and the second internal node ND int 2a or ND int 2b can be connected in series. For example... Figure 1 As illustrated, the second switching mechanism 402b may have the same construction or electrical structure as the first switching mechanism 402a.

[0039] Each circuit in the first circuit 400a and at least the second circuit 400b may further include drivers 403a and 403b for controlling the operation of their switching mechanisms 402a and 402b. Drivers 403a and 403b may be implemented in hardware and software. In each circuit 400a and 400b, drivers 403a and 403b are connected to switches or transistors 404a-405a and 404b-405b and are configured to send control signals to the switches to turn them on or off.

[0040] Optionally, in each of the circuits in the first circuit 400a and at least the second circuit 400b, the drivers 403a, 403b can be configured to cooperate with current sensing devices to monitor the currents Ia, Ib flowing through the power paths 401a, 401b. For example, the current sensing device may include two internal nodes ND. int 1a and ND int 2a or ND int The circuit for shunt resistor 406a or 406b between 1b and NDint2b, and the circuit for measuring the potential difference across shunt resistors 406a and 406b. Figure 1 (Not shown in the image). Any other type of current sensing device can be used instead.

[0041] Optionally, in each of the circuits in the first circuit 400a and at least the second circuit 400b, the drivers 403a, 403b may also be configured to perform local diagnostics to detect faults in circuits 400a, 400b, as described below. The diagnostics can be performed using currents Ia, Ib detected in power paths 401a, 401b.

[0042] The control module 500 of system 100 is configured to output control signals to control the operation of the first circuit 400a and at least the second circuit 400b, thereby independently connecting or disconnecting the first path 401a and at least the second path 402b for supplying power to the load 200. The control module 500 can be connected to the drivers 403a and 403b of the first circuit 400a and at least the second circuit 400b via corresponding first control channels 407a and 407b. In operation, the control signals generated by the control module 500 are sent to the circuit drivers 403a and 403b, and then, in each circuit of the first circuit 400a and at least the second circuit 400b, the drivers 403a and 403b output local control signals to independently connect or disconnect switches 404a-405a and 404b-405b, thereby connecting or disconnecting the corresponding paths for supplying power to the load 200.

[0043] The control module 500 can be implemented using hardware and software. In one embodiment, it may include a processor or microcontroller and memory storing a program executed by the processor.

[0044] The monitoring module 600 has the following functions: monitoring one or more physical quantity parameters of power paths 401a, 401b of the first circuit 400a and at least the second circuit 400b, and detecting deviations between the values ​​of the monitored one or more physical quantity parameters and corresponding reference values ​​based on comparison, in order to check the consistency between the first path and at least the second path of power paths 401a, 401b. Detection of a lack of consistency between the first power path 401a and at least the second power path 401b can indicate or predict potential degradation in one of the first power path 401a and at least the second power path 401b.

[0045] The monitoring module 600 can be implemented using hardware and software. It includes a processor or microcontroller and memory storing the program used for monitoring. The processor reads and executes the program to perform the monitoring function.

[0046] The control module 500 and the monitoring module 600 can be implemented using the same hardware and / or software. In particular, the control module 500 and the monitoring module 600 can be implemented on a single processor or microcontroller.

[0047] Each circuit in the first circuit 400a and at least the second circuit 400b may include one or more detection devices configured to measure one or more physical quantity parameters. The one or more physical quantity parameters may include parameters such as current, voltage, and / or temperature. For example, each circuit in the first circuit 400a and at least the second circuit 400b may include one or more of the following detection devices:

[0048] The first potential detection device is used to measure internal nodes (e.g., node ND). int 1a, ND int The first potentials V1a and V1b at point 1b);

[0049] The second potential detection device is used to measure the second potentials V2a and V2b at another internal node, such as the interconnection node between the drivers 403a and 403b and each switch in the group of switches 404a.

[0050] A temperature sensing device located near one or more switches or transistors, such as near one of transistors 404a or 404b, to detect the temperature of that transistor; and / or

[0051] A current detection device is used to measure the currents Ia and Ib flowing through power paths 401a and 401b.

[0052] The examples of the physical quantities monitored above are illustrative and not limiting. In particular, other potentials, potential differences, temperatures, and currents can be monitored in the individual circuits 400a and 400b.

[0053] Monitoring performed by monitoring module 600 allows for the detection of deviations between the values ​​of one or more monitored physical quantity parameters and their corresponding reference values ​​based on comparison, in order to check the consistency between the first path and at least the second path, as described in more detail later. For each physical quantity parameter, the comparison can be performed using the value of the physical quantity parameter from at least one of the paths 401a, 401b acquired during the acquisition operation. In an embodiment, the acquisition operation may include activating each of the first path and at least the second path. The first path and at least the second path may be activated simultaneously or sequentially during at least a portion of the acquisition operation.

