Resilient High-Voltage Interlock Loop for Electric Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric and hybrid-electric vehicles are limited by traditional design and infrastructure, failing to fully leverage new technologies and power sources, leading to inefficient charging methods and lack of adaptability.
Innovation Solution
The development of an electric vehicle system that incorporates various charging methods, including robotic, aerial, and overhead charging, along with advanced data management and automation, allowing for autonomous operation and efficient energy distribution, and enabling vehicles to adapt to changing technological demands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional charging infrastructure is used, then vehicle charging is simple to implement, but charging efficiency and adaptability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multiple charging methods (robotic charging, aerial charging, overhead charging) within a single vehicle system, allowing the vehicle to adapt to different charging infrastructures and environments, thereby achieving multi-functionality and improved adaptability
2Reliability
If conventional high-voltage interlock loops are used, then circuit continuity detection is simple, but reliability is insufficient due to false positives from resistance changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary capacitor in parallel with the high-voltage load and uses voltage change rate detection as a mediator to distinguish between normal resistance changes and actual circuit faults, thereby improving detection reliability without directly complicating the interlock loop structure
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors voltage changes across the capacitor and uses feedback control to distinguish between normal operational resistance changes and actual circuit faults, enabling more reliable fault detection through dynamic feedback analysis
3Adaptability or versatility
If standard frame sizes and materials are used, then vehicle manufacturing is straightforward, but new technologies and power sources cannot be fully utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic charging solutions including mobile robotic charging units and aerial charging systems that can adapt to different vehicle types and locations, allowing the system to evolve and accommodate new technologies without requiring complete redesign of vehicle manufacturing processes
Data Source
AI summary
Systems of an electrical vehicle and the operations thereof are provided. High-voltage interlock (HVIL) determines if a high-voltage system, such as a power source (e.g., vehicle battery), a load (e.g., vehicle motor), and conductors therebetween, have been properly connected. If not, battery contactor is not allowed to be closed or, if already closed, opened. A redundant HVIL system is provided to mitigate the false positives associated with an HVIL component failure.