Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
  • B60L53/00—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
  • B60L53/10—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles characterised by the energy transfer between the charging station and the vehicle
  • B60L53/14—Conductive energy transfer
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
  • B60L53/00—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
  • B60L53/30—Constructional details of charging stations
  • B60L53/305—Communication interfaces
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
  • B60L53/00—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
  • B60L53/60—Monitoring or controlling charging stations
  • B60L53/66—Data transfer between charging stations and vehicles
  • B60L53/665—Methods related to measuring, billing or payment
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
  • B60L58/00—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles
  • B60L58/10—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries
  • B60L58/12—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries responding to state of charge [SoC]
  • B60L58/13—Maintaining the SoC within a determined range
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
  • B60L2240/00—Control parameters of input or output; Target parameters
  • B60L2240/60—Navigation input
  • B60L2240/62—Vehicle position
  • B60L2240/622—Vehicle position by satellite navigation
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
  • B60L2240/00—Control parameters of input or output; Target parameters
  • B60L2240/70—Interactions with external data bases, e.g. traffic centres
  • B60L2240/72—Charging station selection relying on external data
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
  • B60L2250/00—Driver interactions
  • B60L2250/12—Driver interactions by confirmation, e.g. of the input
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
  • B60L2250/00—Driver interactions
  • B60L2250/16—Driver interactions by display
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
  • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
  • Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
  • Y02T10/70—Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
  • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
  • Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
  • Y02T10/7072—Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
  • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
  • Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
  • Y02T10/72—Electric energy management in electromobility
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
  • Y02T90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
  • Y02T90/10—Technologies relating to charging of electric vehicles
  • Y02T90/12—Electric charging stations
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
  • Y02T90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
  • Y02T90/10—Technologies relating to charging of electric vehicles
  • Y02T90/14—Plug-in electric vehicles
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
  • Y02T90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
  • Y02T90/10—Technologies relating to charging of electric vehicles
  • Y02T90/16—Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
  • Y02T90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
  • Y02T90/10—Technologies relating to charging of electric vehicles
  • Y02T90/16—Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
  • Y02T90/167—Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for supporting the interoperability of electric or hybrid vehicles, i.e. smartgrids as interface for battery charging of electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y04—INFORMATION OR COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES HAVING AN IMPACT ON OTHER TECHNOLOGY AREAS
  • Y04S—SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS
  • Y04S30/00—Systems supporting specific end-user applications in the sector of transportation
  • Y04S30/10—Systems supporting the interoperability of electric or hybrid vehicles
  • Y04S30/14—Details associated with the interoperability, e.g. vehicle recognition, authentication, identification or billing

Definitions

• the present invention relates generally to a vehicle charging system and, more particularly, to a control system for enhancing charging system functionality.
• Electric vehicles present a growing application for rechargeable batteries and, in particular, for large battery packs. Such an application, however, presents a number of engineering challenges to the power system designer, primarily due to the need to balance the expectations of the consumer with the system requirements and the constraints placed on the system by the batteries within the battery pack. Consumer expectations include those associated with the vehicle as a whole, e.g., vehicle range, performance and reliability, and those that are specific to the vehicle's battery system, e.g., battery pack lifetime and
• System requirements include power output, battery pack weight and reliability.
• Battery constraints include those associated with charging, operational, and storage temperatures; charge rates; the level of
• allowed/preferred charging i.e., 75% of full charge, full charge, over-charged, etc.
• level of discharge allowed before charging i.e., 75% of full charge, full charge, over-charged, etc.
• co-assigned U.S. Patent No. 8,054,038 discloses a system for controlling the charging system of an electric vehicle, more specifically the charging level, based on a number of parameters. Disclosed parameters include expected travel distance, road conditions, weather conditions, desired battery power safety margins and driving style.
• Co-assigned U.S. Patent No. 7,782,021 discloses an alternate charging system controller that determines the optimal time to charge a battery pack based on charging cost, thus taking into account variations in the cost of electricity based on the time of day.
