Dual Power Supply Switching for Sensor Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing environmental sensor systems for automated driving rely on a single electrical power supply, leading to system failures when one power source is unavailable, resulting in reduced functionality and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus utilizing two independent electrical power supply units connected through a switch mechanism, allowing seamless switching between them to maintain device functionality even if one power supply fails, with semiconductor switches and control devices ensuring redundancy and fault isolation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single electrical power supply unit is used for environmental sensor systems, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability of power supply deteriorates when power source fails
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into multiple independent power supply units (first power supply unit and second power supply unit), each capable of independently supplying power to the environmental sensor system. This segmentation allows the system to maintain functionality even if one power supply unit fails, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The switch mechanism is pre-configured with a preferred position that automatically connects the environmental sensor system to the first power supply unit under normal conditions. This preliminary configuration enables seamless failover to the second power supply unit when needed, improving reliability while maintaining operational simplicity through automatic switching based on power source availability.
2Reliability
If independent power supply units are implemented with switch mechanism, then the reliability and redundancy of power supply are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The switch mechanism is designed as a multi-functional component that can automatically select between multiple power supply units based on their availability. This universal switch design consolidates the complexity of managing multiple power sources into a single controllable element, improving power supply redundancy while mitigating manufacturing complexity by using a standardized switching component.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply system incorporates self-diagnostic capabilities where the switch mechanism automatically detects the status of power supply units and performs failover without external intervention. This self-service approach improves reliability through automatic redundancy activation while simplifying manufacturing by eliminating the need for complex external control systems.
3Ease of operation
If switch mechanism with preferred position is used, then the ease of operation and automatic failover are improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional switching components
Solution Approach 1:
The switch mechanism integrates multiple functions including power source selection, status monitoring, and automatic failover control into a single unified component. This merging of functions improves ease of operation by providing automatic power switching while managing device complexity through consolidation rather than adding separate components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The switch mechanism acts as an intermediary component between multiple power supply units and the environmental sensor system. It mediates the power flow automatically based on the availability of power sources, improving ease of operation through transparent automatic switching while containing complexity within the intermediary switching component rather than distributing it throughout the entire system.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for supplying electrical power to a device, including: supplying power to the device from a first electrical power supply unit via a switch mechanism in a particular (or preferred) position; and supplying power to the device from a second electrical power supply unit through a defined switching over of the switch mechanism to a secondary position.