Dual output current sensor, system for providing short-circuit protection with dual output current sensor, and related method

Abstract

To provide a system that comprises a dual output current sensor for short circuit protection, and a method.SOLUTION: A dual output current sensor 300 may include a current sensing element 305 for detecting current, a current comparison circuit 315 for determining whether the detected current exceeds a predetermined threshold current, a first output channel 325 for outputting an indication of the detected current from the current sensor, a drive circuit 320 for generating an amplified output of the current comparison circuit, and a second output channel 330 for outputting the amplified output of the current comparison circuit from the current sensor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to sensing devices, and more particularly to current sensors.

Background Art

[0002] Short-circuit protection systems are important in electrical systems. For example, such short-circuit protection systems are used in electric vehicles to protect motors and batteries from short circuits that can expose sensitive components to very high currents.

[0003] Such short-circuit protection systems are plagued by technical problems and limitations. Through the efforts, ingenuity, and innovations applied, many of these identified problems are solved by developing the solutions included in the embodiments of the present disclosure, and many of those examples are described in detail herein.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] Various embodiments described herein relate to a dual-output current sensor, a system for providing short-circuit protection in an electric vehicle, and related methods for providing short-circuit protection.

[0005] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a system for providing short-circuit protection is provided. In some embodiments, the system includes a dual-output current sensor. The dual-output current sensor includes a current sensing element for detecting a current, a current comparison circuit for determining whether the detected current exceeds a predetermined threshold current, a first output channel for outputting an indication of the current detected from the current sensor, a drive circuit for generating an amplified output of the current comparison circuit, and a second output channel for outputting the amplified output of the current comparison circuit from the current sensor.

[0006] In some embodiments, the current sensing element outputs a voltage proportional to the detected current, and the current comparison circuit includes an analog voltage comparison circuit that compares the voltage proportional to the detected current with a reference voltage corresponding to the predetermined threshold current.

[0007] In some embodiments, the current sensing element outputs a voltage proportional to the detected current, and the current comparison circuit comprises an analog-to-digital controller (ADC) and a controller, the ADC receives the voltage proportional to the detected current and converts the voltage proportional to the detected current into a digital value of the detected current, and the controller receives the digital value of the detected current and compares the digital value of the detected current with a predetermined threshold current.

[0008] In some embodiments, the system further comprises a battery management system, an electric busbar for carrying detected current, and a normally closed pyrotechnic switch connected in series with the electric busbar. A first output channel outputs an indication of the detected current to the battery management system of the electric vehicle, and a second output channel outputs the amplified output of a current comparison circuit to the pyrotechnic switch, which opens the pyrotechnic switch and interrupts the detected current on the electric busbar.

[0009] In some embodiments, if the detected current exceeds a predetermined threshold current, the current sensor receives a command from the battery management system to activate the pyrotechnic switch, and the second output channel outputs the amplified output of the current comparison circuit to the pyrotechnic switch in response to the current sensor receiving the command from the battery management system and activating the pyrotechnic switch.

[0010] Various embodiments of this disclosure provide a system for providing short-circuit protection in an electric vehicle. In some embodiments, the system comprises a battery management system, an electric busbar, a normally closed pyrotechnic switch connected in series with the electric busbar, and a dual-output current sensor for detecting current on the electric busbar. The current sensor comprises a current sensing element for detecting current on the electric busbar, a current comparison circuit for determining whether the detected current exceeds a predetermined threshold current, a first output channel for outputting an indication of the detected current from the current sensor to the battery management system, a drive circuit for generating an amplified output of the current comparison circuit, and a second output channel for outputting the amplified output of the current comparison circuit from the current sensor to the pyrotechnic switch to open the pyrotechnic switch and interrupt the current on the electric busbar.

[0011] Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for providing short-circuit protection in an electric vehicle. In some embodiments, the method includes: connecting a dual-output current sensor to an electric busbar of an electric vehicle; detecting a current on the electric busbar using a current-sensing element of the current sensor; determining whether the detected current exceeds a predetermined threshold current using a current comparison circuit of the current sensor; outputting an indication of the detected current to the battery management system of the electric vehicle using a first output channel of the current sensor; generating an amplified output of the current comparison circuit using a drive circuit of the current sensor; and outputting the amplified output of the current comparison circuit to a pyrotechnic switch of the electric vehicle using a second output channel of the current sensor to open the pyrotechnic switch and interrupt the current on the electric busbar.

