PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11784482-B2
Application Number: US-202017075231-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Electrical connection monitoring using cable shielding

Abstract:
Systems and methods for electrical connection monitoring using cable shielding are described. For example, a system may include a high-voltage power supply; a first high-voltage cable including a first conductor connected to the high-voltage power supply and a first shielding that encircles the first conductor; a second high-voltage cable including a second conductor connected to the high-voltage power supply and a second shielding that encircles the second conductor; and a continuity detection circuit connected to the first shielding and to the second shielding, wherein the second shielding is connected to the first shielding to form a loop with the continuity detection circuit.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system comprising:
 a high-voltage power supply; 
 a first high-voltage cable including a first conductor connected to the high-voltage power supply and a first shielding that encircles the first conductor; 
 a second high-voltage cable including a second conductor connected to the high-voltage power supply and a second shielding that encircles the second conductor; 
 a continuity detection circuit connected to the first shielding and to the second shielding, wherein the second shielding is connected to the first shielding to form a conductive loop with the continuity detection circuit; 
 a high-voltage distribution unit that houses the high-voltage power supply, wherein the high-voltage distribution unit is attached to a first end of the first high-voltage cable and to a first end of the second high-voltage cable; and 
 a load module, wherein the load module is attached to a second end of the first high-voltage cable and to a second end of the second high-voltage cable. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the high-voltage power supply is part of a vehicle including a chassis that is coupled to a ground node of the continuity detection circuit. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , comprising:
 one or more additional shieldings, of additional high-voltage cables, that are connected in series to form the conductive loop with the continuity detection circuit. 
 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a high-voltage module connector that attaches the first high-voltage cable and the second high-voltage cable to a load module; and 
 a jumper in the high-voltage module connector that connects the first shielding and the second shielding. 
 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the high-voltage distribution unit houses the continuity detection circuit. 
 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the load module that-houses the continuity detection circuit. 
 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the continuity detection circuit has direct current isolation from a ground node of the high-voltage power supply. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , comprising:
 an alternating current coupling capacitor that couples the first shielding to a ground node. 
 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a safety circuit configured to, responsive to detection of a disruption of continuity by the continuity detection circuit, stop current flow from the high-voltage power supply through the first conductor. 
 
     
     
       10. A system comprising:
 a high-voltage power supply; 
 a high-voltage cable including a conductor connected to the high-voltage power supply and a shielding that encircles the conductor; and 
 a continuity detection circuit connected to the shielding, wherein the high-voltage power supply is part of a vehicle including a chassis that is coupled to a ground node of the continuity detection circuit and the continuity detection circuit is connected to the shielding at a first end of the high-voltage cable and the shielding is coupled to the chassis at a second end of the high-voltage cable, and wherein the continuity detection circuit is configured to drive current through the shielding that returns via the chassis, and wherein the continuity detection circuit has direct current isolation from the chassis and from a ground node of the high-voltage power supply. 
 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the shielding is coupled to the chassis via an alternating current coupling capacitor in a load module attached to the second end of the high-voltage cable. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the continuity detection circuit is configured to detect states including an open circuit state and a state indicating a short circuit of the shielding to the chassis. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the high-voltage cable is a first high-voltage cable, the conductor is a first conductor, and the shielding is a first shielding, comprising:
 a second high-voltage cable including a second conductor connected to the high-voltage power supply and a second shielding that encircles the second conductor, wherein the second shielding is connected in series with the first shielding. 
 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 10 , comprising:
 a high-voltage distribution unit that houses the high-voltage power supply and the continuity detection circuit. 
 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 10 , comprising:
 a high-voltage distribution unit that houses the high-voltage power supply, wherein the high-voltage distribution unit is attached to a first end of the high-voltage cable; and 
 a load module that houses the continuity detection circuit, wherein the load module is attached to a second end of the high-voltage cable. 
 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 10 , comprising:
 an alternating current coupling capacitor that couples the shielding to the chassis. 
 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 10 , comprising:
 a safety circuit configured to, responsive to detection of a disruption of continuity by the continuity detection circuit, stop current flow from the high-voltage power supply through the conductor. 
 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 10 , comprising:
 a high-voltage distribution unit that houses the high-voltage power supply and the continuity detection circuit. 
 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 10 , comprising:
 a high-voltage distribution unit that houses the high-voltage power supply, wherein the high-voltage distribution unit is attached to a first end of the high-voltage cable; and 
 a load module that houses the continuity detection circuit, wherein the load module is attached to a second end of the high-voltage cable.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to electrical connection monitoring using cable shielding. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is desirable to have a way to monitor the connection status of electrical cables in order to provide the correct action for different situations. It becomes extremely important to have this monitoring mechanism on a high voltage circuit loop in order to ensure the safety of the end user. Vehicle industries have been using the High Voltage Interlock Loop (HVIL) for many years. HVIL uses extra wires and connectors to form a connection loop that passes through a set of cable connections. When the connectivity of the HVIL loop is interrupted, the HVIL system indicates that at least one of the cable connectors in the loop has become disconnected from its mated connector. Typically, an HVIL system is not able to determine the location of a discontinuity within its loop and may need to shut down all modules connected on the loop. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed herein are implementations of electrical connection monitoring using cable shielding. 
     In a first aspect, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in systems that include a high-voltage power supply; a first high-voltage cable including a first conductor connected to the high-voltage power supply and a first shielding that encircles the first conductor; a second high-voltage cable including a second conductor connected to the high-voltage power supply and a second shielding that encircles the second conductor; and a continuity detection circuit connected to the first shielding and to the second shielding, wherein the second shielding is connected to the first shielding to form a loop with the continuity detection circuit. 
     In a second aspect, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in systems that include a high-voltage power supply; a high-voltage cable including a conductor connected to the high-voltage power supply and a shielding that encircles the conductor; and a continuity detection circuit connected to the shielding, wherein the high-voltage power supply is part of a vehicle including a chassis that is coupled to a ground node of the continuity detection circuit and the continuity detection circuit is connected to the shielding at a first end of the high-voltage cable and the shielding is coupled to the chassis at a second end of the high-voltage cable, and wherein the continuity detection circuit is configured to drive current through the shielding that returns via the chassis. 
     In a third aspect, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods that include applying a voltage to a shielding of a cable; and monitoring connectivity of the cable by sensing changes in current flow through the shielding of the cable. 
     In a fourth aspect, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in systems that include a high-voltage power supply; a high-voltage cable including a conductor connected to the high-voltage power supply and a shielding that encircles the conductor; and a continuity detection circuit connected to the shielding. 
     In a fifth aspect, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in systems that include a cable including a conductor and a shielding that encircles the conductor; and a continuity detection circuit connected to the shielding. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Described herein are systems and methods for electrical connection monitoring using cable shielding. 
       The disclosure is best understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawings are not to-scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features are arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. 
         FIG.  1 A  is a circuit diagram of an example of a system for electrical connection monitoring using cable shielding. 
         FIG.  1 B  is a circuit diagram of an example of a system for electrical connection monitoring using cable shielding with a power supply that is shared by multiple load modules. 
         FIG.  2    is a circuit diagram of an example of a system for electrical connection monitoring using shielding of two cables to form a loop. 
         FIG.  3    is a circuit diagram of an example of a system for electrical connection monitoring using shielding of cables in series to form a loop through multiple peripheral modules. 
         FIG.  4    is a circuit diagram of an example of a system for electrical connection monitoring using shielding of individual cables. 
         FIG.  5    is a circuit diagram of an example of a system for electrical connection monitoring using shielding of a single cable to and a current return path through a chassis. 
         FIG.  6    is a circuit diagram of an example of a system for electrical connection monitoring using shielding of cables connected in series to monitor multiple peripheral modules. 
         FIG.  7    is a flow chart of a process for electrical connection monitoring using cable shielding. 
         FIG.  8    shows illustrations of examples of electrical cable connectors. 
         FIG.  9    is a circuit diagram of an example of a system for electrical connection monitoring using cable shielding. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Described herein are systems and methods for electrical connection monitoring using cable shielding. Implementing cable connectivity monitoring using cable shielding may enable individual monitoring of the connection status of individual modules without adding costs, effort, and weight associated with low voltage wire harnesses of conventional HIVL systems. Some implementations, may provide the benefits of simplifying harness connections and enabling the system to distinguish between different types of disruptions of continuity (e.g., short circuit conditions vs. open circuit conditions) which may be correlated with different events such as cable connector disconnects, wire damage, or vehicle crash events. 
     For example, the techniques using shielding to monitor cable connectivity may be used in a variety of systems using different types of shielded cables. For example, the techniques may be applied in high-voltage power distribution systems. In the high-voltage cable context, there is often a cable shielding for the purpose electromagnetic interference (EMI) protection. Cable shielding is typically connected to a ground node as a drain without any real signal functionality. Utilizing this shielding for circuits monitoring connectivity of the cables may enable removal the extra wires and connectors from the system and provide the real-time high-voltage circuits monitoring with individual module control. For example, these techniques and architectures may be used in vehicles (e.g., a car or a truck). These strategies may also be implemented in other types of systems that use cables which have shielding, like shielded alternating current (AC), Ethernet, or coaxial cable (e.g., for cable modems). In the past, integrated connectivity monitoring architectures have typically been used in high-voltage systems for safety reasons that justified the use of resources, so it is called HVIL. However, the techniques and architecture described herein may also be used to monitor low-voltage circuits. For example, three-phase cable for motors, 48-Volt systems, and robust autonomous systems, among others. 
     Some implementations of the systems and methods describe herein may provide advantages, such as, cuts to a cable or other cable damage may be detected as fault conditions using a continuity detection circuit connected to shielding of the cable. For example, the use of additional wiring to high-voltage connectors that attach the high-voltage cables that is typical of traditional HVIL systems may be avoided. For example, individual monitoring of load modules may be enabled. Some implementations may distinguish between open circuit and short circuit conditions, which may enable different handling of different types of disruptions of an electrical connection through a cable by selecting different actions in response. 
