Power Line Communication Relay Energization via Request Signal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power line communication systems fail to maintain communication between the home-side and vehicle-side when the mechanical relay is shut off, requiring a special relay with a bypass.
Innovation Solution
A power line communication system where the home-side power line communication section transmits a communication request signal to the power transmission section, allowing the vehicle-side to energize the mechanical relay and initiate communication even when it is shut off.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical relay is used to shut off power in the charging cable, then power safety is improved, but communication between home-side and vehicle-side power line communication sections is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication request signal as an intermediary mechanism. When the mechanical relay is in the shut-off state, the home-side power line communication section can transmit a communication request signal through the charging cable to the vehicle-side power line communication section. This signal acts as a mediator that enables communication initiation without requiring power flow through the relay, thus resolving the contradiction between power safety (relay shut-off) and communication capability.
2Loss of information
If a bypass is provided for the relay to maintain communication, then communication capability is improved, but device complexity increases due to requiring a special relay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the communication function from the power transmission function. Instead of modifying the mechanical relay structure to include a bypass (which would increase device complexity), the solution separates communication signal transmission from power transmission. The communication request signal is transmitted through the existing charging cable infrastructure without requiring any structural modification to the mechanical relay, thus maintaining simple relay structure while enabling communication capability.
3Reliability
If the relay is kept shut off to ensure power safety, then power safety is maintained, but communication between home and vehicle cannot be established
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the home-side power line communication section transmit a communication request signal before actual power transmission begins. This preliminary communication signal allows the vehicle-side to prepare and confirm readiness for communication even when the mechanical relay is in the shut-off position, ensuring both power safety is maintained and communication operation is facilitated.
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 communication between the home-side and vehicle-side power line communication sections without the need for a special relay, ensuring continuous communication despite the mechanical relay being shut off.
Implementation Method 1
the vehicle-side power line communication section energizes, upon receiving the communication request signal transmitted by the home-side power line communication section, the mechanical relay
Data Source
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AI summary
A power line communication system in which a home's power line communication unit can communicate with a vehicle even when a relay is broken off without using a special relay. In this system, a vehicle's PLC communication unit (21) mounted in a vehicle (2) and a home's PLC communication unit (42) installed in a home communicate via a power transmission unit (3) that transmits communication signals and power to be supplied to the vehicle (2). The power transmission unit (3) includes a mechanical relay for conducting or shutting off power to the vehicle (2). The home's PLC communication unit (42) transmits a communication request signal for starting communication to the power transmission unit (3). When the vehicle's PLC communication unit (21) receives the communication request signal transmitted by the home's PLC communication unit (42), the vehicle's PLC communication unit (21) energizes the mechanical relay and then starts communication.