Charging Circuit for Passenger Protection Control Units

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control units for passenger protection systems lack efficient control over the charging speed of energy reserves, leading to suboptimal performance and increased costs due to the need for high-capacity components.

Innovation Solution

A control unit with a charging circuit that regulates the charging speed of an energy storage device using a signal generated within the circuit, allowing for adjustable charging speed and reduced input current, enabling the use of lower-capacity external components and achieving cost reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the charging circuit is designed to charge the energy storage device at maximum speed, then the charging time is reduced, but the input current increases requiring higher-capacity external components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging speedVSAvoidinput current
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The charging circuit dynamically adjusts the charging current based on the actual charging needs of the energy storage device. The control unit modulates the charging current to match the device's acceptance rate, preventing excessive current when the device is nearly charged while allowing high current when the device needs rapid charging. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the charging speed adaptable rather than fixed at maximum.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The charging circuit changes the charging parameter (current) based on the charging state of the energy storage device. By monitoring the device's charge level and adjusting the charging current accordingly, the system optimizes charging speed at different stages without requiring continuously high input current, thus reducing the capacity requirements for external components while maintaining overall charging productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the charging circuit uses high-capacity external components to support maximum charging current, then the charging speed can be maximized, but the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging speedVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses dynamic current adjustment to reduce the peak current requirements, allowing the use of lower-capacity and less expensive external components. By controlling the charging current to match actual needs rather than providing continuous maximum capacity, the system achieves adequate charging speed without requiring oversized components, thus reducing overall system cost while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the charging circuit provides uncontrolled high current, then the charging speed is maximized, but the control and regulation capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging speedVSAvoidcontrol capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The charging circuit incorporates feedback control mechanisms that continuously monitor the charging state of the energy storage device and adjust the charging current accordingly. This feedback loop enables both high charging speed and precise control by comparing the actual charging rate with the desired rate and making real-time adjustments, thus resolving the contradiction between speed and control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static uncontrolled high current to dynamic controlled current that adapts to charging needs. The control unit actively regulates the charging current based on real-time conditions, maintaining high productivity when needed while ensuring precise control throughout the charging process, thereby eliminating the trade-off between speed and controllability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The solution allows for precise control of the charging speed, meeting performance requirements while reducing costs by enabling the use of lower-capacity components, thus improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the control unit.

Implementation Method 1

an energy storage device with which a energy reserve is charged, is designed as a capacitor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP2250051B1Control unit and method for activating personal protection means
Publication Date: 2018.09.05 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2250051B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2250051B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2250051B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A control unit and a method for triggering personal protection devices are proposed, which charge an energy reservoir for the control unit via a charging circuit. The charging circuit sets a charging rate for charging as a function of a signal generated outside the charging surface.