Component protection mechanism

Abstract

The present invention provides a component protection mechanism that allows for easy and accurate identification of the location where the protective function occurs among multiple protective parts. [Solution] The system comprises a plurality of high-voltage components AE1 to AEn, a plurality of protection units SW1 to SWn provided on the plurality of high-voltage components AE1 to AEn, and an ECU 11 that controls the high-voltage components AE1 to AEn based on the state of the protection units SW1 to SWn. Each protection unit SW1 to SWn comprises capacitors C1 to Cn connected in parallel to a signal line 21 extending from the ECU 11, a base unit 31 provided on the high-voltage component AE1 to AEn, and a cover unit 32 that makes the capacitors C1 to Cn conductive to the signal line 21 when attached to the base unit 31, and makes the capacitors C1 to Cn non-conductive to the signal line 21 when removed from the base unit 31. The capacitors C1 to Cn of the protection units SW1 to SWn each have different capacitances.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a component protection mechanism.

Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1, by attaching a cover to a rotating electrical machine body, the control terminals of the control-side connector are short-circuited by the short-circuit terminals of the short-circuit conductor portion of the short-circuit-side connector, enabling energization to the high-voltage portion of the rotating electrical machine body. When the cover is removed from the rotating electrical machine body, the circuit between the control terminals is interrupted, making energization to the high-voltage portion of the rotating electrical machine body impossible. A rotating electrical machine equipped with a protection mechanism is shown.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For example, in vehicles such as automobiles, various high-voltage portions may be provided with protection portions. In such a case where a plurality of protection portions are provided, it has been difficult to identify the position of the protection portion in the open state where the circuit is interrupted and the protection function has occurred.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a component protection mechanism capable of easily and accurately identifying the position where the protection function has occurred among a plurality of protection portions.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above object, the component protection mechanism of the present invention a plurality of high-voltage components, and a plurality of protection portions provided on the plurality of high-voltage components, and A control unit that controls the high-voltage component based on the state of the protection unit, It has, The aforementioned protective part is A capacitor connected in parallel to the signal line extending from the control unit, The base portion provided on the high-voltage component, A cover portion which, when attached to the base portion, makes the capacitor conductive to the signal line, and when removed from the base portion, makes the capacitor non-conductive to the signal line, It has, The capacitors in the protection unit each have different capacitances.

[0007] In this component protection mechanism, multiple protection units equipped with capacitors of different capacitances are connected in parallel. Therefore, when the cover is removed from the base unit of a protection unit and the protection function is activated, the time constant of the capacitor changes. Consequently, for example, the location of the protection unit where the protection function is activated can be identified by monitoring the change in the time it takes for the voltage value of the circuit to which the capacitor is connected to reach a threshold voltage value. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The component protection mechanism of the present invention provides a component protection mechanism that makes it possible to easily and accurately identify the position where the protective function occurs among multiple protective parts. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic circuit diagram showing the configuration of the component protection mechanism according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the protective section. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the protective unit with the cover removed from the base. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a plan view of the protective section as seen from the base side. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a plan view of the protective part of another configuration, seen from the base side. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a graph showing the voltage change in a circuit where the protection units in the component protection mechanism are connected in parallel. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the location determination process performed by the ECU. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic circuit diagram showing the configuration of the component protection mechanism according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the component protection mechanism according to this embodiment is applied to vehicles such as automobiles. Vehicles to which the component protection mechanism is applied are equipped with a plurality of high-voltage sections AE1 to AEn. Examples of these high-voltage sections AE1 to AEn include a drive motor, inverter, battery, and charging device. Each of these high-voltage sections AE1 to AEn is provided with a protection section SW1 to SWn. Each of these protection sections SW1 to SWn has a capacitor C1 to Cn. The capacitors C1 to Cn provided in each protection section SW1 to SWn have different capacitances. The protection sections SW1 to SWn are, for example, interlock mechanisms for shutting off the high-voltage circuits connected to the high-voltage sections AE1 to AEn when performing work on the high-voltage sections AE1 to AEn.

[0012] The vehicle is equipped with an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 11, which is the control unit, and the high-voltage sections AE1 to AEn are controlled by the ECU 11. The protection sections SW1 to SWn of each high-voltage section AE1 to AEn are connected in parallel to the ECU 11 by a pair of signal lines 21, one of which is grounded and connected to GND. The ECU 11 includes an MCU (Micro Controller Unit) 12, a pulse generator 13, a resistor 14, a comparator 15, and a threshold generation circuit 16.

[0013] The pulse generator 13 is connected to the signal line 21 on the positive electrode side, and the pulse generator 13 applies a pulse voltage Vp to the protection units SW1 to SWn through the signal line 21. The resistor 14 is connected in series to the signal line 21.

