EP4419375A1

EP4419375A1 - Vehicle charging control system and method

Info

Publication number: EP4419375A1
Application number: EP22805838.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mustafa OZCELIK; Simon PATEL; Marcus SAVAGA
Original assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Current assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority date: 2021-10-22
Filing date: 2022-10-20
Publication date: 2024-08-28
Also published as: WO2023067053A1; GB2612119B; GB202115245D0; GB2612119A

Abstract

A control system (208) for a vehicle (10), the control system (208) comprising one or more controllers (200), wherein the control system (208) is configured to: determine one or more vehicle charging constraints (12), wherein the one or more vehicle charging constraints (12) comprises at least one of charging duration, target range and target state of charge of energy storage means (14) of the vehicle (10); determine an adapted charging profile (16) for the vehicle (10) in dependence on the one or more vehicle charging constraints (12); and control charging of the vehicle (10) in dependence on the determined charging profile (16) for the vehicle (10).

Description

VEHICLE CHARGING CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to vehicle charging control. In particular, but not exclusively, it relates to vehicle charging control in a passenger vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Electric vehicles and hybrid-electric vehicles can be charged to allow such vehicles to travel using electric power. However, charging of such vehicles may not be done efficiently or effectively.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an aim of the present invention to address one or more of the disadvantages associated with the prior art.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a control system for a vehicle, the control system comprising one or more controllers, wherein the control system is configured to: determine one or more vehicle charging constraints, wherein the one or more vehicle charging constraints comprises at least one of charging duration, target range and target state of charge of energy storage means of the vehicle; determine an adapted charging profile for the vehicle in dependence on the one or more vehicle charging constraints; and control charging of the vehicle in dependence on the determined charging profile for the vehicle.

An advantage is efficient and/or effective charging of a vehicle in dependence on particular circumstances for charging of the vehicle.

In some examples, determining the adapted charging profile for the vehicle comprises determining the adapted charging profile in dependence on at least one of: a state of charge of energy storage means of the vehicle, a present temperature of energy storage means of the vehicle, a temperature limit of energy storage means of the vehicle, one or more system limits, a state of health of energy storage means of the vehicle, available cooling capacity for energy storage means of the vehicle, ambient temperature, ground temperature, altitude of the vehicle, one or more characteristics of a charger to be used to charge the vehicle, and a temperature of one or more electric drive units of the vehicle.

An advantage is that an adapted charging profile can be determined that balances enhanced charging with maintaining and/or managing one or more vehicle systems. In some examples, the control system is configured to determine at least one imbalance in state of charge, temperature and/or state of health between cells of energy storage means of the vehicle, and to determine the charging profile in dependence on the determined at least one imbalance.

In some examples, the control system is configured to control the temperature of energy storage means of the vehicle in coordination with controlling charging of the vehicle.

An example is that temperature of the energy storage means can be managed during provision of enhanced and/or efficient charging of the vehicle.

In some examples, controlling the temperature of energy storage means of the vehicle comprises controlling cooling of the energy storage means of the vehicle to prevent a temperature limit of the energy storage means of the vehicle from being exceeded during charging.

In some examples, the one or more vehicle charging constraints comprises charging duration, and wherein the control system is configured to: determine an expected range and/or expected state of charge in dependence on the charging duration and the determined adapted charging profile; provide at least one output to indicate the expected range and/or expected state of charge; determine an updated charging duration; and determine an updated adapted charging profile for the vehicle in dependence on the updated charging duration.

An advantage is efficient updating of an adapted charging profile in dependence on a change in circumstances.

In some examples, the one or more vehicle charging constraints comprises target range and/or target state of charge, and wherein the control system is configured to: determine an expected charge duration in dependence on the target range and/or target state of charge and the determined adapted charging profile; provide at least one output to indicate the expected charge duration; determine an updated target range and/or target state of charge; and determine an updated adapted charging profile for the vehicle in dependence on the updated target range and/or target state of charge.

An advantage is efficient updating of an adapted charging profile in dependence on a change in circumstances. In some examples, controlling charging of the vehicle in dependence on the determined charging profile for the vehicle comprises controlling electric current received by the vehicle in dependence on the determined charging profile.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle comprising a control system as described herein and energy storage means.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method for controlling charging of a vehicle, the method comprising: determining one or more vehicle charging constraints, wherein the one or more vehicle charging constraints comprises at least one of charging duration, target range and target state of charge of energy storage means of the vehicle; determining an adapted charging profile for the vehicle in dependence on the one or more vehicle charging constraints; and controlling charging of the vehicle in dependence on the determined charging profile for the vehicle.