       FIG.  1 A  is a circuit diagram of an example of a system  100  for electrical connection monitoring using cable shielding. The system  100  includes a high-voltage distribution unit (HVDU)  102  (e.g., a battery pack) that is connected to two peripheral or load modules—a heater module  104  and a compressor module  106 —via high-voltage cables. The high-voltage distribution unit  102  includes a first high-voltage power supply  110  and a second high-voltage power supply  112 . The high-voltage distribution unit  102  includes a controller  130  of the high-voltage distribution unit  102 . The system  100  includes a first high-voltage cable including a first conductor  140  connected to the first high-voltage power supply  110  and a first shielding  150  that encircles the first conductor  140 . The system  100  includes a second high-voltage cable including a second conductor  142  connected to the first high-voltage power supply  110  and a second shielding  152  that encircles the second conductor  142 . The system  100  includes a third high-voltage cable including a third conductor  144  connected to the second high-voltage power supply  112  and a third shielding  154  that encircles the third conductor  144 . The system  100  includes a fourth high-voltage cable including a fourth conductor  146  connected to the second high-voltage power supply  112  and a fourth shielding  156  that encircles the fourth conductor  146 . The system  100  includes a continuity detection circuit  160  connected to the first shielding  150  and to the second shielding  152 . The second shielding  152  is connected to the first shielding  150  to form a loop with the continuity detection circuit  160 . The continuity detection circuit  160  is connected to the third shielding  154  and to the fourth shielding  156 . The fourth shielding  156  is connected to the third shielding  154  to form a loop with the continuity detection circuit  160 . The system  100  may be configured to monitor connection status for the cables of a loop, including interruptions caused by cuts or other damage to the cables themselves and their connections to the high-voltage distribution unit  102  and their respective peripheral module. In some implementations, the system  100  is part a vehicle. For example, the system  100  may be used to implement the process  700  of  FIG.  7   . 
     The system  100  includes a first high-voltage power supply  110 . The first high-voltage power supply  110  includes a positive terminal and a negative terminal. For example, the first high-voltage power supply  110  may be configured as a voltage source providing a direct current voltage greater than 60 Volts. In some implementations, the first high-voltage power supply  110  provides power at a direct current voltage greater than 1500 Volts. For example, the first high-voltage power supply  110  may be configured as a voltage source providing an alternating current voltage greater than 30 Volts. In some implementations, the first high-voltage power supply  110  provides power at an alternating current root mean square voltage greater than 1000 Volts. For example, the first high-voltage power supply  110  may be configured as a current source. For example, the first high-voltage power supply  110  may include a high-voltage battery. The first high-voltage power supply  110  is part of a high-voltage distribution unit  102  that is configured to provide power at high voltages to peripheral modules (e.g., peripheral modules in a vehicle). The first high-voltage power supply  110  is configured to provide power to the heater module  104 . In this example, the high-voltage distribution unit  102  also includes a second high-voltage power supply  112 . The second high-voltage power supply  112  is configured to provide power to the compressor module  106 . 
     For example, the high-voltage distribution unit  102  may house the first high-voltage power supply  110 , the second high-voltage power supply  112 , and the continuity detection circuit  160 . 
     The system  100  includes a first high-voltage cable including a first conductor  140  connected to the first high-voltage power supply  110  and a first shielding  150  that encircles the first conductor  140 . For example, the first high-voltage cable may be a coaxial cable with the first conductor  140  as an inner, central conductor and the first shielding  150  as a concentric conducting shield that is separated from the first conductor  140  by a concentric dielectric insulator. The first high-voltage cable may also include a protective outer sheath (e.g., a plastic jacket) that encircles the first shielding  150 . For example, the first shielding  150  may be made of copper or aluminum tape or conducting polymer. The first shielding  150  may act as a Faraday cage to reduce electromagnetic radiation. In this example, the first conductor  140  is connected to a positive terminal of the first high-voltage power supply  110  in the high-voltage distribution unit  102 . 
     The system  100  includes a second high-voltage cable including a second conductor  142  connected to the first high-voltage power supply  110  and a second shielding  152  that encircles the second conductor  142 . For example, the second high-voltage cable may be a coaxial cable with the second conductor  142  as an inner, central conductor and the second shielding  152  as a concentric conducting shield that is separated from the second conductor  142  by a concentric dielectric insulator. The second high-voltage cable may also include a protective outer sheath (e.g., a plastic jacket) that encircles the second shielding  152 . For example, the second shielding  152  may be made of copper or aluminum tape or conducting polymer. The second shielding  152  may act as a Faraday cage to reduce electromagnetic radiation. In this example, the second conductor  142  is connected to a negative terminal of the first high-voltage power supply  110  in the high-voltage distribution unit  102 . 
     The first high-voltage cable and the second high-voltage cable may be used to connect the high-voltage distribution unit  102  to the heater module  104 . When these cables are properly connected, the first conductor  140  and the second conductor  142  may bear current to and from the heater module  104  to supply electrical power to the heater module  104 . 
     Similarly, the system  100  includes a third high-voltage cable including a third conductor  144  connected to the second high-voltage power supply  112  and a third shielding  154  that encircles the third conductor  144 . The system  100  includes a fourth high-voltage cable including a fourth conductor  146  connected to the second high-voltage power supply  112  and a fourth shielding  156  that encircles the fourth conductor  146 . In this example, the third conductor  144  is connected to a positive terminal and the fourth conductor  146  is connected to a negative terminal of the second high-voltage power supply  112  in the high-voltage distribution unit  102 . The third high-voltage cable and the fourth high-voltage cable may be used to connect the high-voltage distribution unit  102  to the compressor module  106 . When these cables are properly connected, the third conductor  144  and the fourth conductor  146  may bear current to and from the compressor module  106  to supply electrical power to the compressor module  106 . 
     The system  100  includes a continuity detection circuit  160  connected to the first shielding  150  and to the second shielding  152 . The second shielding  152  is connected to the first shielding  150  to form a loop with the continuity detection circuit  160 . For example, the second shielding  152  may be connected to the first shielding  150  via a jumper in a connector that attaches the first high-voltage cable and the second high-voltage cable to the heater module  104 . In some implementations, the second shielding  152  may be connected to the first shielding  150  via a wire inside the heater module  104 . For example, the second shielding  152  may be connected to the first shielding  150  in the loop with the continuity detection circuit  160  as described in  FIG.  2   . The continuity detection circuit  160  may have any of a variety of topologies for continuity detection. For example, the continuity detection circuit  160  may include a low-voltage current source that drives current through the loop that includes the first shielding  150  and the second shielding  152  and a high-impedance voltmeter configured to measure the current flowing through this loop. In some implementations, a general-purpose input/output (GPIO) pin of an integrated circuit is configured as part of the continuity detection circuit  160  to supply current or voltage that are applied to the loop including the first shielding  150  and the second shielding  152  and/or a GPIO pin is configured as part of the continuity detection circuit  160  to measure voltage or current that flows through this loop. When the expected current is found to flow through the loop including the first shielding  150  and the second shielding  152  and the continuity detection circuit  160 , the continuity detection circuit  160  determines that the first high-voltage cable and second high-voltage cable are properly attached between the high-voltage distribution unit  102  and the heater module  104 . When an interruption in this expected current flow through this loop is detected by the continuity detection circuit  160 , then the continuity detection circuit  160  determines that an error condition has manifested on the first shielding  150  and/or the second shielding  152 . For example, a high-voltage connector that attaches the first shielding  150  and/or the second shielding  152  to the high-voltage distribution unit  102  or to the heater module  104  may become disconnected from a mated connecter, which may be detected as an error or interruption condition by the continuity detection circuit  160 . For example, the first shielding  150  or the second shielding  152  may become cut or severed somewhere along their length, which may be detected as an error or interruption condition by the continuity detection circuit  160 . 
     In either of these two fault scenarios (i.e., a cable is cut or a cable becomes disconnected), the controller  130  of the high-voltage distribution unit  102  may be configured to take a corrective action responsive to the continuity detection circuit  160  detecting that a fault condition has occurred. In some implementations, the controller  130  may be configured to stop the flow of high-voltage current from the first high-voltage power supply  110  through the first conductor  140  and the second conductor  142  responsive to detection of a disruption of continuity by the continuity detection circuit  160 . For example, the controller  130  may include a safety circuit configured to, responsive to detection of a disruption of continuity by the continuity detection circuit  160 , stop current flow from the high-voltage power supply  110  through the first conductor  140 . 
     For example, the high-voltage power supply  110  may be part of a vehicle (e.g., a car or a truck) including a chassis that is coupled to a ground node of the continuity detection circuit  160 . In some implementations, the system  100  includes a high-voltage module connector that attaches the first high-voltage cable and the second high-voltage cable to a load module (e.g., the heater module  104 ), and a jumper in the high-voltage module connector that connects the first shielding  150  and the second shielding  152 . 
     In some implementations, the continuity detection circuit  160  has direct current isolation from a ground node of the high-voltage power supply  110 . For example, the continuity detection circuit  160  and the first shielding  150  and the second shielding  152  may be connected as shown in the example system  200  of  FIG.  2   . 
     Similarly, the continuity detection circuit  160  may be connected to the third high-voltage cable and the fourth high-voltage cable to form a second loop for monitoring electrical connection status between the high-voltage distribution unit  102  and the compressor module  106 . The continuity detection circuit  160  may be configured to detect either of the two fault scenarios (i.e., a cable is cut or a cable becomes disconnected) and the controller  130  of the high-voltage distribution unit  102  may be configured to take a corrective action responsive to the continuity detection circuit  160  detecting that a fault condition has occurred on the second loop. In some implementations, the controller  130  may be configured to stop the flow of high-voltage current from the second high-voltage power supply  112  through the third conductor  144  and the fourth conductor  146  responsive to detection of a disruption of continuity by the continuity detection circuit  160 . For example, the controller  130  may include a safety circuit configured to, responsive to detection of a disruption of continuity by the continuity detection circuit  160 , stop current flow from the high-voltage power supply  112  through the third conductor  144 . 
