Charging-Port EV Immobilizer With Control Pilot State Confirmation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles with battery power sources cannot be easily disabled, posing safety risks during maintenance or accidents as the battery can inadvertently engage with vehicle components, making it unsafe for operators or first responders to work on the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
An immobilizer device with a charging plug that connects to the vehicle's charging port, communicates with the vehicle's control system to disable the battery from powering the motor, and provides confirmation that the vehicle is immobilized, using input/output circuitry and a microprocessor to ensure safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the battery remains connected and operational in an electric vehicle, then the vehicle can be powered and operated, but the vehicle cannot be safely disabled for maintenance or accident response as the battery may inadvertently engage with vehicle components
Solution Approach 1:
The charging port serves as an intermediary interface that, when occupied by the immobilizing device, mediates between the external environment and the vehicle's power system. The device inserted into the charging port detects the vehicle state through the existing control pilot terminals and communicates immobilization status, using the charging port's existing electrical connections as a communication channel without requiring additional wiring or complex installation.
2Ease of operation
If traditional engine vehicles are disabled by turning off the engine, then the vehicle can be safely worked on, but electric vehicles lack an equivalent simple disablement mechanism as batteries cannot be simply turned off
Solution Approach 1:
The immobilizing device leverages the vehicle's existing communication infrastructure (control pilot terminals) to perform self-diagnosis and state confirmation. The device inserts itself into the charging port and uses the vehicle's own electrical system to detect whether the vehicle is in a safe state, eliminating the need for separate sensors or complex external monitoring systems.
3Reliability
If the vehicle controller is made aware of the immobilizing device through the charging port connection, then the vehicle can be immobilized, but there is no clear indication to operators that the vehicle is actually immobilized
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates visual indicators (such as LED lights) that change color or illuminate to provide clear, intuitive feedback to operators about the vehicle's immobilization status. This visual signaling system compensates for the lack of traditional warning lights or indicators that would otherwise be present on electric vehicles, making the immobilized state immediately apparent to anyone observing the device.
Data Source
AI summary
An immobilizer for immobilizing an electric vehicle, includes a handheld housing including a charging plug end adapted to fit in a charging port of the electric vehicle, control pilot electrical connectors adapted to make electrical contact with control pilot electrical terminals and proximity pilot electrical connectors adapted to make electrical contact with proximity pilot electrical terminals are provided. A voltage sensor coupled to the control pilot electrical connectors is arranged to measure a voltage of the control pilot electrical terminals. Operator output circuitry provides an output to an operator indicating the electric vehicle is immobilized. The microprocessor is coupled to the voltage sensor and controls the operator output in response to a voltage drop measured by the voltage sensor on the control pilot electrical terminals of the electric vehicle.