In-Vehicle Electronic Board Dark Current Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional motor control devices in vehicles face issues with reduced layout flexibility and increased cost due to the presence of a relay between the battery and the driver circuit, which also risks damaging devices with high voltage surges and allows dark current to flow when the vehicle is not in use.

Innovation Solution

The electronic board incorporates a drive command signal detection circuit that controls power supply to the controller based on detected drive command signals, eliminating the need for a relay by using a voltage varying part to manage power input, thus preventing dark current generation without compromising layout flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a relay is provided between the battery and the driver circuit to prevent dark current, then dark current is suppressed, but layout flexibility is reduced and cost is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedark currentVSAvoidlayout flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the relay component from the system by implementing dark current suppression functionality directly within the electronic control unit through software control of internal switching elements, thereby removing the need for a separate relay and its associated mounting hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the dark current suppression function with the existing electronic control unit by integrating switching elements and control logic into the same device, eliminating the need for separate relay components and reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Loss of energy

If a relay is provided between the battery and the driver circuit to prevent dark current, then dark current is suppressed, but the cost is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedark currentVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention makes the electronic control unit multi-functional by enabling it to perform both control functions and dark current suppression functions through integrated switching elements, eliminating the need for separate dedicated relay components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of energy

If a relay is provided between the battery and the driver circuit to prevent dark current, then dark current is suppressed, but devices may be damaged by high voltage surge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedark currentVSAvoiddevice protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces switching elements as intermediaries between the battery and the driver circuit, controlled by the electronic control unit to suppress dark current without generating the high voltage surges associated with mechanical relay operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical relay system with an electronic switching system controlled by software, eliminating mechanical contact and arc generation that cause high voltage surges and device damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11362572B2Electronic board, in-vehicle electric motor and electric pump

Publication Date: 2022.06.14 NIDEC TOSOK CORP

AI summary

An electronic board includes a board, and includes on the board: a power input part inputting power output from an in-vehicle power supply; a drive circuit driving a drive source; a controller controlling driving of the drive source performed by the drive circuit; and a drive command signal input part inputting a drive command signal transmitted from outside. The electronic board further includes on the board: a drive command signal detection circuit capable of detecting the drive command signal, and controlling whether to supply the power input to the power input part to the controller based on whether the drive command signal is detected; and a voltage varying part varying a voltage from the power input part and outputting a varied voltage to the drive command signal detection circuit.