Control Apparatus Power Supply Abnormality Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Control apparatuses with multiple power supplies face challenges in maintaining accurate state values when an abnormality occurs in one power supply, leading to instability in voltage references and incorrect digital value calculations.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a diode connection between power lines to allow the second control unit to monitor and calculate correction information for the first control unit's state values, enabling the first control unit to correct its state values using this information even during power supply abnormalities, thereby maintaining accurate digital value conversions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the first power supply supplies voltage to the first control unit, then the first control unit can operate normally and convert analog sensor values to digital values, but when an abnormality occurs in the first power supply, the reference voltage changes and causes incorrect state value calculations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation continuityVSAvoidstate value accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a second power supply as an intermediary backup system. When the first power supply experiences an abnormality, the second power supply takes over to provide the reference voltage, ensuring continuous and accurate operation of the first control unit. This mediator approach allows seamless transition without compromising measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a monitoring mechanism where the second control unit continuously monitors the voltage of the first power line. When an abnormality is detected, the system calculates correction information based on the voltage change and transmits it to the first control unit. This feedback loop ensures that state value accuracy is maintained even during power supply transitions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If a diode is connected between power lines to enable voltage monitoring and correction, then correction information can be transmitted during power supply abnormalities, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestate value accuracyVSAvoidcircuit configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A diode is introduced as an intermediary component between the first and second power lines. This simple passive component enables the second control unit to monitor the voltage of the first power line and facilitates the transmission of correction information without requiring complex active circuitry or additional control logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If the second control unit monitors the first power line voltage and calculates correction information, then accurate state values can be maintained during power supply abnormalities, but the control unit workload and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestate value accuracyVSAvoidcorrection calculation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The second control unit continuously monitors the voltage of the first power line in advance, maintaining readiness to detect abnormalities. By performing preliminary monitoring and having correction calculation algorithms pre-prepared, the system can rapidly respond to power supply failures without significant processing delays, thus minimizing time loss while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 the first control unit can recognize and correct its state values appropriately, even when the first power supply's voltage changes, ensuring stable operation and accurate control of the drive unit.

Implementation Method 1

The first diode is connected to the first power line and the second power line such that a direction from the second power line to the first power line is set as a forward direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiode forward conduction: Diode

Data Source

PatentEP3493382B1Control apparatus and control method
Publication Date: 2022.07.13 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP3493382B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3493382B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3493382B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

In a control apparatus including a drive unit, first and second power supplies, a first diode, first and second control units, and a control method of the control apparatus, the first diode is connected to first and second power lines such that a direction from the second power line to the first power line is set as a forward direction, the second control unit is configured to calculate correction information for a first state value based on the voltage of the first power line before and after an abnormality has occurred in the first power supply and to transmit the correction information to the first control unit when the abnormality has occurred in the first power supply, and the first control unit is configured to correct the first state value using the correction information when the correction information has been received from the second control unit.