DESC:This application is based on and derives the benefit of Indian Provisional Application 201641012382, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] Embodiments herein relate to vehicles with at least an electric powertrain system and more particularly to the startup procedure in vehicles with at least one electric powertrain system.

BACKGROUND
[002] Currently, vehicles with an electric powertrain system are being used increasingly (wherein the vehicles can be powered only by the electric powertrain system or can be powered the electric powertrain system in addition to other means such as internal combustion engines). Current solutions for starting the vehicle comprise of using a conventional key, a start-stop button, and so on. None of the solutions consider the need for electric vehicle ignition cut off during charge plug-in.
[003] A current solution uses an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) start-up and protection function, wherein an RFID label key can be used for utilizing the RFID inductor to initiate the start-up. However, the use of the RFID can result in a complicated system. This can increase the costs.
OBJECTS
[004] The principal object of embodiments herein is to provide methods and systems for controlling the start-up of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises of at least one electric powertrain.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[005] Embodiments herein are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, through out which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[006] FIG. 1 depicts a power circuit, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[007] FIG. 2 depicts the BCM and associated circuitry, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[008] FIG. 3 depicts the controller for drive by drive enable switch status, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[009] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0010] The embodiments herein achieve methods and systems for controlling the start-up of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises of at least one electric powertrain. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 3, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments.
[0011] Vehicle herein refers to a vehicle, which comprises of at least one electric powertrain, which can be used to provide power to the vehicle. The vehicle can comprise of only the electric power train (such as in a pure electric vehicle) or can have at least one other powering means (such as in a hybrid vehicle).
[0012] Embodiments herein provide a switch combined with conventional mechanical lock and key, replicate diesel vehicle operation for starting further meets safety requirement of starting electric vehicle and provides option(s) for customer to enable drive or not.
[0013] FIG. 1 depicts the power flow structure for the start-up circuit. FIG. 1 depicts the power flow after ignition, micro switch, and drive enable switch. The following terms have been used herein:
BCM 101 - Body Control Module
MSW 102, 103 - Micro switch
Ignition switch 105 - can comprise of a key based ignition and/or a start/stop switch)
IMMO 107 - Immobiliser
ETC 109 - Electronic temperature control
EMS 110 - energy management system
TCU 111 - Traction control unit
DC_DC 112 - DC-DC High voltage (HV) to low voltage (LV) converter
AUX_Battery 113 - Auxiliary battery
[0014] On the ignition switch 105 being turned on (either by turning ON a key or a the start/stop switch being pressed), a switched supply is provided to the BCM 101 as a signal. The BCM 101 then checks for status of the micro switch 102, 103 in order to determine any charge plug condition. After ensuring all conditions are satisfied, the Ignition ECU relay (IGNECURLY) 106 is powered on and the signal is provided to all other controllers. The drive enable switch 104 is also wired to the BCM 101 to detect switch press after ignition. The BCM 101 gets drive status from the drive enable switch 104 and sends the drive status to the TCU 111 for motor engagement.
[0015] FIG. 2 depicts the BCM and associated circuitry. The BCM 101 can be used for detecting charge port and ignition relay control. The BCM 101 can receive inputs from the normal charge port (MSW NC) 102 and the fast charge port (MSW FC) 103. The normal charge port (MSW NC) 102 and the fast charge port (MSW FC) 103 have both NC and NO (normally closed and open) point to provide the switch status to the BCM 101. Based on the inputs from the charge ports 102, 103, the BCM 101 can detect if the vehicle is plugged in and/or is charging.
[0016] On the ignition switch 105 being turned on, the BCM 101 detects if the vehicle is plugged in and/or is charging. If the vehicle is plugged in and/or is charging, the BCM 101 does not start the vehicle. If the vehicle is not plugged in, the BCM 101 sends communications to the other controllers and to the TCU 111 (using the CAN bus) to start the vehicle.
[0017] FIG. 3 shows the body module control of drive by drive enable switch status. Drive enable indication LED (Light Emitting Diode) 301 is driven by the BCM 101, on successful drive.
[0018] On the vehicle being turned ON, the BCM will be provided with an ignition signal. The BCM will check for any charge plug connection by checking the micro switch position. If no charger is connected, the BCM will allow the power relay to operate. If a charger is plugged, the BCM will not allow driving. Once the relay gets energized, authentication will occur between different controllers.
[0019] On successful authentication, the vehicle will wait for drive enable press input for releasing the drive train. For stopping, the user only has to make turn the vehicle OFF (either by turning the key or pressing the stop/start switch). During the ON condition, the user can plug in a charger, which will result in automatic disconnection of power supply to the power train controllers.
[0020] Embodiments herein do not allow the vehicle to start during charging on.
[0021] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
,CLAIMS:CLAIMS
We claim:
1. A system for controlling operation of a vehicle, the system comprising a Body Control Module (BCM) (101) configured for
checking if the vehicle is plugged in using inputs from at least one micro switch (102, 103), on an ignition switch (105) being turned on;
enabling the vehicle to be powered on by energizing a plurality of controllers (107, 108, 109, 110, 111), if the vehicle is not plugged in; and
enabling the vehicle to be driven, on the vehicle being powered on and getting a drive status from drive enable switch (104).

2. The system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the micro switch (102, 103) is a normally closed and open switch.

3. The system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the BCM (101) is configured to energize the plurality of controllers (107, 108, 109, 110, 111) using a ignition ECU relay (106).

4. The system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the BCM (101) is configured for performing authentication, on the vehicle being powered on.

5. The system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the BCM (101) is configured for turning off the vehicle, on detecting that the vehicle is plugged in.

6. A method for controlling operation of a vehicle, the method comprising
checking if the vehicle is plugged in using inputs from at least one micro switch (102, 103) by a Body Control Module (BCM) (101), on an ignition switch (105) being turned on;
enabling the vehicle to be powered on by energizing a plurality of controllers (107, 108, 109, 110, 111) by the BCM (101), if the vehicle is not plugged in; and
enabling the vehicle to be driven by the BCM (101), on the vehicle being powered on and getting a drive status from drive enable switch (104).

7. The method, as claimed in claim 6, wherein the micro switch (102, 103) is a normally closed and open switch.

8. The method, as claimed in claim 6, wherein the BCM (101) energizes the plurality of controllers (107, 108, 109, 110, 111) using a ignition ECU relay (106).

9. The method, as claimed in claim 6, wherein the method further comprises the BCM (101) performing authentication, on the vehicle being powered on.

10. The method, as claimed in claim 6, wherein the method further comprises the BCM (101) turns off the vehicle, on detecting that the vehicle is plugged in.