Detectible indication of an electric motor vehicle standby mode

• US 8,825,250 B2
• Filed: 10/05/2012
• Issued: 09/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gogoro Inc.
• Original Assignee: Gogoro Inc.
• Inventors: Luke, Hok-Sum Horace, Taylor, Matthew Whiting
• Primary Examiner(s): Cheung, Mary
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUTLER, RODNEY ALLEN
• Application Number:
  US13/646,320
• Publication Number:
  US 20130090795A1
• Time in Patent Office: 697 Days
• Field of Search: 701/22, 701/36, 701/29.1, 701/30.7, 701/30.8, 701/30.9, 701/31.1, 701/102, 180/65.1, 180/65.21, 180/65.265, 180/65.275, 180/65.29
• US Class Current: 701/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/00 Supplying electric power to auxiliary equipment of vehicles circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/003 to auxiliary motors, e.g. for pumps, compressors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/02 to electric heating circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/14 to electric lighting circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/2045 for optimising the use of energy
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/12 Bikes
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/10 DC to DC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/12 Buck converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/14 Boost converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/30 AC to DC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/40 DC to AC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/14 Synchronous machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/16 DC brushless machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/46 Wheel motors, i.e. motor connected to only one wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/12 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/14 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/26 Vehicle weight
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/421 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/427 Voltage
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/429 : Current
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/461 : Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/525 : Temperature of converter or components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/527 : Voltage
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/529 : Current
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/545 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/622 : by satellite navigation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/642 : Slope of road
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/645 : Type of road
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/662 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/70 : Interactions with external data bases, e.g. traffic centres
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/80 : Time limits
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/10 : by alarm
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/16 : by display
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/18 : by enquiring driving style
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/20 : by driver identification
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/22 : by presence detection
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/24 : by lever actuation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/22 : Standstill, e.g. zero speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/44 : by parameter estimation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/52 : drive range estimation, e.g. of estimation of available travel distance
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/145 : Structure borne vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/34 : of parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/46 : Heat pumps, e.g. for cabin heating
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/00 : Electric devices on electrically-propelled vehicles for safety purposes; Monitoring operating variables, e.g. speed, deceleration or energy consumption methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells B60L58/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/003 : relating to inverters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0046 : relating to electric energy storage systems, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0061 : relating to electrical machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0069 : relating to the isolation, e.g. ground fault or leak current
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 : with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/40 : using propulsion power supplied by capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/51 : characterised by AC-motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/66 : Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/305 : Communication interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/65 : involving identification of vehicles or their battery types
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/665 : Methods related to measuring, billing or payment
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/68 : Off-site monitoring or control, e.g. remote control
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/80 : Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 55/00 : Arrangements for supplying energy stored within a vehicle to a power network, i.e. vehicle-to-grid [V2G] arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/10 : for monitoring or controlling batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/16 : responding to battery ageing, e.g. to the number of charging cycles or the state of health [SoH]
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/21 : having the same nominal voltage
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/26 : by cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/06 : for vehicles propelled by ac motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/14 : for vehicles propelled by ac motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/22 : Dynamic electric resistor braking, combined with dynamic electric regenerative braking
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/00 : Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function for propulsion of purely electrically-propelled vehicles with power supplied within the vehicle B60L50/00 - B60L58/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/10 : Accelerator pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18054 : at stand still, e.g. engine in idling state hill holding B60W30/18118
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/126 : Scooters
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/91 : Electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/56 : Control of actuators
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3476 : using point of interest [POI] information, e.g. a route passing visible POIs
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3682 : output of POI information on a road map G01C21/3614, G01C21/3685 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0608 : Saving storage space on storage systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0638 : Organizing or formatting or addressing of data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0671 : In-line storage system
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 : Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0253 : During e-commerce, i.e. online transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0259 : based on store location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0261 : based on user location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 : Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0639 : Item locations
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/00 : Registering or indicating the working of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0858 : wherein the data carrier is removable
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 : Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4257 : Smart batteries, e.g. electronic circuits inside the housing of the cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/441 : for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/482 : for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2010/4278 : Systems for data transfer from batteries, e.g. transfer of battery parameters to a controller, data transferred between battery controller and main controller
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/20 : Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/30 : Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 4/00 : Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks not specified as ac or dc
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 : Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00045 : Authentication, i.e. circuits for checking compatibility between one component, e.g. a battery or a battery charger, and another component, e.g. a power source
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 : acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/007 : Regulation of charging or discharging current or voltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 25/032 : Reciprocating, oscillating or vibrating motors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 : Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 : Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• 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 10/92 : Energy efficient charging or discharging systems for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors specially adapted for vehicles
• 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 10/126 : the energy generation units being or involving electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV], i.e. power aggregation of EV or HEV, vehicle to grid arrangements [V2G]
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/10 : Energy trading, including energy flowing from end-user application to grid
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/14 : Marketing, i.e. market research and analysis, surveying, promotions, advertising, buyer profiling, customer management or rewards
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7062 : Electrical type [e.g., solenoid]

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for detecting that an electric motor drive vehicle (e.g., an electric scooter or motorbike) is idling based on one or more of sensed parameters indicative of the idling state. These sensed parameters may include one or more of, alone or in any combination, a sensed throttle position, at least one sensed electrical characteristic of a traction electric motor, a power converter, or an electrical storage device of the vehicle, and a sensed rate of rotation of a drive shaft of the traction electric motor or of a wheel drivably coupled to the traction electric motor. Upon detecting that the vehicle is in an idling state, a controller of the vehicle enters into a standby mode. In the standby mode, a relatively small amount of electrical power is supplied to the traction electric motor to cause a vibration of the motor to alert a driver that the vehicle is ON in the standby mode and is ready to be driven. Additionally, an audible and/or visual indication may be issued in the standby mode to further alert the driver that the vehicle is ON and ready to be driven.

