Method and assembly for charging a small electric locomotive using a storage battery

Abstract

An exemplary charging method includes charging a battery of a small electric locomotive as a towing vehicle tows the small electric locomotive to a stranded vehicle. The battery is configured to electrically couple to a traction battery of the electric vehicle to charge the traction battery. An exemplary charging assembly includes a small electric locomotive. As the small electric locomotive is towed to the stranded vehicle, the battery of the small electric locomotive is charged. The battery is configured to electrically couple to a traction battery of the electric vehicle to charge the traction battery.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a small electric locomotive having a battery for charging a traction battery of an electric vehicle. The battery of the small electric locomotive can be charged as the small electric locomotive is towed to a stranded electric vehicle or other type of stranded vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Electric vehicles differ from conventional motor vehicles in that they are selectively driven using one or more electric machines powered by a traction battery. The electric machine may be used to drive the electric vehicle as an alternative or in addition to an internal combustion engine. Exemplary electric vehicles include hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

[0003] If the amount of energy held by the traction battery drops below a threshold level, the electric vehicle may become stranded. That is, the traction battery, when sufficiently depleted, cannot adequately power the electric machine to provide propulsion power to the wheels of the electric vehicle. The traction battery can be charged via a charging station, but charging stations are not always nearby. Moreover, even if a charging station is nearby, it may malfunction and fail to charge the traction battery.

[0004] Conventional vehicles may also break down due to, for example, mechanical failure. Summary of the invention

[0005] The charging method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, inter alia, charging a battery of the small electric vehicle as the towing vehicle tows the small electric vehicle to a stranded vehicle. The battery is configured to be electrically coupled to a traction battery of the electric vehicle to charge the traction battery.

[0006] In another non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing method, the small electric locomotive is mechanically coupled to the towing vehicle when the towing vehicle tows the small electric locomotive to the stranded vehicle.

[0007] Another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods includes, after the towing vehicle and the small electric locomotive reach the broken-down vehicle, mechanically coupling the broken-down vehicle to the towing vehicle, and then towing the broken-down vehicle with the towing vehicle, the small electric locomotive will autonomously follow the broken-down vehicle.

[0008] Another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods includes, after the towing vehicle and the small electric locomotive reach the broken-down vehicle, mechanically coupling the broken-down vehicle to the towing vehicle, and then towing the broken-down vehicle with the towing vehicle.

[0009] Another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods includes mechanically coupling a small electric locomotive to a stranded vehicle and then using the small electric locomotive to assist a towing vehicle in towing the stranded vehicle.

[0010] Another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods includes pushing the stranded vehicle with a small electric locomotive to assist the towing vehicle in towing the stranded vehicle.

[0011] Another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods includes braking the small electric locomotive to decelerate the stalled vehicle during towing, thereby assisting the towing vehicle in towing the stalled vehicle.

[0012] Another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods includes towing the broken-down vehicle with a towing vehicle while the small electric vehicle is driven by a driver on the small electric vehicle.

[0013] Another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods includes regeneratively charging a battery of a small electric vehicle while towing the small electric vehicle.

[0014] Another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods includes regulating charging based on a distance the towing vehicle tows the small electric locomotive to the electric vehicle.

[0015] The charging assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a small electric locomotive. As the small electric locomotive is towed to a stranded vehicle, a battery of the small electric locomotive is charged. The battery is configured to be electrically coupled to a traction battery of the electric vehicle to charge the traction battery.

[0016] In another non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing assembly, the battery is regeneratively charged when the small electric locomotive is towed to the electric vehicle.

[0017] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies, when the small electric locomotive is towed to the electric vehicle, the small electric locomotive is mechanically coupled to the towing vehicle.

[0018] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies, the small electric locomotive is configured to autonomously follow the stranded vehicle while the stranded vehicle is being towed by the towing vehicle.

[0019] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies, the small electric locomotive is configured to mechanically couple to a towed vehicle and assist the towing vehicle in towing a broken-down vehicle.