In some examples the method comprises determining at least one imbalance in state of charge, temperature and/or state of health between cells of energy storage means of the vehicle, and to determine the charging profile in dependence on the determined at least one imbalance.

In some examples, the method comprises controlling the temperature of energy storage means of the vehicle in coordination with controlling charging of the vehicle.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided computer software that, when executed, is arranged to perform at least a part of any one or more of the methods described herein. Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a control system for a vehicle, a vehicle, a method for controlling charging of a vehicle, and computer software as claimed in the appended claims.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided computer software that, when executed, is arranged to perform any one or more of the methods described herein.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause performance of any one or more of the methods described herein.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination that falls within the scope of the appended claims. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination that falls within the scope of the appended claims, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a vehicle;

FIGs 2A, 2B illustrate an example of a control system and of a non-transitory computer readable storage medium;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a method;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example plot; and

FIG. 5 illustrates example plots.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a vehicle in which embodiments of the invention can be implemented. In some, but not necessarily all examples, the vehicle is a passenger vehicle, also referred to as a passenger car or as an automobile. In other examples, embodiments of the invention can be implemented for other applications, such as commercial vehicles. FIG. 1 is a front perspective view and illustrates a longitudinal x-axis between the front and rear of the vehicle representing a centreline, an orthogonal lateral y-axis between left and right lateral sides of the vehicle, and a vertical z-axis. A forward/fore direction typically faced by a driver's seat is in the positive x-direction; rearward/aft is -x. A rightward direction as seen from the driver's seat is in the positive y-direction; leftward is -y. These are a first lateral direction and a second lateral direction.

The vehicle 10, in examples, is an electric vehicle or a hybrid-electric vehicle, such as a plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle. In examples, an electric vehicle can be considered a battery powered electric vehicle.

The vehicle 10 comprises a plurality of systems including a control system 208, energy storage means 14, and one or more human machine interfaces 28. Consequently, FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle 10 comprising a control system 208 as described herein and energy storage means 14.

In examples, energy storage means 14 can comprise any suitable energy storage means 14, for example, any suitable energy storage means 14 to provide power to allow the vehicle 10 to travel in an electric only mode.

In examples, the energy storage means 14 comprises at least one of: one or more components configured to store energy, energy storage circuitry, energy storage apparatus, energy storage mechanisms, one or more batteries, one or more high voltage batteries and so on. In some examples, the energy storage means 14 comprises one or more traction batteries.

Accordingly, as used herein, energy storage means 14 is intended to include components configured to store energy, energy storage circuitry, energy storage apparatus, energy storage mechanisms, one or more batteries, one or more high voltage batteries and so on.

The one or more human machine interfaces 28 comprise any suitable interface(s) to provide output to and/or receive input from a user of the vehicle 10, such as a driver.

The control system 208 is configured to implement any one or more of the methods described herein.

FIG. 2A illustrates how the control system 208 may be implemented. The control system 208 of FIG. 2A illustrates a controller 200. In other examples, the control system 208 may comprise a plurality of controllers 200 on board and/or off board the vehicle 10.

In examples, any suitable control system 208 can be used.

The controller 200 of FIG. 2A includes at least one processor 202; and at least one memory device 204 electrically coupled to the electronic processor 202 and having instructions 206 (for example, a computer program) stored therein, the at least one memory device 204 and the instructions 206 configured to, with the at least one processor 202, cause any one or more of the methods described herein to be performed. FIG. 2A therefore illustrates a control system 208, wherein the one or more electronic controllers 200 collectively comprise: at least one electronic processor 202 having an electrical input for receiving information associated with vehicle charging; and at least one electronic memory device 204 electrically coupled to the at least one electronic processor 202 and having instructions 206 stored therein; and wherein the at least on electronic processor 202 is configured to access the at least one memory device 204 and execute the instructions thereon so as to cause the control system 208 to perform and/or cause performance of any one or more of the methods described herein.

Also illustrated in the example of FIG. 2A are one or more vehicle systems 226. In examples, the vehicle system(s) 226 can comprise any suitable vehicle system(s) 226.

For example, the vehicle system(s) 226 can comprise any suitable vehicle system(s) 226 from which the control system 208 can receive and/or to which the control system 208 can transmit, directly or indirectly, one or more signals 80, for example in preparation for and/or during controlling charging of a vehicle 10.

