RU2468485C2 - Control of power supply to transport vehicles via sequence of electrical outputs - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: electricity.

SUBSTANCE: invention includes output control unit and transport vehicle control unit for each transport vehicle. Microprocessor unit switches over power supply to outputs in order to transfer data to transport vehicle. Microprocessor unit of transport vehicle transfers data by switching over load to supply source in order to provide interaction between microprocessor units to control necessity in power and its availability. Data include description whether this power plant of transport vehicle is petrol-powered, diesel-powered, hybrid or fed from electrical accumulator. Microprocessor unit of transport vehicle control unit is designed with possibility to control switchers, which supply power to selected loads in transport vehicle, and includes interface designed with possibility to connect transport vehicle to communication system Canbus.

EFFECT: improving reliability.

7 cl, 4 dwg

Description

This invention relates to a device for supplying electric power to a number of vehicles through separate electrical leads.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the coldest regions of the world, electrical devices are used to warm up car engines and interior space to help start the engine and comfort the user. Energy costs and environmental protection measures have led to widespread use of car parking management devices. These control devices are designed to reduce power consumption while still satisfying the limiting conditions for starting the engine and user comfort. Many algorithms were invented to limit this consumption, from simple timers to the most advanced proportional temperature controllers (the colder it gets, the more power is transmitted).

Modern car parking control devices are centralized in such a way that all loads in the car park are switched on or off together by a central contact. This form of centralized management imposes many inherent limitations and reservations. The central closure management service incurs significant installation and maintenance costs with typical payback periods for installation of the order of five years or more. The durability of mechanical closures is highly dependent on regular maintenance in addition to operating costs.

Many car parks impose a limit on the use of power for each vehicle. But since there is no adequate means to enforce the requirements, they are operated in violation. It is often enough that misuse by users sets limits for switching the main switch for the car park, causing inconvenience to all customers. In addition, individual circuit breakers on parking lots are switched off due to temporary short circuits, overloads, etc. Since feedback on the availability of power is not provided to users or maintenance personnel, such revenge can still remain without power for several days.

U.S. Patent 5,521,838 to the author of the present invention, issued May 28, 1996, discloses a device for controlling and tracking electrical loads of heating a car to conserve energy. Providing each exit box (which controls two parking spaces) of the parking lot with a reprogrammable microcontroller, great flexibility is realized. One new feature included is the ability to detect every load when it is claimed or removed. This allows the device to delay the delivery of power to the newly declared load for a while. By adding a device for detecting the current delivered to each load, another dimension in control is added. This allows you to effectively enforce power consumption restrictions for each vehicle, helping to locally manage power consumption. Maintenance costs are reduced, and user service is improved by detecting overloads or short circuits. These loads are allowed to “turn off” before the associated switch can trip. Additional safety is provided by helping to prevent the onset of fires or property damage due to improper loads. This device allows the use of cost-effective semiconductor contactors to deliver power to connected loads, reducing maintenance costs and increasing reliability.

Customer feedback is provided by a visual or acoustic device. In the case of visual feedback, two light emitting diodes (LEDs) are provided, one green and one red for each parking space. As an example, when a user announces a load, the presence of power is identified by a quick flashing green LED (the load is within acceptable limits), or the red LED is lit continuously (overload canceled). For acoustic feedback, various tones identify the acceptability or inadmissibility of the load and the presence of power.

A bi-directional infrared data transmission interface for communication with maintenance personnel is implemented. From time to time, general maintenance of car parking is required, requiring power tools. To facilitate this, all parking spaces are disabled using centralized control devices, while using the present invention it is only necessary to disable the required individual outputs. Using these data links, operating modes and restrictions can be easily set and changed. Since this communication line is bi-directional, the device can be used to collect operational data, which should be periodically downloaded upon request.

An interface is provided to allow changing the program or firmware of microcontrollers, making them programmable by the user. This increases the useful life and reduces production costs. The useful life is increased due to the fact that energy conservation algorithms can be improved and configured for a specific application. Production costs are reduced due to the need to create only one common model. And by reprogramming devices using self-testing and calibration programs, production costs are further reduced.

US Pat. No. 5,903,064 to Norberg, issued May 11, 1999, discloses data transmission from an output control unit installed in a vehicle control unit using signals transmitted through a power cord and through a distribution network between terminals to a central unit in a central power source. Data transfer is used to implement the function of warning during disconnection, authorization of use and billing. The output control unit may also detect a state of charge. The system is connected using a serial connection.

