Method for Controlling and System for Charging a Battery Power Supply Unit

• US 20080042621A1
• Filed: 07/02/2007
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/04/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Campagnolo S.R.L.
• Original Assignee: Campagnolo S.R.L.
• Inventors: MIGLIORANZA, FEDERICO
• Application Number:
  US11/772,712
• Publication Number:
  US 20080042621A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/150
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/08 Methods and devices for control or regulation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/545 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/549 Current
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/662 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/50 using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/64 Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/21 having the same nominal voltage
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/27 by heating
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/1407 on vehicles not being driven by a motor, e.g. bicycles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

A method of controlling and a system for charging a battery power supply unit for a bicycle electronic device, even in critical temperature conditions, is provided. Heat energy is supplied to the power supply unit when its temperature is lower than or equal to a lower temperature threshold within a closed charging temperature range characteristic of the power supply unit.

Claims

1. Method for controlling the charging of a rechargeable battery power supply unit for a bicycle electronic device, comprising the steps of:

detecting at least one temperature of the power supply unit; and

supplying heat energy to the power supply unit when the detected temperature is lower than or equal to a lower temperature threshold within a closed charging temperature range characteristic of the power supply unit.

2. Method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of providing an external energy source and supplying electrical energy to the power supply unit.

3. Method according to claim 2, wherein the step of supplying electrical energy only occurs when the detected temperature is comprised within the closed charging temperature range.

4. Method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing an external energy source and supplying the heat energy to the power supply unit from the external source.

5. Method according to claim 1, wherein the lower temperature threshold is higher than the lower limit of the closed charging temperature range.

6. Method according to claim 5, wherein the lower temperature threshold is higher by about 5°

C. than the lower limit of the closed charging temperature range.

7. Method according to claim 1, wherein the step of supplying heat energy to the power supply unit is carried out until the detected temperature becomes higher than an upper temperature threshold.

8. Method according to claim 7, wherein the upper temperature threshold is lower than the upper limit of the closed charging temperature range.

9. Method according to claim 8, wherein the upper temperature threshold is about 25°

C. lower than the upper limit of the closed charging temperature range.

10. Method according to claim 7, wherein the upper temperature threshold is about 15°

C. higher than the lower limit of the closed charging temperature range.

11. Method according to claim 1, wherein the step of supplying heat energy comprises providing heat power as a function of a difference between the lower temperature threshold and a temperature proportional to the detected temperature.

12. Method according to claim 1, wherein the step of supplying heat energy is carried out by voltage- or current-supplying power to a heating element of the resistive type thermally coupled with the power supply unit.

13. Method according to claim 2, wherein the step of detecting at least one temperature of the power supply unit comprises detecting a first temperature for controlling the execution of the step of supplying electrical energy and a second temperature for controlling the execution of the step of supplying heat energy.

14. Method according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the steps of detecting a temperature, supplying heat energy, and supplying electrical energy is carried out independently for each of a plurality of batteries of the rechargeable battery power supply unit.

15. Power supply system for a bicycle electronic device, comprising:

a rechargeable battery power supply unit;

at least one sensor of a temperature of the power supply unit;

at least one selectively activatable heating element, that can be thermally associated with the power supply unit; and

a heating controller that receives in input the output of the at least one temperature sensor and actuates the heating element when the detected temperature is lower than or equal to a lower temperature threshold within a closed charging temperature range characteristic of the power supply unit.

16. System according to claim 15, further comprising an electrical circuit for receiving energy from an external energy source and for selectively supplying charging energy to the power supply unit.

17. System according to claim 15, wherein the power supply unit comprises at least two batteries, and at least one heating element is thermally associated with each battery.

18. System according to claim 15, wherein the power supply unit comprises at least two batteries, and at least one temperature sensor is thermally associated with each battery.

19. System according to claim 15, further comprising a power regulator connected between a power supply line of the system and the heating element, and driven by the heating controller to selectively actuate the at least one heating element.

20. System according to claim 19, wherein the power regulator is selected from the group consisting of relays and solid-state element devices.

21. System according to 19, wherein the heating controller comprises a multiplier of an output signal of the at least one temperature sensor, a subtractor for subtracting the output of the multiplier from the lower temperature threshold and for obtaining an error signal, and a P.I.D. (proportional-integral-derivative) type regulator block acting upon the error signal to output a driving signal for the power regulator, the driving of the power regulator regulating a voltage at the ends of or a current through the heating element.

22. System according to claim 21, wherein the at least one heating element is of the resistive type and the P.I.D. regulator block causes a voltage value at the ends of or a current through the heating element that increases as the error signal increases.

