SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONVERTING A STANDARD HYBRID VEHICLE INTO A PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE (PHEV)
First Claim
1. A kit for converting a standard hybrid vehicle into a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV), the kit comprising:
- at least one battery configured to match the voltage of an original hybrid battery;
connection hardware, wherein the connection hardware is configured to electrically connect the at least one battery to an off-vehicle power source; and
tangible computer readable memory media storing battery management software, wherein when executed in a processor in a vehicle, the battery management software is configured to provide information relating to battery performance to an engine control unit, wherein the at least one battery is further configured to maintain charge balance between each of the cells of the at least one battery.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A kit for converting a standard hybrid vehicle into a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) is described. The kit includes at least one battery configured to match the voltage of an original hybrid battery; connection hardware, wherein the connection hardware is configured to electrically connect the at least one battery to an off-vehicle power source; and tangible computer readable memory media storing battery management software, wherein when executed in a processor in a vehicle, the battery management software is configured to provide information relating to battery performance to an engine control unit, wherein the at least one battery is further configured to maintain charge balance between each of the cells of the at least one battery.
23 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A kit for converting a standard hybrid vehicle into a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV), the kit comprising:
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at least one battery configured to match the voltage of an original hybrid battery; connection hardware, wherein the connection hardware is configured to electrically connect the at least one battery to an off-vehicle power source; and tangible computer readable memory media storing battery management software, wherein when executed in a processor in a vehicle, the battery management software is configured to provide information relating to battery performance to an engine control unit, wherein the at least one battery is further configured to maintain charge balance between each of the cells of the at least one battery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A portable recharging kit for an electric vehicle, the kit comprising:
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an external source of electricity, which is configured to be stored within the electric vehicle; connection hardware, which is matable with an electric vehicle compliant connector; and one or more cables, which connects the connection hardware to the external source of electricity. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. A panel assembly, which is configured to fit within a front bumper of an electrical vehicle, comprising:
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a back plate, which is attachable to an inner portion of the front bumper; a door assembly, which is attachable to the back plate, the door assembly including a door, a latch catch and magnet assembly, a hinge, and a hinge bracket, which allows the door to swing outward from a closed position to expose an electric vehicle compliant connector, which is housed within the front bumper of the electric vehicle and recharges the electric vehicle as needed. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A method of increasing the performance of at least one battery configured for use in a PHEV, wherein the at least one battery is configured with the same maximum voltage as an original vehicle battery, the method comprising:
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controllably cycling the charging and discharging of the at least one battery, the cycling comprising; battery charging, wherein the at least one battery is charged to a first state of charge in charging cycling, and discharging, wherein discharging comprises; regular discharging, wherein the at least one battery is discharged to second state of charge, and deep discharging, wherein the at least one battery is discharged to a third state of charge. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of maximizing battery usage in a PHEV, wherein the cycling of a vehicle battery increases battery performance and battery life, the method comprising:
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requesting vehicle operator input relating to desired vehicle operation mode;
requesting vehicle operator input relating to estimated trip length;requesting information relating to battery charge parameters; allowing vehicle operation in the user requested mode when battery criteria exceed threshold levels; denying vehicle operation in the user requested mode when battery criteria fail to exceed threshold levels; and limiting a rate of battery power availability according to predetermined criteria, wherein the predetermined criteria are created to maximize ideal cycling of the vehicle battery during each trip, wherein ideal cycling comprises discharging the vehicle battery from a first state of charge to a second state of charge. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification