Multi-Voltage Power Supply System for Vehicle Actuator Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply systems for vehicles lack a suitable configuration to efficiently manage and distribute electric power with different voltages to various loading units, including driving force generation sources and actuators, leading to inefficiencies and limitations in vehicle operation.
Innovation Solution
A multi-power supply system comprising a high-voltage battery, a 48 V battery, a 12 V battery, and DC/DC converters that adjust voltage levels to supply power to main and sub-driving force generation sources and actuators, allowing for regenerative power charging and distribution, with the ability to switch power sources during abnormalities to ensure continuous vehicle operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single power supply system is used for all loading units, then the system configuration is simple, but it cannot efficiently manage and distribute electric power with different voltages to various loading units
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into multiple independent power supply systems with different voltage levels (first power supply system with high voltage, second power supply system with medium voltage, third power supply system with low voltage). Each power supply system independently supplies power to specific loading units, enabling efficient voltage distribution while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture.
2Productivity
If multiple power supply systems with different voltages are implemented, then efficient power distribution is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The DC/DC converter is designed with multi-functionality to manage power distribution across different voltage levels. It can convert voltage between the first, second, and third power supply systems, and can supply power to different loading units based on operational requirements. This universal component reduces the need for multiple dedicated converters, thereby managing system complexity while maintaining high power distribution efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If DC/DC converter is used for voltage conversion, then power distribution flexibility is improved, but system reliability may be affected by converter failures
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates redundancy and fail-safe mechanisms where the DC/DC converter can switch between different power supply systems. When one power supply system or the DC/DC converter fails, the system can beforehand switch to an alternative power source, ensuring continuous operation of critical loading units and maintaining system reliability despite component failures.
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 system effectively reduces wire harness weight and conduction loss, increases cruising distance, and stabilizes voltage supply to actuators, while enabling emergency mode operation and efficient power management across different voltage levels.
Implementation Method 1
a DC/DC converter that converts voltage supplied from one power supply system of the first power supply system, the second power supply system, and the third power supply system, and that outputs the converted voltage to another power supply system
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
In the power supply system (1, 1A, 1B), a high-voltage battery (20) supplies electric power to a main M/G (2) that generates a driving force for causing a vehicle (100) to travel. A 48 V battery (30) is a battery with a different voltage from that of the high-voltage battery (20), and supplies electric power to a traveling system actuator (3) being different from the main M/G 2 and configured to adjust behavior of the vehicle (100) while traveling. A 12 V battery (40) is a battery with a different voltage from that of the high-voltage battery (20) and the 48 V battery (30), and supplies electric power to ECUs (5) the driving voltage of which is lower than that of the traveling system actuator (3). A DC/DC converter (50) converts voltage. Supply voltage of the 48 V battery (30) is lower than that of the high-voltage battery (20), and higher than that of the 12 V battery (40).