Patent Application
20120133282
The present disclosure generally pertains to automotive vehicles having an electric drive system, and more particularly, to systems that indicate a state of charge of the electric drive system.
Automotive vehicles may be propelled by an electric drive system used alone, or in combination with a hybrid internal combustion engine, to produce drive torque for driving wheels of the vehicle. Electric drive systems typically include an electric motor that converts electrical energy into drive torque. A rechargeable battery or batteries arranged in a battery pack supply the energy and, generally, a range of the vehicle depends on an amount of energy available from the batteries. As the vehicle is driven, energy is drawn from the batteries and after periods of sustained vehicle operation, the batteries must be recharged to ensure the vehicle has a desired range. Plug-in hybrid and pure electric vehicles use an external electric power source to recharge the batteries. To recharge the batteries, the power source is plugged into a receptacle located in a charge port accessible from an exterior of the vehicle.
The range and/or a remaining amount of energy in the batteries may be communicated to a driver or other user of the vehicle. Similar to a fuel gauge of a gasoline vehicle, a gauge or other display located on an instrument panel is typically used to indicate an energy level of the batteries, or what is more commonly referred to as a state of charge (SOC). SOC indicators located on the instrument panel may not be visible or legible from an exterior of the vehicle. Additionally, SOC indicators may be turned off during periods when the vehicle is not driven.
In accordance with the present invention, an automotive vehicle system and a method for an automotive vehicle are provided. In one aspect, the automotive vehicle system includes a light adapted to be attached to an exterior of a vehicle, and a module selectively illuminating the light. The module selectively illuminates the light during a vehicle stationary period based on an electric drive system SOC. The module selectively illuminates the light during at least a vehicle driven period based on at least one vehicle operating condition different than the electric drive system SOC. In another aspect, the method includes selectively illuminating a light disposed on an exterior of the vehicle during a first period when the vehicle is stationary based on an SOC of an electric drive system. The method further includes selectively illuminating the light during at least a second period when the vehicle is driven based on at least one vehicle operating condition different than the SOC.
The automotive vehicle system and the method each include a light that is illuminated based on the SOC and that serves as an external SOC indicator. The external SOC indicator is advantageous over traditional SOC indicators provided in an interior of the vehicle. For example, the external SOC indicator provides a more convenient way for communicating the SOC during recharging by obviating the need to enter the vehicle and turn vehicle accessories on to ascertain the SOC. The external SOC indicator also provides a convenient way for externally communicating the SOC when the vehicle is operated in a park mode. Additionally, the external SOC indicator can be used to communicate the SOC to a vehicle operator located at least around six to ten feet away from the vehicle. Additional advantages and features of the present invention will be found in the following description and accompanying claims, as well as in the appended drawings.
The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Referring to
It will be appreciated from the following description, that the present invention is not limited to pure electric vehicles or vehicles having a particular drive layout. For example, the present disclosure applies equally to hybrid vehicles having an internal combustion engine used in combination with an electric drive system and vehicles having an all-wheel-drive or rear-wheel-drive layout. Additionally, the present invention is not limited to rechargeable batteries or battery packs of a particular chemistry or arrangement. For example, the present invention applies equally to lithium ion, nickel-metal hydride, and other battery chemistries. The present invention also applies equally to battery packs having batteries arranged in series and/or in parallel.
Vehicle 10 includes a charging receptacle 30 and, optionally, an access door 32. Charging receptacle 30 is disposed on an exterior of vehicle 10 within a charging port 34 and is electrically coupled to battery pack 22. In various configurations, charging receptacle 30 includes conductive female terminals that create at least part of a conductive path connecting charging receptacle 30 and battery pack 22. Access door 32 is disposed adjacent to an opening of charging port 34 and provides selective access to charging receptacle 30. Access door 32 is mechanically coupled to vehicle 10 via a hinge mechanism 35. In a closed position, access door 32 covers the opening of charging port 34. In an open position, access door 32 provides access to charging receptacle 30 via charging port 34.
Vehicle 10 is recharged by connecting an external power source 36 to charging receptacle 30. External power source 36 is coupled to charging receptacle 30 by a charging plug 37. During periods when vehicle 10 is recharging, charging receptacle 30 communicates charging energy supplied by external power source 36 to battery pack 22. During periods when vehicle 10 is recharging or is stationary (e.g., in a park mode), a driver or other user may desire to know a current SOC of vehicle 10. For example, a user may desire to know the current SOC in order to determine whether vehicle 10 has a range sufficient for a next trip.
