Graded Vehicle Power Supply Control for Collision Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle power supply systems face challenges in adapting power supply to the severity of a collision, risking damage or safety hazards due to high energy densities in high-voltage batteries and the need for precise control of power distribution during accidents.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize surroundings sensors to assess potential collisions, selecting from multiple ratings to control the power supply reversibly or irreversibly, ensuring safe operation by disconnecting power sources as needed, with reversible interruptions allowing driver reactivation and irreversible interruptions requiring qualified personnel, thus adapting power supply to the severity of the accident.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the power supply is completely disconnected in all collision situations, then safety is improved, but roadworthiness in minor accidents is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the degree of power supply disconnection based on collision severity parameters. Instead of a binary disconnected/state, the system adjusts the power supply state continuously - from full disconnection in severe collisions to partial maintenance in minor collisions. This is achieved by modifying parameters such as the threshold values for collision detection, the degree of power reduction, and the time duration of disconnection, allowing the system to adapt to different collision scenarios while maintaining both safety and roadworthiness.
2Power
If high-voltage batteries are used to provide high energy density, then power supply capability is improved, but safety risk in the event of accident increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by preparing safety measures before accidents occur. The system continuously monitors collision risks using sensors and pre-establishes disconnection protocols. When a potential collision is detected, the system proactively reduces power supply or disconnects the high-voltage battery before the actual accident occurs, preventing the harmful effects of high energy density from manifesting. This preemptive approach allows the system to maintain full power capability during normal operation while eliminating safety risks when collisions are anticipated.
3Ease of operation
If power supply is interrupted reversibly with internal contactors, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability in severe accidents may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the power supply interruption mechanism adaptable and changeable based on collision severity. The system dynamically switches between reversible interruption (using internal contactors that can be closed again by the driver) for minor accidents and irreversible interruption (using pyrotechnical separation) for severe accidents. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize between ease of operation and reliability - permitting driver reactivation when safe to do so while ensuring permanent disconnection when necessary for safety.
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 method ensures a graded and precise control of the power supply, preventing damage to electrical components, maintaining roadworthiness in minor accidents, and ensuring safety by disconnecting power in critical situations, reducing fire hazards and allowing only qualified personnel to restore power after severe accidents.
Implementation Method 1
the irreversible interruption is implemented by a pyrotechnical separation of a power line
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling the power supply in an electrical system (28) of a motor vehicle (10), comprising the steps of: a) capturing data relating to the environment of the motor vehicle (10) by means of at least one environment sensor (20a, 20b); b) assessing a potential collision of the motor vehicle (10) with an object (12) in the environment of the motor vehicle (10), on the basis of the data captured by the at least one environment sensor (20a, 20b) and by selecting an evaluation (BW1) from at least two definable evaluations (BW1, BW2, BW3, BW4), said at least two evaluations (BW1, BW2, BW3, BW4) characterising a collision of the motor vehicle (10) with an object (12); and c) depending on the evaluation (BW1) that has been selected, controlling the power supply in the electrical system (28) of the motor vehicle (10) according to a definable control specification (SV1), a specific control specification (SV1; SV2; SV3; SV4) being associated with each of the at least two evaluations (BW1; BW2; BW3; BW4).