SELECTION OF CHARGING MODES FOR AUTONOMOUS DEVICE
A system of selecting charging modes for a rechargeable energy storage unit in an autonomous device includes a controller having a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded instructions. The controller is configured to determine availability of at least one charging station and at least one parking lot through a survey of local charging infrastructure and local parking infrastructure, respectively, within a predefined radius of the autonomous device. The controller is configured to determine if it is cost-effective during an excursion to incur a charging fee at the charging station or incur a parking fee at the parking lot. If it is cost-effective to incur the charging fee, then the controller is configured to selectively employ at least one of a plurality of charging modes, including an open-ended charging mode and a defined departure charging mode.
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The present disclosure relates to a selection of charging modes for a rechargeable energy storage unit in an autonomous device. The use of purely electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles, such as battery electric vehicles, window extended electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and fuel cell hybrid electric vehicles, has increased over the last few years. Hybrid electric vehicles and purely electric vehicles generally include a rechargeable energy storage unit, such as a high voltage battery having a number of battery cells, which requires periodic recharging.
SUMMARYDisclosed herein are a system and method of selecting charging modes for a rechargeable energy storage unit in an autonomous device. The system includes a controller having a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded instructions. Execution of the instructions by the processor causes the controller to determine availability of at least one charging station and at least one parking lot through a survey of local charging infrastructure and local parking infrastructure within a predefined radius of the autonomous device. The controller is configured to determine if it is cost-effective during an excursion to incur a charging fee at the charging station or incur a parking fee at the parking lot. If it is cost-effective to incur the charging fee, then the controller is configured to selectively employ at least one of a plurality of charging modes, including an open-ended charging mode and a defined departure charging mode.
The defined departure charging mode is employed where a predefined departure time is selected by a user of the autonomous device. The defined departure charging mode includes derating a charging current applied to the rechargeable energy storage unit such that charging is completed at the predefined departure time.
A state of charge (SOC) indicator is configured to indicate a state of charge of the rechargeable energy storage unit. The state of charge reading includes a predefined first window, a predefined second window and a predefined third window each having a respective maximum and a respective minimum. The respective minimum of the third window (W3) is greater than the respective maximum of the second window (W2), while the respective minimum of the second window (W2) is greater than the respective maximum of the first window (W1).
The controller is configured to employ the open-ended charging mode where no predefined departure time is selected. The open-ended charging mode may include employing a predetermined relatively high charging current when the state of charge reading is in the predefined first window and employing a predetermined relatively low charging current when the state of charge reading is in the predefined second window. The open-ended charging mode may include employing zero current when the state of charge reading is in the predefined third window. In one embodiment, the predetermined relatively high charging current is the maximum current supported by the charging station and the predetermined relatively low charging current is the minimum current supported by the charging station.
A mobile application is configured to be accessible by a user of the autonomous device. The controller is configured to send a notification to the user, via the mobile application, regarding an estimated completion time for the energy storage device to reach a predefined threshold charge level. The mobile application may be configured to allow the user to summon the autonomous device remotely. The mobile application may be configured to allow the user to terminate a charging session and summon the autonomous device prior to an end of the excursion.
The autonomous device may be configured to remain at the charging station until the mobile application commands it to leave. The plurality of charging modes includes an idle charging mode configured such that a charging current applied to the rechargeable energy storage unit is about zero. The controller may be configured to continuously monitor the local charging infrastructure to locate available charging stations within the predefined radius that allow the idle charging mode.
The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present disclosure are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the disclosure when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to like components,
Referring to
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Referring now to
In block 104 of
In block 110 of
If the departure time is set, per block 116 of
The controller C is configured to employ an open-ended charging mode where no predefined departure time is selected. Referring to
If the state of charge reading is not in the predefined first window (W1), per block 122 of
If the state of charge reading is not in the predefined second window (W2), per block 126 of
Referring to
In summary, the system 12 (via execution of method 100) adjusts the charging profile of an autonomous device 10 to meet the excursion time of the user U. One of several charge-mode strategies are selectively employed to maximize time, minimize cost and improve battery life and functionality. The system 12 may maximize the time at the charging station 40 by employing a charging mode strategy at a reduced energy transfer rate to accommodate the schedule of a user U while avoiding a parking fee. The system 12 utilizes a defined departure time in order to optimize to the lowest possible current, saving battery life and reducing the potential for lithium plating in the rechargeable energy storage unit 14. Accordingly, the system 12 (and execution of the method 100) improves the functioning of the device 10.
