Inter-Load Power Switching for Stable Supply During Load Failures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply systems for mobile objects, such as vehicles, face challenges in maintaining stable power supply with minimal voltage fluctuation during failures, particularly when a load like an electric brake or steering device fails, leading to loss of functions and complex configurations.
Innovation Solution
A power supply system with an inter-load switch, voltage generation units, and an electric storage device, where a failure determination unit switches power from a failing load to a non-failing load via a control unit, ensuring continuous power supply with reduced voltage fluctuations by utilizing both voltage generation units and electric storage devices strategically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a failure occurs in a load system, then power supply to the failing load is lost, but the system configuration becomes complex to maintain stable power supply with minimal voltage fluctuation
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into multiple independent load systems (first load system with first DC-DC converter, second load system with second DC-DC converter) that can operate autonomously. Each system has its own voltage generation unit, allowing isolated operation when failures occur, thereby maintaining reliability without requiring complex centralized control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The inter-load switch is pre-configured to connect the first and second load systems through a common connection path before failures occur. The electric storage device is pre-positioned on this connection path, ready to provide voltage stabilization. When failures occur, the pre-established configuration enables rapid power redistribution without complex real-time decision-making, reducing system complexity while maintaining stability.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If power is supplied from voltage generation units during failures, then continuous power supply is maintained, but voltage fluctuations occur
Solution Approach 1:
An electric storage device (capacitor or battery) is introduced as an intermediary element on the connection path between the two load systems. This intermediary absorbs voltage fluctuations from the DC-DC converters and provides stable voltage to the loads during failures, enabling continuous power supply while maintaining voltage stability through its energy storage and release capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an inter-load switch with series-connected switches is used, then power redistribution during failures is enabled, but the switch configuration becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The inter-load switch configuration using series-connected first and second switches creates a universal power distribution architecture that can handle multiple failure scenarios (failure in first load system, failure in second load system, or simultaneous failures). This multi-functional switch arrangement enables power redistribution to any load system from any voltage generation unit, providing adaptability while maintaining relatively simple switch control logic compared to more complex reconfigurable architectures.
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply system includes: an inter-load switch including a first switch and a second switch connected in series, a voltage generation unit, an electric storage device connected between the first switch and the second switch, a first state control unit configured to select a first state in which power is supplied from at least one of the voltage generation unit or the electric storage device to a first load and a second load, and a second state control unit configured to, when determining that a failure has occurred, select a second state in which power is supplied from the electric storage device to a load on a side of a no-failure-occurrence system in which no failure has occurred, by turning off a switch on a side of a failure-occurrence system in which a failure has occurred and turning on a switch on a side of the no-failure-occurrence system.