Battery Charging System Condition Patents (Class 340/455)
  • Patent number: 11670806
    Abstract: A battery management apparatus configured to manage a battery to be reused, including an electronic control unit including a microprocessor and a memory connected to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is configured to perform acquiring a battery information including an information on a failure and repair history of the battery before the battery is reused, the memory is configured to store the battery information, and the microprocessor is configured to further perform determining a restriction imposed on the battery when the battery is reused, based on the battery information stored in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yu Murai
  • Patent number: 11634031
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes: a chassis; an operator cab carried by the chassis; at least one fluid reservoir carried by the chassis; at least one fluid sensor disposed in the at least one fluid reservoir and configured to output a fluid level signal corresponding to a level of fluid in the at least one fluid reservoir; and a fluid display gauge carried by the chassis outside of the operator cab and operatively coupled to the at least one fluid sensor, the fluid display gauge including an activation region that is accessible from the ground. The fluid display gauge is configured to display the level of fluid in the at least one fluid reservoir upon the activation region being activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Jacob Charles, Christopher Hill, Jerry L. Brinkley, Michelle Lass Sterrett
  • Patent number: 11584229
    Abstract: A display control apparatus includes: an acquisition part that acquires usage situation information of a battery which stores electric power for traveling of a vehicle; an evaluation part that evaluates a state change amount of the battery based on the usage situation information acquired by the acquisition part; a specifying part that specifies one or more factors of a state change of the battery based on the usage situation information acquired by the acquisition part; and a display control part that allows a display part to display a first image indicating a ratio at which a factor of the state change contributes to the state change amount for each factor of the state change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shuichi Kazuno
  • Patent number: 11563330
    Abstract: This electric vehicle control device is provided with: an efficiency control unit which, during travel of the electric vehicle, in a state in which the battery is prone to deteriorate, increases the rate of consumption of the power charged in the battery by performing control for reducing the efficiency of the motor; a travelable distance calculation unit which calculates the travelable distance of the electric vehicle using the SOC of the battery and a travel coefficient; and a travel coefficient correction unit which, before and after the efficiency control unit performs control for reducing the efficiency of the motor, corrects the travel coefficient such that change in the travelable distance calculated by the travelable distance calculation unit is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventors: Yuuki Tenma, Kiyoshi Takeuchi, Shigeki Iijima
  • Patent number: 11450497
    Abstract: Provide an electromagnetic switch device for a starter, by which a winding fluctuation of a plurality of coils, of which wire diameters are different from each other, is prevented, which can be downsized and can be produced with a low cost. A bobbin, at which winding portions are separated by using a first flange portion which includes a first notch portion, second notch portions, and third notch portions, by which coils are led out, and a first separation wall and a second separation wall, which include the second notch portions and the third notch portions, by which coils are led out, is included, and a main aspiration holding coil, a sub-aspiration holding coil, and a resistance coil, of which wire diameters are different from each other, which are respectively wound around a first winding portion, a second winding portion, and a third winding portion, which are separated, are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takuma Ono, Mitsuyasu Okamoto
  • Patent number: 11374264
    Abstract: A detection system includes a power generation element; a first outer cover body enveloping the power generation element; a second outer cover body located between the power generation element and the first outer cover body, and enveloping the power generation element; a first space section enclosed by the first outer cover body and the second outer cover body; a second space section enclosed by the second outer cover body; and a detector that detects a gas in the first space section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ayumu Fukuoka, Kazuyoshi Honda
  • Patent number: 11313307
    Abstract: A method for evaluating the compression of the cylinders of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle having an electric starter motor and a respective starting battery, comprising: start capturing the battery voltage signal when the starter motor stars to rotate the internal-combustion engine so as to initiate operation of the engine under its own power; cease capturing the battery voltage signal when the engine enters operation under its own power; process the captured voltage signal for the location of local minimums; calculate the time difference between consecutive local minimums; detect if there is a variation of time between the calculated differences higher than a predetermined threshold between any said calculated time differences; and, if there is such variation, signal a potential engine malfunction. Also provided is a device for accomplishing the foregoing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: STRA, S.A.