• 7,629,772 disclose alternate charging system controllers that determine the optimal cut-off voltage to be used during charging based on desired vehicle performance and intended usage, driving range and battery life.
• a method for charging the battery pack of an electric vehicle using a location based set of charging instructions including the steps of (i) accepting a first set of charging instructions for a first charging station, where the first set of charging instructions is input by a user; (ii) recording the first set of charging instructions in memory; (iii) determining when the electric vehicle is located at the first charging station; (iv) charging the electric vehicle's battery pack in accordance with the first set of charging instructions when the electric vehicle is located at the first charging station; and (v) charging the electric vehicle's battery pack in accordance with a set of default charging instructions when the electric vehicle is located at an alternate charging station to which the first set of charging instructions does not apply.
• the default charging instructions may, for example, be preset by the vehicle's manufacturer or by the user.
• the step of accepting the first set of charging instructions may further comprise the steps of positioning the electric vehicle at a location corresponding to the first charging station and identifying the first charging station based on the location, where the identifying step is performed by the controller, where the positioning and identifying steps are performed prior to the accepting step, and where the accepting step is performed while the electric vehicle is positioned at the location.
• the step of accepting the first set of charging instructions may further comprise the steps of positioning the electric vehicle at a location corresponding to the first charging station, receiving a unique charging station identification (ID) code from the first charging station, and identifying the first charging station based on the unique charging station ID code, where the receiving and identifying steps are performed by the controller, where the positioning, receiving and identifying steps are performed prior to the accepting step, and where the accepting step is performed while the electric vehicle is positioned at the location.
• the first set of charging instructions may be input by the user using a remote system, e.g., a remote computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone, etc., where the remote charging schedule is then received from the remote system by the controller.
• the step of determining when the electric vehicle is located at the first charging station may include the steps of positioning the electric vehicle at a location within a preset distance from the first charging station and identifying the first charging station based on the location within the preset distance from the first charging station, where the identifying step is performed by the controller.
• the preset distance may be input by the user, the vehicle's manufacturer, or a third party.
• the step of determining when the electric vehicle is located at the first charging station may include the steps of positioning the electric vehicle at a location corresponding to the first charging station, receiving a unique charging station identification (ID) code from the first charging station, and identifying the first charging station based on the unique charging station ID code, where the receiving and identifying steps are performed by the controller.
• ID unique charging station identification
• the method may further include the step of issuing a confirmation query prior to performing the step of charging the battery pack of the electric vehicle in accordance with the default charging instructions when the electric vehicle is located at an alternate charging station, where a first response to the
• confirmation query results in charging the battery pack in accordance with the default charging instructions
• a second response to the confirmation query results in performing the additional steps of accepting an alternate set of charging instructions for the alternate charging station, recording the alternate set of charging instructions in the memory and charging the battery pack in accordance with the alternate set of charging instructions when the electric vehicle is located at the alternate charging station.
• the first set of charging instructions is comprised of a first charging schedule, where the first charging schedule may be comprised of at least one of a day-of-the-week insensitive charging start time, a day-of-the-week based charging start time, a day-of-the-week insensitive charging end time, and a day-of-the-week based charging end time.
• the method may further include the steps of (i) accepting a second charging schedule for a second charging station, where the second charging schedule is input by the user; (ii) recording the second charging schedule in memory; (iii) determining when the electric vehicle is located at either the first or second charging station; (iv) charging the electric vehicle's battery pack in accordance with the first charging schedule when the electric vehicle is located at the first charging station; (v) charging the electric vehicle's battery pack in accordance with the second charging schedule when the electric vehicle is located at the second charging station; and (vi) charging the electric vehicle's battery pack in accordance with the default charging instructions when the electric vehicle is located at an alternate charging station.
