Parallel Electronic Switch for Fuse Cutout Verification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic fuses in vehicle power supply architectures lack the capability to check if they can be opened when necessary, due to potential defects causing them to remain closed, which can lead to critical situations where the fuse cannot interrupt the supply.
Innovation Solution
A circuit arrangement with a second electronic switch connected in parallel to the primary electronic switch, allowing for reduced current supply and voltage drop monitoring, enabling the control and diagnosis circuit to check the turn-off capability of the primary switch without disrupting the power supply to critical control devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the first electronic switch is switched off to check turn-off capability, then the diagnostic capability is improved, but the power supply to control devices is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The second electronic switch is activated before the first electronic switch is deactivated, ensuring continuous power supply to control devices. This preliminary action allows the turn-off capability of the first switch to be verified without interrupting the power supply, as the second switch is already in position to maintain供电.
Solution Approach 2:
The second electronic switch acts as an intermediary component that temporarily takes over the power supply function while the first switch's turn-off capability is being tested. This mediator enables the diagnostic check without affecting the continuous operation of control devices.
2Reliability
If a second electronic switch is added in parallel, then the turn-off capability can be checked without interrupting power supply, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second electronic switch serves multiple functions: it maintains continuous power supply to control devices during testing, enables turn-off capability verification of the first switch, and can serve as a backup fuse. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing enhanced diagnostic capabilities without requiring additional separate components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the second electronic switch has lower current-carrying capacity, then it can supply power in reduced current modes, but it cannot handle full current loads
Solution Approach 1:
The second electronic switch is designed with localized quality characteristics - it has lower current-carrying capacity specifically optimized for diagnostic testing and reduced current operation modes. This is acceptable because during normal full-power operation, the first electronic switch handles the full current load, while the second switch only needs to sustain critical control devices during testing scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a circuit arrangement for checking the cutout ability of an electronic fuse used as an interrupter, a first electronic switch, between a power supply and a control device. A second electronic switch is connected in parallel with the first switch has a lower current-carrying capacity than the first switch and is configured, when conductive, to generate a lower voltage drop across its load path than the first switch at the same current as the first switch. The first and the second switches are actuated by a control and diagnostic circuit configured to check the cutout ability of the first switch acting as a fuse when the second switch is switched on, and to check the voltage drop across the two switches and, upon a reduction in the voltage when the second switch is on and the first switch is off, to conclude that the switches are functioning correctly.