Battery Switch Testing System for Autonomous Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
In autonomous vehicles, safety function checks involving full open and close cycles of battery switches can disrupt power to other systems, potentially damaging them or causing data loss, necessitating a method to perform these checks without cutting off power.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a Fail Operational Control Module (FOCM) to monitor and test the electrical properties of batteries, controlling solid-state switches (FETs) to perform low-impact testing by opening and closing them only when necessary, ensuring continuous power supply to other vehicle systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If battery switches are opened and closed during safety function checks, then switch functionality is verified and aging is prevented, but power to other vehicle systems is cut off causing damage or data loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the battery system into multiple batteries (first battery and second battery) with separate battery switches. This segmentation allows the system to test one battery switch at a time while the other battery continues to supply power to vehicle systems, thus verifying switch functionality without causing complete power disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that monitors electrical properties of batteries and coordinates the opening and closing of battery switches. It manages the testing sequence by opening one switch while ensuring the other battery maintains power supply, thereby mediating between the need for switch testing and the need for continuous power to vehicle systems.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If battery switches are tested frequently, then switch aging is reduced and functionality is maintained, but system complexity increases due to monitoring and control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-testing of battery switches during normal operation. The controller monitors electrical properties (current, voltage, temperature) and automatically opens and closes battery switches as part of safety function checks, eliminating the need for separate manual testing procedures and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller continuously monitors electrical properties of batteries including current, voltage, and temperature. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect when testing should occur and to verify the results of switch operations, enabling intelligent control of the testing process without requiring complex external monitoring systems.
3Measurement precision
If power is stopped during battery switch testing, then complete isolation is achieved for accurate testing, but vehicle systems suffer damage or lose important information
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the power supply into multiple batteries with independent switches, the system can isolate one battery for testing while the other battery continues to power vehicle systems. This segmentation enables accurate switch testing without complete power isolation, preventing data loss and system damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller monitors electrical properties continuously and prepares for switch testing in advance. By opening the second battery switch before closing the first battery switch, the system ensures power continuity is maintained throughout the testing sequence, preventing information loss while achieving testing objectives.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery switch testing system that includes a memory configured to may include one or more executable instructions and a controller configured to execute the executable instructions, where the executable instructions enable the controller to: (a) monitor current discharge from a first battery; after (a), (b) when the current discharge from the first battery falls below a threshold value, open an internally integrated first battery switch of the first battery; after (b), (c) close the first battery switch; after (c), (d) monitor current discharge from a second battery; after (d), (e) when the current discharge from the second battery falls below a threshold value, open an internally integrated second battery switch of the second battery; and after (e), (f) close the second battery switch.