[0054] For each circuit 400a, 400b, the value of one or more physical quantity parameters is acquired by the detection device and sent to the monitoring module 600 via the circuit drivers 403a, 403b.

[0055] The reference value used to detect deviation represents the normal and / or expected behavior of the first path and at least the second path. A deviation of the monitored value of a physical quantity parameter of the first path 401a and / or at least the second path 401b from the corresponding reference value indicates a lack of consistency between the first path 401a and the second path 401b, suggesting potential degradation in one of the first path 401a and at least the second path 401b. This allows for the prediction or detection of faults in one of the power supply paths 401a, 401b.

[0056] The monitoring module 600 can be configured to calculate the difference or ratio associated with each physical quantity parameter and compare the difference or ratio with the corresponding reference value, as explained in more detail later.

[0057] Software can be provided to control the first switching mechanism and at least the second switching mechanism to connect or disconnect the first path 401a and at least the second path 401b during an acquisition operation. This software can be part of the monitoring module 600. For example, the monitoring module 600 sends instructions to the control module 500 to control the operation of the first circuit 400a and at least the second circuit 401b during an acquisition operation, and then the control module sends appropriate control signals to the drivers 403a, 403b.

[0058] Figure 2 It is a flowchart illustrating the operation of monitoring one or more physical quantity parameters of the first path 401a and at least the second path 401b for powering the load 200 to detect or predict degradation in the path.

[0059] In operation, under the control of the control module 500, power is supplied from the power supply line 300 to the load 200 via the first circuit 400a and at least the second circuit 400b. For example, to supply power to the load 200, the first switching mechanism 402a and at least the second switching mechanism 402b are controlled to be turned on simultaneously. As a result, the first path 401a for power supply and at least the second path 401b are simultaneously turned on or turned on. In this case, it is expected that the currents flowing through the respective paths 401a, 401b are the same.

[0060] Alternatively, only one of the paths 401a, 401b may be turned on to supply power to the load 200. More generally, in the case where the system 100 has N circuits, only M circuits where M < N can be turned on to supply power to the load 200.

[0061] The monitoring operation for monitoring one or more physical quantity parameters of the first path 401a and at least the second path 401b includes an acquisition operation S1.

[0062] As described above, in the acquisition operation S1, the first path 401a and at least the second path 401b may be turned on simultaneously or sequentially during at least a part of the acquisition operation S1. In each of the circuits 400a, 400b, the values of one or more physical quantity parameters are acquired by the detection device and sent to the monitoring module 600 via the circuit drivers 403a, 403b. Different illustrative examples of the acquisition operation will be described later.

[0063] Then, in step S2, the monitoring module performs a comparison using the monitored values of one or more physical quantity parameters acquired in the acquisition operation S1. In step S2, for each physical quantity parameter, the monitoring module 600 may calculate the difference or ratio between the acquired values of the physical quantity parameter. For example, the values used to calculate the ratio or difference may be two values acquired respectively for the first path 401a and the second path 401b, or two values acquired for a selected path 401a or 401b at two different times, such as before and after disconnecting the other path 401b or 401a, as will be described later.

[0064] In the next step S3, the monitoring module 600 compares the ratio or difference calculated for one or more physical quantity parameters with the corresponding reference values ​​to detect deviations between the monitored one or more physical quantity parameter values ​​and the corresponding reference values, thereby checking the consistency between the first path 401a and at least the second path 401b. A certain tolerance range Δ is acceptable. Therefore, if the calculated difference or ratio is within the tolerance range Δ around the reference value, the consistency between the first path 401a and at least the second path 401b is successfully checked in step S4. However, if the calculated difference or ratio is outside the tolerance range Δ around the reference value, the consistency between the first path 401a and at least the second path 401b is rejected in step S5. The lack of consistency between the first path 401a and at least the second path 401b indicates a potential degradation in path 401a or 401b. In step S6, a warning message S6 is generated to notify the user of the detected potential degradation. Alternatively or alternatively, if necessary, further fault detection can be performed under the control of the monitoring device 600 to more accurately identify potential degradation.

[0065] The following describes different examples of operations for acquisition, comparison, and deviation detection.