    Inventors: Humberto Jorge Martins Rodrigues, Roney Camargo Malaguti, Nuno André Dos Santos Silva
  • Patent number: 11263836
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to customizable charge status indicator systems for electrified vehicle charge port assemblies. Exemplary charge status indicator systems may include a charge port lighting module, and a human machine interface (HMI) that includes various user interfaces configured for receiving inputs for customizing different lighting effects that can be emitted by the charge port lighting module. The charge status indicator systems may further include a controller operably coupled to both the charge port lighting module and the HMI and configured for commanding the charge port lighting module to emit customized lighting effects in response to receiving input signals from the HMI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Everett Badger, II, Ryan Hunt, Brandon Beauvais, Ian Lawson
  • Patent number: 11223211
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a charging device for charging an electric energy storage device from a first charge state to a second charge state. The first charge state is lower than the second charge state, and the charging device is connected to an interface. The charging device communicates with the energy storage device and ascertains the charge state thereof. In an additional step, the charging device obtains the efficiency characteristic field of the electric energy storage device and the efficiency characteristic field of the charging device. The invention relates to a method for operating a charging device for charging an electric energy storage device from a first charge state to a second charge state. The first charge state is lower than the second charge state, and the charging device is connected to an interface. The charging device communicates with the energy storage device and ascertains the charge state thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Dittmer, Taleb Janbein, Peter Feuerstack, Steffen Eppler
  • Patent number: 11117484
    Abstract: Safe and secure charging of a vehicle is disclosed. For one embodiment, a system monitors data communicated over a communications network of the motor vehicle. The system determines a current charging stage from a number of predetermined charging stages for the motor vehicle. The system analyzes the monitored data based on the determined current charging stage for an unexpected message. The system detects an unexpected message in the monitored data and performs a corrective action based on the detecting of the unexpected message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Byton Limited
    Inventor: Tejesh Makanawala
  • Patent number: 11046205
    Abstract: A diagnostic service is selectively started at opportune times, such as when the electrical vehicle is initially plugged in. When the electrical vehicle is turned off, there may not be any messages being sent on the communication bus since most vehicle electronic controllers are disabled to conserve power. But, when someone plugs in a charger, there is a surge of bus traffic for a short period of time. The system parses through the bus traffic and looks for a particular communication bus address. The presence of this address can be used as an indicator for an opportune time to start the diagnostic service to confirm whether the electric vehicle is charging or not and to log the state of charge of the electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSARA INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Thomas Govan, Alvin Wu, Benjamin Chang, Jennifer Zhang, Katherine Lee
  • Patent number: 10903680
    Abstract: A starter battery with a total battery voltage exceeding a supply voltage requirement of an electrical system. An alternator provides a charging voltage that corresponds with the supply voltage requirement of the electrical system. A total battery voltage equal to the sum of cell voltages exceeds the supply voltage requirement of the electrical system. A step-down voltage regulator reduces the total battery voltage to correspond with the supply voltage requirement and a boost voltage regulator increases the charging voltage from the alternator when charging the starter battery to the total battery voltage. When detecting a degraded cell, the step-down voltage regulator continues to regulate the total battery voltage to correspond with the supply voltage requirement after the cell has degraded and the boost voltage regulator is bypassed when charging the starter battery to no longer increase the charging voltage from the alternator when charging the starter battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark Maresh, Richard John Fishbune, Eric B. Swenson, Marc H. Coq
  • Patent number: 10773603
    Abstract: A charging cable identification system is provided for a vehicle driven at least partially electrically, wherein the vehicle has an energy store that can be connected to an electrical energy source by a charging cable. The charging cable system has a control unit that is configured to enable or prevent the starting of the vehicle motor. The control unit is also configured to detect, prior to every event that is or can be predetermined, whether the charging cable is in the vehicle, and if the control unit detects that the charging cable is not in the vehicle, the control unit prevents the vehicle motor from starting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Atanas Lyutskanov, Andreas Pelger, Tobias Schoellermann
  • Patent number: 10391877
    Abstract: This disclosure describes exemplary electrified vehicle charging systems for charging battery packs. An exemplary charging system includes a visual indicator (e.g., pictogram, text, or both) located on-board the vehicle that can be automatically illuminated once the battery pack has been charged to a predefined minimum state of charge (SOC) threshold. The visual indicator communicates charging status messages to other electrified vehicle users, and once illuminated, provides an intuitive indication to the other vehicle users that the electrified vehicle that is currently on-plug has received a sufficient amount of charge and therefore may be unplugged from a charging station. The visual indicator therefore facilitates a courtesy hand-off of charging station components from one electrified vehicle user to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dylan Erb, Alexander Bartlett, Jacob Wiles, Bikram Singh, Baocheng Sun
