Temperature monitoring equipment

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a temperature monitoring device. The device (20) includes a plurality of temperature sensing elements (24) and a control module (38). Each of the plurality of temperature sensing elements (24) is arranged proximal to a corresponding current carrying blade (18) of an electrical plug (14). The control module (38) receives a plurality of temperature signals (42) from the plurality of temperature sensing elements (24), each of the plurality of temperature signals (42) indicating a temperature associated with a corresponding current carrying blade (18) of the electrical plug (14). The control module (38) also determines a temperature condition (22) of the electrical plug (14) based on the plurality of temperature signals (42). The control module (38) also communicates an indication of the temperature condition (22) of the electrical plug (14) via a conductor (44) carrying power, the conductor (44) carrying power supplying power (16) via the electrical plug (14).

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with application number 202010005898.7 and invention name “Temperature Monitoring Equipment”. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to temperature monitoring devices, and more particularly to temperature monitoring devices for battery charging cables. Summary of the invention

[0003] According to one illustrative example, an apparatus includes: a plurality of temperature sensing elements, wherein each of the plurality of temperature sensing elements is disposed proximal to a current carrying blade of an electrical plug; and a control module that receives a plurality of temperature signals from the plurality of temperature sensing elements, each of the plurality of temperature signals indicating a current carrying blade temperature associated with the electrical plug. The control module further determines a temperature condition of the electrical plug based on the plurality of temperature signals. The control module further communicates an indication of the temperature condition of the electrical plug via a conductor carrying electrical power, the conductor carrying electrical power supplying electrical power via the electrical plug.

[0004] In another exemplary embodiment of the device described above, the control module comprises a microprocessor.

[0005] In another exemplary embodiment of the device described above, a control module is arranged within a housing of the electrical plug, and wherein the plurality of temperature sensing elements are arranged non-integrally to the control module.

[0006] In another exemplary embodiment of the device described above, the control module is arranged distally of the plurality of temperature sensing elements.

[0007] In another exemplary embodiment of the apparatus described above, the plurality of temperature sensing elements include thermistors.

[0008] In another exemplary embodiment of the apparatus described above, the plurality of temperature sensing elements comprises a first plurality of temperature sensing elements and a second plurality of temperature sensing elements, wherein each temperature sensing element is arranged proximate to a current carrying blade of the electrical plug.

[0009] In another exemplary embodiment of the apparatus described above, the control module receives a second plurality of temperature signals from a second plurality of temperature sensing elements, each of the second plurality of temperature signals indicating a temperature of a current carrying blade associated with the electrical plug, and the control module determines a temperature condition of the electrical plug based on the first plurality of temperature signals and the second plurality of temperature signals.

[0010] In another exemplary embodiment of the device described above, the controlled temperature condition of the electrical plug includes a condition selected from the group consisting of: electrical plug temperature, current carrying blade temperature, ambient temperature surrounding the electrical plug, electrical plug overheat condition, current carrying blade overheat condition, and identification of the current carrying blade.

[0011] In another exemplary embodiment of the apparatus described above, the control module is further configured for communicating an indication of a classification of the electrical plug via the power-carrying conductors via which the electrical plug supplies electrical power.

[0012] In another exemplary embodiment of the apparatus described above, the classification of the electrical plugs comprises a classification of the electrical plugs according to electrical standards.

[0013] In another exemplary embodiment of the apparatus described above, the indication of the classification of the electrical plug comprises a classification of the electrical plug according to a National Electrical Manufacturers Association standard.

[0014] In another exemplary embodiment of the apparatus described above, the control module communicates by interrupting power carried by the power carrying conductor.

[0015] In another exemplary embodiment of the apparatus described above, the control module communicates via interrupting power according to a predetermined pattern, wherein a first pattern indicates a logical one value and a second pattern indicates a logical zero value.

[0016] In another exemplary embodiment of the apparatus described above, the control module communicates a logical one by interrupting the power in a first pulse, and wherein the control module communicates a logical zero by interrupting the power in a plurality of pulses.

[0017] In the exemplary embodiment of the device described above, the control module communicates with the in-cable control protection device via the conductors carrying electrical power.

[0018] In another exemplary embodiment of the device described above, the control module and the plurality of temperature sensing elements are disposed on a printed circuit board.

[0019] In another exemplary embodiment of the apparatus described above, the PCB defines a plurality of holes, each of the plurality of holes being configured for receiving one of the current carrying blades of the electrical plug.

[0020] In another exemplary embodiment of the apparatus described above, the plurality of holes includes a first hole for receiving a first current carrying blade of the electrical plug, a second hole for receiving a second current carrying blade of the electrical plug, and a third hole for receiving a ground conductor of the electrical plug.