[0066] In the first example, when the first path 401a and at least the second path 401b are concurrently activated, the monitoring module 600 acquires the values ​​of one or more physical quantity parameters of the first path 401a and the values ​​of the same physical quantity parameters of the at least second path 401b. In this first example, it is expected that the first path and at least the second path are identical, such that the same currents Ia and Ib flow through each of the paths in the first path 401a and at least the second path 401b. The values ​​of the respective physical quantity parameters can be acquired simultaneously in the first path 401a and the second path 401b. Alternatively, they can be acquired at different times within a predetermined time interval, rather than precisely at the same time. This time interval can be finite, for example, less than a few minutes, to allow for checking the consistency between the first path 401a and at least the second path 401b under the same conditions.

[0067] Then, for each physical quantity parameter, the monitoring module 600 can calculate the difference or ratio between the value obtained for the first path 401a and the value obtained for the second path 401b or any other path, and compare the difference or ratio with a reference value that is equal to 0 or 1, respectively. The following list provides illustrative and non-limiting examples of calculations that the monitoring module 600 can perform using the values ​​of the physical quantity parameters obtained according to the first example:

[0068] Calculate the voltage V1 in the first circuit 400a. a With voltage V1 in the second circuit 400b bThe difference or ratio between them, and the calculated difference V1 a -V1 b Or compared to V1 a / V1 b Compare with the baseline value of 0 or 1 respectively;

[0069] Calculate the voltage V2 in the first circuit 400a. a With voltage V2 in the second circuit 400b b The difference or ratio between them, and the calculated difference V2 a -V2 b Or compared to V2 a / V2 b Compare with the baseline value of 0 or 1 respectively;

[0070] Calculate the temperature T in the first circuit 400a. a With temperature T in the second circuit 400b b The difference or ratio between them, and the calculated difference T a -T b Or than T a / T b Compare with the baseline value of 0 or 1 respectively.

[0071] A second example may include simultaneously activating a first path 401a and at least a second path 401b, then keeping one selected path active while disconnecting the other paths. The monitoring module 600 may acquire values ​​of one or more physical quantity parameters associated with the selected path before and after disconnecting the other paths. It may then perform a comparison of the values ​​acquired before and after disconnecting the other paths. For example, for each physical quantity parameter, the monitoring module 600 may calculate the difference or ratio between the values ​​acquired for the selected path before and after disconnecting the other paths, and compare the difference or ratio with expected and predetermined benchmark values. The same acquisition and calculation may be performed for each path.

[0072] Consider a specific implementation of a system 100 comprising only two circuits: a first circuit 400a with a first path 401a supplies power to a load 200, and a second circuit 400b with a second path 401b supplies power to the load 200. According to a second example of the acquisition operation, the first path 401a and the second path 401b are first concurrently turned on, and the monitoring module 600 acquires the values ​​of one or more physical quantity parameters in a selected path (e.g., the first path 401a). Assume that in such a configuration, the current flowing through each of the paths in the first path 401a and the second path 401b is the same. Then, the selected first path 401a remains on, while the second path 401b is turned off. The monitoring module 600 acquires the values ​​of one or more physical quantity parameters in the selected path 401a that remains on. It is expected that after the second path 401b is turned off, the current flowing through the first path 401a or the voltage drop across the shunt resistor 406a increases, and more precisely, doubles.

[0073] It is also expected that the monitored temperature in the first path 401a will increase after the second path 401b is cut off.

[0074] The same acquisition and calculation can also be performed by selecting the second path 401b instead of the first path 401a.

[0075] Then, the monitoring module 600 can perform calculations using the values ​​of one or more physical quantity parameters related to the selected path 401a, acquired before and after disconnecting the second path 401b, to check the consistency between the first path 401a and the second path 401b. Thus, based on a comparison of the monitoring values ​​acquired before and after disconnecting the second path 401b, it can be verified whether the selected path 401a has normal behavior. The following list provides illustrative and non-limiting examples of calculations that the monitoring module 600 can perform using the values ​​of the physical quantity parameters of the first path 401a acquired according to the second example:

[0076] Calculate the ratio between the voltage drop across the shunt resistor 406a before and after the second path 401b is disconnected, and compare the calculated ratio ΔVa' / ΔVa with a reference value 2, where ΔVa' is the voltage drop across the shunt resistor 406a when path 401b is disconnected and path 401a is connected, and ΔVa is the voltage drop across the shunt resistor 406a when both paths 401a and 401b are connected;

[0077] Calculate the ratio between the current flowing through shunt resistor 406a before and after the second path is disconnected, and compare the calculated ratio Ia' / Ia with the reference value 2, where Ia' is the current flowing through shunt resistor 406a when path 401b is disconnected and path 401a is connected, and Ia is the current flowing through shunt resistor 406a when both paths 401a and 401b are connected;

[0078] Calculate the difference or ratio between the temperatures measured in the first path 401a before and after the second path 401b is disconnected, and compare the calculated difference Ta'-Ta or ratio Ta' / Ta with a reference value, where Ta' is the temperature measured in or near the first path 401a when path 401b is disconnected and path 401a is connected, and Ta is the temperature measured in the first path 401a when both paths 401a and 401b are connected; the reference value may be predetermined experimentally to detect an expected increase in temperature.

