IP Library Granted Patent US 9,728,359
Granted Patent B1
US 9,728,359 · App. 15/247,392 · Granted Aug 8, 2017

Diagnostic system for a voltage regulator

Inventors: Kerfegar K. Katrak (Fenton, MI); Kunal Tipnis (Troy, MI)
Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
H01H47/002G01R19/16566G05F3/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,728,359
App. No.
15/247,392
Granted
Aug 8, 2017
Kind
B1
Abstract

A diagnostic system for a voltage regulator is provided. The diagnostic system includes a microcontroller having first and second analog-to-digital converters and first and second output ports. The first analog-to-digital converter outputs a first voltage value corresponding to the first voltage from the voltage regulator. The microcontroller executes a first diagnostic function to set a first voltage regulator diagnostic flag equal to a fault value indicating a voltage out of range condition, if the first voltage value is greater than a first threshold voltage value or the first voltage value is less than a second threshold voltage value. The microcontroller executes a second diagnostic function to stop generating first and second control signals to de-energize a contactor coil to open a contact of a contactor if the first voltage regulator diagnostic flag is equal to the fault value.

Claims (18)

1. A diagnostic system for a voltage regulator, comprising:

a microcontroller having first and second analog-to-digital converters and first and second output ports;

a first analog multiplexer having an input port and an output port, the output port of the first analog multiplexer being electrically coupled to the first analog-to-digital converter; the input port of the first analog multiplexer being electrically coupled to the voltage regulator;

a second analog multiplexer having an input port and an output port, the output port of the second analog multiplexer being electrically coupled to the second analog-to-digital converter;

a voltage step-down circuit having an input node and an output node, the input node of the voltage step-down circuit being electrically coupled to the voltage regulator, the output node of the voltage step-down circuit being electrically coupled to the input port of the second analog multiplexer;

the first analog multiplexer receiving a first voltage from the voltage regulator and outputting the first voltage to the first analog-to-digital converter;

the first analog-to-digital converter outputting a first voltage value corresponding to the first voltage from the voltage regulator; and

the microcontroller being programmed to execute a first diagnostic function to set a first voltage regulator diagnostic flag equal to a fault value indicating a voltage out of range condition, if the first voltage value is greater than a first threshold voltage value or the first voltage value is less than a second threshold voltage value.

2. The diagnostic system of claim 1 , wherein the microcontroller being further programmed to execute a second diagnostic function to stop generating first and second control signals to de-energize a contactor coil to open a contact of a contactor if the first voltage regulator diagnostic flag is equal to the fault value.

3. A diagnostic system for a voltage regulator, comprising:

a microcontroller having first and second analog-to-digital converters and first and second output ports;

a first analog multiplexer having an input port and an output port, the output port of the first analog multiplexer being electrically coupled to the first analog-to-digital converter; the input port of the first analog multiplexer being electrically coupled to the voltage regulator;

a second analog multiplexer having an input port and an output port, the output port of the second analog multiplexer being electrically coupled to the second analog-to-digital converter;

a voltage step-down circuit having an input node and an output node, the input node of the voltage step-down circuit being electrically coupled to the voltage regulator, the output node of the voltage step-down circuit being electrically coupled to the input port of the second analog multiplexer;

the second analog multiplexer receiving a first voltage from the output node of the voltage step-down circuit and outputting the first voltage to the second analog-to-digital converter;

the second analog-to-digital converter outputting a first voltage value corresponding to the first voltage from the voltage step-down circuit; and

the microcontroller being programmed to execute a first diagnostic function to set a first voltage regulator diagnostic flag equal to a fault value indicating a voltage out of range condition, if the first voltage value is greater than a first threshold voltage value or the first voltage value is less than a second threshold voltage value.

4. The diagnostic system of claim 3 , wherein the microcontroller being further programmed to execute a second diagnostic function to stop generating first and second control signals to de-energize a contactor coil to open a contact of a contactor if the first voltage regulator diagnostic flag is equal to the fault value.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2021
From: LG CHEM, LTD.
To: LG ENERGY SOLUTION, LTD.
Reel/Frame 058295/0068 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 25, 2016
From: KATRAK, KERFEGAR K.; TIPNIS, KUNAL
To: LG CHEM, LTD.
Reel/Frame 039543/0121 →
Continuity (1)
Provisional Application 62352159 · Jun 20, 2016