Power Distribution System

Abstract

The power distribution system includes a system power supply 1, a main control unit 2, a power line 3, and a plurality of sub-control units 4. The main control unit 2 includes a main controller 21 and a main power circuit protection device 22 connected to the main controller 21. The input terminal 23 of the main power circuit protection device 22 is connected to the power output terminal of the system power supply, and the output terminal 23 of the main power circuit protection device 22 is connected to one end of the power line 3. Each sub-control unit 4 includes a sub-controller 41 and a sub-power circuit protection device 42 connected to the sub-controller 41. The input terminal of the sub-power circuit protection device 42 is connected in parallel to the power line 3, and the output terminal of the sub-power circuit protection device 42 is connected to an electric device. This provides two-stage protection of the power supply from the system power supply 1 to the electric device. The main control unit 2 protects the power line 3, and the sub-control unit 4 protects the main body and the electric device connected to the sub-control unit 4.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of automotive power systems, and more particularly to power distribution systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, a power supply system in an automobile body distributes power, logically controls power, and manages power safety via a junction box having a plurality of relays and fuses.

[0003] In recent years, vehicle network systems have been applied to the control of multiple electrical devices located in a vehicle. In a vehicle network system, typically, one control unit connected to the network system controls multiple electrical devices located around it.

[0004] Generally, power lines that supply power to vehicle electrical equipment and control units that use a certain amount of power are each connected independently to a single junction box. To protect the safety of the power lines, an appropriate fuse is connected in series to each power line. In some cases, a relay is also connected in series to the fuse inside the junction box, and power control is achieved using this logic.

[0005] As shown in Figure 1, a typical power distribution system includes a junction box 60 and a plurality of power lines 61. A power supply system B+ is connected to the junction box 60 and branched into four power lines. These four branched power lines are respectively protected by fuses F1, F2, F3, and F4, and then connected to electrical equipment 51, 52 and control units 53, 54. A relay D1 is connected in series with the power supply connected to fuse F1 to realize logical control of the power supply.

[0006] The conventional power distribution method has the following problems.

[0007] (1) The structure is complex and the failure rate is high.

[0008] When branching power sources, relays and fuses are often used to achieve logical control and safety protection. While independent fuses protect the electrical equipment directly connected to them, the fuses can easily blow if an abnormality occurs in the electrical equipment or if a leakage or short circuit occurs in the power line to which the electrical equipment is connected. Furthermore, relays are mechanical contacts, which have limited reliability and service life. Therefore, it is difficult to improve the reliability of power distribution systems using traditional power distribution methods.

[0009] Furthermore, since power is supplied to each electrical device through a junction box, if there is an interfering power line among the power lines distributed from the junction box, this interference is likely to be propagated to other power lines through the junction box, which may lead to damage or destruction of electrical devices or electrical control units connected to the other power lines.

[0010] (2) The functionality of automotive electrical systems is increasing year by year, becoming more highly information-based, and the scope of information-based applications is expanding. At the same time, automotive electrical systems are becoming more complex, making it difficult for conventional electrical systems and power supply methods to adequately respond.

[0011] (3) Conventional power distribution systems are not intelligent enough, and are therefore not suitable for intelligent power management.

[0012] (4) Conventional power distribution architectures are unable to adapt to the requirements that will be placed on automotive power systems in the future. Summary of the Invention

[0013] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a power distribution system that solves the above technical problems, and the power distribution system is composed of a main control unit, a sub-control unit, and a power line. With this configuration, the power supply is protected in two stages from the system power supply to the electrical devices. The main control unit protects the power line, and the sub-control unit protects the sub-control unit itself and the electrical devices connected to the sub-control unit.

[0014] The technical solutions of the present invention are as follows:

[0015] The power distribution system includes a system power supply, a main control unit, power lines, and multiple sub-control units. The main control unit is used to manage and protect the system power supply and includes a main controller and a main power circuit protection device connected to the main controller. The input terminal of the main power circuit protection device is connected to the power output terminal of the system power supply, and the output terminal of the main power circuit protection device is connected to one end of the power line. The sub-control units are used to manage and protect the safety of the power supply of the sub-control units and the safety of the power supply of electrical devices connected from outside the sub-control units. Each sub-control unit includes a sub-controller and a sub-power circuit protection device connected to the sub-controller. The power input terminal of the sub-power circuit protection device is connected in parallel to the power line, and the output terminal of the sub-power circuit protection device is connected to the electrical device.

[0016] The system power source is a battery power source.

[0017] The main control unit includes at least one main power circuit protection device connected to the main controller, the input terminal of each main power circuit protection device is connected to the power output terminal of the system power supply, and the output terminal of each main power circuit protection device serves as the power output terminal of the main control unit or is connected to a corresponding power line.

