Trailer Electrical System Ground Isolation for Dual Power Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial vehicle trailers face challenges in efficiently managing electrical energy supply for onboard systems, particularly in ensuring safe operation by decoupling ground potentials between the towing vehicle's electronic braking system and the trailer's energy storage, while optimizing energy usage and reducing emissions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a control unit with a first voltage converter device that decouples the ground potential connected to the energy supply from the ground potential of the electrical energy storage, allowing energy to be drawn from both the towing vehicle's electronic braking system and the trailer's energy storage, with a DC-DC converter circuit for galvanic isolation and bidirectional energy transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ground potential is connected between towing vehicle and trailer for safety, then electrical safety is improved, but flexibility in energy supply is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage converter device acts as an intermediary between the first ground potential (towing vehicle) and second ground potential (trailer energy storage). It enables safe galvanic isolation while allowing bidirectional energy transfer, thus maintaining electrical safety through potential decoupling while providing flexible energy supply from both sources.
2Adaptability or versatility
If energy storage device is added to increase flexibility, then energy supply adaptability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage converter device performs multiple functions: it converts voltage between different levels, isolates ground potentials for safety, and enables bidirectional energy flow. This multi-functionality allows the energy storage system to integrate seamlessly with the towing vehicle's electrical system without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If voltage converter device is used to decouple ground potentials, then electrical safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage converter device serves as a mediating component that safely decouples the two ground potentials while enabling controlled energy transfer. By positioning this intermediary device centrally in the electrical system, the patent achieves reliable galvanic isolation without requiring multiple separate isolation components throughout the system.
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 enables safe and efficient operation of onboard consumers by providing stable electrical energy from multiple sources, optimizing energy usage, and reducing complexity in the electrical system, thereby enhancing the reliability and flexibility of the commercial vehicle trailer's electrical system.
Implementation Method 1
the first voltage converter device (214) is set up: to decouple a first ground potential connected to the energy supply connection from a second ground potential connected to the electrical energy storage (240)
Data Source
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AI summary
Among other things, a commercial vehicle trailer with an on-board electrical system is disclosed, wherein the on-board electrical system comprises a control unit with a first voltage converter device, wherein electrical energy for operating at least one consumer connected to the control unit in a first operating state of the control unit is provided via a power supply connection, via which the on-board electrical system is connected at least in the first operating state to an electrical energy source of an electronic braking system of the commercial vehicle trailer, wherein electrical energy for operating the at least one consumer in a second operating state of the control unit is provided by an electrical energy storage device of the commercial vehicle trailer.and wherein the first voltage converter device is set up: - to decouple a first ground potential connected to the power supply connection from a second ground potential connected to the electrical energy storage of the commercial vehicle trailer.