EV Connector Lock Retry Control to Prevent Auxiliary Battery Drain
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing charge and discharge apparatuses for electric vehicles face issues where the connector locking mechanism consumes auxiliary battery power excessively due to repeated locking operations, leading to potential depletion, especially when the connector is not properly connected.
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 auxiliary battery power. Additionally, location and state of charge (SOC) information is used to optimize the locking process, and notification is sent to the power supplier when the connector is not locked.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the command device repeatedly resends the lock command to ensure connector locking, then the reliability of connector locking is improved, but the auxiliary battery power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the controller sends completion signals to the command device to confirm whether the connector has been successfully locked. The command device monitors these feedback signals and stops resending lock commands when confirmation is received or when a predetermined number of attempts is reached, thus balancing reliability with power conservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The command device performs a limited number of lock command resends (predetermined number of times) rather than continuous or excessive attempts. This partial action approach ensures adequate locking reliability while preventing excessive power consumption from unlimited retry attempts.
2Reliability
If the lock device is activated to lock the connector, then the connector security is improved, but the auxiliary battery power depletes
Solution Approach 1:
The lock command is sent just before the exchange of electric power is started, as predetermined timing. This preliminary action ensures the connector is locked at the appropriate moment without unnecessary early locking operations that would waste power.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from completion signals to determine whether to continue or stop lock operations. When the controller confirms successful locking and sends a completion signal, or when the predetermined number of attempts is reached, the command device stops sending lock commands, preventing excessive power consumption.
3Measurement precision
If the command device continuously monitors locking status by resending lock commands, then the locking confirmation accuracy is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The command device receives completion signals from the controller that provide accurate feedback on locking status. This feedback mechanism enables precise confirmation of whether the connector is locked without requiring continuous monitoring or excessive command resending, thus maintaining measurement precision while reducing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs a predetermined number of lock command resends rather than continuous monitoring. This partial action provides sufficient locking confirmation accuracy for practical purposes while avoiding the excessive power consumption that would result from continuous or unlimited monitoring attempts.
Data Source
AI summary
A power management system includes a vehicle, a charge and discharge apparatus including a cable and a connector, and a command device. The vehicle includes an inlet, a lock device, an electrical storage device, and a controller. 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.