METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLING CHARGING PROCESS

• US 20150162762A1
• Filed: 11/19/2014
• Published: 06/11/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jinliang Hou, Po Yuan, Wei Yuan, Zhenling Wu
• Original Assignee: Jinliang Hou, Po Yuan, Wei Yuan, Zhenling Wu
• Inventors: Yuan, Po, Yuan, Wei, Wu, Zhenling, Hou, Jinliang
• Granted Patent: US 9,776,523 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/30 Constructional details of charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/48 for electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00302 Overcharge protection
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0031 using battery or load disconnect circuits H02J9/002 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• 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 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

An apparatus for controlling a charging process is provided. The apparatus comprises a first interface, a second interface, and a switch connected therebetween. The first interface may be electrically connectable to a charger to receive power, and the second interface may be electrically connectable to a device. The switch may receive a signal transmitted from the device and, in response to the signal, turn on/off the power provided from the first interface to the second interface. The apparatus is compatible with existing chargers.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling a charging process, comprising:

a first interface configured to be electrically connectable to a charger to receive power;

a second interface configured to be electrically connectable to a device to provide the power thereto; and

a switch connected between the first interface and the second interface to turn on/off the power provided from the first interface to the second interface according to a controlling instruction.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a controlling circuit configured to generate the controlling instruction to turn on/off the power.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the controlling circuit includes an antenna configured to receive a wireless signal transmitted from the device including a command to turn on/off the power, and wherein the controlling circuit is operable to generate the controlling instruction corresponding to the received command.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the wireless signal is transmitted via a Bluetooth channel.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the device is a mobile device.

6. The apparatus according to claim I wherein the device is an electric vehicle.

7. A charger for charging a device. comprising:

a charging module configured to provide power to the device; and

a switch configured to be connectable between the charging module and the device to turn on/off the power provided from the charging module to the device according to a controlling instruction.

8. The charger according to claim 7, further comprising a controlling module configured to generate the controlling instruction to turn on/off the power.

9. The charger according to claim 8, wherein the controlling module includes an antenna configured to receive a wireless signal transmitted from the device including a command to turn on/off the power, and wherein the controlling module is operable to generate the controlling instruction corresponding to the received command.

10. A device including a rechargeable battery, comprising:

a monitor configured to monitor a charging status of the rechargeable battery;

a controller configured to generate, based on the charging status of the rechargeable battery, a signal including a command to turn on/off power provided by a charger to the device; and

a communication module configured to transmit the signal.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the controller generates a signal including a command to turn off the power provided by the charger to the device when the monitor senses that the device is being charged and a battery level of the rechargeable battery is higher than or equal to a maximum threshold.

12. The device according to claim 10, wherein the controller generates a signal including a command to turn on the power provided by the charger to the device when the monitor senses that the device is not being charged and a battery level of the rechargeable battery is lower than a maximum threshold.

13. The device according to claim 10, wherein the device is a mobile device, and wherein the monitor and the controller are implemented in an app in the mobile device.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein the app is downloadable through Internet.

15. A method for charging a device including a rechargeable battery, comprising:

connecting the device to a charger via a charging control module;

monitoring, at the device, a charging status of the rechargeable battery;

generating, at the device, a signal including a command to turn on/off power provided from the charger to the device, in response to the monitored charging status; and

turning, by the charging control module, on/off the power provided from the charger to the device in response to the command.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the charging control module is integrated in the charger.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the charging control module is a separate module, and wherein the step of connecting the device to the charger comprises connecting the charger to a first interface of the charging control module and connecting the device to a second interface of the charging control module.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the step of generating the signal comprises:

generating the signal including a command to turn off the power provided by the charger to the device when it is sensed that the device is being charged and a battery level of the rechargeable battery is higher than or equal to a maximum threshold; and

generating the signal including a command to turn on the power provided by the charger to the device when it is sensed that the device is not being charged and a battery level of the rechargeable battery is lower than a maximum threshold.

19. The method according to claim 15, further comprising transmitting the signal including the command from the device to the charging control module via a Bluetooth channel.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the step of turning on/off the power comprises:

receiving, by an antenna included in the charging control module, the signal transmitted from the device;

generating, by a controlling block included in the charging control module, a controlling instruction corresponding to the command in the signal; and

turning on/off a switch included in the charging control module according to the generated control instruction.

21. A computer program product comprising instructions for causing a processor to:

check battery level of a rechargeable battery;

check whether the rechargeable battery is being charged;

generate a signal to turn on/off power provided to the rechargeable battery according to the battery level and whether the rechargeable battery is being charged; and

transmit the signal to a charging control device.