     In some implementations (not shown in  FIG.  1 A ), the continuity detection circuit  160  may be housed in a load module (e.g., the heater module  104  or the compressor module  106 ) rather than in the high-voltage distribution unit  102 . For example, a system may include a high-voltage distribution unit that houses the high-voltage power supply (e.g., the high-voltage power supply  110 ), where the high-voltage distribution unit is attached to a first end of the first high-voltage cable; and a load module that houses a continuity detection circuit (e.g., the continuity detection circuit  160 ), where the load module is attached to a second end of the first high-voltage cable. 
     The system  100  may provide advantages over conventional High Voltage Interlock Loop (HVIL) systems. For example, cuts to a cable or other cable damage may be detected as fault conditions using the continuity detection circuit  160  in the loop with the first shielding  150  and the second shielding  152 . For example, the use of additional wiring to high-voltage connectors that attach the high-voltage cables that is typical of traditional HVIL systems may be avoided. For example, the system  100  may enable individual monitoring of load modules, such as the heater module  104  or the compressor module  106 . 
       FIG.  1 B  is a circuit diagram of an example of a system  180  for electrical connection monitoring using cable shielding with a power supply that is shared by multiple load modules. The system includes a high-voltage distribution unit (HVDU)  182  that includes a high-voltage power supply  184  that is supplies power to multiple load modules (i.e., the heater module  104  and the compressor module  106 ). For example, the high-voltage power supply  184  may include a direct current (DC) voltage source that supplies current to its load modules in parallel. In some implementations, the first conductor  140  and the third conductor  144  may be connected to the positive terminal of the high-voltage power supply  184  by respective switches (not explicitly shown in  FIG.  1 B ) that can be opened to individually disconnect the first conductor  140  or the third conductor  144  from the high-voltage power supply  184  and stop the flow of current from the high-voltage power supply  184  through the first conductor  140  or the third conductor  144  to its respective load module. Similarly, the second conductor  142  and the fourth conductor  146  may be connected to the negative terminal of the high-voltage power supply  184  by respective switches (not explicitly shown in  FIG.  1 B ) that can be opened to individually disconnect the second conductor  142  or the fourth conductor  146  from the high-voltage power supply  184 . 
       FIG.  2    is a circuit diagram of an example of a system  200  for electrical connection monitoring using shielding of two cables to form a loop. The system  200  includes a controller  202  in a high-voltage distribution unit  203  (e.g., a high-voltage distribution unit in a vehicle) and a load module  204  that receives electrical power from the high-voltage distribution unit  203 . The high-voltage distribution unit  203  and the load module  204  are connected via high-voltages cables that include a first shielding  210  and a second shielding  212 . At the high-voltage distribution unit  203 , a first connector  220  attaches a first end of high-voltage cables to the high-voltage distribution unit  203 . At the load module  204 , a second connector  222  attaches a second end of high-voltage cables to the load module  204 . The controller  202  includes a continuity detection circuit  230  (e.g., the continuity detection circuit  160 ) that is connected, via the first connector  220 , to the first shielding  210  and the second shielding  212  to form a loop for monitoring the electrical connection status for the load module  204 . The first shielding  210  is coupled via the first connector  220  and an alternating current coupling capacitor  250  to a ground node  240  in the high-voltage distribution unit  203 . The second shielding  212  is coupled via the first connector  220  and an alternating current coupling capacitor  252  to the ground node  240  in the high-voltage distribution unit  203 . In the load module  204 , the first shielding  210  and the second shielding  212  are connected to each other via the second connector  222  to form the loop for monitoring the electrical connection status. The first shielding  210  and the second shielding  212  are coupled via the second connector  222  and an alternating current coupling capacitor  254  to a ground node  240  in the load module  204 . For example, the alternating current coupling capacitors  250 ,  252 , and  254  may serve to reduce radiation from the first shielding  210  and the second shielding  212  and prevent or mitigate electromagnetic interference. For example, the system  200  may be used to implement the process  700  of  FIG.  7   . 
     For example, the first connector  220  may include a high-voltage harness connector mated with a high-voltage header connector. The first connector  220  may be configured to internally keep the first shielding  210  isolated from the second shielding  212 . For example, the first connector  220  may include the high-voltage harness connector  860  of  FIG.  8   . For example, the second connector  222  may include a high-voltage harness connector mated with a high-voltage header connector. The second connector  222  may be configured to internally connect the first shielding  210  to the second shielding  212  (e.g., using a jumper or an internal metal plate that connects to both shieldings  210  and  212 ). For example, the second connector  222  may include the high-voltage harness connector  830  of  FIG.  8   . 
     For example, the ground node  240  of the high-voltage distribution unit  203  may be a ground node of a power supply of the high-voltage distribution unit  203 . In some implementations, the continuity detection circuit  230  may have direct current isolation from a ground node of the high-voltage power supply (e.g., the high-voltage power supply  110 ). For example, the alternating current coupling capacitor  250  may couple the first shielding  210  to a ground node  240  (e.g., a ground node of the high-voltage power supply). For example, the alternating current coupling capacitor  252  may couple the second shielding  212  to a ground node  240  (e.g., a ground node of the high-voltage power supply). In some implementations, the system  200  is part a vehicle and the ground node  244  of the load module  204  is connected to the ground node  240  of the high-voltage distribution unit  203  via a chassis of the vehicle. 
     Conductors in the high-voltage distribution unit  203  that connect, via the first connector  220 , the first shielding  210  and the second shielding  212  to the continuity detection circuit  230  and their respective alternating current coupling capacitors ( 250  and  252 ) may be, for example, wires or traces on a printed circuit board (PCB). As described in relation to the continuity detection circuit  160  above, the continuity detection circuit  230  may have a variety of topologies. For example, the continuity detection circuit  230  may include a current sensor or voltage sensor for monitoring the circuit continuity around the loop that includes the continuity detection circuit  230  and the first shielding  210  and the second shielding  212 . 
       FIG.  3    is a circuit diagram of an example of a system  300  for electrical connection monitoring using shielding of cables in series to form a loop through multiple peripheral modules. The system  300  includes a high-voltage distribution unit (HVDU)  302  that is connected to two peripheral or load modules—the heater module  104  and the compressor module  106 —via high-voltage cables. The high-voltage distribution unit  302  includes the first high-voltage power supply  110  and the second high-voltage power supply  112 . The high-voltage distribution unit  302  includes a controller  130  of the high-voltage distribution unit  302 . The system  300  includes the first high-voltage cable including the first conductor  140  connected to the first high-voltage power supply  110  and the first shielding  150  that encircles the first conductor  140 . The system  100  includes the second high-voltage cable including the second conductor  142  connected to the first high-voltage power supply  110  and the second shielding  152  that encircles the second conductor  142 . The system  300  includes the third high-voltage cable including the third conductor  144  connected to the second high-voltage power supply  112  and the third shielding  154  that encircles the third conductor  144 . The system  300  includes the fourth high-voltage cable including the fourth conductor  146  connected to the second high-voltage power supply  112  and the fourth shielding  156  that encircles the fourth conductor  146 . The system  300  includes a continuity detection circuit  360  connected to the first shielding  150  and to the fourth shielding  156 . The second shielding  152  is connected to the first shielding  150  at the heater module  104 , the second shielding  152  is connected to the third shielding  154  via the conductor  370  in the high-voltage distribution unit  302 , and the third shielding  154  is connected to the fourth shielding  156  at the compressor module  106  to form a loop with the continuity detection circuit  360 . This loop includes shielding for connections to multiple load modules arranged in series. The system  300  may be configured to monitor connection status for the cables of this loop, including interruptions caused by cuts or other damage to the cables themselves and their connections to the high-voltage distribution unit  302  and their respective peripheral module. In some implementations, the system  300  is part a vehicle. For example, the system  300  may be used to implement the process  700  of  FIG.  7   . 
     Comparing the system  300  to the system  100  of  FIG.  1 A , the loop being monitored for continuity is expanded to include one or more additional shieldings (e.g., the third shielding  154  and the fourth shielding  156 ), of additional high-voltage cables, that are connected in series to form the loop with the continuity detection circuit. These additional shieldings may be associated with connections to additional load modules (e.g., the compressor module  106 ). 
     For example, the high-voltage distribution unit  302  may house the first high-voltage power supply  110 , the second high-voltage power supply  112 , and the continuity detection circuit  360 . 
     The system  300  includes a continuity detection circuit  360  connected to the first shielding  150  and to the fourth shielding  156 . The second shielding  152  is connected to the first shielding  150  at the heater module  104 , the second shielding  152  is connected to the third shielding  154  via the conductor  370  in the high-voltage distribution unit  302 , and the third shielding  154  is connected to the fourth shielding  156  at the compressor module  106  to form a loop with the continuity detection circuit  360 . For example, the second shielding  152  may be connected to the first shielding  150  via a jumper in a connector that attaches the first high-voltage cable and the second high-voltage cable to the heater module  104 . In some implementations, the second shielding  152  may be connected to the first shielding  150  via a wire inside the heater module  104 . For example, the second shielding  152  may be connected to the first shielding  150  as described in  FIG.  2   . The third shielding  154  may be connected to the fourth shielding  156  in at the compressor module  106  in a similar manner. For example, the conductor  370  may include a trace on printed circuit board and/or a wire in the high-voltage distribution unit  302 . The conductor  370  may connect to the second shielding  152  and the third shielding  154  through respective connectors at the high-voltage distribution unit  302  (e.g., as described in relation the first connector  220  of  FIG.  2   ). The continuity detection circuit  360  may have any of a variety of topologies for continuity detection. For example, the continuity detection circuit  360  may include a low-voltage current source that drives current through the loop that includes the first shielding  150 , the second shielding  152 , the third shielding  154 , and the fourth shielding  156 . For example, the continuity detection circuit  360  may also include a high-impedance voltmeter configured to measure the current flowing through this loop. In some implementations, a general-purpose input/output (GPIO) pin of an integrated circuit is configured as part of the continuity detection circuit  360  to supply current or voltage that are applied to the loop and/or a GPIO pin is configured as part of the continuity detection circuit  360  to measure current or voltage that flow through this loop. When the expected current is found to flow through the loop including the shielding for cables attached to multiple load modules, the continuity detection circuit  360  determines that the first high-voltage cable, the second high-voltage cable, the third high-voltage cable, and the fourth high-voltage cable are properly attached between the high-voltage distribution unit  302  and their respective load modules (e.g., the heater module  104  and the compressor module  106 ). When an interruption in this expected current flow through this loop is detected by the continuity detection circuit  360 , then the continuity detection circuit  360  determines that an error condition has manifested on the first shielding  150 , the second shielding  152 , the third shielding  154 , and/or the fourth shielding  156 . For example, a high-voltage connector that attaches the first shielding  150  and/or the second shielding  152  to the high-voltage distribution unit  302  or to the heater module  104  may become disconnected from a mated connecter, which may be detected as an error or interruption condition by the continuity detection circuit  160 . For example, a high-voltage connector that attaches the third shielding  154  and/or the fourth shielding  156  to the high-voltage distribution unit  302  or to the compressor module  106  may become disconnected from a mated connecter, which may be detected as an error or interruption condition by the continuity detection circuit  360 . For example, the first shielding  150 , the second shielding  152 , the third shielding  154 , or the fourth shielding  156  may become cut or severed somewhere along their length, which may be detected as an error or interruption condition by the continuity detection circuit  360 . 