[0014] The comparator 15 is connected to the signal line 21 on the positive electrode side. Further, a threshold value generation circuit 16 is connected to the comparator 15, and this threshold value generation circuit 16 generates a threshold voltage Vt and outputs it to the comparator 15.

[0015] The comparator 15 measures the voltage of the signal line 21 to which the protection units SW1 to SWn are connected, and compares the measured voltage Vm with the threshold voltage Vt output from the threshold value generation circuit 16.

[0016] The MCU 12 is connected to the pulse generator 13 and the comparator 15. The MCU 12 generates a pulse voltage Vp by the pulse generator 13, and measures the arrival time T until the measured voltage Vm reaches the threshold voltage Vt when the pulse voltage Vp is applied, based on the comparison result from the comparator 15.

[0017] Next, the protection units SW1 to SWn, which are an interlock mechanism, will be described. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the protection units SW1 to SWn. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the state where the cover portion 32 is removed from the base portion 31 of the protection units SW1 to SWn. FIG. 4 is a plan view seen from the base portion 31 side of the protection units SW1 to SWn. FIG. 5 is a plan view seen from the base portion 31 side of the protection units SW1 to SWn having another configuration.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the protection units SW1 to SWn have a base portion 31 and a cover portion 32. The base portion 31 and the cover portion 32 together with the capacitors C1 to Cn constitute the protection units SW1 to SWn. The cover portion 32 is detachable from the base portion 31.

[0019] The base section 31 is provided in the high-voltage sections AE1 to AEn. A pair of lead wires 33 connected to the signal line 21 are routed into this base section 31, and capacitors C1 to Cn are provided on one of these lead wires 33.

[0020] The base portion 31 includes a fitting portion 35 having a fitting hole 34. A pair of terminals 36 are provided on this fitting portion 35, and the service drop wire 33 is electrically connected to these terminals 36.

[0021] The cover portion 32 has a fitting projection 41 that can be fitted into a fitting hole 34 provided in the fitting portion 35 of the base portion 31. A shorting terminal 42 is provided on this fitting projection 41.

[0022] In the protection units SW1 to SWn, the fitting projection 41 of the cover unit 32 is fitted into the fitting hole 34 provided in the fitting portion 35 of the base unit 31, thereby creating a closed state in which the cover unit 32 is attached to the base unit 31. In this closed state in which the cover unit 32 is attached to the base unit 31, the terminal 36 of the base unit 31 is electrically connected to the short terminal 42 of the cover unit 32, and the pair of lead wires 33 are electrically connected to each other, closing the circuit. When the protection units SW1 to SWn are in the closed state, the ECU 11 enables power to be supplied to the high-voltage units AE1 to AEn. Also, when the protection units SW1 to SWn are in the closed state, the capacitors C1 to Cn are connected in parallel to the signal line 21.

[0023] Furthermore, in the protection units SW1 to SWn, the fitting projection 41 of the cover unit 32 is removed from the fitting hole 34 provided in the fitting portion 35 of the base unit 31, thereby detaching the cover unit 32 from the base unit 31 and creating an open state. In this open state, with the cover unit 32 detached from the base unit 31, the short terminal 42 that was conducting to the terminal 36 of the base unit 31 separates from the terminal 36 of the base unit 31, releasing the conductivity between the pair of lead wires 33 and opening the circuit, preventing the ECU 11 from supplying power to the high-voltage units AE1 to AEn. Also, with the protection units SW1 to SWn in an open state, the parallel connection of capacitors C1 to Cn to the signal line 21 is released.

[0024] Thus, the protection units SW1 to SWn are equipped with an interlock mechanism that enables or disables the supply of power to each high-voltage unit AE1 to AEn by attaching or detaching the cover unit 32 to the base unit 31. In other words, by removing the cover unit 32 from the base unit 31 and leaving it in an open state, the protection units SW1 to SWn activate their protective function, preventing power from being supplied to the high-voltage units AE1 to AEn, and allowing for safe operation of the high-voltage units AE1 to AEn.

[0025] As shown in Figure 5, the protection units SW1 to SWn may include capacitors C1 to Cn built into the base unit 31.

[0026] Incidentally, in order to work more safely on each high-voltage section AE1 to AEn, it is desirable to identify the location of the open protection section SW1 to SWn in which the protection function is activated. Furthermore, even in cases where the cover section 32 is partially fitted to the base section 31 of the protection section SW1 to SWn, causing it to be unintentionally in an open state, it is necessary to identify its location and take appropriate action. For this reason, in the component protection mechanism according to this embodiment, the ECU 11 performs a location identification process to identify the location of the open protection section SW1 to SWn in which the protection function is activated.