[0012] The above-mentioned illustrative overview, as well as other exemplary purposes and / or advantages of the present disclosure, and the methods by which they are achieved, are further described in the following embodiments for carrying out the invention and the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] The description of the illustrated embodiments can be read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. Unless otherwise noted, it should be understood that for the sake of simplification and clarity, the elements shown in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, unless otherwise noted, the dimensions of some elements may be exaggerated relative to others. Embodiments incorporating the teachings of this disclosure are shown and described in relation to the figures presented herein. [Figure 1] This is a block diagram of an exemplary system providing short-circuit protection according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram of an exemplary dual-output current sensor that may be used in the system shown in Figure 1, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram of an exemplary dual-output current sensor that may be used in the exemplary system of Figure 1, according to an exemplary alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] Figure 2 is an example of a dual-output current sensor, and Figure 3 is an example of a circuit diagram of an exemplary drive circuit that may be used in the example dual-output current sensor. [Figure 5] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary comparison circuit that may be used in an exemplary dual-output current sensor. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows an exemplary method for providing short-circuit protection according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] Next, some embodiments of this disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, although the drawings show some embodiments, not all, of this disclosure. In fact, these embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described herein, but rather these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure satisfies applicable legal requirements. Similar figures refer to similar elements throughout.

[0015] Where used herein, terms such as “front,” “rear,” “top,” “bottom,” “left,” and “right” are used for illustrative purposes in the examples provided below to describe the relative position of a particular component or part of a component. Furthermore, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the viewpoint of this disclosure, the terms “substantially” and “approximately” indicate that the referenced element or related description is accurate within applicable engineering tolerances.

[0016] As used herein, the term “comprising” means, but not necessarily, to include, and should be interpreted as it typically is used in a patent context. It should be understood that the use of broader terms such as “comprises,” “includes,” and “having” supports narrower terms such as “consisting of,” “consisting essentially of,” and “comprised substantially of.”

[0017] The phrases “in one embodiment,” “according to one embodiment,” and “in some embodiments,” and similar phrases, generally mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic following such phrase may be included in at least one embodiment of the Disclosure, and may be included in two or more embodiments of the Disclosure (importantly, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment).

[0018] The phrases “In one embodiment,” “According to one embodiment,” “In some embodiments,” and similar phrases generally mean that the particular features, structure, or characteristic following those phrases may be included in at least one embodiment of the Disclosure, and may be included in two or more embodiments of the Disclosure (importantly, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment).

[0019] In this specification, when a certain component or feature is described as being included or having a characteristic “may,” “can,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “preferably,” “if possible,” “typically,” “optionally,” “for example,” “as an example,” “in some embodiments,” “in many cases,” or “might” (or other such expressions), that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic. Such a component or feature may optionally be included in some embodiments or may be excluded.

[0020] As used herein, the terms “example” or “exemplary” mean “serving as an instance, case, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “example” or “exemplary” should not necessarily be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments.

[0021] In the present disclosure, the terms “electronically coupled,” “electronically coupling,” “electronically coupled to,” “communicating with,” “electronically communicating with,” or “connected to” refer to two or more elements or components that are connected via wired means and / or wireless means such that signals, electrical voltage / current, data, and / or information can be transmitted and / or received between these elements or components. [[ID=lo]]

[0022] The term “component” can refer to an article, device, or apparatus that may comprise one or more surfaces, parts, layers, and / or elements. For example, an exemplary component may comprise one or more substrates that may provide a lower layer for the component, may form a part of the substrate, and / or may comprise one or more elements disposed on the substrate. In the present disclosure, the term “element” can refer to an article, device, or apparatus that may provide one or more functions.

[0023] The term "sensor" or "sensing device" can refer to an article, device, or apparatus that measures physical input from its environment and converts that input into data that can be interpreted by either a human or a machine. Sensing devices can be utilized in a variety of applications, including the measurement of electric current.

[0024] The terms "sensing element", "sensor circuit", "sensing circuit", etc. can refer to one or more components, integrated circuits, etc. within a sensing device that interact with the environment, detect an input to be detected (e.g., an electric current), and provide an output to be interpreted (e.g., a voltage) to another component within the sensing device. In an exemplary current sensing device, the sensing circuit can comprise an open-loop Hall effect sensor, a closed-loop Hall effect sensor, a fluxgate sensor, or any suitable sensing element.