23. System according to claim 21, wherein the at least one heating element is of the resistive type and the P.I.D. regulator block causes a modulated voltage at the ends of the heating element, or a modulated current through the heating element, the duty cycle of which increases as the error signal increases.

24. System according to claim 15, wherein the heating element comprises at least one resistive sheet applied to at least one battery of the power supply unit.

25. System according to claim 15, wherein the at least one temperature sensor comprises a thermistor.

26. System according to claim 16, further comprising a charge controller that receives in input an output of the at least one temperature sensor and controls the electrical circuit to actuate the supply of electrical charging energy only when the detected temperature is within the closed charging temperature range.

27. System according to claim 26, wherein the at least one temperature sensor comprises at least one first temperature sensor connected to the charge controller and at least one second temperature sensor connected to the heating controller.

28. System according to claim 16, wherein the electrical circuit comprises at least one charge circuit of the linear or switching type.

29. System according to claim 28, wherein the charge circuit is controlled by the charge controller for carrying out a first temporal charging step at constant current and a second temporal charging step at constant voltage.

30. System according to claim 26, wherein the charge controller and the heating controller are embodied in a common microprocessor.

31. System according to claim 16, further comprising a power supply and regulator circuit that can be connected to the external energy source to provide a regulated power supply to the system.

32. System according to claim 15, further comprising at least one user interface device.

33. System according to claim 15, further comprising at least one electronic device for controlling an electronic gearshift and/or for acquiring, displaying, and controlling bicycle riding parameters and other functions.

34. System according to claim 15, wherein its components are housed in a single casing, fixed to a frame of the bicycle.

35. System according to claim 16, wherein the electrical charging circuit is housed in a first casing and the power supply unit is housed in a second casing, the first casing and the second casing being mechanically and electrically removably connectable.

36. System according to claim 35, further comprising a charge controller that receives in input an output of the at least one temperature sensor and controls the electrical circuit to actuate the supply of electrical charging energy only when the detected temperature is within the closed charging temperature range, wherein the charge controller is housed in the first casing.

37. System according to claim 35, wherein at least one interface device is housed in the first casing.

38. System according to claim 35, wherein the at least one temperature sensor is housed in the second casing.

39. System according to claim 35, wherein the at least one heating element is housed in the second casing.

40. System according to claim 35, wherein the heating controller is housed in the first casing.

41. System according to claim 35, wherein the heating controller is housed in the second casing.

42. System according to claim 35, further comprising at least one electronic device for controlling an electronic gearshift and/or for acquiring, displaying, and controlling bicycle riding parameters and other functions, wherein the at least one electronic device is housed in the second casing.

43. System according to claim 42, wherein the heating controller is housed in the second casing and comprises an electronic circuit mounted on a printed circuit of the electronic device.

44. System according to claim 42, wherein the heating controller is housed in the second casing and is embodied in a microprocessor of the electronic device.

45. System according to claim 35, further comprising a power regulator connected between a power supply line of the system and the heating element, and driven by the heating controller to selectively actuate the at least one heating element, wherein the power regulator is housed in the first casing.

46. System according to claim 35, further comprising a power regulator connected between a power supply line of the system and the heating element, and driven by the heating controller to selectively actuate the at least one heating element, wherein the power regulator is housed in the second casing.

47. System according to claim 35, further comprising at least one electronic device for controlling an electronic gearshift and/or for acquiring, displaying, and controlling bicycle riding parameters and other functions, wherein the at least one electronic device is housed in a third casing, the second casing being mechanically and electrically connectable to the third casing.

48. System according to claim 47, wherein the heating controller is housed in the third casing.

49. System according to claim 48, wherein the heating controller comprises an electronic circuit mounted on a printed circuit of the electronic device.

50. System according to claim 49, wherein the heating controller is embodied in a microprocessor of the electronic device.

51. System according to claim 47, wherein the power regulator is housed in the third casing.

52. Power supply device for a bicycle electronic device comprising:

a power supply unit comprising at least one rechargeable battery;

a connector for a removable electrical power and data connection with a battery charger;

at least one temperature sensor thermally coupled with the power supply unit; and

at least one selectively activatable heating element, thermally coupled with the power supply unit,

wherein the heating element is selectively actuated when the power supply device is connected to the battery charger and when the temperature detected by the sensor is lower than or equal to a lower temperature threshold within a closed charging temperature range, characteristic of the power supply unit.

53. Power supply device according to claim 52, further comprising a power regulator for the selective actuation of the heating element, the power regulator being controlled by the battery charger.

54. Power supply device according to claim 52, further comprising a connector for a removable electrical power and data connection with an electronic device for controlling an electronic gearshift and/or for acquiring, displaying, and controlling bicycle riding parameters and other functions, and a power regulator for the selective actuation of the heating element, the power regulator being controlled by the electronic device.