The flowchart in
The controller C of
Look-up tables, databases, data repositories or other data stores described herein may include various kinds of mechanisms for storing, accessing, and retrieving various kinds of data, including a hierarchical database, a set of files in a file system, an application database in a proprietary format, a relational database management system (RDBMS), etc. Each such data store may be included within a computing device employing a computer operating system such as one of those mentioned above, and may be accessed via a network in one or more of a variety of manners. A file system may be accessible from a computer operating system, and may include files stored in various formats. An RDBMS may employ the Structured Query Language (SQL) in addition to a language for creating, storing, editing, and executing stored procedures, such as the PL/SQL language mentioned above.
The detailed description and the drawings or FIGS. are supportive and descriptive of the disclosure, but the scope of the disclosure is defined solely by the claims. While some of the best modes and other embodiments for carrying out the claimed disclosure have been described in detail, various alternative designs and embodiments exist for practicing the disclosure defined in the appended claims. Furthermore, the embodiments shown in the drawings or the characteristics of various embodiments mentioned in the present description are not necessarily to be understood as embodiments independent of each other. Rather, it is possible that each of the characteristics described in one of the examples of an embodiment can be combined with one or a plurality of other desired characteristics from other embodiments, resulting in other embodiments not described in words or by reference to the drawings. Accordingly, such other embodiments fall within the framework of the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A system of selecting charging modes for a rechargeable energy storage unit in an autonomous device, the system comprising:
- a controller operatively connected to the rechargeable energy storage unit and including a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded instructions;
- wherein execution of the instructions by the processor causes the controller to: determine availability of at least one charging station and at least one parking lot through a survey of local charging infrastructure and local parking infrastructure, respectively, within a predefined radius of the autonomous device; determine if it is cost-effective during an excursion to incur a charging fee at the at least one charging station or incur a parking fee at the at least one parking lot; and if it is cost-effective to incur the charging fee, then the controller is configured to selectively employ at least one of a plurality of charging modes, including an open-ended charging mode and a defined departure charging mode.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein:
- the defined departure charging mode is employed where a predefined departure time is selected by a user of the autonomous device; and
- the defined departure charging mode includes derating a charging current applied to the rechargeable energy storage unit such that charging is completed at the predefined departure time.
3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
- a state of charge (SOC) indicator configured to indicate a state of charge of the rechargeable energy storage unit in a plurality of non-overlapping range
- wherein the state of charge reading includes a predefined first window, a predefined second window and a predefined third window each having a respective maximum and a respective minimum;
- wherein the respective minimum of the predefined third window is greater than the respective maximum of the predefined second window; and
- wherein the respective minimum of the predefined second window is greater than the respective maximum of the predefined first window.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein:
- the controller is configured to employ the open-ended charging mode where no predefined departure time is selected;
- the open-ended charging mode includes: when the state of charge reading is in the predefined first window, employing a predetermined relatively high charging current; when the state of charge reading is in the predefined second window, employing a predetermined relatively low charging current; and when the state of charge reading is in the predefined third window, employing a charging current that is about zero.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein:
- the predetermined relatively high charging current is a maximum current supported by the at least one charging station; and
- the predetermined relatively low charging current is a minimum current supported by the at least one charging station.
6. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
- a mobile application configured to be accessible by a user of the autonomous device; and
- wherein the controller is configured to send a notification to the user, via the mobile application, regarding an estimated completion time for the energy storage device to reach a predefined threshold charge level.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein:
- the mobile application is configured to allow the user to summon the autonomous device remotely; and
- the mobile application is configured to allow the user to terminate a charging session and summon the autonomous device prior to an end of the excursion.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the autonomous device is configured to remain at the at least one charging station until the mobile application commands it to leave.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of charging modes includes an idle charging mode configured such that a charging current applied to the rechargeable energy storage unit is about zero.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to continuously monitor the local charging infrastructure to locate available charging stations within the predefined radius that allow the idle charging mode.