In various implementations, the external SOC indicator is created by selectively illuminating one or more exterior signals and/or lights of vehicle 10 based on a current SOC. The signals and/or lights creating the external SOC indicator may have a dual-purpose of performing an exterior signaling or lighting function separate from an SOC indicating or communication function. For example, various signals and/or lights may provide illumination for the driver to operate vehicle 10 safely after dark and/or to increase the visibility of the vehicle 10. The signals and/or lights may provide illumination for displaying information about the vehicle's presence, position, direction of travel, and driver's intentions regarding direction and speed of travel.
Accordingly, the external SOC indicator can be created by selectively illuminating one or more headlights 38, 40, front position/directional indicators 42, 44, sidemarker lights 46, 48, rear position or tail lights 50, 52, a center high mount stop light (CHMSL) 54, and reversing lights 56, 58. When performing the SOC communication function, one or more of headlights 38, 40, front position/directional indicators 42, 44, sidemarker lights 46, 48, rear position or tail lights 50, 52, a center high mount stop light (CHMSL) 54, and reversing lights 56, 58 can be illuminated based on the current SOC. When performing an exterior lighting function, headlights 38, 40, front position/directional indicators 42, 44, sidemarker lights 46, 48, rear position or tail lights 50, 52, a center high mount stop light (CHMSL) 54, and reversing lights 56, 58 are illuminated for at least a period based on one or more operating conditions different than the current SOC. The operating conditions can include, but are not limited to, a headlight switch position and/or an amount of ambient light, turn signal indicator switch position, and a brake pedal position.
According to a first embodiment, an external SOC indicator 60 is created by tail lights 50, 52. In addition to performing exterior lighting functions of increasing visibility of vehicle 10 from the rear and indicating a driver's intention to change direction or slow vehicle 10, tail lights 50, 52 are used to communicate the current SOC. During periods when vehicle 10 is driven (i.e., vehicle driven periods), tail lights 50, 52 may be illuminated at a first intensity when front position lights (e.g., front position/directional indicators 42, 44) are illuminated, including when headlights 38, 40 are illuminated. Tail lights 50, 52 may be illuminated at a second intensity greater than the first intensity to indicate the driver's intention to stop or slow vehicle 10. Tail light 50 may flash intermittently at the second intensity to indicate the driver's intention to turn left. Tail light 52 may flash intermittently at the second intensity to indicate the driver's intention to turn right. During periods when vehicle 10 is operated in a park mode and/or is recharging (i.e., vehicle stationary periods), tail lights 50, 52 are selectively illuminated to display information about the current SOC of vehicle 10. Tail lights 50, 52 may illuminate at the first intensity, the second intensity, or a combination thereof when displaying the information about the current SOC.
According to the first embodiment, SOC indicator 60 is created by selectively illuminating independent lighting sections 62, 64 of tail light 50 and lighting sections 66, 68 of tail light 52 based on the current SOC. Each of the lighting sections 62, 64, 66, 68 includes one or more light sources 69 that can be independently illuminated. For example, each of the lighting sections 62, 64, 66, 68 may be powered by a separate power circuit connected to a common power supply, such as battery pack 22. It is contemplated that light sources 69 can be at least one of several types, including but not limited to, incandescent, fluorescent, halogen, light emitting diode, and fiber optic type light sources. As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C should be construed to mean a logical (A or B or C), using a non-exclusive logical or.
In an exemplary configuration, lighting sections 62, 64, 66, 68 are linearly arranged across a rear portion of vehicle 10. Lighting sections 62, 64, 66, 68 are illuminated in predetermined combinations to convey the current SOC. In an exemplary implementation, lighting section 62 is illuminated and lighting sections 64, 66, 68 remain off when the current SOC is within a predetermined first SOC range from zero percent (0%) to twenty five percent (25%). Lighting sections 62, 64 are illuminated and lighting sections 66, 68 remain off when the current SOC is within a predetermined second SOC range from twenty-six percent (26%) to fifty percent (50%). Lighting sections 62, 64, 66 are illuminated and section 68 remains off when the current SOC is within a predetermined third SOC range from fifty-one percent (51%) to seventy-five percent (75%). Sections 62, 64, 66, 68 are illuminated when the current SOC is within a predetermined fourth SOC range from seventy-six percent (76%) to one hundred percent (100%) or fully charged.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that tail lights 50, 52 create a bar graph indicator that can convey information about the current SOC to an observer located at least around six to ten feet away from vehicle 10. In particular, tail lights 50, 52 convey whether the current SOC is within one of four mutually exclusive SOC ranges. The bar graph indicator is created using automotive exterior lighting components used for other purposes, obviating the need for a separate and/or dedicated lighting apparatus to convey information about the current SOC outside of vehicle 10. Additionally, since tail lights 50, 52 are designed to be visible at relatively large distances from vehicle 10 when illuminated, the current SOC can be conveyed to an observer located at large distances.