[0025] Providing short-circuit protection in an electrical device is important, particularly in an electric vehicle where a short circuit can result in a current exceeding 2000 amperes (amps or "A"). Such high currents can rapidly damage sensitive electrical and electronic components. Fuses are often used for short-circuit protection, but fuses can take 1 - 2 seconds to interrupt a circuit, which can be too slow to provide the desired protection. These fuses are often referred to as passive fuses. Pyrotechnic fuses are explosive switches that can interrupt a circuit more rapidly than passive fuses, but typically require a very large current (e.g., 4000 amperes or more) to operate the circuit to interrupt it.

[0026] To address the problems and limitations associated with conventional short-circuit protection, various examples of the present disclosure can be provided. For example, various examples of the present disclosure can provide an exemplary dual-output current sensor, a system for short-circuit protection, and a method for short-circuit protection.

[0027] In various embodiments, exemplary dual-output current sensors provide current monitoring for detecting short circuits and provide two outputs as described herein. While embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein in relation to electric vehicles, embodiments of the present disclosure may be used with any electrical device where rapid short-circuit protection is desired.

[0028] In various embodiments, an exemplary dual-output current sensor is connected to the busbar of an electric vehicle to measure the primary current on the busbar. In various embodiments, the first output of the exemplary dual-output current sensor provides an indication of the measured primary current to the battery management system (BMS) of the electric vehicle. In various embodiments, the second output of the exemplary dual-output current sensor provides a control signal to the pyrotechnic switch of the electric vehicle when the measured primary current exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0029] Referring here to Figure 1, a block diagram is provided of an exemplary system for providing short-circuit protection according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 1, in various embodiments, such a system comprises an electric busbar 105 for carrying current from the battery of an electric vehicle (which may be, for example, one large battery pack or multiple batteries connected to each other) to one or more load components (e.g., drive motors); a pyrotechnic switch 110 connected in series with the busbar 105; a relay 115 connected in series with the busbar 105 to selectively enable or disable the flow of current to the load components; and a dual-output current sensor 100 arranged to measure the primary current flowing through the busbar 105. In various embodiments, the current sensor 100 is configured to perform and carry out the operations described herein. The relay 115 is one exemplary component that is likely to be damaged (e.g., blown) by a high-current short circuit.

[0030] In some embodiments, the current sensor 100 defines a substantially circular through-hole, and the current sensor 100 is positioned such that a portion of the busbar 105 protrudes through the through-hole of the current sensor 100, allowing the current sensor 100 to detect and measure the current flowing through the busbar 105.

[0031] In various embodiments, the pyrotechnic switch 110 is normally closed and, when exposed to a very high current short circuit (e.g., exceeding 4000 amperes), explodes open within a few microseconds. However, in the case of a short circuit causing a current that is high enough to damage the components but not high enough to directly trigger the pyrotechnic switch 110, it is desirable to have fast short-circuit protection as well. Accordingly, the current sensors of various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a control signal to activate (i.e., open) the pyrotechnic switch when the measured primary current exceeds a predetermined threshold that is high enough to damage the components but not high enough to directly trigger the pyrotechnic switch.

[0032] In various embodiments as shown in Figure 1, the current sensor 100 has two outputs: a first output 120 that provides an indication of the measured primary current to the battery management system (BMS) of the electric vehicle, and a second output 125 that provides a control signal to the pyrotechnic switch 110 to activate (i.e., open) the pyrotechnic switch 110 when the measured primary current exceeds a predetermined threshold. In one exemplary embodiment, the threshold current is 2000 amperes, but any suitable threshold current can be used.

[0033] In various embodiments, the current sensor may have both digital and analog versions. Referring here to Figure 2, a block diagram of the digital version of an exemplary dual-output current sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. As shown in Figure 2, the dual-output current sensor 200 comprises a current sensing element 205, a signal conditioning element 210, an analog-to-digital controller (ADC) 215, a processing element (such as a microcontroller unit) (MCU) 220, a transceiver 225, and a drive circuit 230. The current sensor 200 has two outputs, namely a first output channel 235 that provides an indication of the measured primary current to the BMS of an electric vehicle, and a second output channel 240 that provides a control signal to a pyrotechnic switch to activate (i.e., open) the pyrotechnic switch when the measured primary current exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0034] In various embodiments, the sensing element 205 may include a magnetic field current sensor configured to be magnetically coupled to a conductor (i.e., a busbar) and to generate a magnetic field signal having a magnitude that responds to a current flowing through the conductor. In various alternative embodiments, the sensing element 205 may include a shunt interface having first and second input terminals electrically coupled to the ends of a shunt configured to be positioned along a conductor (i.e., a busbar) and to generate a shunt signal having a magnitude that responds to a current flowing through the conductor. In various embodiments, the sensing element 205 may include an open-loop Hall effect sensor, a closed-loop Hall effect sensor, a fluxgate sensor, or any preferred current sensing element.

