Electrically powered vehicle power supply and potential power supply failure detection method

Abstract

An electric vehicle power supply device for an electric vehicle includes a piezoresistive sensor, a battery interface to connect to an on-board battery and receive power from the on-board battery, and a power management unit to control power supply to a motor of the electric vehicle. A piezoresistive strain gauge is disposed at a connection between the battery interface and the on-board battery to detect a pressure value at the connection. The piezoresistive sensor receives the pressure value detected by the piezoresistive strain gauge and converts the pressure value to a corresponding resistance value. The piezoresistive sensor determines whether the resistance value is within a safe resistance value range to generate a resistance value determination signal. The power management unit determines whether to continue supplying power to the motor of the electric vehicle based on the resistance value determination signal. The disclosure also provides a potential power failure detection method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present invention relate to power supply devices, and more particularly to a power supply device for electric vehicles and a method for detecting potential power supply failures. Background Technology

[0002] With technological advancements, electric vehicles are becoming increasingly common. However, the design of current electric vehicle batteries (such as electric cars, electric motorcycles, electric bicycles, electric wheelchairs, electric walkers, electric skateboards, etc.) is susceptible to sudden power failure. Such a sudden power failure can easily lead to accidents for the user. For example, current electric vehicle batteries connect to the system's battery interface using either spring-loaded contacts or plugs. However, under the vibrations and prolonged use of electric vehicles during operation, poor contact can occur in the battery over time, leading to power failure. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, embodiments of the present invention provide an electric vehicle power supply device and a method for detecting potential power supply failures to solve the above problems.

[0004] An embodiment of the present invention provides a power supply device for an electric vehicle, comprising: a piezoresistive sensor; a battery interface for connecting to and receiving power from a vehicle battery; and a power management unit for controlling the power supply to the motor of the electric vehicle. A piezoresistive strain gauge is provided at the connection point between the battery interface and the vehicle battery to detect the pressure value at the connection point. The piezoresistive sensor receives the pressure value detected by the piezoresistive strain gauge and converts the pressure value into a corresponding resistance value. The piezoresistive sensor determines whether the resistance value is within a safe resistance range to generate a resistance value judgment signal. The power management unit determines whether to continue supplying power to the motor of the electric vehicle based on the resistance value judgment signal.

[0005] In some embodiments, the greater the pressure value detected by the piezoresistive strain gauge, the smaller the corresponding resistance value converted by the piezoresistive sensor. Conversely, the smaller the pressure value detected by the piezoresistive strain gauge, the greater the corresponding resistance value converted by the piezoresistive sensor.

[0006] In some embodiments, the power management unit receives first battery information reported by the battery management unit of the vehicle battery via the battery interface, and receives second battery information reported by the battery management unit of the vehicle battery via a wireless link through an antenna device.

[0007] In some embodiments, the power management unit further determines whether the difference between the first battery information and the second battery information is greater than a predetermined threshold.

[0008] When the power management unit determines that the difference between the first battery information and the second battery information is greater than the predetermined threshold, the power management unit issues a warning message and slowly reduces the speed of the motor until the motor stops running.

[0009] In some embodiments, the electric vehicle power supply device further includes: a displacement drive device disposed between the power management unit and the battery interface, wherein the displacement drive device includes a drive motor and a guide rod component. The start and stop of the drive motor are controlled by a resistance value judgment signal. The safe resistance value range includes a predetermined lower resistance limit and a predetermined upper resistance limit. When the resistance value is less than the predetermined lower resistance limit, the resistance value judgment signal generated by the piezoresistive sensor is in a first state. When the resistance value is between the predetermined lower resistance limit and the predetermined upper resistance limit, the resistance value judgment signal generated by the piezoresistive sensor is in a second state. When the resistance value is greater than the predetermined upper resistance limit, the resistance value judgment signal generated by the piezoresistive sensor is in a third state. In response to the resistance value judgment signal being in the first state, the drive motor starts to rotate in the opposite direction to adjust the displacement of the guide rod component so that the battery interface is away from the vehicle battery. In response to the resistance value judgment signal being in the second state, the drive motor is turned off. In response to the resistance value judgment signal being in the third state, the drive motor starts to rotate to adjust the displacement of the guide rod component so that the battery interface is closer to the vehicle battery.

[0010] In some embodiments, the guide rod component includes a lead screw, a slider, and a spring assembly. When the drive motor starts to rotate, the drive motor drives the lead screw to rotate, causing the slider to move toward the vehicle battery to compress the spring assembly.

[0011] In some embodiments, after the drive motor starts to rotate to adjust the displacement of the guide rod component, the piezoresistive sensor re-determines whether the resistance value is within the safe resistance value range to generate the resistance value determination signal.

