Magneti Marelli S.p.a.

Riccardo Viancino

Fabio Bernardi

Giovanni Giuffre'

Franco Ciampolini

Fulvio Cicognati

Mauro Quacquarelli

Giovanni Giuffré

A discharge device and method actively discharge a main capacitor in an electric-power system of an electric-drive vehicle. The discharge device comprises a discharge branch of a circuit that is connected in parallel to the main capacitor and includes a discharge transistor that is biased to 'conduction' mode when the main capacitor is required to be discharged. A control device is connected to a 'gate/base' terminal of the discharge transistor and commands the discharge transistor, biasing the discharge resistor to &#x201c;conduction&#x201d; mode when the main capacitor is required to be discharged. The control device includes a safety capacitor that is interposed between the &#x201c;gate/base&#x201d; terminal and a power supply and charges when the discharge transistor is in the &#x201c;conduction&#x201d; mode, causing a progressive decrease of current at the &#x201c;gate/base&#x201d; terminal, until the discharge transistor is biased to the &#x201c;non-conductive&#x201d; state.

Device and method to discharge a capacitor for use in the electric power system of an electric drive vehicle

A discharge device actively discharges a main capacitor in an electric-power system of an electric-drive vehicle and comprises a discharge branch of a circuit connected in parallel to the capacitor and including a discharge transistor biased to 'conduction' mode when the capacitor must be discharged. A control device is connected to a 'gate/base' terminal of and controls the transistor, biasing the transistor to the mode when the capacitor is required to fee discharged. A control transistor maintains the discharge transistor in a &#x201c;non-conductive&#x201d; state when the control transistor is in the mode. The control transistor is in the state for the discharge transistor to be in the mode. A safety capacitor is interposed between the terminal and a power supply and charges when the discharge transistor is in the mode, causing a progressive decrease of current at the terminal, until the discharge transistor is biased to the state.

Discharge device and discharge method for the active discharge of a capacitor for use in the electric-power system of an electric-drive vehicle

A connection system establishes an electrical connection between an electrical device and at least one pair of cables each of which ends with a cable terminal. The connection system comprises a fixed part including a support base adapted to be rigidly fitted to a wall of the electrical device and, for each cable, a connection screw protruding from the support base and electrically connectable to the electrical device. A mobile part includes a perimeter frame adapted to be mechanically fitted to the support base and having a passage wall defining, for each cable, a passage-through hole through which an end part of the cable passes so that the corresponding cable terminal is disposed inside the perimeter frame and aligned with the respective connection screw when the perimeter frame is mechanically fitted to the support base.

Connection system for establishing electrical connection between electrical device for automotive industry and at least one pair of cables

A vehicle includes an electrical traction and a reversible electric machine () that can be mechanically connected to drive wheels (). An electrical system () of the vehicle includes a low-voltage storage system (). An electronic power converter () has a positive pole () and a negative pole or an electrical ground () that are connected to the storage system () through a first electrical cable () defining a large section. An electronic control unit () controls the electronic power converter () and has a positive pole () and a negative pole or an electrical ground () that are connected to the storage system () through a second electrical cable () defining a small section. The electrical ground () of the electronic power converter () is connected to the electrical ground () of the electronic control unit () through an impedance having a value not lesser than substantially 100 ohms.

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Turin, Italy

Riccardo Viancino