[0079] A third example may include sequentially activating a first path 401a and at least a second path 401b. In other words, each path is activated sequentially while the other paths are deactivated. When each path 401a, 401b is activated, the monitoring module 600 may acquire values ​​of one or more physical quantity parameters associated with that path, and then perform a comparison between the values ​​acquired for that path and the values ​​acquired for another path. It is expected that in such a configuration, the same current flows through each path when the first path 401a and the second path 401b are respectively activated. This comparison may include, for each physical quantity parameter, calculating the difference or ratio between the value acquired for the first path and the value acquired for the second path or any other path, and comparing the difference or ratio to a reference value that is equal to 0 or 1, respectively.

[0080] Consider a specific and illustrative implementation of a system 100 comprising only two circuits: a first circuit 400a having a first path 401a for supplying power to a load, and a second circuit 400b having a second path 401b for supplying power to a load 200.

[0081] The following list provides illustrative and non-limiting examples of calculations that the monitoring module 600 can perform using the values ​​of one or more physical quantity parameters obtained according to the third example, specifically for the first path 401a and the second path 401b:

[0082] Calculate the voltage V1 in the first circuit 400a when the first path 401a is connected and when the second path 401b is connected. a With voltage V1 in the second circuit 400b b The difference or ratio between them, and the calculated difference V1 a -V1b Or compared to V1 a / V1 b Compare with the baseline value of 0 or 1 respectively;

[0083] Calculate the voltage V2 in the first circuit 400a when the first path 401a is connected and when the second path 401b is connected. a With voltage V2 in the second circuit 400b b The difference or ratio between them, and the calculated difference V2 a -V2 b Or compared to V2 a / V2 b Compare with the baseline value of 0 or 1 respectively;

[0084] Calculate the temperature T in the first circuit 400a when the first path 401a is connected and when the second path 401b is connected. a With temperature T in the second circuit 400b b The difference or ratio between them, and the calculated difference T a -T b Or than T a / T b Compare with the baseline value of 0 or 1 respectively.

[0085] The above example of acquiring the values ​​of one or more physical quantity parameters of the first path 401a and at least the second path 401b is merely illustrative. Any other acquisition operation can be implemented to acquire the values ​​of one or more physical quantity parameters of the first path 401a and at least the second path 401b to detect deviations between the monitored values ​​of one or more physical quantity parameters and corresponding reference values ​​based on comparison, thereby checking the consistency between the first path 401a and at least the second path 401b. The first path 401a and at least the second path 401b are consistent with each other when they behave in a manner consistent with each other; in other words, when they have corresponding behaviors that do not deviate from each other.

[0086] The respective drivers 403a, 403b of the first circuit 400a and at least the second circuit 400b can be further connected to:

[0087] The second control channels 408a and 408b are specifically equipped with logic hardware elements and are configured to control the operation of the first and second circuits to connect or disconnect the first and second paths when the first control channels 407a and 407b are not in operation; and / or

[0088] The third control channels 409a and 409b, which are connected to the power battery, are configured to supply power to the circuits 400a and 400b when the first control channels 407a and 407b and the second control channels 408a and 408b are not in operation.

[0089] Optionally, the monitoring module 600 may also be configured to detect faults and / or degradation in each path of the first path 401a or at least the second path 401b by acquiring the values ​​of one or more physical quantity parameters of the path and processing the acquired values, without relying on detecting deviations from a reference value and checking the consistency between the first path and at least the second path.

[0090] In the first example, the fault could be a component failure and / or disconnection, causing current to stop flowing. In this case, if the path including the disconnected and / or disconnected component is controlled to be closed, no current flows. In other words, the measured current value is zero. The monitoring module 600 can detect the fault based on the monitored current.

[0091] In the second example, the fault could be that one of the transistors (e.g., a MOSFET) in paths 401a and 401b fails in a manner that keeps it always on. Therefore, even if paths 401a and 401b are disconnected, current still flows through the body diode of the MOSFET, and a non-zero current can be measured.

[0092] In the third example, the fault could be that the transistor of one of the MOSFETs, such as those in paths 401a and 401b, has an open gate, making it impossible to control the activation of the MOSFET. In this case, the faulty MOSFET cannot be turned on, and all current flows through one or more other MOSFETs connected in parallel. As a result, the temperature of the other MOSFETs conducting the current increases, which can be detected by monitoring this temperature.

