Boosterless Electronic Latch Circuit with Direct Supercapacitor Backup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic latch assemblies in motor vehicles face challenges in controlling closure members during power failures or electrical interruptions, requiring backup energy sources that often necessitate costly boost circuits to elevate voltage to automotive standards.
Innovation Solution
A latch assembly with a backup energy source, such as a supercapacitor, provides motor supply voltage directly to a power release motor without voltage increase, using a control unit to manage power and communicate between components, eliminating the need for boost converters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a backup energy source is used to supply power during main power failure, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for boost circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the voltage parameter of the backup energy source to match the motor's operating voltage requirements. By designing the supercapacitor bank with sufficient capacitance to directly provide the required motor supply voltage (without needing voltage boosting), the system achieves reliability during power failures while avoiding the complexity of boost circuits. The supercapacitor voltage is specifically selected to be compatible with the motor's operating range.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply system is segmented into two independent voltage sources: the main vehicle battery and the backup supercapacitor bank. Each source is designed to independently provide the full motor supply voltage when activated. This segmentation eliminates the need for voltage conversion between sources, as both can directly power the motor without requiring boost circuits or complex voltage regulation.
2Power
If boost circuits are added to increase voltage from backup power supply, then motor supply voltage is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The backup energy source parameters are specifically designed to output voltage that matches the motor's operating voltage requirements. The supercapacitor bank is configured with appropriate capacitance and voltage rating to directly provide motor supply voltage during backup operation, eliminating the need for expensive boost converter circuits and associated manufacturing costs.
3Power
If boost converters are used to elevate voltage output, then motor supply voltage is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the voltage parameter of the backup supercapacitor to match motor requirements, allowing direct voltage supply without boost converters. The control unit is programmed to detect main power failure and immediately switch to the supercapacitor source, which is designed to provide the exact voltage range needed by the motor, thereby eliminating complex voltage conversion circuitry.
4Power
If voltage reduction is implemented from main power source, then motor supply voltage is achieved, but energy loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supercapacitor bank is pre-charged to the appropriate voltage level during normal operation when the main power source is available. This preliminary charging action stores energy at the correct voltage, so that during power failure the motor can be powered directly from the supercapacitor without requiring real-time voltage reduction or conversion, thereby minimizing energy losses during the critical backup operation.
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
This solution ensures reliable operation of closure panels during power outages by using a supercapacitor to supply motor voltage directly, reducing complexity and cost by avoiding boost converters, thus maintaining functionality without additional components.
Implementation Method 1
The backup energy source includes a supercapacitor unit storing electrical energy from the vehicle main power source for use by the latch assembly when the vehicle main power source is unavailable
Data Source
AI summary
A latch assembly is provided and includes a backup energy source coupled to a vehicle main power source of the motor vehicle and configured to provide a motor supply voltage. The latch assembly also includes an actuation group with a power release motor that is movable to latch and unlatch the closure panel. A control unit is coupled to the actuation group and is configured to determine whether the vehicle main power source is available. The control unit is also configured to reduce a battery voltage from the vehicle main power source to the motor supply voltage supplied to the power release motor in response to the vehicle main power source being available. The control unit is additionally configured to supply the motor supply voltage from the backup energy source to the power release motor without any voltage increase in response to the vehicle main power source not being available.