[0020] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies, the small electric locomotive is configured to push the stranded vehicle to assist the towing vehicle in towing the stranded vehicle.

[0021] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies, the small electric locomotive is configured to brake to decelerate the stranded vehicle, thereby assisting the towing vehicle in towing the stranded vehicle.

[0022] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies, the small electric vehicle is configured to be driven by a driver located on the small electric vehicle.

[0023] Another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies includes the stranded vehicle as an electric vehicle and further including an electric vehicle power supply arrangement of a small electric locomotive that electrically couples the storage battery to the traction battery.

[0024] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies, the electric vehicle supply equipment includes a charging cord. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Through the detailed description, the various features and advantages of the disclosed examples will become apparent to those skilled in the art. The drawings accompanying the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:

[0026] Figure 1 A schematic side view of selected portions of a small electric locomotive is shown according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A schematic side view of other selected parts of a small electric locomotive.

[0028] Figure 3 Shown is the trailer Figure 1 Side view of a small electric locomotive towing vehicle.

[0029] Figure 4 A method for charging the traction battery of an electric vehicle is shown. Figure 1 A side view of the small electric locomotive shown.

[0030] Figure 5A Shows when the battery of a small electric locomotive is in parallel mode Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a portion of a small electric locomotive is shown.

[0031] Figure 5B Shows when the battery of a small electric locomotive is in series mode Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a portion of a small electric locomotive is shown.

[0032] Figure 6 shows that autonomous following is performed by Figure 3 The trailer vehicle is the vehicle towed by Figure 1 A side view of the small electric locomotive shown.

[0033] Figure 7According to another exemplary embodiment, Figure 1 A side view of a small electric locomotive, wherein the small electric locomotive is mechanically coupled to a Figure 3 The vehicle towed by the trailer.

[0034] Figure 8 A side view of a small electric locomotive is shown according to yet another exemplary embodiment, wherein the small electric locomotive is driven by a driver on the small electric locomotive. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The present disclosure generally relates to a small electric vehicle having a battery, wherein the battery can be used to charge a traction battery of the electric vehicle. If the charge of the traction battery is sufficiently reduced, the electric vehicle may become stranded at a location. The small electric vehicle can then be towed to the location of the electric vehicle so that the battery of the small electric vehicle can be used to recharge the electric vehicle.

[0036] The small electric locomotive can be particularly useful for charging the traction battery of an electric vehicle that is anchored at a location far from any charging station. It is noteworthy that the battery of the small electric locomotive can be charged as the small electric locomotive is towed to the location of the electric vehicle.

[0037] Reference now Figure 1 , the exemplary small electric vehicle 10 includes a battery 14, an electric motor 18, a power transmission unit 20 and a plurality of wheels 22. The exemplary small electric vehicle 10 is a battery electric vehicle (BEV) type electric vehicle. However, it should be understood that the concepts described herein are not limited to BEVs and can be extended to other small electric vehicles, including but not limited to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), etc.

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment, the small electric vehicle 10 employs a drive system that includes a combination of at least a battery 14, a motor 18, and a power transfer unit 20. When employing this drive system, the small electric vehicle 10 uses energy stored in the battery 14 to power the motor 18, which generates torque to drive wheels 22 through the power transfer unit 20. The power transfer unit 20 may be, for example, a transmission gearbox having a planetary gear set.

[0039] In this example, the battery 14 is a battery pack including a plurality of individual battery cells. The exemplary battery 14 has a relatively high energy capacity, for example 100 to 200 kWh.

[0040] The small electric vehicle 10 is propelled by driving wheels 22 using power transfer unit 20. Thus, the drive system may be considered an electric drive system.

[0041] In this example, the electric machine 18 is a combined motor-generator. In other examples, the electric machine 18 includes a motor and additionally includes a generator separate from the motor.

[0042] When an electric drive system is used, the motor 18 operates in a motor mode. The motor 18 can also operate in a generator mode. When operating in the generator mode, the rotation of the wheels 22 can drive the motor 18 through the power transfer unit 20. The motor 18 converts the mechanical energy from the wheels 22 into electrical energy that charges the battery 14. When, for example, another vehicle tows the small electric motorcycle 10, the wheels 22 can rotate to drive the motor 18.

