Vehicle Power Distribution With Backup Switching and eFuse Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles require a reliable power supply due to higher electrical loads than conventional vehicles, leading to shorter battery life and frequent replacements, which can disrupt operations.
Innovation Solution
A power distribution system with an OR-ing controller and feedback circuit that regulates power from a main and backup power path, using a microcontroller to monitor and control voltage, current, and temperature, and includes electrically programmable fuses for protection against overcurrent and short circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If vehicle batteries are used to power autonomous vehicle components, then power supply is provided, but battery life span is significantly reduced due to higher loads
Solution Approach 1:
The power distribution system divides the power supply into multiple independent paths: a main power path with a main power supply and multiple sub-buses for different vehicle components, and a backup power path with a backup power supply. This segmentation allows the system to distribute high loads across multiple sources, preventing any single battery from being overloaded and extending overall system life.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates protection circuits including OR-ing controllers, feedback circuits, and electrically programmable fuses that are pre-configured to detect faults and switch power paths before battery damage occurs. These preliminary protective actions prevent overload conditions from degrading battery life by automatically isolating fault conditions.
2Reliability
If vehicle batteries are frequently replaced to meet higher power demands, then power supply reliability is maintained, but operational continuity is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The backup power supply is pre-configured and ready to immediately take over when the main power supply fails or requires replacement. The OR-ing controller and feedback circuit continuously monitor power conditions and automatically switch to the backup path, ensuring no operational interruption occurs during battery maintenance or replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback circuit and OR-ing controller act as intermediaries between the main and backup power paths, continuously monitoring voltage and current conditions. When faults or battery replacement needs are detected, these intermediary control devices seamlessly transition power delivery to the backup supply, maintaining operational continuity without requiring manual intervention.
3Reliability
If protection circuits are added to prevent electrical faults, then system safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple protection functions are merged into integrated circuits: the OR-ing controller combines power path selection, voltage regulation, and fault detection; the feedback circuit integrates voltage monitoring, current sensing, and compensation control; and the electrically programmable fuse combines overcurrent protection with reprogrammable reset capability. This merging reduces the number of discrete components while maintaining comprehensive protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback circuit automatically adjusts voltage compensation and triggers protection mechanisms without external intervention. The electrically programmable fuse can be remotely reset via communication interfaces after fault clearance, eliminating manual replacement. These self-service features reduce operational complexity while maintaining high safety standards.
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 system provides a reliable and extended power supply to autonomous vehicle components, reducing the need for frequent battery replacements and ensuring continuous operation by seamlessly switching between power sources and protecting against electrical faults.
Implementation Method 1
The feedback circuit may be configured to regulate a voltage of the main power path including the main power supply connected in series with an electric power converter. The feedback circuit may be configured to determine whether the voltage from the DC-to-DC converter is below a threshold voltage and compensate for the voltage from the DC-to-DC converter in response to the voltage being below the threshold voltage.
Implementation Method 2
The transistor comprises a N-Channel Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET).
Implementation Method 3
the eFuse configured to protect each of the sub-buses from an inrush current, overcurrent condition, or a short circuit
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is a power distribution system comprising a main power bus, sub-buses coupled to the main power bus, and a controller. The sub-buses provide power to electrical components of a vehicle. Each of the sub-buses includes an electrically programmable fuse in series with a relay. The controller is configured to detect a fault in a sub-bus of the sub-buses, determine a fault type associated with the fault, and in response to determining the fault type, generate a command to cause the relay to change a relay state.