Segmented Engine Power Supply for Failure Isolation Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing engine systems face challenges in quickly addressing failures such as electric leakage and malfunctions in the power source unit, which can disrupt the normal operation of both the system main portion and the engine.

Innovation Solution

The engine system incorporates a dual power source unit configuration, with both system main portion-side and engine-side power source units operating in parallel. This allows for continued normal operation of either the engine or the system main portion even if one power source unit fails, enabling controlled engine stoppage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single power source unit is used to supply operating power to both the system main portion and the engine, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates because a failure in the power source unit cannot be quickly dealt with

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power source unit is segmented into two independent units: a system main portion-side power source unit and an engine-side power source unit. Each unit independently supplies operating power to its respective controlled component, allowing failure isolation and maintaining system reliability without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the engine-side power source unit fails, then the system main portion can continue to operate, but the engine cannot be controlled to stop quickly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidloss of time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system includes a failure detection mechanism that monitors the operational status of both power source units. When a failure is detected in either unit, the system provides feedback to the control unit, enabling quick response and engine stoppage within a predetermined time to prevent safety issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the system main portion-side power source unit fails, then the engine can continue to operate, but the system main portion cannot be controlled properly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the power source units and their control functions, the system ensures that a failure in the system main portion-side power source unit does not affect engine operation. The engine-side power source unit continues to supply power to the engine control unit, maintaining ease of operation for the engine independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If parallel power source units are implemented, then the reliability improves through failure isolation, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the power source functionality into two independent parallel units, each with dedicated control responsibilities. This segmentation achieves failure isolation and improved reliability while managing complexity through clear functional separation and independent operation of each unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3597892B1Engine system
Publication Date: 2025.05.14 YANMAR POWER TECH CO LTD
  • EP3597892B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

There is provided an engine system capable of dealing with occurrence of a failure in a power source unit and/or an operation controlling unit. The engine system includes: an engine 40 configured to output shaft power by burning fuel G; and a system main portion 30 configured to operate using the shaft power of the engine 40. The engine system further includes: an operation controlling unit A; and a power source unit B configured to convert commercial power to operating power and to supply the operating power to the operation controlling unit A. The power source unit B includes: a system main portion-side power source unit 15 configured to supply operating power for controlling operation of the system main portion 30; and an engine-side power source unit 25 configured to supply operating power for controlling operation of the engine 40. The system main portion-side power source unit 15 and the engine-side power source unit 25 are provided individually and separately.