SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE TRANSMISSION OF HIGH VOLTAGE CURRENT TO AN ELECTRIC MOTOR IN AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE

摘要

A system for controlling the transmission of high voltage current to an electric motor in an electric vehicle having a torque control module which controls high voltage power to the electric motor and a powertrain control module. The powertrain control module is connected to the torque control module via a low voltage enabling electrical conduit and a high voltage enabling electrical conduit. The low voltage enabling electrical conduit controls the transmission of low voltage power to the torque control module. The high voltage enabling electrical conduit directly controls a switch that controls the transmission of high voltage power from the torque control module to the electric motor. Assertion of the high voltage enabling electrical conduit closes the switch to permit the flow of high voltage power from the torque control module to the electric motor. Non-assertion of the high voltage enabling electrical conduit opens the switch to prevent the flow of high voltage power from the torque control module to the electric motor.

主权项

1. A method of controlling the transmission of high voltage current to an electric motor in an electric vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
a) providing a torque control module which controls high voltage power to the electric motor; b) providing a powertrain control module which is connected to the torque control module via a low voltage enabling electrical conduit and via a high voltage enabling electrical conduit, wherein the low-voltage enabling electrical conduit controls the transmission of low voltage power to the torque control module, and wherein the high voltage enabling electrical conduit directly controls a switch that controls the transmission of high voltage power from the torque control module to the electric motor, wherein assertion of the high voltage enabling electrical conduit closes the switch to permit the flow of high voltage power from the torque control module to the electric motor and non-assertion of the high voltage enabling electrical conduit opens the switch to prevent the flow of high voltage power from the torque control module to the electric motor; c) sending a wake-up signal from the powertrain control module to the torque control module via the low voltage enabling electrical conduit, wherein the wake-up signal permits low voltage power to be received by the torque control module; d) sending a handshaking signal from the torque control module to the powertrain control module in response to the wake-up signal; e) asserting the high voltage enabling electrical conduit between the powertrain control module and the torque control module; f) sending an assertion acknowledgment signal from the torque control module to the powertrain control module indicating acknowledgment of the assertion; g) deasserting the high voltage enabling electrical conduit so that the high voltage enabling electrical conduit is non-asserted, in response to the assertion acknowledgment signal; h) sending a deassertion acknowledgment signal from the torque control module to the powertrain control module; and i) reasserting the high voltage enabling electrical conduit in response to the deassertion acknowledgment signal.