IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,525,915
Granted Patent B2
US 10,525,915 · App. 15/804,727 · Granted Jan 7, 2020

Redundant vehicle power supply control systems and methods

Inventors: John Sturza (Royal Oak, MI); Masahiro Kimoto (Plymouth, MI); Tsung-Han Tsai (Pittsfield Township, MI); David Anthony Symanow (Plymouth, MI); Ray C. Siciak (Ann Arbor, MI)
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
B60R16/033
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,525,915
App. No.
15/804,727
Granted
Jan 7, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

Method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling a high voltage power supply. An example vehicle includes first and second power supply buses, a high voltage power supply coupled to the first and second power supply buses, and a high voltage controller. The high voltage controller is configured to control the high voltage power supply, detect a short circuit on the first power supply bus, and responsively change a power source of the high voltage controller by activating an opto-isolator and one or more smart FETs.

Claims (28)

1. A vehicle comprising:

first and second power supply buses;

a high voltage power supply coupled to the first and second power supply buses; and

a high voltage controller configured to:

control the high voltage power supply;

detect a short circuit on the first power supply bus; and

responsively change a power source of the high voltage controller by activating an opto-isolator and one or more smart FETs.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the first and second power supply buses are coupled to respective first and second batteries.

3. The vehicle of claim 2 , wherein the first and second batteries are configured to be charged by the high voltage power supply.

4. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the first and second power supply buses are configured to control one or more vehicle systems comprising at least one of a steering system, brake system, and a vehicle drive control system.

5. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the high voltage controller is further configured to be powered by one of the first or second power supply bus, wherein changing the power source comprises switching from the first power supply bus to the second power supply bus.

6. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the high voltage controller comprises a first controller powered by the first power supply bus and a second controller powered by the second power supply bus, wherein only one of the first controller and the second controller is powered at a time.

7. The vehicle of claim 6 , wherein both the first controller and the second controller are configured to control the high voltage power supply.

8. The vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising a contactor power relay configured to control one or more contactors of the high voltage power supply, wherein the high voltage controller is further configured to control the contactor power relay.

9. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the high voltage controller is further configured to detect the short circuit on the first power supply bus using the one or more smart FETs.

10. A method comprising:

controlling, by a high voltage controller, a high voltage power supply coupled to a first power supply bus and a second power supply bus of a vehicle;

detecting a short circuit on the first power supply bus; and

responsively changing a power source of the high voltage controller by activating an opto-isolator and one or more smart FETs.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the first and second power supply buses are coupled to respective first and second batteries.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first and second batteries are configured to be charged by the high voltage power supply.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the first and second power supply buses are configured to control one or more vehicle systems comprising at least one of a steering system, brake system, and a vehicle drive control system.

14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the high voltage controller is further configured to be powered by one of the first or second power supply bus, wherein changing the power source comprises switching from the first power supply bus to the second power supply bus.

15. The method of claim 10 , wherein the high voltage controller comprises a first controller powered by the first power supply bus and a second controller powered by the second power supply bus, wherein only one of the first controller and the second controller is powered at a time.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein both the first controller and the second controller are configured to control the high voltage power supply.

17. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:

controlling, by the high voltage controller, a contactor power relay configured to control one or more contactors of the high voltage power supply.

18. The method of claim 10 , wherein detecting the short circuit on the first power supply bus comprises using the one or more smart FETs to detect the short circuit.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 11, 2017
From: STURZA, JOHN; KIMOTO, MASAHIRO; TSAI, TSUNG-HAN; SYMANOW, DAVID ANTHONY; SICIAK, RAY . C
To: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 044356/0358 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20190135206A1 · May 9, 2019
Cited By (1)
US 12,344,387