[0021] In another exemplary embodiment of the device described above, the multiple temperature sensing elements each arranged proximal to a current-carrying blade of the electrical plug include: at least a first temperature sensing element, which is arranged proximal to the first hole; and at least a second temperature sensing element, which is arranged proximal to the second hole. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] Figure 1A is an illustration of an electric vehicle power supply apparatus having removable grid lines according to one embodiment;

[0024] Figure 1B According to an embodiment Figure 1A An illustration of an electrical plug with removable grid wires;

[0025] Figure 2 According to one embodiment, a Figure 1B Illustration of a printed circuit board for temperature monitoring of an electrical plug;

[0026] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a circuit for monitoring the temperature of the removable grid lines of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment;

[0027] Figure 4 According to an embodiment Figure 4 The communication protocol of the interface circuit;

[0028] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of an interface circuit of the electric vehicle power supply equipment of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of each described embodiment. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that each described embodiment may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits, and networks are not described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the embodiments.

[0030] Figure 1AThe present invention is an electric vehicle power supply equipment 10 (EVSE 10) having a removable grid line 12, which is used to charge the battery of an electric vehicle (EV) and / or the battery of a hybrid EV. The removable grid line 12 can have various electrical plug configurations based on the voltage (V) of the outlet that delivers power 16 to the electrical plug 14. For example, an electrical plug configured for a 120V alternating current (AC) outlet has two flat current carrying blades 18 and a cylindrical ground conductor. According to the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), this particular configuration is classified as a NEMA 5-15 electrical plug and is Figure 1B For other voltages (such as 240V AV), there are other classifications of electrical plugs 14 (eg, NEMA 6-20) having different configurations of current carrying blades 18.

[0031] The EVSE 10 is configured to identify the classification of the electrical plug 14 of the removable grid line 12 so that the charging of the EV battery can be controlled through a cable (not shown) extending from the EVSE 10. For example, when the EVSE 10 identifies a NEMA 5-15 electrical plug 14, the EVSE 10 delivers 120V AC power 16 to the EV battery and will ensure that the maximum allowable current drawn does not exceed the maximum value allowed by the electrical plug 14. The EVSE 10 may also enable features such as ground fault detection of the electrical plug 14. When the EVSE 10 identifies a NEMA 6-20 electrical plug 14, the EVSE 10 delivers 240VAC power 16 to the EV battery and will ensure that the maximum allowable current drawn does not exceed the maximum value allowed by the electrical plug 14. The EVSE 10 may also enable features such as ground fault detection of the electrical plug 14. When the EVSE 10 recognizes a CEE7 / 2 electrical plug, the EVSE 10 delivers 240V AC power 16 to the EV battery and will ensure that the maximum allowable current drawn does not exceed the maximum allowed by the electrical plug 14. The EVSE 10 may also disable features such as ground fault detection of the electrical plug 14. Additionally, when the battery is fully charged, and / or the EVSE 10 determines that a fault condition exists, the EVSE 10 is configured to stop power 16 being delivered to the battery.

[0032] Figure 2 A device 20 is shown which is configured to monitor a temperature condition 22 of the electrical plug 14. Figure 2In the example shown in , the device 20 is configured to be housed within a NMEA 5-15 electrical plug 14, and for purposes of illustration, the device 20 is isolated from the housing. It will be appreciated that the device 20 may be configured for any classification of electrical plugs 14. The temperature condition 22 of the electrical plug 14 includes a condition selected from the group consisting of: a temperature of the electrical plug 14, a temperature associated with a corresponding current carrying blade 18, an ambient temperature surrounding the electrical plug 14, an overtemperature condition of the electrical plug 14, an overtemperature condition associated with a corresponding current carrying blade 18, and an identification of the corresponding current carrying blade 18.

[0033] The device 20 includes a plurality of temperature sensing elements 24, each of which is arranged proximal to a corresponding current carrying blade 18 of the electrical plug 14. The plurality of temperature sensing elements 24 are mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) 26 and are indicated by reference numerals NTC1, NTC2, NTC3, and NTC4. The plurality of temperature sensing elements 24 may be any temperature sensing element 24, and may be arranged in a plurality of temperature sensing elements 24. Figure 2 In the example shown in FIG. 2 , the thermistor 28 has a negative temperature coefficient of resistance.

[0034] The PCB 26 defines a plurality of apertures 30, each aperture 30 being configured to receive one of the current carrying blades 18 of the electrical plug 14. Figure 2 In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the plurality of holes 30 include a first hole 30A for receiving the first current carrying blade 18A, a second hole 30B for receiving the second current carrying blade 18B, and a third hole 30C for receiving a ground conductor of the electrical plug 14 .

