Redundant Power Bridge Architecture for ASIL D Compliance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles lack reliable and resilient power distribution, requiring continuous human supervision and intervention, which is not sufficient to meet Automotive Safety Integrity Level D (ASIL D) requirements due to the absence of redundant hardware and intelligent control switches.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of power bridges with intelligent control switches that monitor the health of the vehicle and detect single point failures, coupled with redundant power bridges, ensures stable power supply and compliance with ASIL D standards by continuously monitoring and managing power distribution from AC and DC sources to various power distribution units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundant power bridges with intelligent control switches are implemented, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power distribution system is divided into multiple independent power bridges, each handling specific power routing functions. The first power bridge manages AC to DC conversion and battery charging, while the second power bridge handles DC distribution to loads. This segmentation allows each bridge to be independently monitored and controlled, improving overall reliability without requiring complete system redundancy.
Solution Approach 2:
Intelligent control switches are introduced as intermediary components between power sources and loads. These switches continuously monitor system health parameters and automatically reroute power flow when failures are detected, acting as mediators that prevent single point failures from cascading through the entire system. The control switches incorporate sensors and control logic that enable autonomous fault detection and isolation.
2Reliability
If continuous monitoring of sensor health is performed, then reliability is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The intelligent control switches perform health monitoring at periodic intervals rather than continuously, reducing energy consumption while maintaining effective surveillance of system conditions. The monitoring cycle is optimized to detect failures promptly while allowing the system to operate efficiently during normal conditions. Critical parameters such as voltage, current, and temperature are sampled at predetermined intervals.
Solution Approach 2:
The power distribution system incorporates self-diagnostic capabilities where control switches monitor their own operational status and that of connected components. The system uses built-in sensors and control logic to automatically detect anomalies and initiate corrective actions without external intervention, reducing the need for additional monitoring infrastructure and associated energy consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and methods for constant and reliable power distribution, using a redundant power bridge battery architecture, in autonomous vehicles are described. An example method includes determining that each of a plurality of sensors is operating within in a nominal range for the respective sensor, and distributing, based on the determining, power from at least one alternating current (AC) power source or at least one direct current (DC) power source to at least one power distribution unit (PDU), wherein a first power bridge is coupled to the at least one AC power source and the at least one DC power source and a second power bridge is coupled to the at least one DC power source and the at least one PDU, and wherein the plurality of sensors is used to monitor a health of the vehicle and any single point failure is detectable.