Vehicle Power Cutoff Circuit for Residual Source Isolation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicles carrying hazardous materials may continue to provide electric power to accessories via additional power sources like solar panels or capacitors, despite safety switches being triggered, posing potential safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A security system with an electronic main control unit, electronically operated switches, a safety control unit, current sensors, and alarm means that ensure all electric loads are disconnected within 200 milliseconds of triggering a safety switch, and alert users if power continues to flow, using current sensors to detect and alarm after a predetermined time interval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If additional power sources (solar panels, capacitors) are added to the vehicle, then energy availability is improved, but safety is worsened because these power sources may continue to supply power to accessories after the safety switch is triggered
Solution Approach 1:
The safety control unit continuously monitors current flow through current sensors and provides feedback to detect when power should be cut off. When the safety switch is activated, the system monitors the input lines for any remaining current flow and activates alarm means if power continues to flow, ensuring that the additional power sources do not compromise safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety control unit acts as an intermediary between the main control unit and the power sources. It receives control signals from the main control unit and independently verifies power cutoff through current sensors, providing an additional layer of safety monitoring that ensures all power sources are properly disconnected.
2Speed
If electronically operated switches are used to cut off power within 200 milliseconds, then safety response time is improved, but system complexity increases due to the need for multiple switches and control units
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into distinct functional units: the main control unit for normal operations and the safety control unit for safety-critical functions. This segmentation allows the safety system to operate independently and verify power cutoff without interfering with normal vehicle operations, managing complexity through functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety control unit serves multiple functions: it monitors current flow through current sensors, controls the alarm means, and verifies power cutoff across multiple input lines from different power sources. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each safety function.
3Reliability
If a safety control unit with current sensors is implemented to detect power flow, then safety monitoring is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The current sensors are integrated into the input lines of the electric loads, allowing them to self-monitor their own power flow conditions. The safety control unit utilizes these distributed sensing points to verify power cutoff without requiring a complex centralized monitoring system, reducing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A security system circuit for a vehicle includes an electronic main control unit, at least one electronically operated switch, which is arranged on an input line of an electric load of the vehicle. Each electronically operated switch is controlled by the main control unit and is configured to switch between a connected configuration. The electronically operated switch allows electricity to flow through the input line between a main electric power source of the vehicle and the electric load, and a cutoff configuration, where said electronically operated switch prevents electricity from circulating through the input line between the main power source and said electric load, a safety switch, configured to be activated by a user of the vehicle. The safety switch is configured to control the main control unit, so that each electronically operated switch switches to its cutoff configuration when the safety switch is activated.