[0012] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a potential power supply failure detection method for an electric vehicle, wherein the electric vehicle includes a piezoresistive sensor, a battery interface, and a power management unit, wherein the battery interface is connected to a vehicle battery and receives power from the vehicle battery, the method comprising: using a piezoresistive strain gauge disposed at the connection between the battery interface and the vehicle battery to detect the pressure value at the connection; using the piezoresistive sensor to receive the pressure value detected by the piezoresistive strain gauge and converting the pressure value into a corresponding resistance value; using the piezoresistive sensor to determine whether the resistance value is within a safe resistance value range to generate a resistance value judgment signal; and using the power management unit to determine whether to continue supplying power to the motor of the electric vehicle based on the resistance value judgment signal.

[0013] In some embodiments, the greater the pressure value detected by the piezoresistive strain gauge, the smaller the corresponding resistance value converted by the piezoresistive sensor. Conversely, the smaller the pressure value detected by the piezoresistive strain gauge, the greater the corresponding resistance value converted by the piezoresistive sensor.

[0014] In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving first battery information reported by the battery management unit of the vehicle battery via the battery interface using the power management unit, and receiving second battery information reported by the battery management unit of the vehicle battery via a wireless link using an antenna device.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first battery information includes the first voltage, first charge level, and first temperature of the vehicle battery, and the second battery information includes the second voltage, second charge level, and second temperature of the vehicle battery.

[0016] In some embodiments, the method further includes: using the power management unit to determine whether the difference between the first battery information and the second battery information is greater than a predetermined threshold; and when the difference between the first battery information and the second battery information is greater than the predetermined threshold, using the power management unit to issue a warning message and slowly reduce the speed of the motor until the motor stops running.

[0017] In some embodiments, the electric vehicle further includes a displacement drive device disposed between the power management unit and the battery interface, and the displacement drive device includes a drive motor and a guide rod component. The start and stop of the drive motor are controlled by the resistance value judgment signal. When the resistance value is less than the predetermined lower resistance limit, the resistance value judgment signal generated by the piezoresistive sensor is in a first state. When the resistance value is between the predetermined lower resistance limit and the predetermined upper resistance limit, the resistance value judgment signal generated by the piezoresistive sensor is in a second state. When the resistance value is greater than the predetermined upper resistance limit, the resistance value judgment signal generated by the piezoresistive sensor is in a third state. The method further includes: in response to the resistance value judgment signal being in the first state, starting the drive motor to rotate in the opposite direction to adjust the displacement of the guide rod component so that the battery interface is away from the vehicle battery; in response to the resistance value judgment signal being in the second state, turning off the drive motor; and in response to the resistance value judgment signal being in the third state, starting the drive motor to rotate so that the displacement of the guide rod component is adjusted so that the battery interface is closer to the vehicle battery.

[0018] In some embodiments, the guide rod component includes a lead screw, a slider, and a spring assembly. When the drive motor starts and rotates, the drive motor drives the lead screw to rotate, causing the slider to displace towards the vehicle battery to compress the spring assembly.

[0019] In some embodiments, after the drive motor starts to rotate to adjust the displacement of the guide rod component, the piezoresistive sensor is used to re-determine whether the resistance value is within the safe resistance value range to generate the resistance value determination signal. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 According to the present invention Figure 1 A flowchart of a potential power supply failure detection method in an embodiment.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of an electric vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4A According to the present invention Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the guide rod component in the embodiment.

[0024] Figures 4B to 4D According to the present invention Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the guide rod component in use in the embodiment.

[0025] Figure 5 According to the present invention Figure 3 A flowchart of a potential power supply failure detection method in an embodiment.

[0026] The reference numerals in the attached figures are explained as follows:

[0027] 10, 30: Electric vehicles

[0028] 100, 300: System side

[0029] 110, 310: Power Management Unit

[0030] 112, 312: Antenna devices

[0031] 114, 314: Battery interface

[0032] 116, 316: Motor

[0033] 118, 318: Piezoresistive sensors

[0034] 120, 320: Vehicle battery

[0035] 121, 321: Battery Management Unit

[0036] 122, 322: Antenna devices

[0037] 123, 323: Battery module

[0038] 124, 324: Battery interface

[0039] 330: Displacement drive device

[0040] 331: Drive motor

[0041] 332: Guide rod assembly

[0042] 1141, 3141: Bus

[0043] 1142, 3142: Wireless links

[0044] 1143, 3143: Piezoresistive strain gauges

[0045] 3144: Plug

[0046] 3241: Shrapnel

[0047] 3321: Motor mounting bracket

[0048] 3322: Coupling

[0049] 3323: Lead screw

[0050] 3324: Slider

[0051] 3325: Guide rod

[0052] 3326: Guide rod fixing bracket

[0053] 3327: Spring assembly

[0054] 202-226, 502-532: Boxes

[0055] L1: First Length

[0056] L2: Second Length Detailed Implementation

[0057] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, a preferred embodiment is described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0058] It must be understood that the words "comprising" and "including" used in this specification are used to indicate the presence of specific technical features, values, method steps, work processes, elements and / or components, but do not preclude the addition of more technical features, values, method steps, work processes, elements, components, or any combination thereof.

