USB Power Delivery Buck-Boost Converter for Vehicle Start-Stop Voltage Dips
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Solution Overview
Problem
USB Power Delivery devices in vehicles face disruptions during start-stop transients due to voltage dips, exceeding current limits and risking shutdowns, as they need to maintain power supply to consumer devices without exceeding wiring and circuit protection limits.
Innovation Solution
A USB Power Delivery device with a buck-boost DC-DC converter and controller that adjusts output voltage based on vehicle power state signals, switching from high to low voltage during start-stop events to prevent current limit exceedance, ensuring continuous power delivery without interruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the USB Power Delivery device maintains high output voltage during start-stop transients, then fast charging performance is improved, but current limits of wiring and circuit protection devices are exceeded causing shutdowns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic voltage adjustment by transitioning from a fixed high-voltage output mode to a variable voltage mode that responds to vehicle power state changes. The controller dynamically switches between first output voltage (during normal operation) and second output voltage (during start-stop transients), allowing the system to adapt its charging power delivery based on real-time vehicle conditions, thus preventing current limit exceedance while maintaining fast charging capability when appropriate
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms by monitoring vehicle power state signals and using this information to adjust output voltage. The controller receives feedback about the vehicle's power state and automatically renegotiates charging parameters, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents shutdowns by anticipating and responding to voltage dips before they cause current limit violations
2Reliability
If the device switches to low voltage during start-stop events, then current limits are maintained, but charging speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic switching between voltage levels based on the periodic nature of start-stop events. The controller alternates between first output voltage (higher charging speed) and second output voltage (lower charging speed) according to the vehicle's operational cycles, allowing the system to maintain current limit compliance during transients while maximizing charging speed during stable operation periods
3Reliability
If the device renegotiates charging parameters during transients, then uninterrupted power supply is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a power management device and a communication node that renegotiates charging parameters. This universal controller handles voltage regulation, current limiting, and protocol negotiation functions, consolidating multiple responsibilities into a single component rather than requiring separate dedicated circuits for each function, thus managing complexity while achieving uninterrupted power supply
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
The solution allows uninterrupted power supply to USB devices during start-stop events, reducing electrical load and preventing shutdowns by renegotiating charging parameters, thus maintaining consumer experience and adhering to vehicle electrical system constraints.
Implementation Method 1
a buck-boost DC-DC converter and controller that adjusts output voltage based on vehicle power state signals
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical power supply device is configured to communicate with a start-stop controller that automatically shuts down and restarts an internal combustion engine in a vehicle. The device includes a DC-DC power convertor and a device controller. The DC-DC power convertor is configured to produce a first voltage or a second voltage that is less than the first voltage. The device controller causes the DC-DC power convertor to produce the first voltage in response to a first signal from the start-stop controller indicating that the input voltage will remain equal to or greater than the threshold voltage and also causes the DC-DC power convertor to produce the second voltage in response to a second signal from the start-stop controller indicating that the input voltage may become less than the threshold voltage.