Method and Apparatus for Preventing Simultaneous Charging and Fueling of a Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle

• US 20140152255A1
• Filed: 12/05/2012
• Published: 06/05/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Lovett, Karin, Heremans, Hilde Anne
• Application Number:
  US13/705,264
• Publication Number:
  US 20140152255A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/109
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0029 with safety or protection devices or circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0036 using connection detecting circuits H02J7/0034 takes precedence

Abstract

Simultaneous fuelling and electrical charging of a plug-in electric hybrid vehicle (PHEV) is inhibited by detecting pre-charging electrical continuity between an on-board charger of the vehicle and a charging plug engaging the charger, and impeding opening of a door controlling access to a fueling port if the pre-charging electrical continuity exist. Simultaneous fuelling and electrical charging of a PHEV may further be inhibited by detecting whether a fuel door of the vehicle is in a fueling-permitting condition and, if the fuel door is in the fueling-permitting condition, preventing an on-board charger engaged with a charging plug from receiving charging current from the charging plug.

Claims

1. Apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

an on-board charger connectable with a charging plug to receive charging current therefrom;

a door controlling access to a fueling port; and

a control module operative to prevent the on-board charger from receiving charging current in response to the door being in a fueling-permitting condition when the charger and the plug are in pre-charging electrical connection.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pre-charging electrical connection is detected by an exchange of signals between the charger and a charging station supplying electric current to the plug.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a device providing an alert to an operator when the control module prevents the on-board charger from receiving the charging current.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a door condition sensor, wherein the fueling-permitting condition corresponds to a door open condition.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control module prevents the on-board charger from receiving charging current by suppressing a fuel-door-ready signal being sent to the charger.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a door locking system, wherein the fueling-permitting condition corresponds to the door locking system indicating the door is unlocked.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the control module is further operative to:

prevent the door locking system from unlocking the door if the pre-charging electrical connection exists.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a device providing an alert to an operator when the door is prevented from being unlocked.

9. Apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

an on-board charger connectable with a charging plug;

a door controlling access to a fueling port;

a lock selectively locking and unlocking the door; and

a control module preventing the lock from unlocking the door upon detection of a signal indicating electrical continuity between the charger and the charging plug.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a device activated by the control module to provide an alert to an operator when the lock is prevented from unlocking the door.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the control module is further operative to:

receive a door locked/unlocked signal and prevent the on-board charger from receiving charging current if the door is unlocked.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the control module prevents the charger from receiving charging current by suppressing a fuel-door-ready signal being sent to the charger.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a device activated by the control module to alert an operator when receipt of the charging current is prevented due to the door being unlocked.

14. A method for impeding simultaneous electrical charging and fueling of a vehicle comprising:

detecting pre-charging electrical continuity between an on-board charger of the vehicle and a charging plug engaging the charger; and

impeding opening of a door controlling access to a fueling port if the pre-charging electrical continuity exists.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein impeding opening of the door comprises suppressing an unlock signal sent to a door lock.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the door lock is part of a central vehicle locking system.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein detecting the pre-charging electrical continuity comprises sending an electrical signal at least one way between the charger and the plug.

18. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

providing an operator alert if opening of the door is impeded due to detection of pre-charging electrical continuity.

19. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

preventing the on-board charger from receiving charging current from the charging plug if the door is in a fueling-permitting condition.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising:

providing an operator alert if receipt of charging current by the on-board charger is prevented due to the door being in the fueling-permitting condition.

21. The method of claim 14 wherein opening of the door is impeded by preventing a command from an operator to unlock the door from being carried out.

22. A method for impeding simultaneous electrical charging and fueling of a vehicle comprising:

detecting whether a fuel door of the vehicle is in a fueling-permitting condition; and

if the fuel door is in the fueling-permitting condition, preventing an on-board charger engaged with a charging plug from receiving charging current from the charging plug.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising:

providing an operator alert if receipt of charging current by the on-board charger is prevented.

24. The method of claim 22 further comprising:

impeding unlatching of the door if electrical continuity exists between the on-board charger of the vehicle and the charging plug.

25. The method of claim 22 further comprising:

providing an operator alert if opening of the door is prevented.

26. A method for operating a vehicle comprising:

detecting whether electrical continuity exists between an on-board charger and a charging plug engaging the charger;

detecting whether a fuel door of the vehicle is openable;

if continuity is detected, preventing opening of the fuel door; and

if the fuel door is openable, preventing the on-board charger from receiving charging current from the charging plug.