[0035] In various embodiments, the sensing element 205 generates an analog voltage proportional to the primary current flowing through the busbar. In various embodiments, the signal conditioning element 210 includes an amplifier that amplifies the voltage from the current sensing element 205. In some embodiments, the signal conditioning element is not required.

[0036] In various embodiments, the ADC215 converts an analog voltage from the current sensing element 205 (which may be amplified by the signal conditioning element 210, if present) into a digital signal that is a representation of the measured current. In various embodiments, the MCU220 receives the digital signal from the ADC215 and compares the signal to a predetermined stored threshold. In various embodiments, the MCU220 transmits the representation of the measured current to the transceiver 225, which outputs the representation of the measured current to the BMS via the first output channel 235. In various embodiments of the digital version of the exemplary dual-output current sensor, the representation of the measured current is the digital output of the measurement.

[0037] In various embodiments, if the MCU 220 determines that the measured current exceeds a predetermined threshold, the MCU 220 outputs an overcurrent signal (e.g., a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal) to the drive circuit 230. In various embodiments, the drive circuit 230 amplifies the overcurrent signal from the MCU 220 and outputs the amplified signal to a pyrotechnic switch via a second output channel 240, thereby activating the pyrotechnic switch. In an exemplary embodiment, the drive circuit function is provided by a Bosch CG912 4-channel pyrotechnic fuse driver.

[0038] In various alternative embodiments, the decision to activate the pyrotechnic switch is not made within the current sensor (e.g., within the MCU), but rather within the BMS. In various alternative embodiments, when the BMS decides to activate the pyrotechnic switch, the BMS sends a control command to the current sensor, which is received by the current sensor via transceiver 225, and the control signal is sent from the current sensor to the pyrotechnic switch via a second output channel 240. In various other alternative embodiments, when the BMS decides to activate the pyrotechnic switch, the BMS sends the control command directly to the pyrotechnic switch.

[0039] Referring now to Figure 3, a block diagram of an analog version of an exemplary dual-output current sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. As shown in Figure 3, the dual-output current sensor 300 comprises a current sensing element 305, a signal conditioning element 310, a comparator circuit 315, and a drive circuit 320. The current sensor 300 has two outputs, namely a first output channel 325 that provides an indication of the measured primary current to the BMS of an electric vehicle, and a second output channel 330 that provides a control signal to a pyrotechnic switch to activate (i.e., open) the pyrotechnic switch when the measured primary current exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0040] In various embodiments, the sensing element 305 may include an open-loop Hall effect sensor, a closed-loop Hall effect sensor, a fluxgate sensor, or any suitable current sensing element. In various embodiments, the sensing element 305 generates an analog voltage proportional to the primary current flowing through the busbar. In various embodiments, the signal conditioning element 310 includes an amplifier that amplifies the voltage from the current sensing element 305. In some embodiments, the signal conditioning element is not required. In various embodiments, the analog voltage from the current sensing element 305 (which may be amplified by the signal conditioning element 310, if present) is output to the BMS via the first output channel 325. In various embodiments of the analog version of the exemplary dual-output current sensor, the representation of the measured current is proportional to the primary current.

[0041] In various embodiments, an analog voltage from the current sensing element 305 (which may be amplified by the signal conditioning element 310, if present) is provided to a comparator circuit 315. In various embodiments, the comparator circuit 315 compares the analog voltage from the current sensing element 305 to a reference voltage selected to be equal to the analog voltage from the current sensing element 305 when the primary current is equal to the threshold current. In various embodiments, if the analog voltage from the current sensing element 305 is higher than the reference voltage, the comparator circuit 315 outputs a positive voltage to the drive circuit 320. In various embodiments, the drive circuit 320 amplifies the positive output voltage from the comparator circuit 315 and outputs the amplified signal to a pyrotechnic switch via a second output channel 330, thereby activating the pyrotechnic switch.