[0059] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electric vehicle 10 can be various types of electric vehicles, such as electric cars, electric motorcycles, electric bicycles, electric wheelchairs, electric walking aids, electric skateboards, etc., but embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. Figure 1 As shown, the electric vehicle 10 includes a system terminal 100 and an on-board battery 120. In one embodiment, the system terminal 100 of the electric vehicle 10 may generally include a power management unit (PMU) 110, an antenna device 112, a battery interface 114, a motor 116 (which may also include other related drive components), and a piezoresistive sensor 118, wherein the power management unit 110, the antenna device 112, and the battery interface 114 as a whole can be regarded as the power supply device for the electric vehicle. The power management unit 110 is used to control the operation of the electric vehicle 10, such as power management, executing user commands, sending warning messages, etc., but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto.

[0060] In some embodiments, the power management unit 110 may be implemented, for example, by a central processing unit, a general-purpose processor, or a microcontroller, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto.

[0061] Antenna device 112 can receive first battery information transmitted from battery management unit (BMU) 121 of vehicle battery 120 via antenna device 122 through near-field communication (NFC) protocol (e.g., wireless link 1142). This first battery information includes, for example, battery voltage, battery charge, and battery temperature of vehicle battery 120, but embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. Battery interface 114 can be, for example, a spring contact type or a plug type design, but embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto.

[0062] The vehicle battery 120 includes a battery management unit 121, an antenna device 122, a battery module 123, and a battery interface 124. The battery module 123 includes, for example, one or more battery cells to provide power. The battery management unit 121 can detect information such as battery voltage, battery charge, and battery temperature of the battery module 123, and report the above battery information to the system terminal 100 through two paths.

[0063] For example, the vehicle battery 120 provides power to the system terminal 100 through a physically connected battery interface 114, and the battery interface 114 can read the second battery information reported by the battery management unit 121 of the vehicle battery 120 through the bus 1141, and transmit the second battery information to the power management unit 110. The second battery information also includes information such as the battery voltage, battery capacity and battery temperature of the vehicle battery 120.

[0064] In one embodiment, a piezoresistive strain gauge 1143 is provided at the contact area between the battery interface 114 and the vehicle battery 120, and the resistance value of the piezoresistive strain gauge 1143 changes with pressure. For example, the greater the pressure in the connection area, the smaller the resistance value of the piezoresistive strain gauge, indicating that the contact area between the battery interface 114 and the vehicle battery 120 is in normal contact. The less the pressure in the connection area, the greater the resistance value of the piezoresistive strain gauge 1143, indicating that the contact area between the battery interface 114 and the vehicle battery 120 is loosening. The piezoresistive sensor 118, also known as a piezoresistive pressure sensor, can detect the resistance value of the piezoresistive strain gauge 1143 on the battery interface 114 and report the resistance value judgment result (or resistance value) to the power management unit 110. The piezoresistive sensor 118 can be provided on the battery interface 114 or in the system terminal 100.

[0065] Therefore, the power management unit 110 can determine whether there is a loosening or excessive contact between the battery interface 114 and the vehicle battery 120 based on the resistance value judgment result (or the resistance value). For example, the piezoresistive sensor 318 can be set with a safe resistance value range, which has a predetermined lower resistance limit and a predetermined upper resistance limit. When the resistance value is less than the predetermined lower resistance limit, the resistance value judgment signal reported by the piezoresistive sensor 118 to the power management unit 110 is, for example, a first state, which indicates that the contact area between the battery interface 114 and the vehicle battery 120 is excessively tight. When the resistance value is within the safe resistance value range (i.e., between the predetermined lower resistance limit and the predetermined upper resistance limit), the resistance value judgment signal reported by the piezoresistive sensor 318 to the power management unit 310 is, for example, a second state, which indicates that the contact area (e.g., contactor-to-contact) between the battery interface 314 and the vehicle battery 320 is normally connected. When the resistance value is greater than the predetermined upper limit of the resistance, the resistance value judgment signal reported by the piezoresistive sensor 118 to the power management unit 110 is, for example, the third state, which indicates that there is a loosening of the contact area between the battery interface 114 and the vehicle battery 120 (i.e., the first abnormal situation).

[0066] In some embodiments, the connection between the vehicle battery 120 and the battery interface 114 may become loose, causing the power management unit 110 to fail to receive the second battery information or the second battery information to be incorrect. Furthermore, if the connection between the vehicle battery 120 and the battery interface 114 becomes loose, the resistance value detected by the piezoresistive sensor 118 may be greater than or equal to a predetermined resistance value. When the power management unit 110 compares the first battery information and the second battery information, it will find that the first battery information and the second battery information do not match and determine that a second abnormality has occurred in the vehicle battery 120.

