Method and system for distributing power across an automotive network
First Claim
1. A system for balancing power flow in a vehicle comprising:
- a plurality of nodes disposed at various locations within the vehicle, each node including;
a microcontroller;
at least two ports for coupling to different nodes, the port including power, ground and communications connections, with the communications connections coupled to the microcontroller; and
at least two power switches, each power switch having first and second power terminals and a control connection to control a connection between the first and second power terminals, each power switch having one power terminal coupled to an associated port and the other power terminals connected together and having the control terminal coupled to the microcontroller, with at least one of the nodes for connecting to a power source; and
a plurality of links interconnecting the plurality of nodes, each link containing power, ground and communication cables, the links adapted to connect to the ports of the nodes, at least one of the plurality of links being redundant to form a network with multiple paths, wherein the microcontrollers of the nodes communicate with each other and wherein one microcontroller is a primary microcontroller and is adapted to control the power switches in the nodes to balance current flow from the power source through the network of nodes.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Nodes which include additional sensing and communication capability as compared to prior nodes. The sensing capability allows determination of actual current flows through the particular nodes, including each port of the node, to allow a determination of power flow to better control operations. Because of this understanding of power flow, smaller modules or nodes can be utilized if desired. For protection of a lower power node, an upstream node can open the link to the node should it go overcurrent or otherwise fault. Further, with the additional sensing capability, actual load balancing and multiple controllable flows, such as for standby, can be developed. The additional communication in combination with the sensing also allows better fault isolation. By being able to determine the actual location of the fault, other operations in the vehicle can continue with just the faulty area being disconnected.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for balancing power flow in a vehicle comprising:
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a plurality of nodes disposed at various locations within the vehicle, each node including;
a microcontroller;
at least two ports for coupling to different nodes, the port including power, ground and communications connections, with the communications connections coupled to the microcontroller; and
at least two power switches, each power switch having first and second power terminals and a control connection to control a connection between the first and second power terminals, each power switch having one power terminal coupled to an associated port and the other power terminals connected together and having the control terminal coupled to the microcontroller, with at least one of the nodes for connecting to a power source; and
a plurality of links interconnecting the plurality of nodes, each link containing power, ground and communication cables, the links adapted to connect to the ports of the nodes, at least one of the plurality of links being redundant to form a network with multiple paths, wherein the microcontrollers of the nodes communicate with each other and wherein one microcontroller is a primary microcontroller and is adapted to control the power switches in the nodes to balance current flow from the power source through the network of nodes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A node for controlling power flow in a vehicle comprising:
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a microcontroller adapted to determine if it is a primary microcontroller in a plurality of coupled nodes when none of the coupled nodes are in a failed condition;
at least two ports for coupling to different nodes, the port including power, ground and communications connections, with the communications connections coupled to the microcontroller;
at least two power switches, each power switch having first and second power terminals and a control connection to control a connection between the first and second power terminals, each power switch having one power terminal coupled to an associated port and the other power terminals connected together and having the control terminal coupled to the microcontroller; and
a current sensor for each power switch coupled to the microcontroller. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for balancing power flow in a vehicle comprising:
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providing a plurality of nodes disposed at various locations within the vehicle, each node including;
a microcontroller;
at least two ports for coupling to different nodes, the port including power, ground and communications connections, with the communications connections coupled to the microcontroller; and
at least two power switches, each power switch having first and second power terminals and a control connection to control a connection between the first and second power terminals, each power switch having one power terminal coupled to an associated port and the other power terminals connected together and having the control terminal coupled to the microcontroller, with at least one of the nodes for connecting to a power source;
providing a plurality of links interconnecting the plurality of nodes, each link containing power, ground and communication cables, the links adapted to connect to the ports of the nodes, at least one of the plurality of links being redundant to form a network with multiple paths;
the microcontrollers of the nodes communicating with each other; and
designating one microcontroller as a primary microcontroller which controls the power switches in the nodes to balance current flow from the power source through the network of nodes. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification