Power supply apparatus, power supply system and power supply method
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity of power systems in new energy vehicles, particularly due to enhanced autonomous driving capabilities, leads to a higher likelihood of faults and a need for improved functional safety in power supply systems, as conventional solutions fail to maintain stable bus voltage and meet the safety requirements for high-level autonomous driving.
Innovation Solution
A power supply apparatus with bidirectional isolation units, including switches and diodes, is introduced to control connections between voltage conversion units and batteries, ensuring redundancy and stability by disconnecting faulty branches and maintaining bus voltage, thereby ensuring normal power supply to loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional power supply architecture is used without isolation units, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to inability to isolate faults and maintain stable bus voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply architecture is segmented into multiple independent modules, each with its own bidirectional isolation unit. These isolation units create electrical separation between different power sources (voltage conversion unit, battery) and the load, allowing fault isolation while maintaining overall system functionality. The segmentation enables redundant power paths without creating single points of failure.
Solution Approach 2:
Bidirectional isolation units are introduced as intermediary components between power sources and loads. These isolation units contain switches and diodes that act as mediators to control power flow directionally, preventing fault propagation while allowing normal power transmission. The intermediary components enable reliable fault isolation without requiring complete system redesign.
2Reliability
If bidirectional isolation units with switches and diodes are added to each power source branch, then reliability improves through fault isolation, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The bidirectional isolation unit is designed as a universal module that can be applied to any power source branch (voltage conversion unit, battery, or load). Each isolation unit performs multiple functions: normal power transmission, fault isolation, and bidirectional current control. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components for each function, thereby managing complexity while enhancing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The isolation units utilize parameter changes in switch states (on/off) and diode conduction directions to dynamically control power flow. By changing the electrical parameters (conductivity, resistance) of the isolation components based on system conditions, the architecture achieves adaptive fault isolation without requiring complex control logic or additional sensing infrastructure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If isolation units are used to disconnect faulty branches, then bus voltage stability improves, but power loss increases due to disconnection of functional power sources
Solution Approach 1:
The bidirectional isolation units dynamically adjust their connection states based on real-time system conditions. When a fault is detected in one power source, the isolation unit for that source disconnects while simultaneously connecting alternative power sources through their respective isolation units. This dynamic reconfiguration maintains bus voltage stability while minimizing power loss by keeping functional power sources connected.
Solution Approach 2:
The system ensures continuous power supply to loads by maintaining active connection paths through healthy power sources. When one power source becomes faulty, the bidirectional isolation units enable seamless switching to alternative power sources without interrupting load operation. This continuity of useful action prevents bus voltage collapse and minimizes energy loss by avoiding complete system shutdowns.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide a power supply apparatus, a power supply system, and a method. The power supply apparatus includes: a power supply bus, where the power supply bus is connected to an output end of a voltage conversion unit through a bidirectional isolation unit, and is connected to a low-voltage battery through another bidirectional isolation unit. The bidirectional isolation unit is configured to control connection and disconnection between the bus and the voltage conversion unit or the low-voltage battery. The bidirectional isolation unit includes two switches connected in series. The two switches connected in series each are connected in parallel to one diode, and the two diodes are disposed back to back. The power supply apparatus further includes another circuit, where the circuit is electrically connected to the bus, and is configured to supply power to a load. Solutions in embodiments of this application may be applied to new energy vehicles such as an electric vehicle and a hybrid electric vehicle, to improve functional safety performance of power supply of the vehicles.