Multi-Path Power Supply Monitoring for Vehicle Load Degradation Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current power management systems in vehicles lack efficient solutions for detecting and predicting degradation in power supply modules, which can lead to failures in critical systems, and existing solutions are costly and area-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising multiple power supply paths with independent switching mechanisms and a monitoring module that compares physical quantity parameters such as current, voltage, and temperature to detect deviations from reference values, ensuring consistent operation and predicting potential degradations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a standard diagnostic module is used to detect malfunctions, then the detection of standard damages is enabled, but the detection capability is limited to standard malfunctions only
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual model (copy) of the power supply module's expected behavior and compares actual measurements against this model. This allows detection of both standard and non-standard malfunctions by identifying deviations from the model, thereby expanding detection scope while maintaining a single diagnostic module structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent monitors multiple physical quantity parameters (current, voltage, temperature) simultaneously and analyzes their relationships and variations over time. By changing from monitoring single parameters to analyzing parameter relationships and temporal variations, the system achieves comprehensive malfunction detection beyond standard thresholds.
2Reliability
If multiple modules are used to power safety loads, then the reliability is improved, but the cost and area overhead increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables a single power supply module to monitor and diagnose its own health status through integrated sensing and comparison mechanisms. The module performs self-diagnosis by comparing actual parameters against virtual models, eliminating the need for multiple redundant modules while maintaining reliability through early degradation detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary diagnosis by continuously monitoring physical parameters and comparing them against expected behavior models before actual failures occur. This preliminary detection of degradation trends allows for preventive maintenance and avoids the need for redundant backup modules.
3Reliability
If multiple modules are used to ensure power supply reliability, then the reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single power supply module perform multiple functions: power delivery, self-monitoring, parameter comparison, and malfunction detection. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate diagnostic modules and redundant power modules, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the expected power supply behavior through modeling, which can be repeatedly used for comparison without additional physical hardware. This virtual modeling approach provides comprehensive diagnostics at minimal cost compared to implementing multiple physical monitoring modules.
Data Source
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AI summary
The system (100) comprises: a first circuit (400a) comprising a first path (401a) and a first switching mechanism (402a) for controlling supply of power through the first path (401a); at least a second circuit (400b) comprising a second path (401b) and a second switching mechanism (402b) for controlling supply of power through the second path (401b); a control module (500) that outputs control signals to the first circuit (400a) and the at least second circuit (400b) so as to independently switch on or off each path (401a, 401b); and a monitoring module (600) that monitors physical quantity parameters of the first and at least second paths (401a, 401b), and can detect, based on a comparison, deviations of the monitored physical quantity parameter values from respective reference values, so as to check the consistency between the first and at least second path (401a, 401b).