METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HYBRID VEHICLE AUXILIARY BATTERY STATE OF CHARGE CONTROL

• US 20100066302A1
• Filed: 09/17/2008
• Published: 03/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Motor Corporation
• Original Assignee: Toyota Motor Corporation
• Inventors: Nakamura, Yoshikatsu, Kamijo, Yusuke, Gregg, Christopher B.
• Granted Patent: US 8,125,181 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/104
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/28 characterised by the electric energy storing means, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/14 Preventing excessive discharging
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/20 having different nominal voltages
• 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 20/13 in order to stay within battery power input or output limits; in order to prevent overcharging or battery depletion
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/143 Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/244 Charge state
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/1423 with multiple batteries
• 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

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for hybrid vehicle auxiliary battery state of charge control. In one embodiment, the present invention is an automobile including an electronic accessory, a first battery connected to the electronic accessory, and a control unit connected to the first battery, the control unit monitoring the first battery and disconnecting the first battery from the electronic accessory when the first battery is in a first operational condition.

Claims

1. An automobile comprising:

an electronic accessory;

a first battery connected to the electronic accessory; and

a control unit connected to the first battery, the control unit monitoring the first battery and disconnecting the first battery from the electronic accessory when the first battery is in a first operational condition.

2. The automobile of claim 1 wherein the control unit provides a warning to a user when the first battery is in a second operational condition.

3. The automobile of claim 2 further comprising an engine connected to the control unit, the engine configured to be in an active or inactive state.

4. The automobile of claim 3 wherein the first battery is in the first operational condition when the engine is in an inactive state and when a predetermined amount of time has elapsed from a triggering condition.

5. The automobile of claim 4 wherein the triggering condition is the electronic accessory being turned on.

6. The automobile of claim 3 wherein the first battery is in the first operational condition when an electric level of the first battery is below a first predetermined electric amount and the engine is in an inactive state.

7. The automobile of claim 6 wherein the electric level is an amount of voltage remaining in the first battery and the first predetermined electric amount is a predetermined amount of voltage.

8. The automobile of claim 6 wherein the electric level is an amount of power remaining in the first battery and the first predetermined electric amount is a predetermined amount of power.

9. The automobile of claim 6 wherein the electric level is an amount of current remaining in the first battery and the first predetermined electric amount is a predetermined amount of current.

10. The automobile of claim 6 further comprising:

a switch configured to be engaged or disengaged, the switch being controlled by the first battery; and

a second battery connected to the switch, the second battery supplying power to the engine when the switch is engaged.

11. The automobile of claim 6 wherein the first battery is in the second operational condition when the electric level of the first battery is below a second predetermined electric amount greater than the first predetermined electric amount and the engine is in an inactive state.

12. The automobile of claim 6 further comprising a key reception unit connected to the control unit and configured to engage a key, the second battery recharging the first battery when the key is engaged with the key reception unit.

13. An automobile comprising:

an electronic accessory;

a first battery connected to the electronic accessory;

an engine configured to be in an active or inactive state; and

a control unit connected to the first battery and the engine, the control unit monitoring the first battery, disconnecting the first battery from the electronic accessory when the first battery is in a first operational condition, and providing a warning to a user when the first battery is in a second operational condition.

14. The automobile of claim 13 wherein the first battery is in the first operational condition when the engine is in an inactive state and when a predetermined amount of time has elapsed from when the electronic accessory is turned on.

15. The automobile of claim 13 wherein

the first battery is in the first operational condition when an electric level of the first battery is below a first predetermined electric amount and the engine is in an inactive state, and

the first battery is in the second operational condition when the electric level of the first battery is below a second predetermined electric amount greater than the first predetermined electric amount and the engine is in an inactive state.

16. The automobile of claim 15 further comprising:

a switch configured to be engaged or disengaged, the switch being controlled by the first battery; and

a second battery connected to the switch, the second battery supplying power to the engine when the switch is engaged.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of providing a warning to a user when the auxiliary battery is in a second operation condition.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of recharging the auxiliary battery through a main battery when a key is engaged with a key reception unit.

17. A method for controlling a state of charge in an auxiliary battery in an automobile comprising the steps of:

monitoring an operation condition of the auxiliary battery; and

disconnecting the auxiliary battery from electronic accessories when the auxiliary battery is in a first operation condition.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein

the auxiliary battery is in the first operational condition when an electric level of the auxiliary battery is below a first predetermined electric amount and an engine is in an inactive state, and

the auxiliary battery is in the second operational condition when the electric level of the auxiliary battery is below a second predetermined electric amount greater than the first predetermined electric amount and the engine is in an inactive state.