Galvanic Barrier Control Module for Standby Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrical circuit control systems in motor vehicles face challenges in efficiently controlling high voltage functional modules from the low voltage side of the galvanic barrier, particularly in implementing standby and wake-up functions without expensive converters and precise measurement issues, and in controlling elements across the galvanic barrier without additional decoupled lines.
Innovation Solution
An electronic control module with a non-galvanic coupler and an electrical transformer, connected via outputs to both voltage parts, allowing signal exchange and power supply, and a switching device to control the transformer's power supply, enabling reduced consumption standby and wake-up functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the microcontroller is located on the low voltage side of the galvanic barrier, then it can control functional modules, but it cannot receive measurements from high voltage modules without expensive converters and precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a galvanic barrier with transformer coupling as an intermediary between the low voltage microcontroller and high voltage functional modules. This mediator enables bidirectional communication (control signals and measurements) without direct galvanic connection, eliminating the need for expensive converters while maintaining measurement precision through magnetic coupling.
2Measurement precision
If the microcontroller is located on the high voltage side of the galvanic barrier, then it can directly receive measurements, but additional galvanically decoupled lines are required increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the galvanic barrier universal by enabling the microcontroller on the low voltage side to perform multiple functions: sending control signals, receiving measurements, and controlling standby/wake-up states. The transformer-coupled galvanic barrier handles all these functions through a single interface structure, eliminating the need for separate decoupled lines for each function.
3Speed
If the control module remains active continuously, then it can respond immediately to commands, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management by enabling the control module to switch between active and standby states. The galvanic barrier with transformer coupling allows the system to quickly wake up from standby when commands are received, making the response time dynamic rather than static. This dynamic operation reduces energy consumption during idle periods while maintaining quick response capability when needed.
4Measurement precision
If converters are used to pass analog voltage or current measurements across the galvanic barrier, then measurements can be transmitted, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive electronic converters with a transformer-based magnetic coupling system. Instead of using active electronic components to convert and transmit analog signals across the galvanic barrier, the invention uses passive magnetic coupling through transformers, which naturally transfer analog voltage and current measurements without requiring expensive active conversion circuits.
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 solution allows for efficient control of high voltage functional modules from the low voltage side, reduces electronic consumption during standby, and simplifies the implementation of wake-up and standby methods, making the control module less expensive and more efficient.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical transformer; connected via outputs to the high and low voltage parts of the non-galvanic coupler and to the microcontroller so as to provide their power supply
Implementation Method 2
a non-galvanic coupler, provided with a low voltage part and a high voltage part, capable of exchanging a signal and galvanically decoupled
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention pertains to an electronic control module (3) for a motor vehicle electrical circuit (1), intended to be linked in a galvanically isolated manner to a motor vehicle electrical circuit (1) comprising at least one functional module (5) powered at high voltage, the control module comprising: - a connection bus (9), intended to be linked to an exterior interface (7), configured so as to conduct low-voltage electrical setpoint signals, emanating from the exterior interface (7) to the elements of the control module (3) to which they are addressed, - a microcontroller (1), configured to control the at least one functional module (5) as a function of the setpoint signals, characterized in that the microcontroller (11) and the connection bus (9) are linked by a non-galvanic coupler (13), provided with a low-voltage part (131) and with a high-voltage part (133), which are able to exchange at least one signal and are galvanically decoupled, and in that the control module furthermore comprises an electrical transformer (15), linked via outputs (153, 155, 157) to the high- and low-voltage parts (131, 133) of the non-galvanic coupler (13) and to the microcontroller (11) so as to provide their power supply, the transformer (15) being linked to a low-voltage source (17) via a breaker switch (19), and the connection bus (9) comprising a switching member (91) controlling the open or closed state of the breaker switch (19).