IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,550,422
Granted Patent B2
US 9,550,422 · App. 14/156,552 · Granted Jan 24, 2017

Vehicle high voltage interlock startup

Inventors: Daniel Richard Luedtke (Beverly Hills, MI); Fazal Urrahman Syed (Canton, MI); Edward William Haran (Northville, MI)
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
B60L3/0023Y02T10/7005
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,550,422
App. No.
14/156,552
Granted
Jan 24, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A vehicle high voltage system may include switches (e.g., IGBTs, contactors, relays, etc.), wires, a traction battery, electrical components with electrical properties and at least one controller. The at least one controller may be programmed to modulate a switch to provide a testing voltage for the electrical components, which is less than an operating voltage of the battery, and in response to a current flow associated with the testing voltage being less than a predetermined threshold, stop current flow between the battery and electrical components.

Claims (18)

1. A vehicle comprising:

a traction battery having an operating voltage;

a power converter electrically connecting the battery and a motor; and

at least one controller programmed to

in response to activation of the motor, cause the converter to output a test voltage to the motor less than the operating voltage of the battery,

in response to output by the converter associated with the test voltage being indicative of a fault, stop current flow between the battery and motor, and

in response to the output falling within a predetermined range indicative of a connection between the battery and motor, connect the battery and motor such that current flows between the battery and motor to achieve the operating voltage.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the output being greater than the predetermined range is indicative of a fault.

3. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the at least one controller is further programmed to, in response to the output falling within the predetermined range, activate a pre-charge circuit connected to the battery and motor.

4. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the test voltage is less than 60 volts and the operating voltage is greater than 100 volts.

5. The vehicle of claim 4 , wherein the test voltage is greater than 12 volts.

6. A method comprising:

modulating a switch connected with a battery and motor to provide a test voltage for the motor less than an operating voltage of the battery;

preventing current flow from the battery to the motor responsive to output associated with the test voltage being less than a predetermined amount; and

enabling current flow from the battery to the motor at the operating voltage responsive to the output falling within a predetermined range.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising preventing current flow from the battery to the motor responsive to the output being greater than the predetermined range.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the test voltage is less than 60 volts and the operating voltage is greater than 100 volts.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the test voltage is greater than 12 volts.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 16, 2014
From: LUEDTKE, DANIEL RICHARD; SYED, FAZAL URRAHMAN; HARAN, EDWARD WILLIAM
To: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 031983/0336 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20150197153A1 · Jul 16, 2015