Method and apparatus for controlling charging process

• US 9,776,523 B2
• Filed: 11/19/2014
• Issued: 10/03/2017
• 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, Wei, Wu, Zhenling, Hou, Jinliang, Yuan, Po
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): PIGGUSH, AARON C
• Application Number:
  US14/548,244
• Publication Number:
  US 20150162762A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,049 Days
• Field of Search: 320107, 320109, 320137, 320162
• 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: H02J 7/00712 the cycle being controlled or terminated in response to electric parameters
• 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. A charging system comprising (1) a mobile device that includes a rechargeable battery and (2) an apparatus for controlling a charging process of the rechargeable battery,

(1) the mobile device 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 wireless signal including a command to turn on/off power provided by a charger to the mobile device; and

a communication module configured to transmit the wireless signal through an antenna,

wherein the controller generates a wireless signal including a command to turn off the power provided by the charger to the mobile device when the monitor senses that the mobile device is being charged and a battery level of the rechargeable battery is higher than or equal to a maximum threshold;

wherein the controller generates a wireless signal including a command to turn on the power provided by the charger to the mobile device when the monitor senses that the mobile device is not being charged and a battery level of the rechargeable battery is lower than a maximum threshold;

(2) the apparatus comprising;

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

a second interface configured to be electrically connectable to the mobile device including the rechargeable battery to provide the power thereto;

a controlling circuit configured to generate a controlling instruction to turn on/off the power, wherein the controlling circuit includes an antenna configured to receive said wireless signal transmitted from the mobile device including said command to turn on/off the power, and wherein the controlling circuit is operable to generate the controlling instruction corresponding to the received command; and

a switch connected in series 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 the controlling instruction.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the wireless signal is transmitted via a Bluetooth channel.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the monitor and the controller are implemented in a computer program in the mobile device, wherein the computer program comprises instructions for causing a processor to:

check battery level of the 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 the apparatus.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the mobile device is an electric vehicle.

5. A charging system comprising (1) a mobile device that includes a rechargeable battery and (2) a charger for charging said mobile device,

(1) the mobile device 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 wireless signal including a command to turn on/off power provided by a charger to the mobile device; and

a communication module configured to transmit the wireless signal through an antenna;

wherein the controller generates a wireless signal including a command to turn off the power provided by the charger to the mobile device when the monitor senses that the mobile device is being charged and a battery level of the rechargeable battery is higher than or equal to a maximum threshold;

wherein the controller generates a wireless signal including a command to turn on, the power provided by the charger to the mobile device when the monitor senses that the mobile device is not being charged and a battery level of the rechargeable battery is lower than a maximum threshold;

(2) the charger comprising;

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

a controlling module configured to generate a controlling instruction to turn on/off the power, wherein the controlling module includes an antenna configured to receive the wireless signal transmitted from the mobile 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; and

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