Electric Selector Control System for Charging Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid and electric motor vehicles may be driven while connected to a charging station, risking damage to the vehicle and charging infrastructure if the driver is not aware of the charging status.
Innovation Solution
An electric selector control system that includes a drive selector, a control unit, and an actuator to displace the selector between active and inactive positions when connected to a charging station, with a shield inhibiting operation when in the inactive position, ensuring the vehicle cannot be driven during charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the drive selector is made fully operational during charging, then the driver can select any drive mode, but the vehicle may be driven accidentally causing damage to the vehicle and charging station
Solution Approach 1:
The drive selector's operational state is dynamically changed based on charging status. During charging, the selector is automatically displaced to an inactive position by an actuator, preventing harmful operation. When charging is complete, the selector returns to its active position, restoring full operability. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction by adapting the selector's functionality to the current operational context.
Solution Approach 2:
A shield is introduced as an intermediary element between the driver and the drive selector during charging. The shield physically blocks access to the selector, preventing accidental drive mode changes. The shield is automatically deployed when charging is detected and retracted when charging completes, allowing the selector to remain in place while controlling its operability based on charging status.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the drive selector is disabled during charging, then accidental vehicle operation is prevented, but the driver cannot select drive modes even when charging is complete
Solution Approach 1:
The drive selector's operational state is dynamically changed based on charging status. During charging, the selector is automatically displaced to an inactive position by an actuator, preventing harmful operation. When charging is complete, the selector returns to its active position, restoring full operability. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction by adapting the selector's functionality to the current operational context.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the charging status through a charging indicator and uses this feedback to control the actuator's operation. When the charging indicator shows charging is complete, the control unit activates the actuator to return the selector to its active position. This feedback mechanism ensures the selector's state always reflects the current charging status, preventing accidental operation during charging while restoring full functionality when charging is complete.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a shield is deployed to block the drive selector, then drive mode selection is prevented during charging, but transmission range changes and fault signal responses remain accessible
Solution Approach 1:
The shield is designed to provide selective blocking rather than complete isolation. It is positioned to specifically block access to the drive selector for drive mode changes, while leaving other control elements such as transmission range selectors and fault signal indicators accessible. This localized shielding approach prevents harmful drive mode selections during charging while maintaining necessary vehicle control capabilities, resolving the contradiction by applying the blocking function only where needed.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electric selector control system (5) for a vehicle having an electric drive motor and a battery. The electric selector control system (5) has a drive selector for selecting a vehicle drive mode. A control unit (1) is configured to receive a connection signal to indicate that the vehicle is connected to a charging station. Also, the electric selector control system (5) has a shield for inhibiting operation of the drive selector when the control unit (1) determines that the vehicle is connected to a charging station. The electric selector control system (5) can be combined with a transmission control module (11). The invention also relates to a method of operating an electric selector control system (5).