Electric Vehicle Patents (Class 701/22)
  • Patent number: 11366470
    Abstract: Autonomous vehicle fleet management systems are provided herein. An example method includes receiving, via a control module of a first electric vehicle, trip characteristics data associated with a second electric vehicle. The trip characteristics data includes information such as vehicle location, a trip destination, and a route plan associated with the second electric vehicle. The control module or a connected control server selects a charging station for recharging the first electric vehicle based at least in part on the trip characteristics data and at least one route optimization option associated with the first electric vehicle. The example method further includes determining a travel route to the charging station and navigating the first electric vehicle to the charging station along the travel route using an autonomous vehicle navigation system associated with the control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Smruti Panigrahi, Justin Miller, Sanghyun Hong, Jianbo Lu
  • Patent number: 11366479
    Abstract: A method for transporting a plurality of articles with a transportation container that can be carried in a transport container of one of a plurality of robots. The plurality of articles is placed in the transportation container. The transportation container is placed in a pickup location at a first location. A robot is navigated to the first location and the transportation container is autonomously moved from the pickup location to the transport container of the robot. The robot is navigated over an outdoor transportation network to a second location and the transportation container is autonomously moved from the transport container to a recipient location at the second location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Autonomy Squared LLC
    Inventor: Gabriel T Sibley
  • Patent number: 11364812
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle is applied to a hybrid vehicle capable of running in EV mode and configured to allow external charging. The control apparatus comprises a controller configured to acquire an external charging time at which charging of the battery by electrical power supplied from outside the vehicle becomes possible with the hybrid vehicle staying at a predetermined charging site and execute generation control to control electrical power generation by the electric motor using an internal combustion engine on the basis of a remaining time defined as the length of time from the current time to the time of the next external charging time, when an SOC value becomes equal to or smaller than a predetermined lower threshold. The control apparatus as above can reduce the degree of dependence on the internal combustion engine as much as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masahiro Sato
  • Patent number: 11364911
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus includes a detection section, a control section. The detection section is configured to detect vehicle information including a vehicle speed of a vehicle driven by an electric motor and drive torque of the electric motor. The control section is configured to moderate a rate of increase in the drive torque at the time of acceleration with respect to a rate of increase set in advance on the basis of a detection result of the detection section on condition that the vehicle speed of the vehicle is less than or equal to a predetermined speed and the drive torque is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Sumio Tanaka, Yusuke Sasaki, Ryo Shimizu, Tatsuya Tawaki
  • Patent number: 11361595
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing predictive distance-to-empty (DTE) assessments for vehicles that can include electric, gas, or hybrid vehicles. An example method includes determining a plurality of learned parameters of vehicle operation of a vehicle based on a plurality of energy consumption parameters of the vehicle; determining a plurality of predictive parameters of vehicle operation of the vehicle selected from any combination of weather data or navigation data, the navigation data being determined relative to a planned route and applying a DTE function for the energy source, the DTE function utilizing the plurality of learned parameters of vehicle operation, and the plurality of predictive parameters of vehicle operation of the vehicle, based on a current capacity of the energy source to determine a DTE for the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiangrui Zeng, John Schmotzer, Mark Poll, Suhag Raval, Praveen Bandi
  • Patent number: 11358585
    Abstract: A method for torque split arbitration in a vehicle includes identifying at least one route characteristic of a portion of a route being traversed by the vehicle. The method further includes determining a target torque split based on the at least one route characteristics. The method further includes generating a first output torque demand that corresponds to a product of a first portion of a target torque demand to be provided by a first propulsion unit and a ratio of a total propulsion system torque demand and the target torque demand. The method further includes generating a second output torque demand based on the first output torque demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES IP LIMITED
    Inventors: Karim Aggoune, Peter M. Olin, Peter A. Marshall, Li Tang, Keith A. Confer, John E. Kirwan
  • Patent number: 11358581
    Abstract: A control system for a hybrid vehicle configured to reduce fuel consumption. A controller is configured to execute a first determination to determine that a required power is less than a reference power, and a second determination to determine that a condition to start an engine is satisfied. If the answers of the first determination and the second determination are YES, a target power of the engine is set to a predetermined power which is greater than the required power, and which can be generated by consuming smaller amount of fuel. Then, the generator is driven by the engine being operated to achieve the predetermined power, and an electric power generated by the generator to be accumulated in a battery is set to a value calculated based on a difference between the target power and the required power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Eiji Maeda
  • Patent number: 11351882
    Abstract: An eco-friendly vehicle using a charging control method improves the wireless charging efficiency and efficiently manages the charge/discharge of a battery of the vehicle. The eco-friendly vehicle includes: a wireless power receiver to wirelessly receive an electric power from an external charging device; a memory to store state information of each of a plurality of battery cells; and a controller to control a charging order of each of the plurality of battery cells by using the state information stored in the memory when an engine of the vehicle is in an off state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Dokon Kim
