Hybrid power network for a vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11091106-B2
Application number	US-201916248426-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 15, 2019
Priority date	Jan 15, 2019
Publication date	Aug 17, 2021
Grant date	Aug 17, 2021

Abstract

A vehicle power network includes a bus providing power to an automotive safety integrity level (ASIL)-rated load and an auxiliary-rated load. The ASIL-rated load includes a processor and memory storing instructions executable by the processor. The instructions include, to, in response to determining a minimal risk condition (MRC), selectively terminate power to the auxiliary-rated load.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle power network, comprising:
a hybrid power network comprising a bus, an automotive safety integrity level (ASIL)-rated load, and an auxiliary load; and
a base power network comprising additional auxiliary-rated loads;
the bus providing power to the ASIL-rated load and the auxiliary-rated load,
the ASIL-rated load, comprising a processor and memory storing instructions executable by the processor, the instructions comprising, to:
in response to determining a fault condition, selectively terminate power to the auxiliary-rated load; and

the hybrid power network and the base power network being load-balanced within a predetermined threshold.

2. The vehicle power network of claim 1 , wherein the ASIL-rated load controls vehicle steering or vehicle braking.

3. The vehicle power network of claim 1 , wherein the ASIL-rated load receives sensor data from at least one of a LIDAR sensor, a camera sensor, and a radar sensor; and uses the sensor data to control an autonomous mode of a vehicle.

4. The vehicle power network of claim 1 , wherein instructions further comprise: based on the fault condition, controlling a vehicle to a stop.

5. The vehicle power network of claim 1 , further comprising a power converter that converts voltage from a first direct current voltage to a second direct current voltage.

6. The vehicle power network of claim 1 , further comprising a second ASIL-rated load connected to the bus of the hybrid power network, and a redundant power network that provides redundant power to a third ASIL-rated load of the hybrid power network during a single-point fault, the third ASIL-rated load being a backup of the second ASIL-rated load.

7. The vehicle power network of claim 1 , wherein the instructions further comprise, actuating a switch to terminate power to the auxiliary-rated load.

8. The vehicle power network of claim 1 , wherein the determining the fault condition is based on at least one of (i) a fault condition of the auxiliary-rated load, and (ii) a fault condition of a power converter.

9. The vehicle power network of claim 8 , further comprising:
a current sensor that measures current draw of the auxiliary-rated load,
wherein the instructions further comprise: based on the current draw, determine the fault condition of the auxiliary-rated load.

10. A vehicle power network, comprising:
a bus providing power to:
a plurality of auxiliary-rated loads each coupled to the bus via a different switch, one of the auxiliary-rated loads controlling vehicle acceleration;
a first automotive safety integrity level (ASIL)-rated load that controls vehicle steering or vehicle braking; and
a second ASIL-rated load that is programmed to: determine a fault condition; and then, actuate at least one of the switches to terminate power to a corresponding one of the plurality of auxiliary-rated loads.

11. The vehicle power network of claim 10 , wherein the second ASIL-rated load is programmed to: receive sensor data from at least one of a LIDAR sensor, a camera sensor, and a radar sensor; and use the sensor data to control an autonomous mode of a vehicle.

12. The vehicle power network of claim 10 , wherein the second ASIL-rated load is programmed to, in response to determining the fault condition, control a vehicle to a stop.

13. The vehicle power network of claim 10 , further comprising a power converter that converts voltage from a first direct current voltage to a second direct current voltage.

14. The vehicle power network of claim 10 , further comprising a hybrid power network comprises the bus, the plurality of auxiliary-rated loads, the first ASIL-rated load, the second ASIL-rated load, and at least one of the switches,
wherein the vehicle power network further comprises a base power network comprising additional auxiliary-rated loads, wherein the hybrid power network and the base power network are load-balanced within a predetermined threshold.

15. The vehicle power network of claim 14 , further comprising a redundant power network that provides redundant power to a third ASIL-rated load during a single-point fault, the third ASIL-rated load being a backup of the first ASIL-rated load.

16. The vehicle power network of claim 10 , wherein the fault condition is determined based on at least one of (i) a fault condition of the plurality of auxiliary-rated loads, and (ii) a fault condition of a power converter.

17. The vehicle power network of claim 16 , further comprising:
a plurality of current sensors that measure current draw of a corresponding auxiliary-rated load,
wherein based on the current draw, the second ASIL-rated load is programmed to determine the fault condition of the corresponding auxiliary-rated load.

18. A system of a vehicle, comprising:
a first bus providing power to a first plurality of auxiliary-rated loads; and
a second bus providing power to:
a second plurality of auxiliary-rated loads each coupled to the second bus via a different switch, one of the second plurality of auxiliary-rated loads controlling vehicle acceleration;
a first automotive safety integrity level (ASIL)-rated load that controls vehicle steering or vehicle braking; and
a second ASIL-rated load that is programmed to:
determine a fault condition based on at least one of (i) a fault condition of the second plurality of auxiliary-rated loads, and (ii) a fault condition of a power converter; and
then actuate at least one of the switches to terminate power to a corresponding one of the second plurality of auxiliary-rated loads.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Awad Alla Michael Adel
• Dagher Sami
• Siciak Ray C

Classifications

• H02J4/25

  for transfer of electric power between AC and DC networks, e.g. for supplying the DC section within a load from an AC mains system · CPC title

• B60W10/18

  including control of braking systems · CPC title

• B60W2710/20

  Steering systems · CPC title

• B60R16/03 Primary

  for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems {or for (circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00)} · CPC title

• G07C5/08

  Registering or indicating performance data other than driving, working, idle, or waiting time, with or without registering driving, working, idle or waiting time · CPC title