Redundant Vehicle Voltage Supply With Bridge-Circuit Fault Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic voltage supply systems in motor vehicles fail to ensure continuous provision of both medium and low voltage levels to electrical consumers, leading to potential total failure in case of a malfunction in the battery string or voltage converter.
Innovation Solution
A redundant electronic voltage supply system is designed with two battery strings and two voltage converters connected via a bridge circuit, allowing for automatic switching to ensure continued voltage supply even if one battery string or voltage converter fails, using a bridge circuit and multiple switches to reroute power and isolate faulty components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single battery string and voltage converter are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability decreases because a malfunction leads to total failure of all electrical consumers
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage supply system is divided into two independent battery strings (first and second) that can operate separately. Each battery string can independently supply voltage to electrical consumers through the bridge circuit, ensuring that if one string fails, the other can maintain system operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Two battery strings are combined in parallel through a bridge circuit that enables flexible switching between them. The bridge circuit merges the output paths of both battery strings, allowing automatic switching to maintain continuous power supply to electrical consumers regardless of which battery string is operational.
2Reliability
If redundant battery strings and voltage converters are added, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components and switching mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge circuit serves multiple functions: it enables switching between first and second battery strings, provides automatic fault isolation, and maintains continuous power supply to electrical consumers. This multi-functional component reduces the need for separate switching mechanisms for each battery string.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge circuit implements dynamic switching between battery strings based on operational status. The system automatically adapts its configuration by isolating faulty components and rerouting power flow, transforming a static redundant system into a dynamically self-adjusting fault-tolerant system.
3Ease of operation
If automatic switching mechanisms are implemented, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to control systems and switching devices
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage supply system performs automatic fault detection and isolation without external intervention. When a battery string or voltage converter malfunctions, the bridge circuit automatically detects the fault condition and reroutes power flow to maintain supply to electrical consumers, eliminating the need for manual switching or complex control systems.
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 design ensures that both medium and low voltage levels are maintained, preventing the failure of electrical consumers and enhancing operational safety by providing redundant pathways for power distribution.
Implementation Method 1
The voltage converter unit (5) is designed in such a way that it reduces the medium voltage provided by the battery strings to a low voltage
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic voltage supply system includes a first battery string providing an electrical medium voltage at a first battery output and a second battery string providing the medium voltage at a second battery output. A potential distributor has a plurality of electrical low-voltage connections, each of which is connectable to the first and/or battery strings via a voltage transformer unit. The voltage transformer unit reduces the medium voltage provided by the first or second battery string to a low voltage. The system also includes first and second medium-voltage paths, which can be or is electrically connected to the first and/or second battery string and a first or second medium-voltage connection at which the medium voltage generated by the first or second battery string is provided. The system further includes a bridge circuit that connects the first medium voltage connection and the at least one second medium-voltage terminal to the first and/or second battery string.