Roadside Handling for Alternate-Propulsion Systems

• US 20110288700A1
• Filed: 05/21/2010
• Published: 11/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Motors LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Pebbles, Paul H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,781,657 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0046 relating to electric energy storage systems, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/04 Cutting off the power supply under fault conditions protective devices and circuit arrangements in general H01H; H02H

Abstract

The described method and system allow a service provider to remotely interact with a vehicle analysis system, high voltage battery contactors, and other vehicle systems to eliminate certain sources of inconvenience for service personnel and users. For example, when the high voltage battery contactors are disconnected inadvertently or as a precaution, they may later need to be safely reengaged to allow the user to drive the disabled but otherwise operational vehicle. Conversely, when an electric vehicle has become disabled and needs to be towed or serviced, the disengagement of the high voltage battery contactors as well as the activation or deactivation of related systems will assist the servicing entity in properly moving and servicing the vehicle.

Claims

1. A method for preparing an electric vehicle for use, the vehicle having one or more high voltage contactors to convey electrical power from a battery of the electric vehicle to one or more systems of the vehicle, the method comprising:

detecting a condition that requires disengagement of the one or more high voltage contactors;

disengaging the one or more high voltage contactors;

receiving remotely at a service provider a request to reengage the high voltage contactors;

initiating a safety check protocol to verify an absence of any condition that would warrant disengagement; and

reengaging the high voltage contactors if the safety check protocol verifies an absence of any condition that would warrant disengagement.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein detecting a condition that requires disengagement of the one or more high voltage contactors comprises detecting such a condition at a telematics unit within and associated with the electric vehicle.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein detecting a condition that requires disengagement of the one or more high voltage contactors comprises detecting a condition that presents a risk to one of personnel safety and vehicle safety.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein disengaging the one or more high voltage contactors comprises electrically energizing the contactors to disengage them.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein disengaging the one or more high voltage contactors comprises electrically de-energizing the contactors to disengage them.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the request to reengage the high voltage contactors comprises a user request from the user of the electric vehicle.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the request to reengage the high voltage contactors comprises a service provider operator request pursuant to a user report.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein initiating a safety check protocol to verify the absence of any condition that would warrant disengagement comprises remotely triggering the safety check protocol by a service provider via a telematics unit within the vehicle.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein initiating a safety check protocol to verify the absence of any condition that would warrant disengagement comprises triggering the safety check protocol by a telematics unit within the vehicle.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein reengaging the high voltage contactors if the safety check protocol is successfully completed comprises reengaging the high voltage contactors if no vehicle malfunctions are detected.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein reengaging the high voltage contactors if the safety check protocol is successfully completed comprises reengaging the high voltage contactors if no vehicle malfunctions relating to personnel safety are detected.

12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising re-executing the safety check protocol one or more times if the safety check protocol detects a condition that would warrant disengagement.

13. A method for preparing an electric vehicle for a vehicle service comprising:

receiving a request at a service provider remote from the vehicle to prepare the vehicle for service;

sending a diagnostic request to the vehicle from the remote service provider via a telematics unit within the vehicle;

via the telematics unit, causing the vehicle to run a diagnostic protocol to determine whether the vehicle may be safely provided the vehicle service;

transmitting a result of the diagnostic check to the remote service provider;

determining to transmit a preparation signal to the vehicle from the service provider based on the result of the diagnostic check and transmitting said preparation signal, said preparation signal including instructions to the telematics unit to prepare the vehicle to receive the service; and

executing a preparation protocol via the telematics unit to enable the vehicle to receive the service.

14. The method for preparing an electric vehicle for a vehicle service according to claim 13, wherein the vehicle service includes transporting the vehicle by towing.

15. The method for preparing an electric vehicle for a vehicle service according to claim 13, wherein receiving the request at the service provider to prepare the vehicle for service comprises receiving the request from the vehicle via a wireless network linked to the telematics unit.

16. The method for preparing an electric vehicle for a vehicle service according to claim 13, wherein receiving the request at the service provider to prepare the vehicle for service comprises receiving the request from personnel at the service provider.

17. The method for preparing an electric vehicle for a vehicle service according to claim 13, wherein causing the vehicle to run a diagnostic protocol to determine whether the vehicle may be safely provided the vehicle service comprises determining whether a condition exists that would cause damage to the vehicle in the event the service is rendered.

18. The method for preparing an electric vehicle for a vehicle service according to claim 13, wherein executing a preparation protocol via the telematics unit to enable the vehicle to receive the service comprises one or more of de-energizing the vehicle electrical power system by disconnecting high-voltage battery contactors, disabling charging if the vehicle is plugged in, and deactivating regenerative braking facilities.

19. The method for preparing an electric vehicle for a vehicle service according to claim 13, further comprising the telematics unit transmitting a confirmation signal to the service provider after the preparation protocol has been executed.

20. A method for remotely managing power in an electric vehicle, the vehicle having one or more high voltage contactors to convey electrical power from a battery of the electric vehicle to one or more systems of the vehicle, the method comprising:

determining a current state of the one or more high voltage contactors, the state being one of open and closed;

detecting a condition of the vehicle that requires that the state of the one or more high voltage contactors be switched from the current state to the other available state; and

transmitting a switching signal from a remote service provider to the vehicle via a telematics unit within the vehicle, whereby upon receipt of the switching signal, the telematics unit causes the one or more high voltage contactors to switch from the current state to the other available state.