Claims

1. A vehicle, comprising:

a traction electric motor coupled to directly drive at least one traction wheel of the vehicle;

an electrical power storage device that stores electric power;

one or more idling state sensors positioned to sense an idling state of the vehicle; and

a controller that receives input from the one or more idling state sensors and controls supply of electric power from the electric power storage device to the traction electric motor, the controller after determining the vehicle is in the idling state, controls supply of a first amount of electric power from the electrical power storage device to the traction electric motor based at least in part on the sensed idling state of the vehicle, the first amount of electrical energy being sufficient to create vibration of the traction electric motor detectible by a user and insufficient to cause the vehicle to exit the idling state.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the controller applies control signals to supply a first amount of current to the traction electric motor based at least in part on the sensed idling state of the vehicle.

3. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the controller applies control signals to supply a first amount of voltage to the traction electric motor based at least in part on the sensed idling state of the vehicle.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the traction electric motor is the only motor coupled to directly drive the at least one traction wheel of the vehicle.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is an all-electric vehicle.

6. A power system for a vehicle, the system comprising:

a traction electric motor coupled to directly drive at least one traction wheel of the vehicle;

an electrical energy storage device to drive the traction electric motor; and

a control circuit that includes at least one idling state sensor arranged to sense an idling state of the vehicle and control supply of electric power from the electrical energy storage device to the traction electric motor, wherein after sensing the vehicle is in the idling state, the control circuit causes the electrical energy storage device to supply a first amount of electric power to the traction electric motor based at least in part on the sensed idling state of the vehicle, the first amount of electrical energy being sufficient to create vibration of the traction electric motor detectible by a user and insufficient to cause the vehicle to exit the idling state.

7. The power system of claim 6, further comprising a speaker, wherein the control circuit further causes the electrical energy storage device to supply a second amount of electric power to the speaker based at least in part on the sensed idling state of the vehicle to issue an audible indication.

8. The power system of claim 7 wherein the control circuit includes a power-on sensor to sense a power-on state of the vehicle, wherein the control circuit causes the electrical energy storage device to supply the second amount of electric power to the speaker based at least in part on the sensed power-on state of the vehicle.

9. The power system of claim 6 wherein the at least one idling state sensor is a rotation sensor coupled to sense a rate of rotation of a drive shaft of the traction electric motor, wherein the control circuit causes supply of the first amount of electric power to the fraction electric motor based at least in part on the sensed rate of rotation of the traction electric motor.

10. The power system of claim 6 wherein the at least one idling state sensor is a rotation sensor coupled to sense a rate of rotation of the at least one traction wheel of the vehicle, wherein the control circuit causes supply of the first amount of electric power to the traction electric motor based at least in part on the sensed rate of rotation of the at least one traction wheel.

11. The power system of claim 6 wherein the at least one idling state sensor is a throttle position sensor configured to sense a throttle position, wherein the control circuit causes supply of the first amount of electric power to the traction electric motor based at least in part on the sensed throttle position.

12. The power system of claim 6 wherein the at least one idling state sensor is at least one of a voltage sensor or a current sensor coupled to sense at least one electrical characteristic of the electrical energy storage device, wherein the control circuit causes supply of the first amount of electric power to the fraction electric motor based at least in part on the sensed electrical characteristic of the electrical energy storage device.

13. The power system of claim 6, further comprising one or more power converters arranged between the electrical energy storage device and the traction electric motor, wherein the at least one idling state sensor is at least one of a voltage sensor or a current sensor coupled to sense at least one electrical characteristic of the one or more power converters, and wherein the control circuit causes supply of the first amount of electric power to the traction electric motor based at least in part on the sensed electrical characteristic of the one or more power converters.

14. The power system of claim 6 wherein the at least one idling state sensor is at least one of a voltage sensor or a current sensor coupled to sense at least one electrical characteristic of the traction electric motor, wherein the control circuit causes supply of the first amount of electric power to the traction electric motor based at least in part on the sensed electrical characteristic of the traction electric motor.

15. The power system of claim 6 wherein the first amount of electric power to be supplied to the traction electric motor is predefined to cause a vibration of the traction electric motor detectable by a driver.

16. The power system of claim 6, further comprising a visual indicator, wherein the control circuit further causes the electrical energy storage device to supply a third amount of electric power to the visual indicator based at least in part on the sensed idling state of the vehicle to issue a visual indication.

17. The power system of claim 6, wherein the traction electric motor is the only motor coupled to directly drive the at least one traction wheel of the vehicle.

18. The power system of claim 6, wherein the vehicle is an all-electric vehicle.