[0035] Each of the plurality of temperature sensing elements 24 is disposed proximal to the respective current-carrying blades 18A, 18B of the electrical plug 14 and includes: at least a first temperature sensing element 24A disposed proximal to the first hole 30A; and at least a second temperature sensing element 24B disposed proximal to the second hole 30B. The plurality of temperature sensing elements 24 also includes a first plurality of temperature sensing elements 32 (e.g., NTC1 and NTC2), and a second plurality of temperature sensing elements 34 (e.g., NTC3 and NTC4), each of which is disposed proximal to the respective current-carrying blades 18 of the electrical plug 14.

[0036] Figure 3 is an example of a schematic diagram of the circuit 36 ​​of the device 20. The device 20 also includes a control module 38 configured to monitor the plurality of temperature sensing elements 24. The control module 38 may be any control module 38 capable of performing the tasks described herein and is Figure 3In the example shown in FIG. 4 , the control module 38 is a microprocessor 40 . The control module 38 is disposed within the housing of the electrical plug 14 and is mounted on the PCB 26 distal to the plurality of temperature sensing elements 24 . Return to Reference Figure 2 , the plurality of temperature sensing elements 24 are arranged non-integrally to the control module 38. That is, the plurality of temperature sensing elements 24 are not contained within the packaging of the control module 38. This has the technical benefit of improving the response time of the device 20 by positioning the plurality of temperature sensing elements 24 closer to the current carrying vanes 18 than would otherwise be the case if the plurality of temperature sensing elements 24 were positioned.

[0037] The control module 38 is configured to receive a plurality of temperature signals 42 from the plurality of temperature sensing elements 24. Each of the plurality of temperature signals 42 indicates a temperature associated with a corresponding current carrying blade 18 of the electrical plug 14. The control module 38 determines a temperature condition 22 of the electrical plug 14 based on the plurality of temperature signals 42 and communicates the indication of the temperature condition 22 to the EVSE 10. The control module 38 communicates the indication of the temperature condition 22 of the electrical plug 14 via a power carrying conductor 44 that supplies the electrical power 16 via the electrical plug 14.

[0038] The control module 38 is configured to receive a second plurality of temperature signals 42B from the second plurality of temperature sensing elements 34, each of the second plurality of temperature signals 42B indicating a temperature associated with a corresponding current carrying blade 18 of the electrical plug 14. The control module 38 is further configured to determine the temperature condition 22 of the electrical plug 14 based on the first plurality of temperature signals 42A and the second plurality of temperature signals 42B.

[0039] The control module 38 is further configured to communicate an indication of the classification of the electrical plug 14 via the power carrying conductors 44 through which the electrical power 16 is supplied. The indication includes classification according to the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) standard and non-NEMA classifications of the electrical plug 14 (see Table 1), and is stored in a memory (not shown) of the control module 38.

[0040] Figure 4 The communication protocol of the device 20 is shown. The control module 38 communicates via the power carrying conductors 44 based on interrupting the power 16 carried by the power carrying conductors 44 that supply the power 16 via the electrical plug 14.

[0041] The control module 38 communicates via interrupting the power 16 according to a predetermined pattern, wherein the first pattern 46 indicates a logic 1 value and the second pattern 48 indicates a logic 0 value. The control module 38 communicates a logic 1 by interrupting the power 16 in a first pulse, and wherein the control module 38 communicates a logic 0 by interrupting the power 16 in multiple pulses.

[0042] Figure 5 An example of an interface circuit of the EVSE 10 of Figure 1 is shown. The control module 38 communicates with an in cable-control protection device (IC-CPD) 50 via conductors 44 that carry power.

[0043] As listed below, Table 1 and Table 2 are examples of communications between the control module 38 and the IC-CPD 50 .

[0044] Table 1

[0045]

[0046]

[0047]

[0048] Table 2

[0049]

[0050]

[0051] Although the present invention has been described according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is not intended to be limited thereto, but only to the scope set forth in the appended claims. For example, the above-mentioned embodiments (and / or aspects thereof) can be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications can be made to configure specific situations or materials to the teachings of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention. The size, material type, orientation of the various components described herein, and the number and position of the various components are intended to define the parameters of certain embodiments, and are by no means restrictive, but are merely prototype embodiments.

[0052] Upon reading the above description, many other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims and the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

[0053] As used herein, "one or more" includes a function performed by one element, a function performed by more than one element, such as in a distributed manner, several functions performed by one element, several functions performed by several elements, or any combination of the above.

