Vehicle Power Supply Circuit Fault Isolation via Segmented Switch Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power-supply devices for vehicles lack effective fault tolerance, particularly in preventing short circuits and overcurrents, which can lead to system failures and inefficient power distribution.
Innovation Solution
A power-supply device with a power-supply circuit comprising multiple switch units and a controller that uses current detectors and communication units to monitor and control current flow, detecting overcurrents and short circuits to isolate fault points and maintain power supply to other units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional power-supply devices shut off the power-supply distributor to prevent faults such as short circuits, then fault prevention is achieved, but system reliability deteriorates because the entire system stops working
Solution Approach 1:
The power-supply circuit is divided into multiple independent switch units (first switch unit, second switch unit, etc.), each capable of being independently controlled. When a fault occurs in one switch unit, only that specific unit is shut off while others remain operational, preventing total system failure and maintaining partial power supply functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Current detectors are introduced as intermediary components to monitor current flow in each switch unit. These detectors provide real-time feedback to the controller, enabling early fault detection and selective isolation of affected units before faults propagate throughout the entire system, thereby maintaining overall system reliability.
2Reliability
If multiple switch units with current detectors and communication units are added to improve fault tolerance, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex monitoring and control functions are segmented and distributed across multiple independent switch units. Each unit contains its own current detectors and communication units, allowing localized fault detection and isolation without requiring a centralized complex control system, thereby managing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each switch unit is designed as a universal module that can be replicated throughout the power-supply circuit. These modules perform multiple functions (current detection, fault isolation, communication) within a standardized structure, simplifying design and maintenance while improving fault tolerance through redundancy.
Data Source
AI summary
In a power-supply device, a FET passes or blocks a current flowing from one side in a power-supply circuit. A current sensor detects a current flowing into the FET. A FET is coupled to the FET, and passes or blocks a current flowing from another side in the power-supply circuit. A current sensor detects a current flowing into the FET. A junction couples a load unit at a point between the FET and the FET. In each of switch units, a CPU controls the corresponding switch unit of the power-supply circuit based on the detection result detected by the corresponding current sensors.