Controller input voltage regulation by actuator power modulation

• US 20030067221A1
• Filed: 10/09/2001
• Published: 04/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BMW AG (Bayerische Motoren Werke AG), BWI Company Limited SA (Shougang Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Guldner, Juergen, Krukenkamp, Detlef, Krukenkamp, Carsten, Disser, Robert John, Mescher, Patrick A., Foust, Jeff A., Graber, David Wayne
• Granted Patent: US 6,624,531 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/03 for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems or for circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/00 Circuit arrangements for dc mains or dc distribution networks
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/46 for ICE-powered road vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/0022 the disturbance parameters being input voltage fluctuations
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/53871 with automatic control of output voltage or current

Abstract

A voltage regulating control system for vehicle systems which includes a power supply providing electrical power to the system and having a predefined maximum voltage. A controller controls an actuator performing a vehicle system function and the electrical load in the system wherein the controller has a first predefined minimum operating voltage. A voltage regulator communicates with the controller and the power supply and senses a system input voltage in the system. In response to a sensed voltage dip in excess of a predetermined value, the regulator changes an effective electrical impedance of the system to maintain the system voltage at a predefined minimum voltage greater than the first predefined minimum operating voltage required by the controller.

Claims

1. A vehicle system incorporating a voltage regulating control, said system comprising:

a power supply providing electrical power having a first predefined maximum voltage;

a controller for controlling the electrical load in said system, said controller having a first predefined minimum operating voltage;

a voltage regulator in communication with said controller and said power supply wherein said regulator senses a control system input voltage in said system, and in response to a voltage dip in excess of a predetermined value said regulator changes an effective electrical impedance of said system to maintain said system voltage at a second predefined minimum voltage greater than said first predefined minimum operating voltage; and

at least one actuator receiving voltage regulated control inputs from said controller for performing a vehicle system function.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein said voltage regulator is an analog circuit in electrical communication with said controller and said actuator.

3. The system according to claim 2 wherein said analog circuit includes:

an amplifier responsive to a decreasing voltage in said system such that said amplifier becomes active when said second predefined minimum system voltage is approached, said amplifier becomes active providing an increased voltage output; and

a transistor responsive to said amplifier voltage output, such that said transistor enters a conductive state when an activation threshold voltage is sensed by said transistor, said conductive state of said transistor then conducting current from said system to decrease a current request for said actuator and thereby maintaining a system voltage at said second minimum voltage.

4. The system according to claim 3 wherein said circuit further includes a jumper for selecting between alternate predefined voltage minimums.

5. The system according to claim 4 wherein said circuit further includes a logical output to said controller, said logical output having a first state communicating an active state of said analog circuit to said controller and a second state communicating an inactive state of said analog circuit.

6. The system according to claim 1 wherein:

said controller is a microprocessor; and

said voltage regulator comprises software function within said microprocessor;

7. The system according to claim 6 wherein said software function comprises the steps of:

sampling said power supply voltage;

calculating a current load reduction when the sampled voltage is below a predefined limit;

determining whether the calculated reduction is greater than a predefined maximum;

reducing the current load by the calculated reduction when the calculated reduction is less than the predefined maximum; and

reducing the current load by the predefined maximum when the calculated reduction is equal to or greater than the predefined maximum.

8. A method for regulating the voltage of a vehicle system of the type having a power supply, a controller, and an actuator, said method comprising the steps of:

defining a minimum system voltage;

sensing a system input voltage for said system during operation of the actuator;

increasing an effective impedance of the actuator when the sensed system input voltage approaches a predefined minimum; and

limiting the system voltage to a predefined minimum.