Auto-seek electrical connection for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle

• US 9,033,075 B2
• Filed: 02/11/2013
• Issued: 05/19/2015
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Restifo, Jeffrey J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gurari, Erez
• Application Number:
  US13/764,018
• Publication Number:
  US 20130151054A1
• Time in Patent Office: 827 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.1, 180/65.21, 180/65.28, 180/65.285, 180/65.29, 180/167, 701/23, 701/24, 701/25, 701/28
• US Class Current: 180/65.1
• 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 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.

2. The method of claim 1 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.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

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

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the position information is transmitted using short-range radio frequency signals.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the position information is transmitted using optical signals.

6. The method of claim 1 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.

7. The method of claim 1 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.