Vehicle Power Supply Failure Detection With Staggered Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply systems in vehicles require complex configurations and increased costs due to the need for cutoff circuits and detour paths to maintain power when an auxiliary power supply is short-circuited, complicating failure detection and increasing the risk of false detections.
Innovation Solution
Implement a power supply device with a power supply control unit that performs separate and timed failure determinations for the main and auxiliary power supplies, where the main power supply failure detection is quicker than the auxiliary, preventing false detections and enabling early-stage failure detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate cutoff circuits and detour paths are provided to maintain power supply when auxiliary power supply is short-circuited, then power supply reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the failure detection functions for both main and auxiliary power supplies into a single integrated detection mechanism. The detection unit monitors both power supplies through unified control logic in the control unit, eliminating the need for separate cutoff circuits and detour paths while maintaining power supply reliability during short-circuit conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls the cutoff switch for the auxiliary power supply, manages the switch for connecting/disconnecting the auxiliary power supply, and integrates failure detection for both main and auxiliary power supplies. This multi-functional design reduces overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Speed
If detection time for main power supply is shortened to enable early failure detection, then failure detection speed is improved, but false detection risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic detection timing where the detection unit adjusts its monitoring strategy based on the operational state of the power supplies. During normal operation, detection parameters are optimized for speed; when the auxiliary power supply is activated, detection parameters are adjusted to reduce false positives. This dynamic adaptation allows fast detection without sacrificing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors the operational status of both power supplies and uses this feedback to adjust detection sensitivity and timing. When the auxiliary power supply is connected, the system receives feedback about the changed electrical characteristics and adjusts detection thresholds accordingly, enabling fast detection while preventing false alarms caused by transient conditions during power supply switching.
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply device includes: a main power supply that supplies power to an electric device; an auxiliary power supply that supplies power to the electric device in response to a failure occurring in the main power supply; and a power supply control unit that performs a first failure determination related to the main power supply and a second failure determination related to the auxiliary power supply. The power supply control unit performs the first failure determination based on a result of first detection processing related to the main power supply, the power supply control unit performs the second failure determination based on a result of second detection processing related to the auxiliary power supply, and a time for which the first detection processing is performed is set to be shorter than a time for which the second detection processing is performed.