Control and diagnostics system and method for vehicles

• US 7,778,746 B2
• Filed: 03/18/2003
• Issued: 08/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Club Car Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Club Car Incorporated
• Inventors: McClymonds, Kenneth, McLeod, Paul W., King, Russell, Padgett, Norman R., Hummert, George T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Black; Thomas G
• Assistant Examiner(s): Behncke; Christine M
• Application Number:
  US10/508,046
• Publication Number:
  US 20060052918A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,709 Days
• Field of Search: 705/8, 705/10, 705/13, 701/29, 701/35, 701/30, 701/22, 701/33, 340/455, 700/101, 700/99, 700/108, 320/120, 320/138, 320/150, 320/109, 320/137, 320/124, 320/155, 180/65.29
• US Class Current: 701/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/22 Microcars, e.g. golf cars
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/622 by satellite navigation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/70 Interactions with external data bases, e.g. traffic centres
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/72 Charging station selection relying on external data
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/10 by alarm
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/56 Temperature prediction, e.g. for pre-cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0046 relating to electric energy storage systems, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/12 Recording operating variables ; Monitoring of operating variables
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/51 characterised by AC-motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/14 Conductive energy transfer
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/305 Communication interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/62 in response to charging parameters, e.g. current, voltage or electrical charge
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/64 Optimising energy costs, e.g. responding to electricity rates
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/65 involving identification of vehicles or their battery types
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/68 Off-site monitoring or control, e.g. remote control
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/12 responding to state of charge [SoC]
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/14 for vehicles propelled by ac motors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• 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 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 : Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 : Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 : Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/167 : Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for supporting the interoperability of electric or hybrid vehicles, i.e. smartgrids as interface for battery charging of electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 30/12 : Remote or cooperative charging
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 30/14 : Details associated with the interoperability, e.g. vehicle recognition, authentication, identification or billing

Abstract

An apparatus and method for a remote diagnostic system for motorized vehicles. Apparatus according to this aspect of the invention includes a base station having a processor associated with a transceiver and a remote unit installed in a vehicle. The remote unit includes a controller associated with a transceiver, where the controller gathers diagnostic data. The remote unit controller transmits a vehicle identification signal in conjunction with diagnostic data to the base station transceiver such that the base station processor monitors the diagnostic data for the vehicle. Another aspect of the invention further includes a mapping processor associated with a memory. The memory stores a virtual map of a local operating area having areas that are allowable and restricted. The controller is coupled to the mapping processor and a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver is coupled to the mapping processor. The GPS receiver determines a current vehicle location and the mapping processor correlates the current vehicle location to a corresponding location on the virtual map. The mapping processor determines whether the vehicle is in a restricted area. The vehicle transceiver is configured to transmit a vehicle identification signal and location to the base station transceiver such that the base station processor monitors the location and status for each of the motorized vehicles.

Claims

1. A method of scheduling the charging of battery-powered vehicles in a fleet of vehicles, the method comprising:

obtaining battery related information, including depth of discharge, for a specific vehicle in said fleet using a controller;

transmitting said battery related information from said specific vehicle to a base station;

receiving said battery related information at said base station;

storing said battery related information for said specific vehicle at said base station;

determining a charge schedule for said specific vehicle from said stored battery related information at said base station, said specific vehicle being non-operational during charging; and

transmitting said charge schedule from said base station to said specific vehicle controller;

wherein determining said charge schedule is based at least in part on a length of time required to charge said specific vehicle relative to other vehicles in said fleet, wherein determining said charging schedule includes charging said specific vehicle earlier than other vehicles having less depth of discharge.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining said length of time required to recharge said specific vehicle based on previous charging cycles.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining said charge schedule is based at least in part on energy rates during on-peak utility hours and off-peak utility hours.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

determining a charge initiation window during said off-peak utility hours, and assigning a vehicle of said fleet exhibiting a deeper state of discharge a charge start time earlier within said charge initiation window than a vehicle of said fleet exhibiting a lesser degree of discharge.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining said charge schedule is based at least in part on ambient temperature.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining said battery related information includes obtaining a charge level of a battery in said specific vehicle using said controller.

7. A scheduling system for charging battery-powered vehicles in a fleet of vehicles, the scheduling system comprising:

means for obtaining battery related information, including depth of discharge, for a specific vehicle in said fleet using a controller;

means for transmitting said battery related information from said specific vehicle to a base station;

means for receiving said battery related information at said base station;

means for storing said battery related information for said specific vehicle;

means for determining a charge schedule for said specific vehicle from said stored battery related information at said base station, said specific vehicle being non-operational during charging; and

means for transmitting said charge schedule from said base station to said specific vehicle controller;

wherein said charge schedule is based at least in part on a length of time required to charge said specific vehicle relative to other vehicles in said fleet, wherein determining said charging schedule includes charging said specific vehicle earlier than other vehicles having less depth of discharge.