     In either of these two fault scenarios (i.e., a cable is cut or a cable becomes disconnected), the controller  330  of the high-voltage distribution unit  302  may be configured to take a corrective action responsive to the continuity detection circuit  360  detecting that a fault condition has occurred. In some implementations, the controller  330  may be configured to stop the flow of high-voltage current from the first high-voltage power supply  110  through the first conductor  140  and the second conductor  142  and stop the flow of high-voltage current from the second high-voltage power supply  112  through the third conductor  144  and the fourth conductor  146  responsive to detection of a disruption of continuity by the continuity detection circuit  360 . For example, the controller  330  may include a safety circuit configured to, responsive to detection of a disruption of continuity by the continuity detection circuit  360 , stop current flow from the high-voltage power supply  110  through the first conductor  140 . 
     For example, the high-voltage power supply  110  may be part of a vehicle (e.g., a car or a truck) including a chassis that is coupled to a ground node of the continuity detection circuit  360 . In some implementations, the system  300  includes a high-voltage module connector that attaches the first high-voltage cable and the second high-voltage cable to a load module (e.g., the heater module  104 ), and a jumper in the high-voltage module connector that connects the first shielding  150  and the second shielding  152 . 
     In some implementations, the continuity detection circuit  360  has direct current isolation from a ground node of the high-voltage power supply  110 . For example, the continuity detection circuit  360  and the first shielding  150 , the second shielding  152 , the third shielding  154 , and the fourth shielding  156  may be coupled to one or more ground nodes via capacitors as shown in the example system  200  of  FIG.  2   . 
       FIG.  4    is a circuit diagram of an example of a system  400  for electrical connection monitoring using shielding of individual cables. The system  400  includes a high-voltage distribution unit (HVDU)  402  (e.g., a battery pack) that is connected to two peripheral or load modules—a heater module  404  and a compressor module  406 —via high-voltage cables. The high-voltage distribution unit  402  includes a first high-voltage power supply  410  and a second high-voltage power supply  412 . The high-voltage distribution unit  402  includes a controller  430  of the high-voltage distribution unit  402 . The system  400  includes a first high-voltage cable including a first conductor  440  connected to the first high-voltage power supply  410  and a first shielding  450  that encircles the first conductor  440 . The system  400  includes a second high-voltage cable including a second conductor  442  connected to the first high-voltage power supply  410  and a second shielding  452  that encircles the second conductor  442 . The system  400  includes a third high-voltage cable including a third conductor  444  connected to the second high-voltage power supply  412  and a third shielding  454  that encircles the third conductor  444 . The system  400  includes a fourth high-voltage cable including a fourth conductor  446  connected to the second high-voltage power supply  412  and a fourth shielding  456  that encircles the fourth conductor  446 . The system  400  includes a continuity detection circuit  460  connected to the first shielding  450 . The first high-voltage power supply  410  may be part of a vehicle including a chassis that is coupled to a ground node  474  of the continuity detection circuit  460  and the continuity detection circuit  460  is connected to the first shielding  450  at a first end of the high-voltage cable and the first shielding  450  is coupled to the chassis at a second end of the high-voltage cable. The continuity detection circuit  460  may be configured to drive current through the first shielding  450  that returns via the chassis. For example, the chassis may be connected to a ground node  470  of the heater module  404  and the first shielding  450  may be coupled to the chassis at the ground node  470  via a first resistor  480 . The continuity detection circuit  460  is connected to the third shielding  454 . The second high-voltage power supply  412  may be part of the vehicle including the chassis that is coupled to the ground node  474  of the continuity detection circuit  460  and the continuity detection circuit  460  is connected to the third shielding  454  at a first end of the high-voltage cable and the third shielding  454  is coupled to the chassis at a second end of the high-voltage cable. The continuity detection circuit  460  may be configured to drive current through the first shielding  450  that returns via the chassis. For example, the chassis may be connected to a ground node  472  of the compressor module  406  and the third shielding  454  may be coupled to the chassis at the ground node  472  via a second resistor  482 . The system  400  may be configured to monitor connection status for the cables that are individually connected to the continuity detection circuit  460 , including interruptions caused by cuts or other damage to the cables themselves and their connections to the high-voltage distribution unit  402  and their respective peripheral module. In some implementations, the system  400  is part a vehicle. For example, the system  400  may be used to implement the process  700  of  FIG.  7   . 
     The system  400  includes a first high-voltage power supply  410 . The first high-voltage power supply  410  includes a positive terminal and a negative terminal. For example, the first high-voltage power supply  410  may be configured as a voltage source providing a direct current voltage greater than 60 Volts. In some implementations, the first high-voltage power supply  410  provides power at a direct current voltage greater than 1500 Volts. For example, the first high-voltage power supply  410  may be configured as a voltage source providing an alternating current voltage greater than 30 Volts. In some implementations, the first high-voltage power supply  410  provides power at an alternating current root mean square voltage greater than 1000 Volts. For example, the first high-voltage power supply  410  may be configured as a current source. For example, the first high-voltage power supply  410  may include a high-voltage battery. The first high-voltage power supply  410  is part of a high-voltage distribution unit  402  that is configured to provide power at high voltages to peripheral modules (e.g., peripheral modules in a vehicle). The first high-voltage power supply  410  is configured to provide power to the heater module  404 . In this example, the high-voltage distribution unit  402  also includes a second high-voltage power supply  412 . The second high-voltage power supply  412  is configured to provide power to the compressor module  406 . 
     For example, the high-voltage distribution unit  402  may house the first high-voltage power supply  410 , the second high-voltage power supply  412 , and the continuity detection circuit  460 . 
     The system  400  includes a first high-voltage cable including a first conductor  440  connected to the first high-voltage power supply  410  and a first shielding  450  that encircles the first conductor  440 . For example, the first high-voltage cable may be a coaxial cable with the first conductor  440  as an inner, central conductor and the first shielding  450  as a concentric conducting shield that is separated from the first conductor  440  by a concentric dielectric insulator. The first high-voltage cable may also include a protective outer sheath (e.g., a plastic jacket) that encircles the first shielding  450 . For example, the first shielding  450  may be made of copper or aluminum tape or conducting polymer. The first shielding  450  may act as a Faraday cage to reduce electromagnetic radiation. In this example, the first conductor  440  is connected to a positive terminal of the first high-voltage power supply  410  in the high-voltage distribution unit  402 . 
     The system  400  includes a second high-voltage cable including a second conductor  442  connected to the first high-voltage power supply  410  and a second shielding  452  that encircles the second conductor  442 . In this example, the second conductor  442  is connected to a negative terminal of the first high-voltage power supply  410  in the high-voltage distribution unit  402 . In some implementations (not shown in  FIG.  4   ), the second shielding  452  may also be connected to the continuity detection circuit  460 , which may also be used to individually monitor the electrical connection of the second high-voltage cable in the same way it monitors the electrical connection of the first high-voltage cable using the first shielding  450 . In some implementations (not shown in  FIG.  4   ), a single shielding (e.g., similar to the first shielding  450 ) may encircle both the first conductor  440  and the second conductor  420 . This single shielding that is shared by the first conductor  440  and the second conductor  420  may be used for monitoring the connection in the same way the first shielding  450  is used monitor the connection of the first high-voltage cable between the high-voltage distribution unit  402  and the heater module  404 . 
     The first high-voltage cable and the second high-voltage cable may be used to connect the high-voltage distribution unit  402  to the heater module  404 . When these cables are properly connected, the first conductor  440  and the second conductor  442  may bear current to and from the heater module  404  to supply electrical power to the heater module  404 . 
     Similarly, the system  400  includes a third high-voltage cable including a third conductor  444  connected to the second high-voltage power supply  412  and a third shielding  454  that encircles the third conductor  444 . The system  400  includes a fourth high-voltage cable including a fourth conductor  446  connected to the second high-voltage power supply  412  and a fourth shielding  456  that encircles the fourth conductor  446 . In this example, the third conductor  444  is connected to a positive terminal and the fourth conductor  446  is connected to a negative terminal of the second high-voltage power supply  412  in the high-voltage distribution unit  402 . The third high-voltage cable and the fourth high-voltage cable may be used to connect the high-voltage distribution unit  402  to the compressor module  406 . When these cables are properly connected, the third conductor  444  and the fourth conductor  446  may bear current to and from the compressor module  406  to supply electrical power to the compressor module  406 . 