Claims

1. A system (100) for controlling the supply of power from a power line (300) to a load, the system (100) comprising: a first circuit (400a) comprising a first path (401a) for supplying power to the load (200) and a first switching mechanism (402a) for controlling the supply of power through the first path (401a); at least a second circuit (400b) comprising a second path (401b) for supplying power to the load (200) and a second switching mechanism (402b) for controlling the power supply through the second path (401b), wherein the first circuit and the at least second circuit are connected in parallel between a load connection node (ND2) and a power line node (ND1), wherein each of the first switching mechanism and the second switching mechanism comprises a first group of N1 transistors connected in parallel between the power line node (ND1) and a first internal node (ND int 1a, ND int 1b), and a second group of N2 transistors connected in parallel between the load connection node (ND2) and a second internal node (ND int 2a, ND int 2b), wherein N1≥1, wherein the first internal node and the second internal node are connected in series to each other, and wherein the first internal node and the second internal node are connected to each other by means of a current detection device; a control module (500) configured to output control signals to control the operation of the first circuit (400a) and of at least a second circuit (400b) to independently switch on or off each of the first path (401a) and at least a second path (401b); and a monitoring module (600) configured to monitor one or more physical quantity parameters of the first path (401a) and of the at least a second path (401b), wherein the monitoring module (600) is configured to detect, based on a comparison, a deviation of the monitored one or more physical quantity parameter values from corresponding reference values to check a consistency between the first path (401a) and the at least a second path (401b).

2. The system of claim 1, wherein, The first circuit (400a) and the at least a second circuit (400b) have the same electrical structure.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein: each of the first circuit (400a) and the at least a second circuit (400b) comprises one or more detection devices configured to measure the one or more physical quantity parameters, and the one or more physical quantity parameters are from a group comprising current, voltage and temperature.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein, The monitoring module (600) is configured to: acquire, in an acquisition operation, values of the one or more physical quantity parameters of at least one of the first path (401a) and the at least a second path (401b), the acquisition operation comprising switching on the first path and the at least a second path simultaneously or sequentially during at least a portion of the acquisition operation, and perform the comparison using the values acquired in the acquisition operation.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein, The monitoring module (600) is configured to: calculate, for each physical quantity parameter, a difference or a ratio related to that physical quantity parameter and compare the calculated difference or ratio with a corresponding reference value, and wherein the values used to calculate the difference or ratio comprise two values acquired for the first path (401a) and for the at least a second path (401b), respectively, or two values acquired for a selected path (401a, 401b) before and after the other path (401b, 401a) is switched off.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein, The monitoring module is configured to: acquire (SI) values of the one or more physical quantity parameters of the first path (401a) and of the at least a second path (401b) when the first path (401a) and the at least a second path (401b) are switched on simultaneously; and For each physical quantity parameter, the difference or ratio between the value acquired for the first path (401a) and the value acquired for the second path (401b) is calculated, and the difference or ratio is compared with a reference value to detect a deviation.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein, The first path (401a) and the at least second path (401b) are sequentially switched on in the acquisition operation, the monitoring module (600) being configured to: acquire (S1) the value of the one or more physical quantity parameters of the first path (401a) when the first path (401a) is switched on; acquire the value of the one or more physical quantity parameters of the second path (401b) when the second path (401b) is switched on; and For each physical quantity parameter, the difference or ratio between the value acquired for the first path and the value acquired for the second path (401b) is calculated, and the difference or ratio is compared with a reference value to detect a deviation.

8. The system of claim 4, wherein, The monitoring module (600) is configured to: acquire (S1) the value of the one or more physical quantity parameters for a selected one of the first path (401a) and the at least second path (401b) when the first path (401a) and the at least second path (401b) are switched on simultaneously; maintain the selected path switched on while the other paths are switched off, and acquire the value of the one or more physical quantity parameters of the selected path; For each physical quantity parameter, the difference or ratio between the value acquired for the selected path before and after the other paths are switched off is calculated, and the difference or ratio is compared with a reference value to detect a deviation.

9. The system of claim 4, wherein, The monitoring module comprises software for controlling the operation of the first (402a) and at least second (402b) switching mechanism to switch on or off the first (401a) and at least second (401b) path in the acquisition operation.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein, Each of the first (400a) and at least second (400b) circuit comprises a driver (403a, 403b) that controls the respective switching mechanism (402a, 402b).

11. A vehicle comprising the system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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