  • Patent number: 10328854
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine, a fuel tank, a motor, a battery, a charger, and a notification mechanism. The battery is configured to supply electric power to the motor. The charger is configured to carry out external charging that charges the battery by use of electric power from an external power source. The notification mechanism is configured to notify, to an outside of the vehicle, information on a use index indicative of a degree of use of external charging in a predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryuta Ishida, Hiroaki Takeuchi, Hiroaki Arakawa, Shinji Ichikawa, Keita Hashimoto, Shigeki Kinomura, Akio Uotani, Kazuyuki Kagawa, Yusuke Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 10308131
    Abstract: A charging system for an electrified vehicle includes a battery pack, a charging component in charging connection with the battery pack, a visual indicator on the charging component, and a control module configured to illuminate the visual indicator in response to reaching a predefined state of charge (SOC) threshold of the battery pack. The visual indicator can indicate that the SOC of the battery pack has reached a level that is acceptable for unplugging the electrified vehicle from a charging station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Bartlett, Dylan Erb, Jacob Wiles, Bikram Singh, Baocheng Sun
  • Patent number: 10118550
    Abstract: A light control apparatus for controlling brightness of a lighting unit indicating a charging state of a battery of a vehicle includes: an interface configured to communicate with an external illuminance detector; a memory configured to store illuminance information corresponding to a first reference illuminance and a second reference illuminance lower than the first reference illuminance and to store brightness information set based on the first reference illuminance and the second reference illuminance; a controller configured to receive the illuminance information via the interface, to set the brightness information based on the first reference illuminance and the second reference illuminance, and to control the brightness of the lighting unit based on the set brightness information; and a driver configured to regulate power of the lighting unit in response to a command of the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignees: Huyndai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Mingi Oh, Hyungjin Park, Nuri Jeon
  • Patent number: 9981603
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine, a fuel tank, a motor, a battery, a charger, and a notification mechanism. The battery is configured to supply electric power to the motor. The charger is configured to carry out external charging that charges the battery by use of electric power from an external power source. The notification mechanism is configured to notify, to an outside of the vehicle, information on a use index indicative of a degree of use of external charging in a predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryuta Ishida, Hiroaki Takeuchi, Hiroaki Arakawa, Shinji Ichikawa, Keita Hashimoto, Shigeki Kinomura, Akio Uotani, Kazuyuki Kagawa, Yusuke Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 9869721
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and a method for inspecting an assembled condition of an alternator capable of inspecting a driving condition using a smart box monitoring sensor data received from an ECU of a vehicle and then determining whether the assembled condition of the alternator is bad. A system for inspecting an assembled condition of an alternator includes: a smart box configured to receive driving data of a vehicle from an ECU and determine whether the assembled condition of the alternator is bad based on the driving data of the vehicle; and a server configured to receive result data depending on whether the assembled condition of the alternator is bad from the smart box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Dong Chul Lee, Mun Gu Kim, Yeong Il Choi, Jung Myoung Kim
  • Patent number: 9783139
    Abstract: A switch monitoring circuit has an external input terminal connected to a switch, a voltage applying unit that applies a driving voltage to the external input terminal, a voltage detecting unit that detects a change in the voltage at the external input terminal, a control unit connected to the voltage applying unit and voltage detecting unit, and a charge storage unit connected to the external input terminal and voltage applying unit. The charge storage unit has a voltage applying terminal to which the driving voltage is applied, a first resistive element, one of the terminals of which is connected to the external input terminal and the other of the terminals of which is connected to the voltage applying terminal, and a capacitive element, one of the terminals of which is connected to the voltage applying terminal and the other of the terminals of which is grounded. The capacitive element performs charging from the voltage applying terminal and discharging to the voltage applying terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenichi Seino
  • Patent number: 9701203
    Abstract: An electric vehicle management system which controls a charging amount for an electric vehicle by way of peak shift, and an on-board unit used for the electric vehicle management system are provided. Thereby, the on-board unit mounted on the electric vehicle detects a current location, and an electric vehicle management center provided on a network manages a charging schedule created in advance. Propriety of a charging operation at a current time is checked via communications between them. Charging of the electric vehicle is managed based on the charging schedule by notifying a driver of the check result through a display of the on-board unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Korenaga, Hisaji Takeuchi, Ryota Hiura, Tomohiro Murata, Takeshi Nagata, Hiromichi Nakamoto, Seiki Kato