In examples, the one or more vehicle systems 226 comprise one or more systems involved in control of vehicle charging. For example, the one or more vehicle systems 226 can comprise one or more systems involved in determination of an adapted charging profile 16 for charging of the vehicle 10.

In some examples, the one or more vehicle systems 226 comprise any suitable system or systems 226 of the vehicle 10 configured to provide information for use in determination of an adapted charging profile 16 for the vehicle 10 and/or to allow control of charging of energy storage mean 14 of the vehicle 10.

In examples, the vehicle system(s) 226 comprise one or more sensors. In examples, any suitable sensor or sensors of the vehicle 10 can be used. For example, one or more internal and/or external temperature sensors and/or altitude sensors and/or one or more sensors configured to provide state of health information and so on.

For example, the vehicle system(s) can comprise one or more sensors configured to determine and/or to provide information to allow a determination of battery temperature and/or ambient temperature.

In examples, the one or more vehicle systems 226 comprise one or more electronic drive units of a vehicle 10, which can be considered one or more electric motors and/or one or more traction motors and so on.

In examples, the one or more systems 226 comprise one or more energy storage means 14 of the vehicle 10. In examples, the one or more systems 226 comprise one or more systems 226 configured to provide information on the status of one or more systems and/or components and/or parts of the vehicle 10 such as battery state of health and/or battery imbalance and so on.

For example, the vehicle system(s) 226 can comprise one or more systems configured to determine, and/or to provide information to allow a determination of cooling capacity for one or more batteries and/or inverters and so on.

Accordingly, in examples control system 208 is configured to provide one or more signals 18 and/or to receive one or more signals 18 from such vehicle systems 226 as described herein while performing one or more methods as described herein.

FIG. 2B illustrates a non-transitory computer readable storage medium 218 comprising the instructions 206 (computer software).

Accordingly, FIG. 2B illustrate a non-transitory computer readable medium 218 comprising computer readable instructions 206 that, when executed by a processor 202 cause performance of at least the method of FIG. 3 and/or as described herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a method 300.

The method 300 can be considered a method 300 of controlling charging of a vehicle 10 and/or of charging a vehicle 10.

In some examples, the method 300 can be considered a method 300 of determining and/or implementing an adapted charging profile 16 for a vehicle 10.

In examples, the method 300 is performed by the control system 208 of FIGS. 2A, 2B.

That is, in examples, the control system 208 described herein comprises and/or provides means for performing the method 300. However, any suitable means may be used to perform the method 300.

In examples, the method 300 can be considered a computer implemented method 300 for vehicle 10, such as an electric vehicle 10 and/or a hybrid-electric vehicle 10.

One or more of the features discussed in relation to FIG. 3 can be found in one or more of the other figures.

At block 302, method 300 comprises determining one or more vehicle charging constraints 12, wherein the one or more vehicle charging constraints 12 comprises at least one of charging duration, target range and target state of charge of energy storage means 14 of the vehicle 10. As used herein, the term "determining” (and grammatical variants thereof) can include, not least; calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (for example, looking up in a table, a database or another data structure), ascertaining and the like. Also, "determining” can include receiving (for example, receiving information), accessing (for example accessing data in a memory) and the like. Also "determining” can include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, and the like.

In examples, determining one or more vehicle charging constraints 12 can be performed in any suitable way using any suitable method.

In examples, one or more vehicle charging constraints 12 can be determined automatically in dependence on information received from one or more vehicle systems 226 and/or one or more external systems and so on.

Additionally, or alternatively, in examples one or more vehicle charging constraints 12 can be determined in dependence on one or more user inputs, for example, one or more user inputs made via one or more humanmachine interfaces 28 of the vehicle 10 and/or one or more personal devices of a user and so on.

In examples, a vehicle charging constraint 12 can be considered a vehicle charging limit and/or restriction and/or limitation and/or target and/or goal and so on.

In examples, a vehicle charging constraint 12 can be considered a constraint on how and/or for how long and/or at what rate energy can be delivered to a vehicle 10 and/or at least one target/goal for charging of the vehicle 10.

In examples, charging duration can be considered a length of time that the vehicle 10 will be connected to a charger and/or a length of time for which charging of a vehicle 10 is expected to/can occur.

In examples, target range can be considered a target range for the vehicle 10 to be achieved during the charging of the vehicle 10.

In examples, a target state of charge of energy storage means 14 of the vehicle 10 can be considered a target state of charge to be achieved for the energy storage means 14 of the vehicle 10.

In examples, target state of charge and target range can be considered to be related and/or interlinked. However, in examples, one or more navigation factors, such as one or more factors relating to an expected route to be travelled, can be used in determining a target range of the vehicle 10.

