Power Supply Merging Splitting Architecture for Vehicle Energy Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power supply systems for commercial vehicles, particularly those with safety-relevant energy storage and monitoring units, lack a redundant architecture suitable for electric systems, which is essential for ensuring continuous operation and reliability, especially in autonomous vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A power supply system comprising a line arrangement with a merging unit that combines multiple power lines into a common voltage line, which is then split into two redundant voltage lines by a splitting unit, ensuring continuous power supply even if one line fails, using optional fuses and DC/DC converters for voltage conversion and isolation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional power supply with separate voltage supplies is used, then safety relevant loads can be powered, but the system is not easily applicable for commercial vehicles because it relies on two separate current paths from the batteries to the consumers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple power lines into a single common voltage line using a merging unit, which then distributes power through a single current path. This reduces system complexity while maintaining redundancy through the merging and splitting architecture, making it suitable for commercial vehicle applications with central supply lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply is segmented into distinct functional units: a merging unit that combines multiple power lines, a common voltage line for centralized distribution, and a splitting unit that creates redundant output paths. This modular segmentation allows the system to maintain complexity management while providing the required redundancy.
2Reliability
If redundant power supply is implemented for safety relevant energy storage management and monitoring units, then continuous operation is ensured, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The common voltage line acts as an intermediary element between the merging unit and the splitting unit. It consolidates multiple power sources into a single intermediate distribution point, from which redundant paths are created. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall architecture compared to direct multi-path configurations while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal and spatial dimension to redundancy by using a single common voltage line that can draw from multiple power lines at different times. The system dynamically switches between power lines feeding the common voltage line, creating redundancy through time-based allocation rather than simultaneous parallel paths.
3Reliability
If multiple power lines are used for power supply, then reliability is improved, but the system requires separate current paths which complicates the architecture
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple power lines are merged into a single common voltage line through the merging unit, which combines their currents. This allows the system to maintain multiple power sources for reliability while using a single current path for distribution, thereby reducing architectural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The common voltage line serves multiple functions: it acts as a consolidation point for multiple power lines, a distribution hub for redundant outputs, and a dynamic switch between different power sources. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated paths for each function.
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 provides a reliable redundant power supply for safety-relevant energy management and monitoring units, ensuring continuous operation and reliable data transmission, replacing traditional compressed air-based systems with a more efficient electric power distribution architecture.
Implementation Method 1
The merging unit is adapted to combine the power lines of the line arrangement to a total voltage
Implementation Method 2
The splitting unit comprises at least two voltage converters, in particular one or more DC/DC converters, for providing a voltage conversion of the total voltage into redundant voltages
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply for an energy management and monitoring unit includes a line arrangement with multiple lines representing inputs or outputs, each of which has at least one power line for supplying power. A merging unit combines the power lines of the line arrangement to a total voltage, and a splitting unit is configured to split the total voltage into at least two redundant voltages provided for the energy management and monitoring unit.