Dual DC-DC Converter System with Fault Isolation for Vehicle Power Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles, faulty power supply modules can lead to disruptions in low-voltage load modules, such as autonomous driving systems, causing vehicles to lose control or be unable to travel normally, due to the lack of effective redundancy and fault isolation in existing electric power conversion systems.
Innovation Solution
An electric power conversion system with dual direct current to direct current conversion modules and a fault isolation module that disconnects faulty modules to prevent short circuits, ensuring continuous power supply to critical load modules, thereby maintaining vehicle usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single direct current to direct current conversion module is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates because a fault in the module causes complete power failure
Solution Approach 1:
The power conversion system is divided into multiple independent direct current to direct current conversion modules (first module and second module). Each module can independently convert voltage from the power supply, and they are connected in parallel to provide redundant power paths. This segmentation ensures that if one module fails, the other can continue to supply power to critical load modules, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a fault isolation module that proactively detects faults in load modules and isolates them before they can cause complete system failure. The fault isolation module monitors the status of load modules and automatically disconnects faulty ones from the power conversion system, preventing fault propagation and ensuring continuous operation of healthy modules. This beforehand cushioning mechanism maintains high reliability while keeping the system structure manageable.
2Reliability
If load modules are directly connected to the power supply, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because a fault in one load module can affect other modules
Solution Approach 1:
The power distribution structure is segmented into multiple independent power paths through the first and second direct current to direct current conversion modules. Each module serves specific load modules independently, creating isolated power domains. This segmentation prevents fault propagation between load modules while maintaining clear and manageable power distribution routes, effectively balancing reliability improvement with structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fault isolation module acts as an intermediary between the power conversion modules and the load modules. It monitors the operational status of load modules and automatically isolates faulty ones by controlling the connection state. This intermediary mechanism protects the power conversion system from fault propagation while maintaining simple and clear power distribution paths, thus improving reliability without significantly complicating the overall structure.
3Reliability
If redundancy is added to the power conversion system, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple conversion modules and isolation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses two independent direct current to direct current conversion modules that can operate in parallel or independently. This segmentation creates redundant power paths without requiring complex interconnections between modules. Each module maintains its own simple structure while contributing to overall system redundancy, thus improving power supply continuity while limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fault isolation module provides beforehand cushioning by detecting and isolating faults before they can compromise system reliability. This proactive fault management eliminates the need for complex active redundancy mechanisms, as the isolation capability itself prevents single-point failures from affecting the entire system. The result is improved power supply continuity with relatively simple additional hardware and control logic.
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 system ensures that vehicles can continue to operate normally even with faulty load modules by isolating faults and maintaining power supply to critical systems, enhancing vehicle usability and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The first direct current to direct current conversion module may perform voltage conversion processing on the electric energy, and then provide the electric energy to the at least one load module
Implementation Method 2
The second direct current to direct current conversion module may perform voltage conversion processing on the electric energy, and then provide the electric energy to the at least one load module
Implementation Method 3
The fault isolation module may connect or disconnect the first direct current to direct current conversion module to/from the second load module
Data Source
AI summary
An electric power conversion system and a vehicle, to improve vehicle availability. The electric power conversion system may receive electric energy provided by a first power supply, and supply power to at least one load module. The system may include a first direct current to direct current conversion module and a second direct current to direct current conversion module. The first direct current to direct current conversion module is configured to perform voltage conversion processing on the electric energy and provide the electric energy to the at least one load module. The second direct current to direct current conversion module is configured to perform voltage conversion processing on the electric energy and provide the electric energy to the at least one load module.