Selection of charging modes for autonomous device
First Claim
1. A system of selecting charging modes for a rechargeable energy storage unit in an autonomous device, the system comprising:
- a controller operatively connected to the rechargeable energy storage unit and including a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded instructions;
wherein execution of the instructions by the processor causes the controller to;
determine availability of at least one charging station and at least one parking lot through a survey of local charging infrastructure and local parking infrastructure, respectively, within a predefined radius of the autonomous device;
determine if it is cost-effective during an excursion to incur a charging fee at the at least one charging station or incur a parking fee at the at least one parking lot; and
if it is cost-effective to incur the charging fee, then the controller is configured to selectively employ at least one of a plurality of charging modes, including an open-ended charging mode and a defined departure charging mode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system of selecting charging modes for a rechargeable energy storage unit in an autonomous device includes a controller having a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded instructions. The controller is configured to determine availability of at least one charging station and at least one parking lot through a survey of local charging infrastructure and local parking infrastructure, respectively, within a predefined radius of the autonomous device. The controller is configured to determine if it is cost-effective during an excursion to incur a charging fee at the charging station or incur a parking fee at the parking lot. If it is cost-effective to incur the charging fee, then the controller is configured to selectively employ at least one of a plurality of charging modes, including an open-ended charging mode and a defined departure charging mode.
7 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system of selecting charging modes for a rechargeable energy storage unit in an autonomous device, the system comprising:
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a controller operatively connected to the rechargeable energy storage unit and including a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded instructions; wherein execution of the instructions by the processor causes the controller to; determine availability of at least one charging station and at least one parking lot through a survey of local charging infrastructure and local parking infrastructure, respectively, within a predefined radius of the autonomous device; determine if it is cost-effective during an excursion to incur a charging fee at the at least one charging station or incur a parking fee at the at least one parking lot; and if it is cost-effective to incur the charging fee, then the controller is configured to selectively employ at least one of a plurality of charging modes, including an open-ended charging mode and a defined departure charging mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for charging a rechargeable energy storage unit in an autonomous device having a controller with a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory, the method comprising:
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determining availability of at least one charging station and at least one parking lot through a survey of local charging infrastructure and local parking infrastructure, respectively, within a predefined radius of the autonomous device, via the controller; determining if it is cost-effective during an excursion to incur a charging fee at the at least one charging station or incur a parking fee at the at least one parking lot, via the controller; and if it is cost-effective to incur the charging fee, then selectively employ at least one of a plurality of charging modes, including an open-ended charging mode and a defined departure charging mode, via the controller. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system of selecting charging modes for a rechargeable energy storage unit in an autonomous device, the system comprising:
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a controller operatively connected to the rechargeable energy storage unit and including a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded instructions; wherein execution of the instructions by the processor causes the controller to; determine availability of at least one charging station and at least one parking lot through a survey of local charging infrastructure and local parking infrastructure, respectively, within a predefined radius of the autonomous device; determine if it is cost-effective during an excursion to incur a charging fee at the at least one charging station or incur a parking fee at the at least one parking lot; if it is cost-effective to incur the charging fee, then selectively employ at least one of a plurality of charging modes, including an open-ended charging mode and a defined departure charging mode; wherein the defined departure charging mode is employed where a predefined departure time is selected by a user of the autonomous device and includes derating a charging current applied to the rechargeable energy storage unit such that charging is completed at the predefined departure time; wherein the controller is configured to employ the open-ended charging mode where no predefined departure time is selected and the open-ended charging mode includes; when the state of charge reading is in the predefined first window, employing a predetermined relatively high charging current; when the state of charge reading is in the predefined second window, employing a predetermined relatively low charging current; and when the state of charge reading is in the predefined third window, employing an approximately zero charging current.
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Specification