Vehicle Battery Circuit Redundancy Using Multi-LDC Failover Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous eco-friendly vehicles require a fail operational system to continue functioning without occupant intervention in case of battery-related failures, but existing technologies do not effectively address the need for minimizing cost and optimizing circuit redundancy for power supply failures.
Innovation Solution
A battery circuit control apparatus with multiple low voltage DC-DC converters and a controller that identifies failures and reroutes power supply through redundant switches to maintain operation, optimizing circuit transitions and component configurations to ensure continuous functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a redundant power supply circuit is configured to address battery failures, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply circuit is segmented into multiple independent DC-DC converters (first, second, and third converters), each capable of independently supplying power to different loads. This segmentation allows the system to maintain partial functionality even when one converter fails, thereby improving reliability without requiring a completely redundant parallel configuration for all components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically reconfigures the power supply topology based on operational status. When the first DC-DC converter fails, the controller automatically switches the third DC-DC converter to supply power to the first load, and when the second converter fails, it switches to supply the second load. This dynamic reconfiguration maintains reliability while avoiding the need for permanent dual-redundant configurations.
2Reliability
If multiple DC-DC converters are used to ensure continuous power supply, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The third DC-DC converter is designed with multi-functionality, capable of supplying power to either the first load or the second load depending on which converter fails. This universal design allows a single converter to serve multiple potential roles, reducing the total number of converters needed compared to having dedicated redundant converters for each load, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller changes the operational parameters of the DC-DC converters based on failure conditions. When a converter fails, the controller adjusts the duty cycle and power output parameters of the remaining functional converters to ensure continuous power supply to all loads, optimizing resource utilization and reducing the need for excessive redundancy.
3Reliability
If a fail operational system is implemented with circuit redundancy, then reliability is improved, but circuit transition complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors the operational status of each DC-DC converter through feedback signals and automatically detects failures. Based on this real-time feedback, the controller dynamically reconfigures the circuit connections, switching the third converter to appropriate loads as needed. This feedback-based control simplifies the transition process by automating the decision-making logic, reducing the complexity of manual or pre-programmed transition sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The third DC-DC converter is pre-configured and ready to assume power supply responsibilities for either the first or second load before any failure occurs. The circuit topology is designed in advance with switching elements positioned to enable rapid reconfiguration. This preliminary preparation reduces the complexity of real-time transition control, as the system only needs to activate pre-established pathways rather than dynamically determine new configurations during failures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables autonomous eco-friendly vehicles to travel to a destination without occupant intervention by implementing a fail operational system with reduced costs and optimized redundancy, ensuring stable power supply even in case of electronic part failures.
Implementation Method 1
each of the plurality of LDCs is electrically coupled to the battery and is configured to drop a voltage and to supply the dropped voltage to one of a plurality of loads
Data Source
AI summary
Provide is an apparatus for controlling a battery circuit, a vehicle having the same, and a control method thereof, the apparatus including: a power supply including at least one battery, and at least two low voltage DC-DC Converters (LDCs) electrically connected to the battery and configured to drop an input voltage and supply the voltage to one of a first load and a second load; and a controller including a processor configured to process a signal received from the LDC, wherein the controller is configured to, based on the signal received from the LDC being processed, identify a failure of at least one of the LDCs; and in response to the failure being identified, control a LDC other than the LDC, of which the failure is identified.