Dual Voltage Regulator Diagnostics for ADC Fault Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current diagnostic systems for vehicle electrical systems lack effective independent monitoring and safe action mechanisms to determine if an analog-to-digital converter is malfunctioning, particularly in relation to voltage regulators.

Innovation Solution

A diagnostic system incorporating a microcontroller with an analog-to-digital converter, voltage divider circuits, and applications that monitor corrected voltage values, setting flags for faults and commanding control signals to safely address malfunctions by transitioning critical components to an open state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single application monitors voltage values from voltage regulators, then the diagnostic system structure is simple, but the system cannot independently determine if the analog-to-digital converter is malfunctioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanalog-to-digital converter malfunction detectionVSAvoiddiagnostic system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The diagnostic system is segmented into multiple independent applications (first application and second application), each responsible for monitoring specific voltage regulators. This segmentation allows independent fault detection capability while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple applications act as intermediaries between the analog-to-digital converter and the diagnostic handler, each independently verifying converter functionality through separate monitoring paths. This intermediary structure enables reliable fault detection without requiring a single complex diagnostic mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the system monitors uncorrected voltage values, then the monitoring process is simple, but the system cannot accurately detect analog-to-digital converter malfunctions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanalog-to-digital converter malfunction detection accuracyVSAvoidvoltage correction process

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary correction of voltage values using correction factors before comparing them against expected ranges. This preliminary action ensures accurate malfunction detection by accounting for known voltage variations, while the correction factors are pre-calculated to minimize real-time computational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback mechanisms where corrected voltage values are continuously monitored and compared against expected ranges. The feedback loop enables accurate malfunction detection by constantly adjusting and verifying voltage measurements, with the complexity managed through established feedback algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the system takes corrective action upon detecting a malfunction, then the vehicle electrical system stability is ensured, but additional control mechanisms are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle electrical system stabilityVSAvoidcontrol signal generation mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system prepares corrective control signals in advance through predefined diagnostic handler logic. When a malfunction is detected, pre-planned corrective actions are immediately implemented, ensuring system stability while avoiding the need for complex real-time decision-making mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The diagnostic system implements self-service through automated malfunction detection and corrective action generation. The system independently identifies converter malfunctions and generates appropriate control signals without requiring external intervention, maintaining system stability through self-contained diagnostic and response mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 effectively determines if an analog-to-digital converter is malfunctioning and takes safe actions, ensuring the vehicle electrical system's stability by independently monitoring voltage regulators and taking corrective measures.

Implementation Method 1

a first voltage divider circuit electrically coupled between the first voltage regulator and a first channel of the analog-to-digital converter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage division: Ohm's Law

Data Source

PatentUS11193968B2Diagnostic system for a vehicle electrical system having first and second voltage regulators

Publication Date: 2021.12.07 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

A diagnostic system for a vehicle electrical system having first and second voltage regulators outputting first and second voltages, respectively, is provided. The diagnostic system includes a microcontroller having an analog-to-digital converter, a first application, and a first diagnostic handler application. The first application sets a first analog-to-digital converter status flag equal to a first fault value when a difference between a first corrected voltage value and a second corrected voltage value is greater than a threshold difference value indicating that the analog-to-digital converter is malfunctioning. The first diagnostic handler application commanding a digital input-output device to generate control signals if the first analog-to-digital converter status flag is equal to the first fault value.