  • Patent number: 11351979
    Abstract: Through-the-road (TTR) hybrid designs using control strategies such as an equivalent consumption minimization strategy (ECMS) or an adaptive ECMS are implemented at the supplemental torque delivering electrically-powered drive axle (or axles) in a manner that follows operational parameters or computationally estimates states of the primary drivetrain and/or fuel-fed engine, but does not itself participate in control of the fuel-fed engine or primary drivetrain. BSFC type data particular to the paired-with fuel-fed engine allows an ECMS implementation (or other similar control strategy) to adapt to efficiency curves for the particular fuel-fed engine and to improve overall efficiencies of the TTR hybrid configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Hyliion Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Richter, Jamie Noland, Morgan Culbertson
  • Patent number: 11355947
    Abstract: An apparatus of incorporating a non-isolated charger and a DC converter, may include a non-isolated charger including a non-isolated converter converting a level of input voltage and outputting converted voltage to a battery; and a DC converter including a first switch selectively making an electrical connection to a connection node of the non-isolated converter and the battery and a primary side circuit including at least some of switching elements included in the non-isolated converter and converting a level of voltage of the battery transmitted by the primary side circuit and outputting converted voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Dea Ki Cheong, Dae Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 11351883
    Abstract: In a control device for a vehicle, the vehicle is configured to charge an electric power storage device with an electric power supplied from a charger. The control device includes an input and output circuit and a control circuit. The input and output circuit is configured to input predetermined signal and output the predetermined signal. The control circuit is configured to prepare for charging of the electric power storage device by controlling transmission and reception of signals through the input and output circuit according to a predefined communication sequence. The control circuit is configured to proceed with the predefined communication sequence by transmitting the second signal to the charger even when the vehicle does not receive the first signal at the predetermined timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Daiki Takayama
  • Patent number: 11351872
    Abstract: The disclosed principles provide for acceleration systems and related methods for use with power assisted vehicles, such as E-Bikes. Disclosed systems and methods provide for a quick ramp up feature that accelerates the vehicle at a predetermined acceleration rate, but then smoothly integrates into the target cruising speed of the current speed mode by incrementally reducing the rate of acceleration as the vehicle approaches the target cruising speed, thereby reducing or eliminating any jolt or jerky feeling felt during the transition from acceleration to target cruising speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Euphree, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Basaldua
  • Patent number: 11351868
    Abstract: In an electrical traction drive for a vehicle comprising at least two individual wheel drives that are to be controlled independently of each other, the drives are able to be operated redundantly in order for an emergency operating function to be implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: ZIEHL-ABEGG AUTOMOTIVE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Alexander Haag, Sascha Klett, Ralf Arnold
  • Patent number: 11345255
    Abstract: An emergency electric power supply system including: an electric power detection unit configured to detect that electric power supply from a first electric power system has stopped; a plurality of charge and discharge devices which cause electric power to be transferred between a second electric power system, which is an electric power system different from the first electric power system and is connectable to a plurality of charge and discharge entities including an electric vehicle, and the charge and discharge entities; and a control unit controls at least some of the plurality of charge and discharge devices to supply electric power from the second electric power system to the electric vehicle when the electric power detection unit detects that the electric power supply from the first electric power system has stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Naoki Maruno
  • Patent number: 11345347
    Abstract: A brake control device for a vehicle includes: a motor connected to wheels; a hydraulic brake that generates a friction braking force based on frictional contact with a brake rotor that integrally rotates with the wheels; a controller that performs coordination control of regenerative brake control, in which a regenerative power generation is performed by the motor on a basis of rotation of the wheels to apply a regenerative braking force to the wheels, and hydraulic brake control, in which the hydraulic brake is operated; and a battery that exchanges power with the motor. Further, in a case where a temperature of the brake rotor is higher than a predetermined temperature when input to the battery is restricted in a state where there is a deceleration request, the controller reduces the friction braking force, and performs the regenerative brake control while power is consumed by an electric device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Junichi Murase
  • Patent number: 11345327
    Abstract: A computing device-implemented method comprises receiving information representative of a state of charge of an energy storage device of a vehicle that includes an alternative fuel propulsion system, receiving information representative of a performance measure of the vehicle for a period of time, receiving information representative of a position of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle, determining an amount of torque required by a second propulsion system to send to a driveshaft of the vehicle from the received information representative of a position of a pedal, determining an amount of torque assistance required to send to a driveshaft of the vehicle from the alternative fuel propulsion system included in the vehicle from the information representative of a performance measure of the vehicle and the information representative of the state of charge, and adjusting an amount of torque required by a second propulsion system using the determined torque assistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: XL Hybrids, Inc.
