Parallel Voltage Reducers for Steering Assist Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicle steering assist systems, multiple voltage-reducing devices can fail simultaneously due to temperature increases, leading to power converter shutdown and reduced efficiency, as they share similar heat-resistant properties and dissipation environments, resulting in unreliable power supply to the drive control unit and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a voltage-reducing control unit that determines the operation state of each voltage-reducing device to ensure at least one remains operational, using a parallel configuration and temperature monitoring to prevent simultaneous failures and manage temperature thresholds, thereby maintaining power supply to the steering assist motor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple voltage-reducing devices are operated simultaneously to provide backup capability, then reliability is improved, but temperature increases similarly in all devices leading to simultaneous failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by alternately operating voltage-reducing devices in a cyclic manner. The control unit switches between different voltage-reducing devices, ensuring that while one device is operating, another is cooling down. This periodic switching prevents simultaneous temperature increases in all devices while maintaining continuous power supply capability, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and temperature management.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If voltage-reducing devices operate under high temperature conditions, then power supply continuity is maintained, but power loss increases and efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit implements periodic switching between voltage-reducing devices, allowing each device to cool down during its non-operating period. This ensures that when a device is activated, it operates at lower temperature, reducing power loss and improving efficiency while maintaining continuous power supply to the drive control unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of voltage-reducing devices by controlling their duty cycles and switching frequencies. The control unit adjusts the operating conditions based on temperature feedback, reducing the duty cycle when temperature approaches critical levels. This parameter adjustment maintains power supply continuity while preventing excessive power loss due to high temperature operation.
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
This solution ensures continuous operation of the steering assist motor by maintaining at least one voltage-reducing device in operation, reducing the likelihood of simultaneous failures and minimizing power loss, thereby enhancing reliability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The voltage-reducing device outputs a reduced voltage by reducing a power source voltage of the DC power source when the voltage-reducing device is operated
Data Source
AI summary
An in-vehicle power supply system includes a DC power source, a steering power converter, a steering drive control unit, a plurality of voltage-reducing devices, and a voltage-reducing control unit. The steering power converter converts electric power supplied from the DC power source, and provides the electric power converted to a steering assist motor. The steering drive control unit is supplied with electric power from the DC power source, and controls the steering power converter. The voltage-reducing devices are coupled in parallel to each other between the DC power source and the steering power converter. Each of the voltage-reducing devices reduces a power source voltage of the DC power source and generates a reduced voltage when being operated. The voltage-reducing control unit determines operation state or non-operation state of each of the voltage-reducing devices such that at least one of the voltage-reducing devices is in operation at a time.