Redundant Power Supply Architecture for Autonomous Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous and partially autonomous vehicles require more electrical power due to additional sensors and computing devices, necessitating a power supply architecture that can tolerate faults to ensure safety-critical functionalities, such as 'limp home mode, during component failures.
Innovation Solution
A fault-tolerant power supply architecture is designed with multiple DC-DC converter circuits and batteries wired in parallel, along with multiple power distribution buses, allowing redundant elements to provide backup power in case of failures, ensuring continued operation of critical vehicle functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple DC-DC converter circuits and batteries are wired in parallel to create redundant power supply architecture, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is divided into multiple independent DC-DC converter circuits and battery units, each capable of operating independently. The converters are segmented into primary and secondary groups that can be selectively activated based on fault conditions, allowing the system to maintain functionality even when individual segments fail.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the power supply architecture are assigned different functional roles - primary converters handle normal operation while secondary converters are reserved for fault conditions. The system implements localized control where each converter group can be independently managed, with specific converters dedicated to critical loads versus non-critical loads.
2Reliability
If power is redistributed and non-essential loads are shut off during failures, then reliability is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The power distribution system implements dynamic load management where non-critical loads are selectively shut off based on fault conditions and available power capacity. The system can transition between different operational modes - full power mode during normal operation and reduced power mode during faults - allowing critical functions to maintain productivity while sacrificing non-essential functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by adjusting which loads receive power based on system state. During faults, the parameter of load priority is changed, with critical loads (acceleration, braking, steering) maintained at full power while non-critical loads are reduced or eliminated, effectively changing the power distribution parameters to prioritize safety over complete functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle system includes multiple DC-DC converter circuits, vehicle batteries, and vehicle power distribution buses. Each vehicle battery is electrically connected in parallel to each of the DC-DC converter circuits. Each of the vehicle batteries is also electrically connected in parallel to one another. Further, each of the DC-DC converter circuits and each of the vehicle batteries are electrically connected to multiple vehicle power distribution buses.