In some examples, a user of the vehicle 10 can input at least one of a charging duration, target range and target state of charge of energy storage means of the vehicle 10 based on the present circumstances of the vehicle 10 and/or the user of the vehicle 10. For example, a user of the vehicle 10 may have 15 minutes available for charging the vehicle 10 and therefore a charging constraint of charging duration of 15 minutes can be determined via user input.

For example, a user of the vehicle 10 can input a target range of 150 miles and the target range of 150 miles is determined as a charging constraint.

At block 304, method 300 comprises determining an adapted charging profile 16 from the vehicle 10 in dependence on the one or more vehicle charging constraints 12.

In examples, determining an adapted charging profile 16 for the vehicle 10 in dependence on the one or more vehicle charging constraints 12 can be performed in any suitable way using any suitable method.

For example, a charging profile 16 can be determined for the vehicle 10 to optimise and/or maximise and/or enhance the amount of energy provided to the vehicle 10 given the vehicle charging constraints, such as charging duration.

For example, a charging profile 16 can be determined for the vehicle 10 to optimise and/or minimise and/or reduce the time it takes for a target range and/or state of charge to be achieved.

Accordingly, in examples, an adapted charging profile 16 can be considered an optimised charging profile, and/or a modified charging profile and/or an enhanced charging profile and so on.

In examples, an adapted charging profile 16 can be considered a charging profile that is different to a standard and/or normal charging profile that is not determined in dependence on the one or more vehicle charging constraints 12.

For example, if a vehicle 10 is charged without any knowledge of a charging duration a different charging profile would be used compared to an adapted charging profile 16 determined in dependence on a known charging duration and so on.

In examples, a charging profile can be considered a power received profile and/or a profile of power to be received by the vehicle as a function of time and/or a profile of current to be received by the vehicle as a function of time and/or a profile of rate of charging as a function of time and so on.

Reference is made to the upper part of the example of FIG. 4.

The upper part of the example of FIG. 4 illustrates a plot of current delivered to a vehicle 10 on the Y axis as a function of time on the X axis. Two different profiles 16, 20 are shown in the upper part of the example of FIG. 4 and therefore the upper part of the example of FIG. 4 illustrates two different charging profiles 16, 20.

In the example of FIG. 4, a charging duration of 15 minutes, as a charging constraint 12, is indicated and two charging profiles, an adapted charging profile 16 and a standard charging profile 20 are illustrated.

It can be seen from the example of FIG. 4 that the adapted charging profile 16 has been determined in dependence on the charging duration 12 to allow more energy to be provided to the vehicle during the charging duration of 15 minutes.

On the contrary, the default/standard charging profile 20 is not adapted to the charging constraint 12 and therefore does not allow for as much charging of the vehicle 10 during the available charging duration.

This can be seen from the lower part of the example of FIG. 4 which shows state of charge of energy storage means 14 of the vehicle 10 on the Y axis against time on the X axis.

It can be seen, from the lower part of the example of FIG. 4, that over the charging duration of 15 minutes the adapted charging profile 16 provides for a 45% state of charge compared to 35% for the standard/default charging profile 20.

However, it can also be seen in the example of FIG. 4 that over a longer charging duration of 40 minutes the adapted charging profile 16 does not provide as much state of charge (75%) compared to the default/standard charging profile 20 (80%).

Accordingly, it can be seen from the example of FIG. 4 that the adapted charging profile 16 has been determined to enhance and/or optimise the amount of energy provided to the vehicle 10 in dependence on the vehicle charging constraint 12 which, in the example of FIG. 4, comprises charge duration.

Reference is also made to the example of FIG. 5 the upper portion of which shows a plot of charging power in kilowatts on the Y axis against charge duration in seconds on the X axis.

Three lines are shown on the plot in the example of FIG. 5, line 22 which represents 400 amp power, line 24 which represents 500 amp power and line 26 which represents 600 amp power.

In the example of FIG. 6, the three lines illustrate different examples of how charging power can be delivered at different power levels given constraints as described herein, such as cooling capacity and so on.

As can be seen in the example of FIG. 6, the 600 amp charge line 26 has higher charging power initially but drops off to prevent excessive heat build up such that, after approximately 650 seconds in the example of FIG. 6, the 500 amp charge line 24 has a higher charging power. The lower portion of FIG. 5 illustrates gross energy added to an energy storage means 14 of the vehicle 10 in 15 minutes. The lines 22, 24 and 26 on the lower part of the example of FIG. 5 represent the same respective powers as in the upper section.

