Methods and apparatus for contactor weld detection in a vehicle
US11592485B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 2, 2020 |
| Grant date | Feb 28, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 22, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R16/0232
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The proposed mechanism for weld detection, uses isolation monitoring circuits (which is used for measurement of the leakage current between battery positive and negative to the chassis ground (on pack or link side) and checks the health status of the contactors. The mechanism connects isolation monitoring circuit between two points on the battery pack (between two sides of the high current contactors) and measures the resistance of two points, therefore checking the continuity of the contactors in the system. Since it can measure a range of resistance, it can also check if a contactor is completely welded or it has been partially welded. This would be important because in case of partial weld, the car can fix the problem and remove the partial weld by activating and deactivating the contactors for several time, with or without inserting high current in the coil of the contactors. Since the proposed mechanism is using available measurement circuits of the isolation monitoring unit and these circuits are designed with high reliability (which is required for the electrical vehicles), the proposed mechanism is going to lower the cost of the entire vehicle while keeping the passenger sa…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.