• the method may further include the step of issuing a confirmation query prior to performing the step of charging the battery pack of the electric vehicle in accordance with the first set of charging instructions when the electric vehicle is located at the first charging station, where a first response to the confirmation query results in charging the battery pack in accordance with the first set of charging instructions, and where a second response to the
• the step of charging the battery pack of the vehicle in accordance with the first charging schedule when the vehicle is located at the first charging station may further include the steps of (i) determining a current time; (ii) comparing the current time to a scheduled start time of the first charging schedule; (iii) immediately charging the battery pack in accordance with the first charging schedule if the current time is within a preset window of time, where the preset window of time corresponds to the scheduled start time plus a preset time period; and (iv) delaying the charging of the battery pack until the next scheduled start time if the current time is outside of the preset window of time.
• the delaying step may be over-ridden, thus causing charging to start immediately even when the current time is outside of the preset window of time.
• the preset time period may, for example, be preset by the vehicle's manufacturer or by the user.
• the method may further include the steps of (i) accepting a target charge level for the first charging station, where the target charge level is input by the user; (ii) recording the target charge level for the first charging station within the memory; (iii) monitoring a current charge level while performing the step of charging the battery pack in accordance with the first charging schedule; (iv) comparing the current charge level to the target charge level; and (v) terminating the step of charging the battery pack when the current charge level is equal to or greater than the target charge level.
• the first set of charging instructions is comprised of a target charge level
• the step of charging the battery pack in accordance with the first set of charging instructions further comprises (i) monitoring a current charge level, (ii) comparing the current charge level to the target charge level, and (iii) terminating the step of charging the battery pack when the current charge level is equal to or greater than the target charge level.
• Fig. 2 provides a block diagram of an exemplary interface system that may be used with the present invention
• FIG. 3 illustrates the methodology of the invention in accordance with a preferred embodiment
• Fig. 4 illustrates a simplified version of the methodology shown in Fig. 3
• Fig. 5 illustrates a modification of the procedure shown in Fig. 3 in which the set of charging instructions includes a charging schedule
• Fig. 6 illustrates a modification of the procedure shown in Fig. 3 in which the set of charging instructions includes a target charge level limit
• Fig. 7 illustrates a modification of the procedure shown in Fig. 5 that provides a simple means for over-riding the preset charging instructions
• Fig. 8 illustrates a modification of the procedure shown in Fig. 6 that provides a simple means for over-riding the preset charging instructions
• Fig. 9 illustrates a configuration in which the set of charging instructions includes a charging schedule and a target charge level limit
• Fig. 10 illustrates an alternate procedure for inputting charging instructions that corresponds to a particular charging station.
• battery may be used interchangeably and may refer to any of a variety of different cell types, chemistries and configurations including, but not limited to, lithium ion (e.g., lithium iron phosphate, lithium cobalt oxide, other lithium metal oxides, etc.), lithium ion polymer, nickel metal hydride, nickel cadmium, nickel hydrogen, nickel zinc, silver zinc, or other battery type/configuration.
• lithium ion e.g., lithium iron phosphate, lithium cobalt oxide, other lithium metal oxides, etc.
• lithium ion polymer e.g., nickel metal hydride, nickel cadmium, nickel hydrogen, nickel zinc, silver zinc, or other battery type/configuration.
• battery pack and “battery system” may be used interchangeably and as used herein refer to an electrical energy storage system contained within a single piece or multi-piece housing that is configured to achieve the desired voltage and capacity for a particular vehicle, where the electrical energy storage system utilizes a battery, capacitor or supercapacitor and has the capability to be discharged and recharged.
• electrical vehicle refers to either an all- electric vehicle, also referred to as an EV, a plug-in hybrid vehicle, also referred to as a PHEV, or a non-plug-in hybrid vehicle (HEV), a hybrid vehicle utilizing multiple propulsion sources one of which is an electric drive system.
• EV all- electric vehicle
• plug-in hybrid vehicle also referred to as a PHEV
• HEV non-plug-in hybrid vehicle
• TOU time-of-use
• Many conventional electric vehicles allow the user to setup a charging schedule, either directly via an interface built into the car or indirectly via a smartphone/computer application, so that when they are charging their electric vehicle at home they are able to take advantage of these lower power rates, thereby further increasing the benefits associated with owning an electric vehicle.