  • Patent number: 9440644
    Abstract: An example method includes operating an electric vehicle in an electric mode when a speed of the electric vehicle is at or below a threshold speed, and operating the electric vehicle in a hybrid mode when the speed of the electric vehicle is above the threshold speed. The threshold speed is an operator-adjustable threshold speed. Another example method includes operating an electric vehicle in an electric mode when a state of charge of a battery of the electric vehicle is at a threshold state of charge, and operating the electric vehicle in a hybrid mode when the state of charge of the battery is at or below the threshold state of charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Angel Fernando Porras, Bryan Michael Bolger, Christopher Adam Ochocinski, Joseph Gerald Supina
  • Patent number: 9340119
    Abstract: An indicator apparatus for providing a status indicator to visibly indicate state of charge information of an electric vehicle is disclosed. The indicator apparatus may be an indicator plate including a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and an indicator positioned between the first and second ends. The indicator may provide an indication of a status of a battery of the electric vehicle by illuminating a portion of the indicator plate based on status information of the battery. The indicator apparatus may further comprise a power port coupled to the electric vehicle for receiving power from the electric vehicle to the illuminated portion of the indicator plate. The illuminated portion may be illuminated based on vehicle diagnostic data received from the electric vehicle and may be visible from outside the electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignees: VOLKSWAGEN AG, AUDI AG
    Inventors: Henry Chen, Kord Luehr
  • Patent number: 9307495
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that monitors a battery in a portable electronic device. During operation, the system monitors a state of charge of the battery while the battery is powering the portable electronic device. Next, when the state of charge of the battery reaches a predetermined reserve capacity, the system monitors a voltage of the battery. Then, when the monitored voltage of the battery reaches a predetermined termination voltage, the system puts the portable electronic device into a low power usage state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Val Valentine
  • Patent number: 9168860
    Abstract: A vehicular indicator device for a hybrid vehicle which is provided with vehicle drive power sources in the form of an engine and an electric motor and which is driven in one of a plurality of vehicle drive modes including an EV drive mode, a series HV drive mode and a parallel HV drive mode that is automatically selected according to a vehicle drive power, said indicator device being configured to indicate the selected vehicle drive mode and said vehicle drive power, the vehicular indicator device being configured to indicate a running state of the hybrid vehicle as represented by said vehicle drive power and said selected vehicle drive mode, in a two-dimensional coordinate system on a display screen, which coordinate system is defined by said vehicle drive power and said selected vehicle drive mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Norihiro Yamamura, Koji Hayashi, Takeshi Kanayama, Tetsuo Hori, Tomoyuki Maruyama, Akiko Nishimine, Takeshi Miyagawa, Ryoki Il, Tomoaki Furukawa, Akihiro Sato
  • Patent number: 9166426
    Abstract: An external power supply apparatus of an electric vehicle, includes: a battery; an inverter configured to convert DC power of the battery to AC power and configured to output the AC power; a first outlet socket disposed in the electric vehicle and through which an output of the inverter is supplied; a relay connected downstream from the first outlet socket as viewed from the inverter; a charging port connected downstream from the relay as viewed from the inverter and exposed to the outside of the electric vehicle; an adapter including a second outlet socket and being to be connected to the charging port; and, when it is detected that the adapter is connected to the charging port, a controlling unit setting the relay to an ON state to allow the output of the inverter to be supplied through the charging port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Makoto Kamachi
  • Patent number: 9088228
    Abstract: The signalling method is implemented in an electronic power system (6) of a multiple-phase alternator. The system (6) is of the type comprising a set of rectifiers (5) capable of rectifying the voltage of phases (Ph1, Ph2, Ph3, Ph4, Ph5, Ph6) produced by the alternator, and a control assembly (2, 3) capable of controlling an excitation current from the alternator, of monitoring the conformity of at least one current characteristic of at least one (Ph) of the voltage of phases (Ph1, Ph2, Ph3, Ph4, Ph5, Ph6) in relation to a nominal characteristic, and of signalling any non conformity. In accordance to the method of the invention, the non conformity of at least one current characteristic of at least one (Ph) of the voltage of phases (Ph1, Ph2, Ph3, Ph4, Ph5, Ph6) is simulated in case of impaired function of at least one of the rectifiers (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Valeo Equipements Electriques Moteur
    Inventors: Raymond Rechdan, Christophe Louise
  • Patent number: 9037197
