EV Charging LED Indicator Fault Detection via Control Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle charging systems lack the ability to detect malfunctions in LED display devices that indicate charging states, making it difficult to identify and diagnose issues.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that analyze control signals to determine if an LED indicator is malfunctioning and identify the type of malfunction by generating interrupt signals and converting analog voltage values to digital values, using threshold values to determine normal operation or specific fault types such as short to ground or cable open.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If an LED display device is installed to display charging state, then user awareness of charging state is improved, but the ability to detect malfunctions is worsened (no malfunction detection capability)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control signal sent to the LED indicator is monitored and analyzed. The controller receives feedback about the indicator's operation status by detecting whether the indicator responds correctly to control signals, enabling malfunction detection without adding separate hardware
2Reliability
If separate hardware is added to detect LED indicator malfunctions, then malfunction detection capability is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the controller multi-functional by enabling it to perform both its original function (controlling the LED indicator) and the additional function (detecting indicator malfunctions) using the same hardware resources. The controller analyzes its own control signals and the indicator's responses, eliminating the need for separate detection hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-diagnosis where the controller monitors its own output signals and evaluates whether the LED indicator is responding correctly. This self-service approach allows the system to detect malfunctions without external or separate monitoring equipment
3Device complexity
If malfunction detection is implemented without separate hardware, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision is worsened (difficulty in accurately detecting malfunction types)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical measurement hardware with signal analysis methods. Instead of using separate sensors or measurement devices, the system substitutes electrical signal monitoring and logical analysis to detect and classify malfunctions. The controller analyzes the electrical characteristics of control signals and compares expected versus actual indicator responses to precisely identify malfunction types
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables convenient detection of LED indicator malfunctions and their types without requiring separate hardware, improving diagnostic capabilities and user safety by analyzing control signals.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage detection unit configured to convert an analog value of the control signal to a digital value to detect a voltage value of the control signal
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an apparatus for detecting malfunction, the apparatus detecting malfunction of a display device for displaying a charging state of a vehicle battery according to a control signal. The apparatus for detecting malfunction according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: an interrupt generation unit for generating an interrupt signal if the control signal satisfies a preset event; a voltage detection unit for detecting a voltage value of the control signal by converting an analog value of the control signal into a digital value; and a determination unit for detecting at least one among whether or not the display device has malfunction and a malfunction type on the basis of at least one among whether or not the display device operates, whether or not the interrupt signal is generated, and the voltage value of the control signal.