Rectifying Component and Capacitor Buffering for Voltage Dip Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for controlling terminal relays in motor vehicles struggle to maintain operation during voltage dips, especially during starting processes, as they rely on redundant high-side switches which can fail during deep voltage drops, leading to undervoltage shutdowns and potential failure of charge pumps.

Innovation Solution

The proposed arrangement includes a metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) as a high-side switch, a charge pump, and a rectifying diode-like component with a capacitor for buffering, which shifts the ground potential and ensures continued operation during voltage dips by using a rectifying electronic component and a capacitor to buffer the logic and charge pump circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If redundant supply voltage paths are provided, then the terminal control relay can operate during brief voltage dips, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal control relay operationVSAvoidsupply voltage path structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the power supply system into functionally separate segments: the high-side switch path for relay control and the buffered logic path for circuit operation. This segmentation achieves reliability through functional independence while keeping each segment relatively simple, avoiding the complexity of fully redundant parallel paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the buffering function from the main power path and applies it selectively only to the logic circuit. This extraction creates a targeted solution that improves reliability where needed (logic circuit operation during dips) without unnecessarily complicating the entire power supply system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the ground potential is shifted using a rectifying component and capacitor, then the logic circuit can be buffered during voltage dips, but the circuit configuration becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelogic circuit operation during voltage dipsVSAvoidcircuit configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rectifying diode serves as an intermediary component that enables the capacitor to buffer the logic circuit's ground reference. This diode-mediated buffering approach provides a simple yet effective mechanism to maintain logic circuit operation during voltage dips without requiring complex active regulation circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the ground potential parameter of the logic circuit by introducing a shifted reference through the rectifying diode and capacitor combination. This parameter change allows the logic circuit to operate from a buffered voltage reference that remains stable during voltage dips, achieving reliability through a relatively simple configuration change.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 allows for reliable load supply even during deep voltage dips, ensuring the terminal control relay operates effectively even when the battery voltage drops below normal minimum levels, maintaining system functionality and preventing shutdowns.

Implementation Method 1

a capacitor (C1) for buffering is connected between the plus connection and the ground connection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

a rectifying electronic component with a forward direction and a reverse direction, which can be connected or is to be connected to a negative pole of the energy source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRectification: Diode

Data Source

PatentEP2414188B1Arrangement for providing electrical energy
Publication Date: 2019.03.06 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2414188B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2414188B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2414188B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement (150) for providing electrical energy for an electronic circuit (152) that is designed to supply a load, wherein a connection for a supply voltage of the circuit (152) is to be connected to a positive pole of an energy source and a connection for the circuit (152) ground is to be connected to a negative pole of the energy source via a rectifying electronic component and wherein a capacitor (190) is connected between the two connections of the circuit (152) for partial supply of the circuit (152) with electrical energy. The invention also relates to a method for providing electrical energy.