17961733. ELECTRIFIED VEHICLE WITH ACTIVE DISCHARGE OF HIGH-VOLTAGE BUS simplified abstract (Ford Global Technologies, LLC)

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ELECTRIFIED VEHICLE WITH ACTIVE DISCHARGE OF HIGH-VOLTAGE BUS

Organization Name

Ford Global Technologies, LLC

Inventor(s)

Hongjie Wu of Canton MI (US)

Yuqing Tang of Northville MI (US)

ELECTRIFIED VEHICLE WITH ACTIVE DISCHARGE OF HIGH-VOLTAGE BUS - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 17961733 titled 'ELECTRIFIED VEHICLE WITH ACTIVE DISCHARGE OF HIGH-VOLTAGE BUS

Simplified Explanation

The patent application describes an electrified vehicle with an active discharge system that includes resistors connected in parallel, a switch connected in series with the resistors, and a controller programmed to manage the system based on the voltage of the high-voltage DC bus.

  • The active discharge system includes resistors connected in parallel and a switch in series with the resistors.
  • The system is connected across positive and negative legs of a high-voltage DC bus.
  • The controller closes the switch in response to a vehicle shutdown signal and opens it when the voltage of the DC bus exceeds a first threshold after a certain time or falls below a second threshold.

Potential Applications

The technology could be applied in electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and other electrified transportation systems to safely discharge high-voltage systems during shutdown or in emergency situations.

Problems Solved

1. Safety: The active discharge system prevents dangerous voltage levels in the high-voltage DC bus. 2. System Protection: By managing the voltage levels, the system protects components from damage due to overvoltage conditions.

Benefits

1. Enhanced Safety: Prevents electrical hazards during vehicle shutdown or emergencies. 2. Component Protection: Extends the lifespan of electrical components by managing voltage levels effectively.

Potential Commercial Applications

1. Electric vehicle manufacturers could integrate this technology into their vehicles to enhance safety and reliability. 2. Companies developing electrified transportation systems could use this innovation to comply with safety regulations and standards.

Possible Prior Art

There may be prior art related to active discharge systems in high-voltage applications, but specific examples are not provided in the patent application.

Unanswered Questions

How does the active discharge system impact the overall efficiency of the electrified vehicle?

The article does not address how the active discharge system may affect the energy efficiency of the vehicle.

Are there any potential drawbacks or limitations to implementing this technology in electrified vehicles?

The article does not discuss any potential drawbacks or limitations that may arise from integrating the active discharge system into electrified vehicles.


Original Abstract Submitted

An electrified vehicle includes an active discharge system having a plurality of resistors connected in parallel, a switch connected in series with the plurality of resistors with the switch and the plurality of resistors connected across positive and negative legs of a high-voltage DC bus, and a controller coupled to the switch and programmed to close the switch in response to a vehicle shutdown signal, and in response to voltage of the DC bus exceeding a first threshold after a predetermined elapsed time from closing the switch, open the switch. The controller may also open the switch when the voltage of the DC bus is below a second threshold.