Vehicle Power Supply Box Dual Relay Redundancy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle power supply systems are vulnerable to power outages due to disconnections or relay failures, which can lead to critical systems like braking and steering malfunctioning, posing safety risks during driving.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle power supply box device with a dual relay system and abnormality detection, allowing power rerouting from one relay to another and user-activated recovery modes to ensure continuous power supply to critical systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single relay system is used for power supply control, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of power supply to critical systems deteriorates due to vulnerability to relay failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different power supply paths for different systems. Critical systems (braking, steering) are provided with redundant relay paths while non-critical systems use standard single relay control. This allows the power supply control system to have enhanced reliability specifically where needed without increasing overall system complexity uniformly across all functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by providing a standby relay path that remains inactive during normal operation but automatically activates when relay failure is detected. This pre-prepared backup path cushions against the harmful effect of relay failure, ensuring continuous power supply to critical systems without requiring complex real-time switching decisions.
2Reliability
If redundant power supply paths are implemented, then the reliability of power supply is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional relays and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the relay configuration adaptive rather than static. The system automatically reconfigures the power supply path based on the operational status of relays. When a relay fails, the system dynamically switches to the alternative path, providing reliability improvement without requiring permanent complex dual-path infrastructure for all scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing the relay control system to perform multiple functions: normal power control, failure detection, automatic path switching, and system diagnostics. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be separate complex subsystems into a unified control mechanism, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability benefits.
3Reliability
If automatic failure detection and switching systems are implemented, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to automated control reducing user awareness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by implementing a monitoring system that detects relay operational status and provides information about system state. This feedback mechanism allows the automated switching system to operate reliably while maintaining user awareness of system conditions, resolving the contradiction between automation and user control by keeping users informed without requiring manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle power supply box device includes: a first system including a first relay connected downstream of a second line for feeding electric power in association with a state of an ignition switch, to be turned ON/OFF in association with the state; and a second system including a second relay connected downstream of a first line for constantly feeding electric power, to be turned ON/OFF in association with the state of the ignition switch. The device further includes: a recovery switch portion connected between an output of a switch portion of the first relay and an output of the second system; an operation abnormality detecting portion which detects presence/absence of abnormality in the output of the switch portion of the second relay; and a recovery control portion which controls the recovery switch portion to be turned ON/OFF in accordance with the presence/absence of the abnormality.