• the present invention allows the user to setup different sets of charging instructions, including different charging schedules, for different locations. Then when their vehicle is coupled to a particular charging station, the on-board system automatically determines and implements the preset set of charging instructions based on the vehicle's location.
• Fig. 1 provides a block diagram of an exemplary battery charging system 100 that may be used with the present invention. It should be understood that battery charging system 100 is used for illustration purposes only and that the present invention is not limited to a specific charger configuration. For example, the benefits and capabilities associated with the present invention may be attained regardless of the type and size of battery pack, the thermal management system coupled to the battery pack, the location and capabilities of the charger, the drive system and the user interface, all of which may be varied based on the specific requirements and intended use of the vehicle.
• battery pack 101 is coupled to a charging system 103.
• Charging system 103 may be integrated within the electric vehicle, integrated within the charging station, or configured as a stand-alone charger that is coupled between the external power source 105 (e.g., the power grid) and the vehicle's battery pack.
• the external power source 105 is external to the vehicle.
• the present invention provides a means for scheduling external charging, it is not applicable to internal power generators 107 such as a regenerative braking system that may be used to at least partially recharge the vehicle's batteries.
• controller 109 that is coupled to charger
• Controller 109 controls operation of the charger, preferably controlling not only its status (on/off), but also its charge rate.
• Controller 109 may be integrated within, or separate from, charging system 103.
• controller 109 typically takes into account a variety of battery parameters in order to determine the appropriate charge rate, etc., parameters such as the state-of-charge (SOC), cut-off voltage, temperature, age and overall capacity of the batteries within pack 101 , the functionality associated with controller 109 is often integrated within the vehicle's system controller 1 1 1 . Alternately, battery pack parameters may be
• controller 109 is coupled to a user interface 1 13 that provides a means for the user to schedule and control the charging system as described below.
• system controller 1 1 1 provides a means for providing control over a vehicle's charging system, those vehicle systems and components that are unnecessary to the control system's operation may not be described in detail herein.
• clearly battery pack 101 is coupled to a drive train 1 15.
• Drive train 1 15 may use a single electric motor or multiple electric motors coupled to one or both axles.
• the invention is not limited to a specific
• battery pack 101 is coupled to the drive motor via a power control system that is used to insure that the power delivered to the motor is of the desired voltage, current, waveform, etc.
• power control system may be comprised of passive power devices (e.g., transient filtering capacitors and/or inductors), active power devices (e.g., semiconductor and/or electromechanical switching devices, circuit protection devices, etc.), sensing devices (e.g., voltage, current, and/or power flow sensors, etc.), logic control devices, communication devices, etc.
• battery pack 101 is expected to provide power to any number of auxiliary components requiring electric power, these auxiliary vehicle subsystems and components represented in Fig. 1 by vehicle subsystems 1 17.
• Vehicle subsystems 1 17 may include, but are not limited to, vehicle lights (e.g., driving lights, courtesy lighting, etc.), entertainment systems (e.g., conventional and/or satellite radio, CD player, DVD player, MP3 player, etc.), a navigation system, various vehicle control systems, a user interface, etc.
• Battery pack 101 may also be coupled to one or more thermal management systems 1 19 that are used to insure that the batteries, as well as other vehicle components and the passenger cabin, are maintained in their desired temperature range.
• thermal management system 1 19 includes both a cooling subsystem 121 and a heating subsystem 123.
• Fig. 2 provides a block diagram of an exemplary control system 200 suitable for use with the invention.
• controller 109 is embedded within system controller 1 1 1 and as such, controller 109 is not shown.
• controller 109 may be a separate controller or embedded within charging system 103.
