Multi-Power Supply Switching for Ground Fault Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply systems face reliability issues when abnormalities occur, such as ground faults, leading to decreased system performance and potential loss of functionality in vehicles equipped with electric power steering and other critical loads.
Innovation Solution
A power supply system with inter-system and intra-system switches that disconnect abnormal power systems from the network, allowing the remaining power output sections and loads to continue operating, thereby maintaining system reliability by redirecting power and load usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a power supply system has multiple power systems connected in parallel to increase reliability, then the system can provide backup power, but when an abnormality occurs in one power system, the abnormality can propagate to other systems through the shared network, causing complete system failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the power supply network into isolated segments by introducing isolation switches (inter-system switches) between individual power systems. When an abnormality is detected in one system, the isolation switch disconnects that system from the network, preventing abnormality propagation while maintaining power supply to other systems through alternative paths. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliability even when individual components fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces isolation switches as intermediary devices between power systems and the central distribution network. These switches act as mediators that can establish or disconnect conducting conditions based on system status. When abnormalities are detected, the intermediary switches isolate affected systems while allowing healthy systems to continue operating, thus preventing harmful effects from spreading throughout the entire network.
2Reliability
If isolation switches are added to prevent abnormality propagation, then reliability during abnormalities is improved, but the device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The isolation switches in the patent serve multiple functions: they act as normal power distribution switches during healthy operation, serve as isolation devices during abnormalities, and provide control points for system reconfiguration. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated isolation components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving improved reliability during abnormal conditions.
3Reliability
If inter-system switches are used to disconnect abnormal power systems, then the conducting condition can be established or disconnected between systems, but the control complexity and number of control signals required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control unit continuously monitors the operating status of each power system and automatically controls the isolation switches based on detected abnormalities. When a ground fault or other abnormality is detected in one system, the control unit receives feedback about this condition and automatically actuates the appropriate isolation switches to disconnect the affected system, eliminating the need for complex manual control procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply system having a plurality of power systems is provided with a power output section in each of the power systems, an electrical load in each of the power systems, operating from power supplied by the power output section, main paths that connect the power output sections of adjacent ones of the power systems, an inter-system switch that establishes a conducting condition between the adjacent power systems by being turned on and establishes a disconnected condition between the adjacent power systems by being turned off, and an intra-system switch in each of the power systems, which is disposed on the main path between the power output section and the inter-system switch, and which establishes a conducting condition between the power output section and the electrical load by being turned on and establishes a disconnected condition between the power output section and the electrical load by being turned off.