Independent Ground-Line Monitoring in Redundant Power Supply Circuits
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply apparatuses fail to address abnormality in ground lines of multiple systems, particularly in electric power steering systems, and do not account for variations in wiring resistance and current detection timing.
Innovation Solution
A power supply apparatus with multiple systems of power supply circuits and ground current detectors, where each system has independent ground lines, and a control unit with a ground line diagnosis portion that diagnoses abnormalities based on ground current, adjusting operations when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If ground lines are shared among multiple systems, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates when ground line abnormalities occur
Solution Approach 1:
The ground line configuration is segmented into system-specific ground lines rather than using a shared common ground line. Each power supply system has its own dedicated ground line connected to the negative electrode of the power source, allowing independent detection and management of ground line abnormalities for each system.
2Device complexity
If ground line abnormalities are not detected, then device complexity is reduced, but harmful factors increase due to overheating risks
Solution Approach 1:
A feedback mechanism is implemented where ground line abnormality detection results are used to control the operation of power supply systems. When a ground line abnormality is detected in one system, the control unit stops operation of that system to prevent overheating, while allowing other systems to continue operating normally.
3Reliability
If all systems are stopped when one system has ground line abnormality, then reliability is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into independent systems with separate ground lines and control capabilities. When a ground line abnormality is detected in one system, only that specific system is stopped while other systems continue to operate, maintaining overall productivity and power supply continuity.
4Measurement precision
If ground current detection is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Ground current detectors are configured for each power supply system to detect ground current in respective ground lines. This segmented detection approach provides precise measurement of ground line conditions for each system while using simple current detection principles that do not overly complicate the device.
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
Enables appropriate continuation of power supply to loads even when one system's ground line is abnormal, preventing overheating and ensuring reliable operation by detecting and managing ground line issues effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of ground current detectors are provided, and each ground current detector detects a ground current which is a current flowing through the ground line of each system
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of systems of power supply circuits are provided between a power source and a load and are capable of cooperatively supplying power to the load using power of the power sources. In the power supply circuits, ground lines connected to a negative pole of the power source are configured independently for each system. A plurality of ground current detectors detect ground currents that are currents flowing through the ground lines of each system. The control units have ground line diagnosis portions that diagnose an abnormality in the ground lines based on the ground currents. When the ground line diagnosis portions determine that at least one system ground line is abnormal, the control units change the operation of the power supply circuit of the system determined to be abnormal.