Power Conversion Module Integration in Vehicle SSPC Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current power management and distribution systems in vehicles, such as aircraft, require a significant number of components to supply loads with different voltage levels, leading to high weight, cost, and installation volume due to the need for dedicated power supplies and multiple SSPC modules.

Innovation Solution

A power management and distribution system that includes a power feed line, solid state power controllers (SSPCs), and power conversion modules, where SSPCs are connected between the power feed line and loads, and power conversion modules are used to convert the feed line voltage to specific load voltages, reducing the number of components needed by integrating conversion capabilities within the SSPC module.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a dedicated power supply is provided for each load to convert feeder voltage to the necessary voltage level or type, then each load can receive the correct voltage, but the system requires significant amount of different components leading to high weight, cost and required installation volume

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage conversion reliabilityVSAvoidsystem weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal power conversion architecture where a single power conversion module serves multiple loads with different voltage requirements. The module can dynamically convert feeder voltage to different output voltages based on which load is active, eliminating the need for dedicated power supplies for each load while maintaining reliable voltage conversion for all loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a dedicated power supply is provided for each load, then each load can receive the correct voltage, but the system requires significant amount of different components leading to high cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage conversion reliabilityVSAvoidsystem cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal power conversion architecture where a single power conversion module serves multiple loads with different voltage requirements. The module can dynamically convert feeder voltage to different output voltages based on which load is active, eliminating the need for dedicated power supplies for each load while maintaining reliable voltage conversion for all loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If a dedicated power supply is provided for each load, then each load can receive the correct voltage, but the system requires significant amount of different components leading to high required installation volume

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage conversion reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal power conversion architecture where a single power conversion module serves multiple loads with different voltage requirements. The module can dynamically convert feeder voltage to different output voltages based on which load is active, eliminating the need for dedicated power supplies for each load while maintaining reliable voltage conversion for all loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple power conversion functions into a single integrated power conversion module. By merging the conversion capabilities that would otherwise be distributed across multiple dedicated power supplies, the system achieves compact installation while maintaining the ability to serve multiple loads with different voltage requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple SSPC modules are used to switch feeder voltage to loads, then loads can be selectively powered, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload switching capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal power conversion architecture where a single power conversion module serves multiple loads with different voltage requirements. The module can dynamically convert feeder voltage to different output voltages based on which load is active, eliminating the need for dedicated power supplies for each load while maintaining reliable voltage conversion for all loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 configuration efficiently manages and distributes power, reducing weight, component count, and cost by allowing multiple loads to share power conversion modules, while providing flexible voltage conversion and redundancy reduction.

Implementation Method 1

at least one power conversion module configured to convert electric power from the power feed line voltage to a specific load voltage required by at least one of the loads

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPower conversion:

Data Source

PatentEP3176896B1Power management and distribution system
Publication Date: 2019.10.30 HS ELEKTRONIK SYST
  • EP3176896B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3176896B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Disclosed us a power management and distribution system (10), comprising a power feed line (12) configured to supply electric power of a given power feed line voltage, a plurality of loads (14_1 - 14_5) to be supplied with power from the power feed line (12), each of the loads (14_1 - 14_5) requiring power of a characteristic load voltage, and a plurality of solid state power controllers (SSPCs) (16_1 - 16_5) connected between the power feed line (12) and the plurality of loads (14_1 - 14_5), each of the solid state power controllers (16_1 - 16_5) configured to selectively connect a respective load of the plurality of loads (14_1 - 14_5) to the power feed line (12) or to disconnect the respective load of the plurality of loads (14_1 - 14_2) from the power feed line (12); wherein the power management and distribution system (10) further comprises at least one power conversion module (18A, 18B; 18A, 18C) configured to convert electric power from the power feed line voltage to a specific load voltage required by at least one of the loads (14_1 - 14_3, 14_4 - 14_5), the at least one power conversion module (18A, 18B; 18A, 18C) connected in between the power feed line (12) and the solid state power controllers (16_1 - 16_3, 16_4 - 16_5) assigned to loads requiring the specific load voltage.