Vehicle Control Device Dual Power Supply Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern drive assist systems face power supply insufficiencies when electrical actuators, such as brake and steering actuators, consume high amounts of electric power during collision avoidance maneuvers, leading to potential malfunctions if insufficient power is provided.
Innovation Solution
A control device with a dual power supply system and switch configuration that dynamically allocates power between a high-voltage battery and a low-voltage battery, ensuring sufficient power is supplied to electrical actuators by separating or coupling the power supply systems based on engine operation and collision prediction signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single power supply system is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the power supply reliability becomes insufficient during high-power operations
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into a first power supply (high-voltage battery) and a second power supply (low-voltage battery), with each serving specific functions. The first power supply handles high-power consumption devices while the second power supply handles other electrical devices, preventing power insufficiency during high-power operations while maintaining manageable system complexity through functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
A switch is introduced as an intermediary component between the first and second power supply systems. This switch controller manages power distribution by selectively connecting or disconnecting the first power supply from the second power supply based on power consumption requirements, ensuring reliable power delivery without requiring a permanently complex interconnected system.
2Productivity
If the starter motor is driven during collision avoidance, then the engine can be started, but the electric potential of the second power supply system decreases leading to insufficient power for actuators
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by having the first power supply (high-voltage battery) charge the second power supply (low-voltage battery) in advance before the starter motor operates. This pre-charging ensures that sufficient electric potential is maintained in the second power supply system even when the starter motor draws heavy current for engine starting, preventing power insufficiency for electrical actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The first power supply system and second power supply system are merged through a controllable switch connection. During engine starting operations, the switch connects the first power supply to the second power supply, allowing the high-voltage battery to supplement power to the low-voltage battery, ensuring both the starter motor and electrical actuators receive adequate power simultaneously.
3Productivity
If electrical actuators consume high power during collision avoidance, then the drive assist function is improved, but the power supply reliability deteriorates due to insufficient power
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system applies local quality by providing different power levels from different sources based on specific device requirements. The first power supply (high-voltage battery) is specifically assigned to supply power to electrical actuators during high-power consumption operations like collision avoidance, while the second power supply handles other electrical devices, ensuring each component receives appropriate power quality for its function.
Solution Approach 2:
The power distribution system is made dynamic through the switch controller that adjusts power flow in real-time based on operational conditions. During collision avoidance when actuators require high power, the switch dynamically connects the first power supply to support the second power supply, ensuring power delivery reliability adapts to the changing power demands of the drive assist system.
Data Source
AI summary
A control device for a vehicle predicts a collision of the vehicle with an object and then actuates a drive assist device. The control device includes a collision predictor, a drive assist controller, an engine controller, a first power supply system, a second power supply system, a switch, and a switch controller. When a possibility that the vehicle will collide with the object exceeds a threshold, the collision predictor outputs a collision alarm signal. When the collision alarm signal is output during driving of the starter motor, the engine controller stops the starter motor to increase an electric potential of the second power supply system, and the switch controller turns on the switch, based on a difference in electric potential between the first and second power supply systems.