Multistage Power Supply for Uninterrupted Vehicle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply systems for electric and hybrid-electric vehicles require costly control circuitry for switching between high voltage and low voltage power sources, increasing the risk of failures and component degradation.
Innovation Solution
A dual-source, multistage power supply system with a boost converter stage that converts low voltage from a vehicle battery to high voltage, and an isolated flyback converter stage that converts high voltage AC input or boosted voltage to low voltage for powering control circuitry, eliminating the need for switching circuitry and minimizing components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If control circuitry and sensing components are used to switch between high voltage power source and low voltage battery, then power source selection capability is improved, but system cost and failure risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system automatically selects between high voltage AC power source and low voltage battery based on the presence or absence of AC power, eliminating the need for external control circuitry. The system serves itself by using the natural electrical characteristics of the available power sources to determine which one to use, thereby reducing component count and failure risk while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
A diode bridge rectifier serves as an intermediary component that accepts both high voltage AC input and low voltage DC battery input, converting both to a unified high voltage DC output format. This intermediary approach allows seamless power source switching without requiring complex control circuitry, as the diode bridge naturally directs current from whichever power source is available.
2Adaptability or versatility
If control circuitry and sensing components are used to switch between power sources, then power source selection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the complex control circuitry and sensing components from the power supply system. By eliminating these unnecessary elements, the system achieves power source selection capability through simpler passive components only, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to adapt between different power sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply system merges the high voltage AC power path and low voltage DC battery path into a single unified output through the diode bridge rectifier. Both power sources converge at the same high voltage DC output node, eliminating the need for separate control circuits for each power source and simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Device complexity
If minimal components are used in the power supply system, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but power supply continuity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides beforehand cushioning by ensuring that the low voltage battery is always capable of serving as a backup power source. The diode bridge rectifier is configured to automatically accept battery power whenever AC power is unavailable, providing a safety cushion that ensures continuous power supply to control circuitry without requiring complex backup systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply system maintains continuous useful action by ensuring uninterrupted power delivery to the high voltage DC output regardless of which power source is available. The diode bridge rectifier continuously processes power from whichever source is present, and the capacitor maintains voltage stability, ensuring that control circuitry always receives continuous power without interruption or complex switching mechanisms.
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
Provides uninterrupted low voltage power to control circuitry, reducing costs and improving reliability by automatically selecting the primary power source and drawing minimal current from the secondary source when available, ensuring continuous operation for diagnostics and reprogramming.
Implementation Method 1
a converter for receiving a low voltage input from a vehicle battery and converting the vehicle battery low voltage input to a high voltage output
Implementation Method 2
a converter for receiving one of a rectified AC high voltage input and the first stage high voltage output and converting the one of the rectified AC high voltage input and the first stage high voltage output to a low voltage output
Data Source
AI summary
A multistage power supply system and method for providing uninterrupted low voltage electrical power to control circuitry in an electric or hybrid-electric vehicle. A first stage includes a converter for receiving a low voltage input from a vehicle battery and converting the vehicle battery low voltage input to a high voltage output. A second stage provided in series communication with the first stage includes a converter for receiving one of a rectified AC high voltage input and the first stage high voltage output and converting the one of the rectified AC high voltage input and the first stage high voltage output to a low voltage output for use in powering the vehicle control circuitry. The low voltage output is produced by the second stage from the rectified AC high voltage input when the rectified AC high voltage input is present, and the low voltage output is produced by the second stage from the first stage high voltage output when the rectified AC high voltage input is absent.