Redundant Vehicle Power Supply Circuit with Diode Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing redundant power supply solutions for electrical components in vehicles face challenges such as voltage drops during engine starting and difficulties in diagnosing ground connection losses, which can lead to safety issues and potential fires due to shared ground connections.
Innovation Solution
An electrical component with a redundant power supply circuit featuring separate positive and negative terminals, diodes for 'or' logic functions, and diagnostic means to detect power supply losses, along with protection against overcurrent, using a diode and protection circuit to ensure reliable operation and prevent resupply issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If series connection of diodes is used to perform OR logic functions on both positive and negative supply sides, then power supply redundancy is achieved, but voltage drop increases significantly (1.2V to 1.6V)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the power supply redundancy function into separate positive and negative supply paths with independent diode protection. The negative supply uses a single diode instead of series connection, segmenting the protection function to minimize voltage drop while maintaining redundancy capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial redundancy by protecting only the critical negative supply path with a single diode, rather than implementing full series redundancy on both positive and negative sides. This partial action reduces voltage drop to approximately 0.6V to 0.8V while still providing adequate protection for engine starting operations.
2Device complexity
If ground connections are shared between multiple electrical components to meet installation constraints, then assembly complexity is reduced, but diagnostic capability of ground connection losses deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary diagnostic circuit that monitors the negative supply connection status. This intermediary system provides diagnostic capability without requiring separate physical ground connections for each component, maintaining simple assembly while enabling detection of ground connection losses through electrical monitoring.
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
The solution provides sufficient redundancy to handle starting voltages, allows for comprehensive diagnostics, and prevents fires by managing ground connections effectively, ensuring reliable operation and safety during engine starting and normal driving conditions.
Implementation Method 1
coupling means defining an "OR" type logic function between the first and second positive supply terminals and the positive supply point
Implementation Method 2
a diode coupling the negative supply point and the second negative supply terminal
Implementation Method 3
protective means ensuring coupling between the negative supply point and the first negative supply terminal and arranged to protect against overcurrent the diode and a circuit of the computing unit
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an electric body (OE) coupled to a redundant power circuit and comprising a diode (Dm) coupling a negative power point (PA2) of the computing unit (UC) thereof and a second negative power terminal (BA22) that it comprises, protection means (MP) coupling said negative power point (PA2) to a first negative power terminal (BA21) that it comprises and protecting the diode (Dm) and a circuit of the computing unit (UC) thereof coupled to the negative power point (PA2) from an overcurrent, and diagnosis means (MD2) coupling the second negative power terminal (BA22) thereof to a negative power diagnosis terminal (BD22) of the computing unit (UC).