METHOD FOR MONITORING A POWER COUPLER FOR A PLUG-IN ELECTRIC VEHICLE
First Claim
1. A method for monitoring a power coupler for a plug-in electric vehicle, comprising the steps of:
- (a) determining if the plug-in electric vehicle is receiving electrical power from an external power source over the power coupler;
(b) determining if the power coupler is connected to the plug-in electric vehicle; and
(c) if the power coupler is not connected to the plug-in electric vehicle then performing a first alert, and if the plug-in electric vehicle is not receiving electrical power from the external power source but the power coupler is connected to the plug-in electric vehicle then performing a second alert.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for monitoring a power coupler for a plug-in electric vehicle during a charging process, where the method may perform one of several alerts in the event that the vehicle stops receiving power. In an exemplary embodiment, the method performs a theft alert when the power coupler is physically unplugged or disconnected (this is intended to dissuade people from stealing the power coupler), and it performs a power loss alert when there is a loss of electrical power at the wall (this is intended to notify the vehicle owner when there is a power outage, a tripped circuit breaker, or any other condition that prevents the vehicle from being charged). By distinguishing between possible theft situations and simple power loss situations, the method can perform or issue an alert that is better tailored to the particular conditions that triggered it.
24 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for monitoring a power coupler for a plug-in electric vehicle, comprising the steps of:
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(a) determining if the plug-in electric vehicle is receiving electrical power from an external power source over the power coupler; (b) determining if the power coupler is connected to the plug-in electric vehicle; and (c) if the power coupler is not connected to the plug-in electric vehicle then performing a first alert, and if the plug-in electric vehicle is not receiving electrical power from the external power source but the power coupler is connected to the plug-in electric vehicle then performing a second alert. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for monitoring a power coupler for a plug-in electric vehicle, comprising the steps of:
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(a) determining if the plug-in electric vehicle is receiving electrical power from an external power source over the power coupler; (b) determining if the power coupler is connected to the plug-in electric vehicle; (c) determining if a theft deterrent system is armed; (d) if the power coupler is not connected to the plug-in electric vehicle and the theft deterrent system is armed, then issuing a theft alert that includes emitting an audible sound or flashing the vehicle lights; and (e) if the plug-in electric vehicle is not receiving electrical power from the external power source but the power coupler is connected to the plug-in electric vehicle, then issuing a power loss alert that includes sending one or more wireless messages.
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Specification