[0018] The main power supply circuit protection device and the sub-power supply circuit protection device are both selected from one of the following four types of circuit protection devices: (1) a circuit protection device consisting only of an electronic switch transistor, (2) a circuit protection device consisting only of a fuse, (3) a circuit protection device consisting of a fuse and an electronic switch transistor connected in series, and (4) a circuit protection device consisting of an electronic switch transistor and an electronic switch transistor connected in series.

[0019] A twisted pair cable is connected to the main controller of the main control unit, and twisted pair cables are connected in parallel to the sub-controllers of each sub-control unit.

[0020] The input terminal of the sub-power supply circuit protection device is connected in parallel to the power supply line via the sub-power supply line.

[0021] The main controller is connected to the main power circuit protection device through a corresponding current transformer to realize the management and protection of the power output of the main power circuit protection device, and the sub controller is connected to the sub power circuit protection device through a corresponding current transformer to realize the management and protection of the power output of the sub power circuit protection device.

[0022] Industrial Applicability The main technical feature of the present invention is the innovative power supply structure and control mode, which brings about the following many advantages in terms of performance, structure, installation, cost, etc.

[0023] <1> According to the present invention, the conventional junction box containing fuses and relays is no longer necessary, eliminating the need to individually pull out power lines from the junction box to each electrical device and control unit. Instead, a power distribution system can be constructed simply by providing a single power line and connecting that power line to the main control unit and the sub-control unit. As a result, the wiring of the power line can be standardized, simplifying design and manufacturing.

[0024] <2> According to the present invention, the amount of copper used in the power lines in the power distribution system is reduced, thereby reducing costs and vehicle weight. This is technically based on the following three main points.

[0025] (1) It is important to note that the design margin of the current-carrying capacity of a power line usually satisfies the large current generated when an electrical device is started and the safety factor. When multiple electrical devices are connected to a single power line, the required wire diameter of the power line is much smaller than the sum of the wire diameters of the power lines connected to each electrical device individually. This is because when multiple electrical devices are connected to a single power line, the increase in the maximum current generated when the electrical devices are started at a certain point in time is relatively small. (2) Electrical equipment for automobiles is characterized by the presence of electrical equipment that uses power intermittently (such as windshield wipers and blinkers) and electrical equipment that uses power only for short periods of time (such as the horn and brake lights). According to the present invention, when comprehensively considering the design of the power line, the requirements for the above electrical equipment can be met by simply increasing the wire diameter by a relatively small amount from the wire diameter of the power line originally designed, or without increasing the wire diameter at all. (3) For example, for electrical devices that use little power, such as sensors and electronic switches, there is no need to consider adding power lines.

[0026] For the above three reasons, the amount of copper used as the material for the power lines in the present invention is smaller than the amount of copper used in the normal power distribution method.

[0027] <3> According to the power distribution system of the present invention, electrical devices connected to the power line can be prioritized to delay startup and distribute power intelligently, thereby reducing the load on the power system and stabilizing operation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a conventional power distribution system; [Figure 2]1 is a structural schematic diagram of a power distribution system according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of a main control unit including three sets of main power circuit protection devices in accordance with the present invention; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a main control unit according to the present invention. [Figure 5] 3 is a structural schematic diagram of an example of a sub-control unit in the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] 3 is a structural schematic diagram of an example of a sub-control unit in the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a structural schematic diagram of a power distribution system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] The technical solutions to the above problems according to the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are not all of the embodiments of the present invention, but only some of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments that can be obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without requiring creative efforts are included in the protection scope of the present invention.

[0030] First Embodiment As shown in FIG. 2 , the power distribution system of the first embodiment includes a system power supply 1, a main control unit 2, a power line 3, and multiple sub-control units 4. The main control unit 2 is used to manage and protect the system power supply and includes a main controller 21 and a main power circuit protection device 22 connected to the main controller 21. An input terminal 23 of the main power circuit protection device 22 is connected to a power output terminal of the system power supply 1, and an output terminal 24 of the main power circuit protection device 22 is connected to one end of the power line 3. The sub-control units 4 are used to manage and protect the safety of the power supply of the sub-control units and the safety of the power supply of electrical devices connected from outside the sub-units. Each sub-control unit 4 includes a sub-controller 41 and a sub-power circuit protection device 42 connected to the sub-controller 41. The input terminal of the sub-power circuit protection device 42 is directly connected in parallel to the power line 3 or is connected in parallel to the power line via a sub-power line 5. The output terminal of the sub-power circuit protection device 42 is connected to the electrical device.