• system controller 1 1 1 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 201 and memory 203. Since user interface 1 13 is comprised of a touch- screen in the preferred embodiment, preferably system controller 1 1 1 also includes a graphical processing unit (GPU) 205. CPU 201 and GPU 205 may be separate or contained on a single chip set. Memory 203 may be comprised of flash memory, a solid state disk drive, a hard disk drive, or any other memory type or combination of memory types. As previously noted, controller 1 1 1 is coupled to a variety of charging system components including the charger 103 and the battery pack 101 , thus allowing the charging system to be monitored and controlled.
• CPU central processing unit
• memory 203 Since user interface 1 13 is comprised of a touch- screen in the preferred embodiment, preferably system controller 1 1 1 1 also includes a graphical processing unit (GPU) 205. CPU 201 and GPU 205 may be separate or contained on a single chip set.
• Memory 203 may be comprised of flash memory, a solid state disk drive, a hard
• controller 1 1 1 is coupled to a global positioning system (GPS) 207, thus allowing the location of the vehicle to be monitored.
• GPS global positioning system
• GPS 207 may be a stand-alone system, preferably it is integrated into, and used by, the vehicle's navigation system.
• controller 1 1 1 is also used to control and monitor a variety of other vehicle subsystems.
• Exemplary subsystems that may be controlled and monitored by controller 1 1 1 include audio subsystem 209, thermal management system 1 19, mobile phone subsystem 21 1 , vehicle camera subsystem 213, vehicle set-up subsystem 215, drive train control/monitoring subsystem 217, and web browser subsystem 219.
• Vehicle set-up subsystem 215 allows general vehicle operating conditions to be set such as seat positions, moon roof or sun roof operation, internal lighting, external lighting, windshield wiper operation, etc.
• a mobile telecommunications link 221 is also coupled to controller 1 1 1 , thereby allowing the controller to obtain updates, interface configuration profiles, and other data from an external data source (e.g., manufacturer, dealer, service center, web-based application, remote home-based system, etc.).
• Mobile telecommunications link 221 may be based on any of a variety of different standards including, but not limited to, GSM EDGE, UMTS, CDMA2000, DECT, and WiMAX.
• user interface 1 13 is a touch-screen display that provides both a visual aid, for example for use with the navigation screen, and the means to input data and control the various subsystems coupled to controller 1 1 1 . It should be understood, however, that other types of user interfaces may also be used with the invention.
• Fig. 3 illustrates the basic methodology of the invention.
• This embodiment is configured to charge a vehicle in accordance with a preset set of charging instructions that are location sensitive.
• Exemplary charging instructions may include charging schedules and charge level limits.
• different charging instructions may be preset for different charging stations/locations, thus allowing the user to preset a charging schedule and/or charge level limit for each of multiple locations where the user routinely charges their car (e.g., home, vacation home, work location, etc.).
• the vehicle is located at a charging station (step 301 ) and an identifier for that particular charging station is determined (step 303).
• the charging station may be identified based on its location or based on a unique charging station identification code (ID).
• ID unique charging station identification code
• the system may be configured to require that the user inform controller 1 1 1 that the vehicle is now located at a charging station, for example by inputting an 'INITIATE CHARGING' command via user interface 1 13, preferably controller 1 1 1 determines that the vehicle is located at a charging station, thereby further automating the system.
• on-board GPS 207 provides the coordinates of the vehicle to controller 1 1 1 , these coordinates can be compared to known charging locations in order to determine if the vehicle is now located at a charging station.
• Known charging locations may either be preset by the user or acquired from a public list of charging stations.
• controller 1 1 1 does not look for an exact match in coordinates, rather controller 1 1 1 determines whether the vehicle is located, based on its coordinates, within a preset distance from a given charging station.
• the preset distance may be preset by the vehicle's manufacturer, dealer, or third party, preferably this distance is input into the system by the end user, thereby allowing the user to adjust the distance surrounding a charging station based on the particulars of the charging station in question.
• the preset distance surrounding a charging location may be set at a relatively large distance if the charging station in question is within a public or business parking lot where there may be multiple available charging stations located throughout the parking lot.
• the preset distance surrounding a charging location may be set at a relatively small distance if the charging station in question is located at a residence (e.g., vehicle owner's residence or vacation home), thus preventing confusion between adjacent residences.