[0027] Here, as shown in FIG. 6, in the circuits of the protection parts SW1 to SWn, when a pulse voltage Vp is output, the voltage gradually increases and exceeds the threshold voltage Vt. At this time, if all of the protection parts SW1 to SWn are in the closed state where the protection function has not occurred, the measured voltage Vm becomes Vma, and the arrival time T until reaching the threshold voltage Vt becomes Ta.

[0028] On the other hand, for example, if any of the protection parts SW1 to SWn having capacitors C1 to Cn with different capacitances is in the open state, the voltage value becomes different from the measured voltage Vma when all of the protection parts SW1 to SWn are in the closed state, and the arrival time T until reaching the threshold voltage Vt changes. For example, if the protection part SW1 is in the open state, the measured voltage becomes Vm1 different from Vma, and the arrival time until reaching the threshold voltage Vt becomes T1 shorter than Ta. Similarly, if the protection part SW2 is in the open state, the measured voltage becomes Vm2 different from Vma, and the arrival time until reaching the threshold voltage Vt becomes shorter than Ta and different from T1 as T2.

[0029] Therefore, in the MCU12, when applying the pulse voltage Vp, the arrival time T until the measured voltage Vm reaches the threshold voltage Vt is measured, and based on this arrival time T, a determination process for the presence or absence of an open state in the protection parts SW1 to SWn and a position identification process for identifying the position where the protection parts SW1 to SWn are in the open state are performed.

[0030] Note that it is preferable to set the determination range for the arrival time T used for the determination respectively. For example, in all closed states where there is no open state in the protection parts SW1 to SWn, Tamin < T < Tamax. And when the protection part SW1 is in the open state, T1min < T < T1max. Similarly, when the protection part SW2 is in the open state, T2min < T < T2max, when the protection part SW(n - 1) is in the open state, T(n - 1)min < T < T(n - 1)max, and when the protection part SWn is in the open state, Tnmin < T < Tnmax.

[0031] Next, the position identification process by the MCU 12 of the ECU 11 will be described according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7.

[0032] When the position identification process starts (step S01), the MCU 12 of the ECU 11 generates a pulse voltage Vp by the pulse generator 13 and measures the voltage of the circuits of the protection switches SW1 to SWn. Then, based on the comparison result from the comparator 15, the MCU 12 measures the voltage of the circuits of the protection switches SW1 to SWn from the application of the pulse voltage Vp, and measures the arrival time T until the measured voltage Vm reaches the threshold voltage Vt generated by the threshold generation circuit 16.

[0033] Then, the MCU 12 determines the states of the protection switches SW1 to SWn based on the measured arrival time T.

[0034] For example, if the arrival time T satisfies Tamin < T < Tamax (step S02: Yes), it is determined that all the protection switches SW1 to SWn are in the closed state without an open state (step S03).

[0035] If the arrival time T satisfies T1min < T < T1max (step S04: Yes), it is determined that the protection switch SW1 is in the open state (step S05).

[0036] Similarly, if the arrival time T satisfies T2min < T < T2max (step S06: Yes), it is determined that the protection switch SW2 is in the open state (step S07). If the arrival time T satisfies T(n - 1)min < T < T(n - 1)max (step S08: Yes), it is determined that the protection switch SW(n - 1) is in the open state (step S09). If the arrival time T satisfies Tnmin < T < Tnmax (step S10: Yes), it is determined that the protection switch SWn is in the open state (step S11).

[0037] If the arrival time T does not fall within any of the determination ranges (step S10: No), it is assumed that it is impossible to identify the position of the open state in the protection switches SW1 to SWn (step S12).

[0038] As described above, according to the component protection mechanism of this embodiment, since a plurality of protection units SW1 to SWn equipped with capacitors C1 to Cn of different capacitances are connected in parallel, when the cover 32 is removed from the base 31 in protection units SW1 to SWn and the protection function is activated, the time constant of capacitors C1 to Cn changes. Therefore, by monitoring the amount of change in the arrival time T until the threshold voltage Vt is reached, the location of the open-circuit protection units SW1 to SWn where the protection function is activated can be identified. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0039] 11 ECU (control unit) 21 signal line 31 Base section 32 Cover section AE1~AEn High Voltage Components C1~Cn Capacitors SW1~SWn protection section

Claims

[Claim 1] Multiple high-voltage components, Multiple protective units provided on the multiple high-voltage components, A control unit that controls the high-voltage component based on the state of the protection unit, It has, The aforementioned protective part is A capacitor connected in parallel to the signal line extending from the control unit, The base portion provided on the high-voltage component, A cover portion which, when attached to the base portion, makes the capacitor conductive to the signal line, and when removed from the base portion, makes the capacitor non-conductive to the signal line, It has, The capacitors in the protection unit each have different capacitances. Component protection mechanism.

Images