[0042] The dual-output current sensor of the embodiments of the present disclosure can use any suitable drive circuit that can receive a signal from an MCU (such as MCU220) or a comparator circuit (such as comparator circuit 315) and amplify the signal to the desired level required to activate a pyrotechnic switch. Referring now to Figure 4, schematics of exemplary drive circuits that may be used in the exemplary dual-output current sensor of Figure 2 or the exemplary dual-output current sensor of Figure 3 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. As seen in Figure 4, the drive circuit 400 comprises a first resistor 405, a first transistor 415 (such as an NPN low-power silicon planar epitaxial transistor), a second resistor 420, a second transistor 425 (such as an NPN bipolar junction transistor), a diode 430, and a relay 435.

[0043] One end of the first resistor 405 is connected to the input of the drive circuit 400 to receive an input signal 410 (which causes an input voltage (Vin)) (e.g., from the MCU 220 or comparator circuit 315), and the other end is connected to the base of the first transistor 415. The emitter of the first transistor 415 is connected to one end of the second resistor 420 and the base of the second transistor 425. The other end of the second resistor 420 and the emitter of the second transistor 425 are connected to ground. The collectors of the first transistor 415 and the second transistor 425 are connected to the anode of the diode 430 and one end of the relay 435. The cathode of the diode 430 and the other end of the relay 435 are connected to the power supply voltage (Vcc). The relay 435 is connected to the pyrotechnic switch 440 to drive the operation of the pyrotechnic switch. During operation, when the drive circuit 400 receives a positive input signal 410 (for example, from the MCU 220 or comparator circuit 315) indicating that an overcurrent has been detected, the input signal is amplified to activate the relay 435, which in turn activates the pyrotechnic switch 440.

[0044] The dual-output current sensor of the embodiments of the present disclosure can use any suitable comparator circuit that receives an analog voltage from a current sensing element (such as current sensing element 305), compares the analog voltage to a reference voltage equal to the analog voltage from the current sensing element when the primary current is equal to the threshold current, and outputs a positive voltage to a drive circuit (such as drive circuit 320) if the analog voltage from the current sensing element is higher than the reference voltage. Referring now to Figure 5, a schematic diagram of an exemplary comparator circuit that may be used in the exemplary dual-output current sensor of Figure 3 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. As seen in Figure 5, the comparator circuit 500 comprises a first resistor 505 and a second resistor 510 connected in series between the power supply voltage (Vcc) and ground, and an operational amplifier 515. The negative input terminal of the operational amplifier 515 is connected between the first resistor 505 and the second resistor 510, and the positive input terminal of the operational amplifier 515 is connected to the analog voltage (Vin) from the current sensing element. The op-amp 515 operates on a positive power supply voltage (Vcc) and a negative power supply voltage (V EEIt is connected to the op-amp 515. The output of op-amp 515 is Vout. In various embodiments, the values ​​of the first resistor 505 and the second resistor 510 are set to the reference voltage V REF However, it is selected to be equal to the analog voltage from the current sensing element when the primary current is equal to a predetermined threshold current. During operation, when the analog voltage (Vin) from the current sensing element is greater than the predetermined threshold current, the output (Vout) of the op-amp 515 is positive. In various embodiments, this positive output is amplified by a drive circuit to activate a pyrotechnic switch.

[0045] While the components are described in terms of functional limitations, it should be understood that at least some of the particular embodiments will inevitably involve the use of certain computing hardware. In some embodiments, it should also be understood that certain components described herein will include similar or common hardware. For example, in some embodiments, two sets of circuitry both utilize the same processor, memory, circuitry, etc., to perform related functions, so there is no need for duplicate hardware in each set of circuitry.

[0046] The MCU220 can be embodied in numerous different ways. In various embodiments, the use of the terms “processor” or “processing circuit” should be understood to include a single-core processor, a multi-core processor, multiple processors within the current sensor 100, and / or one or more remote or “cloud” processors outside the current sensor 100. In some exemplary embodiments, the MCU220 may include one or more processing devices configured to operate independently. Additionally or alternatively, the MCU220 may include one or more processors configured in tandem via a bus to enable independent execution of operations, instructions, pipelines, and / or multithreads.

