Redundant Power Supply Control with Shared DC/DC and MOSFET Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing redundant power supply systems are bulky and heavy due to the use of multiple DC/DC converters, which increases size and weight while compromising redundancy.

Innovation Solution

A power supply control system with parallel-connected power supply systems, utilizing MOSFET switches and relays to manage power distribution efficiently, allowing one DC/DC converter to supply power to both systems, reducing size and weight while maintaining redundancy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple DC/DC converters are provided for each power supply system, then redundancy of power supplies is secured, but the system size and weight are increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveredundancy of power suppliesVSAvoidsystem weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the power supply paths by providing a single DC/DC converter that supplies power to both the first and second power supply systems through switching devices. This consolidation reduces the total number of DC/DC converters from two to one, thereby reducing system weight while maintaining redundancy through the switching mechanism that can isolate or connect either power supply path as needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple DC/DC converters are provided for each power supply system, then redundancy of power supplies is secured, but the system size is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveredundancy of power suppliesVSAvoidsystem size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the power supply paths by providing a single DC/DC converter that supplies power to both the first and second power supply systems through switching devices. This consolidation reduces the total number of DC/DC converters from two to one, thereby reducing system size while maintaining redundancy through the switching mechanism that can isolate or connect either power supply path as needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Weight of stationary object

If a single DC/DC converter is shared between power supply systems, then system size and weight are reduced, but power distribution control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem weightVSAvoidpower distribution control
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the power distribution control into modular switching devices (first and second switching devices) that can independently control power flow to each power supply system. This segmentation simplifies the overall control architecture by breaking down the complex power distribution into manageable, independent switching stages, reducing control complexity while enabling flexible power management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary protection actions by providing overcurrent protection devices and relays that automatically detect and isolate ground faults or abnormal conditions before they can affect the entire system. This preliminary action prevents fault propagation and simplifies normal operation by handling abnormal conditions automatically without requiring complex real-time decision-making

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3993221B1Power supply control system
Publication Date: 2023.11.22 YAZAKI CORP
  • EP3993221B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3993221B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3993221B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A power supply control system controls a redundant power supply system that includes a first power supply system and a second power supply system connected in parallel to a power supply unit. The first power supply system includes a first power supply and a first system. The second power supply system includes a second power supply and a second system. The power supply control system includes a first switch that is a MOSFET provided between the power supply unit and the first power supply, a second switch that is a MOSFET provided between the power supply unit and the second power supply, a wiring configured to supply a dark current flowing from the first power supply to the second system, a first relay of a normally-on type provided on the wiring, and a second relay of a normally-off type provided between the second power supply and the second switch.