EV Connector Lock Control to Prevent Auxiliary Battery Drain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power management systems face challenges in preventing the depletion of electrical storage device power due to repeated operations of lock devices, especially when the connector is not properly connected, leading to unnecessary energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A power management system and method that includes a command device sending a lock command to a controller to lock the connector before power exchange, with a mechanism to stop resending the lock command if confirmation of locking is not received after multiple attempts, thereby conserving energy by avoiding continuous operation of the lock device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lock device is operated repeatedly to lock the connector, then the connector locking reliability is improved, but the electric power of the auxiliary battery depletes
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the control device monitors whether the connector is properly connected before commanding the lock device to operate. The control device receives connection status information and only activates the lock device when the connector is confirmed to be properly connected, preventing unnecessary repeated operations that would deplete battery power while maintaining reliable locking when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs a preliminary check of the connector connection status before activating the lock device. By verifying proper connection in advance, the system avoids unnecessary lock device operations that would consume auxiliary battery power, while ensuring the lock device is activated when the connector is properly connected to maintain reliable locking.
2Productivity
If the lock device is activated without proper connector connection confirmation, then the locking operation is performed, but unnecessary energy consumption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The control device receives feedback information about connector connection status from the communication device. Based on this feedback, the control device intelligently determines whether to activate the lock device, activating it only when the connector is properly connected. This prevents unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining efficient locking operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the communication device within the vehicle to automatically detect and report connector connection status to the control device. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual intervention or unnecessary lock device operations, reducing energy consumption while maintaining efficient locking when the connector is properly connected.
Data Source
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AI summary
A power management system (1) includes a vehicle (50; 50A; 50B; 50C), a charge and discharge apparatus (40; 40A; 40B) including a cable (42) and a connector (43), and a command device (10; 20; 30; 40). The vehicle includes an inlet (160), a lock device (162), an electrical storage device (130), and a controller (200). The command device, just before an exchange of electric power with the vehicle is started, sends a lock command to the controller to cause the lock device to lock the connector such that the connector does not come off from the inlet. The controller controls the lock device such that the connector is locked upon receiving the lock command and sends a completion signal to the command device upon confirming that the connector is locked. The command device, when not receiving the completion signal after sending the lock command, resends the lock command, and, when, after resending the lock command, failing to confirm that the connector is locked, stops resending the lock command.