[0047] In one exemplary embodiment, the MCU220 may be configured to execute instructions stored in memory circuitry (not shown) or instructions that are otherwise accessible to the processor. Alternatively or additionally, the MCU220 may be configured to perform hardcoded functions. Thus, whether configured by hardware methods, software methods, or a combination thereof, the MCU220 may represent entities (e.g., physically embodied in the circuitry) that can perform the operations according to embodiments of the present disclosure while configured accordingly. Alternatively or additionally, the MCU220 may be embodied as an executor of software instructions, which may specifically configure the MCU220 to execute various algorithms embodied in one or more operations described herein when such instructions are executed. In some embodiments, the MCU220 includes hardware, software, firmware, and / or a combination thereof that perform one or more operations described herein.

[0048] In some embodiments, two or more sets of circuits can be combined. Alternatively or additionally, one or more sets of circuits perform some or all of the operations and / or functions described herein as being associated with another circuit. In some embodiments, two or more sets of circuits are combined into a single module embodied in hardware, software, firmware, and / or a combination thereof.

[0049] While the above description provides an exemplary current sensor 100, it should be noted that the scope of this disclosure is not limited to the above description. In some examples, the exemplary current sensor 100 provided herein may take other forms. In some examples, the exemplary current sensor 100 may comprise one or more additional and / or alternative elements and / or be structured differently from those shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0050] Herein, we refer to Figure 6, which provides flowcharts illustrating exemplary steps, processes, procedures, and / or operations according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Various methods described herein, including, for example, the method shown in Figure 6, can provide various technical benefits and improvements.

[0051] Referring here to Figure 6, an exemplary method 600 is shown. In some embodiments, the exemplary method includes a method for providing short-circuit protection using a dual output current sensor. In step / operation 605, the dual output current sensor (such as, but not limited to, the dual output current sensor 200 described above in relation to Figure 2 or the dual output current sensor 300 described above in relation to Figure 3) detects the primary current on the electrical busbar.

[0052] In step / operation 610, the dual output current sensor (such as, but not limited to, the dual output current sensor 200 described above in relation to Figure 2 or the dual output current sensor 300 described above in relation to Figure 3) outputs an indication of the detected current to the battery management system via the first output channel.

[0053] In step / operation 615, the dual output current sensor (such as, but not limited to, the dual output current sensor 200 described above in relation to Figure 2 or the dual output current sensor 300 described above in relation to Figure 3) determines whether the detected current exceeds a predetermined threshold current.

[0054] If, in step / operation 615, it is determined that the detected current does not exceed a predetermined threshold current, method 600 returns to step / operation 605 and continues to monitor the primary current on the busbar. If, in step / operation 615, it is determined that the detected current exceeds a predetermined threshold current, method 600 proceeds to step / operation 625.

[0055] In step / operation 625, the dual-output current sensor (such as, but not limited to, the dual-output current sensor 200 described above in relation to Figure 2 or the dual-output current sensor 300 described above in relation to Figure 3) outputs an overcurrent error to the battery management system via the first output channel and outputs a control signal to the pyrotechnic switch via the second output channel to activate the pyrotechnic switch. In various alternative embodiments, the decision to activate the pyrotechnic switch is made within the BMS, and if the BMS decides to activate the pyrotechnic switch, the BMS sends a control command to the current sensor, and the current sensor receives the control command from the BMS (such as via the transceiver 225 of the dual-output current sensor 200 described above in relation to Figure 2, but not limited to this). This part of step / operation 625 is enclosed in parentheses to indicate that it is optional.

[0056] In some embodiments, method 600 repeats steps / operations 605-620 until an overcurrent is detected and the pyrotechnic switch is activated.

[0057] The operations and processes described herein support combinations of means for performing a specified function and combinations of operations for performing a specified function. It will be understood that one or more operations, and combinations of operations, may be performed by a dedicated hardware-based computer system or a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions for performing the specified function.

[0058] In some exemplary embodiments, certain operations of the Specified Operation may be modified or further extended as described below. Furthermore, in some embodiments, additional optional operations may also be included. It should be understood that each of the modifications, optional additions, or extensions described herein may be included with the Operations of the Specified Operation either alone or in combination with any other feature of the Features described herein.

