EV ECU Jumpstart Control for Depleted Low-Voltage Battery Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles face challenges in accessing and charging a depleted low voltage battery, which prevents door opening, charging port access, and other operations, as they lack mechanical keys and rely on a functional low voltage battery for access systems.
Innovation Solution
An electronic control unit (ECU) is designed to accept external power, perform diagnostics, and execute jumpstart functions, including charging the low voltage battery, authenticating users, and activating vehicle access systems, using a bidirectional switch to manage power flow and ensure safe charging within threshold parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle relies on a low voltage battery for access systems and authentication, then the vehicle can perform authentication and access operations, but when the low voltage battery is depleted, the vehicle cannot be accessed or charged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary power source (external power supply) that can temporarily power the access system and ECU when the low voltage battery is depleted. This intermediary solution allows the vehicle to be accessed and the battery to be recharged without requiring mechanical keys or a functional low voltage battery, thus resolving the contradiction between system reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary diagnostics and authentication through the ECU before allowing charging to occur. By预先 checking the battery status, vehicle identification, and charging compatibility, the system ensures safe charging operations while maintaining secure access control, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
2Productivity
If external power is connected to charge the low voltage battery, then the battery can be recharged, but unsafe charging conditions may damage the battery or vehicle systems
Solution Approach 1:
The ECU continuously monitors charging parameters including voltage, current, and temperature during the charging process. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts charging parameters or terminates charging when threshold limits are exceeded, thus enabling safe charging operations while maintaining high charging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes charging parameters (voltage, current) based on real-time battery status and conditions. By dynamically adjusting these parameters within safe thresholds, the system maximizes charging speed while preventing harmful effects such as overheating or overcharging, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and safety.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the ECU performs comprehensive diagnostics on external power, then charging safety is ensured, but the authentication and access process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The ECU performs preliminary diagnostics and authentication checks before initiating charging operations. By conducting these checks in advance, the system ensures safety requirements are met before charging begins, while the structured sequence of checks keeps the complexity manageable through clear procedural organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The ECU serves multiple functions including authentication, diagnostics, charging control, and safety monitoring within a single integrated unit. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be separate complex systems into one cohesive component, thus ensuring comprehensive safety checks while minimizing overall system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables vehicle access and controlled charging of the low voltage battery, even when depleted, allowing door opening, seat movement, and other essential operations, ensuring safe and efficient power management.
Implementation Method 1
using a bidirectional switch to manage power flow and ensure safe charging within threshold parameters
Implementation Method 2
The ECU may charge the battery in a controlled manner using voltage, current, or temperature monitoring to ensure charging remains within threshold parameters
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatuses for jumpstarting an electric vehicle may include an electronic control unit (ECU) accepting external power connected to an externally accessible location of the vehicle and performing recovery functions. The ECU may conduct diagnostics on the received power and execute jumpstart mode steps if the power is acceptable. These steps may include powering and activating a vehicle access system to authenticate a user, activating latches to allow vehicle access, or providing power to seats or other components in order to obtain battery access. The ECU may determine whether to charge the low voltage battery based on diagnostic results.