Auto-seek electrical connection for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle
First Claim
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1. A hybrid electric vehicle including a controllable suspension system, a rechargeable battery coupled to a charging connector, a traction motor, and a power steering system, comprising:
- a controller configured to provide signals to the power steering system, the motor, and the controllable suspension system to automatically maneuver the vehicle to align a stationary battery charging outlet with the charging connector by raising or lowering the vehicle using the controllable suspension system.
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Abstract
An auto-seek operating mode for an electric 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.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A hybrid electric vehicle including a controllable suspension system, a rechargeable battery coupled to a charging connector, a traction motor, and a power steering system, comprising:
a controller configured to provide signals to the power steering system, the motor, and the controllable suspension system to automatically maneuver the vehicle to align a stationary battery charging outlet with the charging connector by raising or lowering the vehicle using the controllable suspension system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A vehicle having a controllable suspension system, a rechargeable traction battery coupled to a charging connector, a traction motor, and a steering system, comprising:
a controller configured to provide signals to the controllable suspension system to position the charging connector relative to a stationary battery charging outlet. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A vehicle having a controllable suspension system, a rechargeable traction battery coupled to a charging connector, a traction motor, and a steering system, comprising:
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a wheel sensor associated with a steerable wheel that provides a corresponding wheel sensor signal in response to wheel rotation; a controller configured to automatically maneuver the vehicle in response to the wheel sensor signal to position the charging connector relative to a charging outlet by controlling the steering system and the suspension system. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification