Vehicle Charging Port Control for Threat-Triggered Drive-Away
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid/electric vehicles face challenges in managing power flow during charging operations, particularly in ensuring safe and secure vehicle operation when an unidentified individual approaches the charging station.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle is equipped with a controller that restricts power flow to the electric machine during charging, but overrides this restriction if an unidentified individual is detected approaching the vehicle, allowing the vehicle to be driven away if necessary. Additionally, the controller can automatically eject the charging connector from the electrical port in such situations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the controller restricts power flow from the battery to the electric machine during charging operation, then the battery charging safety is improved, but the vehicle operational readiness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the power flow restriction based on real-time sensor inputs. When sensors detect an unidentified individual approaching the vehicle, the controller automatically overrides the charging restriction and enables full vehicle operation, allowing the driver to depart safely. This dynamic response resolves the contradiction by making the system adaptable to changing security conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to continuously monitor the exterior environment and provides feedback to the controller. Based on this feedback about approaching individuals, the controller adjusts the power flow restriction status. This feedback mechanism enables the system to balance charging safety with operational readiness based on actual security conditions.
2Speed
If the controller automatically ejects the electrical connector from the electrical port during charging, then the vehicle can quickly respond to security threats, but the charging operation is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system takes preliminary protective action by automatically ejecting the electrical connector when a security threat is detected. This pre-emptive action prioritizes vehicle and driver safety over charging continuity, allowing the vehicle to quickly respond to and escape from potential security threats.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs the connector ejection automatically without requiring manual intervention from the driver. The controller autonomously detects the threat condition and executes the ejection sequence, enabling rapid response while freeing the driver to focus on safe vehicle operation and departure.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a battery, an electric machine, an electrical port, sensors, and a controller. The battery is configured to store electrical power. The electric machine is configured to receive electrical power from the battery to propel the vehicle. The electrical port is configured to receive an electrical connector of a charging station to initiate a charging operation of the battery. The sensors are configured to monitor an exterior of the vehicle. The controller is programmed to, in response to the sensors detecting an unidentified individual approaching the vehicle, eject the electrical connector from the electrical port or enable full operation of the vehicle.