U.S. Patent 4,532,418 to Misi, issued July 30, 1985, discloses a combined battery charging system and a parking meter for vehicles that allow billing with a payment card system.

US patent 6614214 Pelegrino, issued September 2, 2003, discloses a battery charge system for vehicles, which allows you to write an invoice using an optical reader.

US Pat. No. 5,563,491 Tsenga, issued October 8, 1996, discloses a combined battery charging system and a parking meter that enable billing using a radio transmission system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the objects of the invention provides an improved system of the above type.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for supplying electric power to a plurality of vehicles from a central power source through a plurality of receiving units for electrical leads to which vehicles are delivered and in which they remain stationary for a period of time during which power is supplied through an electrical connection cable, connected from the vehicle to the corresponding one of the receiving blocks of the electrical terminals, the device contains:

- an output control unit for installation in an appropriate one of the receiving units of the electrical terminals;

- and the vehicle control unit for installation in the respective one of the vehicles;

- wherein the output control unit comprises:

- at least one electrical outlet;

- microprocessor;

and a microprocessor controlled switch for selectively supplying power from a central power source to said at least one electrical terminal;

- wherein the vehicle control unit comprises:

- input cable for connection to an electrical terminal;

- connecting a power source to supply power from the output to one or more loads in the vehicle;

- microprocessor;

- and the load connected by means of a switch in order to apply the load of the power source supplied from the output control unit;

- a microprocessor of a vehicle control unit configured to control a switch in order to transmit data via cable to the output control unit.

Preferably, the microprocessor of the vehicle control unit has a data storage containing data related to the type of power plant of the vehicle for transmission to the output control unit.

Preferably, the microprocessor of the vehicle control unit has a data store containing data related to whether the power plant of the vehicle is gasoline, diesel, hybrid or powered by an electric battery.

Preferably, the microprocessor of the vehicle control unit is configured to control switches that supply power to selected loads in the vehicle.

Preferably, the microprocessor includes an interface that is configured to connect to a vehicle's Canbus communication system.

Preferably, the microprocessor of the output control unit is configured to communicate with the microprocessor of the vehicle control unit by connecting and disconnecting a power source.

Preferably, the microprocessor of the output control unit is configured to communicate with the microprocessor of the vehicle control unit to allow interaction between the microprocessors in order to control power requirements and availability.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for supplying electric power to a plurality of vehicles from a central power source through a plurality of receiving units for electrical leads to which vehicles are delivered and in which they remain stationary for a period of time during which power is supplied through an electrical connection cable, connected from the vehicle to the corresponding one of the receiving blocks of the electrical terminals, the device contains:

- an output control unit for installation in an appropriate one of the receiving units of the electrical terminals;

- and the vehicle control unit for installation in the respective one of the vehicles;

- wherein the output control unit comprises:

- at least one electrical outlet;

- microprocessor;

and a microprocessor controlled switch for selectively supplying power from a central power source to said at least one electrical terminal;

- wherein the vehicle control unit comprises:

- input cable for connection to an electrical terminal;

- connecting a power source to supply power from the output to one or more loads in the vehicle;

- microprocessor;

- a microprocessor of a vehicle control unit configured to transmit data to an output control unit;

- in which the microprocessor of the vehicle control unit has a data store containing data related to the type of power plant of the vehicle for transmission to the output control unit.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for supplying electric power to a plurality of vehicles from a central power source through a plurality of receiving units of electrical leads to which vehicles are delivered and in which they remain stationary for a period of time during which power is supplied through an electrical connection cable, connected from the vehicle to the corresponding one of the receiving blocks of the electrical terminals, the device contains:

- an output control unit for installation in a corresponding one of the receiving units of the electrical terminals;

- and the vehicle control unit for installation in the respective one of the vehicles;

- wherein the output control unit comprises:

- at least one electrical outlet;

- microprocessor;

and a microprocessor controlled switch for selectively supplying power from a central power source to said at least one electrical terminal;

- wherein the vehicle control unit comprises:

- input cable for connection to an electrical terminal;

- connecting a power source to supply power from the output to one or more loads in the vehicle;

- microprocessor;