[0043] When operating in generator mode, the motor 18 can also utilize regenerative braking of the wheels 22 to generate electrical energy for charging the battery 14. That is, when the small electric vehicle 10 is moving and the wheels 22 are decelerated by regenerative braking, the motor 18 converts the kinetic energy of the small electric vehicle 10 into electrical energy for charging the battery 14.

[0044] refer to Figure 2 And continue to refer to Figure 1 The small electric vehicle 10 further includes a charging cable 26 , a small electric vehicle control module 30 , a communication module 34 and a small electric vehicle hook 36 .

[0045] The charging line 26 can be electrically coupled to the electric vehicle. When electrically coupled to the electric vehicle, electrical energy from the battery 14 can flow through the charging line 26 to charge the traction battery of the electric vehicle. In this embodiment, the small electric locomotive control module 30 can be controlled by the charging line 26.

[0046] Charging cord 26 is an example type of electric vehicle supply equipment ("EVSE"). The small electric locomotive 10 may include many types of EVSE to facilitate coupling to a variety of electric vehicles. An exemplary EVSE may include a charging cord having a type 1 connector interface, a type 2 connector interface (for AC charging), and a combination charging system connector. Other exemplary EVSEs incorporated into the small electric locomotive 10 may include a fast charging electrical connector sold under the trade name CHAdeMO. From the perspective of an electric vehicle having a traction battery being charged, the small electric locomotive 10 effectively simulates a charging station.

[0047] In this exemplary embodiment, the charging cord 26 and other EVSE are packaged within the rear of the small electric vehicle 10. This packaging can facilitate electrically coupling the charging cord 26 to the electric vehicle when the small electric vehicle 10 is parked in front of the electric vehicle. A winding mechanism 39 is incorporated into the small electric vehicle 10 to wind up the charging cord 26 for storage.

[0048] like Figure 3As shown, the small electric vehicle hitch 36 of the small electric vehicle 10 can be mechanically coupled to the towing hitch 38 of the towing vehicle 42 (here, a towing truck). As the towing vehicle 42 is driven, when the small electric vehicle hitch 36 is mechanically connected to the towing hitch 38, the towing vehicle 42 tows the small electric vehicle 10. For the purposes of these disclosures, mechanical connection means physical connection.

[0049] The towing vehicle 42 and the small electric vehicle 10 may be located at a towing company, for example. The towing vehicle 42 may tow the small electric vehicle 10 to various locations away from the towing company location.

[0050] Towing the small electric vehicle 10 rotates the wheels 22, which can generate electricity to charge the battery 14. When the towing vehicle 42 tows the small electric vehicle 10, regenerative braking of the wheels 22 of the small electric vehicle 10 can also generate electricity to charge the battery 14.

[0051] In this example, the small electric vehicle 10 is relatively low to the ground, which can reduce aerodynamic loads and facilitate power generation when the small electric vehicle 10 is towed by the towing vehicle 42. That is, the powertrain of the towing vehicle 42 can deliver a certain maximum continuous power, which can limit the power generation of the small electric vehicle 10. To facilitate low road loads, the battery 14 is located in a vertically low area of ​​the small electric vehicle 10.

[0052] In this example, the communication module 34 can wirelessly communicate with the communication module 52 of the towing vehicle 42. The wireless communication between the communication module 34 of the small electric motorcycle 10 and the communication module 52 of the towing vehicle 42 may include, for example, reporting the charging status of the battery 14 to the communication module 52 via the communication module 34. The driver of the towing vehicle 42 can check the charging status of the battery 14 via a display (not shown) in the cab of the towing vehicle 42.

[0053] Another exemplary communication may be a command sent from the communication module 52 of the tow vehicle 42 to the communication module 34 of the small electric vehicle 10. The command may instruct the small electric vehicle 10 to begin a battery charging procedure in which the rotation of the wheels 22 causes the battery 14 to charge. When the battery charging procedure is not initiated, the small electric vehicle 10 may be towed without causing the rotation of the wheels 22 to charge the battery 14.

