Vehicle communication systems and methods for electric vehicle power management

Abstract

A system and methods that enables enhanced vehicle communications for electric vehicle power management. In an embodiment, a system provides for communications in a power flow management system utilizing existing hardware including a smart charging module. In another embodiment, a communications module provides communication services to vehicle subsystems including a central processing unit in a vehicle and a CAN-bus transceiver. In yet another embodiment, an interface enables the installation of a charge controller for a control extensibility system including a physical interface to a vehicle's CAN-bus comprising an electrical contact plug. In an embodiment, an interface enables an electric vehicle to communicate with an electric power supply device without specific hardware by modulating the power transfer between the electrical load and an electric power supply. In another embodiment, a system provides for arbitrating a smart chargepoint includes a first smart charging module implemented on equipment located inside a vehicle.

Description

This application includes material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates in general to the field of electric vehicles, and in particular to novel systems and methods for communication and interaction between electric vehicles and the electrical grid.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONLow-level electrical and communication interfaces to enable charging and discharging of electric vehicles with respect to the grid is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,270 to Green et al., entitled, “Battery powered electric vehicle and electrical supply system,” incorporated herein by reference. The Green reference describes a bi-directional charging and communication system for grid-connected electric vehicles.Modern automobiles, incl...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

In another embodiment, a system for arbitrating a smart chargepoint includes a first smart charging module that is configured to be implemented on equipment located inside a vehicle. The first smart charging module is configured to communicate with a server implementing a smart charging program. The smart charging program coordinates the charging activities of a plurality of vehicles distributed over an area. The first smart charging module moderates electrical load in the vehicle by reducing the power consumption of the vehicle. In addition, the first smart charging module communicates with a second smart charging module in external equipment responsible for providing electricity to the vehicle, enabling the first smart charging module and the second smart charging module to implement a charge coordination protocol to determine which of the two modules is responsible for communicating with the server implementing the smart charging program.

Problems solved by technology

Considering the very long service life of items such as utility meters and automobiles, the use of multiple incompatible protocols may pose an barrier to deployment.

For example, if a homeowner buys a car that utilizes one protocol and receives a utility meter that uses another protocol, it is unlikely that either device will quickly replace other device.

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