11. A method for charging a rechargeable energy storage unit in an autonomous device having a controller with a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory, the method comprising:
- determining availability of at least one charging station and at least one parking lot through a survey of local charging infrastructure and local parking infrastructure, respectively, within a predefined radius of the autonomous device, via the controller;
- determining if it is cost-effective during an excursion to incur a charging fee at the at least one charging station or incur a parking fee at the at least one parking lot, via the controller; and
- if it is cost-effective to incur the charging fee, then selectively employ at least one of a plurality of charging modes, including an open-ended charging mode and a defined departure charging mode, via the controller.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
- employing the defined departure charging mode where a predefined departure time is selected by a user of the autonomous device, via the controller; and
- wherein the defined departure charging mode includes derating a charging current applied to the rechargeable energy storage unit such that charging is completed at the predefined departure time.
13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
- indicating a state of charge of the rechargeable energy storage unit via a state of charge (SOC) indicator;
- wherein the state of charge reading includes a predefined first window, a predefined second window and a predefined third window each having a respective maximum and a respective minimum;
- wherein the respective minimum of the predefined third window is greater than the respective maximum of the predefined second window; and
- wherein the respective minimum of the predefined second window is greater than the respective maximum of the predefined first window.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:
- employing the open-ended charging mode where no predefined departure time is selected by a user, via the controller, the open-ended charging mode including: when the state of charge reading is in the predefined first window, employing a predetermined relatively high charging current; when the state of charge reading is in the predefined second window, employing a predetermined relatively low charging current; and when the state of charge reading is in the predefined third window, employing a charging current that is about zero.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein:
- the predetermined relatively high charging current is a maximum current supported by the at least one charging station; and
- the predetermined relatively low charging current is a minimum current supported by the at least one charging station.
16. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
- sending a notification regarding an estimated completion time for the energy storage device to reach a predefined threshold charge level to a user of the autonomous device, via a mobile application configured to be accessible by a user.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein:
- allowing the user to summon the autonomous device remotely via the mobile application; and
- allowing the user to terminate a charging session and summon the autonomous device prior to an end of the excursion via the mobile application.
18. The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of charging modes includes an idle charging mode configured such that the charging current applied to the rechargeable energy storage unit is about zero.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:
- continuously monitoring the local charging infrastructure to locate available charging stations within the predefined radius that allow the idle charging mode, via the controller.
20. A system of selecting charging modes for a rechargeable energy storage unit in an autonomous device, the system comprising:
- a controller operatively connected to the rechargeable energy storage unit and including a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded instructions;
- wherein execution of the instructions by the processor causes the controller to: determine availability of at least one charging station and at least one parking lot through a survey of local charging infrastructure and local parking infrastructure, respectively, within a predefined radius of the autonomous device; determine if it is cost-effective during an excursion to incur a charging fee at the at least one charging station or incur a parking fee at the at least one parking lot; if it is cost-effective to incur the charging fee, then selectively employ at least one of a plurality of charging modes, including an open-ended charging mode and a defined departure charging mode;
- wherein the defined departure charging mode is employed where a predefined departure time is selected by a user of the autonomous device and includes derating a charging current applied to the rechargeable energy storage unit such that charging is completed at the predefined departure time;
- wherein the controller is configured to employ the open-ended charging mode where no predefined departure time is selected and the open-ended charging mode includes: when the state of charge reading is in the predefined first window, employing a predetermined relatively high charging current; when the state of charge reading is in the predefined second window, employing a predetermined relatively low charging current; and when the state of charge reading is in the predefined third window, employing an approximately zero charging current.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 15, 2017
Publication Date: Feb 21, 2019
Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC (Detroit, MI)
Inventors: Brandon R. Jones (White Lake, MI), Ryan Ashby (Novi, MI), Tony Wingett (Ortonville, MI), Margaret C. Richards (Troy, MI), Matthew S. Stout (Hartland, MI), Cody D. Berman (Ann Arbor, MI)
Application Number: 15/677,631