[0067] Regardless of whether the power management unit 110 determines that a first abnormality or a second abnormality has occurred, the power management unit 110 enters a warning state to issue a warning to notify the user that a battery abnormality has occurred. If the power management unit 110 determines that the difference between the first battery information and the second battery information is greater than a predetermined threshold, the power management unit 110 enters a forced stop state to slowly reduce the speed of the motor 116, thereby stopping the user from driving the electric vehicle 10. The aforementioned warning may be, for example, an audible warning, a flashing light, or the display of text information or a warning image on the system terminal 100, etc., but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to these.

[0068] Figure 2 According to the present invention Figure 1 A flowchart of the potential power supply failure detection method in this embodiment. Please also refer to... Figure 1 and Figure 2 .

[0069] In block 202, the power management unit 110 determines whether the motor 116 is running. If the power management unit 110 determines that the motor 116 is running, it executes block 206. If the power management unit 110 determines that the motor 116 is not running, it executes block 204. For example, to detect a potential power supply failure in the electric vehicle 10, it is typically necessary when the electric vehicle 10 is running. If the electric vehicle 10 is not running, there is no need to detect a potential power supply failure.

[0070] In box 204, motor 116 stops operating, and the process ends.

[0071] In box 206, the pressure value of the piezoresistive strain gauge 1143 is measured.

[0072] In block 208, the piezoresistive sensor 118 calculates the resistance value corresponding to the pressure value. For example, a piezoresistive strain gauge 1143 is installed in the contact area between the battery interface 114 and the vehicle battery 120, and the resistance value of the piezoresistive strain gauge 1143 changes with pressure. For example, the greater the pressure in the connection area, the smaller the resistance value of the piezoresistive strain gauge, indicating that the contact area between the battery interface 114 and the vehicle battery 120 is in normal contact. The less pressure in the connection area, the greater the resistance value of the piezoresistive strain gauge 1143, indicating that the contact area between the battery interface 114 and the vehicle battery 120 is loose. The piezoresistive sensor 118 can detect the resistance value of the piezoresistive strain gauge 1143 on the battery interface 114 and report the resistance value to the power management unit 110, or report the determination result of the resistance value to the power management unit 110.

[0073] In block 210, the piezoresistive sensor 118 determines whether the resistance value is within a safe range. If the piezoresistive sensor 118 determines that the resistance value is within a safe range, block 212 is executed. If the piezoresistive sensor 118 determines that the resistance value is not within a safe range, block 216 is executed. For example, the piezoresistive sensor 118 can be set with a safe resistance value range, which has a predetermined lower resistance limit and a predetermined upper resistance limit. When the resistance value is less than the predetermined lower resistance limit or greater than the predetermined upper resistance limit, the resistance value determination signal reported by the piezoresistive sensor 118 to the power management unit 110 is, for example, in a high logic state, which indicates that the contact area between the battery interface 114 and the vehicle battery 120 is in normal contact. When the resistance value is greater than or equal to the predetermined resistance value, the resistance value determination signal reported by the piezoresistive sensor 118 to the power management unit 110 is, for example, in a low logic state, which indicates that the contact area between the battery interface 114 and the vehicle battery 120 has become loose (i.e., a first abnormal situation) has occurred.

[0074] In block 212, the power management unit 110 continues to supply power to the motor 116, and in block 214, the motor 116 continues to operate.

[0075] In block 216, the power management unit 110 receives second battery information from the vehicle battery 120 via a wireless link and monitors the resistance value reported by the piezoresistive sensor 118 to obtain first battery information (or obtains the first battery information reported by the battery management unit 121 from the bus 1141). For example, the power management unit 110 may obtain the first battery information and the second battery information from a physical connection (e.g., battery interface 114) and a wireless receiver (e.g., antenna device 112), respectively.

[0076] The connection between the vehicle battery 120 and the battery interface 114 may become loose, causing the power management unit 110 to fail to receive the first battery information or generating incorrect first battery information. Furthermore, if the connection between the vehicle battery 120 and the battery interface 114 becomes loose, the resistance value detected by the piezoresistive sensor 118 may be greater than or equal to a predetermined resistance value. Additionally, when the power management unit 110 compares the first battery information and the second battery information, it may find that the first battery information and the second battery information do not match, or that the difference between the first battery information and the second battery information is greater than a predetermined threshold (e.g., the difference in voltage, charge, or temperature is greater than the corresponding predetermined threshold), and determine that a second abnormality has occurred in the vehicle battery 120.

[0077] In block 218, the power management unit 110 determines whether the difference between the first battery information (e.g., I1) and the second battery information (e.g., I2) is greater than a predetermined threshold T. If the power management unit 110 determines that the difference between the first battery information and the second battery information is greater than the predetermined threshold, this process proceeds to blocks 222 and 224. If the power management unit 110 determines that the difference between the first battery information and the second battery information is not greater than the predetermined threshold, this process proceeds to block 220 and can return to block 218 to continue the determination.

