Driver circuit for an electric vehicle and a diagnostic method

摘要

A driver circuit and a diagnostic method are provided. The circuit includes a first voltage driver having a first output line electrically coupled to a main contactor coil of a main contactor. The circuit further includes a microprocessor that measures a first voltage on a first voltage feedback line if the main contactor coil is not energized. The microprocessor measures a second voltage on a second voltage feedback line if the main contactor coil is not energized. The microprocessor sets a status flag equal to a fault condition value if the first voltage is greater than a threshold voltage value. Also, the microprocessor sets the status flag equal to the fault condition value if the second voltage is greater than the threshold voltage value.

主权项

1. A driver circuit for an electric vehicle, comprising:
a first voltage driver having a first output line electrically coupled to a first side of a main contactor coil of a main contactor, the first voltage driver having a first voltage feedback line coupled to both the first output line and to a microprocessor; a second voltage driver having a second output line electrically coupled to a second side of the main contactor coil, the second voltage driver further having a second voltage feedback line coupled to both the second output line and to the microprocessor; the microprocessor configured to measure a first voltage on the first voltage feedback line if the main contactor coil is not energized by the microprocessor; the microprocessor further configured to measure a second voltage on the second voltage feedback line if the main contactor coil is not energized by the microprocessor; the microprocessor further configured to set a first status flag associated with the main contactor equal to a fault condition value if the first voltage is greater than a threshold voltage value; and the microprocessor further configured to set the first status flag associated with the main contactor equal to the fault condition value if the second voltage is greater than the threshold voltage value.