Vehicle Low-Voltage Bus Control for Load Transient Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern vehicles face challenges in managing current or voltage in low voltage buses, which can lead to transient voltage drops or spikes when electrical loads are enabled or disabled, potentially affecting other electrical systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and controller for managing current or voltage in low voltage buses by adjusting the current or voltage provided by a DC/DC converter based on electrical load requests, using a period of regulation time to mitigate transient effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If electrical loads are enabled or disabled immediately upon request, then the response time is fast, but transient voltage drops or spikes occur affecting other electrical systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by adjusting the DC/DC converter current before the electrical load is actually enabled or disabled. When a load enable request is received, the controller increases the DC/DC converter current in advance during a delay period, so that when the load is enabled, the voltage drop is minimized. Similarly, when disabling a load, the current is decreased in advance to prevent voltage spikes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by counteracting the anticipated harmful effects before they occur. The controller predicts the voltage drop or spike that will occur when a load is enabled or disabled and adjusts the DC/DC converter current in the opposite direction to compensate. For example, increasing current before load enablement counteracts the upcoming voltage drop, and decreasing current before load disabling counteracts the upcoming voltage spike.
2Reliability
If the current from DC/DC converter is increased to prevent voltage drops, then the voltage stability is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by implementing current adjustment only during specific delay periods when load state changes are anticipated, rather than maintaining continuously high current. The controller increases current during the delay period before load enablement and decreases it after load disabling, returning to normal operating levels afterward. This periodic adjustment maintains voltage stability during critical transitions while minimizing energy consumption during steady-state operation.
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 effectively reduces the impact of transient loads on the low voltage bus, preventing voltage drops below minimum thresholds and spikes above maximum thresholds, thereby ensuring stable power supply to electrical loads.
Implementation Method 1
a direct current (DC)/DC converter converts an electrical power from substantially 100 volts, substantially 250 volts, substantially 400 volts, substantially 500 volts, substantially 650 volts, substantially 800 volts, or substantially 1000 to substantially 12 volts or substantially 48 volts
Data Source
AI summary
Examples described herein provide a method for managing current in a low voltage bus of a vehicle. The method includes receiving an electrical load request for an electrical load of the vehicle. The method further includes, prior to enabling the electrical load, adjusting a current provided by a direct current (DC)/DC converter for a period of time based at least in part on the electrical load. The method further includes, responsive to expiration of the period of time, enabling or disabling the electrical load based at least in part on the electrical load request.