8. The scheduling system of claim 7, wherein said length of time required to charge said specific vehicle is based on previous charging cycles of said vehicle.

9. The scheduling system of claim 7, wherein said charge schedule is based at least in part on energy rates during on-peak:

utility hours and off-peak utility hours.

10. The scheduling system of claim 9, wherein said means for determining said charge schedule also determines a charge initiation window during said off-peak utility hours, and wherein a vehicle of said fleet exhibiting a deeper state of discharge is assigned a charge start time earlier within said charge initiation window than a vehicle of said fleet exhibiting a lesser degree of discharge.

11. The scheduling system of claim 7, wherein said charge schedule is based at least in part on ambient temperature.

12. The scheduling system of claim 7, wherein said battery related information includes a charge level of a battery in said specific vehicle.

13. A method of scheduling the charging of battery-powered vehicles in a fleet of vehicles, the method comprising:

obtaining battery related information, including depth of discharge, for a specific vehicle in said fleet using a charger;

transmitting said battery related information from said charger to a base station;

receiving said battery related information at said base station;

storing said battery related information for said specific vehicle at said base station;

determining a charge schedule for said specific vehicle from said stored battery related information at said base station, said specific vehicle being non-operational during charging; and

transmitting said charge schedule from said base station to said charger;

wherein determining said charge schedule is based at least in part on a length of time required to charge said specific vehicle relative to other vehicles in said fleet, wherein determining said charging schedule includes charging said specific vehicle earlier than other vehicles having less depth of discharge.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising determining said length of time required to recharge said specific vehicle based on previous charging cycles.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein determining said charge schedule is based at least in part on energy rates during on-peak:

utility hours and off-peak utility hours.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

determining a charge initiation window during said off-peak utility hours, and assigning a vehicle of said fleet exhibiting a deeper state of discharge a charge start time earlier within said charge initiation window than a vehicle of said fleet exhibiting a lesser degree of discharge.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein determining said charge schedule is based at least in part on ambient temperature.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein obtaining said battery related information includes obtaining a charge level of a battery in said specific vehicle using said charger.

19. A scheduling system for charging battery-powered vehicles in a fleet of vehicles, the scheduling system comprising:

means for obtaining battery related information, including depth of discharge, for a specific vehicle in said fleet using a charger;

means for transmitting said battery related information from said charger to a base station;

means for receiving said battery related information at said base station;

means for storing said battery related information for said specific vehicle;

means for determining a charge schedule for said specific vehicle from said stored battery related information at said base station, said specific vehicle being non-operational during charging; and

means for transmitting said charge schedule from said base station to said charger;

wherein said charge schedule is based at least in part on a length of time required to charge said specific vehicle relative to other vehicles in said fleet, wherein determining said charging schedule includes charging said specific vehicle earlier than other vehicles having less depth of discharge.

20. The scheduling system of claim 19, wherein said length of time required to charge said specific vehicle is based on previous charging cycles of said vehicle.

21. The scheduling system of claim 19, wherein said charge schedule is based at least in part on energy rates during on-peak utility hours and off-peak utility hours.

22. The scheduling system of claim 21, wherein said means for determining said charge schedule also determines a charge initiation window during said off-peak utility hours, and wherein a vehicle of said fleet exhibiting a deeper state of discharge is assigned a charge start time earlier within said start of said charge initiation window than a vehicle of said fleet exhibiting a lesser degree of discharge.

23. The scheduling system of claim 19, wherein said charge schedule is based at least in part on ambient temperature.

24. The scheduling system of claim 19, wherein said battery related information includes a charge level of a battery in said specific vehicle.

25. A method of scheduling the charging of battery-powered vehicles in a fleet of vehicles, the method comprising:

obtaining battery related information, including depth of discharge, for a specific vehicle in said fleet using a controller;

transmitting said battery related information from said specific vehicle to a base station;

receiving said battery related information at said base station;

storing said battery related information for said specific vehicle at said base station;

determining a charge schedule for said specific vehicle from said stored battery related information at said base station, said charge schedule based on a length of time required to charge said specific vehicle relative to other vehicles in said fleet, and at least one of energy rates during on-peak utility hours and off-peak utility hours, and ambient temperature;

wherein determining said charging schedule includes charging said specific vehicle earlier than other vehicles having less depth of discharge; and

transmitting said charge schedule from said base station to said specific vehicle controller.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising determining said length of time required to recharge said specific vehicle based on previous charging cycles.

27. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

determining a charge initiation window during said off-peak utility hours, and assigning a vehicle of said fleet exhibiting a deeper state of discharge a charge start time earlier within said charge initiation window than a vehicle of said fleet exhibiting a lesser degree of discharge.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein said specific vehicle is non-operational during charging.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein obtaining said battery related information includes obtaining a charge level of a battery in said specific vehicle using said controller.

30. A scheduling system for charging battery-powered vehicles in a fleet of vehicles, the scheduling system comprising:

means for obtaining battery related information, including depth of discharge for a specific vehicle in said fleet using a controller;

means for transmitting said battery related information from said specific vehicle to a base station;

means for receiving said battery related information at said base station;

means for storing said battery related information for said specific vehicle;

means for determining a charge schedule for said specific vehicle from said stored battery related information at said base station, said charge schedule based on a length of time required to charge said specific vehicle relative to other vehicles in said fleet, and at least one of energy rates during on-peak utility hours and off-peak utility hours, and ambient temperature;

wherein determining said charging schedule includes charging said specific vehicle earlier than other vehicles having less depth of discharge; and

means for transmitting said charge schedule from said base station to said specific vehicle controller.

31. The scheduling system of claim 30, wherein said length of time required to recharge said specific vehicle is based on previous charging cycles.

32. The scheduling system of claim 30, wherein said means for determining said charge schedule also determines a charge initiation window during said off-peak utility hours, and wherein a vehicle of said fleet exhibiting a deeper state of discharge is assigned a charge start time earlier within said charge initiation window than a vehicle of said fleet exhibiting a lesser degree of discharge.

33. The scheduling system of claim 30, wherein said specific vehicle is non-operational during charging.

34. The scheduling system of claim 30, wherein said battery related information includes a charge level of a battery in said specific vehicle.

35. A method of scheduling the charging of battery-powered vehicles in a fleet of vehicles, the method comprising:

obtaining battery related information, including depth of discharge, for a specific vehicle in said fleet using a charger;

transmitting said battery related information from said charger to a base station;

receiving said battery related information at said base station;

storing said battery related information for said specific vehicle at said base station;

determining a charge schedule for said specific vehicle from said stored battery related information at said base station, said charge schedule based on a length of time required to charge said specific vehicle relative to other vehicles in said fleet, and at least one of energy rates during on-peak utility hours and off-peak utility hours, and ambient temperature;

wherein determining said charging schedule includes charging said specific vehicle earlier than other vehicles having less depth of discharge; and

transmitting said charge schedule from said base station to said charger.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising determining said length of time required to recharge said specific vehicle based on previous charging cycles.

37. The method of claim 35, further comprising:

determining a charge initiation window during said off-peak utility hours, and assigning a vehicle of said fleet exhibiting a deeper state of discharge a charge start time earlier within said charge initiation window than a vehicle of said fleet exhibiting a lesser degree of discharge.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein said specific vehicle is non-operational during charging.

39. The method of claim 35, wherein obtaining said battery related information includes obtaining a charge level of a battery in said specific vehicle using said charger.

40. A scheduling system for charging battery-powered vehicles in a fleet of vehicles, the scheduling system comprising:

means for obtaining battery related information, including depth of discharge, for a specific vehicle in said fleet using a charger;

means for transmitting said battery related information from said charger to a base station;

means for receiving said battery related information at said base station;

means for storing said battery related information for said specific vehicle;

means for determining a charge schedule for said specific vehicle from said stored battery related information at said base station, said charge schedule based on a length of time required to charge said specific vehicle relative to other vehicles in said fleet, and at least one of energy rates during on-peak utility hours and off-peak utility hours, and ambient temperature;

wherein determining said charging schedule includes charging said specific vehicle earlier than other vehicles having less depth of discharge; and

means for transmitting said charge schedule from said base station to said charger.

41. The scheduling system of claim 40, wherein said length of time required to recharge said specific vehicle is based on previous charging cycles.

42. The scheduling system of claim 40, wherein said means for determining said charge schedule also determines a charge initiation window during said off-peak utility hours, and wherein a vehicle of said fleet exhibiting a deeper state of discharge is assigned a charge start time earlier within said charge initiation window than a vehicle of said fleet exhibiting a lesser degree of discharge.

43. The scheduling system of claim 40, wherein said specific vehicle is non-operational during charging.

44. The scheduling system of claim 40, wherein said battery related information includes a charge level of a battery in said specific vehicle.