[0078] For example, when Figure 2 When the result of the judgment in box 210 is "No", it means that the resistance value of the piezoresistive strain gauge 1143 detected by the piezoresistive sensor 118 is greater than or equal to the predetermined resistance value, which means that there is a loosening in the contact area between the battery interface 114 and the vehicle battery 120. Therefore, regardless of the judgment result in box 218, the power management unit 110 issues a warning to notify the user that a battery abnormality has occurred (boxes 220 and 222).

[0079] In block 224, the power control unit 110 slowly reduces the speed of the motor 116, and in block 226 it determines whether the motor 116 has stopped operating. If it determines that the motor 116 is still operating, the process returns to block 224 to continue slowly reducing the speed of the motor 116. If it determines that the motor 116 has stopped operating, the process ends.

[0080] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of an electric vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention. Please also refer to... Figure 1 and Figure 3 .

[0081] Figure 3 The electric vehicle 30 is with Figure 1 Similar to the electric vehicle 10, the difference lies in Figure 3 The electric vehicle 30 further includes a displacement drive 330, which controls the displacement of the battery interface 314 to bring the battery interface 314 closer to the vehicle battery 320 to prevent the connection between the battery interface 314 and the vehicle battery 320 from becoming loose. For example, the piezoresistive sensor 318 can be set with a safe resistance value range, having a predetermined lower resistance limit and a predetermined upper resistance limit. When the resistance value is less than the predetermined lower resistance limit, the resistance value judgment signal reported by the piezoresistive sensor 318 to the power management unit 310 is, for example, a first state (or a high logic state), which indicates that the contact area between the battery interface 314 and the vehicle battery 320 (e.g., spring-to-spring contact, or plug-in-socket) is in excessively tight contact. When the resistance value is within the safe resistance range (i.e., between the predetermined lower and upper resistance limits), the resistance value judgment signal reported by the piezoresistive sensor 318 to the power management unit 310 is, for example, in a second state, indicating that the contact area (e.g., contactor-to-contact) between the battery interface 314 and the vehicle battery 320 is normally connected. When the resistance value is greater than the predetermined upper resistance limit, the resistance value judgment signal reported by the piezoresistive sensor 318 to the power management unit 310 is, for example, in a third state (or a low logic state), indicating that the contact area (e.g., contactor-to-contact) between the battery interface 314 and the vehicle battery 320 has become loose (i.e., a first abnormal situation).

[0082] The piezoresistive sensor 318 can also transmit a resistance value judgment signal (or resistance value) to the drive motor 331, thereby controlling the rotation of the drive motor 331 to adjust the displacement of the guide rod component 332. For example, when the resistance value judgment signal reported by the piezoresistive sensor 318 is in the first state (or when the controller of the drive motor 331 judges that the resistance value is less than a predetermined lower limit value), it indicates that the contact area between the battery interface 314 and the vehicle battery 320 is in excessively tight contact, which may cause excessive pressure and damage the elastic components (such as the spring assembly 3327, the spring sheet of the battery interface 314, etc.). Therefore, at this time, the drive motor 331 will start to rotate in the opposite direction to drive the guide rod component 332 backward, so that the battery interface 314 is away from the vehicle battery 320. When the resistance value judgment signal reported by the piezoresistive sensor 318 is in the second state (or when the controller of the drive motor 331 determines that the resistance value is equal to the predetermined resistance value), it indicates that the contact area between the battery interface 314 and the vehicle battery 320 is normally connected, so the drive motor 331 stops running at this time. When the resistance value judgment signal reported by the piezoresistive sensor 318 is in the third state (or when the controller of the drive motor 331 determines that the resistance value is greater than the predetermined upper limit of the resistance), it indicates that the contact area between the battery interface 314 and the vehicle battery 320 has become loose, so the drive motor 331 will start to rotate (e.g., rotate forward) to drive the guide rod component 332 forward, so that the spring of the battery interface 314 ( Figure 3 (Not shown) The spring contact (not shown) can be closer to the battery interface 324 of the vehicle battery 320. Figure 3 (Not shown). Therefore, when the resistance value reported by the piezoresistive sensor 318 returns from a high resistance value to the normal resistance value range, the above-mentioned loosening situation can be considered to have been resolved.

[0083] Figure 4A According to the present invention Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the guide rod component in the embodiment. Figures 4B to 4D According to the present invention Figure 3 A schematic diagram illustrating the usage state of the guide rod component in the embodiment. Please also refer to... Figure 3 and Figures 4A-4D .

