Charging Control Apparatus Pilot Signal Potential Manipulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charging control systems for plug-in vehicles do not effectively utilize the pilot signal from an oscillator within the charging cable for activation and abnormality detection in the charging system, relying on complex converters and lacking efficient connection and power status determination.
Innovation Solution
A charging control apparatus that includes a resistance element and a switching unit to manipulate the pilot signal's potential, allowing its use as an activation signal and enabling detection of connection and power status without requiring a Frequency to Voltage converter, and allowing for abnormality detection and timed charging initiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the pilot signal from the oscillator is directly used for activation and detection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of signal interpretation may deteriorate due to potential signal ambiguity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pilot signal potential changing unit as an intermediary component between the oscillator and the charging control apparatus. This unit actively manipulates the pilot signal potential to encode specific states (connection status, power status, abnormality conditions), making the signal unambiguous and reliable for detection without requiring complex conversion hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter being used for signal transmission by modulating the potential of the pilot signal itself. Instead of using frequency or voltage conversion, the system encodes information by varying the potential level of the existing pilot signal, simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining reliable detection through clear potential-based state indication.
2Measurement precision
If a Frequency to Voltage converter is used to process the pilot signal, then the measurement precision of signal status is improved, but the device complexity and hardware requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for Frequency to Voltage converters by introducing a pilot signal potential changing unit that directly manipulates the signal potential. This intermediary approach provides precise status detection through controlled potential changes without requiring complex conversion hardware, thereby maintaining measurement precision while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electronic conversion process (Frequency to Voltage conversion) with a direct potential manipulation approach. By using the pilot signal potential changing unit to directly control and indicate system states through potential levels, the system achieves the same detection precision without the complexity of conversion circuits.
3Ease of operation
If the resistance element is constantly connected to manipulate the pilot signal potential, then the ease of operation for signal interpretation is improved, but the ability to detect connection status and initiate charging at appropriate times deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the resistance element dynamic by controlling its connection and disconnection timing through the control unit. The resistance element is connected only when needed to manipulate the pilot signal potential for specific operations (connection detection, charging initiation), and disconnected otherwise. This dynamic approach maintains ease of signal interpretation while enabling precise timing control for charging operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic connection and disconnection of the resistance element to manipulate the pilot signal potential at appropriate moments. The control unit periodically activates the resistance element to encode status information and trigger charging initiation, creating a rhythmic pattern of signal manipulation that maintains interpretability while achieving timely charging start.
Data Source
AI summary
An oscillator provided in a charging cable outputs a non-oscillating signal when the potential of a pilot signal is around V(1), and outputs an oscillating signal when the potential of the pilot signal is lowered to V(2). A pull-down resistance element provided in the plug-in hybrid vehicle is connected between a control pilot line and a vehicle earth, and changes the potential of the pilot signal from V(1) to V(2). A switch is connected in series between the pull-down resistance element and the vehicle earth. When the charging cable is connected to the vehicle, the switch is turned off and the pull-down resistance element is separated from the vehicle earth.