    Abstract: A mobile terminal may include a plurality of antennas to receive radio waves, a receiver circuit to receive power of the radio waves received by the plurality of antennas using a diversity technique, and a charging unit to charge a rechargeable battery coupled to the mobile terminal by the power of the radio waves received by the receiver circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventors: Masataka Ohira, Michiyo Kono
  • Patent number: 9030309
    Abstract: A vehicle having an item detection system is provided having at least one indicator for selectively emitting an alarm when activated, a vehicle alarm control module, at least one radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tag, and a radio frequency (“RF”) interrogator. The vehicle alarm control module is in communication with the at least one indicator and includes control logic for sending an activation data signal to the at least one indicator to selectively activate the at least one indicator. The RFID tag is configured for receiving a query RF signal and transmitting a reply RF signal upon receipt of the query RF signal. The RF interrogator is in communication with the vehicle alarm and is located within a specified distance of the RFID tag. The RF interrogator has a processor, and includes control logic for transmitting the query RF signal to the RFID tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Grost, Matthew M. Highstrom
  • Patent number: 9024744
    Abstract: A system and method for remote control of and notification by an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). The system including a remote device, such as a smart phone, having a software configured to remotely control the EVSE and remotely retrieve and receive information from the EVSE. The smart phone may identify and connect to a communication network, automatically identify the EVSE, connect to the EVSE, and send the EVSE instructions for various functions of the EVSE, including charging, vehicle control, and reporting functions. The EVSE may execute the instructions received and return a confirmation to the remote device. The remote device may present the confirmation to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Lee Robert Klose, William Wittliff, III
  • Patent number: 8996198
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving a request for improving vehicular energy conservation. The method further includes responsively providing at least one action to a vehicle computing system, based at least in part on received vehicle data. Also, the method includes receiving data relating to a change in vehicle energy efficiency resulting from implementation of the action. The method additionally includes analyzing the received data and action along with data resulting from similar actions to determine a generalized effect of the action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Perry Robinson MacNeille, Oleg Yurievitch Gusikhin, David Allen Kowalski
  • Patent number: 8988209
    Abstract: A monitoring device (20) of a vehicle wheel (11) is configured for detecting and transmitting, by a wireless connection, information relating to at least one characteristic quantity of the status of the wheel (11), such as the inflating pressure of a tire thereof. The device (20) has a casing (21-22) housing a circuit (30) adapted to transmit said information, the casing (21-22) being designed for coupling to an end portion (3a) of electrically conductive body (3) of a tire valve (2) of the wheel (11). The casing (21-22) includes a casing body (21) integrating interconnection means (28, 29, 40) prearranged to obtain both an electric connection of the circuit (30) to the end portion (3a) of the electrically conductive body (3) of the valve (2; 2?; 2?), and a mechanical coupling of the casing (21-22) to the end portion (3a) of the electrically conductive body (3) of the valve (2; 2?; 2?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Eltek S.p.A.
    Inventors: Domenico Cantarelli, Paolo Colombo
  • Publication number: 20150077239
    Abstract: An electric vehicle (EV) charger system, includes an EV charger, the EV charger having a distance display disposed at a top portion of the EV charger, the EV charger configured to display a non-alphanumeric representation of a plurality of modes of the EV charger on the distance display for viewing by an observer remote from the EV charger, and a near display disposed at a position on the EV charger that is below the distance display, the EV charger configured to display alphanumeric information on the near display for viewing by a user proximal to the EV charger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: ROBERT THOMAS LITJEN
  • Patent number: 8976016
    Abstract: An alarm system for a vehicle charge cord is provided. The alarm system has an armed state and a disarmed state. The alarm system includes a battery, a charge cord sensor, a battery state estimator (“BSE”) module, and an interface module. The battery has state of charge (“SOC”), and is rechargeable to a predetermined level of charge. The charge cord sensor is configured to detect if the vehicle charge cord is connected to or disconnected from a vehicle. The BSE module is configured to monitor the SOC of the rechargeable battery and determine if the battery is charged to the predetermined level of charge. The interface module is in communication with the charge cord sensor and the BSE module. The interface module is configured to switch the alarm system from the armed state to the disarmed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Andrew P. Oury, Andres V. Mituta
  • Patent number: 8977448
    Abstract: An operating state display device for a vehicle includes a display portion that displays an energy transmission state of the vehicle. A display similar to what is shown when no energy is being transmitted to the axle is shown, regardless of the energy transmission state, when two conditions that the vehicle is stopped and that a brake operation is being performed are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Eiji Fukushiro
  • Publication number: 20150061855
