Vehicle Discharge Control via Cable Current Rating Signal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current charge-discharge systems for electric vehicles do not effectively manage the permissible current value during discharging, lacking a standardized method to notify the vehicle control unit of the electric power cable's current rating, which can lead to unprotected discharge and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
The system includes a control device in the vehicle that obtains the permissible current value from a specific signal transmitted by the electric power cable before discharging, allowing it to control the discharge based on this value and stop if the current exceeds the limit, ensuring the cable's protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the vehicle discharges electric power to an external load through an electric power cable, then the electric storage section can supply power to external devices, but the cable may be damaged due to excessive current flow without proper current rating management
Solution Approach 1:
The control device obtains the permissible current value from the control pilot signal before starting the discharge process. This preliminary acquisition of current rating information allows the system to pre-establish protection parameters, ensuring that discharge current is limited to safe levels from the outset, thereby preventing cable damage while enabling power discharge
Solution Approach 2:
The control device continuously monitors the discharge current and compares it against the permissible current value obtained from the control pilot signal. When the discharge current approaches or exceeds the permissible limit, the control device adjusts or stops the discharge to protect the cable, creating a closed-loop feedback control system that balances power delivery with cable protection
2Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle uses an existing charging cable for discharging, then the same infrastructure can be used for both charging and discharging, but there is no standardized method to notify the vehicle control unit of the cable's current rating for discharge protection
Solution Approach 1:
The control pilot signal, originally designed for charging operations, is repurposed to convey permissible current value information for discharge operations as well. This allows the same cable and communication infrastructure to serve both charging and discharging functions, with the control pilot signal providing necessary current rating information for discharge protection
Solution Approach 2:
The electric power cable itself provides the permissible current value information through the control pilot signal without requiring external configuration or additional communication protocols. The cable's own characteristics (current rating) are communicated autonomously to the vehicle control unit, enabling self-protection functionality
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a charge-discharge system CDS. The charge-discharge system includes the vehicle 10, an electric power cable 20, a plug-in station 30, a HEMS 40, and a commercial power supply 50. In a state where the connector 21 of the electric power cable 20 is connected with the inlet of the vehicle 10, an electric power is discharged/supplied from the vehicle electric storage device 11 to an external electric load (e.g., external electric storage device 41). Further, the vehicle electric storage device 11 is capable of being charged by the external power supply 50 through the electric power cable 20. A control device 12 of the vehicle 10 obtains/detects a permissible current value of the electric power cable 20, based on a specific signal (control pilot signal) which is transmitted through a CPLT terminal of the connector 21 before it starts the discharge to the external electric load from the vehicle electric storage device 11.