Alternator Control Device Voltage Signal Fault Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Alternator control devices face challenges in distinguishing erroneous voltage signals from engine control devices, leading to potential battery drain due to unintended delivery of excitation current, especially when short circuits occur, causing high voltage signals that are not properly pulled down.
Innovation Solution
The alternator control device includes processing circuitry to detect voltage signals higher than a threshold level, activate a switch to connect the interface to pull-down circuitry, and refrain from delivering excitation current if the high voltage persists beyond a threshold time duration, ensuring that the alternator does not drain the battery unnecessarily.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the alternator control device delivers excitation current based on voltage signals from the engine control device, then the alternator can generate electrical power, but battery drain occurs when erroneous high voltage signals are received due to short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a pull-down circuit that proactively pulls the voltage signal low before excitation current is delivered. The circuit includes a pull-down resistor and switch that are activated in response to detecting a high voltage signal, ensuring the voltage is pulled down before any erroneous excitation current can be delivered to the alternator, thus preventing battery drain while maintaining normal power generation operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a pull-down circuit as a mediator between the voltage signal reception and excitation current delivery. This intermediary circuit processes the voltage signal by pulling it down through a resistor when a high voltage is detected, acting as a buffer that prevents erroneous signals from directly causing battery drain while allowing legitimate signals to pass through for normal operation
2Loss of energy
If the alternator control device refrains from delivering excitation current when high voltage signals are detected, then battery drain is prevented, but legitimate excitation current delivery may be blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the pull-down circuit dynamically controllable through a switch that can be activated or deactivated based on the detected voltage signal conditions. The switch allows the circuit to adapt its behavior - pulling down the voltage when high voltage signals are detected to prevent battery drain, while allowing normal voltage levels to pass through for legitimate excitation current delivery, thus maintaining system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the voltage signal from the engine control device and using this information to control the pull-down circuit. The system receives feedback about voltage levels and adjusts its operation accordingly - activating the pull-down circuit when high voltage is detected and deactivating it when normal voltage levels are present, ensuring both battery protection and reliable excitation current delivery
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, an alternator control device includes interface configured to receive a voltage signal from an engine control device, pull-down circuitry, and a switch electrically connected between the interface and the pull-down circuitry. The alternator control device further includes processing circuitry configured to determine that the voltage signal is higher than a threshold voltage level and to activate the switch to electrically connect the interface to the pull-down circuitry in response to determining that the voltage signal is higher than the threshold voltage level. The processing circuitry is further configured to determine that, at least a threshold time duration after activating the switch, the voltage signal is higher than the threshold voltage level and to refrain from delivering the excitation current based on determining that, at least the threshold time duration after activating the switch, the voltage signal is higher than a threshold voltage level.