    Inventors: Bill Passman, Tejas Chafekar
  • Patent number: 11346678
    Abstract: A system for estimating or predicting energy consumption for a trip of a personal vehicle includes a user facing portion and a back-end portion. The user facing portion includes a display and a user interface hosting a real-time application configured to receive travel information and present a received energy distribution via the display. The back-end portion includes a back-end database and an energy processor configured to access the back-end database. The energy processor includes a demand model module configured to produce a set of possible velocity histories and a set of possible ambient temperatures. A vehicle model module is configured to receive the velocity histories and ambient temperatures to provide the energy distribution or a probabilistic prediction of future energy consumption to the user facing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Jessika E. Trancik, Zachary A. Needell, James McNerney
  • Patent number: 11345326
    Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle that may be automatically stopped and started is described. In one example, the method includes starting an engine via expansion stroke combustion in response to a request to urgently start the engine. In addition, the method includes adjusting a position of a compression relief valve in response to a predicted urgency of an engine start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Kevin Ray Ruybal, Jason Meyer, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Rajit Johri, Ming Lang Kuang
  • Patent number: 11345330
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a vehicle driveline that includes an engine and an electric machine are described. In one example, an amount of electrical power that is available to electrical consumers that are electrically coupled to a high voltage bus is adjusted responsive to a temperature of a catalyst for the purpose of reducing engine emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Burt, Josh Dewalt, Ka Wai Kevin So Zhao
  • Patent number: 11345332
    Abstract: A method for operating a hybrid vehicle having a prime mover including an internal combustion engine and an electric machine, the vehicle further having a transmission connected between the prime mover and a driven end and including multiple shift elements, the vehicle further having a separating clutch connected between the internal combustion engine and the electric machine, and a starting component which is provided by a separate launch clutch or by a shift element of the transmission. The method includes monitoring a rotational speed of one of the internal combustion engine, the electric machine, the transmission, or the driven end during travel with the internal combustion engine running and the separating clutch engaged. The method further includes determining an increase in driving resistance, and decoupling the internal combustion engine when the monitored rotational speed falls below or reaches a first limiting value by disengaging the separating clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Frank Deprez, Holger Bacher, Jens Kastens
  • Patent number: 11340301
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for diagnosing whether a current sensor provided to a battery pack is normal. The apparatus includes: a voltage measuring unit configured to measure a both-end voltage of the cell assembly; a current measuring unit configured to measure a current flowing through the charging and discharging path; and a processor configured to diagnose the current sensor based on a change value of a voltage-based charged charge amount and a change value of a current-based charged charge amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Inventors: Ho-Yun Chang, Sang-Jin Lee
  • Patent number: 11338789
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a drive system with at least two drive units (20), each of which is paired with at least one control unit (22), wherein —a total target torque (30) is calculated by means of a master control unit (22a), —the total target torque (30) is divided into respective individual target torques (32) for each of the drive units (20) by the master control unit (22a), and —the drive units (20) are actuated by the paired control units (22) on the basis of the corresponding individual target torques (32). The invention is characterized in that the threshold torques (34) corresponding to the drive units (20) are ascertained and taken into consideration by the master control unit (22a) when dividing the total target torque (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Bentley Motors Limited
    Inventors: Steffen Gruner, Benjamin Kaczor, Norbert Weiss, Axel Ibenthal
  • Patent number: 11338685
    Abstract: An engine control device for an electric vehicle having an electrical rotating machine, includes: an engine control unit determining an engine rotational speed and an engine torque such that a particulate number of particulate matter per unit gas quantity that the engine releases into an atmosphere becomes equal to or less than a target value having been set in association with a warm-up state of the engine, the engine rotational speed, and the engine torque, and such that the engine rotational speed when a vehicle speed is less than a threshold value is lower than the engine rotational speed when the vehicle speed is equal to or more than the threshold value, and controlling the engine based on the determined engine rotational speed and the engine torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Amano, Kohji Ogasawara
  • Patent number: 11338792
