Voltage-Proof Monitoring Circuit for Overvoltage Fault Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Critical voltage propagation can lead to damage in components of safety-relevant electronic systems, compromising the reliability of control systems, especially in vehicles with autonomous driving functions.
Innovation Solution
A device with a power supply unit that regulates voltage, a microcontroller, and a monitoring unit, where the monitoring unit is designed to be voltage-proof and independently supplied with a lower supply voltage, allowing it to generate control signals that match or inversely match with the microcontroller's signals to ensure safe system shutdown, preventing fault propagation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If components are physically independent with decoupled signal links to prevent fault propagation, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into functionally independent components (microcontroller, monitoring unit, power supply unit) with separate signal paths. The monitoring unit has its own independent data port and control output, physically decoupled from the microcontroller's signal paths, allowing fault isolation while maintaining system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dedicated intermediary elements such as separate signal links, isolated power supply paths, and independent communication channels between components. These intermediaries prevent direct fault propagation while allowing controlled information exchange, resolving the contradiction between independence and complexity.
2Reliability
If voltage regulators are used to supply lower supply voltage to prevent overvoltage damage, then component protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply unit combines multiple voltage regulation functions into a single integrated component that supplies both the microcontroller and monitoring unit. This merging approach provides comprehensive overvoltage protection while minimizing the number of separate components, thus reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply unit is designed as a multi-functional component that performs voltage regulation for multiple different components (microcontroller and monitoring unit) simultaneously. This universal approach eliminates the need for separate voltage regulators for each component, reducing complexity while maintaining protection.
3Reliability
If monitoring unit is designed to be voltage-proof with respect to battery voltage, then fault propagation prevention is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring unit is designed with electrical parameters (voltage ratings, insulation levels) that are specifically changed to be proof against battery voltage. By selecting components and designing circuits with appropriate voltage margins and isolation characteristics, the unit achieves inherent voltage-proof properties without complex additional protective structures.
Data Source
AI summary
A device controls a safety-relevant electronic system and has a power supply. The power supply is supplied with a battery voltage at a first input terminal and supplies a first supply voltage at a first output terminal which is lower than the battery voltage. A microcontroller for generating a first control signal, provided at a first control output of the microcontroller for processing by way of a control unit, is supplied with the first supply voltage at a second input terminal. A monitoring unit for generating a second control signal, provided at a second control output of the monitoring unit for processing by the control unit, is supplied with the first supply voltage at a third supply potential input terminal. The third supply potential input terminal, the second control output and the second data port of the monitoring unit are configured to be voltage-proof with respect to the battery voltage.