Bidirectional Low-Voltage Power Redundancy for DC-DC Converter Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face power failures due to short circuits or disconnections in their power systems, leading to potential accidents and inability to reach destinations without driver intervention, especially when the 24V DC-DC converter fails, causing the 12V battery to discharge completely within 36 minutes.
Innovation Solution
A redundancy power control system with dual DC-DC converters and a bidirectional converter that dynamically adjusts power conversion based on spare capacity and current consumption, allowing power redistribution between 12V and 24V domains to maintain operation even after converter failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If fixed current amount power conversion is used in redundancy power supply, then power conversion simplicity is improved, but power supply duration deteriorates (battery discharges completely within 36 minutes)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power conversion by having the bidirectional converter continuously adjust conversion current based on real-time battery state of charge (SOC) levels. When SOC is high, conversion current is increased to maximize power transfer; when SOC is low, conversion current is reduced to preserve battery charge, thereby extending power supply duration while maintaining system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the conversion current parameter dynamically based on battery SOC conditions. The control unit monitors battery charge levels and adjusts the conversion current parameter in real-time, transitioning from fixed current to variable current operation. This parameter adaptation allows the system to optimize power transfer efficiency and extend operational duration without requiring complex additional hardware.
2Reliability
If maximum current is used for power conversion when DC-DC converter fails, then power supply reliability is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates (battery completely discharged)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the control unit continuously monitors battery state of charge (SOC) levels and adjusts the bidirectional converter's operation accordingly. The system uses SOC feedback to determine optimal conversion current, ensuring that power conversion maintains reliability while preventing excessive battery discharge. This closed-loop control balances reliability and energy efficiency by adapting conversion intensity to real-time battery conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically modulating power conversion based on its own battery status. The control unit monitors the battery's charge level and autonomously adjusts conversion parameters without external intervention, enabling the system to maintain reliability while conserving energy through intelligent, condition-based operation.
3Duration of action of moving object
If variable power conversion based on output capacity is implemented, then power supply duration is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the bidirectional converter multi-functional by enabling it to perform both fixed current conversion and variable current conversion based on system needs. The same converter hardware handles different operation modes (normal operation, redundancy mode, battery charging/discharging) through software control, avoiding the need for separate dedicated converters for each function. This universal approach extends power supply duration without proportionally increasing hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that manages the complexity of variable power conversion. Rather than embedding complex control logic directly in the converter hardware, the control unit serves as a mediating layer that processes battery SOC information and generates appropriate conversion commands. This separation of control logic from power conversion hardware manages system complexity while achieving extended power supply duration.
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
Ensures continuous autonomous driving by extending the usable duration of the vehicle's power supply, preventing battery discharge, and maintaining critical systems operational, even under failure conditions, thereby enhancing safety and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a first DC-DC converter configured to convert an input voltage into a first voltage
Implementation Method 2
a second DC-DC converter configured to convert the input voltage into a second voltage
Implementation Method 3
a bidirectional converter configured to convert power between power associated with the first low-voltage and power associated with the second low-voltage
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus of a vehicle may comprise a first DC-DC converter configured to convert an input voltage into a first voltage, a first power distributor configured to supply the first voltage to at least one first electrical load, a second DC-DC converter configured to convert the input voltage into a second voltage, a second power distributor configured to supply the second voltage to at least one second electrical load, and a bidirectional converter configured to convert power between power associated with the first low-voltage and power associated with the second low-voltage based on a power conversion request signal generated by one power distributor and provide the converted power to the other power distributor. Each power distributor is configured to determine a spare current amount and transmit the power conversion request signal based on a failure in the other DC-DC converter.