[0054] Although the communication between the communication module 34 of the small electric locomotive 10 and the communication module 52 of the towing vehicle 42 is described as wireless communication, other examples may include other types of communication. For example, the small electric locomotive 10 and the towing vehicle 42 may communicate via a wired connection extending from the towing vehicle 42 to the small electric locomotive 10 along the towing hitch 38.

[0055] Reference now Figure 4 , continue to refer to Figures 2 to 3 In this example, the stranded vehicle is an electric vehicle 60 that includes a traction battery 64. If the traction battery 64 is exhausted so that the electric vehicle 60 is stranded at a location, the driver of the electric vehicle 60 can contact a towing company to request that the electric vehicle 60 be charged.

[0056] In response to the request, the towing vehicle 42 mechanically couples the small electric vehicle 10 to the towing vehicle 42, and then tows the small electric vehicle 10 to the location of the electric vehicle 60. After the small electric vehicle 10 reaches the location of the electric vehicle 60, the charging line 26 of the small electric vehicle 10 can be electrically coupled to the electric vehicle 60, such as Figure 4 Then, the battery 14 in the small electric locomotive 10 can charge the traction battery 64 of the electric vehicle 60 .

[0057] Particularly based on the distance that tow vehicle 42 and small electric vehicle 10 must travel to reach electric vehicle 60, tow vehicle 42 may initiate a command to begin the battery charging process through communication module 52. The battery charging process may be timed to begin so that when small electric vehicle 10 reaches electric vehicle 60, battery 14 is charged to a desired charge, has a charge state sufficient to charge traction battery 64 of electric vehicle 60, or both.

[0058] Furthermore, if the distance that the towing vehicle 42 and the small electric vehicle 10 must travel to the electric vehicle 60 is relatively small, the towing vehicle 42 can tow the small electric vehicle 10 at a slower speed. This has two effects: first, the aerodynamic road load of the towing vehicle 42 and the small electric vehicle 10 is reduced. Thus, a higher power portion of the towing vehicle 42 can be used for power generation of the small electric vehicle 10. Second, the towing vehicle 42 and the small electric vehicle 10 will take longer to reach the electric vehicle 60 and therefore have more charging time so that the small electric vehicle 10 will have enough energy stored in the storage battery 14 to charge the traction battery 64 of the electric vehicle 60.

[0059] In this example, the small electric locomotive 10 can DC fast charge the traction battery 64, which can reduce the time required to charge the traction battery 64 of the electric vehicle 60 compared to, for example, AC charging. In another example, the small electric locomotive 10 is coupled to the electric vehicle to AC charge the traction battery 64.

[0060] In some examples, AC charging provided by small electric vehicle 10 includes charging up to 43 kW on E-phase, and DC charging includes relatively high power charging, such as 150 kW at 400 volts or 350 kW at 800 volts.

[0061] The electric locomotive control module 30 may provide control of the charging of the traction battery 64 by the storage battery 14, such as by controlling the charging rate. The electric locomotive control module 30 may include an interface, such as a touch screen, with which an individual may interact to start charging of the traction battery 64, stop charging, control the charging rate, etc. In this example, the electric locomotive control module 30 is located on the right side (or passenger side) of the electric locomotive 10. If the electric vehicle 60 breaks down on the right side of the road, which may be typical, an individual may interact with the electric locomotive control module 30 located on the side of the electric locomotive 10 away from the flow of road traffic.

[0062] In one embodiment, the small electric locomotive control module 30 includes a processing unit and non-volatile memory for executing various charging control strategies. The small electric locomotive control module 30 can receive and process various inputs when controlling charging, such as an input indicating that the driver of the towing vehicle 42 or the driver of the electric vehicle 60 is requesting charging to begin.

[0063] In one embodiment, the processing unit is configured to execute one or more programs stored in the memory of the small electric locomotive control module 30. The first exemplary program, when executed, calculates the effective rate at which the traction battery 64 is charged.