    Abstract: A vehicle and method for controlling a vehicle having a traction battery and an internal combustion engine include adapting a power limitation of the internal combustion engine by sensing a currently supplied power level of the internal combustion engine and a current velocity of the vehicle, sensing an ambient temperature of the vehicle and determining an associated ambient-temperature-related weighting factor, sensing an ambient air pressure and determining an associated air-pressure-related weighting factor, determining a thermal load indicator as a function of a ratio of the sensed currently supplied power and the sensed current velocity as well as of the ambient-temperature-related weighting factor, the air-pressure-related weighting factor, and a vehicle-bodywork-related weighting factor, and limiting a maximum supplied power level of the internal combustion engine as a function of the determined thermal load indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Bernd Brinkmann, Nicholas Dashwood Crisp
  • Patent number: 11340086
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing a route of an electric vehicle and a method thereof are provided. The apparatus includes a processor that estimates a weight of a vehicle when guiding a user along a route to a destination, calculates a driving load for each route section using the estimated weight of the vehicle, calculates a driving force using motor torque, and determines a probability of hill climbing for each route section using the driving force and the driving load and a display that is controlled by the processor to display at least one of a driving load for each route section or a probability of hill climbing according to a driving force for each route section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Do Youn Jang
  • Patent number: 11332022
    Abstract: A travel control device includes: a first planning unit that, in response to the automobile being predicted to enter a restricted section in which a traveling condition is restricted, plans a traveling mode satisfying the restricted traveling condition as a first traveling mode in the restricted section; a second planning unit that plans a second traveling mode in a preparation section so as to perform the first traveling mode planned by the first planning unit, the preparation section being defined as a section extending to the restricted section before the automobile enters the restricted section, the second traveling mode adjusting a value of at least one parameter related to the first traveling mode to a preparation value appropriate for the first traveling mode; a control unit that controls travel of the automobile in the preparation section so as to perform the second traveling mode planned by the second planning unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kensuke Ueda, Yutaro Ito, Noriaki Ikemoto, Youhei Morimoto
  • Patent number: 11332173
    Abstract: A train control system uses machine learning for implementing handovers between centralized and distributed train control models. A machine learning engine receives training data from a data acquisition hub, receives a centralized train control model from a centralized virtual system modeling engine, and receives an edge-based train control model from an edge-based virtual system modeling engine. The machine learning engine trains a learning system using the training data to enable the machine learning engine to predict when a locomotive of the train will enter a geo-fence where communication between the edge-based computer processing system and the centralized computer processing system will be inhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Progress Rail Services Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley Howard, John Brand
  • Patent number: 11332015
    Abstract: A power supply charging system comprising: a) a first power cell having electrical energy stored therein; b) a second power cell having electrical energy stored therein, wherein the first power cell and the second power cell are adapted to not be in a discharging mode or a charging mode simultaneously; c) a third power cell in electrical communication with the first power cell and the second power cell, wherein the third power cell is adapted to operably supply power to the first power cell when in the charging mode or the second power cell when in the charging mode; and d) a control system which is adapted to alternate the power being supplied from the third power cell to the first power cell while in the charging mode and the second power cell which in the charging mode based on an occurrence of a pre-determined condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: KATLEGO SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Rodney L. Clay, Lloyd W. Williams, Wally J. Clay
  • Patent number: 11332026
    Abstract: An electric vehicle, and a system and method for charging the electric vehicle. The system includes a user locating system and a processor. The user locating system is configured to determine a location of the user. The processor is configured to charge the vehicle at a first charging rate and determine a location of a user of the vehicle with respect to the vehicle. The processor adjusts the charging of the vehicle from the first charging rate to a second charging rate when the location of the user is within a selected distance from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Brandon R. Jones, Matthew S. Stout, Natalie R. Stokes, David A. Lafave
  • Patent number: 11325583
    Abstract: A vehicle includes: a motor generator; an engine having a forced induction device; and a HV-ECU. An operation region of the engine includes a PM generating region in which an amount of particulate matters included in exhaust gas of the engine is more than a predetermined amount due to a load of the engine being abruptly increased during boosting by the forced induction device. The PM generating region is a low-rotation and high-torque region. When assistance by the motor generator is sufficiently obtained and the engine is operated in the PM generating region, the HV-ECU restricts an increasing rate of the torque of the engine to be less than or equal to an upper limit rate. The HV-ECU complements, by the torque of the motor generator, the torque of the engine restricted by restricting the increasing rate of the torque of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichi Yonezawa, Satoshi Yoshizaki, Osamu Maeda, Daigo Ando, Yoshikazu Asami, Kenji Itagaki, Shunsuke Oyama, Koichiro Muta