In various other implementations, an SOC indicator according to the present invention is created by selectively varying a color displayed by a lighting component or apparatus disposed on an exterior of vehicle 10 based on a current SOC. Referring now to
SOC indicator 74 conveys information about the current SOC by displaying a color that varies along a visible color spectrum. The color displayed is based on the current SOC. In various implementations, the color varies from a red color when the current SOC is relatively low to a green color when the current SOC is relatively high. The color further continuously varies along a portion of the visible spectrum when the current SOC is within a predetermined range. It is contemplated that various colors and portions of the visible spectrum can be used to communicate the current SOC. In an exemplary implementation, when the current SOC is within a predetermined first SOC range from zero percent (0%) to twenty-five percent (25%), the color remains a red color. When the current SOC is within a predetermined second SOC range from twenty-six (26%) to eighty-nine percent (89%), the color varies from a blue color at twenty-six (26%) to a purple color at eighty-nine (89%). More specifically, the color varies gradually and continuously from the blue color to the purple color such that a number of colors in a color spectrum between the blue color and the purple color are displayed. When the current SOC is within a predetermined third SOC range from ninety percent (90%) to one hundred percent (100%) or fully charged, the color remains a green color.
SOC indicator 74 is disposed on and coupled to exterior 78 within charging port 80 adjacent charging receptacle 72. SOC indicator 74 includes a second housing 100 and a lighting component 102. According to the present example, second housing 100 is a separate part from first housing 82 of charging receptacle 72. However, in various implementations, second housing 100 may be integral to first housing 82 as a single piece part. Second housing 100 houses the lighting component 102 and includes an exterior including a display face 104, a back face 106, side surfaces 108, 110, and an interior defined by an inner surface. Display face 104 faces away from exterior 78 and is semi-transparent at least in a display area adjoining an area within second housing 100 where lighting component 102 is located. Back face 106 faces exterior 78. Side surfaces 108, 110 extend between and connect display face 104 and back face 106.
According to the second embodiment, second housing 100 has a generally annular shape and circumscribes charging receptacle 72. Display face 104 adjoins and is substantially flush with end surface 90 of charging receptacle 72. Back face 106 directly engages exterior 78. Side surface 108 directly contacts side surface 92 of charging receptacle 72. Second housing 100 can be directly attached to one of exterior 78 and charging receptacle 72 by various connection methods. For example, second housing 100 can be press fit on charging receptacle 72 and/or exterior 78. Alternately or additionally, second housing 100 can be attached to exterior 78 and or charging receptacle 72 via a bolted connection.
Lighting component 102 is disposed in the interior of second housing 100 on the inner surface and is operable to emit light of the desired color through the display area. Lighting component 102 includes one or more lighting sources. According to the second embodiment, lighting component 102 includes a red LED light source 120, a green LED light source 122, and a blue LED light source 124 (collectively, RGB LED light sources 120, 122, 124) arranged in close proximity. RGB LED light sources 120, 122, 124 can be arranged in that order at predetermined radial distances from axis 88 as shown in
RGB LED light sources 120, 122, 124 are each selectively operable to emit light at various intensities and cooperate to display the desired color. By simultaneously illuminating two or more of the light sources and varying the intensities, colored light produced by the light sources mixes to produce the color displayed by the lighting component 102. For example, red LED light source 120 and blue LED light source 124 can be simultaneously operated at various intensities to vary the color displayed from a red color to a purple color to a blue color.
Access door 76 is disposed adjacent to an opening of charging port 80 and provides selective access to charging receptacle 72. Access door 76 is mechanically coupled to exterior 78 via a hinge mechanism 130. In a closed position, access door 32 covers the opening of charging port 80. In an open position, access door 76 provides access to charging receptacle 72 via charging port 80.
Referring now to
As used herein, the term module may refer to, be part of, or include an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC); an electronic circuit; a combinational logic circuit; a field programmable gate array (FPGA); a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) that executes code; other suitable components that provide the described functionality; or a combination of some or all of the above, such as in a system-on-chip. The term module may include memory (shared, dedicated, or group) that stores code executed by the processor.