[0054] It will also be understood that, although in some instances, the terms first, second, etc. are used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first contact may be referred to as a second contact, and similarly, a second contact may be referred to as a first contact without departing from the scope of each described embodiment. Both the first contact and the second contact are contacts, but they are not identical contacts.

[0055] The terms used in the description of the various described embodiments herein are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to be limiting. As used in the description of the various described embodiments and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to also include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term "and / or" used herein refers to and includes any one of the associated listed items and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms "include", "including", "comprise", and / or "comprising" when used in this specification indicate the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0056] As used herein, the term “if” is alternatively interpreted to mean “when or “after” or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,” depending on the context. Similarly, the phrases “if it is determined” or “if (a stated condition or event) is detected” are alternatively interpreted to mean “after determining” or “in response to determining” or “after detecting (a stated condition or event)” or “in response to detecting (a stated condition or event),” depending on the context.

[0057] In addition, although the terms of regulations or orientations may be used herein, these elements should not be limited by these terms. Unless otherwise specified, all terms of regulations or orientations are used for the purpose of distinguishing one element from another element, and unless otherwise specified, do not indicate any particular sequence, order of operation, direction or orientation.

Claims

1. A temperature monitoring device (20), comprising: A removable electrical grid cord (12) having an electrical plug (14) including a plurality of current carrying blades (18); a plurality of temperature sensing elements (24) configured to transmit a plurality of temperature signals (42), each temperature signal being indicative of a current carrying vane temperature associated with one of the plurality of current carrying vanes (18), wherein the plurality of temperature sensing elements are disposed proximate to the plurality of current carrying vanes; and A control module (38) comprising a microprocessor (40) and configured to perform the following steps: receiving the plurality of temperature signals (42), determining a temperature condition of the electrical plug (14) based on the plurality of temperature signals (42), The control module (38) is further configured to interrupt the power (16) supplied via the electrical plug (14) and carried by the power-carrying conductor (44) according to a predetermined pattern to provide a digital signal indicating the temperature condition (22) of the electrical plug (14) to the in-cable control protection device (50), wherein a first interruption pattern consisting of a single pulse indicates a logic 1 value, and a second interruption pattern consisting of multiple pulses indicates a logic 0 value.

2. The temperature monitoring device (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that The plurality of temperature sensing elements (24) include a first plurality of temperature sensing elements (24A) disposed proximate a first current carrying blade (18A) and a second plurality of temperature sensing elements (24B) disposed proximate a second current carrying blade (18B) of the electrical plug (14).

3. The temperature monitoring device (20) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The control module (38) is further configured to perform the following steps: receiving a plurality of first temperature signals (42A) from the first plurality of temperature sensing elements (24A), each first temperature signal indicating a current carrying blade temperature associated with the electrical plug (14), receiving a plurality of second temperature signals (42B) from the second plurality of temperature sensing elements (24B), each second temperature signal indicating a current carrying blade temperature associated with the electrical plug (14), and determining a temperature condition of the electrical socket (14) based on the plurality of first temperature signals (42A) and the plurality of second temperature signals (42B).

4. The temperature monitoring device (20) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The temperature condition of the electrical plug (14) comprises a condition selected from the group consisting of: electrical plug temperature, current carrying blade temperature, ambient temperature around the electrical socket (14), electrical plug overheat condition, current carrying blade overheat condition, and identification of the first or second current carrying blade (18A, 18B).

5. The temperature monitoring device (20) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The control module (38) is disposed within the housing of the electrical plug (14), and the first plurality of temperature sensing elements (24A) and the second plurality of temperature sensing elements (24B) are arranged to be non-integrated with the control module (38).

6. The temperature monitoring device (20) according to claim 5, characterized in that The control module (38) is disposed remotely from the first plurality of temperature sensing elements (24A) and the second plurality of temperature sensing elements (24B).

7. The temperature monitoring device (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of temperature sensing elements (24) include thermistors.

8. The temperature monitoring device (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control module (38) is also configured to transmit an indication of the classification of the electrical plug (14) by interrupting power (16) carried by the power carrying conductors (44).

9. The temperature monitoring device (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control module (38) and the plurality of temperature sensing elements (24) are disposed on a printed circuit board (26), the printed circuit board defining a first hole (30A) for receiving a first current carrying blade (18A), a second hole (30B) for receiving a second current carrying blade (18B), and a third hole (30C) for receiving a ground conductor of the electrical plug (14).

10. The temperature monitoring device (20) according to claim 9, characterized in that The plurality of temperature sensing elements (24) are arranged adjacent to a current carrying blade (18) of the electrical plug (14) and include at least a first temperature sensing element arranged adjacent to a first aperture (30A) and at least a second temperature sensing element arranged adjacent to a second aperture (30B).

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