METHOD OF CHARGING A POWERTRAIN

• US 20090115373A1
• Filed: 10/16/2008
• Published: 05/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG), Chrysler Group LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: BMW AG (Bayerische Motoren Werke AG), Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG), GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust), Chrysler LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Bolton, Michael, Kokotovich, Nicholas, Kothari, Aniket
• Granted Patent: US 8,098,041 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/137
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/365 with the gears having orbital motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/445 Differential gearing distribution type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/547 the transmission being a stepped gearing
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/445 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/486 Operating parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/662 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/80 Time limits
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/61 by batteries charged by engine-driven generators, e.g. series hybrid electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/00 Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/24 for controlling the temperature of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/24 including control of energy storage means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/26 for electrical energy, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/00 Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles hybrid vehicle design, B60K6/00; electric vehicles B60L
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/10 Controlling the power contribution of each of the prime movers to meet required power demand
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0006 Digital architecture hierarchy
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0676 Engine temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/1015 : Input shaft speed, e.g. turbine speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/104 : Output speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/244 : Charge state
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/246 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/10 : Accelerator pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/12 : Brake pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2555/20 : Ambient conditions, e.g. wind or rain
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/083 : Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/04 : Monitoring the functioning of the control system
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 : Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 : Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• 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 charging a powertrain includes detecting an external power source in electrical communication with the powertrain, establishing a virtual network between charging control module, and transferring charge from the external power source to the powertrain.

Claims

1. A method of charging a powertrain, comprising:

detecting an external power source in electrical communication with the powertrain;

establishing a virtual network between charging control modules; and

transferring charge from the external power source to the powertrain.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

monitoring for the external power source in electrical communication with the powertrain; and

establishing the virtual network between charging control modules when the external power source is detected.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

decreasing a power level supplied to auxiliary control modules.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transferring charge from the external power source to a low voltage battery of the powertrain; and

transferring charge from the low voltage battery to a high voltage battery of the powertrain.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising commanding a powertrain shutdown wherein the virtual network is established after powertrain shutdown is commanded.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring a temperature level of a battery of the powertrain and discontinuing charge transfer from the external power source to the powertrain when the monitored temperature level is above a threshold temperature.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring a cell module voltage level of a cell module of a battery of the powertrain and controlling a current level supplied to the battery based on the cell module voltage level.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising decreasing a power level to auxiliary vehicle components.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the auxiliary vehicle components comprise at least one vehicle component selected from the group consisting of a climate control system, an actuator, an audio system, and a resistance heating system.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the virtual network comprises a plurality of local area networks.

11. A method of charging a powertrain, comprising:

detecting an external power source in electrical communication with a first battery of the powertrain;

establishing a virtual network between charging control modules;

transferring charge from the external power source to the first voltage battery; and

transferring charge from the first battery to a second battery.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein first battery has a higher voltage than the second battery.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising converting voltage between the first battery and the second battery.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising decreasing a power level supplied to auxiliary control modules.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the auxiliary control modules include a torque control module.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising suspending power to auxiliary vehicle components.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the auxiliary vehicle components comprise at least one vehicle component selected from the group consisting of a climate control system, an audio system, an actuator, and a resistance heating system.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising identifying a charge event.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the virtual network is established after a powertrain shutdown is commanded.

20. A method of charging a powertrain, comprising:

detecting an external power source in electrical communication with the powertrain;

commanding a shutdown of the powertrain;

establishing a virtual network between charging control modules after the powertrain shutdown is commanded; and

transferring charge from the external power source to the powertrain.