Auto-seek electrical connection for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle

• US 8,033,349 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2009
• Issued: 10/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Masterson, Brandon R, Reeves, Steve IV, Ortmann, Walter Joseph, Kraska, Marvin Paul, Colvin, Daniel Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Shriver, II; J. Allen
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gurari; Erez
• Application Number:
  US12/402,563
• Publication Number:
  US 20100230197A1
• Time in Patent Office: 943 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.1, 180/65.21, 180/65.28, 180/65.285, 180/65.29, 701/23, 701/24, 701/25, 701/28
• US Class Current: 180/65.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/32 Auto pilot mode
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/16 Connectors, e.g. plugs or sockets, specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/36 by positioning the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/37 using optical position determination, e.g. using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/20 including control of steering systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/22 including control of suspension systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/00 Input parameters relating to data
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/0285 Parking performed automatically
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/028 using a RF signal
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/93 Conjoint control of different elements

Abstract

An auto-seek operating mode for a vehicle adjusts the vehicle in a direction transverse to a vehicle central axis using a vehicle power steering system and using a motor and a battery to advance the vehicle toward a target connector for a utility power grid for charging the battery. If needed, vertical vehicle position adjustments are made using a controllable vehicle suspension system.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a battery-powered vehicle having steerable wheels and a power steering system, a motor electrically coupled to the battery for powering vehicle traction wheels and a controllable vehicle suspension system for vertically adjusting the vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

determining vehicle position relative to a stationary element of an electrical connector for a utility power grid;

determining a position of a second element of the electrical connector supported on the vehicle;

determining relative positions of the stationary element and the second connector element using x-axis, y-axis and z-axis coordinates;

using the motor to incrementally advance the position of the vehicle in an x-axis direction on a heading toward the stationary connector element;

using the power steering system to guide the vehicle toward the stationary connector element as vehicle y-axis position adjustments are made to align the connector elements; and

using the vehicle controllable suspension system to adjust the vehicle incrementally in a z-axis direction as vehicle position adjustments are made to align the connector elements;

the vehicle thereby being maneuvered with a heading in an auto-seek mode to mechanically connect the connector elements.

2. The method set forth in claim 1 wherein vehicle y-axis position adjustments are made by using differences in wheel rotation of steerable vehicle wheels in a unit of time.

3. A control system for a battery-powered vehicle having steerable wheels and a power steering system, a motor electrically coupled to the battery for powering vehicle traction wheels and an adjustable vehicle suspension system, the control system comprising:

an electrical connector comprising first and second electrical connector parts, one part being mounted on a stationary structure and connected electrically to a power grid, the second part being mounted on the vehicle;

the position of the one connector part relative to the other being identified by target x, y and z axes;

a first vehicle position signal and a second vehicle position signal being exchanged by the connector parts; and

a vehicle system controller for receiving the vehicle position signals;

the controller being configured to respond to the position signals to compute a distance in an x-axis direction, a y-axis direction and a z-axis direction between the first and second electrical connector parts, the x, y and z axes defining the vehicle position in a coordinate reference frame;

the motor being activated by the controller to incrementally reduce to zero an error between an actual x-axis vehicle position and a target x-axis vehicle position;

the power steering system being activated by the controller to incrementally reduce to zero an error between an actual y-axis vehicle position and a target y-axis position;

the vehicle suspension system being activated by the controller to incrementally reduce to zero an error between an actual z-axis vehicle position and a target z-axis vehicle position;

the vehicle thereby being maneuvered along a line of travel with a heading that will effect a mechanical coupling of the connector parts and completion of a battery charging circuit.

4. The control system set forth in claim 3 wherein the vehicle position signals are short-range radio frequency signals.

5. The control system set forth in claim 3 wherein the vehicle position signals are optical signals.

6. The control system set forth in claim 3 wherein the position signals are retro-reflective signals.

7. The control system set forth in claim 3 wherein the stationary structure is a vehicle garage wall, the vehicle being maneuvered along a line of travel that allows the connector parts to be coupled as the vehicle moves under battery and motor power following a driving event that partially depletes battery charge.

9. The method set forth in claim 3 wherein vehicle y-axis position adjustments are made by using differences in wheel rotation of steerable vehicle wheels in a unit of time.

8. A method for controlling a battery-powered vehicle having a power steering system and a motor electrically coupled to the battery for powering vehicle traction wheels, the method comprising the steps of:

determining vehicle position relative to a stationary element of an electrical connection for a utility power grid;

determining a position of a second element of the electrical connection supported on the vehicle;

the motor being adapted to incrementally advance the position of the vehicle in an x-axis coordinate direction on a heading toward the stationary connector element to align the connector elements;

the power steering system being adapted to guide the vehicle in a y-axis coordinate direction toward the stationary connection element as vehicle y-axis position adjustments are made to align the connection elements;

a vehicle suspension being adapted to adjust the vehicle vertically in a z-axis coordinate direction to align the connector elements; and

determining relative positions of the stationary element and the second connection element using at least two of the x-axis, y-axis and z-axis coordinates;

the vehicle thereby being maneuvered with a heading in an auto-seek mode to mechanically connect the connector elements.