- a microprocessor of a vehicle control unit configured to transmit data to an output control unit;

- in which the microprocessor of the vehicle control unit is configured to control switches that supply power to selected loads in the vehicle.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for supplying electric power to a plurality of vehicles from a central power source through a plurality of receiving units for electrical leads to which vehicles are delivered and in which they remain stationary for a period of time during which power is supplied through an electrical connection cable, connected from the vehicle to the corresponding one of the receiving blocks of the electrical terminals, the device contains:

- an output control unit for installation in an appropriate one of the receiving units of the electrical terminals;

- and the vehicle control unit for installation in the respective one of the vehicles;

- wherein the output control unit comprises:

- at least one electrical terminals;

- microprocessor;

and a microprocessor controlled switch for selectively supplying power from a central power source to said at least one electrical terminal;

- wherein the vehicle control unit comprises:

- input cable for connection to an electrical terminal;

- connecting a power source to supply power from the output to one or more loads in the vehicle;

- microprocessor;

- a microprocessor of a vehicle control unit configured to transmit data to an output control unit;

- in which the microprocessor includes an interface that is configured to connect to the Canbus communication system of the vehicle.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for supplying electric power to a plurality of vehicles from a central power source through a plurality of receiving terminals of electrical terminals to which vehicles are delivered and in which they remain stationary for a period of time during which power is supplied through an electrical connection cable, connected from the vehicle to the corresponding one of the receiving blocks of the electrical terminals, the device contains:

- an output control unit for installation in a corresponding one of the receiving units of the electrical terminals;

- and the vehicle control unit for installation in the respective one of the vehicles;

- wherein the output control unit comprises:

- at least one electrical outlet;

- microprocessor;

and a microprocessor controlled switch for selectively supplying power from a central power source to said at least one electrical terminal;

- wherein the vehicle control unit comprises:

- input cable for connection to an electrical terminal;

- connecting a power source to supply power from the output to one or more loads in the vehicle;

- microprocessor;

- a microprocessor of a vehicle control unit configured to transmit data to an output control unit;

- in which the microprocessor of the output control unit is configured to communicate with the microprocessor of the vehicle control unit to provide interaction between the microprocessors in order to control the demand and availability of power.

Brief Description of the Drawings

One embodiment of the invention will now be described together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a system according to the present invention, which is partially taken from figure 7 of the aforementioned patent of the author of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the output control unit of FIG. 1, which is taken from FIG. 1 of the aforementioned patent of the present inventor.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of a vehicle control unit in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a second more complex embodiment of the vehicle control unit of FIG. 1.

In the drawings, like reference symbols indicate corresponding parts in different figures.

Detailed description

To describe the context of the present invention, the following description is taken from the aforementioned patent of the author of the present invention, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Figure 1 shows an overview of the entire system, which includes a main power source 69 for supplying electric power to a plurality of terminals 71, most of which are shown only schematically, but one of which, indicated by reference 72, is shown in a disassembled isometric view. Electrical power is supplied through the wiring 73, which again is shown only schematically without a distinction between live, neutral or ground wires.

The main power supply contains mainly only the main switch and, possibly, a number of additional switches for a number of other circuits, depending on the number of power outputs.

It is common practice to provide an output in the form of a twin output with each pair in a separate receiving unit installed in spaced apart positions around the parking lot to be powered. One output, illustrated in detail, therefore, comprises a metal housing or receiving unit 74, which is mounted on a suitable support, for example, from a wooden stand, railings, or the like. The receiving unit 74 has an open front surface, which can accommodate a rectangular housing expansion module 75, which, in turn, carries a standard double terminal 81 and a cover plate 82. The housing expansion module is fixed in place by a conventional screw structure 85 that connects to threaded holes, provided on the receiving unit 75. The standard terminal 81 is attached to the receiving unit 74 through the holes provided by the housing expansion module 75 in a standard design by means of screws 83. Standard waybill lid 82 attached by screws 85 and / or 84. There may be a gasket or other suitable insulating device to prevent moisture penetration but this is not illustrated, as is well known to those skilled in the art.

The housing expansion module 75 includes a control unit 80 that allows independent control of each terminal from the attached dual terminal 81. A conventional electrical contact structure is provided on the rear surface of the housing expansion module 75 so that it can be inserted into the receiving unit 74 for connection to a power supply, protection, and sealing in this way. Wires are provided on the open front surface of the housing expansion module 75 so as to allow standard connection of a standard dual terminal 81.