It can be seen from the example of FIG. 5 that up to a certain point line 26, representing 600 amps, provides the greatest amount of gross energy.

However, at later times, line 24, representing 500 amps, provides the greatest amount of gross energy.

Accordingly, it can be seen from the examples of FIGS. 4 and 5 that, depending on the vehicle charging constraints 12 that, for example, apply to present circumstances of the vehicle 10, an adapted charging profile 16 can be determined for the vehicle charging constraints 12 that are presently applicable.

In examples, the adapted charging profile 16 can be determined in dependence on any suitable number of constraints and/or factors of any suitable type or types.

In examples, determining an adapted charging profile 16 for the vehicle 10 in dependence on the one or more vehicle charging constraints 12 can be considered to comprise determining a charging profile 16 that adapts and/or enhances and/or optimises the amount of energy provided to the vehicle 10 given the vehicle charging constraints 12 while balancing one or more other factors, for example, state of health and/or temperature of energy storage means 14.

In some examples, determining the adapted charging profile 16 for the vehicle 10 comprises determining the adapted charging profile 16 in dependence on at least one of: a state of charge of energy storage means 14 of the vehicle 10, a present temperature of energy storage means 14 of the vehicle 10, a temperature limit of energy storage means 14 of the vehicle 10, one or more system limits, a state of health of energy storage means 14 of the vehicle 10, available cooling capacity for energy storage means 14 of the vehicle 10, ambient temperature, ground temperature, altitude of the vehicle 10, one or more characteristics of a charger to be used to charge the vehicle 10, and a temperature of one or more electric drive units of the vehicle 10.

In examples, such factor(s) can be taken into account in any suitable way when determining an adapted charging profile 16.

In examples, a state of charge of energy storage means of a vehicle 10 can be considered, for example, when considering a range and/or target state of charge vehicle charging constraint 12. Additionally, or alternatively, a state of charge of energy storage means 14 of the vehicle 10 can be considered, for example, in determining a rate at which energy can be added to the energy storage means 14 of the vehicle 10.

In examples, a present temperature of the energy storage means 14 of the vehicle 10 can, for example, be considered with regard to a rate at which energy can be provided to the energy storage means 14.

In examples, a temperature limit of energy storage means 14 of the vehicle 10 can be considered, for example, to ensure that such a temperature limit is not exceeded by use of an adapted charging profile 16.

In examples, one or more system limits can be considered which can, for example, affect the rate at which energy can be transferred to the vehicle 10. For example, one or more physical constraints of the charging system and/or vehicle 10 such as cable sizes.

In examples, a state of health of energy storage means 14 of the vehicle 10 can be considered, for example, in relation to maintaining and/or not degrading a state of heath of the energy storage means 14. For example, if it is determined that a state of health of the energy storage means 14 of the vehicle 10 is below a limit it may be determined that an adapted charging profile 16 cannot be used and/or one or more limits on the adapted charging profile 16 can be imposed.

In examples, available cooling capacity for energy storage means 14 of the vehicle 10 can be considered, for example, in relation and/or in combination with a present temperature and/or a temperature limit of energy storage means 14 of the vehicle 10 to manage temperature of energy storage means 14.

For example, if it is determined that there is a large amount of cooling capacity for the energy storage means 14 a higher rate of charging for at least part of the adapted charging profile 16 can be used as it will be possible to make use of the cooling capacity to manage the temperature of the energy storage means 14 of the vehicle 10.

Similarly, ambient temperature and/or ground temperature and/or altitude of the vehicle 10 can be considered, for example, in determining the adapted charging profile 16 in relation to, for example, heat loss and/or heat management of the energy storage means 14 of the vehicle 10.

In examples, one or more characteristics of a charger to be used to charge the vehicle 10 can be considered, for example, when determining the adapted charging profile 16. For example, alternating current or direct current and/or maximum current/voltage and/or power available and so on can be considered.

Additionally, or alternatively, a temperature of one or more electric drive units of the vehicle 10 can also be taken into account when determining the adapted charging profile of the vehicle 16. In some examples, method 300 comprises determining at least one imbalance in state of charge, temperature and/or state of health between cells of energy storage means 14, such as a battery, of the vehicle 10, and determining the charging profile 16 in dependence on the determined at least one imbalance.

Accordingly, in examples, it can be determined that there is an imbalance in state of charge, temperature, cell voltage and/or state of health between cells of a battery of the vehicle 10 and an adapted charging profile 16 determined to take account of the determined imbalance.

