AUTO-SEEK ELECTRICAL CONNECTION FOR A PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE

• US 20130151054A1
• Filed: 02/11/2013
• Published: 06/13/2013
• 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: Ortmann, Walter Joseph, Masterson, Brandon R., Kraska, Marvin Paul, Colvin, Daniel Scott, Reeves, Steve
• Granted Patent: US 9,033,075 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/22
• 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 an electric vehicle adjusts the vehicle using a vehicle power steering system and a vehicle traction motor to move the vehicle toward a target connector for a utility power grid to charge a vehicle traction battery. If needed, vertical vehicle position adjustments may be made using a controllable vehicle suspension system.

Claims

1. A guidance system for a hybrid electric vehicle having a rechargeable battery coupled to an electric motor and power steering system, comprising:

a stationary battery charging device that couples a vehicle charging connector of the hybrid electric vehicle to a power grid for recharging, the device transmitting position signals for the hybrid electric vehicle to automatically maneuver the vehicle charging connector into alignment with the battery charging device using the motor and power steering system.

2. The guidance system of claim 1 wherein the stationary battery charging device transmits short-range radio frequency position signals to the hybrid electric vehicle.

3. The guidance system of claim 1 wherein the stationary battery charging device transmits optical position signals to the hybrid electric vehicle.

4. The guidance system of claim 1 wherein the stationary battery charging device transmits x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis position signals.

5. The guidance system of claim 1 further comprising a controller in communication with the vehicle charging connector that generates signals to control the electric motor and power steering system to maneuver the vehicle in response to position of the vehicle charging connector relative to position of the stationary battery charging device.

6. The guidance system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the battery charging device and the vehicle transmits a timing signal to determine distance to the vehicle based on elapsed time between transmission of the timing signal and a reflection of the signal.

7. The guidance system of claim 1 further comprising a scanner mounted on the vehicle and configured to scan across a field of view to detect the battery charging device location relative to position of the vehicle charging connector.

8. The guidance system of claim 1 wherein the device transmits the position signals in response to a signal associated with an approaching vehicle.

9. A method for guiding a hybrid electric vehicle having a rechargeable battery coupled to an electric motor and power steering system, comprising:

transmitting position signals between a stationary battery charging device and the vehicle so that the vehicle automatically maneuvers in response to the position signals to align a vehicle charging connector with a battery charging connector of the stationary battery charging device using the vehicle electric motor and the power steering system.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein transmitting position signals comprises transmitting short-range radio frequency position signals.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein transmitting position signals comprises transmitting the position signals in response to detecting an approaching vehicle.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein transmitting position signals comprises transmitting optical position signals.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein transmitting position signals comprises transmitting x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis position signals.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the vehicle includes a controller in communication with the vehicle charging connector, further comprising:

generating signals from the controller to control the electric motor and power steering system to maneuver the vehicle in response to the position signals.

15. The method of claim 9 further comprising transmitting a timing signal to determine distance between the stationary charging device and the vehicle based on elapsed time between transmission of the timing signal and a reflection of the timing signal.

16. A method for controlling a battery-powered vehicle having an electric traction motor, power steering, adjustable suspension, and a charging connector, comprising:

controlling the electric traction motor to incrementally advance position of the vehicle toward a stationary battery charging element;

controlling the power steering to steer the vehicle toward the stationary battery charging element; and

controlling the suspension to align the charging connector to the stationary battery charging element.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

controlling the electric traction motor, power steering, and suspension in response to x, y, and z distances between the stationary battery charging element and the charging connector of the vehicle.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

transmitting position information from the stationary battery charging element to the vehicle.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the position information is transmitted using short-range radio frequency signals.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein the position information is transmitted using optical signals.

21. The method of claim 16 wherein the vehicle includes a wheel sensor associated with each steerable wheel and wherein at least one of the electric traction motor, the power steering, and the suspension is controlled in response to a difference in rotation between the steerable wheels as indicated by the wheel sensors.

22. The method of claim 16 further comprising controlling at least one of the electric traction motor, the power steering, and the suspension to mechanically couple the charging connector of the vehicle and the stationary battery charging element.