The power supply control of each terminal is controlled by the control unit 80 contained in the housing expansion module 75, without the need for any intelligent central control device. In this method, the system can be implemented in existing receiving units and wiring by simply inserting a housing expansion module 75 between the cover plate 82 of the conventional terminal 81 and the power receiving unit 74. This allows installation at a relatively inexpensive price. In addition, individual pin programming can be implemented.

The first LED 76, 79, which is green, is also shown on the forward facing side of the housing expansion module to indicate normal or proper operation of the power supply after application of the load. The second LED, referenced 77, 78, is red and is used to indicate an unacceptable load, as described later in this document. Additional holes 20 and 22 are provided for two-way communication, as again described later in this document.

The power supply cord 70A supplies power from the terminal 81 to the vehicle control unit 70B in the vehicle 70C to supply power to the battery 70D and other components 70E and 70F in the vehicle.

The general block diagram of the output control unit is shown in FIG. A “hot” power supply 1 supplies all the required power for the normal operation of the device. Signs of communication and reprogramming are delivered via infrared communication and reprogramming interface 2. The clock signals of the system for the microcontroller 5 are provided by the clock circuit 3 of the CPU. The microcontroller 5 controls both pins of the receiving unit of the dual output via interfaces 4 and 6 conclusions. Each output interface is identical in design, consisting of semiconductor circuitry circuits 7 and 10, a standard output where electrical loads can be connected 8 and 11, and current-sensitive devices 9 and 12. The temperature / wind cooling measuring device 13 allows the microcontroller 15 to measure temperature environmental or wind chill. Together, these schemes provide a new and very useful feature in order to conserve energy.

FIG. 3 shows one implementation of the vehicle control unit 70B of FIG. 1, which consists of a combination of a communication load 30 and a switch 31 connected through cable cores 70A to provide a load modulation mechanism for transmitting data to the control unit of the outlet in FIG. 1. Module 35 comprises a microcontroller 33, data storage 34, and a real-time clock 36 that provide information for transmission to an output control unit. A data warehouse stores information about a load or loads determined by vehicle components 70D, 70E, and 70F, which are programmed by a user or vehicle operator through a microprocessor. This information may include the following:

1) vehicle type identification data (gasoline, diesel, hybrid, etc.),

2) power and temperature requirements,

3) what days and hours should this vehicle be used or is it ready for use,

4) how much load should be,

5) and any other information that is considered important for the load.

Any number of vehicle loads 70D, 70E, and 70F are connected in parallel. This implementation does not include switches for each connected load to save costs.

The AC power lines 70A from the extension cord are included on the left side of the circuit. The microcontroller 33, the data storage 34, and the real-time clock unit 35 control the COMM load switch 30. When this switch is closed, the COMM load is added to the AC loads 70D, 70E, and 70F. When this switch is open, the COMM load is not added to the loads on the AC line. By closing and opening this switch, the load value represented by the AC line is modulated by the size of the COMM load. This signal is read by the control unit of the output in figure 2 through the microcontroller 5.

This information, after being transmitted to the microcontroller 5, can be used to control the feed time and the allowed current supplied to the vehicle to match the expected loads. Therefore, it should be appreciated that the gasoline engine and the battery for the gasoline engine will have a temperature and power characteristics different from the diesel engine and the hybrid engine. It is well known that diesel engines require the engine to be heated in order to maintain the engine at temperatures above freezing in order to ensure starting, while gasoline engines can withstand much lower temperatures before starting difficulties occur. Hybrid engines and their batteries require different power supply characteristics to charge the power batteries. In addition, vehicles powered by an electric motor have yet other additional characteristics. All of these requirements can be stored in the microcontroller 5, and the characteristic is reported by the microcontroller 35 via cable 70A via a switch 31 connecting and disconnecting the load.

Turning now to FIG. 3, this structure is similar to that of FIG. 2 with the addition of switches 37, 38, and 39 to the loads that are controlled by the microcontroller 35, and providing a CAN BUS interface connected to the microcontroller 35. The CAN BUS interface allows the microcontroller 35 to communicate with vehicle control systems using the traditional CAN BUS communication protocol to exchange information with them or receive data from them.

