Systems and methods for determining fuse loads for fuses having multiple loads from multiple sub-models

• US 10,054,629 B2
• Filed: 11/09/2015
• Issued: 08/21/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Incorporated (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Incorporated (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Meng, Ming Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Bhat, Aditya
• Application Number:
  US14/936,525
• Publication Number:
  US 20170131342A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,016 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/03 for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems or for circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/74 Testing of fuses

Abstract

A system can include a memory that can store a fuse load database including a list of fuses, a list of loads each designed to be coupled to at least one fuse from the list of fuses and a list of current values each corresponding to a load from the list of loads. The system can also include an input device configured to receive a selection of a fuse from the list of fuses. The system can also include a modeling processor coupled to the memory and the input device. The modeling processor can determine one or more loads from the list of loads that are designed to be coupled to the selected fuse. The modeling processor can also generate load summary data corresponding to a sum of the current values that correspond to the one or more loads.

Claims

1. A system for determining whether total current that can flow through fuses is at or below a predetermined current limit that is based on a current rating of the fuses, the system comprising:

an output device configured to output data;

a memory configured to store;

a fuse load database including an identifier of each of the fuses, a list of loads that are each designed to be coupled to at least one fuse and current values each corresponding to a load from the list of loads, and

a digital model of a vehicle that includes multiple digital sub-models including the fuses, the loads, and connections between the fuses and the loads;

an input device configured to receive a selection of a fuse; and

a modeling processor coupled to the output device, the memory, and the input device and configured to;

generate or update the fuse load database by iteratively comparing the selected fuse to each of the multiple digital sub-models to determine which of the loads are designed to be coupled to the selected fuse based on the connections between the fuses and the loads,

determine one or more loads from the list of loads that are designed to be coupled to the selected fuse based on a comparison of the selected fuse to the fuse load database,

generate load summary data corresponding to a sum of the current values that correspond to the one or more loads, and

control the output device to output the load summary data such that a user can more efficiently determine load currents connected to the selected fuse.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the output device includes a display coupled to the modeling processor and wherein the modeling processor is further configured to cause the display to display a sub-model diagram corresponding to one of the multiple digital sub-models and including the selected fuse and wherein the selected fuse is selected from the sub-model diagram.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the load summary data includes a sum of long-term load current values that correspond to the one or more loads that are designed to be coupled to the selectable fuse and a sum of short-term load current values that correspond to the one or more loads that are designed to be coupled to the selectable fuse.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the modeling processor is further configured to determine load detail data including a list of the one or more loads that are designed to be coupled to the selected fuse, a list of terminals each designed to be positioned between the selected fuse and at least one corresponding load from the list of one or more loads, a description of each of the one or more loads that are designed to be coupled to the selected fuse and a current value that is associated with each of the one or more loads that are designed to be coupled to the selected fuse.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the output device includes a display coupled to the modeling processor and configured to display the load detail data and wherein the input device is further configured to receive a selection of a terminal from the list of terminals and the modeling processor is further configured to cause the display to display a sub-model diagram corresponding to one of the multiple digital sub-models and including the selected fuse, the selected terminal and the at least one load corresponding to the selected terminal.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein the output device includes a display coupled to the modeling processor and configured to display the load detail data and wherein:

the load detail data also includes a power line designed to be coupled between a power source and the selected fuse;

the input device is further configured to receive input corresponding to a selection of the power line; and

the modeling processor is further configured to cause the display to display a power sub-model corresponding to one of the multiple digital sub-models and including at least the power line and the power source.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the modeling processor is further configured to control the output device to output a warning if the sum of the current values is greater than the predetermined current limit.

8. A method for determining whether total current that can flow through fuses is at or below a predetermined current limit that is based on a current rating of the fuses comprising:

storing, in a memory, a digital model of a vehicle that includes multiple digital sub-models including the fuses and loads connected to the fuses;

generating or updating, by a modeling processor, a fuse load database that includes an identifier of each of the fuses, a list of loads that are designed to be coupled to each of the fuses, and current values each corresponding to one of the loads, the fuse load database being generated or updated by iteratively comparing the identifier of each of the fuses to each of the multiple digital sub-models to identify the loads that are designed to be coupled to the fuses;

storing, in the memory, the fuse load database;