55. Battery charger for a bicycle electronic device, comprising:

a connector for a removable electrical power and data connection with a power supply unit of the electronic device;

an electrical circuit for receiving energy from an external energy source and for selectively supplying charging energy to the power supply unit; and

a heating controller that receives in input a signal indicative of a detected temperature of the power supply unit and provides a signal for actuating a heating element of the power supply unit when the detected temperature is lower than or equal to a lower temperature threshold within a closed charging temperature range characteristic of the power supply unit.

56. Bicycle electronic device, comprising:

a connector for a removable electrical power and data connection with a power supply unit; and

a heating controller that receives in input a signal indicative of a detected temperature of the power supply unit and provides a signal for actuating a heating element of the power supply unit when the detected temperature is lower than or equal to a lower temperature threshold within a closed charging temperature range characteristic of the power supply unit.

57. A method for controlling the charging of a rechargeable battery power supply unit having a closed charging temperature range, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting at least one temperature of the power supply unit; and

supplying heat energy to the power supply unit when the detected temperature is lower than or equal to a lower temperature threshold within the closed charging temperature range and until the detected temperature becomes higher than an upper temperature threshold.

58. The method according to claim 57, wherein the upper temperature threshold is lower than an upper limit of the closed charging temperature range.

59. The method according to claim 58, wherein the upper temperature threshold is about 25°

C. lower than the upper limit of the closed charging temperature range.

60. The method according to claim 57, wherein the upper temperature threshold is about 15°

C. higher than a lower limit of the closed charging temperature range.

61. The method according to claim 57, wherein the method is for use with a bicycle electronic device.

62. A power supply system for a bicycle electronic device, comprising:

a rechargeable battery power supply unit having a closed charging temperature range;

at least one sensor of a temperature of the power supply unit;

at least one selectively activatable heating element, that can be thermally associated with the power supply unit;

a heating controller that receives in input the output of the at least one temperature sensor and actuates the heating element when the detected temperature is lower than or equal to a lower temperature threshold within the closed charging temperature range;

an electrical circuit for receiving energy from an external energy source and for selectively supplying charging energy to the power supply unit;

a first casing housing the electrical charging circuit;

a second casing housing the power supply unit, the first casing and the second casing being mechanically and electrically removably connectable; and

a third casing housing the at least one electronic device, the second casing being mechanically and electrically connectable to the third casing.

63. The system according to claim 62, wherein the heating controller is housed in the third casing.

64. The system according to claim 63, wherein the heating controller comprises an electronic circuit mounted on a printed circuit of the electronic device.

65. The system according to claim 63, wherein the heating controller is embodied in a microprocessor of the electronic device.

66. The system according to claim 62, wherein a power regulator is housed in the third casing.

67. Power supply system for a bicycle electronic device, comprising:

a rechargeable battery power supply unit;

at least one sensor of a temperature of the power supply unit;

at least one selectively activatable heating element, that can be thermally associated with the power supply unit;

a heating controller that receives in input the output of the at least one temperature sensor and actuates the heating element when the detected temperature is lower than or equal to a lower temperature threshold within a closed charging temperature range characteristic of the power supply unit;

at least one electronic device for controlling an electronic gearshift and/or for acquiring, displaying, and controlling bicycle riding parameters and other functions;

a power regulator connected between a power supply line of the system and the heating element, and driven by the heating controller to selectively actuate the at least one heating element,

an electrical circuit for receiving energy from an external energy source and for selectively supplying charging energy to the power supply unit;

wherein the electrical charging circuit is housed in a first casing, and

wherein the power supply unit, the at least one temperature sensor, the at least one heating element, the heating controller, the at least one electronic device and the power regulator are housed in a second casing,

the first casing and the second casing being mechanically and electrically removably connectable.

68. A bicycle electronic apparatus, comprising:

a power supply unit comprising at least one rechargeable battery;

a connector for a removable electrical power and data connection with a battery charger;

at least one temperature sensor thermally coupled with the power supply unit;

at least one selectively activatable heating element, thermally coupled with the power supply unit;

a heating controller that receives in input the output of the at least one temperature sensor and actuates the heating element;

at least one electronic device for controlling an electronic gearshift and/or for acquiring, displaying, and controlling bicycle riding parameters and other functions;

a power regulator connected between a power supply line of the apparatus and the heating element, and driven by the heating controller to selectively actuate the at least one heating element,

wherein the heating element is selectively actuated when the apparatus is connected to the battery charger and when the temperature detected by the sensor is lower than or equal to a lower temperature threshold within a closed charging temperature range, characteristic of the power supply unit.