Multi-Voltage Vehicle Controller Subnetwork Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control devices for multi-voltage vehicle networks face challenges in maintaining clean separation between subnetworks, particularly during faulty operating voltage supplies, which can lead to signal integrity issues between the transceiver and control unit.
Innovation Solution
The control device incorporates diodes and field effect transistors in transmission and reception paths to ensure safe signal transmission between the transceiver and control unit, using diodes to block current flows and transistors to generate signal levels, thereby maintaining subnet separation and integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a control device couples both voltage levels of two subnetworks within the same device, then both voltage levels can be present within the control device, but clean separation between the two subnetworks becomes difficult to maintain, especially during faulty operating voltage supply
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is segmented into two separate control units: a first control unit for the first subnetwork (12V) and a second control unit for the second subnetwork (48V). Each control unit is electrically isolated and operates independently on its respective voltage level, preventing voltage level conflicts and maintaining signal integrity even during faulty operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
A voltage level converter acts as an intermediary between the two control units operating at different voltage levels. This mediator enables controlled communication between the 12V and 48V subnetworks while maintaining electrical isolation, allowing signal transmission without direct electrical connection that could compromise signal integrity.
2Ease of operation
If a transceiver and control unit are coupled with multiple control signal paths, then bidirectional communication is enabled, but separation between subnetworks deteriorates during faulty voltage supply
Solution Approach 1:
The control signal paths are segmented into separate unidirectional paths for each voltage level. The first control unit has output paths for transmitting control signals to the second subnetwork, while the second control unit has separate output paths for the first subnetwork. This segmentation ensures that signal paths remain isolated according to their voltage level, preventing interference during voltage faults.
3Reliability
If diodes are arranged in transmit and receive paths to block current flow, then subnetwork separation is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The most effective approach to reducing complexity while maintaining reliability is to segment the control device into two separate control units, each dedicated to a specific voltage level. This fundamental segmentation eliminates the need for multiple protective diodes and complex protection circuits, as each control unit operates independently on its designated voltage level without direct electrical connection to the other subnetwork.
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 configuration ensures reliable control signal transmission and separation between subnetworks, even under faulty voltage conditions, preventing signal interference and maintaining network stability.
Implementation Method 1
A diode is arranged in the transmit path, the cathode of which is coupled to the second ground terminal
Implementation Method 2
a number of field-effect transistors are provided, wherein the number of field-effect transistors couples the transmit path on the one hand to the first power supply source and on the other hand to the first ground terminal and/or the second ground terminal
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a controller (1) for a multi-voltage on-board power supply (3) of a vehicle. The multi-voltage on-board power supply (3) has a first sub-network (31) which is designed to be operated by a first voltage supply source (311) with a first supply voltage and a second sub-network (32) which is designed to be operated by a second voltage supply source (321) with a second supply voltage. The controller (1) comprises the following: a transceiver (11) which is connected to ground via a first ground connection (316) of the first sub-network (31) and which is designed to communicate with a communication component (312) of the first sub-network (31); a control unit (12) which is connected to the same ground via a second ground connection (326) of the second sub-network (32) and which is designed to control a power component (322, 323) of the second sub-network (32); a transmission path (13) which couples a signal output (12-1) of the control unit (12) to a signal input (11-1) of the transceiver (11), wherein the transmission path (13) is designed to transmit a control signal provided by the control unit (12) at the signal output (12-1) to the signal input (11-1) of the transceiver (11); and a diode (131) which is arranged in the transmission path (13) and the cathode connection (131-1) of which is coupled to the second ground connection (326). Furthermore, a number of field effect transistors (132, 133) are provided, the number of field effect transistors (132, 133) coupling the transmission path (13) to the first voltage supply source (311) and/or to the second voltage supply source (321) on one side and to the first ground connection (321) and/or to the second ground connection (326) on the other side.