[0084] In one embodiment, such as Figure 4A As shown, the displacement drive device 330 includes a drive motor 331 and a guide rod component 332. The guide rod component 332 includes a motor mounting bracket 3321, a coupling 3322, a lead screw 3323, a slider 3324, a guide rod 3325, a guide rod mounting bracket 3326, and a spring assembly 3327. When the vehicle battery 320 is inserted into the battery interface 314, the drive motor 331 is not started, and at this time the spring assembly 3327 has a first length L1, such as... Figure 4BAs shown. In some embodiments, the coupling 3322 may be omitted, meaning that the drive motor 331 can directly drive the lead screw 3323 to rotate or rotate in the opposite direction.

[0085] When the drive motor 331 starts rotating, it can drive the lead screw 3323 to rotate (or drive the lead screw 3323 to rotate via the coupling 3322), causing the slider 3324 to move to the right (note: towards the vehicle battery 320). Figure 4A (The middle is on the right), thus compressing the spring assembly 3327, such as Figure 4C As shown. At this time, the spring assembly 3327 has a second length L2, which is less than the first length L1. Therefore, the contact between the piezoresistive sensor 318 and the vehicle battery 320 (e.g., the piezoresistive strain gauge 3143) can be tighter to prevent the vehicle battery 320 from becoming loose.

[0086] In detail, when the drive motor 331 starts to rotate to drive the guide rod component 332 forward, the pressure applied to the spring assembly 3327 and the piezoresistive strain gauge 3143 will also increase. Therefore, the resistance value of the piezoresistive strain gauge 3143 will also decrease, and the resistance value of the piezoresistive strain gauge 3143 detected by the piezoresistive sensor 318 can return to the normal resistance value range.

[0087] Furthermore, when the drive motor 331 starts to rotate in the opposite direction, the drive motor 331 can drive the lead screw 3323 to rotate in the opposite direction (or drive the lead screw 3323 to rotate in the opposite direction via the coupling 3322), causing the slider 3324 to move to the left, meaning that the battery interface 314 is moved away from the vehicle battery 320.

[0088] In some embodiments, the battery interface 314 may be a plug-type design to connect to the spring contacts of the battery interface 324 of the vehicle battery 320. For example... Figure 4D As shown, when the drive motor 331 starts rotating to drive the guide rod component 332 forward, the plug 3144 of the battery interface 314 pushes the spring 3241 in the socket (e.g., battery interface 324) to restore the normal contact force of the spring 3241. Therefore, the resistance between the plug 3144 of the battery interface 314 and the spring 3241 of the battery interface 324 can be reduced to the normal resistance range.

[0089] Figure 5 According to the present invention Figure 3 A flowchart of the potential power supply failure detection method in this embodiment. Please also refer to... Figure 3 , Figure 4A and Figure 5 .

[0090] Figure 5The flowcharts in blocks 502-526 are similar to... Figure 3 The difference between boxes 302 to 326 in the process is that... Figure 5 The diagram further includes blocks 530 and 532. For example, the piezoresistive sensor 318 can be set to a safe resistance value range, which has a predetermined lower resistance limit and a predetermined upper resistance limit. In block 510, when the resistance value is less than the predetermined lower resistance limit, the resistance value judgment signal reported by the piezoresistive sensor 318 to the power management unit 310 is, for example, a first state, which indicates that the contact area between the battery interface 314 and the vehicle battery 320 is in excessively tight contact. When the resistance value is within the safe resistance value range (i.e., between the predetermined lower resistance limit and the predetermined upper resistance limit), the resistance value judgment signal reported by the piezoresistive sensor 318 to the power management unit 310 is, for example, a second state, which indicates that the contact area (e.g., contactor-to-contact) between the battery interface 314 and the vehicle battery 320 is normally connected. When the resistance value is greater than the predetermined upper limit of the resistance, the resistance value judgment signal reported by the piezoresistive sensor 318 to the power management unit 310 is, for example, a third state (or a low logic state), which indicates that there is a loosening of the contact area between the battery interface 314 and the vehicle battery 320 (i.e., the first abnormal situation).

[0091] Therefore, when the resistance value of block 510 determines whether the signal is in the first state or the third state, Figure 5 In addition to executing block 516, the process also executes blocks 530 and 532 simultaneously. For example, in block 530, the drive motor 331 is started to rotate or rotate in the opposite direction, and in block 532, the displacement of the guide rod component 332 is adjusted so that the battery interface 314 can be closer to or further away from the vehicle battery 320.

[0092] For example, when the resistance value judgment signal is in the first state, and there is a possibility of excessive pressure that could damage the elastic components (such as the spring assembly 3327, the spring sheet of the battery interface 314, etc.), the drive motor 331 will start to rotate in the opposite direction to drive the guide rod component 332 backward, so that the battery interface 314 is away from the vehicle battery 320. When the resistance value judgment signal is in the second state, it indicates that the contact area between the battery interface 314 and the vehicle battery 320 is normally connected, so the drive motor 331 stops running. When the resistance value judgment signal is in the third state, the resistance value judgment signal can start the drive motor 331 to rotate, and the drive motor 331 can drive the lead screw 3323 to rotate, causing the slider 3324 to move to the right, thereby compressing the spring assembly 3327, so that the battery interface 314 can be closer to the vehicle battery 320. Therefore, when block 532 is completed (whether the battery interface 314 is close to or away from the vehicle battery), Figure 5 The process will then return to box 506 to re-detect the pressure value of the piezoresistive strain gauge 3143.