     The system  400  includes a continuity detection circuit  460  connected to the first shielding  450 . The high-voltage power supply  412  is part of a vehicle including a chassis that is coupled to a ground node  474  of the continuity detection circuit  460  and the continuity detection circuit  460  is connected to the shielding  450  at a first end of the high-voltage cable and the shielding  450  is coupled to the chassis at a second end of the high-voltage cable. The continuity detection circuit  460  may be configured to drive current through the shielding  450  that returns via the chassis. In this example, the shielding  450  is coupled to the chassis via a resistor  480  in a load module (i.e., the heater module  404 ) attached to the second end of the high-voltage cable. For example, the first shielding  450  may be connected with the continuity detection circuit  460  as described in  FIG.  5   . The continuity detection circuit  460  may have any of a variety of topologies for continuity detection. For example, the continuity detection circuit  460  may include a low-voltage current source that drives current through the first shielding  450  and a high-impedance voltmeter configured to measure the voltage of this shielding  450 . In some implementations, a general-purpose input/output (GPIO) pin of an integrated circuit is configured as part of the continuity detection circuit  460  to supply current or voltage that are applied to the first shielding  450  and/or a GPIO pin is configured as part of the continuity detection circuit  460  to measure voltage or current that flows through the first shielding  450 . When the expected current is found to flow normally through the first shielding  450  and the continuity detection circuit  460 , the continuity detection circuit  460  determines that the first high-voltage cable is properly attached between the high-voltage distribution unit  402  and the heater module  404 . When an interruption in this expected current flow through the first shielding  450  is detected by the continuity detection circuit  460 , then the continuity detection circuit  460  determines that an error condition has manifested on the first shielding  450 . For example, a high-voltage connector that attaches the first shielding  450  and/or the second shielding  452  to the high-voltage distribution unit  402  or to the heater module  404  may become disconnected from a mated connecter, which may be detected as an error or interruption condition by the continuity detection circuit  460 . For example, the first shielding  450  may become cut or severed somewhere along its length, which may be detected as an error or interruption condition by the continuity detection circuit  460 . 
     For example, the continuity detection circuit  460  may be configured to detect states including an open circuit state and a state indicating a short circuit of the shielding  450  to the chassis. In some implementations, the continuity detection circuit  460  includes a high-impedance voltage meter in parallel with a low-voltage voltage source (e.g., a 5 Volt source) that is in series with an output resistor between the ground node  474  and the first shielding  450 . In this example topology, and with the resistor  480  coupling the first shielding  450  to the ground node  470  in the heater module  404 , the reading of the voltage meter may be used to distinguish three cases: 1) 0 volts indicates a short circuit (e.g., caused bay vehicle impact that has severed the first cable and brought the first shielding  450  in contact with the chassis); 2) voltage equal to the voltage source output (e.g., 5 Volts) indicates an open circuit condition (e.g., due to cable connector of the first high-voltage cable becoming disconnected); or 3) an intermediate voltage (e.g., 2.5 Volts) from voltage division between the output resistor and the resistor  480  indicates normal operation and current flow through the first high-voltage cable to the heater module  404 . 
     In either of these two fault scenarios (i.e., a cable is cut or a cable becomes disconnected), the controller  430  of the high-voltage distribution unit  402  may be configured to take a corrective action responsive to the continuity detection circuit  460  detecting that a fault condition has occurred. In some implementations, the controller  430  may be configured to stop the flow of high-voltage current from the first high-voltage power supply  410  through the first conductor  440  responsive to detection of a disruption of continuity by the continuity detection circuit  460 . For example, the controller  430  may include a safety circuit configured to, responsive to detection of a disruption of continuity by the continuity detection circuit  460 , stop current flow from the high-voltage power supply  410  through the first conductor  440 . In some implementations, short circuit conditions and open circuit conditions may be distinguished and handle differently. For example, and open circuit may trigger an immediate shutdown of the power supply for an implicated load module, while a short circuit condition may trigger an immediate shutdown of all adjacent power supplies, since it might be a vehicle crash scenario. For example, and open circuit may trigger a warning message and/or activation of maintenance needed indicator, while a short circuit condition may trigger an immediate shutdown of one or more power supplies or other systems. 
     In some implementations, the continuity detection circuit  460  has direct current isolation from a ground node of the high-voltage power supply  410 . For example, the continuity detection circuit  460  and the first shielding  450  may be connected as shown in the example system  500  of  FIG.  5   . 
     Similarly, the continuity detection circuit  460  may be connected to the third high-voltage cable to monitor electrical connection status between the high-voltage distribution unit  402  and the compressor module  406 . The continuity detection circuit  460  may be configured to detect either of the two fault scenarios (i.e., a cable is cut or a cable becomes disconnected) and the controller  430  of the high-voltage distribution unit  402  may be configured to take a corrective action responsive to the continuity detection circuit  460  detecting that a fault condition has occurred along the third high-voltage cable. In some implementations, the controller  430  may be configured to stop the flow of high-voltage current from the second high-voltage power supply  412  through the third conductor  444  responsive to detection of a disruption of continuity by the continuity detection circuit  460 . For example, the controller  430  may include a safety circuit configured to, responsive to detection of a disruption of continuity by the continuity detection circuit  460 , stop current flow from the high-voltage power supply  412  through the third conductor  444 . 
     In some implementations (not shown in  FIG.  4   ), the continuity detection circuit  460  may be housed in a load module (e.g., the heater module  404  or the compressor module  406 ) rather than in the high-voltage distribution unit  402 . For example, a system may include a high-voltage distribution unit that houses the high-voltage power supply (e.g., the high-voltage power supply  410 ), where the high-voltage distribution unit is attached to a first end of the first high-voltage cable; and a load module that houses a continuity detection circuit (e.g., the continuity detection circuit  460 ), where the load module is attached to a second end of the first high-voltage cable. 
     The system  400  may provide advantages over conventional High Voltage Interlock Loop (HVIL) systems. For example, cuts to a cable or other cable damage may be detected as fault conditions using the continuity detection circuit  460  with the first shielding  450 . For example, the use of additional wiring to high-voltage connectors that attach the high-voltage cables that is typical of traditional HVIL systems may be avoided. For example, the system  400  may enable individual monitoring of load modules, such as the heater module  404  or the compressor module  406 . For example, the system  400  may distinguish between open circuit and short circuit conditions, which may enable different handling of different types of disruptions of an electrical connection through a cable by selecting different actions in response. 
       FIG.  5    is a circuit diagram of an example of a system  500  for electrical connection monitoring using shielding of a single cable to and a current return path through a chassis. The system  500  includes a controller  502  in a high-voltage distribution unit  503  in a vehicle (e.g., a car or a truck) and a load module  504  that receives electrical power from the high-voltage distribution unit  503 . The high-voltage distribution unit  503  and the load module  504  are connected via high-voltages cables that include a first shielding  510  and a second shielding  512 . At the high-voltage distribution unit  503 , a first connector  520  attaches a first end of high-voltage cables to the high-voltage distribution unit  503 . At the load module  504 , a second connector  522  attaches a second end of high-voltage cables to the load module  504 . The controller  502  includes a continuity detection circuit  530  (e.g., the continuity detection circuit  460 ) that is connected, via the first connector  520 , to the first shielding  510  to monitor the electrical connection status for the load module  504 . The first shielding  510  is coupled via the first connector  520  and an alternating current coupling capacitor  550  to a ground node  540  in the high-voltage distribution unit  503 . In the load module  504 , the first shielding  510  is coupled via the second connector  522  and an alternating current coupling capacitor  552  to a ground node  542  in the load module  504 . For example, the alternating current coupling capacitors  550  and  552  may serve to reduce radiation from the first shielding  510  and prevent or mitigate electromagnetic interference. For example, the system  500  may be used to implement the process  700  of  FIG.  7   . 
     For example, the first connector  520  may include a high-voltage harness connector mated with a high-voltage header connector. The first connector  520  may be configured to internally keep the first shielding  510  isolated from the second shielding  512 . For example, the first connector  520  may include the high-voltage harness connector  860  of  FIG.  8   . For example, the second connector  522  may include a high-voltage harness connector mated with a high-voltage header connector. The second connector  522  may be configured to internally keep the first shielding  510  isolated from the second shielding  512 . For example, the second connector  522  may include the high-voltage harness connector  860  of  FIG.  8   . In some implementations (not shown in  FIG.  5   ), a single shielding (e.g., similar to the first shielding  510 ) may encircle multiple conductors used to convey power to the load module  504  and the second shielding  512  may be omitted. For example, the single shielding may be part of a multi-core cable. This single shielding that is shared may be used for monitoring the connection in the same way the first shielding  510  is used monitor the connection of the first high-voltage cable between the high-voltage distribution unit  503  and the load module  504 . 
     For example, the ground node  540  of the high-voltage distribution unit  503  may be a ground node of a power supply of the high-voltage distribution unit  503 . In some implementations, the continuity detection circuit  530  may have direct current isolation from a ground node of the high-voltage power supply (e.g., the high-voltage power supply  110 ). For example, the alternating current coupling capacitor  550  may couple the first shielding  510  to a ground node  540  (e.g., a ground node of the high-voltage power supply). In some implementations, the system  500  is part a vehicle and the ground node  542  of the load module  504  is connected to the ground node  540  of the high-voltage distribution unit  503  via a chassis of the vehicle. 
     Conductors in the high-voltage distribution unit  503  that connect, via the first connector  520 , the first shielding  510  to the continuity detection circuit  530  and the respective alternating current coupling capacitor  550  may be, for example, wires or traces on a printed circuit board (PCB). As described in relation to the continuity detection circuit  460  above, the continuity detection circuit  530  may have a variety of topologies. For example, the continuity detection circuit  530  may include a current sensor or voltage sensor for monitoring the circuit continuity around a loop that includes the continuity detection circuit  530  and the first shielding  510  and a current return path  574  through the chassis of the vehicle. The first shielding  510  is also coupled to a ground node  570  in the load module  504  via a resistor  560 . The ground node  570  may be connected to the vehicle chassis and, through the chassis, to ground node  572  in the high-voltage distribution unit  503 . In some implementations (not shown in  FIG.  5   ), the resistor  560  may be omitted from the system  500  and the first shielding  510  may be connected directly to the ground node  570 . 
