Ring Power Network With Bidirectional DC/DC for Vehicle Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing electrical architectures in vehicles, which typically use radial connecting lines and multiple power sources with different voltages, are costly and unreliable due to the need for redundant power lines and high-level ASIL batteries to prevent power failures affecting critical consumers.
Innovation Solution
An electrical architecture with a power supply network connecting nodal controllers in a ring configuration, using bidirectional DC/DC converters to ensure continuous power supply from multiple power sources, eliminating the need for redundant lines and allowing operation with lower ASIL-level batteries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If radial connecting lines (star scheme) are used to connect zone controllers to power sources, then the electrical architecture is simple to implement, but all consumers are impacted by battery or supply line failures
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical architecture is segmented into multiple independent zones, each with its own zone controller. The ring-shaped power distribution network divides the system into separate segments, so that a failure in one segment does not affect other segments. This segmentation isolates faults and maintains reliability while keeping the overall architecture manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic reconfiguration capabilities where the system can adapt its power distribution path based on operational conditions and failure states. The ring topology enables dynamic switching between different power supply paths, allowing the system to maintain reliability by rerouting power around failures without requiring a complex static redundant architecture.
2Reliability
If redundant power lines are provided to prevent battery failures, then power supply reliability is improved, but the cost increases significantly due to large cross-section cables and repetitive architectures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power distribution function with the communication network into a single ring-shaped architecture. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate redundant power lines, as the same infrastructure serves dual purposes. The ring topology provides inherent redundancy for power delivery while using the same physical medium for communication, significantly reducing cable quantity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring-shaped power distribution network serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides power delivery, enables communication between controllers, and offers fault isolation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated redundant power lines, reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining reliability through the inherent redundancy of the ring topology.
3Reliability
If batteries with high ASIL level are used to prevent failures, then power supply reliability is improved, but the cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The ring-shaped architecture provides beforehand cushioning by creating redundant power supply paths before failures occur. If one battery or supply line fails, the system already has alternative paths prepared to maintain power delivery. This preventive design reduces the need for excessively high ASIL-rated components, as the architecture itself provides the necessary fault tolerance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the topological parameter of the power distribution network from radial to ring-shaped, fundamentally altering how reliability is achieved. Instead of relying on high-ASIL components, the system achieves reliability through topological redundancy, allowing the use of lower-ASIL, more cost-effective batteries while maintaining the required safety levels through architectural design.
4Device complexity
If zone controllers are supplied by a single battery, then the electrical architecture is cost-effective, but a single point of failure impacts all connected consumers
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the power distribution into multiple independent zones, each served by its own zone controller on the ring network. This segmentation ensures that a failure affecting one zone does not propagate to other zones, maintaining consumer functionality reliability while keeping each zone's architecture simple and cost-effective.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring topology enables dynamic power supply paths where consumers can be served by different batteries depending on operational mode and failure conditions. This dynamic capability allows the system to maintain reliability without requiring complex static redundant architectures, as the power paths can be reconfigured in response to changing conditions.
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 solution provides a cost-effective and reliable power distribution system that maintains functionality of critical consumers even in case of power source or line failures, ensuring efficient reliability without redundant power lines.
Implementation Method 1
each nodal controller being linked to the power line via a bidirectional DC/DC converter
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
An electrical architecture (1) comprising at least two power sources (11, 12), having different voltages (V1, V2), for supplying a plurality of nodal controllers (20) through a power supply network (30), each of said nodal controllers (20) being provided with at least one output port (21, 22) for connecting thereto an electrical load (41, 42) operating with one of said voltages (V1, V2), characterized in that: - the power supply network (30) comprises a power line (31) connecting the nodal controllers (20) in a ring to each other and supplying said nodal controllers (20) with electrical power from said at least two power sources (11, 12), and - each nodal controller (20) is linked to the power line (31) via a bidirectional DC/DC converter (25).