AUTOMATED CHARGING FOR VEHICLE ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS

• US 20120306443A1
• Filed: 06/03/2011
• Published: 12/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: SMITH, Anthony L., Menassa, Roland J., GAO, Dalong, CONFORTI, Vincent M.
• Application Number:
  US13/153,321
• Publication Number:
  US 20120306443A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/109
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/35 Means for automatic or assisted adjustment of the relative position of charging devices and vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/48 for electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00034 Charger exchanging data with an electronic device, i.e. telephone, whose internal battery is under charge
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• 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

Methods and systems are provided for charging an energy storage system of a vehicle. A processor is coupled to an arm. The processor is configured to obtain a position of the vehicle. The processor is further configured to guide the arm to locate a charging receptacle of the vehicle based on the position and to insert the charging device into the charging receptacle.

Claims

1. A method for charging an energy storage system of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

obtaining a position of the vehicle;

locating a charging receptacle of the vehicle based on the position; and

guiding an arm to insert a charging device into the charging receptacle via a processor.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

initiating a charge if the energy storage system requires charging.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

detecting a movement of the vehicle for use in obtaining the position, wherein the position is obtained based at least in part on the movement.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

determining a path for the arm toward the charging receptacle;

determining whether an obstacle is within the path; and

providing a notification if the obstacle is within the path.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of

receiving information from the vehicle as to whether the energy storage system requires charging, wherein the step of guiding the arm comprises the step of guiding the arm to insert the charging device into the charging receptacle only on a further condition that the information indicates that the energy storage system requires charging.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the charging receptacle is surrounded by a receptacle door, and the method further comprises the step of:

guiding the arm to open the receptacle door via the processor.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the steps of:

receiving a disconnect command from the vehicle; and

guiding the arm to remove the charging device from the receptacle and close the receptacle door once the disconnect command is received via the processor.

8. A program product for charging an energy storage system of a vehicle, the program product comprising:

a program configured to;

obtain a position of the vehicle;

locate a charging receptacle of the vehicle based on the position; and

guide an arm to insert a charging device into the charging receptacle; and

a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium storing the program.

9. The program product of claim 8, wherein the program is further configured to initiate a charge if the energy storage system requires charging.

10. The program product of claim 8, wherein the program is further configured to:

determine a path for the arm toward the charging receptacle;

determine whether an obstacle is within the path; and

provide a notification if the obstacle is within the path.

11. The program product of claim 8, wherein the program is further configured to:

receive information from the vehicle as to whether the energy storage system requires charging; and

guide the arm to insert the charging device into the charging receptacle only on a further condition that the information indicates that the energy storage system requires charging.

12. The program product of claim 8, wherein the charging receptacle is surrounded by a receptacle door, and the program is further configured to guide the arm to open the receptacle door.

13. The program product of claim 12, wherein the program is further configured to:

receive a disconnect command from the vehicle; and

guide the arm to remove the charging device from the receptacle and close the receptacle door once the disconnect command is received.

14. An automated system for charging an energy storage system of a vehicle, the automated system comprising:

an arm; and

a processor coupled to the arm and configured to;

obtain a position of the vehicle; and

guide the arm to;

locate a charging receptacle of the vehicle based on the position; and

insert the charging device into the charging receptacle.

15. The automated system of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to initiate a charge if the energy storage system requires charging.

16. The automated system of claim 14, further comprising:

a sensor coupled to the processor and configured to detect movement of the vehicle for use by the processor in obtaining the position.

17. The automated system of claim 14, further comprising:

a notification device;

wherein the processor is further configured to;

determine a path for the arm toward the charging receptacle;

determine whether an obstacle is within the path; and

direct the notification device to provide a notification if the obstacle is within the path.

18. The automated device of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive information from the vehicle as to whether the energy storage system requires charging; and

guide the arm to insert the charging device into the charging receptacle only on a further condition that the information indicates that the energy storage system requires charging.

19. The automated device of claim 14, wherein the charging receptacle is surrounded by a receptacle door, and the processor is further configured to guide the arm to open the receptacle door.

20. The automated device of claim 19, wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive a disconnect command from the vehicle; and

guide the arm to remove the charging device from the receptacle and close the receptacle door once the disconnect command is received.