       FIG.  6    is a circuit diagram of an example of a system  600  for electrical connection monitoring using shielding of cables connected in series to monitor multiple peripheral modules. The system  600  includes a high-voltage distribution unit (HVDU)  602  that is connected to two peripheral or load modules—the heater module  604  and the compressor module  606 —via high-voltage cables. The high-voltage distribution unit  602  includes the first high-voltage power supply  410  and the second high-voltage power supply  412 . The high-voltage distribution unit  602  includes a controller  630  of the high-voltage distribution unit  602 . The system  600  includes the first high-voltage cable including the first conductor  440  connected to the first high-voltage power supply  410  and the first shielding  450  that encircles the first conductor  440 . The system  400  includes the second high-voltage cable including the second conductor  442  connected to the first high-voltage power supply  410  and the second shielding  452  that encircles the second conductor  442 . The system  600  includes the third high-voltage cable including the third conductor  444  connected to the second high-voltage power supply  412  and the third shielding  454  that encircles the third conductor  444 . The system  600  includes the fourth high-voltage cable including the fourth conductor  446  connected to the second high-voltage power supply  412  and the fourth shielding  456  that encircles the fourth conductor  446 . The system  600  includes a continuity detection circuit  660  connected to the first shielding  450 . The first shielding  450  is connected to the third shielding  454  by a wire  650  that extends between the heater module  604  and the compressor module  606 , the third shielding  454  is coupled to a ground node  670  in the high-voltage distribution unit  602  via a resistor  680 , and the ground node  670  is connected to the ground node  674  of the controller  630  (e.g., via the vehicle chassis) to form a loop with the continuity detection circuit  660  that uses the ground node  674 . This loop includes shielding for connections to multiple load modules arranged in series. The system  600  may be configured to monitor connection status for the cables of this loop, including interruptions caused by cuts or other damage to the cables themselves and their connections to the high-voltage distribution unit  602  and their respective peripheral module. In some implementations, the system  600  is part a vehicle. For example, the system  600  may be used to implement the process  700  of  FIG.  7   . 
     Comparing the system  600  to the system  400  of  FIG.  4   , the loop being monitored for continuity is expanded to include one or more additional shieldings (e.g., the third shielding  454 ), of additional high-voltage cables, that are connected in series to form the loop with the continuity detection circuit. These additional shieldings may be associated with connections to additional load modules (e.g., the compressor module  406 ). 
     For example, the high-voltage distribution unit  602  may house the first high-voltage power supply  410 , the second high-voltage power supply  412 , and the continuity detection circuit  660 . 
     The system  600  includes a continuity detection circuit  660  connected to the first shielding  450 . The first shielding  450  is connected to the third shielding  454  by a wire  650  that extends between different load modules (i.e., the heater module  604  and the compressor module  606 ), the third shielding  454  is coupled to a ground node  670  in the high-voltage distribution unit  602  via a resistor  680 , and the ground node  670  is connected to the ground node  674  of the controller  630  (e.g., via the vehicle chassis) to form a loop with the continuity detection circuit  660  that uses the ground node  674 . The third shielding  454  is connected in series with the first shielding  450 , i.e., via the wire  650 . For example, a conductor in the high-voltage distribution unit  602  that connects the third shielding  454  to the resistor  680  may include a trace on printed circuit board and/or a wire in the high-voltage distribution unit  602 . This conductor may connect to the second shielding  452  and the third shielding  454  through respective connectors at the high-voltage distribution unit  602  (e.g., as described in relation the first connector  520  of  FIG.  5   ). The continuity detection circuit  660  may have any of a variety of topologies for continuity detection. For example, the continuity detection circuit  660  may include a low-voltage current source that drives current through the loop that includes the first shielding  450  and the third shielding  454 . For example, the continuity detection circuit  660  may also include a high-impedance voltmeter configured to measure the current flowing through this loop. In some implementations, a general-purpose input/output (GPIO) pin of an integrated circuit is configured as part of the continuity detection circuit  660  to supply current or voltage that are applied to the loop and/or a GPIO pin is configured as part of the continuity detection circuit  660  to measure current or voltage that flow through this loop. When the expected current is found to flow through the loop including the shielding for cables attached to multiple load modules, the continuity detection circuit  660  determines that the first high-voltage cable, the second high-voltage cable, the third high-voltage cable, and the fourth high-voltage cable are properly attached between the high-voltage distribution unit  602  and their respective load modules (e.g., the heater module  604  and the compressor module  606 ). When an interruption in this expected current flow through this loop is detected by the continuity detection circuit  660 , then the continuity detection circuit  660  determines that an error condition has manifested on the first shielding  450  and/or the third shielding  454 . For example, a high-voltage connector that attaches the first shielding  450  and/or the second shielding  452  to the high-voltage distribution unit  602  or to the heater module  604  may become disconnected from a mated connecter, which may be detected as an error or interruption condition by the continuity detection circuit  660 . For example, a high-voltage connector that attaches the third shielding  454  and/or the fourth shielding  456  to the high-voltage distribution unit  602  or to the compressor module  606  may become disconnected from a mated connecter, which may be detected as an error or interruption condition by the continuity detection circuit  660 . For example, the first shielding  450  or the third shielding  454  may become cut or severed somewhere along their length, which may be detected as an error or interruption condition by the continuity detection circuit  660 . 
     In either of these two fault scenarios (i.e., a cable is cut or a cable becomes disconnected), the controller  630  of the high-voltage distribution unit  602  may be configured to take a corrective action responsive to the continuity detection circuit  660  detecting that a fault condition has occurred. In some implementations, the controller  630  may be configured to stop the flow of high-voltage current from the first high-voltage power supply  410  through the first conductor  440  and the second conductor  442  and stop the flow of high-voltage current from the second high-voltage power supply  412  through the third conductor  444  and the fourth conductor  446  responsive to detection of a disruption of continuity by the continuity detection circuit  660 . For example, the controller  630  may include a safety circuit configured to, responsive to detection of a disruption of continuity by the continuity detection circuit  660 , stop current flow from the high-voltage power supply  410  through the first conductor  440 . 
     For example, the high-voltage power supply  410  may be part of a vehicle (e.g., a car or a truck) including a chassis that is coupled to the ground node  674  of the continuity detection circuit  660 . In some implementations, the continuity detection circuit  660  has direct current isolation from a ground node of the high-voltage power supply  410 . For example, the continuity detection circuit  660  and the first shielding  450 , the second shielding  452 , the third shielding  454 , and the fourth shielding  456  may be coupled to one or more ground nodes via capacitors as shown in the example system  200  of  FIG.  2   . 
       FIG.  7    is a flow chart of a process  700  for electrical connection monitoring using cable shielding. The process  700  includes applying  710  a voltage to a shielding of a cable; monitoring  720  connectivity of the cable by sensing changes in current flow through the shielding of the cable; when (at step  725 ) a disruption of continuity is detected, then, responsive to detection of a disruption of continuity of the cable, stopping  730  current flow from a power supply through a conductor of the cable that is encircled by the shielding. The process  700  may provide advantages over techniques for electrical connection monitoring using conventional High Voltage Interlock Loop (HVIL) systems. For example, cuts to a cable or other cable damage may be detected as fault conditions using a continuity detection circuit with the shielding of one or more cables. For example, the use of additional wiring to high-voltage connectors that attach the high-voltage cables that is typical of traditional HVIL systems may be avoided. For example, the process  700  may enable individual monitoring of load modules. In some implementations, the process  700  may distinguish between open circuit and short circuit conditions, which may enable different handling of different types of disruptions of an electrical connection through a cable by selecting different actions in response. For example, the process  700  may be implanted using the system  100  of  FIG.  1 A . For example, the process  700  may be implanted using the system  200  of  FIG.  2   . For example, the process  700  may be implanted using the system  300  of  FIG.  3   . For example, the process  700  may be implanted using the system  400  of  FIG.  4   . For example, the process  700  may be implanted using the system  500  of  FIG.  5   . For example, the process  700  may be implanted using the system  600  of  FIG.  6   . 
     The process  700  includes applying  710  a voltage to a shielding of a cable. The voltage may be a relatively low voltage in a system including the cable. In some implementations, the voltage applied to the shielding is at least a factor of ten smaller than high voltage applied to a conductor of the cable that is encircled by the shielding. For example, the shielding of the cable may be connected to a continuity detection circuit, which may include a low-voltage current source or voltage source that is configured to induce a voltage and/or a current in the shielding. For example, the induced voltage may be a low voltage (e.g., 5 volts or lower). For example, the induced voltage in the shielding may be a direct current (DC) voltage or a low-frequency alternating current (AC) voltage. For example, this may result in an expected voltage and/or current in the shielding as long as the desired arrangement of cables, including at least the cable in question, is maintained between a device housing the continuity detection circuit (e.g., a high-voltage distribution unit) and one or more peripheral or load modules. 
     The process  700  includes monitoring  720  connectivity of the cable by sensing changes in current flow through the shielding of the cable. For example, when an indication of current flow through the shielding (e.g., a measured current or a measured voltage in a continuity detection circuit connected to the shielding) deviates from an expected value by more than a threshold amount for more than a threshold period of time, a disruption of continuity may be detected. For example, a disruption of continuity may be caused by the cable becoming disconnected from a module (e.g., disconnected from a high-voltage distribution unit or a load module) it was attached to. For example, a disruption of continuity may be caused by the cable being cut or otherwise damage at some point along its length even while the harness connectors at both ends of the cable remain attached to their respective mated header connectors. In some implementations, monitoring  720  connectivity of the cable may include distinguishing between different types of disruptions of continuity. For example, monitoring  720  connectivity of the cable may include detecting a state from among a set of states including an open circuit state and a state indicating a short circuit of the shielding to a chassis of a vehicle. For example, the different types of disruptions of continuity may be distinguished as described in relation  FIGS.  4  and  5   . 
     If (at step  725 ) a disruption of continuity is not detected, then the cable is determined to be arranged about operating normally in a system including the cable and the application of voltage to the shielding  710  and monitoring  720  may continue. 
     If (at step  725 ) a disruption of continuity is not detected, then the process  700  includes, responsive to detection of a disruption of continuity of the cable, stopping  730  current flow from a power supply through a conductor of the cable that is encircled by the shielding. For example, current flow from the power supply may be stopped  730  by disabling or shutting down the power supply. In some implementations, the current flow may be stopped  730  by opening a switch that was connecting the conductor of the cable to the power supply. In some implementations, the action taken in response to detection of a disruption of continuity depends on the type of disruption that I detected. For example, where an open circuit condition is the type of disruption detected, the current flow to a single load module implicated by the disruption may be stopped  730 . For example, where a short circuit condition is the type of disruption detected, the current flow to many adjacent load modules in a vehicle may be stopped  730 . This action may be taken because a short circuit condition may be more likely to result from accident that has damaged the vehicle and cut into the cable, bringing the shielding into contact with a vehicle chassis. 