For example, if an imbalance between cells of a battery of the vehicle 10 is determined a charge profile providing charge less quickly can be determined. In some examples, use of an adapted charging profile 16 can be inhibited and/or prevented if an imbalance between cells of a battery of the vehicle 10 is determined.

In this way, for example, the energy storage means 14, such as a battery, of the vehicle 10 can be carefully managed when using an adapted charging profile 16.

In some examples, a number of adapted charging profiles 16 can be determined for a range of different constraint and/or variable combinations and stored in memory 204. Present constraints and/or variables of a vehicle 10 can then be used to determine a suitable adapted charging profile 16 for the present circumstances of the vehicle 10.

In some examples, the adapted charging profile 16 is determined in dependence on the time available to charge and/or range required and one or more determined limitations from, for example, thermal state of one or more components of the vehicle 10 and/or cooling capacity and/or one or more imbalances between cells in the battery and so on.

At block 306 method 300 comprises controlling charging of the vehicle 10 in dependence on the determined charging profile 16 of the vehicle 10.

Consequently, FIG. 3 illustrates a method 300 for controlling charging of a vehicle 10, the method 300 comprising: determining one or more vehicle charging constraints 12, wherein the one or more vehicle charging constraints 12 comprises at least one of charging duration, target range and target state of charge of an energy storage means 14 of a vehicle 10; determining an adapted charging profile 16 for the vehicle 10 in dependence on the one or more vehicle charging constraints 12; and controlling charging of the vehicle 10 in dependence on the determined charging profile 16 for the vehicle 10.

In examples, controlling charging of the vehicle 10 in dependence on the determined charging profile 16 for the vehicle 10 can be performed in any suitable way using any suitable method. In some examples, block 306 can be considered to comprise controlling charging of the vehicle 10 according to and/or using and/or as set out by the determined charging profile 16 for the vehicle 10.

That is, in examples, energy can be provided to the vehicle 10 according to the adapted charging profile 16 that has been determined in dependence on the one or more vehicle charging constraints 12.

In examples, controlling charging of the vehicle 10 can be considered controlling the rate at which electrical energy is provided to and/or received by the vehicle 10.

In some examples, controlling charging of the vehicle 10 in dependence on the determined charging profile 16 for the vehicle 10 comprises controlling electric current received by the vehicle 10 in dependence on the determined charging profile 16.

Reference is again made to the upper part of the example of FIG. 4 and in particular to the adapted charging profile 16 in this part of the example of FIG. 4.

It can be seen in the example of FIG. 4 that the adapted charging profile 16 provides a profile of the current to be provided to a vehicle 10 as a function of time in dependence on the charging constraint 12 of 15 minutes charging duration.

Referring back to the example of FIG. 3, in some examples, method 300 comprises controlling the temperature of energy storage means 14 of the vehicle 10 in coordination with controlling the charging of the vehicle 10.

Accordingly, in examples, controlling the charging of the vehicle 10 in dependence on the determined charging profile 16 for the vehicle 10 can comprise controlling the temperature of energy storage means 14 of a vehicle 10.

In examples, controlling the temperature of energy storage means 14 of the vehicle 10 in coordination with controlling charging of the vehicle 10 can be performed in any suitable way using any suitable method.

For example, controlling the temperature of energy storage means 14 of the vehicle 10 can comprise controlling one or more cooling systems of the vehicle 10 and/or energy storage means 14 in coordination with controlling charging of the vehicle 10.

For example, for an adapted charging profile 16 that indicates periods of high current, cooling of the energy storage means 14 of the vehicle 10 can also be increased in such periods to control temperature of the energy storage means 14 of the vehicle 10. In some examples, controlling the temperature of energy storage means 14 of the vehicle 10 comprises controlling cooling of the energy storage means 14 of the vehicle 10 to prevent a temperature limit of the energy storage means 14 of the vehicle 10 from being exceeded during charging.

In examples, a temperature limit of the energy storage means 14 of the vehicle 10 can be a thermal limit above which the energy storage means, such as battery, can become damaged.

Accordingly, examples of the disclosure are advantageous as they provide for effective and efficient charging of the vehicle 10 while maintaining battery state of health.

In examples, one or more of the vehicle charging constraints 12 can be updated and the adapted charging profile 16 redetermined/updated.

In examples the adapted charging profile 16 can be redetermined upon a change in any of the constraints 12 and/or factors used in determining the adapted charging profile 16.