[0031] The main power supply circuit protection device 22 and the sub power supply circuit protection device 42 are each selected from one of the following four types of circuit protection devices: (1) a circuit protection device consisting only of an electronic switch transistor; (2) a circuit protection device consisting only of a fuse (including a fast-acting fuse and a delayed-acting fuse); (3) a circuit protection device consisting of a fuse and an electronic switch transistor connected in series; or (4) a circuit protection device consisting of two electronic switch transistors connected in series.

[0032] 3, the main control unit 2 includes three main power circuit protection devices 22a, 22b, and 22c connected to the main controller 21. The input terminals 23a, 23b, and 23c of the three main power circuit protection devices are all connected to the power output terminal B+ of the system power supply 1. The output terminals 24a, 24b, and 24c of each main power circuit protection device are either expansion power output terminals or connected to the corresponding power line 3.

[0033] 4, the main control unit 2 includes a fuse F2, an electronic switch transistor M2, a current sensor IS, and a main controller 21. The fuse F2 and the electronic switch transistor M2 are connected in series to form a main power supply circuit protection device 22. When the electronic switch transistor M2 is conductive, the current sensor IS is activated by a voltage drop that occurs across the conduction resistance RON of the electronic switch transistor M2 due to the current IA flowing through the power line 3.

[0034] The main controller 21 has the functions of adjusting the current signal, collecting the current and controlling the output. When the electronic switch transistor M2 is conducting, the calculation formula for the voltage generated at the DE input of the main controller 21 is as follows: VDE=IA*RON

[0035] Here, IA is the current flowing through the power supply line 3, and RON is the conduction resistance of the electronic switch transistor M2.

[0036] This equation gives the current value when the electronic switch transistor M2 is conducting.

[0037] If a short circuit or leakage current occurs in the power line 3, or if an abnormality occurs in the sub-control unit 4, the detection value of the current sensor IS changes. When the operating current detected by the main controller 21 is greater than a preset protection threshold current value, the main controller 21 cuts off the power supply from the power line 3 by turning off the electronic switch transistor M2 via port G, thereby protecting the safety of the power line 3. The fuse F2 is intended to enhance the safety of the main power circuit protection device.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 5, the sub-control unit 4 includes a fuse F4, three MOS electronic switch transistors, Current Transducer 43 and sub-controller 41. The fuse F4 is connected in series with three MOS electronic switch transistors, Sub A power supply circuit protection device 42 is configured. SubAn electronic load or an electric device 6 is externally connected to three output terminals of the power circuit protection device 42. The current conversion of the three MOS electronic switch transistors is as follows: Current Transducer The sub-controller 41 is realized by the Current Transducer Based on the three current values converted by 43, the power output management and protection of the three MOS electronic switch transistors M1, M2 and M3 is realized.

[0039] 6, the sub-control unit 4 includes four MOS electronic switch transistors, a current converter 43, and a sub-controller 41. The MOS electronic switch transistor M0 is connected in series with the other three MOS electronic switch transistors, and the current conversion of the four MOS electronic switch transistors is realized by the current converter 43. The sub-controller 41 manages and protects the power output of the four MOS electronic switch transistors M0, M1, M2, and M3 based on the four current values converted by the current converter 43.

[0040] In this embodiment, the MOS switch transistors included in the main power circuit protection device 22 and the sub power circuit protection device 42 may be integrated smart MOS transistors with better protection performance. The power supply protection and management functions provided by the integrated smart MOS transistors include overheat protection, overcurrent protection, overvoltage protection, and fault diagnosis.

[0041] Second Embodiment As shown in Figure 7, the power distribution system of embodiment 2 includes a system power supply 1, a main control unit 2, a power line 3, a twisted pair cable 7, and multiple sub-control units 4a, 4b, and 4c. The connection relationship between the system power supply 1, the main control unit 2, the power line 3, and the multiple sub-control units 4 is the same as in embodiment 1. The twisted pair cable 7 is connected to the main controller 21 of the main control unit 2. The sub-controllers 41 of each sub-control unit 4 are connected in parallel to the twisted pair cable 7. The main control unit 2 realizes optimal power distribution and intelligent power management for each sub-control unit 4 via the twisted pair cable 7.

[0042] When the electrical devices controlled by the sub-control units 4a and 4c receive an operation command executing the same control logic, the main control unit 2 can execute the operation for each of the electrical devices controlled by the corresponding sub-control units 4a and 4c based on a preset priority and delay time. For example, the sub-control unit 4a can control the raising and lowering of the left front door glass, while the sub-control unit 4c can control the raising and lowering of the right front door glass. The priority of the sub-control unit 4a can be set higher than the priority of the sub-control unit 4c. When a command to simultaneously lower the left and right front door glass is initiated by a single button, the main control unit 2 first lowers the left front door glass, waits a certain period of time, and then lowers the right front door glass. This operation reduces the maximum current, thereby reducing the diameter of the electrical wires and thus the weight of the control system.