[0064] exist Figure 5A and Figure 5B In the exemplary non-limiting embodiment schematically shown, the battery 14 of the small electric vehicle 10 can be divided into two separate battery packs 14A, 14B, each battery pack is about 400 volts. The small electric vehicle control module 30 can switch the switch 66 to arrange the battery packs 14A, 14B in parallel or in series. Figure 5A When connected in parallel as shown, the output of the EVSE can be 400 volts. Figure 5B When connected in series as shown, the output of the EVSE may be 800 volts. The small electric locomotive control module 30 may control the switching of the switch to charge the traction battery 64 with either 400 volts or 800 volts as required.

[0065] Sometimes, the electric vehicle 60 may need to be towed by the towing vehicle 42. For example, the towing vehicle 42 and the small electric locomotive 10 may arrive at the electric vehicle 60 and determine that even if the traction battery 64 is recharged, electronic complications still prevent the electric vehicle 60 from being driven. In this case, the towing vehicle 42 may tow the electric vehicle 60 back to the towing company's location, or tow it to another location.

[0066] refer to Figure 6 And refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2To tow a broken-down vehicle (in this example, the electric vehicle 60), the small electric vehicle 10 is first mechanically disconnected from the towing hitch 38 of the towing vehicle 42. Then, the vehicle hitch 76 of the electric vehicle 60 can be mechanically coupled to the towing hitch 38. Thus, the electric vehicle 60 essentially replaces the small electric vehicle 10.

[0067] To avoid abandoning the small electric vehicle 10 , the small electric vehicle 10 in this exemplary non-limiting embodiment is configured to autonomously follow the electric vehicle 60 as the towing vehicle 42 drives and tows the electric vehicle 60 .

[0068] Before autonomously following the electric vehicle 60, the small electric vehicle 10 can be placed in a learning mode in which the small electric vehicle 10 scans the rear of the electric vehicle 60. In the learning mode, the sensors on the small electric vehicle 10 detect and store the features of the rear of the electric vehicle 60. The sensors can detect the features using echo and other types of sensing recognition technology. The features can be stored in the memory of the small electric vehicle control module 30 and referenced as needed.

[0069] After the learning mode is fully completed, the small electric locomotive 10 is placed in the following mode. The small electric locomotive 10 then follows the electric vehicle 60 towed by the towing vehicle 42 as the towing vehicle 42 moves forward and begins to tow the electric vehicle 60. When the small electric locomotive 10 autonomously follows the electric vehicle 60, the small electric locomotive 10 can track the distance to the electric vehicle 60 by means of optics, lidar, and other sensors.

[0070] When autonomously following the electric vehicle 60 , the small electric locomotive 10 may use the electrical energy from the battery 14 to power the motor 18 to drive the wheels 22 .

[0071] Furthermore, the communication module 34 of the small electric vehicle 10 can maintain communication with the communication module 52 of the towing vehicle 42. This communication can enable the charging control module to activate the lighting system on the small electric vehicle 10, such as brake lights, in response to the braking of the towing vehicle 42. The signal from the communication module 52 can also cause the small electric vehicle 10 to accelerate, decelerate, turn left or right, slow down, etc.

[0072] In this exemplary embodiment, due to the relatively close distance between the small electric locomotive 10 and the electric vehicle 60 during autonomous following, the small electric locomotive 10 does not need to fully interpret traffic conditions, traffic lights, etc. Instead, the driver of the towing vehicle 42 interprets these traffic conditions and controls the towing vehicle 42 accordingly. The small electric locomotive 10 then continues to follow the electric vehicle 60. Since the small electric locomotive 10 does not need to fully interpret traffic conditions, the equipment required for autonomous operation of the small electric locomotive 10 is simplified. In some instances, only basic cameras or radar sensors on the small electric locomotive 10 are required.

[0073] In some examples, steering the small electric vehicle 10 while autonomously following the electric vehicle relies on features of the electric vehicle 60 that are detected and stored during the learning mode. The features may include, for example, the position of the taillights of the electric vehicle 60, or the lateral outermost edge of the electric vehicle 60. Then, when towing the electric vehicle 60, in response to these features being repositioned, the small electric vehicle control module 30 automatically steers the small electric vehicle 10.

