Current Breaker Failure Diagnosis Using Charge Current Cutoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for diagnosing failures in current breaking devices of energy storage apparatuses require complex configurations, increasing costs and reducing reliability, and can cause power failures during diagnosis, especially in systems powering moving bodies.
Innovation Solution
A method for diagnosing current breaking device failures by measuring charge or discharge currents while maintaining power supply to electric loads, using a current sensor and a power supply apparatus to determine the presence or absence of failures without requiring additional switch circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a switch circuit that bypasses current is used for failure diagnosis, then failure diagnosis can be performed, but the configuration becomes complex and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The current breaking device performs self-diagnosis by utilizing the existing power supply apparatus and current sensor. The device instructs itself to perform cutoff while the power supply apparatus supplies power, and the current sensor measures whether current flows. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate switch circuits or additional diagnostic hardware, resolving the contradiction between achieving failure diagnosis capability and maintaining simple configuration.
2Reliability
If cutoff command is issued to current breaking device for failure diagnosis, then failure can be detected, but power supply to electric load is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply apparatus acts as an intermediary that provides an alternative power path during failure diagnosis. When the current breaking device receives a cutoff instruction, the power supply apparatus continues to supply power to the electric load through its own output, bypassing the current breaking device. This intermediary power supply mechanism allows the cutoff command to be issued for diagnosis purposes without causing actual power failure to the electric load.
3Reliability
If existing failure diagnosis method is used, then failure can be diagnosed, but additional switch circuits are required increasing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply apparatus and current sensor are designed to serve multiple functions: the power supply apparatus both supplies power to the electric load and provides the diagnostic power path during failure diagnosis, while the current sensor both monitors normal operation and detects failure states during diagnosis. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated diagnostic components, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining failure diagnosis capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for diagnosing failure of a current breaking device 21A included in a power supply system 12 of a vehicle 1 includes: a supply step of supplying power to a first electric load 11 and a first energy storage apparatus 13 by a power supply apparatus 14; a command step of commanding the current breaking device 21A to perform cutoff while power is supplied from the power supply apparatus 14 to the first electric load 11 and the first energy storage apparatus 13; and a determination step of measuring a charge current of a secondary battery 20A by a current sensor 21B while the cutoff is commanded to the current breaking device 21A, and determining presence or absence of failure of the current breaking device 21A based on a measured current value.