Redundant Power Supply Branch Monitoring and Fault Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing redundant power supply systems lack effective monitoring and failure detection mechanisms, which can lead to undetected failures and reduced reliability, especially in critical applications like automotive systems.
Innovation Solution
The proposed electrical power supply circuit incorporates at least two power supply branches, each with semiconductor switches and resistors, allowing for branch isolation, fault detection, and fail-over capabilities, while minimizing additional components and ensuring high current supply to external loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional monitoring components are added to detect failures in redundant power supply branches, then failure detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply circuit performs self-diagnosis by using its own operational characteristics (voltage levels, current flow) to detect failures. The controller monitors parameters within the existing circuit structure without requiring external diagnostic equipment, allowing the system to self-identify faults in power supply branches.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller serves multiple functions: it manages the semiconductor switches for power distribution and simultaneously acts as a monitoring device for failure detection. The existing control infrastructure is utilized for dual purposes, eliminating the need for separate dedicated monitoring hardware.
2Power
If semiconductor switches with low on-resistance are used to enable high current flow, then power supply capability is improved, but internal thermal dissipation loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller proactively monitors power supply parameters and detects potential failures before they result in harmful thermal dissipation. By early detection of anomalies in voltage or current characteristics, the system can take preventive measures to avoid excessive power loss and thermal damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors operational parameters of the power supply branches and provides feedback to the controller. This real-time feedback enables dynamic adjustment and early detection of conditions that could lead to excessive thermal dissipation, allowing corrective action before energy loss becomes significant.
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 enables reliable monitoring and diagnosis of power supply branches, allowing for timely failure detection and isolation, thereby enhancing the robustness, fail-safety, and availability of the power supply system with minimal complexity and cost.
Implementation Method 1
a first resistor, wherein a first end of the first resistor is electrically connected to the connection between the first semiconductor switch and the second semiconductor switch and a second end of the first resistor is configured to be electrically connected to a reference potential
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electrical power supply circuit (1) comprising at least two power supply branches (2a, 2b), wherein each power supply branch (2a, 2b) comprises: a first semiconductor switch (3a, 3b) configured to be electrically connected to a power source; a second semiconductor switch (4a, 4b) in series with the first semiconductor switch (3a, 3b) and electrically connected to a common output (3) of the electrical supply circuit (1); and a first resistor (5a, 5b), wherein a first end of the first resistor (5a, 5b) is electrically connected to the electrical connection between the first semiconductor switch (3a, 4b) and the second semiconductor switch (4a, 4b) and a second end of the first resistor (5a, 5b) is configured to be electrically connected to a reference potential.