Hardware Driver Circuit for Electric Vehicle Charging Switch Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charging systems for electric motor vehicles face high demands on functional safety, leading to labor-intensive and cost-intensive condition monitoring, particularly due to software-based implementations that are complex and prone to errors, as per ISO 26262 standards.
Innovation Solution
A device with a hardware-based driver circuit that controls charging switches, utilizing condition monitoring units and status monitoring sensors to indicate connection and locking states, and temperature monitoring, reducing the complexity and cost of implementing functional safety by preventing unintended charging switch closures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If software-based condition monitoring is implemented in a control unit, then functional safety requirements can be met, but the implementation becomes labor-intensive and cost-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces software-based condition monitoring with a hardware-based driver circuit that directly controls the charging switch. The driver circuit monitors connection status through electrical signals and automatically controls the charging switch without requiring complex software implementation, thereby reducing implementation effort while maintaining functional safety according to ISO 26262
Solution Approach 2:
The driver circuit acts as an intermediary between the condition monitoring function and the charging switch. It receives connection status signals, processes them through hardware logic, and controls the charging switch accordingly, eliminating the need for complex software control while ensuring functional safety
2Ease of operation
If software-based charging switch control is implemented, then charging control functionality is achieved, but errors can lead to unintended closing of the charging switch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces software-based charging switch control with hardware-based driver circuit control. The driver circuit directly responds to connection status signals through hardware logic, eliminating software errors that could cause unintended charging switch closure while maintaining ease of charging control operation
Solution Approach 2:
The driver circuit is designed to prevent unintended charging switch closure by requiring specific connection status conditions to be met before enabling charging. The hardware logic inherently prevents incorrect operation by only allowing charging when proper connection is detected, providing preliminary protection against safety errors
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for charging a motor vehicle (10). The device has a first connector (14), in particular a plug connector, for connecting to a charging cable of an electric charging station. The first connector (14) has an electrical charging port (14A) for receiving an electrical charging current to charge the electrical energy storage device (12). The device has at least one first status monitoring unit (14B, 14C, 14D) for outputting an electrical signal indicating the status of a connection between the first connector (14) and the charging cable. The device has a first charging switch (18) for connecting and disconnecting the electrical charging port (14A) of the first connector (14) and the electrical energy storage device (12).The device includes a driver circuit (22) that controls an electrical power supply (58) of the first charging switch (18) based on one or more electrical signals from the at least one first condition monitoring unit (14B, 14C, 14D).