[0059] The descriptions of methods and processes described herein are provided merely as examples and are not intended to require or suggest that the steps of the various embodiments must be performed in the order presented. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the order of the steps in the embodiments described herein may be performed in any order. Words such as "then," "next," and "then," and similar words, are not intended to limit the order of the steps. These words are simply used to guide the reader through the description of the method. Furthermore, any reference to a claim element in the singular form using, for example, the articles "a," "an," or "the," should not be interpreted as limiting the element to the singular form, and in some cases may be interpreted as plural.

[0060] Various embodiments of the principles disclosed herein have been shown and described above, and modifications thereof can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the teachings of this disclosure. The embodiments described herein are merely representative and are not intended to be limiting. Many variations, combinations, and modifications are possible and within the scope of this disclosure. Alternative embodiments resulting from combining, integrating, and / or omitting features of the embodiments are also within the scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by the above description but is defined by the claims that follow, which include all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Each and all of the claims are incorporated herein as further disclosures, and the claims are embodiments of this disclosure. Furthermore, any of the above advantages and features may relate to a particular embodiment, but the application of such issued claims is not limited to processes and structures that achieve any or all of the above advantages or have any or all of the above features.

[0061] In addition, the section headings used herein are provided to be consistent with the proposals under 37, Section 1.77 of the Code of Federal Rules, or to provide a structural implication. These headings are not intended to limit or characterize the disclosures described in any claims that may be issued from this disclosure. For example, the description of the technology in “Background Art” should not be construed as acknowledging that a particular technology is prior art to any disclosure in this disclosure. Similarly, the “Abstract” should not be considered a limiting feature of the disclosures described in any claims that may be issued. Furthermore, no reference in this disclosure to the singular “Disclosure” or “Embodiment” should be used to assert that there is only one point of novelty in this disclosure. Multiple embodiments of this disclosure may be described in accordance with the limitations of multiple claims that may be issued from this disclosure, and such claims will therefore define this disclosure and their equivalents protected thereby. In all cases, the claims should be considered on their own merit in light of this disclosure, but should not be limited by the headings described herein.

[0062] Furthermore, the systems, subsystems, apparatus, techniques, and methods described and illustrated individually or separately in various embodiments may be combined with or integrated with other systems, modules, techniques, or methods without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Other devices or components shown or described as being coupled to or communicating with one another may be indirectly coupled, whether electrically, mechanically, or otherwise, through several intermediate devices or components. Other embodiments of modifications, substitutions, and alterations are readily apparent to those skilled in the art and can be made without departing from the scope disclosed herein.

[0063] Many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure described herein will be conceived by those skilled in the art who are interested in these embodiments and who benefit from the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings. The drawings show only certain components of the apparatus and systems described herein, but various other components may be used in conjunction with the components and structures disclosed herein. It should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. For example, various elements or components may be combined, rearranged, or integrated in another system, or certain features may be omitted or not implemented. Furthermore, the steps in any of the methods described above do not necessarily have to be performed in the order depicted in the appended drawings, and in some cases one or more of the depicted steps may be performed substantially simultaneously or may involve additional steps. Certain terms are used herein, but they are used in a general and descriptive sense only and not for limiting purposes.

Claims

1. A system for providing short-circuit protection, It is a dual-output current sensor, A current sensing element that detects current, A current comparison circuit that determines whether the detected current exceeds a predetermined threshold current, A first output channel that outputs an instruction for the detected current from the current sensor, A drive circuit that generates the amplified output of the current comparison circuit, A system comprising a dual-output current sensor, including a second output channel that outputs the amplified output of the current comparison circuit from the current sensor.

2. The current sensing element outputs a voltage proportional to the detected current. The current comparison circuit includes an analog-to-digital controller (ADC) and a controller. The ADC receives the voltage proportional to the detected current, and converts the voltage proportional to the detected current into a digital value of the detected current. The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller receives the digital value of the detected current and compares the digital value of the detected current with the predetermined threshold current.

3. Battery management system and The electric busbar that carries the detected current, The system further comprises a normally closed pyrotechnic switch connected in series with the aforementioned electric busbar, The first output channel outputs the detected current instruction to the battery management system. If the detected current exceeds the predetermined threshold current, the current sensor receives a command from the battery management system and activates the pyrotechnic switch. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second output channel outputs the amplified output of the current comparison circuit to the pyrotechnic switch, and in response to the current sensor receiving the command from the battery management system and activating the pyrotechnic switch, the pyrotechnic switch opens and interrupts the detected current on the electric busbar.

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