For example, in some examples, the one or more vehicle charging constraints 12 comprises charging duration, and the method 300 comprises: determining an expected range and/or expected state of charge in dependence on the charging duration and the determined adapted charging profile 16; providing at least one output to indicate the expected range and/or expected state of charge; determining an updated charging duration; and determining an updated adapted charging profile 16 for the vehicle 10 in dependence on the updated charging duration.

For example, in the example of FIG. 4, with a charging duration of 15 minutes, it can be determined that an expected range of 80 miles will be achieved.

An output can be provided in any suitable way, to indicate the expected range. For example, any suitable output using one or more human-machine interfaces of the vehicle 10 and/or one or more personal devices of a user can be used to indicate the expected range.

In the example of FIG. 4, an output to a mobile phone of a user can be provided, indicating the expected range for the vehicle 10 that will be achieved in the charging duration of 15 minutes.

In examples, determining an updated charging duration can be performed in any suitable way using any suitable method.

In examples, a user can make one or more inputs to, for example, increase or decrease the charging duration following the provision of the at least one output indicating the expected range. For example, in the example of FIG. 4, the user may decide that additional range may be desirable and therefore increase the charging duration from 15 minutes to, for example, 25 minutes.

In examples, an updated adapted charging profile 16 for the vehicle 10 can be determined in dependence on the updated vehicle charging constraints 12 as described in relation to the adapted charging profile 16 at block 304.

Accordingly, in examples, block 304 can be repeated for the updated charging constraints 12.

In the example of FIG. 4, it can be seen that if the charging duration were increased from 15 minutes to, for example, 25 minutes an updated adapted charging profile 16 could be determined as the adapted charging profile 16 in the example of FIG. 4 drops rapidly after the 15 minute mark and therefore could be considered not suitable for a charging duration of 25 minutes.

In examples, a charging profile, for example, somewhere between the adapted charging profile 16 and the standard/default charging profile 20 could be used for the longer charging duration of 25 minutes.

Similarly, the vehicle charging constraint(s) 12 can be target range and/or target state of charge and a determined charge duration used to update the constraint(s) 12.

Accordingly, in examples, the one or more vehicle charging constraints 12 comprises target range and/or target state of charge and method 300 comprises determining an expected charge duration in dependence on the target range and/or target start of charge and the determined adapted charging profile 16; providing at least one output to indicate the expected charge duration, determine an updated target range and/or target state of charge; and determine an updated adapted charging profile for the vehicle in dependence on the updated target range and/or target state of charge.

For example, a user of the vehicle could indicate a required target range of 150 miles and it can be determined that the expected charge duration for the target range is 45 minutes.

An output can be made to the user of the vehicle 10 via a mobile phone of the user indicating the expected charge duration.

The user can then, for example, make a further input to indicate an updated target range of 110 miles and an updated adapted charging profile 16 for the vehicle 10 determined in dependence on the updated target range.

Examples of the disclosure are advantageous and provide technical benefits. For example, examples of the disclosure provide for enhanced charging of a vehicle 10 in dependence on, for example, charge duration and/or target range/state of charge to allow, for example, energy to be provided to the vehicle 10 effectively and efficiently.

Furthermore, in examples, use of an adapted charging profile 16 as described herein provides enhanced charging, for example, by allowing more energy to be provided to the vehicle 10 compared to use of a default/standard charging profile.

As used herein "for” should be considered to also include "configured or arranged to”. For example, "a control system for” should be considered to also include "a control system configured or arranged to”.

For purposes of this disclosure, it is to be understood that the controller(s) described herein can each comprise a control unit or computational device having one or more electronic processors. A vehicle and/or a system thereof may comprise a single control unit or electronic controller or alternatively different functions of the controller(s) may be embodied in, or hosted in, different control units or controllers. A set of instructions could be provided which, when executed, cause said controller(s) or control unit(s) to implement the control techniques described herein (including the described method(s)). The set of instructions may be embedded in one or more electronic processors, or alternatively, the set of instructions could be provided as software to be executed by one or more electronic processor(s). For example, a first controller may be implemented in software run on one or more electronic processors, and one or more other controllers may also be implemented in software run on one or more electronic processors, optionally the same one or more processors as the first controller. It will be appreciated, however, that other arrangements are also useful, and therefore, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to any particular arrangement. In any event, the set of instructions described above may be embedded in a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium) that may comprise any mechanism for storing information in a form readable by a machine or electronic processors/computational device, including, without limitation: a magnetic storage medium (e.g., floppy diskette); optical storage medium (e.g., CD-ROM); magneto optical storage medium; read only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); erasable programmable memory (e.g., EPROM and EEPROM); flash memory; or electrical or other types of medium for storing such information/instructions.

