Power Over Fiber High Voltage Module Common Ground

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Solution Overview

Problem

In electric vehicles with high voltage modules, the need for separate grounds between high voltage and low voltage sections complicates the design and increases cabling requirements due to the necessity of electrical isolation, leading to a complex power topology.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a power over fiber system using optical fibers to connect the high voltage and low voltage sections, eliminating the need for isolation barriers and allowing a common ground for both voltage levels, simplifying the power topology by using optical fibers for both power transmission and data communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If isolation barriers and separate grounds are used to electrically isolate high voltage and low voltage sections, then safety and electrical isolation are improved, but device complexity and cabling requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical isolationVSAvoidpower topology complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional electrical isolation mechanism (isolation barriers and separate grounds) with an optical communication system. Optical fibers transmit data and power between high voltage and low voltage sections without electrical connection, eliminating the need for complex isolation barriers while maintaining safety and electrical isolation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical fiber system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides data communication, power transmission, and electrical isolation between high voltage and low voltage sections. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall power topology while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate grounds are used for high voltage and low voltage sections, then safety is improved, but cabling requirements and installation complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidcabling and installation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes electrical ground connections with optical fiber connections. Optical fibers are inherently isolated and do not require ground connections, eliminating the need for separate ground cabling while maintaining safety. This reduces the number of cables needed and simplifies installation procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If isolation barriers are used to electrically isolate sections, then electrical safety is improved, but the number of components and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical safetyVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the isolation function from the traditional electrical isolation barrier and implements it through optical fibers. By removing the isolation barrier component and using optical communication instead, the system maintains electrical safety while reducing the number of physical components and simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 reduces the complexity of the power system by eliminating the need for separate grounds and isolation barriers, simplifying the cabling and enhancing electrical isolation, thereby streamlining the power distribution and communication between high and low voltage components.

Implementation Method 1

The implementation of a power over fiber system using optical fibers to connect the high voltage and low voltage sections

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical fiber transmission: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 2

A power over fiber cable provides high voltage power to the high voltage module

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPower over fiber conversion: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentUS10363834B2Electric vehicle with high voltage module having high and low voltage sections having a common ground

Publication Date: 2019.07.30 FCA US LLC

AI summary

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle has an electric traction motor and a high voltage module having a low voltage section and a high voltage section. The low voltage section includes a power over fiber receive module and a first optical data module. A low voltage supply is electrically connected to a power over fiber transmit module. The power over fiber transmit module is optically coupled by a power over fiber cable to the power over fiber receive module of the low voltage section of the high voltage module. An electronic motor control unit includes a second optical data module that is optically coupled by an optical fiber data bus cable to the first optical data module of the low voltage section of the high voltage module.