On-Board Device Control Common Ground Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
On-board devices with redundant configurations face challenges in maintaining reliability and preventing ground potential variations and damage due to unequal ground current distribution, especially when faults occur in the ground portion of a vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A control device with a common ground configuration for two independent energizing systems, equipped with sensors to monitor ground current and voltage, and microprocessors to detect faults and adjust motor control variables, preventing damage by limiting current flow through the driver circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two independent energizing systems are used with separate ground portions, then reliability is improved, but ground potential variations occur and information communication between systems becomes constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ground portions of the first and second energizing systems into a common ground portion. This allows both systems to share the same reference potential, eliminating ground potential variations while maintaining the redundancy and reliability benefits of having two independent power supply paths.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a common ground portion is shared by two energizing systems, then ground potential variations are reduced, but ground current concentration occurs when one system fails, exceeding current limits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces ground current detection units that continuously monitor the ground current in each energizing system. When a fault is detected in one system, the detection unit provides feedback to the control unit, which then adjusts the operation of the driver circuits to prevent excessive current concentration in the common ground portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of the driver circuits based on real-time ground current measurements. The control unit dynamically adjusts the energizing state of the actuator coils to distribute ground current appropriately, preventing concentration that would exceed current limits while maintaining system operation.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If separate ground portions are used for each energizing system, then ground current distribution is independent, but device complexity increases and design becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ground portions into a single common ground structure, significantly reducing wiring complexity and simplifying the overall system design. The ground current distribution is managed through detection units and control logic rather than physically separate ground paths, reducing structural complexity while maintaining functional independence.
Data Source
AI summary
A control device for an on-board device including an actuator is configured to: supply power to a first microprocessor and a first driver circuit from a first power source through a first power supply path; supply power to a second microprocessor and a second driver circuit from a second power source through a second power supply path; and use the first and second driver circuits to drive the actuator. In this control device, the negative electrodes of the first and second power sources are electrically connected to a common ground portion. Furthermore, the control device includes a first and second sensor for measuring current or voltage between the vehicle body ground and the negative electrodes of the first and second power source, respectively. When detecting an abnormal current or voltage, the first and second microprocessors control the first and second driver circuits so as to place a limit on power supply to the actuator.