Steering Redundancy Interface Circuit Isolating Battery Ground Shorts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering systems with electrical power sources, such as electro-hydraulic or steer-by-wire systems, are vulnerable to interruptions due to short circuits, which can disable the operator's ability to control the vehicle or machine, and lack reliable warning systems and automated self-tests for ensuring proper functionality and redundancy.
Innovation Solution
A redundant control system is implemented using a primary and secondary controller, an interface circuit, and a self-test element, which isolates short circuits and ensures continuous operation by switching between power sources and engaging the secondary controller in case of a primary power source failure, and vice versa.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If shielded battery cables are used to provide early indications of wear, then protection and forewarning are improved, but the system is still unable to reliably provide warnings sufficiently prior to hard short-circuit conditions and lacks automated self-test capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated self-test functionality that activates before actual short-circuit conditions occur, allowing the system to detect potential failures in advance. The controller automatically tests the battery cable connections and shielding integrity during system startup or at scheduled intervals, enabling preliminary detection of wear or damage before they progress to hard short-circuit conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates self-diagnostic capabilities where the controller automatically monitors and tests the battery cable shielding and connections without requiring external intervention. The self-test mechanism uses the existing electrical components to detect faults, allowing the system to service and monitor itself for potential failures.
2Reliability
If a short circuit occurs at the battery terminal, then power is disabled to all electrical components including the ECM, but the invention enables continued operation by isolating the short and switching to a secondary power source
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the power supply system into separate, isolated segments with independent controllers and power sources. Each controller has its own dedicated power source and grounding path, allowing one segment to fail without affecting the other. This segmentation enables the system to isolate short circuits to specific segments while maintaining operation in unaffected segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an interface circuit as an intermediary between the primary and secondary power sources and controllers. This interface circuit includes isolation components that prevent direct electrical connection between the two power systems, allowing safe switching between power sources and preventing fault propagation. The interface circuit acts as a mediator that enables redundancy while maintaining system isolation.
3Reliability
If redundant control systems are implemented with separate power sources and controllers, then continued operation during short-circuit conditions is enabled, but implementation costs are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the secondary controller and power source to serve dual purposes: they provide backup capability during faults while also being capable of normal operation. The interface circuit is designed to work with either power source, allowing the system to use the same hardware configuration for both primary and secondary functions, thereby reducing the need for completely separate redundant systems and lowering implementation costs.
Data Source
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AI summary
A redundancy system for a steering system having a primary controller (106) and a primary power source (108) is provided. The redundancy system includes a secondary controller (110) coupled to a secondary power source (112) and configured to manage control of the steering system, and an interface circuit (114) disposed between at least a first node (116) and a second node (118). The first node (116) is in electrical communication with the primary power source (108), and the second node (118) is in electrical communication with the secondary power source (112). The interface circuit (114) is configured to selectively engage a self-test of the primary power source (108) and the secondary power source (112), isolate a short at the first node (116) from the secondary power source (112), and isolate a short at the second node (118) from the primary power source (108).