[0074] For example, if the camera of the small electric vehicle 10 detects that the right tail light of the electric vehicle deviates or moves to the left, the small electric vehicle 10 automatically turns left until the right tail light returns to the target position. The small electric vehicle 10 can control the steering based on the detected movement of the right tail light in the electric vehicle 60 using a closed-loop controller (e.g., proportional-integral, proportional-derivative, or proportional-integral-derivative).

[0075] The small electric vehicle 10 may be trained on specific features during the learning mode. Automatic steering of the small electric vehicle 10 based on the detected movement of features in the electric vehicle 60 may be in addition to or in lieu of steering control commands sent to the small electric vehicle 10 by the communication module 52. During the learning mode, the small electric vehicle 10 may prompt the towing vehicle 42 or the electric vehicle 60 to activate certain features to assist in learning. The small electric vehicle 10 may prompt the driver to activate, for example, the turn signal of the electric vehicle 60, which helps the small electric vehicle 10 recognize and learn the location of the turn signal.

[0076] In some instances, if the sensors on the small electric locomotive 10 become unable to detect the electric vehicle 60, the steering angle of the small electric locomotive 10 may be held constant and the friction brakes of the small electric locomotive 10 may be applied to bring the small electric locomotive 10 to a controlled stop. For example, a snow plow may direct snow between the small electric locomotive 10 and the electric vehicle 60, which may interfere with the sensors of the small electric locomotive 10 that detect the electric vehicle 60.

[0077] The stored geometry of the road can be followed if the control system is able to interpret the geometry of the road using the sensed data obtained before the direct line of sight between the small electric vehicle 10 and the electric vehicle 60 is lost. In addition, if satellite and navigation information about the geometry of the road is saved in the memory of the small electric vehicle 10 as road data, the road data can be followed when bringing the small electric vehicle 10 to a controlled stop.

[0078] It is worth noting that those skilled in the art who have the benefit of this disclosure will understand how to configure the vehicle to autonomously follow another type of towed vehicle using the learning mode and the following mode. For example, a non-electric (i.e., conventional) vehicle may need to be towed to a location where repairs can be made. In such an example, the small electric locomotive 10 can autonomously follow the non-electric vehicle towed by the towing vehicle 42.

[0079] Reference now Figure 7 In another exemplary embodiment, the small electric motorcycle hook 36 of the small electric motorcycle 10 is mechanically coupled to the towing hook 78 of the towed vehicle 60A towed by the towing vehicle 42. In this example, the towed vehicle 60A is a relatively large and non-electric (i.e., conventional) broken-down vehicle. The small electric motorcycle 10 can assist the towing vehicle 42 in towing the towed vehicle 60A, rather than autonomously following the towed vehicle 60A. Assisting the towing vehicle 42 in towing the towed vehicle 60A can, in particular, reduce the fuel consumption of the towing vehicle 42 during towing.

[0080] The towing of the towing vehicle 60A can be assisted by the small electric locomotive 10 in a variety of ways. For example, if the towing vehicle 42 is braking to slow down the towed vehicle 60A, the small electric locomotive 10 can brake to slow down the towed vehicle 60A. In addition, the small electric locomotive hook 36 and the towing hook 78 can be configured to allow the small electric locomotive 10 to push the towed vehicle 60A, thereby helping to move the towed vehicle 60A forward. Pushing the towed vehicle 60A can reduce the towing load on the towing vehicle 42.

[0081] Reference now Figure 8 And refer to Figure 4 , another exemplary small electric locomotive 10A includes a cab area 80 occupied by a driver 84. Similar to the small electric locomotive 10, the small electric locomotive 10A includes a battery 14 that can be charged when the small electric locomotive 10A is towed by a tow vehicle 42 and can be used to charge the traction battery 64 of the electric vehicle 60.

