Plug-in Vehicle Charging Inlet Door State Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs) face limitations in allowing driving when the charging connector is not connected due to defective sensing devices or communication failures, leading to user inconvenience and safety concerns, as manufacturers restrict driving to comply with high-voltage electrical safety regulations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determine whether the charging inlet door is closed to enable driving power generation, even if the charging connector connection is not recognized, by using multiple controllers to assess the charging connector connection status and the charging inlet door state, allowing the vehicle to transition from a non-driving to a driving state when the door is closed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle limits driving power when charging connector connection is not recognized, then safety is guaranteed, but user convenience deteriorates due to unnecessary driving restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The charging inlet door state serves as an intermediary indicator to infer charging connector connection status. When the door is closed, it mediates the assumption that the connector is connected, allowing driving power generation even when direct sensing is unavailable. This resolves the contradiction by providing a safe proxy indicator that prevents unnecessary driving restrictions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the charging inlet door's own state (open/closed) to determine driving permission, rather than relying solely on external sensing devices. The door state itself provides the information needed to make safety decisions, eliminating the need for separate sensing mechanisms and reducing false restrictions due to sensor failures.
2Reliability
If the vehicle requires sensing device to confirm connector connection, then safety regulations are satisfied, but device complexity increases and repair needs arise from sensor failures
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the essential safety information (connector connection status) from the complex sensing device and replaces it with a simpler indicator (charging inlet door state). This removes the dependency on complex sensing devices while maintaining safety regulation compliance through the door state proxy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces expensive and failure-prone sensing devices with a simple, reliable mechanical indicator (door state). The door state serves as a durable, maintenance-free alternative to electronic sensors that can fail or require calibration, reducing device complexity and repair needs.
3Reliability
If the vehicle prohibits driving when sensing device fails, then safety is maintained, but productivity decreases due to vehicle immobilization
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment using the charging inlet door state before prohibiting driving. By checking the door state in advance, the system can determine whether the connector is likely connected, allowing driving permission to be granted even when sensing devices fail, thus maintaining vehicle availability without compromising safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts driving permission based on the charging inlet door state rather than maintaining a fixed prohibition when sensing fails. When the door is closed, driving is permitted; when open, driving is restricted. This dynamic approach maintains safety while maximizing vehicle productivity by avoiding unnecessary immobilization.
Data Source
AI summary
A plug-in vehicle is provided which prevents impossibility of driving even when a charging connector is not connected to the vehicle and a method of controlling the same. The method includes determining whether the vehicle is stopped and determining whether recognition of a connection of the charging connector to the vehicle is enabled. Additionally, the method includes determining whether a charging inlet door is open or closed, in response to determining that recognition of the connection of the charging connector to the vehicle is disenabled, and executing transition of the vehicle from a first state restricting generation of driving power to a second state permitting generation of driving power when the charging inlet door is closed.