Vehicle Charge Controller Diagnostic Flag for Key Off Communication Faults
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Faults in communication between vehicle controllers during key off can prevent the initiation of scheduled traction battery charge events, as the hybrid powertrain control module may not wake up to initiate charging if it does not receive the wake up signal from the body control module within a predefined duration.
Innovation Solution
A diagnostic flag is set if the hybrid powertrain control module does not detect the wake up signal within a predetermined time, prompting it to initiate any scheduled charge event before entering low power mode, ensuring that the charge event occurs regardless of the scheduled time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hybrid powertrain control module waits for a wake up signal during key off to initiate scheduled charge events, then normal scheduled charging operation is maintained, but communication faults prevent charge initiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the hybrid powertrain control module proactively check for the absence of wake up signals and pre-emptively initiate scheduled charge events before the scheduled time. When a wake up signal is not received within an expected timeframe during key off, the controller sets a diagnostic flag and charges the battery immediately rather than waiting for the scheduled charge time, thus preventing charge initiation failures due to communication faults.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the controller enters low power mode during key off, then energy consumption is reduced, but scheduled charge events may be missed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the hybrid powertrain control module to autonomously detect communication failures during key off and self-correct by initiating scheduled charge events without external intervention. The controller monitors for wake up signals, detects their absence within a predetermined time, sets a diagnostic flag, and automatically proceeds to charge the traction battery without requiring user input or external system intervention, thus maintaining reliability while managing power consumption.
3Measurement precision
If the controller waits for precise timing to initiate charge events, then charging schedule accuracy is maintained, but communication delays cause charge failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the controller detect and respond to communication failures before the scheduled charge time arrives. By monitoring for wake up signals during key off and detecting their absence within a predetermined time window, the system proactively initiates the charge event in advance of the scheduled time, ensuring charging occurs despite communication delays while maintaining operational reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A charge system for a vehicle includes a traction battery and a controller. The controller, responsive to passage of a predetermined period of time following activation of the vehicle without detecting a wake up signal, sets a diagnostic flag. The controller further, responsive to deactivation of the vehicle, presence of the diagnostic flag, and presence of a request designating a future start time for a charge event of the traction battery, initiates the charge event regardless of the future start time. The controller may further, responsive to deactivation of the vehicle, absence of the diagnostic flag, and presence of the request designating the future start time for the charge event of the traction battery, inhibit start of the charge event until the future start time.