[0082] As needed, the small electric locomotive 10A can be driven by the driver 84 independently of the towing vehicle 42. Initially, the small electric locomotive 10A can be towed by the towing vehicle 42 to the location of the electric vehicle 60. If the towing vehicle 42 is subsequently required to tow the electric vehicle 60, the driver 84 can drive the small electric locomotive 10A back to, for example, the towing station. Since the small electric locomotive 10A can be driven by the driver 84, the small electric locomotive 10A does not need to autonomously follow the electric vehicle 60 and does not need to be mechanically connected to the electric vehicle 60. In some instances, the driver 84 can use the small electric locomotive 10A for transportation when not returning from the location of the electric vehicle 60, such as for the driver 84 to commute to get off work.

[0083] Features of the disclosed examples include a small electric vehicle having a battery that can be charged while towing the small electric vehicle, thereby reducing or eliminating the time spent charging the battery using a charging station.

[0084] In some embodiments, a small electric motor vehicle can be mechanically coupled to another vehicle being towed by a towing vehicle and assist in towing the other vehicle by, for example, assisting in braking the other vehicle or propelling the other vehicle.

[0085] In some embodiments, the small electric motorcycle can be mechanically separated from another vehicle towed by the towing vehicle and configured to autonomously follow the other vehicle. Therefore, a driver driving the towing vehicle is not required. Instead, a single driver operating the towing vehicle can return the towing vehicle, the other vehicle and the small electric motorcycle to, for example, a service station.

[0086] In some embodiments, the small electric locomotive may be driven by a driver in the cab of the small electric locomotive.

[0087] The foregoing description is illustrative rather than restrictive in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art, and such variations and modifications do not depart from the essence of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of legal protection for the present disclosure can only be determined by studying the following claims.

[0088] According to the present invention, a charging method includes charging a battery of a small electric vehicle as a towing vehicle tows the small electric vehicle to a stranded vehicle, the battery being configured to be electrically coupled to a traction battery of the electric vehicle to charge the traction battery.

[0089] According to one embodiment, when the towing vehicle tows the small electric locomotive to the stranded vehicle, the small electric locomotive is mechanically coupled to the towing vehicle.

[0090] According to one embodiment, the above invention is also characterized in that after the towing vehicle and the small electric locomotive reach the broken-down vehicle, the broken-down vehicle is mechanically connected to the towing vehicle, and then the broken-down vehicle is towed by the towing vehicle, and the small electric locomotive will autonomously follow the broken-down vehicle.

[0091] According to one embodiment, the above invention is further characterized in that after the towing vehicle and the small electric locomotive reach the broken-down vehicle, the broken-down vehicle is mechanically coupled to the towing vehicle and then towed by the towing vehicle.

[0092] According to one embodiment, the above invention is further characterized by mechanically coupling a small electric locomotive to the stranded vehicle and then using the small electric locomotive to assist the towing vehicle in towing the stranded vehicle.

[0093] According to one embodiment, the above invention is further characterized by towing the stranded vehicle by pushing the stranded vehicle with a small electric locomotive to assist the towing vehicle.

[0094] According to one embodiment, the above invention is further characterized by assisting the towing vehicle in towing the stranded vehicle by braking the small electric locomotive to decelerate the towed stranded vehicle.

[0095] According to one embodiment, the above invention is further characterized by towing the stranded vehicle with a towing vehicle while the small electric vehicle is driven by a driver on the small electric vehicle.

[0096] According to one embodiment, the above invention is further characterized by regeneratively charging the battery of the small electric vehicle when towing the small electric vehicle.

[0097] According to one embodiment, the above invention is further characterized by regulating the charging based on the distance the towing vehicle tows the small electric locomotive to the broken-down vehicle.

[0098] According to the present invention, a charging assembly is provided, the charging assembly having a small electric locomotive; and a battery of the small electric locomotive that is charged as the small electric locomotive is towed to a stranded vehicle, the battery being configured to electrically couple to a traction battery of the electric vehicle to charge the traction battery.

[0099] According to one embodiment, the battery is regeneratively charged when the small electric locomotive is towed to a stranded vehicle.