     Step  730  is optional and may be omitted from the process  700  in some implementations. For example, connectivity monitoring  720  using the shielding of a cable may be applied to cables electrical connection via cable in systems that use low voltages and present significantly lower safety hazards (e.g., monitoring  720  connectivity of an Ethernet cable or a low-voltage shielded alternating current (AC) cable). In some implementations, actions taken responsive to detection of a disruption of continuity of the cable, may include presenting a warning message or a maintenance needed prompt to user via a user interface of the system. 
       FIG.  8    shows illustrations of examples of electrical cable connectors. The first connector  800  is a high-voltage harness connector illustrated from a perspective looking at the cable side of the connector  800 . The first connector includes electrically isolated shielding terminations  810  and  820  for a pair of coaxial cables that will be attached to the first connector  800 . The first shielding termination  810  is electrically isolated from the second shielding termination  820  in the sense that the terminations do not directly connect to each other, although in some implementations they may be electrically connected by another part (e.g., a jumper) of the first connector  800  or another component of a larger system in which the first connector  800  is used. 
     A second connector  830  is illustrated from a perspective looking at the module/terminal side of the connector  830 . The second connector  830  is a high-voltage harness connector with a continuous metal plate  850  that electrically connects two shielding terminations for a pair of coaxial cables that will be attached to the second connector  830 . For example, the second connector  830  may be used as a loop connector to connect a first shielding and a second shielding attached to the second connector  830 . 
     A third connector  860  is illustrated from a perspective looking at the module/terminal side of the connector  860 . The third connector  860  is a high-voltage harness connector with isolated metal plates  880  and  882  that connect to respective shielding terminations for a pair of coaxial cables that will be attached to the third connector  860 . For example, the third connector  860  may be used as an individual isolation connector to keep a first shielding and a second shielding attached to the third connector  860  isolated as they are connected through the third connector  860  to a high-voltage distribution unit or a load module. 
       FIG.  9    is a circuit diagram of an example of a system  900  for electrical connection monitoring using cable shielding. The system  900  includes a battery pack  902  that is connected to six peripheral or load modules ( 903 ,  904 ,  905 ,  906 ,  907 ,  908 , and  909 ) via high-voltage cables. The battery pack  902  includes a high-voltage battery  910 . The battery pack  902  includes a penthouse  930  of the battery pack  902 . The system  900  includes a first high-voltage cable including a first conductor  940  connected to the high-voltage battery  910  and a first shielding  950  that encircles the first conductor  940 . The system  900  includes a second high-voltage cable including a second conductor  942  connected to the high-voltage battery  910  and a second shielding  952  that encircles the second conductor  942 . The system  900  includes a third high-voltage cable including a third conductor  944  and a fourth conductor  946  connected to the high-voltage battery  910  and a third shielding  953  that encircles the third conductor  944  and the fourth conductor  946 . For example, the third high-voltage cable may be a multi-core cable. The system  900  includes a fourth high-voltage cable (e.g., a multi-core cable) including a pair of conductors connected to the high-voltage battery  910  and a fourth shielding  954  that encircles this pair of conductors. The system  900  includes a fifth high-voltage cable (e.g., a multi-core cable) including a pair of conductors connected to the high-voltage battery  910  and a fifth shielding  955  that encircles this pair of conductors. The system  900  includes a sixth high-voltage cable (e.g., a multi-core cable) including a pair of conductors connected to the high-voltage battery  910  and a sixth shielding  956  that encircles this pair of conductors. The system  900  includes a seventh high-voltage cable (e.g., a multi-core cable) including a pair of conductors connected to the high-voltage battery  910  and a seventh shielding  957  that encircles this pair of conductors. The system  900  includes a continuity detection circuit  960  connected to the first shielding  950  and to the second shielding  952 . The second shielding  952  is connected to the first shielding  950  at a first high-voltage module  904  to form a loop with the continuity detection circuit  960 . The continuity detection circuit  960  is connected to the third shielding  953  and to the fourth shielding  954 . The fourth shielding  954  is connected to the third shielding  953  via a wire  970  extending between a second high-voltage module  905  and a third high-voltage module  906  to form a loop with the continuity detection circuit  960 . The continuity detection circuit  960  is connected to the seventh shielding  957 . The seventh shielding  957  is connected to the sixth shielding  956  via a wire  972  extending between a sixth high-voltage module  909  and a fifth high-voltage module  908 , the sixth shielding  956  is connected to the fifth shielding  955  via a wire  974  in the battery pack  902 , and the fifth shielding  955  is connected to the continuity detection circuit  960  via a wire  976  extending between a fourth high-voltage module  907  and the battery pack  902  to form a loop with the continuity detection circuit  960 . The system  900  may be configured to monitor connection status for the cables of a loop, including interruptions caused by cuts or other damage to the cables themselves and their connections to the battery pack  902  and their respective peripheral module. In some implementations, the system  900  is part a vehicle. For example, the system  900  may be used to implement the process  700  of  FIG.  7   . 
     The system  900  includes a high-voltage battery  910 . The high-voltage battery  910  includes a positive terminal and a negative terminal. In some implementations, the high-voltage battery  910  provides power at a direct current voltage greater than 1500 Volts. The high-voltage battery  910  is part of a battery pack  902  that is configured to provide power at high voltages to peripheral modules (e.g., peripheral modules in a vehicle). The high-voltage battery  910  is configured to provide power to the first high-voltage module  904 , the second high-voltage module  905 , the third high-voltage module  906 , the fourth high-voltage module  907 , the fifth high-voltage module  908 , and the sixth high-voltage module  909  in parallel. For example, the battery pack  902  may house the high-voltage battery  910  and the continuity detection circuit  960 . 
     The system  900  includes a first high-voltage cable including a first conductor  940  connected to the high-voltage battery  910  and a first shielding  950  that encircles the first conductor  940 . For example, the first high-voltage cable may be a coaxial cable with the first conductor  940  as an inner, central conductor and the first shielding  950  as a concentric conducting shield that is separated from the first conductor  940  by a concentric dielectric insulator. The first high-voltage cable may also include a protective outer sheath (e.g., a plastic jacket) that encircles the first shielding  950 . For example, the first shielding  950  may be made of copper or aluminum tape or conducting polymer. The first shielding  950  may act as a Faraday cage to reduce electromagnetic radiation. In this example, the first conductor  940  is connected to a positive terminal of the high-voltage battery  910  in the battery pack  902 . 
     The system  900  includes a second high-voltage cable including a second conductor  942  connected to the high-voltage battery  910  and a second shielding  952  that encircles the second conductor  942 . For example, the second high-voltage cable may be a coaxial cable with the second conductor  942  as an inner, central conductor and the second shielding  952  as a concentric conducting shield that is separated from the second conductor  942  by a concentric dielectric insulator. The first high-voltage cable may also include a protective outer sheath (e.g., a plastic jacket) that encircles the second shielding  952 . For example, the second shielding  952  may be made of copper or aluminum tape or conducting polymer. The second shielding  952  may act as a Faraday cage to reduce electromagnetic radiation. In this example, the second conductor  942  is connected to a negative terminal of the high-voltage battery  910  in the battery pack  902 . 
     The first high-voltage cable and the second high-voltage cable may be used to connect the battery pack  902  to the first high-voltage module  904 . When these cables are properly connected, the first conductor  940  and the second conductor  942  may bear current to and from the first high-voltage module  904  to supply electrical power to the first high-voltage module  904 . 
     The system  900  includes a third high-voltage cable including a third conductor  944  and a fourth conductor  946  connected to the high-voltage battery  910  and a third shielding  953  that encircles the third conductor  944  and the fourth conductor  946 . For example, the third high-voltage cable may be a multi-core cable with the third conductor  944  and the fourth conductor  946  as an inner conductors and the third shielding  953  as a conducting shield that is separated from the third conductor  944  and the fourth conductor  946  by one or more dielectric insulators. The third high-voltage cable may also include a protective outer sheath (e.g., a plastic jacket) that encircles the third shielding  953 . For example, the third shielding  953  may be made of copper or aluminum tape or conducting polymer. The third shielding  953  may act as a Faraday cage to reduce electromagnetic radiation. In this example, the third conductor  944  is connected to a positive terminal and the fourth conductor  946  is connected to a negative terminal of the high-voltage battery  910  in the battery pack  902 . The third high-voltage cable may be used to connect the battery pack  902  to the second high-voltage module  905 . When this cable is properly connected, the third conductor  944  and the fourth conductor  946  may bear current to and from the second high-voltage module  905  to supply electrical power to the second high-voltage module  905 . 
     Similarly, the system  900  includes a fourth high-voltage cable including a fourth shielding  954  that connects the battery pack  902  to the third high-voltage module  906 ; a fifth high-voltage cable including a fifth shielding  955  that connects the battery pack  902  to the fourth high-voltage module  907 ; a sixth high-voltage cable including a sixth shielding  956  that connects the battery pack  902  to the fifth high-voltage module  908 ; and a seventh high-voltage cable including a seventh shielding  957  that connects the battery pack  902  to the sixth high-voltage module  909 . 
