Automated Parking Power Control With Capacitor Backup Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems face challenges in ensuring sufficient backup power for automated parking functions, particularly valet parking, without increasing the size or cost of the redundant power supply system when the primary power supply fails.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control device that manages a redundant power supply system with a primary and secondary power supply, including control units to charge the secondary capacitor to a predetermined value, switch to parallel power supply from the secondary when primary failure is detected, and ensure fail-safe operation by managing voltage differences between supplies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the capacity of the capacitor in the secondary power supply is increased to provide sufficient backup power for valet parking, then the backup power capability is improved, but the cost and size of the redundant power supply system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary charging of the secondary power supply capacitor to a predetermined value before automated parking execution, and continues charging during operation. This preliminary action ensures sufficient backup power is available without requiring a larger capacitor capacity, as the capacitor is optimally charged in advance rather than needing to store all required power statically.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the charging state of the secondary power supply capacitor based on the type of automated parking (remote vs. valet) and continues charging during operation. By changing the parameter of capacitor charge level from a fixed state to a dynamically adjustable state, the system can provide sufficient backup power for longer-duration valet parking without increasing capacitor capacity.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the capacity of the capacitor is increased to store more electric power for valet parking backup, then the backup duration is improved, but the cost of the redundant power supply system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary charging of the secondary power supply capacitor to a predetermined value before automated parking execution, and continues charging during operation. This preliminary action ensures sufficient backup power is available without requiring a larger capacitor capacity, as the capacitor is optimally charged in advance rather than needing to store all required power statically.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continues to charge the secondary power supply capacitor even after the predetermined value is reached and during the execution of automated parking. This continuous charging action extends the effective backup duration by ensuring the capacitor remains at optimal charge levels throughout the parking operation, rather than relying solely on initial charge capacity.
3Reliability
If the secondary power supply is used to provide backup power during automated parking, then the fail-safe operation is improved, but the voltage difference between primary and secondary power supplies creates control complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system switches between different charging control modes (first control for charging to predetermined value, second control for continuing charge during operation) based on the operational state and parking type. This dynamic parameter adjustment of charging control simplifies the overall system by using software-based adaptation rather than complex hardware circuitry to handle the voltage differences between primary and secondary power supplies.
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
Enables fail-safe operation of automated parking functions by efficiently utilizing the secondary power supply, suppressing capacitor consumption during normal operation and ensuring adequate power for valet parking without increasing capacitor capacity or system size.
Implementation Method 1
a power storage element configured to store electric power
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control device includes: a first control unit configured to charge a power storage element of a secondary power supply to a predetermined value; a second control unit configured to, when the power storage element is charged to the predetermined value, execute an automated parking function by outputting first electric power at a specified voltage from a primary power supply to an automated parking system while continuing to charge the power storage element; a third control unit configured to detect a sign of failure of the primary power supply during execution of the automated parking function; and a fourth control unit configured to, when the sign of failure of the primary power supply is detected, output second electric power at a voltage lower than the specified voltage from the secondary power supply to the automated parking system in parallel with the first electric power.