[0100] According to one embodiment, when the small electric locomotive is towed to a stranded vehicle, the small electric locomotive is mechanically coupled to the towing vehicle.

[0101] According to one embodiment, the small electric locomotive is configured to autonomously follow a broken-down vehicle while the broken-down vehicle is being towed by a towing vehicle.

[0102] According to one embodiment, a small electric locomotive is configured to mechanically couple to a broken-down vehicle and assist a towing vehicle in towing the broken-down vehicle.

[0103] According to one embodiment, the small electric locomotive is configured to push the stranded vehicle to assist the towing vehicle in towing the stranded vehicle.

[0104] According to one embodiment, the small electric locomotive is configured to brake to decelerate the stranded vehicle, thereby assisting the towing vehicle in towing the stranded vehicle.

[0105] According to one embodiment, the small electric vehicle is configured to be driven by a driver located on the small electric vehicle.

[0106] According to one embodiment, the stranded vehicle is an electric vehicle and further comprises an electric vehicle power supply arrangement of a small electric locomotive electrically coupling the storage battery to a traction battery of the electric vehicle.

[0107] According to one embodiment, the electric vehicle supply equipment includes a charging cable.

Claims

1. A charging method, comprising: charging a battery of the small electric locomotive as the towing vehicle tows the small electric locomotive to the stranded vehicle, the battery being configured to electrically couple to a traction battery of the electric vehicle to charge the traction battery; It also includes, after the towing vehicle and the small electric locomotive reach the stranded vehicle, mechanically coupling the stranded vehicle to the towing vehicle, and then towing the stranded vehicle with the towing vehicle, and the small electric locomotive will autonomously follow the stranded vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the small electric locomotive is mechanically coupled to the towing vehicle when the towing vehicle tows the small electric locomotive to the stranded vehicle.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising mechanically coupling the small electric locomotive to the stranded vehicle and then using the small electric locomotive to assist the towing vehicle in towing the stranded vehicle.

4. The method according to claim 3 further includes using the small electric locomotive to push the anchored vehicle to assist the towing vehicle in towing the anchored vehicle, or braking the small electric locomotive to decelerate the towed anchored vehicle, thereby assisting the towing vehicle in towing the anchored vehicle.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising towing the stranded vehicle with the towing vehicle while the small electric locomotive is driven by a driver on the small electric locomotive.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising regeneratively charging the battery of the small electric locomotive while towing the small electric locomotive.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising adjusting the charging based on a distance the towing vehicle tows the small electric locomotive to the broken-down vehicle.

8. A charging assembly, comprising: Small electric motorcycle; as well as a battery of the small electric locomotive that is charged as the small electric locomotive is towed to a stranded vehicle, the battery being configured to be electrically coupled to a traction battery of the electric vehicle to charge the traction battery; wherein when the small electric locomotive is towed to the stranded vehicle, the small electric locomotive is mechanically coupled to the towing vehicle, and The small electric locomotive is configured to autonomously follow the stranded vehicle when the stranded vehicle is towed by the towing vehicle.

9. The charging assembly of claim 8, wherein the battery is regeneratively charged when the small electric locomotive is towed to the stranded vehicle.

10. The charging assembly of claim 8, wherein the small electric locomotive is configured to mechanically couple to the stranded vehicle and assist the towing vehicle in towing the stranded vehicle.

11. A charging component according to claim 10, wherein the small electric locomotive is configured to push the anchored vehicle to assist the towing vehicle in towing the anchored vehicle, or the small electric locomotive is configured to brake to decelerate the anchored vehicle, thereby assisting the towing vehicle in towing the anchored vehicle.

12. The charging assembly of claim 8, wherein the small electric locomotive is configured to be driven by a driver located on the small electric locomotive.

13. The charging assembly of claim 8, wherein the stranded vehicle is the electric vehicle, and further comprising an electric vehicle power supply equipment for the small electric locomotive that electrically couples the storage battery to the traction battery of the electric vehicle, wherein the electric vehicle power supply equipment includes a charging cable.

Images