[0043] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, when the left front door glass lifting / lowering switch and the right front door glass lifting / lowering switch simultaneously execute commands to lower the glass, the main control unit 2 can similarly control the left front door glass to lower first, wait for a certain period of time, and then lower the right front door glass.

[0044] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, those skilled in the art can change, modify, replace, and alter these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A power distribution system including a system power supply, a main control unit, a power line, and a plurality of sub-control units; the main control unit is used to manage and protect the system power supply, and includes a main controller and a main power circuit protection device connected to the main controller; an input terminal of the main power circuit protection device is connected to a power output terminal of the system power supply; an output terminal of the main power circuit protection device is connected to one end of the power line; Each of the sub-control units is used to manage and protect the safety of the power supply of each of the sub-control units and the safety of the power supply of an electrical device connected from outside each of the sub-control units, Each of the sub-control units includes a sub-controller and a sub-power circuit protection device connected to the sub-controller; a power input terminal of the sub-power circuit protection device connected in parallel to the power line; an output terminal of the sub-power circuit protection device is connected to the electrical device; The main power supply circuit protection device and each of the sub-power supply circuit protection devices are each selected from any one of the following circuit protection devices: (1) a circuit protection device constituted solely by an electronic switch transistor; (2) a circuit protection device constituted solely by a fuse; (3) a circuit protection device constituted by a fuse and an electronic switch transistor connected in series; or (4) a circuit protection device constituted by an electronic switch transistor and another different electronic switch transistor connected in series; The plurality of sub-control units are not included in a single junction box. A power distribution system comprising:

2. 2. The power distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the system power source is a battery power source.

3. the main control unit includes at least one main power circuit protection device connected to the main controller; an input terminal of the main power circuit protection device is connected to a power output terminal of the system power supply; 2. The power distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the output terminal of the main power circuit protection device is the power output terminal of the main controller or is connected to the corresponding power line.

4. a twisted pair cable is connected to the main controller of the main control unit; 2. The power distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the sub-controllers of each of the sub-control units are connected in parallel to the twisted pair cables.

5. 2. The power distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the input terminals of the sub-power circuit protection devices are connected in parallel to the power line via a sub-power line.

6. The main controller is connected to the main power circuit protection device through a corresponding current transformer, and realizes management and protection of the power output of the main power circuit protection device; 2. The power distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the sub-controller is connected to the sub-power circuit protection device through the corresponding current transformer, and realizes management and protection of the power output of the sub-power circuit protection device.

7. the main control unit includes three main power circuit protection devices connected to the main controller; The input terminals of the three main power circuit protection devices are all connected to the power output terminals of the system power supply; 2. The power distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the output terminal of each of the main power circuit protection devices is an extension power output terminal or is connected to the corresponding power line.

8. the main control unit includes the fuse, the electronic switch transistor, a current sensor, and the main controller; the fuse and the electronic switch transistor are connected in series to form the main power supply circuit protection device; when the electronic switch transistor is conductive, the current sensor is activated by a voltage drop that occurs across a conductive resistance of the electronic switch transistor due to a current flowing through the power supply line; When the electronic switch transistor is conducting, the calculation formula of the voltage generated at the input end of the main controller is as follows: VDE=IA*RON Here, IA is the value of the current flowing through the power supply line, RON is the conductive resistance value of the electronic switch transistor M2, The current value when the electronic switch transistor is conducting can be obtained by the calculation formula, When a short circuit, a leakage current, or an abnormality occurs in the power supply line, the detection value of the current sensor changes, and when the operating current detected by the main controller is greater than a preset protection threshold current value, the main controller cuts off the power supply from the power supply line by turning off the electronic switch transistor via a port, thereby protecting the safety of the power supply line; 2. The power distribution system of claim 1, wherein the fuse is for enhancing the safety of the main power circuit protection device.

9. each of the sub-control units includes the fuse, three MOS electronic switch transistors, a current converter, and the sub-controller, the fuse is connected in series with the three MOS electronic switch transistors to form a sub-power circuit protection device, and electronic loads or the electric devices are externally connected to three output terminals of the sub-power circuit protection device; The conversion of the current values of the three MOS electronic switch transistors is realized by the current converter; 2. The power distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the sub-controller manages and protects the power outputs of the three MOS electronic switch transistors based on the three current values converted by the current converter.

10. Each of the sub-control units includes four MOS electronic switch transistors, a current converter, and the sub-controller; the MOS electronic switch transistor is connected in series with three other MOS electronic switch transistors; The conversion of the current values of the four MOS electronic switch transistors is realized by the current converter; 2. The power distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the sub-controller manages and protects the power outputs of the four MOS electronic switch transistors based on the four current values converted by the current converter.

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