Vehicle Battery Relay Control for Post-Collision ECU Power Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicle battery systems, collisions can damage auxiliary batteries, leading to decreased voltage and increased internal resistance, causing the electronic control unit to malfunction due to excessive power supply current, which results in system failure.
Innovation Solution
A battery system with a collision detection device that switches relays to interrupt power to non-essential electric loads while maintaining power to the electronic control unit, reducing the supply current and preventing voltage drops, ensuring continuous operation of the electronic control unit post-collision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the auxiliary battery supplies electric power to both electric loads and electronic control unit after collision, then the electric loads can continue to operate, but the voltage applied to the electronic control unit decreases due to increased internal resistance and excessive supply current
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power distribution by introducing separate relay circuits: first relays control power to electric loads, while a second relay controls power to the electronic control unit. This segmentation allows independent control of power supply to different components, enabling the system to prioritize the electronic control unit's power needs while reducing overall supply current after collision, thus preventing voltage drops and ensuring reliable operation.
2Productivity
If the auxiliary battery supplies electric power to electric loads after collision, then the electric loads can maintain operation, but the internal resistance increase causes voltage drop that affects electronic control unit operation
Solution Approach 1:
The collision detection device detects collision beforehand and triggers the relay control circuit to switch states in advance. The first relays are turned off to disconnect electric loads, while the second relay remains on to maintain power to the electronic control unit. This preliminary action prevents voltage drops before they can affect the electronic control unit's operation, ensuring voltage stability while managing the auxiliary battery's compromised output.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the relay control circuit maintains power to all components after collision, then system functionality is preserved, but the excessive supply current causes voltage drop and potential system failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electronic control unit from the general group of power consumers by providing it with a dedicated relay circuit (second relay) separate from the electric loads (first relays). This extraction allows the system to selectively maintain power to the critical electronic control unit while disconnecting non-critical electric loads, thereby reducing excessive supply current and preventing voltage drops that would cause system failure, while preserving essential system functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery system for a vehicle includes an auxiliary battery, first electric loads electrically connected to the auxiliary battery through first relays, a first electronic control unit electrically connected to the auxiliary battery through a second relay, the first electronic control unit being configured to turn on and off at least the first relays and the second relay, and a collision detection device configured to transmit a collision detection signal to the first electronic control unit when detecting a collision of the vehicle. The first electronic control unit is configured to switch the first relays from on to off, while keeping the second relay turned on when receiving the collision detection signal.