System and method for high voltage cable detection in hybrid vehicles

摘要

A system and method described herein detects the presence of an unconnected condition in high voltage component cables in an electric or hybrid-electric vehicle having a high voltage battery or energy storage system. The system includes a DC-DC converter which is capable of operating in either a step-down mode (e.g., as a buck converter) or a boost mode. The system uses the DC-DC converter operating in boost mode to create a sufficient, yet safe, measuring voltage on the main high voltage cabling of the vehicle before allowing the energy storage system to begin supplying high voltage power to the system components. The measurements are taken at various points near the individual components to determine if the cable has become disconnected.

主权项

1. A method for automatically detecting the presence of a disconnected high voltage cable condition in a hybrid electric vehicle, comprising:
using a controller, operating a DC-DC converter in a boost mode to supply a test voltage on a converter cable connected between the DC-DC converter and a high voltage energy storage system, said test voltage being less than 50 volts and greater than 14 volts; and using the controller, automatically comparing an energy storage system voltage measured at an energy storage system terminal of the energy storage system with the test voltage to determine whether the converter cable is properly connected between the DC-DC converter and the energy storage system.