Autonomous Vehicle Power Distribution With Threshold-Based Load Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in managing power distribution efficiently due to increased power consumption from sophisticated devices and sensors, while having a limited power budget.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a power distribution unit (PDU) with a power controller unit and a computer, which includes temperature, voltage, and current sensors, and relays to manage power distribution by monitoring and adjusting power supply to devices based on pre-determined thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sophisticated devices and sensors are added to autonomous vehicles, then the navigation and sensing capabilities are improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power management system continuously monitors power consumption of individual devices and the overall system, comparing it against available power budget from the power source. This feedback loop enables dynamic adjustment of power distribution to maintain navigation capabilities while staying within power constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts power distribution to individual devices based on real-time conditions. The power controller can modify power allocation to sensors and actuators depending on operational mode, environmental conditions, and available power, allowing the vehicle to adapt its performance to available energy resources.
2Adaptability or versatility
If power distribution is increased to support more devices, then the operational capability is improved, but the risk of overheating and electrical faults increases
Solution Approach 1:
Temperature sensors continuously monitor the thermal state of the power distribution system and provide feedback to the power controller. When overheating is detected, the system automatically reduces power distribution or activates cooling mechanisms, preventing thermal damage while maintaining operational capability within safe temperature ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements preventive measures by monitoring power consumption and temperature trends before critical thresholds are reached. The power controller can preemptively reduce power to non-critical devices or activate thermal management systems before overheating occurs, cushioning against potential harmful effects.
3Measurement precision
If real-time monitoring of power parameters is implemented, then the power management precision is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power controller unit performs multiple functions: it monitors power consumption, manages power distribution, monitors temperature, controls relays, and communicates with the vehicle computer. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional unit, the system achieves precise power management without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines power monitoring, temperature monitoring, power distribution control, and communication functions into an integrated power management system. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall architecture while maintaining precise measurement and control capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A power management system is disclosed for managing power in a vehicle. The system may include a power distribution unit (PDU) communicably coupled to a power controller unit located in the vehicle. The power controller unit comprises a microcontroller configured to: receive, from the PDU, a temperature value that indicates a temperature of the PDU, one or more voltage values from the one or more voltage sensors, or one or more current values from the one or more current sensors, perform a determination that the temperature value, the one or more voltage values, or the one or more current values are below one or more of their respective pre-determined threshold values, and send, after the determination, a health status message to a computer located in the vehicle, where the health status message indicates that the PDU is operating in a safe operating condition.