[0093] In summary, embodiments of the present invention provide an electric vehicle power supply device and a method for detecting potential power supply failures. This device utilizes a piezoresistive sensor to convert the pressure value detected by a piezoresistive strain gauge located between the battery interface and the vehicle battery at the system end into a corresponding resistance value. Based on the resistance value, it determines whether the connection between the battery interface and the vehicle battery is loose. If a loose connection is detected, the power management unit can further issue a warning message to notify the user and slowly reduce the motor speed of the electric vehicle to prevent a sudden power outage due to battery detachment during operation. Furthermore, the aforementioned electric vehicle power supply device and method for detecting potential power supply failures can also include a displacement drive device between the power management unit and the battery interface. This device includes a drive motor and a guide rod component. The displacement drive device can activate the drive motor to rotate based on the resistance value signal, controlling the displacement of the battery interface to bring it closer to the vehicle battery and prevent loosening of the connection between the battery interface and the vehicle battery 320. This reduces the probability of battery power failure in the electric vehicle, thereby improving the safety of the electric vehicle. In addition, the displacement drive device can also start the drive motor to rotate in the opposite direction to control the displacement of the battery interface so that the battery interface is away from the vehicle battery to avoid excessive tight connection between the battery interface and the vehicle battery, thus preventing damage to the elastic components of the battery interface.

[0094] The use of terms such as "first," "second," and "third" in the claims is to modify the elements in the claims and is not intended to indicate a priority order, a precedence relationship, or that one element precedes another, or the chronological order of the execution of method steps. It is only used to distinguish elements with the same name.

[0095] While the embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, they are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Anyone skilled in the art can make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An electric vehicle power supply device for an electric vehicle, the electric vehicle power supply device comprising: A piezoresistive sensor; A battery interface for connecting to and receiving power from a vehicle battery; A power management unit is used to control the power supply to the motor of the electric vehicle; as well as A displacement driving device is disposed between the power management unit and the battery interface, wherein the displacement driving device includes a drive motor; A piezoresistive strain gauge is installed at the connection between the battery interface and the vehicle battery to detect the pressure value at the connection. The piezoresistive sensor receives the pressure value detected by the piezoresistive strain gauge and converts the pressure value into a corresponding resistance value. The piezoresistive sensor determines whether the resistance value is within a safe resistance value range to generate a resistance value judgment signal; The power management unit determines whether to continue supplying power to the motor of the electric vehicle based on the resistance value of the signal. The start and stop of the drive motor are controlled by the resistance value judgment signal. When the resistance reported by the piezoresistive sensor indicates that the contact area between the battery interface and the vehicle battery is in excessively tight contact, the drive motor rotates in the opposite direction to move the battery interface away from the vehicle battery.

2. The electric vehicle power supply device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the greater the pressure value detected by the piezoresistive strain gauge, the smaller the resistance value converted by the piezoresistive sensor. The smaller the pressure value detected by the piezoresistive strain gauge, the larger the resistance value that the piezoresistive sensor converts into.

3. The electric vehicle power supply device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power management unit receives first battery information reported by the battery management unit of the vehicle battery via the battery interface, and receives second battery information reported by the battery management unit of the vehicle battery via a wireless link through an antenna device.

4. The electric vehicle power supply device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first battery information includes the first voltage, first charge, and first temperature of the vehicle battery, and the second battery information includes the second voltage, second charge, and second temperature of the vehicle battery.

5. The electric vehicle power supply device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the power management unit further determines whether the difference between the first battery information and the second battery information is greater than a predetermined threshold. in, If the power management unit determines that the difference between the first battery information and the second battery information is greater than the predetermined threshold, the power management unit issues a warning message and slowly reduces the speed of the motor until the motor stops running.

6. The electric vehicle power supply device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the displacement driving device further includes a guide rod component; in, The range of safe resistance values ​​includes a predetermined lower limit and a predetermined upper limit; Wherein, when the resistance value is less than the predetermined lower limit of the resistance, the resistance value judgment signal generated by the piezoresistive sensor is in the first state; When the resistance value is between the predetermined lower limit and the predetermined upper limit, the resistance value judgment signal generated by the piezoresistive sensor is in the second state. When the resistance value is greater than the predetermined upper limit of the resistance, the resistance value judgment signal generated by the piezoresistive sensor is in the third state.