• controller 1 1 1 extrapolates vehicle location based on its last known location, vehicle speed and vehicle direction.
• the charging station may include means for transmitting a unique charging station ID.
• This ID code may be transmitted wirelessly, for example using a radio frequency ID (i.e., RFID).
• the charging station ID code may be transmitted to controller 1 1 1 when the vehicle is plugged into the charging station and communication is initiated between the charging station and charging system 103.
• controller 1 1 1 1 whenever the vehicle is parked, controller 1 1 1 attempts to identify whether the vehicle has been parked at a charging station and if it has, which charging station. In an alternate embodiment, controller 1 1 1 is configured to only attempt to identify the charging station when a preset condition arises. Exemplary preset conditions include opening a charge port door or coupling a charging connector to the vehicle's charger inlet.
• controller 1 1 1 determines whether or not a set of charging instructions has been preset for the identified charging station (step 305). If a set of charging instructions has been preset (step 307), then charging is performed in accordance with the preset charging instructions (step 309). If a set of charging instructions has not been preset (step 31 1 ), then controller 1 1 1 communicates a request, preferably via user interface 1 13, as to whether or not the user wishes to set charging instructions for the identified charging station (step 313). At this juncture, if the user responds that they do not wish to set charging instructions for this location (step 315), then charging is performed in accordance with the default charging instructions (step 317).
• the default charging instructions immediately initiate battery charging.
• the user If at query 313 the user responds that they wish to set-up a set of charging instructions for the identified charging station (step 319), then the user inputs the requested information (step 321 ). For example, if the user indicates that they wish to set a charging schedule, then in step 321 they may input a charging start time; alternately, a charging start time based on the day of the week, thus allowing different start times for weekdays and weekends, thereby taking into account different TOU rates for weekdays and weekends; alternately, a charging start time and a charging end time; alternately, both a charging start time and a charging end time based on the day of the week.
• the user may also input a charge level limit, for example a charge level limit based on the state-of- charge (SOC), percentage of battery pack capacity, battery pack energy level, or other charge level qualifier.
• a charge level limit for example a charge level limit based on the state-of- charge (SOC), percentage of battery pack capacity, battery pack energy level, or other charge level qualifier.
• the user may also input both a charge schedule and a charge level limit.
• Fig. 4 illustrates an alternate methodology, which is based on the methodology shown in Fig. 3, for use with the invention.
• controller 1 1 1 1 does not issue a query to the user about inputting a set of charging instructions for the current charging station. Rather, according to this procedure controller 1 1 1 immediately initiates battery pack charging in accordance with the default charging instructions (step 317) if charging instructions have not been preset for the identified charging station.
• Fig. 5 provides additional details regarding a preferred embodiment in which the set of charging instructions is comprised of a charging schedule (e.g., charging start time and/or charging end time, which may or may not be based on the day of the week).
• a charging schedule e.g., charging start time and/or charging end time, which may or may not be based on the day of the week.
• the first step is for the system to determine the current time (step 502).
• the current time, X is then compared to the scheduled start time for charging, Y. (Step 503). If the vehicle is coupled to the charging system within a preset window of time (step 505), the charging is initiated immediately (step 507). If the time in which the vehicle is coupled to the charging system falls outside of the preset window of time (step 509), then charging is delayed (step 51 1 ) until the next scheduled start time at which point charging is initiated (step 507).
• controller 1 1 1 1 determines if the current time, i.e., the time X at which point the vehicle is coupled to the charging station, falls within the preset period of time, i.e., Y + Z where Y is the scheduled start time and Z defines the size of the window.
• Z is set at 6 hours.
• Z, the window size may be preset by the vehicle's manufacturer or a dealer or other third party.
• the system is configured to allow the user to set this time.
• step 504 if the user plugs in the vehicle at 1 1 :30 PM, the outcome of step 504 is to initiate charging (step 507) since 1 1 :30 PM falls within the window of 10 PM plus six hours. Given the same window and scheduled start time, if the user plugs in the vehicle at 4:30 AM, the controller would delay charging (step 51 1 ) until the following evening at 10 PM.
