Multi-ECU Power System Thermal Management via Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles controlled by motors are prone to high temperatures, leading to potential breakdowns and safety hazards due to restricted motor output when temperature sensors detect overheating.
Innovation Solution
A power system comprising multiple Electronic Control Units (ECUs) that determine temperature sections using sensors and adjust power transfer to prevent breakdowns by reducing or redirecting power based on temperature comparisons, ensuring motor output is maintained while preventing overheating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If motor output is restricted to prevent breakdowns due to high temperature, then reliability is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power transfer function into multiple ECUs (first ECU and second ECU). When the first ECU detects high temperature, it stops transferring power while the second ECU continues to transfer power to the motor. This segmentation allows the system to maintain motor output while preventing thermal damage to individual ECUs, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the ECUs based on temperature conditions. When temperature exceeds a threshold, the system transitions from a state where one ECU handles all power transfer to a state where power transfer is distributed or redirected to another ECU. This dynamic parameter change allows the system to adapt to thermal conditions while maintaining overall functionality.
2Reliability
If multiple ECUs are used to transfer power to maintain motor output during overheating, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling both the first and second ECUs to perform power transfer to the motor. The second ECU serves as a backup or supplementary unit that can take over or share the power transfer function when the first ECU is overheating. This universal capability allows the system to maintain reliability without requiring completely separate redundant systems.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a power system including: a plurality of Electronic Control Units (ECUs) configured to transfer power to a motor connected to an output terminal; a temperature section determination unit configured to determine whether first temperature information input from a first temperature sensor which senses the temperature generated from a first ECU corresponds to a normal section, a warning section, or a danger section, which are set in advance; a temperature comparison determining unit configured to determine whether the first temperature information is less than or equal to second temperature information input from a second temperature sensor which senses the temperature generated from a second ECU, in a case in which it is determined that the first temperature information corresponds to the warning section; and a controller configured to control the first ECU so that the first ECU reduces the power in a case in which it is determined that the first temperature information is less than or equal to the second temperature information, and to control the first ECU and the second ECU so that the first ECU does not transfer the power and the second ECU transfers the power in a case in which it is determined that the first temperature information is greater than the second temperature information.