  • Patent number: 11325496
    Abstract: A control device distributes electric power from a battery to an electric power feed terminal when the remaining level of a battery is equal to or higher than a predetermined value with an ignition off. Therefore, an electronic component can be charged after being connected to the electric power feed terminal, even with the ignition off. When the remaining level of the battery is lower than the predetermined value, the distribution of electric power from the battery to the electric power feed terminal is shut off, so the electric component can be stopped from being charged, even after being connected to the electric power feed terminal. In consequence, even when the electronic component can be charged after being connected to the electric power feed terminal with the ignition off, a battery remaining level that is needed when a vehicle runs next time can be ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiro Nishiyama, Kenji Tsukagishi, Takahisa Kaneko
  • Patent number: 11325578
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods disclosed herein include a system including a heating, venting, and air conditioning (HVAC) system and a controller coupled to the HVAC system. The controller is configured to receive internal vehicle information, external static information, and external dynamic information, and to control operation of the HVAC system based on the internal vehicle information, external static information, and external dynamic information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Follen, Arun Prakash Thunga Gopal, Archit N. Koti, Mugdha S. Sane, Vivek A. Sujan, Pinak Jayant Tulpule
  • Patent number: 11326892
    Abstract: A route guide apparatus and a route guide method for an electric vehicle may include a sensor to measure an ambient temperature of the electric vehicle, a battery manager to monitor a battery temperature, and a processor to perform a route guide by predicting battery power based on at least one of the ambient temperature or the battery temperature, when searching for a traveling route to a destination, and by selecting, as a traveling route, a route which represents the least total cost of battery consumption energy based on the predicted battery power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Choong Kim
  • Patent number: 11329500
    Abstract: A charging-and-discharging device and a charging-and-discharging method are provided. The charging-and-discharging device includes a renewable energy converter, an aluminum battery, a controller and a current converter. The renewable energy converter receives a power from a renewable energy power generation system. The controller is coupled to the renewable energy converter and the aluminum battery, wherein the controller configures a charging-and-discharging power of the aluminum battery, according to a power value of the power, to compensate the power so as to generate a compensated power. The current converter is coupled to the controller, wherein the current converter outputs the compensated power to a power grid after performing DC/AC converting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Shu-Wei Kuo, Chang-Chung Yang
  • Patent number: 11325614
    Abstract: A system for providing a speed profile of a self-driving vehicle includes a vehicle driving information prediction device, and a speed profile generation device, wherein the vehicle driving prediction device includes a navigation unit configured to set information on a drive route and a target travel time, a 3D map information provision unit configured to search for gradient information of the drive route set by the navigation unit, and a vehicle driving information provision unit, and wherein the speed profile generation device includes a vehicle energy consumption calculation unit configured to calculate energy consumption at a current speed of the vehicle when the vehicle runs along the set drive route, and a speed profile calculation unit configured to calculate a distance-based target speed profile by executing a dynamic programming algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hee Yun Lee, Jae Sung Bang, Ho Kyun Chun, Dae Ki Hong
  • Patent number: 11322966
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for power electronics-based (PE-based) battery management. A system may include a set of battery strings, where each battery string may include a set of battery modules, and where each battery module may include a set of battery cells. The system may also include a set of power converters, where each power converter may be coupled with at least one battery string. A power electronics-based (PE-based) BMS may provide one or more battery management functions for at least one corresponding battery string while also monitoring or controlling a corresponding power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Clenera, LLC
    Inventor: Geng Tian
  • Patent number: 11318848
    Abstract: A power supply system includes a first drive motor, a second drive motor, a first power line to which a first inverter and a first battery are connected, a second power line to which a second inverter and a second battery are connected, a voltage converter that converts a voltage between the first power line and the second power line, and an ECU that operates the first and second inverters and the voltage converter and controls charging and discharging of the first and second batteries. In a case where total required power is larger than first outputtable power of the first battery, the ECU discharges a shortage of power from the second battery to the second power line, wherein the shortage of power is obtained by excluding an amount that is output by the first battery from the total required power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuya Oyama, Yuto Otsuki, Hirokazu Oguma