7. The electric vehicle power supply device as described in claim 6, wherein, In response to the resistance value judgment signal being in the first state, the drive motor starts to rotate in the opposite direction to adjust the displacement of the guide rod component so that the battery interface is away from the vehicle battery; In this case, the drive motor is turned off when the signal is in the second state based on the resistance value. In this case, in response to the resistance value judgment signal being in the third state, the drive motor starts to rotate to adjust the displacement of the guide rod component so that the battery interface is closer to the vehicle battery.

8. The electric vehicle power supply device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the guide rod component includes a lead screw, a slider and a spring assembly, wherein when the drive motor starts to rotate, the drive motor drives the lead screw to rotate, causing the slider to move towards the vehicle battery to compress the spring assembly.

9. The electric vehicle power supply device as claimed in claim 6, wherein after the drive motor starts to rotate to adjust the displacement of the guide rod component, the piezoresistive sensor re-determines whether the resistance value is within the safe resistance value range to generate the resistance value determination signal.

10. A method for detecting potential power supply failure in an electric vehicle, wherein the electric vehicle includes a piezoresistive sensor, a battery interface, and a power management unit, wherein the battery interface is connected to a vehicle battery and receives power from the vehicle battery, and wherein the electric vehicle further includes a displacement drive device disposed between the power management unit and the battery interface, and the displacement drive device includes a drive motor, the method comprising: A piezoresistive strain gauge is installed at the connection between the battery interface and the vehicle battery to detect the pressure value at the connection. The pressure value detected by the piezoresistive strain gauge is received by the piezoresistive sensor and converted into a corresponding resistance value. The piezoresistive sensor is used to determine whether the resistance value is within a safe resistance value range in order to generate a resistance value determination signal; as well as The power management unit uses the resistance value to determine whether to continue supplying power to the motor of the electric vehicle. The start and stop of the drive motor are controlled by the resistance value judgment signal. When the resistance reported by the piezoresistive sensor indicates that the contact area between the battery interface and the vehicle battery is in excessively tight contact, the drive motor rotates in the opposite direction to move the battery interface away from the vehicle battery.

11. The potential power supply failure detection method as described in claim 10, wherein the greater the pressure value detected by the piezoresistive strain gauge, the smaller the resistance value converted by the piezoresistive sensor. The smaller the pressure value detected by the piezoresistive strain gauge, the larger the resistance value that the piezoresistive sensor converts into.

12. The potential power supply failure detection method as described in claim 10, further comprising: The power management unit receives first battery information reported by the battery management unit of the vehicle battery via the battery interface, and receives second battery information reported by the battery management unit of the vehicle battery via a wireless link through an antenna device.

13. The potential power supply failure detection method as described in claim 12, wherein the first battery information includes the first voltage, first charge, and first temperature of the vehicle battery, and the second battery information includes the second voltage, second charge, and second temperature of the vehicle battery.

14. The potential power supply failure detection method as described in claim 13, further comprising: The power management unit is used to determine whether the difference between the first battery information and the second battery information is greater than a predetermined threshold. as well as When the difference between the first battery information and the second battery information exceeds the predetermined threshold, the power management unit issues a warning message and slowly reduces the speed of the motor until the motor stops running.

15. The potential power supply failure detection method as described in claim 10, wherein the displacement driving device further includes a guide rod component; in, The range of safe resistance values ​​includes a predetermined lower limit and a predetermined upper limit; Wherein, when the resistance value is less than the predetermined lower limit of the resistance, the resistance value judgment signal generated by the piezoresistive sensor is in the first state; Specifically, when the resistance value is between the predetermined lower resistance limit and the predetermined upper resistance limit, the resistance value determination signal generated by the piezoresistive sensor is in the second state. When the resistance value is greater than the predetermined upper limit of the resistance, the resistance value judgment signal generated by the piezoresistive sensor is in the third state.

16. The potential power supply failure detection method as described in claim 15, further comprising: In response to the resistance value judgment signal being in the first state, the drive motor is started to rotate in the opposite direction to adjust the displacement of the guide rod component so that the battery interface is away from the vehicle battery; Based on the resistance value, the signal is in the second state, and the drive motor is turned off; as well as In response to the resistance value judgment signal being in the third state, the drive motor is started to rotate to adjust the displacement of the guide rod component so that the battery interface is closer to the vehicle battery.

17. The potential power supply failure detection method as described in claim 15, wherein the guide rod component includes a lead screw, a slider, and a spring assembly, wherein when the drive motor starts to rotate, the drive motor drives the lead screw to rotate, causing the slider to displace towards the vehicle battery to compress the spring assembly.

18. The potential power supply failure detection method as described in claim 15, further comprising: After the drive motor starts and rotates to adjust the displacement of the guide rod component so that the battery interface is closer to the vehicle battery, the piezoresistive sensor is used to re-determine whether the resistance value is within the safe resistance value range to generate the resistance value determination signal.

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