The microcontroller 35 is connected to an AC power line 70A provided by the output control unit. In this method, the microcontroller can determine when the AC power is on and when it is off. The output control unit can therefore communicate with this microcontroller by turning AC power on and off, forming a stream of binary signals with a low transmission rate. Power for the microcontroller 35 may be provided from an AC power source and / or a local battery.

Adding the CAN BUS interface allows the microcontroller to communicate with on-board computer systems and vehicle sensors. With the addition of switches 37, 38, and 39 to control N different loads, various electrical systems in the vehicle can be controlled. Using information from the CAN BUS interface, various loads can be switched on or off depending on their individual power requirements and depending on the available power. And in this method, only electrical subsystems that require power are supplied with power, increasing potential energy savings. It will be understood, therefore, that the power available in the system for individual outputs will vary depending on the number of vehicles connected at any one time and on the total required power. The intelligent output control unit can therefore control this available power in the best way. At the same time, the power available to an individual vehicle will change, and the intelligent control unit of the vehicle can control this power in the best way, supplying it to loads that require energy in the first place.

The transfer of data on available power and required power between the two units will allow the system as a whole to be controlled in order to better save energy and better manage power supply.

The vehicle, which is shown in FIG. 4, includes a GPS reception system 40 that communicates with the microcontroller 35. The GPS system can be used to generate records in the microcontroller 35 indicating information such as where and how long the vehicle is traveling between the moments of inclusion in the output. This information can be transmitted through the vehicle control unit and the output control unit and can serve to update records in a central location about maintenance or planning, planning a delivery route, monitoring improper operation, etc. The real-time clock 34 in the vehicle control unit and the timer 3 in the output control unit can thus be set without user intervention using the GPS satellite system. Both current time and time zone can be updated without user intervention using the GPS system as input.

Since various modifications can be made in the invention as described above, and many obviously completely different embodiments of it are made in the trends and in the framework of the claims without departing from such a trend and scope, it is understood that all material contained in the accompanying description should be interpreted only as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims (7)

1. A device for supplying electric power to a plurality of vehicles from a central power source through a plurality of receiving units for electrical leads to which vehicles are delivered and in which they remain stationary for a period of time during which power is supplied through an electrical connection cable connected to the vehicle means for corresponding to one of the receiving blocks of electrical terminals, the device comprising:
- an output control unit for installation in an appropriate one of the receiving units of the electrical terminals;
- and the vehicle control unit for installation in the respective one of the vehicles;
moreover, the control unit output contains:
- at least one electrical outlet;
- microprocessor
and a first microprocessor controlled switch for selectively supplying power from a central power source to said at least one electrical terminal;
moreover, the control unit of the vehicle contains:
- input cable for connecting to an electrical terminal;
- connecting a power source to supply power from the output to one or more loads in the corresponding vehicle;
- microprocessor;
- and the load connected by means of a second switch configured to connect and disconnect the load of the power source from the output control unit;
moreover, the microprocessor of the vehicle control unit is configured to repeatedly actuate the second switch to generate a modulated signal by repeatedly connecting and disconnecting the load of the power source so as to transfer the data contained in the modulated signal via cable to the microprocessor of the output control unit. 2. The device according to claim 1, in which the microprocessor of the vehicle control unit has a data storage containing power plant data related to the type of power plant of the respective vehicle, and in which the microprocessor of the vehicle control unit is configured to transmit power unit data to the control unit output by generating said modulated signal. 3. The device according to claim 2, in which the microprocessor of the vehicle control unit has a data store containing data related to whether the power plant of the respective vehicle is gasoline, diesel, hybrid or powered by an electric battery. 4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the microprocessor of the vehicle control unit is configured to control third switches that supply power to the selected loads in the corresponding vehicle. 5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the microprocessor of the vehicle control unit includes an interface that is configured to connect to the Canbus communication system of the respective vehicle and is configured to supply power to the corresponding vehicle depending on the communication between the microprocessor of the vehicle control unit and the Canbus communications system. 6. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the microprocessor of the output control unit is configured to transmit data to the microprocessor of the vehicle control unit by repeatedly actuating the first switch to generate a modulated signal containing data. 7. The device according to claim 6, in which the microprocessor of the output control unit is configured to communicate with the microprocessor of the vehicle control unit to provide interaction between the microprocessors in order to control the demand and availability of power.

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