DC/DC Converter Rotation by Current Range in Vehicle Rest Mode
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In dual voltage architectures of heavy-duty vehicles, balancing the power supplied by multiple DC/DC converters is challenging, leading to inefficient energy consumption and potential premature failure of converters, especially when only one converter is activated during low power requirements.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to control the operation of multiple DC/DC converters by entering a vehicle rest mode, measuring voltage and current conditions, and selectively activating the converter with the least cumulative operation time in each current range to balance usage and extend converter lifespan, ensuring only one converter is active during rest mode unless higher power is needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple DC/DC converters are used in parallel to supply the second electrical network, then the power supply capacity is improved, but the balancing of power distribution among converters deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The controller pre-establishes a usage time record for each converter before operation begins. This preliminary tracking mechanism allows the system to monitor and balance converter usage in real-time, ensuring that converters with less accumulated usage time are prioritized for activation, thereby resolving the imbalance problem while maintaining high power supply capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the cumulative usage time of each converter and uses this feedback information to dynamically decide which converter to activate. The controller compares usage records and selectively activates converters based on their historical usage patterns, creating a closed-loop control system that automatically balances power distribution across multiple converters
2Use of energy by moving object
If only one DC/DC converter is activated during low power requirements, then the energy consumption is reduced, but the converter lifespan is shortened due to unbalanced usage
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-tracks the cumulative usage time of each converter before activation decisions are made. This preliminary recording enables the controller to identify which converter has the least usage accumulation and prioritize its activation, ensuring that no single converter is overused while maintaining energy-efficient single-converter operation during low power demands
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the activation state of converters based on their cumulative usage time parameter. By monitoring usage records and switching between different converters based on their accumulated operation time, the system optimizes both energy consumption and converter lifespan through parameter-based decision making
3Duration of action of stationary object
If converters are frequently switched between active and rest states to balance usage, then the converter lifespan is extended, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each converter's controller autonomously tracks its own cumulative usage time and makes self-directed activation decisions based on this data. The system serves itself by using internally recorded usage information to automatically determine which converter should be activated, eliminating the need for complex external coordination while extending converter lifespan through balanced usage
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A method to control operation of electrical converter units in an electrical system of a vehicle comprising a first and a second electrical network, the first and the second electrical network being coupled respectively to a positive terminals of a first battery (BAT1) and a second battery (BAT2), each converter of a plurality of converters (C1, C2, C3 ... Cn) having an active state in which the converter output supplies current to the second electrical network, and a rest state in which the converter output does not supply current to the second electrical network, each converter of the plurality of converters (C1, C2, C3...Cn) exhibiting a respective cumulative operation time in each of a plurality of different current ranges (R1, R2, R3, ...., RN), wherein a single converter is active in a vehicle rest mode, and a balance of converters is carried out upon cumulative respective usage of each converter.