     The system  900  includes a continuity detection circuit  960  connected to the first shielding  950  and to the second shielding  952 . The second shielding  952  is connected to the first shielding  950  to form a loop with the continuity detection circuit  960 . For example, the second shielding  952  may be connected to the first shielding  950  via a jumper in a connector that attaches the first high-voltage cable and the second high-voltage cable to the first high-voltage module  904 . In some implementations, the second shielding  952  may be connected to the first shielding  950  via a wire inside the first high-voltage module  904 . For example, the second shielding  952  may be connected to the first shielding  950  in the loop with the continuity detection circuit  960  as described in  FIG.  2   . The continuity detection circuit  960  may have any of a variety of topologies for continuity detection. For example, the continuity detection circuit  960  may include a low-voltage current source that drives current through the loop that includes the first shielding  950  and the second shielding  952  and a high-impedance voltmeter configured to measure the current flowing through this loop. In some implementations, a general-purpose input/output (GPIO) pin of an integrated circuit is configured as part of the continuity detection circuit  960  to supply current or voltage that are applied to the loop including the first shielding  950  and the second shielding  952  and/or a GPIO pin is configured as part of the continuity detection circuit  960  to measure voltage or current that flows through this loop. When the expected current is found to flow through the loop including the first shielding  950  and the second shielding  952  and the continuity detection circuit  960 , the continuity detection circuit  960  determines that the first high-voltage cable and second high-voltage cable are properly attached between the battery pack  902  and the first high-voltage module  904 . When an interruption in this expected current flow through this loop is detected by the continuity detection circuit  960 , then the continuity detection circuit  960  determines that an error condition has manifested on the first shielding  950  and/or the second shielding  952 . For example, a high-voltage connector that attaches the first shielding  950  and/or the second shielding  952  to the battery pack  902  or to the first high-voltage module  904  may become disconnected from a mated connecter, which may be detected as an error or interruption condition by the continuity detection circuit  960 . For example, the first shielding  950  or the second shielding  952  may become cut or severed somewhere along their length, which may be detected as an error or interruption condition by the continuity detection circuit  960 . 
     In either of these two fault scenarios (i.e., a cable is cut or a cable becomes disconnected), a controller of the battery pack  902  (e.g., in the penthouse  930 ) may be configured to take a corrective action responsive to the continuity detection circuit  960  detecting that a fault condition has occurred. In some implementations, the controller may be configured to stop the flow of high-voltage current from the high-voltage battery  910  through the first conductor  940  and the second conductor  942  responsive to detection of a disruption of continuity by the continuity detection circuit  960 . For example, the controller may include a safety circuit configured to, responsive to detection of a disruption of continuity by the continuity detection circuit  960 , stop current flow from the high-voltage battery  910  through the first conductor  940 . 
     For example, the high-voltage battery  910  may be part of a vehicle (e.g., a car or a truck) including a chassis that is coupled to a ground node of the continuity detection circuit  960 . In some implementations, the system  900  includes a high-voltage module connector that attaches the first high-voltage cable and the second high-voltage cable to a load module (e.g., the first high-voltage module  904 ), and a jumper in the high-voltage module connector that connects the first shielding  950  and the second shielding  952 . 
     In some implementations, the continuity detection circuit  960  has direct current isolation from a ground node of the high-voltage battery  910 . For example, the continuity detection circuit  960  and the first shielding  950  and the second shielding  952  may be connected as shown in the example system  200  of  FIG.  2   . 
     The continuity detection circuit  960  may be connected to the third high-voltage cable and the fourth high-voltage cable to form a second loop for monitoring electrical connection status between the battery pack  902  and the second high-voltage module  905  and the third high-voltage module  906 . The fourth shielding  954  is connected to the third shielding  953  via a wire  970  extending between the second high-voltage module  905  and the third high-voltage module  906  to form the second loop with the continuity detection circuit  960 . The continuity detection circuit  960  may be configured to detect either of the two fault scenarios (i.e., a cable is cut or a cable becomes disconnected) and a controller of the battery pack  902  may be configured to take a corrective action responsive to the continuity detection circuit  960  detecting that a fault condition has occurred on the second loop. In some implementations, a controller of the battery pack  902  may be configured to stop the flow of high-voltage current from the high-voltage battery  910  through conductors of the third high-voltage cable and the fourth high-voltage cable responsive to detection of a disruption of continuity by the continuity detection circuit  960 . For example, the controller may include a safety circuit configured to, responsive to detection of a disruption of continuity by the continuity detection circuit  960 , stop current flow from the high-voltage battery  910  through the third conductor  944 . Thus, the second loop may be used to jointly monitor the connections to the second high-voltage module  905  and the third high-voltage module  906  in series. 
     Similarly, the continuity detection circuit  960  may be connected to the seventh high-voltage cable to form a third loop for monitoring electrical connection status between the battery pack  902  and the fourth high-voltage module  907 , the fifth high-voltage module  908 , and the sixth high-voltage module  909 . The seventh shielding  957  is connected to the sixth shielding  956  via a wire  972  extending between the sixth high-voltage module  909  and the fifth high-voltage module  908 , the sixth shielding  956  is connected to the fifth shielding  955  via a wire  974  in the battery pack  902 , and the fifth shielding  955  is connected to the continuity detection circuit  960  via a wire  976  extending between the fourth high-voltage module  907  and the battery pack  902  to form a third loop with the continuity detection circuit  960 . The continuity detection circuit  960  may be configured to detect either of the two fault scenarios (i.e., a cable is cut or a cable becomes disconnected) and a controller of the battery pack  902  may be configured to take a corrective action responsive to the continuity detection circuit  960  detecting that a fault condition has occurred on the third loop. In some implementations, a controller of the battery pack  902  may be configured to stop the flow of high-voltage current from the high-voltage battery  910  through conductors of the fifth high-voltage cable, the sixth high-voltage cable, and the seventh high-voltage cable responsive to detection of a disruption of continuity by the continuity detection circuit  960 . For example, the controller may include a safety circuit configured to, responsive to detection of a disruption of continuity by the continuity detection circuit  960  using the third loop, stop current flow from the high-voltage battery  910  through the conductors of the fifth high-voltage cable. Thus, the third loop may be used to jointly monitor the connections to the fourth high-voltage module  907 , the fifth high-voltage module  908 , and the sixth high-voltage module  909  in series. 
     The system  900  may provide advantages over conventional High Voltage Interlock Loop (HVIL) systems. For example, cuts to a cable or other cable damage may be detected as fault conditions using the continuity detection circuit  960  in a loop including shielding of one or more high-voltage cables. For example, the use of additional wiring to high-voltage connectors that attach the high-voltage cables that is typical of traditional HVIL systems may be avoided. For example, the system  900  may enable individual monitoring of load modules (e.g., the first high-voltage module  904 ) or monitoring of smaller groups of load modules that share a loop with a continuity detection circuit. 
     As described above, one aspect of the present technology is the gathering and use of data available from various sources to improve a user experience and provide convenience. The present disclosure contemplates that in some instances, this gathered data may include personal information data that uniquely identifies or can be used to contact or locate a specific person. Such personal information data can include demographic data, location-based data, telephone numbers, email addresses, twitter ID&#39;s, home addresses, data or records relating to a user&#39;s health or level of fitness (e.g., vital signs measurements, medication information, exercise information), date of birth, or any other identifying or personal information. 
     The present disclosure recognizes that the use of such personal information data, in the present technology, can be used to the benefit of users. For example, the personal information data can be used to better design future products by arranging components such a high-voltage distribution units or peripheral load modules to optimize performance in larger system (e.g., a vehicle). Thus, the use of some limited personal information may enhance a user experience. Further, other uses for personal information data that benefit the user are also contemplated by the present disclosure. 
     The present disclosure contemplates that the entities responsible for the collection, analysis, disclosure, transfer, storage, or other use of such personal information data will comply with well-established privacy policies and/or privacy practices. In particular, such entities should implement and consistently use privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining personal information data private and secure. Such policies should be easily accessible by users, and should be updated as the collection and/or use of data changes. Personal information from users should be collected for legitimate and reasonable uses of the entity and not shared or sold outside of those legitimate uses. Further, such collection/sharing should occur after receiving the informed consent of the users. Additionally, such entities should consider taking any needed steps for safeguarding and securing access to such personal information data and ensuring that others with access to the personal information data adhere to their privacy policies and procedures. Further, such entities can subject themselves to evaluation by third parties to certify their adherence to widely accepted privacy policies and practices. In addition, policies and practices should be adapted for the particular types of personal information data being collected and/or accessed and adapted to applicable laws and standards, including jurisdiction-specific considerations. For instance, in the US, collection of or access to certain health data may be governed by federal and/or state laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA); whereas health data in other countries may be subject to other regulations and policies and should be handled accordingly. Hence different privacy practices should be maintained for different personal data types in each country. 
     Despite the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplates embodiments in which users selectively block the use of, or access to, personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplates that hardware and/or software elements can be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, in the case of vehicle networks, the present technology can be configured to allow users to select to “opt in” or “opt out” of participation in the collection of personal information data during registration for services or anytime thereafter. In another example, users can select not to provide connectivity disruption data. In addition to providing “opt in” and “opt out” options, the present disclosure contemplates providing notifications relating to the access or use of personal information. For instance, a user may be notified upon downloading an app that their personal information data will be accessed and then reminded again just before personal information data is accessed by the app. 
     Moreover, it is the intent of the present disclosure that personal information data should be managed and handled in a way to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use. Risk can be minimized by limiting the collection of data and deleting data once it is no longer needed. In addition, and when applicable, including in certain health related applications, data de-identification can be used to protect a user&#39;s privacy. De-identification may be facilitated, when appropriate, by removing specific identifiers (e.g., date of birth, etc.), controlling the amount or specificity of data stored (e.g., collecting location data a city level rather than at an address level), controlling how data is stored (e.g., aggregating data across users), and/or other methods. 
     Therefore, although the present disclosure broadly covers use of personal information data to implement one or more various disclosed embodiments, the present disclosure also contemplates that the various embodiments can also be implemented without the need for accessing such personal information data. That is, the various embodiments of the present technology are not rendered inoperable due to the lack of all or a portion of such personal information data. For example, connectivity disruption data collection statistics can be determined by inferring preferences based on non-personal information data or a bare minimum amount of personal information, such as averages of past data, other non-personal information available to vehicle computing services, or publicly available information. 
     While the disclosure has been described in connection with certain embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20201020
Publication Date: 20231010
Grant Date: 20231010
Priority Date: 20201020
Inventors: TING, Guan Che
O'HERN, Seanpatrick D.
GARG, Venus K.
MCDOWELL, Andrew J.
TELLI, Matteo
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H02H1/0007", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R16/0215", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R16/03", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01R31/006", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01R31/54", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02H7/228", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01B9/028", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01R31/006", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02H1/0007", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01R31/54", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01R31/40", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01R31/54", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R16/0215", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R16/03", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01R31/006", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01B9/028", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02H7/228", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 78463979