It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present application.

The blocks illustrated in the FIG. 3 may represent steps in a method and/or sections of code in the computer program 206. The illustration of a particular order to the blocks does not necessarily imply that there is a required or preferred order for the blocks and the order and arrangement of the block may be varied. Furthermore, it may be possible for some steps to be omitted. Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed.

Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.

Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.

Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not. Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A control system for a vehicle, the control system comprising one or more controllers, wherein the control system is configured to: determine one or more vehicle charging constraints, wherein the one or more vehicle charging constraints comprises at least one of charging duration, target range and target state of charge of energy storage means of the vehicle; determine an adapted charging profile for the vehicle in dependence on the one or more vehicle charging constraints; and control charging of the vehicle in dependence on the determined charging profile for the vehicle.

2. The control system of claim 1, wherein determining the adapted charging profile for the vehicle comprises determining the adapted charging profile in dependence on at least one of: a state of charge of energy storage means of the vehicle, a present temperature of energy storage means of the vehicle, a temperature limit of energy storage means of the vehicle, one or more system limits, a state of health of energy storage means of the vehicle, available cooling capacity for energy storage means of the vehicle, ambient temperature, ground temperature, altitude of the vehicle, one or more characteristics of a charger to be used to charge the vehicle, and a temperature of one or more electric drive units of the vehicle.

3. The control system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the control system is configured to determine at least one imbalance in state of charge, temperature and/or state of health between cells of energy storage means of the vehicle, and to determine the charging profile in dependence on the determined at least one imbalance.

4. The control system of any preceding claim, wherein the control system is configured to control the temperature of energy storage means of the vehicle in coordination with controlling charging of the vehicle.

5. The control system of claim 4, wherein controlling the temperature of energy storage means of the vehicle comprises controlling cooling of the energy storage means of the vehicle to prevent a temperature limit of the energy storage means of the vehicle from being exceeded during charging.

6. The control system of any preceding claim, wherein the one or more vehicle charging constraints comprises charging duration, and wherein the control system is configured to: determine an expected range and/or expected state of charge in dependence on the charging duration and the determined adapted charging profile; provide at least one output to indicate the expected range and/or expected state of charge; determine an updated charging duration; and determine an updated adapted charging profile for the vehicle in dependence on the updated charging duration.

7. The control system of any preceding claim, wherein the one or more vehicle charging constraints comprises target range and/or target state of charge, and wherein the control system is configured to: determine an expected charge duration in dependence on the target range and/or target state of charge and the determined adapted charging profile; provide at least one output to indicate the expected charge duration; determine an updated target range and/or target state of charge; and determine an updated adapted charging profile for the vehicle in dependence on the updated target range and/or target state of charge.

8. The control system of any preceding claim, wherein controlling charging of the vehicle in dependence on the determined charging profile for the vehicle comprises controlling electric current received by the vehicle in dependence on the determined charging profile.

9. A vehicle comprising a control system as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 8 and energy storage means.

10. A method for controlling charging of a vehicle, the method comprising: determining one or more vehicle charging constraints, wherein the one or more vehicle charging constraints comprises at least one of charging duration, target range and target state of charge of energy storage means of the vehicle; determining an adapted charging profile for the vehicle in dependence on the one or more vehicle charging constraints; and controlling charging of the vehicle in dependence on the determined charging profile for the vehicle.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein determining the adapted charging profile for the vehicle comprises determining the adapted charging profile in dependence on at least one of: a state of charge of energy storage means of the vehicle, a present temperature of energy storage means of the vehicle, a temperature limit of energy storage means of the vehicle, one or more system limits, a state of health of energy storage means of the vehicle, available cooling capacity for energy storage means of the vehicle, ambient temperature, ground temperature, altitude of the vehicle, one or more characteristics of a charger to be used to charge the vehicle, and a temperature of one or more electric drive units of the vehicle.

12. The method of claim 10 or 11, comprising determining at least one imbalance in state of charge, temperature and/or state of health between cells of energy storage means of the vehicle, and to determine the charging profile in dependence on the determined at least one imbalance.

13. The method of any of claims 10 to 12, comprising controlling the temperature of energy storage means of the vehicle in coordination with controlling charging of the vehicle.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein controlling the temperature of energy storage means of the vehicle comprises controlling cooling of the energy storage means of the vehicle to prevent a temperature limit of the energy storage means of the vehicle from being exceeded during charging.

15. Computer software that, when executed, is arranged to perform a method according to at least one of claims 10 to 14.