Redundant Vehicle Power Conversion for Emergency Load Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face sudden stops during driving due to power system failures like open-circuits or short-circuits, necessitating a redundancy technology for emergency driving without driver intervention.
Innovation Solution
A power supply apparatus with multiple converters and controllers that detect failures or short-circuits, switching to backup power sources and voltage conversion to ensure continuous power delivery to critical loads, including a power distributor to prioritize essential loads during failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single converter is used to step down voltage from the battery, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability is insufficient because sudden stops occur during driving when power system failures happen
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into multiple independent converters (first converter and second converter) that can operate independently or in parallel. Each converter has its own controller and switch, allowing the system to divide the power supply function across multiple components to achieve redundancy and improved reliability without requiring a completely complex reconfiguration of the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements beforehand cushioning by providing a backup converter that is ready to take over immediately when the primary converter fails. The controllers continuously monitor the status of their respective converters and can switch to the backup converter in advance or immediately upon detecting a failure, preventing sudden stops and ensuring continuous power supply to critical loads.
2Reliability
If multiple converters are added to provide backup power, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional converters, controllers, and switching mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The converters and controllers are designed with multi-functionality to reduce overall system complexity. The first and second controllers can perform similar monitoring and control functions for their respective converters, and the converters themselves can serve as either primary or backup power sources. This universality allows the system to handle both normal and emergency operations with a standardized component architecture, reducing the complexity burden of having multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-configuring the backup converter and controller in a ready state before any failure occurs. The controllers are programmed with failure detection and switching logic in advance, and the backup converter is pre-charged and positioned to immediately take over when needed. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex real-time decision-making and switching mechanisms during actual emergencies, simplifying the operational complexity.
3Reliability
If the first converter fails with a short-circuit, then the power supply to the first load is interrupted, but the system can switch to backup power through the second converter and voltage conversion path
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary voltage conversion path involving the third converter when the first converter fails. Instead of directly connecting the battery to the first load through the failed first converter, the power flows through the second converter and then the third converter which converts the second voltage back to the first voltage. This intermediary path isolates the failure effect and provides an alternative route for power delivery, minimizing the harmful impact of the short-circuit on the first load.
Solution Approach 2:
The first controller detects the short-circuit condition in the first converter and provides feedback to switch the first switch off, preventing further damage. Simultaneously, the controller activates the backup power path by controlling the second switch and coordinating with the second and third converters. This feedback mechanism ensures that the system responds automatically to failures, maintaining power supply to critical loads while isolating the faulty component.
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
Enables autonomous vehicles to continue operating without driver intervention by providing backup power and stabilizing voltage supply through redundant converters and controllers, ensuring safe and uninterrupted operation during power failures.
Implementation Method 1
a first converter configured to step down a voltage output from the first battery to a first voltage
Implementation Method 2
a second converter configured to step down the voltage output from the first battery to a second voltage that is lower than the first voltage
Implementation Method 3
a third converter configured to convert the first voltage into the second voltage
Implementation Method 4
a fourth converter configured to convert the second voltage into the first voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply apparatus includes: a first battery configured to supply power; a first converter configured to step down a voltage output from the first battery to a first voltage; a second converter configured to step down the voltage output from the first battery to a second voltage lower than the first voltage; a third converter configured to convert the first voltage into the second voltage; a fourth converter configured to convert the second voltage into the first voltage; a first controller configured to supply the first voltage output from the first converter to at least one of a first load or the third converter; and a second controller configured to supply the second voltage output from the second converter to at least one of a second load or the fourth converter.