EV Charge Controller Circuit Simplification via Control Line Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charge controllers for electrically powered vehicles require complex circuitry to detect the state of connection of charging cables and control lines, leading to increased scale and complexity, particularly for detecting short-circuits and disconnections.
Innovation Solution
A charge controller with a simplified configuration using a control device that detects the state of connection and potential changes in the control signal, including a resistance circuit and switches to determine the connection status and potential changes, allowing for detection of short-circuits and disconnections without dedicated lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated circuitry and wirings are provided for generating and communicating signals representing connection state, then detection of charging cable connection state and control line defects becomes possible, but circuit scale and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control line is designed to serve dual purposes: transmitting pilot signals for charging control and enabling detection of connection states and defects. By making the control line multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate dedicated detection circuits, thus improving reliability without increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the detection function with the existing control line infrastructure. The control device merges the capabilities of signal transmission and status detection into a single integrated system, avoiding the need for separate dedicated detection wiring and reducing overall circuit complexity
2Measurement precision
If complex circuitry is used for detecting short-circuit and disconnection, then detection precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control line performs self-diagnosis by monitoring its own electrical characteristics. The control device detects short-circuits and disconnections by analyzing voltage levels and signal presence on the control line itself, without requiring external complex detection circuits. This self-service approach achieves high detection precision while maintaining simple circuitry
Solution Approach 2:
The patent detects defects by monitoring changes in electrical parameters (voltage levels, signal presence) on the control line. By measuring parameter changes rather than using complex dedicated detection circuits, the system achieves high measurement precision with minimal additional circuit complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A charging connector includes a lock button for locking the charging connector in a charging inlet, and a limit switch for electrically connecting a control pilot line and a ground line to each other in response to an operation of the lock button. The vehicle inlet includes a switch circuit for selectively connecting the control pilot line and the ground line with a resistance circuit, depending on whether a charging lid is open or closed. A CPU is configured to be able to supply a voltage to the control pilot line, and based on a potential of a control signal in accordance with presence/absence of voltage supply to the control pilot line, it detects the state of connection of a charging cable and the state of control pilot line.