Loose plug detection
First Claim
1. A method for characterizing an electrical connection between an energy storage device of an electrical or hybrid vehicle and an external power supply, said method comprising:
- in said vehicle, receiving an alternating waveform from said power supply;
determining a fundamental frequency of said waveform;
determining that said waveform is distorted if a frequency of said waveform is different from said fundamental frequency, or if transients or pulses deviating from the fundamental frequency are detected in said waveform; and
if it is determined that said waveform is distorted,integrating a portion of said waveform,determining an average amplitude of said integrated portion, andif a difference between said average amplitude exceeds a reference amplitude, determining that the waveform is distorted and that said distortion is an indication of a loose connection between said vehicle and said power supply; and
if a transient of said waveform is identified, and if said transient has a slope different from a slope of said waveform at said fundamental frequency, determining that said distortion is an indication of a loose connection between said vehicle and said power supply.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
According to the disclosure there is provided a method for characterizing an electrical connection between an energy storage device of an electrical or hybrid vehicle and an external power supply. The method may include, in the vehicle, receiving an alternating waveform from the power supply, determining a fundamental frequency of the waveform, determining if the waveform is distorted, and, if it is determined that the waveform is distorted, determining if the distortion is an indication of a loose connection between the vehicle and the power supply. There is further provided a charging system for characterizing an electrical connection between an energy storage device of an electrical or hybrid vehicle and an external power supply.
11 Citations
12 Claims
-
1. A method for characterizing an electrical connection between an energy storage device of an electrical or hybrid vehicle and an external power supply, said method comprising:
-
in said vehicle, receiving an alternating waveform from said power supply; determining a fundamental frequency of said waveform; determining that said waveform is distorted if a frequency of said waveform is different from said fundamental frequency, or if transients or pulses deviating from the fundamental frequency are detected in said waveform; and if it is determined that said waveform is distorted, integrating a portion of said waveform, determining an average amplitude of said integrated portion, and if a difference between said average amplitude exceeds a reference amplitude, determining that the waveform is distorted and that said distortion is an indication of a loose connection between said vehicle and said power supply; and if a transient of said waveform is identified, and if said transient has a slope different from a slope of said waveform at said fundamental frequency, determining that said distortion is an indication of a loose connection between said vehicle and said power supply. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A system in a vehicle for characterizing an electrical connection between an energy storage device of an electrical or hybrid vehicle and an external power supply, said system comprising:
-
a control unit configured to receive an alternating current waveform from said power supply, said control unit being configured to determine a fundamental frequency of said waveform, a relay unit arranged to receive said current waveform from said power supply and, depending on a control signal received from said control unit, configured to control a supply of said current waveform from said power supply to said energy storage device, and a rectifier unit, connected between said relay unit and said energy storage device, configured to receive said current waveform from said relay unit, rectify said current waveform, and to deliver said rectified current to said energy storage device; wherein said control unit is configured to detect a distortion of said waveform if a frequency of said waveform is different from said fundamental frequency, or if transients or pulses deviating from the fundamental frequency are detected in said waveform, and wherein said control unit is further configured to, if a distortion is detected, integrating a portion of said waveform, determine an average amplitude of said integrated portion, and if a difference between said average amplitude exceeds a reference amplitude, determine that the waveform is distorted and that the detected distortion is an indication of a loose connection between said vehicle and said power supply; and if a transient of said waveform is identified, and if said transient has a slope different from a slope of said waveform at said fundamental frequency, determine that a detected distortion is an indication of a loose connection between said vehicle and said power supply. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
-
Specification