Method of externally charging a powertrain

• US 8,248,023 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2008
• Issued: 08/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG), Chrysler Group LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company), Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG), Chrysler Group LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Schwenke, R. Travis, Kokotovich, Nicholas, Kothari, Aniket, Maiorana, Mario V. Jr., Cawthorne, William R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hollington, Jermele M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Le, Son
• Application Number:
  US12/254,521
• Publication Number:
  US 20090115377A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,401 Days
• Field of Search: 320134-136, 320/162, 361/90, 361/91.1
• US Class Current: 320/104
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/02 comprising more than one electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2006/268 Electric drive motor starts the engine, i.e. used as starter motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/26 characterised by the motors or the generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/28 characterised by the electric energy storing means, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/365 with the gears having orbital motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/445 Differential gearing distribution type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/547 the transmission being a stepped gearing
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/421 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/61 by batteries charged by engine-driven generators, e.g. series hybrid electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/24 for controlling the temperature of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/24 including control of energy storage means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/26 for electrical energy, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/00 Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles hybrid vehicle design, B60K6/00; electric vehicles B60L
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/13 in order to stay within battery power input or output limits; in order to prevent overcharging or battery depletion
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/24 Energy storage means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/244 Charge state
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/246 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/10 : Accelerator pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/12 : Brake pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/081 : Speed
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2037/0866 : Power split variators with distributing differentials, with the output of the CVT connected or connectable to the output shaft
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2037/102 : the input or output shaft of the transmission is connected or connectable to two or more differentials
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2037/104 : Power split variators with one end of the CVT connected or connectable to two or more differentials
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2037/106 : with switching means to provide two variator modes or ranges
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 3/728 : with means to change ratio in the mechanical gearing
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 : Hybrid vehicles
• 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

Abstract

A method of externally charging a powertrain includes monitoring a voltage level of a first battery, determining when the monitored voltage level is below a first voltage threshold, and when the monitored voltage level is below the first voltage threshold, charging the first battery by supplying power from an external power source and increasing voltage of the power supplied by the external power source within the powertrain.

Claims

1. A method of externally charging a powertrain comprising:

monitoring a voltage level of a first battery;

comparing the monitored voltage level to first and second voltage thresholds, the first voltage threshold having a higher voltage than the second voltage threshold, wherein the first voltage threshold comprises an overall voltage of the first battery at which the engine may not start due to low overall battery voltage and the second voltage threshold comprises a voltage of the first battery at which it is undesirable to initiate an engine start procedure;

when the monitored voltage is at least the second voltage threshold,

initiating an engine starting procedure, and

terminating the engine start procedure when both the monitored voltage level is below the first voltage threshold and an engine does not start during the engine starting procedure; and

when the monitored voltage level is below the second voltage threshold, charging the first battery by supplying power from an external power source and increasing voltage of the power supplied by the external power source within the powertrain.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring the voltage level of the first battery comprises monitoring an overall voltage level of the first battery and wherein the method further comprises sending an output signal when the overall voltage level of the first battery is below a first overall voltage threshold.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring the voltage level of the first battery comprises monitoring a cell module voltage of the first battery and wherein the method further comprises sending an output signal when the cell module voltage is below a first cell module voltage threshold.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring the voltage level of the first battery includes both monitoring an overall voltage level of the first battery and a cell module voltage of the first battery, and wherein the method further comprises sending an output signal when at least one of the overall voltage level is below a first overall voltage threshold and the cell module voltage is below a first cell module voltage threshold.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

monitoring a power level of the first battery;

determining when the power level is below a first power threshold; and

when the power level is below the first power threshold, sending an output signal.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising utilizing a temperature level measurement and the monitored voltage level to monitor the power level of the first battery.

7. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

determining a state of charge of the first battery based on the monitored voltage level; and

determining the power level of the first battery based on the state of charge of the first battery.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein terminating the engine start procedure further comprises:

sending the output signal when the monitored voltage level is below the first voltage threshold.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein performing the engine start procedure further comprises:

sending an output signal when both the monitored voltage level is below the first voltage threshold and the engine does not start during the engine starting procedure; and

terminating the engine starting procedure and sending the output signal when the voltage level is below the first voltage threshold.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein power is supplied from the external power source until a selected period of time elapses.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending an output signal to a visual display when the voltage level is below the first voltage threshold.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the external power source is electrically coupled to terminals of a second battery, said second battery having a lower voltage then the first battery.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the external power source is an external battery.

15. The method of claim 1 further comprising sending an output signal to a vehicle user, wherein the output signal induces a visual signal.

8. A method of externally charging a powertrain comprising:

monitoring a voltage level of a first battery;

comparing the monitored voltage level to first and second voltage thresholds, the first voltage threshold having a higher voltage than the second voltage threshold;

when the monitored voltage is at least the second voltage threshold,

performing an engine starting procedure, and

terminating the engine start procedure when both the monitored voltage level is below the first voltage threshold and an engine does not start during the engine starting procedure, wherein the engine starting procedure is performed for a selected time period and the output signal is sent when the engine does not start within the selected time period; and

when the monitored voltage level is below the second voltage threshold, charging the first battery by supplying power from an external power source and increasing voltage of the power supplied by the external power source within the powertrain.

16. A method of externally charging a powertrain comprising:

monitoring a voltage level of a first battery;

comparing the monitored voltage level to first and second voltage thresholds, the first voltage threshold having a higher voltage than the second voltage threshold, wherein the first voltage threshold comprises an overall voltage of the first battery at which the engine may not start due to low overall battery voltage and the second voltage threshold comprises a voltage of the first battery at which it is undesirable to initiate an engine start procedure; and

when the monitored voltage is at least the second voltage threshold,

initiating an engine starting procedure,

sending an output signal to a vehicle user when both the engine starting procedure fails and when the monitored voltage level is below the first voltage threshold in the first battery, and

transferring charge from an external power source to a second battery when the output signal is sent.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the second battery has a lower voltage level than the first battery.

18. A method of externally charging a powertrain comprising:

monitoring a power level of a first battery;

comparing the monitored power level to first and second power thresholds, the first power threshold having a higher power than the second power threshold, wherein the first power threshold comprises an overall power of the first battery at which the engine may not start due to low overall battery power and the second power threshold comprises a power of the first battery at which it is undesirable to initiate an engine start procedure; and

when the monitored power is at least the second power threshold,

initiating an engine starting procedure,

sending an output signal to a vehicle user when both the engine starting procedure fails and when the monitored power level is below the first power threshold in the first battery, and

transferring charge from an external power source to a second battery when the output signal is sent.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the power is measured based on a voltage measurement and a temperature measurement.