• step 513 if charging instructions, i.e., a charging schedule, have not been set for the identified charging station (step 513), then the system queries the user as to whether or not they wish to input a charging schedule (step 515). If the user responds affirmatively (step 517), then the user inputs the desired charging schedule (step 519) which, in turn, is recorded in memory for that particular charging station (step 521 ). If, on the other hand, the user responds to the query in step 515 in the negative (step 523), then charging is performed in accordance with the default charging instructions (step 317), for example by immediately initiating battery charging.
• the default charging instructions i.e., a charging schedule
• the present invention allows a user to preset charging instructions for a specific charging station so that each time that the vehicle charges at that particular charging station the preset charging instructions are used.
• a charging schedule for the charging instructions By inputting a charging schedule for the charging instructions, the user is able to optimize charging, for example by utilizing preferred TOU rates at regularly visited charging stations (e.g., home, vacation home, work).
• the inventors of the present invention have found that in addition to presetting the charging schedule for an identified charging station, providing the user with the ability to set a target charge level limit, at which point charging is terminated, is a useful variant of the present invention.
• this variant allows the user to set different charge level limits based on driving expectations that may be based, at least in part, on the location of the charging station. For example, the user may set a first, lower, target charge limit for their home charging station while setting a second, higher, target charge limit at a charging station located at their vacation home with the expectation that a larger driving range is required at their vacation home.
• Fig. 6 provides additional details regarding a preferred embodiment in which the set of charging instructions is comprised of a target charge level limit. Although the procedure shown in Fig. 6 is based on that of Fig. 3, it will be appreciated that it is equally applicable to other system configurations such as that shown in Fig. 4. It should be understood that the target charge level may be given in terms of state-of-charge (SOC), percentage of battery pack capacity, battery pack energy level, or other charge level qualifier.
• SOC state-of-charge
• step 601 when a user connects their vehicle to a charging station and the charging station is identified as one in which charging instructions, i.e., a target charge level limit, has been preset (step 601 ), after charging is initiated (step 603) the controller continually compares the current charge level to the preset target charge level (step 605). As long as the current charge level is less than the preset target charge level, charging continues (step 607). Once the target charge level is reached (step 609), charging is terminated (step 61 1 ).
• charging instructions i.e., a target charge level limit
• step 613 if charging instructions, i.e., a target charge level limit, has not been set for the identified charging station (step 613), then the system queries the user as to whether or not they wish to input charging instructions, i.e., a target charge level limit (step 615). If the user responds affirmatively (step 617), then the user inputs the desired target charge level limit (step 919) which, in turn, is recorded in memory for that particular charging station (step 621 ). If, on the other hand, the user responds to the query in step 615 in the negative (step 623), then charging is performed in accordance with the default charging instructions (step 317), for example by immediately initiating battery charging and applying a default charge level limit.
• a target charge level limit i.e., a target charge level limit
• Fig. 7 illustrates a modification of the procedure shown in Fig. 5 to allow the user to over-ride the preset, a particularly useful feature when the user plugs their car into the charging station after the preset window has closed, but still requires charging before the next day's travel. For example, in the scenario described above relative to Fig. 5, when the user plugged their car in at 4:30 AM this feature would allow the user to quickly over-ride delay step 51 1 .
• controller 1 1 1 queries the user, for example via user interface 1 13, to determine whether or not to over-ride the preset schedule. (Step 701 ).
• the query is designed to default to following the preset charging instructions unless the user proactively requests that charging begin immediately.
• interface 1 13 displays the charging screen that provides charging information (e.g., present battery pack state-of-charge (SOC) or percent charged, charging station capabilities, remaining time left before target SOC is achieved, etc.), a question is displayed on the screen that queries "OVER-RIDE CHARGING SCHEDULE?". If the user does nothing, or presses a "NO" soft-button (step 703), then controller determines whether or not to immediately initiate charging or delay charging until the next schedule start time following the procedure outlined above. Alternately, if the user presses a "YES" soft-button (step 705), or otherwise indicates (e.g., using a hard button) that charging should start, then charging is immediately initiated (step 507).