    Abstract: In a method for determining and displaying a remaining range of a motor vehicle that can be driven electrically, an instantaneous remaining range of the motor vehicle that can be attained by purely electric driving of the motor vehicle is determined continuously and a display of the determined remaining range on a display unit is controlled, wherein a range preservation mode is activated with the control unit; and the display unit is activated with the control unit. A remaining range determined before the activation of the range preservation mode is displayed with the display unit while the range preservation mode is activated. A device for determining and displaying a remaining range of a motor vehicle that can be driven electrically and a motor vehicle having a device for determining and displaying a remaining range are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Klimesch, Jens Papajewski
  • Patent number: 8952823
    Abstract: An early warning and monitoring system is disclosed for battery cells and battery packs. During normal cycling of a battery, surface temperature, voltage, current and impedance may be monitored to determine if abnormalities exist in the battery and/or battery structure. The abnormalities may be advantageously detected using battery temperature characteristics, where the characteristics are subject to rule-based processing to determine impending battery failure. By receiving advance notice of failure, a warning signal may be transmitted to provide notice and/or allow corrective action to be taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Indiana University Research and Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jian Xie, Jie Chen
  • Publication number: 20150035668
    Abstract: A computer implemented method includes detecting a vehicle state for which a user is to be notified. The method also includes sending a notification for a user regarding the vehicle state. The method further includes receiving a response that a do not disturb mode is enabled for the user. The method additionally includes queuing the notification for later delivery. The method also includes re-sending the notification for the user at a later point in time than when an original notification was sent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: David Hayes, Thanh Due Pham, Jesus Cardoso, Jason G. Marcath, Darko Acevski, Karin Lovett, Hsiao-An Hsieh, Beth Ann Dalrymple
  • Patent number: 8947247
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for preventing cable theft in electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). A sensor may be configured to sense a short between at least two components of a cable in the EVSE. A processor may be configured to determine that the cable is being cut in response to the sensing. The processor may be further configured to generate an alert in response to a determination that the cable is being cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Semaconnect, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Engel, Vincent J. Kayser, Gurdarshan Singh Tiwana, Mahidhar Reddy
  • Patent number: 8941463
    Abstract: A system for an electric vehicle for authorizing the utilization of a reserve charge portion of a battery of the electric vehicle for powering the electric vehicle. The authorization system may include a remote device that communicates with the electric vehicle via a telematic link. Upon receipt of one or more data from the electric vehicle (e.g., reserve charge amount of the battery, recharge locations, warranty waiver information, billing information, previous authorization information, etc.) the remote device transmits an authorization signal to the electric vehicle for using at least part of the reserve charge portion of the battery based upon the data. The authorization system may incorporate live personnel for determining whether to authorize the electric vehicle or such authorization may be determined automatically by a processor of the remote device. The authorization system may be entirely local to the electric vehicle such that no remote device is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Rovik, Donald A. Restauri, III
  • Patent number: 8937538
    Abstract: A charging state displaying device includes a casing, a board, a plurality of light sources, and display units. The casing includes a light blocking part. The board is mounted on the light blocking part and is accommodated in the casing. The light sources are disposed on the board so as to be separated by the board. The display units have light-permeability and are provided at positions of the casing corresponding to the light sources respectively. The board is configured to prevent leakage and mixture of lights emitted from the light sources in a cooperation with the light blocking part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Kosuke Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8928474
    Abstract: A charged-amount display part displays a battery charge rate of an entire battery pack according to kinds of charge sources. An example of displaying the battery charge rate in the form of a bar chart is shown. A speed display part displays a vehicle speed of a running electric vehicle. The running cost display part displays a running cost calculated based on consumed electric power of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihide Satake, Akinobu Sugiyama, Hiroshi Fujioka, Takanori Matsunaga, Kouhei Mori
  • Patent number: 8922358
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a display plane and a control unit. The display plane configured to display a first display portion that shows a locomotion region in the first locomotion mode in a display region based on the output request and a future locomotion distance of the vehicle and a second display portion that shows a locomotion region in the second locomotion mode next to the first display portion in the display region. The control unit configured to control an image displayed in the display plane. The control unit changes a border between the first display portion and the second display portion based on the future locomotion distance in accordance with an estimation result of displacement of a switching point between the first locomotion mode and the second locomotion mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazunori Handa