  • Patent number: 11320481
    Abstract: The disclosure provides high voltage interlock circuit and detection method. The circuit comprises: a power module, a positive electrode of the power module being connected to one end of a current generating module; the current generating module, the other end of the current generating module being connected to a first terminal of a high voltage component module to inject a constant DC current into the high voltage component module; a first voltage dividing module, one end of the first voltage dividing module being connected to a second terminal of the high voltage component module, and the other end of the first voltage dividing module being connected to a negative electrode of the power module and a power ground; and a processing module to determine a fault of the high voltage component module based on a first voltage collected from the second terminal of the high voltage component module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Contemporary Amperex Tectaology Co., Limited
    Inventors: Jinglin Li, Jianwei Zhuo, Changjian Liu, Qiandeng Li
  • Patent number: 11312360
    Abstract: If the destination has not been input, it is judged whether the present location is on the expressway (step S32). If the judgement result of the step S32 is positive, it is judged whether or not the actual SOC is less than or equal to the threshold TH2 (step S34). If the judgement result of the step S34 is positive, the restoring control is executed (step S36). Subsequent to the step S34 or S36, it is judged whether or not the vehicle is still on the expressway (step S38). If the judgement result of the step S38 is positive, it is judged whether or not the actual SOC is greater than or equal to the SOC_T2 (step S42). If the judgement result of the step S42 is positive, the maintaining control is executed (step S44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroto Hashimoto, Terufumi Miyazaki, Tomohito Ono, Yosuke Suzuki, Daisuke Shirai
  • Patent number: 11315140
    Abstract: A charging processing system includes: a power supply facility that supplies CO2 free power generated using renewable energy; a vehicle in which CO2 free charging is able to be performed to charge an onboard power storage device using the CO2 free power supplied from the power supply facility; a mobile terminal portable by a user of the vehicle; and a server. The server issues, when the CO2 free charging is performed in the vehicle, a coupon to the user of the vehicle in which the CO2 free charging is performed, the coupon being usable at a shop located around the power supply facility. When a timing to perform the CO2 free charging is included in a specific time period, the server increases the number of issued coupons and a usage value of each coupon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, CHUBU ELECTRIC POWER CO., INC.
    Inventors: Makito Muramatsu, Takumi Shibano, Masashi Tanaka, Takashi Ochiai, Takeharu Fukui, Yoshihiro Takamura, Takahiro Yokogawa, Masashi Ohgashira
  • Patent number: 11316464
    Abstract: A shift range control device includes a plurality of control units provided for each of motor windings. When a motor rotation angle sensor is normal, a drive control unit controls an energization of the motor winding of its own system by using a motor rotation angle signal. When the motor rotation angle sensor has an abnormality and it is determined that an output shaft is rotating before a standby time elapses, the drive control unit does not energize the motor winding of its own system. When it is determined that the output shaft is not rotating even after the standby time has elapsed, the drive control unit controls the energization of the motor winding of its own system without using the motor rotation angle signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koji Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 11316465
    Abstract: A motor drive device includes a single-phase inverter that converts a direct-current voltage output from a power supply which is a battery, into an alternating-current voltage. The inverter outputs the alternating-current voltage as an applied voltage to be applied to a motor. The applied voltage is lower when the direct-current voltage is a second voltage lower than a first voltage than when the direct-current voltage is the first voltage. Consequently, a discharge current of the battery is reduced, and the motor drive device capable of reducing an increase in battery temperature can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Takayama, Kazunori Hatakeyama, Haruka Matsuo
  • Patent number: 11312206
    Abstract: A method for determining a heating load of a hybrid electric vehicle includes determining an SOC of a high-voltage battery through a controller, determining whether or not there is a heating request, based on a travel pattern input, through the controller when the SOC of the high-voltage battery is normal, calculating a required heating load according to the travel pattern input when there is the heating request, calculating an environmental condition according to an environment of the vehicle when there is the heating request, calculating a final heating load value through a combination of the calculated required heating load and the environmental condition of the vehicle, and adjusting a basic request engine torque according to the travel pattern input, taking into consideration the calculated final heating load value, and controlling driving of an engine based on the adjusted basic request engine torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Dong Jun Shin, Jae Yun Shim