The term code, as used above, may include software, firmware, and/or microcode, and may refer to programs, routines, functions, classes, and/or objects. The term shared, as used above, means that some or all code from multiple modules may be executed using a single (shared) micro processor/controller. In addition, some or all code from multiple modules may be stored by a single (shared) memory. The term group, as used above, means that some or all code from a single module may be executed using a group of processors. In addition, some or all code from a single module may be stored using a group of memories.
The apparatuses and methods described herein may be implemented by one or more computer programs executed by one or more processors. The computer programs include processor-executable instructions that are stored on a non-transitory tangible computer readable medium. The computer programs may also include stored data. Non-limiting examples of the non-transitory tangible computer readable medium are nonvolatile memory, magnetic storage, and optical storage. Nonvolatile memory includes random access memory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM).
According to the present example, vehicle control system 200 includes a gateway module 210, a vehicle control module (VCM) 212, a battery control module (BCM) 214, a charging control module (CCM) 216, an interior control module (ICM) 218, a front control module (FCM) 220, and a tail control module (TCM) 222. Gateway module 210 functions as a central processing unit and communication gateway for vehicle 10. More specifically, gateway module 210 functions as a controller-area network (CAN) or CAN-bus gateway. Gateway module 210 generally controls and monitors operation of various electrical systems. Gateway module 210 receives and communicates various vehicle signals, including signals generated by the various modules of vehicle system 200, signals generated by various sensors, and other components of vehicle 10.
VCM 212 functions as an input/output (I/O) device controlling communication of various inputs and output signals between components of the electric drive system, including electric motor 20, and gateway module 210. The inputs and outputs include control signals controlling the electric drive system and other power train operations or executions. BCM 214 controls and monitors operation of battery pack 22. Battery control module 214 controls contactors of battery pack 22 and monitors voltage isolation circuits, temperature and other operating parameters of battery pack 22. BCM further functions as an I/O device controlling communication of various inputs and outputs between battery pack 22 and gateway module 210.
CCM 216 controls and monitors recharging of battery pack 22. CCM 216 is coupled to charging receptacle 30 and detects when external power source 36 is connected to vehicle 10. In various implementations, CCM 216 detects external power source 36 by detecting a voltage potential between terminals (e.g., female terminals 84, 86) of charging receptacle 30. CCM 216 controls a start and an end of each recharging event. During recharging, CCM 216 controls an amount of energy supplied to battery pack 22.
ICM 218 functions as an I/O device controlling the communication of various inputs and output signals between gateway module 210 and various components located in a passenger area of vehicle 10. The various components include, but are not limited to interior lighting components, passenger door switches and window regulators, an instrument panel, and driver interface devices and controls. The driver interface devices and controls include, but are not limited to steering, braking, lighting, door, window, entertainment, and other driver-manipulated control devices.
FCM 220 functions as an I/O device controlling the communication of various inputs and output signals between gateway module 210 and various modules and other components located forward of the passenger compartment. The various components include, but are not limited to, headlights 38, 40, front position/directional indicators 42, 44, and sidemarker lights 46, 48. TCM 222 functions as an I/O device controlling communication of various inputs and output signals between gateway module 210 and various modules and other components located rearward of the passenger compartment. The various components include, but are not limited to, tail lights 50, 52, CHMSL 54, and reversing lights 56, 58.
Referring now to
SOC determination module 304 periodically determines a current SOC of the electric drive system, and more particularly, of battery pack 22. SOC determination module 304 determines the current SOC during periods when vehicle 10 is operated, including when vehicle 10 is keyed on and is in a park mode, and during periods when vehicle 10 is not operated and/or is recharging. SOC determination module 304 may determine the current SOC at predetermined intervals that vary, depending on whether vehicle 10 is being operated or is recharging. SOC determination module 304 communicates the current SOC to SOC indicator module 306 and stores the current SOC in memory module 312.
The present invention is not limited to a particular method of determining the current SOC and SOC determination module 304 may determine the current SOC based on various operating parameters of the electric drive system. For example, the operating parameters can include, but are not limited to, a previous SOC, a battery voltage, a battery current, and a battery temperature. In an exemplary implementation, SOC determination module 304 measures a battery current and uses a current integration, or coulomb counting method, to determine the current SOC. Accordingly, SOC determination module 304 receives and monitors various vehicle signals indicative of the operating parameters used to determine the current SOC.