  • Patent number: 8912912
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for remotely identifying a motor vehicle (2), including means (3) for remotely communicating with the associated vehicle (2). The device comprises means (4) for querying the state of charge of at least one vehicle battery and means (6) for receiving said state of charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Valeo Securite Habitacle
    Inventor: Eric Menard
  • Patent number: 8907776
    Abstract: A computer implemented method includes detecting a vehicle state for which a user is to be notified. The method also includes sending a notification for a user regarding the vehicle state. The method further includes receiving a response that a do not disturb mode is enabled for the user. The method additionally includes queuing the notification for later delivery. The method also includes re-sending the notification for the user at a later point in time than when an original notification was sent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Hayes, Thanh Duc Pham, Jesus Cardoso, Jason C. Marcath, Darko Acevski, Karin Lovett, Hsiao-An Hsieh, Beth Ann Dalrymple
  • Patent number: 8896434
    Abstract: A charging port includes an inlet, a charging-in-progress lamp, and a communication-in-progress lamp. The inlet is configured to be connectable with a charging cable. During external charging by a charger, the charging-in-progress lamp indicates that external charging is being performed. Specifically, while the charging-in-progress lamp receives from a charging ECU a signal which indicates that external charging is being performed, the charging-in-progress lamp is lit. The communication-in-progress lamp is provided adjacently to the charging-in-progress lamp for indicating, while PLC-based communication by means of the charging cable is in progress, that PLC is being performed. Specifically, the communication-in-progress lamp is lit while the communication-in-progress lamp receives from the charging ECU a signal indicating that PLC is being performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinji Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 8860565
    Abstract: An efficiency gauge from a vehicle information display may incorporate vehicle range information in addition to an efficiency indicator. The range information may be displayed as an area on the efficiency gauge indicating a safe operating region for average driving in order for the vehicle to reach a target destination entered by a driver before an on-board energy source is depleted. By maintaining a vehicle's average trip efficiency within the safe operating region through driving behavior, the display may convey that the vehicle will be able to make it to the target destination. Over the course of a trip, the safe operating region may be constantly updated to reflect the current state of the battery and the remaining distance to the target destination. If no target information is received, a default target distance value based on an initial distance to empty estimation may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technlogies, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Skaff, Dale Gilman, Paul Aldighieri
  • Patent number: 8849360
    Abstract: A system for communicating with a wireless-enabled device. The system comprises an input for receiving from the device a signal indicative of the device being in a de-powered operational state; a functional entity configured to determine, on a basis of (i) knowledge that the device is in the de-powered operational state and (ii) context information regarding the device, a certain action to be taken by the device while in the de-powered operational state; and an output for causing transmission of a message to the device, wherein the message is for causing the device to take the certain action while in the de-powered operational state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Alan F. Graves, Raymond Bruce Wallace, Guy Michael Amyon Farquharson Duxbury
  • Patent number: 8836544
    Abstract: Multifunctional displays for a marine vessel having a propulsion system can include a sequential indicator, a first portion, a second portion and a transition portion between the first portion and the second portion. The first portion depicts changes in a characteristic of a first component of the propulsion system during a first operational mode of the propulsion system. The second portion depicts changes in a characteristic of a second component of the propulsion system during a second operational mode of the propulsion system. The transition portion depicts a change in operation of propulsion system between the first operational mode and the second operational mode. A marine vessel icon has first and second icons depicting changes in characteristics of the first and second components. The icon changes position when the operational mode of the marine vessel changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel J. Balogh
  • Publication number: 20140253312
    Abstract: An alarm system for a vehicle charge cord is provided. The alarm system has an armed state and a disarmed state. The alarm system includes a battery, a charge cord sensor, a battery state estimator (“BSE”) module, and an interface module. The battery has state of charge (“SOC”), and is rechargeable to a predetermined level of charge. The charge cord sensor is configured to detect if the vehicle charge cord is connected to or disconnected from a vehicle. The BSE module is configured to monitor the SOC of the rechargeable battery and determine if the battery is charged to the predetermined level of charge. The interface module is in communication with the charge cord sensor and the BSE module. The interface module is configured to switch the alarm system from the armed state to the disarmed state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Andrew P. Oury, Andres V. Mituta