Vehicle Power Supply Device Undervoltage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy supply devices for vehicles require complex and costly galvanic isolation solutions to monitor input voltage and ensure stable operation, especially when undervoltage occurs, necessitating additional measuring circuits and separate signaling lines.
Innovation Solution
An energy supply device with a DC-DC or flyback converter configuration that provides galvanic isolation between the input and output, using an optocoupler and signaling adaptation means to impress signals on the output voltage, allowing for passive monitoring of input voltage deviations and eliminating the need for separate measuring circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate measuring circuit with voltage sensor and optocoupler is used to monitor input voltage, then undervoltage detection reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the undervoltage detection function with the existing energy supply device by utilizing its built-in signaling adaptation means. The measuring circuit is integrated into the energy supply device rather than being separate, sharing common components such as the optocoupler and control logic. This merging eliminates the need for duplicate circuits while maintaining reliable undervoltage detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy supply device is designed to perform multiple functions: power conversion, galvanic isolation, and undervoltage detection/signaling. The signaling adaptation means serves dual purposes by both isolating galvanically and detecting voltage deviations. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by eliminating dedicated separate circuits for each function.
2Measurement precision
If additional measuring circuits and optocouplers are installed for voltage monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the voltage monitoring function into the existing energy supply device structure. The optocoupler already present for galvanic isolation is simultaneously used for voltage measurement, eliminating the need for additional separate measuring circuits. This reduces component count and manufacturing cost while maintaining measurement precision through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The signaling adaptation means performs multiple functions including galvanic isolation and precise voltage monitoring. By designing this component to serve both purposes simultaneously, the patent avoids the need for separate dedicated measuring circuits, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining high measurement precision for undervoltage detection.
3Reliability
If galvanic isolation is implemented using separate optocoupler circuits, then safety and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the galvanic isolation function with the undervoltage detection and signaling functions into a single integrated signaling adaptation means. The optocoupler is used both for galvanic isolation and for detecting voltage deviations. This merging maintains reliable galvanic isolation while reducing overall device complexity by eliminating separate isolation circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The signaling adaptation means is designed as a multi-functional component that provides both galvanic isolation and voltage monitoring capabilities. This universal component approach maintains the safety and reliability benefits of galvanic isolation while reducing device complexity by eliminating the need for separate dedicated isolation circuits for each function.
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 solution ensures reliable and cost-effective operation by detecting undervoltage events without additional galvanic isolation circuits, enabling the energy supply device to maintain a stable output voltage and initiate appropriate measures, such as switching off components, to prevent malfunctions.
Implementation Method 1
whose measured value then has to be optically or inductively coupled, particularly in a galvanically isolated manner
Implementation Method 2
an energy supply device such as, for example, a flyback converter
Data Source
AI summary
An energy supply device for supplying electric power to a consumer of a vehicle has an input for establishing a connection to an on-board network of the vehicle in order to provide an input voltage for a transmission arrangement, an output for outputting a supply voltage to operate the consumer, a transmission arrangement for purposes of transmitting electric energy between the input and the output, whereby the transmission arrangement comprises a signaling adaptation means, so that, as a function of a deviation of the input voltage that is critical for the electric power supply, a signal is impressed upon the supply voltage, whereby the signal can be evaluated in the consumer on the basis of the supply voltage.