• charging information e.g., present battery pack state-of-charge (SOC) or percent charged, charging station capabilities, remaining time left before target SOC is achieved, etc.
• controller 1 1 1 1 queries the user to determine whether or not to over-ride the preset charge limit. (Step 801 ). As previously described, preferably the query is designed to default to following the preset charging instructions. In response to the query, if the user does nothing, or presses a "NO" soft-button (step 803), then the system charges the battery pack to the preset target charge level limit at which point charging is terminated (step 61 1 ).
• step 805 If the user presses a "YES" soft-button (step 805), or otherwise indicates (e.g., using a hard button) that the preset charging instructions should be overridden, then charging is immediately initiated (step 807). Charging continues until the current charge level reaches the default charge level (step 809), at which point charging is terminated (step 81 1 ).
• the default and/or target charge level limit may be preset by the vehicle manufacturer, battery pack manufacturer, user or other party and configured to maximize battery pack health or longevity or to achieve a particular performance goal, e.g., maximizing vehicle range, vehicle performance, battery health, etc.
• the preset charging instructions may include both a charging schedule and a target charge level limit as illustrated in the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 9.
• controller 1 1 1 1 determines whether or not the user wishes to set a charging schedule and target charge level for the identified charging station (step 901 ).
• the user responds that they do not wish to set a charging schedule for this location (step 903), then charging is performed in accordance with the default charging instructions (step 317).
• the user wishes to set a charging instructions for the identified charging station (step 905), then they enter a target charge level in addition to the desired charging schedule (step 907), both of which are recorded in memory (step 909).
• step 701 when the user is at an identified charging station in which charging instructions have been preset (step 307), they are given the option (step 701 ) to over-ride the preset charging schedule (step 705) and immediately initiate charging (step 507). If the user indicates that they do not wish to over-ride the presets (step 703), then the system determines the current time (step 502) and compares the current time to the scheduled start time (step 503). In response, controller 1 1 1 either
• step 507 immediately initiates charging (step 507) or delays charging until the next scheduled start time (step 51 1 ).
• step 507 the controller continually compares the current charge level to the preset target charge level (step 605). As long as the current charge level is less than the preset target charge level, charging continues (step 607). Once the target charge level is reached (step 609), charging is terminated (step 61 1 ).
• charging instructions are input for a particular charging station when the vehicle is located at that charging station. It should be understood, however, that the present invention can utilize charging instructions that are input into the vehicle's controller utilizing other techniques, and even when the vehicle is not located at the affected charging station.
• the user initially identifies the charging station in question (step 1001 ).
• the charging station may be identified from a list of charging stations, from a map, based on map coordinates that correspond to the charging station, or via other means, and may utilize the vehicle's user interface or a computer, laptop, tablet, smart phone, etc.
• this information may be downloaded to the on-board control system via communication link 221 or via a flash-drive or similar portable memory.
• the user inputs the charging instructions for that particular station (step 1003).
• the system may be configured to accept various information for the preset schedule and/or the target charge limit.
• the system controller records in memory 203 the charging instructions for the identified charging station (step 1005). After charging instructions have been input into the system and recorded, each time the vehicle arrives at the identified charging station, the system performs the preset instructions, unless over-ridden, as described above in Figs. 3-9.

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• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
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• Charge And Discharge Circuits For Batteries Or The Like (AREA)
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• 2013
  • 2013-05-21 US US13/899,400 patent/US9637020B2/en active Active
• 2014
  • 2014-05-13 WO PCT/US2014/037904 patent/WO2014189727A2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2014-05-13 CN CN201480025893.3A patent/CN105191054B/zh active Active
  • 2014-05-13 DE DE112014001111.8T patent/DE112014001111T5/de active Pending
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