Electric vehicle supply equipment cable detection

摘要

Systems, methods, devices, and computer-readable media detect a status of a cable 204, and in particular, a cable of electric supply equipment. An example of electric supply equipment is electric vehicle supply equipment 200, which may be used for charging an electric vehicle 201. The electric vehicle supply equipment 200 may include a cable 204 for delivering electric power from a power source to the electric vehicle 201. Further, the electric vehicle supply equipment 200 may include a cable detection subcircuit 225 for detecting a status of its cable 204. Specifically, the cable detection subcircuit 225 may detect whether the cable 204 has been removed. Further, the electric vehicle supply equipment 200 may take various actions based on results provided by the cable detection subcircuit 225.

主权项

1. Electric vehicle supply equipment, comprising:
a contactor; a control box housing the contactor; a cable having a first end coupled to the control box and a second end coupled to a connector configured to connect to an electric vehicle inlet for charging an electric vehicle; and a cable detection subcircuit housed within the control box and configured to detect a status of the cable when the cable is not connected to an electric vehicle; wherein the cable comprises:
a plurality of power lines configured to supply electric power via the connector to an electric vehicle;a ground line configured to connect a ground terminal of the electric vehicle supply equipment via the connector to a ground terminal of an electric vehicle;a cable detection line having a first end that is electrically connected to the cable detection subcircuit and extends at least partially through the cable to a node within the cable or within the connector; anda pilot line configured to carry a signal to an electric vehicle, the pilot line extending from the first end of the cable to the second end of the cable, wherein the cable detection subcircuit comprises:
a voltage comparator configured to compare a first voltage at a first voltage terminal with a second voltage at a second voltage terminal;a current source coupled between the first voltage terminal and a ground node, the current source configured to supply a current to the first voltage terminal; anda voltage source coupled between the second voltage terminal and the ground node, the voltage source configured to supply a threshold voltage to the second voltage terminal, wherein the first voltage terminal is electrically connected to the cable detection line at the first end of the cable detection line, wherein the ground node is electrically connected to the ground line, and wherein the cable detection subcircuit, the cable detection line, at least one circuit element between the node and the ground line, and the ground line are included in a closed circuit loop when the cable is not connected to an electric vehicle.