SOC indicator module 306 selectively illuminates SOC indicator 302 to convey information about the current SOC by outputting timed control signals to I/O device 308 based on the current SOC. SOC indicator module 306 may receive the current SOC from SOC determination module 304 or retrieve the current SOC from memory module 312. In various implementations, SOC indicator module 306 monitors operation of SOC indicator 302 to determine whether one or more light sources has failed or is otherwise inoperable. In implementations where a light source malfunctions at a first intensity but can be illuminated at a second intensity, SOC indicator 302 may illuminate SOC indicator 302 at the second intensity in order to properly convey the current SOC.
In various implementations, SOC indicator module 306 conveys the current SOC continuously during a period of recharging vehicle 10. In alternate implementations, SOC indicator module 306 conveys the current SOC intermittently at predetermined intervals during the period of recharging. In still other implementations, SOC indicator module 306 conveys the current SOC for a predetermined period in response to an SOC request communicated to SOC indicator module 306 by request interface device 310. In various implementations where SOC indicator 302 has a dual purpose, such as SOC indicator 60, SOC indicator module 306 refrains from illuminating SOC indicator 302 to convey information about the current SOC during periods when vehicle 10 is being driven. Where SOC indicator 302 has a dual purpose, SOC indicator module 306 may illuminate SOC indicator 302 for a predetermined period only in response to an SOC request when vehicle 10 is operated in a park mode.
I/O device 308 controls communication of various inputs and output signals between SOC indicator 302 and SOC indicator module 306, including the timed control signals used to illuminate SOC indicator 302. Request interface device 310 is a device external to vehicle 10 configured to generate the SOC request and communicate the SOC request to SOC indicator module 306. The present invention is not limited to a particular communication method. For example, request interface device 310 can communicate the SOC request to SOC indicator module 306 via a wired connection or a wireless connection. In various implementations, request interface device 310 is a device coupled to the exterior of vehicle 10, such as a dedicated button or a dual purpose door handle that is also used to open a door. In various other implementations, request interface device 310 is a portable device carried by a user, such as, for example, an electronic key fob or cell phone.
Request interface device 310 generates the SOC request in response to a user input. In a preferred implementation, request interface device 310 is an electronic key fob used to access the vehicle 10. In various related implementations, the SOC request may be automatically generated when vehicle 10 is parked and the key fob is within a range of detection by SOC indicator module 306. The range of detection may be from at least around six to ten feet away from vehicle 10, for example. Alternately, or additionally, the SOC request may be generated in response to a user manipulating one or more buttons of the key fob in a predetermined manner or sequence.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Terminals 378 are disposed on end face 382 and connect to terminals of the charging receptacle (e.g., female terminals 84, 86). Terminals 378 include first terminals 384, second terminals 386, and optionally a third terminal 388. First terminals 384 create at least part of a conductive path connecting the external power source to the charging receptacle. First terminals 384 communicate energy from the external power source to the charging receptacle when recharging vehicle 10. Second terminals 386 create part of a conductive path used to power lighting component 380.
In various implementations, plug 372 houses a module (not shown) that selectively illuminates lighting component 380 according to the teachings set forth herein. The module can function substantially similar to SOC indicator module 306 discussed above. In such implementations, third terminal 388 creates at least part of a communication path connecting the module to vehicle 10. Third terminal 388 is used to communicate a current SOC of vehicle 10 to the module and/or, optionally, a request to display the current SOC.
Lighting component 380 displays the current SOC when illuminated. In various implementations, lighting component 380 is controlled by a module integrated with plug 372, or a module, such as SOC indicator module 306, attached to vehicle 10. Lighting component 380 is arranged on housing 376 to emit light away from vehicle 10 when plug 372 is engaged. In various implementations, lighting component 380 includes lighting sections selectively illuminated in various combinations to convey the current SOC. In various other implementations, lighting component 380 includes a light that emits light that varies in color along a color spectrum to display the current SOC.
The foregoing description presents various external SOC indicators for externally conveying information about the current SOC of a vehicle. In particular, the external SOC indicators are illuminated in various illumination states to convey various SOCs. In various implementations, the illumination states include states in which various predetermined combinations of lights are illuminated. In various other implementations, the illumination states include states that vary in a color displayed and, more particularly, the color may continuously vary along a color spectrum.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. It is intended by the following claims to cover these and any other departures from the disclosed embodiments which fall within the true spirit of this invention.