receiving, via an input device, a selection of a fuse;

determining, by a modeling processor, one or more loads from the list of loads that are designed to be coupled to the selected fuse by comparing the selected fuse to the fuse load database;

generating, by the modeling processor, load summary data corresponding to a sum of the current values that correspond to the one or more loads; and

outputting, by an output device, the load summary data such that a user can more efficiently determine load currents connected to the selected fuse.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising displaying, by a display, a sub-model diagram corresponding to one of the multiple digital sub-models and including the selected fuse and at least one of the one or more loads that are designed to be coupled to the selected fuse, wherein the selected fuse is selected from the sub-model diagram.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the load summary data includes a sum of long-term load current values that correspond to the one or more loads that are designed to be coupled to the selected fuse and a sum of short-term load current values that correspond to the one or more loads that are designed to be coupled to the selected fuse.

11. The method of claim 8 further comprising determining, by the modeling processor, load detail data including a list of the one or more loads that are designed to be coupled to the selected fuse, a list of terminals each designed to be positioned between the selected fuse and at least one corresponding load from the list of one or more loads that are designed to be coupled to the selected fuse, a description of each of the one or more loads that are designed to be coupled to the selected fuse and a current value that is associated with each of the one or more loads that are designed to be coupled to the selected fuse.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

displaying, by a display, the load detail data;

receiving, via the input device, a selection of a terminal from the list of terminals; and

causing, by the modeling processor, the display to display a sub-model diagram corresponding to one of the multiple digital sub-models and including the selected fuse, the selected terminal, and the at least one load corresponding to the selected terminal.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

displaying, by a display, the load detail data that further includes a power line designed to be coupled between a power source and the selected fuse;

receiving, via the input device, input corresponding to a selection of the power line; and

causing, by the modeling processor, the display to display a power sub-model corresponding to one of the multiple digital sub-models and including at least the power line and the power source.

14. The method of claim 8 further comprising outputting, by the output device, a warning if the sum of the current values is greater than the predetermined current limit.

15. A method for determining whether total current that can flow through fuses is at or below a predetermined current limit that is based on a current rating of the fuses comprising:

storing, in a memory, a digital model of a vehicle that includes multiple digital sub-models including the fuses and loads that are designed to be connected to the fuses;

storing, in the memory, a fuse load database including an identifier of each of the fuses, a list of loads that are designed to be coupled to at least one fuse and current values each corresponding to a load from the list of loads;

displaying, by a display, a first sub-model diagram corresponding to one of the multiple digital sub-models and including a selectable fuse of the fuses and one or more loads from the list of loads that are designed to be coupled to the selectable fuse;

receiving, via an input device, input data corresponding to a selection of the selectable fuse;

generating, by the modeling processor, load summary data corresponding to a sum of the current values that correspond to the one or more loads that are designed to be coupled to the selectable fuse by comparing the selectable fuse to the fuse load database; and

displaying, by the display, the load summary data such that a user can more efficiently determine load currents connected to the selectable fuse.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the load summary data includes a sum of long-term load current values that correspond to the one or more loads that are designed to be coupled to the selectable fuse and a sum of short-term load current values that correspond to the one or more loads that are designed to be coupled to the selectable fuse.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising determining, by the modeling processor, load detail data including a list of the one or more loads that are designed to be coupled to the selected fuse, a list of terminals each designed to be positioned between the selected fuse and at least one corresponding load from the list of one or more loads, a description of each of the one or more loads that are designed to be coupled to the selected fuse and a current value that is associated with each of the one or more loads that are designed to be coupled to the selected fuse.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

displaying, by the display, the load detail data;

receiving, via the input device, a selection of a terminal from the list of terminals; and

causing, by the modeling processor, the display to display a second sub-model diagram corresponding to another of the multiple digital sub-models and including the selected fuse, the selected terminal and the at least one load configured to be coupled to the selected terminal.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

displaying, by the display, the load detail data that further includes a power line coupled between a power source and the selected fuse;

receiving, via the input device, input corresponding to a selection of the power line; and

causing, by the modeling processor, the display to display a power sub-model corresponding to another of the multiple digital sub-models and including at least the power line and the power source.

20. The method of claim 15 further comprising outputting, by the display, a warning if the sum of the current values is greater than the predetermined current limit.