Power Distribution Module for Automated Vehicle Circuit Fault Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Redundant vehicle electrical systems face challenges with voltage drops caused by short circuits, leading to prolonged downtime of driver assistance systems, especially in partially or fully automated vehicles, as existing solutions fail to quickly isolate faults and maintain voltage supply.
Innovation Solution
A power distributor with switchable power outputs and delayed switching disconnection elements that quickly block the power output most directly connected to the fault source, using voltage monitoring and current direction monitoring units to isolate faults within 10 ms, thereby maintaining voltage supply and preventing auto-reset of control devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a redundant on-board network with two independent electrical energy sources and dual conduction paths is implemented, then functional reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The on-board network is segmented into different zones: a first zone with consumers connected to only one electrical energy source (non-safety-relevant consumers), and a second zone with consumers connected to both energy sources via dual conduction paths (safety-relevant consumers). This segmentation allows redundancy to be applied selectively rather than universally, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the network have different quality levels of redundancy. Safety-relevant consumers receive full redundant protection with two independent conduction paths, while non-safety-relevant consumers receive basic single-path supply. This local differentiation of quality ensures that complexity is concentrated only where it provides functional value.
2Loss of time
If voltage monitoring and fast disconnection mechanisms are implemented, then response time to faults is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power distributor is pre-configured with monitoring units and disconnection mechanisms that are ready to act immediately upon fault detection. Voltage monitoring continuously checks for abnormal conditions, and upon detecting a voltage drop indicating a short circuit, the system automatically triggers disconnection of the affected conduction path within 10 milliseconds, preventing prolonged downtime of control devices.
3Reliability
If all electrical consumers are protected by two independent supply options, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network is divided into segments based on safety relevance: safety-relevant consumers (e.g., driver assistance systems) are connected to both electrical energy sources with dual conduction paths, while non-safety-relevant consumers are connected to a single source. This segmentation reduces the overall number of redundant connections required, simplifying manufacturing while ensuring critical systems maintain high reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a power distributor (2), in particular for an on-board network (4) of a motor vehicle (6), having an intermediate tap (16), two power outputs (10), and one each switching unit (28) for each power output (10), and having a switch (30) for need-based blocking of the associated power output (10). Each of said switching units (28) is designed in such a way that a blocking of the associated power output (10) takes place, if, in the event a voltage drop at the associated power output (10) and/or at the intermediate tap (16) below a first setpoint value, an error case is determined. The greater the corresponding voltage drop, the faster the blocking of the associated power output (10) takes place.