  • Patent number: 11312354
    Abstract: A method and a system for automatic yaw torque equalization (AYTE) in an electrically driven vehicle having wheel-individual torque distribution (torque vectoring drive).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Franz Honkomp
  • Patent number: 11312359
    Abstract: A method for calculating a management setpoint for managing fuel and electric power consumption of a hybrid motor vehicle. The method includes: a) acquiring, via a navigation system, a journey to be made, b) dividing the journey into successive sections, c) acquiring, for each section, attributes characterizing the section, d) deducing a relation linking the estimated fuel consumption of the hybrid motor vehicle over the section to the estimated electric power consumption of the hybrid motor vehicle, e) measuring the actual fuel consumption and the actual electric power consumption of the motor vehicle, f) correcting the relation, taking into account the actual fuel and electric power consumptions, and g) determining an optimal consumption point in each of the corrected relations in order to minimize the fuel consumption of the motor vehicle over the journey as a whole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventors: Abdel-Djalil Ourabah, Benjamin Quost, Thierry Denoeux
  • Patent number: 11305752
    Abstract: A system for emissions mitigation for a hybrid automobile vehicle includes an automobile vehicle provided with motive power from: a battery pack; an engine; and a controller in communication with the battery pack and the engine. A threshold battery pack state-of-charge (SOC) is predetermined. A minimum battery pack SOC is less than the threshold battery pack SOC. An engine-on charge depletion (EOCD) command is issued by the controller to start the engine in an engine-catalyst light-off operation condition when the vehicle is operating using power from the battery pack and when the threshold battery pack state-of-charge (SOC) is reached to mitigate against exceeding vehicle emissions standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Eric D. Piper, Andrew M. Zettel, Anthony H. Heap
  • Patent number: 11305751
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided to include an engine, a motor operating with electrical energy of a battery, an engine clutch for switching between an operation mode including an EV mode for transferring power generated by the motor to wheels and an HEV mode for transferring power generated by the engine and the motor to the wheels, and a controller. The controller collects status information from the motor and the engine, determines an equivalence factor based on status information of the battery and load information using electrical energy of the battery and determines an operation mode in which energy consumption is minimized among a plurality of energy consumption amounts calculated based on the determined equivalent factor and the modes of the engine clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Minseok Song
  • Patent number: 11305654
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling energy consumption of a vehicle includes an input unit configured to receive an input of a destination, a sensor unit configured to sense environment information of an area around the vehicle, and a control unit configured to calculate an amount of energy available from an energy supply source, estimate a movable distance of the vehicle based on the calculated amount of energy, and compare the estimated movable distance with a distance to the destination to thereby determine whether to activate a power saving driving mode. The control unit searches for a route to a position corresponding to the destination and divides the route into a plurality of sectors. The power saving driving mode is a mode in which the sensor unit is deactivated in at least one of the plurality of sectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Na Young Yi
  • Patent number: 11303131
    Abstract: An energy supply device contains: (a) a supply mechanism for supplying electrical power for a power supply system or for an electrical consumer connected to the power supply system; (b) a control unit for controlling an operation of the supply mechanism in first and second operating modes; (c) an interface configured to receive external control signals and to forward the external control signals that indicate how the supply mechanism works in the first operating mode; and (d) a communication monitoring unit that is coupled to the interface and the control unit and monitors whether external control signals are received by the interface, and, if the interface has not received any external control signals or any valid external control signals over a pre-determined amount of time, to transmit an operating mode control signal to the control unit, which causes it to operate the supply mechanism in the second operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Jens Weidauer
  • Patent number: 11303143
    Abstract: A wireless charging mount includes a wireless charger, an attachment portion, and a base portion. The wireless charger is coupled to the attachment portion, and the attachment portion is coupled to the base portion to support the wireless charger on the base portion. The base portion can attach with a movable or stationary object for supporting the mount thereon. The attachment portion supports a handheld electronic device on the mount, and the wireless charger selectively provides power to the handheld electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: ANNEX PRODUCTS PTY LTD
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Taylor, Craig Stevens, Christopher L. Peters