System and method for bridging vehicle
By designing two energy storage systems and a DC-DC converter system in electric vehicles, the problem of difficulty in starting an internal combustion engine or a hybrid vehicle when the battery is discharged is solved, and convenient and efficient power supply for jump start is achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202411498481.3
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-11-01
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-25
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-06
AI Technical Summary
The prior art is difficult to effectively start an internal combustion engine vehicle or hybrid vehicle, especially when the battery is discharged, and lacks a convenient and does not affect the electric vehicle to provide sufficient power for starting.
An electric vehicle system was designed, which consists of two energy storage systems and a DC-DC converter. By generating a request for jump start mode through the user interface, the system may disconnect or connect the connection between the DC-DC converter and the second energy storage system, provide high voltage power to convert low voltage power, supply the battery of the second vehicle for pre-charge, and provide higher current to start the engine if necessary.
It is realized that electric vehicles can jump-start internal combustion engines or hybrid vehicles when the battery is discharged, and does not cause adverse conditions to electric vehicles, providing a convenient power supply method to ensure the smooth progress of the starting process.
Smart Images
Figure CN119933914A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to battery electric vehicles (BEVs), and more particularly to systems and methods for jump starting a vehicle using a BEV. Background Art
[0002] The jump start method is often used to start a vehicle (such as an internal combustion engine vehicle or a hybrid vehicle) when the vehicle's battery is discharged. To jump start the vehicle, the discharged battery can be temporarily connected to another battery (e.g., of another vehicle) that provides energy to the discharged battery. While the discharged battery is connected to the other battery, the ignition of the other vehicle can be turned on to deliver current to the discharged battery. In this way, the battery of the other vehicle recharges the discharged battery and also helps crank the vehicle. When the vehicle is started, the vehicle alternator / generator can recharge the discharged battery and the other battery can be disconnected. Summary of the invention
[0003] The present disclosure describes a first vehicle configured to jump-start a battery of a second vehicle. The first vehicle may be an electric vehicle (EV), and the second vehicle may be an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. The first vehicle may include a first energy storage system and a second energy storage system. The first energy storage system may be configured to provide power to a vehicle motor (such as an electric motor that can drive a wheel). The second energy storage system may be configured to provide power to one or more vehicle loads / accessories, and to provide power to a battery associated with the second vehicle when the second vehicle can be connected to the first vehicle (e.g., via a jumper cable). The first vehicle may also include a DC-DC converter, which may be configured to convert high-voltage power from the first energy storage system into a low-voltage power output that can be provided to the second energy storage system. The first vehicle may additionally include a switch, which is configured to selectively connect the DC-DC converter to the second energy storage system, and can operate in an on state and an off state.
[0004] In some aspects, during operation, a vehicle operator may generate a user request to activate a jump start mode of the first vehicle. The vehicle operator may generate the user request via a user interface. The user interface may be associated with a user device (such as a mobile phone, a laptop, a wearable device, a tablet, etc.) or a human-machine interface (HMI) associated with the first vehicle. When the vehicle operator generates the user request, the first vehicle may disconnect the connection between the second energy storage system and the DC-DC converter (i.e., operate the switch in a disconnected state). The first vehicle may then generate a notification and transmit it to the user interface. The notification may include a visual indication of a connection point and an instruction to connect the battery associated with the second vehicle to the first vehicle via the jumper cable. The first vehicle may further verify the connection of the jumper cable by using a detection unit (e.g., a battery management sensor) that can measure the current flow and voltage at the second energy storage system. The first vehicle may also provide feedback to the vehicle operator in response to verifying the connection.
[0005] In some aspects, the first vehicle may disable / deactivate one or more vehicle features / loads after receiving a user request to activate the jump start mode. Deactivating the vehicle features / loads enables the first vehicle to supply more power from the DC-DC converter to the second energy storage system, which may help efficiently crank the engine associated with the second vehicle.
[0006] In further aspects, the first vehicle may pre-charge a battery associated with the second vehicle by supplying a first amount of current (e.g., 100A-120A) for a predefined duration (e.g., 2 minutes) after operating a switch in an on state. After pre-charging the battery for the predefined duration, the first vehicle may operate a switch in an off state and measure the voltage at the second energy storage system by using a detection unit. In response to the measured voltage, the first vehicle may determine an additional duration that may be required to pre-charge the battery. In some aspects, the first vehicle may determine the additional duration based on the measured voltage and battery type / capacity of the battery associated with the second vehicle. In some aspects, the first vehicle may obtain information associated with the battery type and battery capacity from the vehicle operator. Alternatively, the first vehicle may determine the battery type and battery capacity by obtaining input from a camera external to the vehicle.
[0007] In a further aspect, when the battery may be pre-charged (e.g., after an additional duration), the first vehicle may increase the current supply from a first current amount (e.g., 100-120A) to a second current amount (200A) to enable the first vehicle to effectively crank the second vehicle engine. In this manner, the first vehicle may jump-start a battery associated with a second vehicle.
[0008] The present disclosure discloses a method for facilitating an EV to jump-start an ICE vehicle or a hybrid vehicle without causing any adverse conditions to the EV. The method also facilitates the vehicle operator to conveniently connect a battery associated with the ICE vehicle or the hybrid vehicle to the EV by outputting visual instructions / instructions on a user interface.
[0009] These and other advantages of the present disclosure are provided in detail herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference numerals may indicate similar or identical items. Various embodiments may utilize elements and / or components other than those shown in the accompanying drawings, and some elements and / or components may not be present in various embodiments. The elements and / or components in the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Throughout this disclosure, singular and plural terms may be used interchangeably, depending on the context.
[0011] Figure 1 A block diagram of a first vehicle configured to jump start a second vehicle according to the present disclosure is depicted.
[0012] Figure 2 A flow chart of a first method for performing a jump start according to the present disclosure is depicted.
[0013] Figure 3 A flow chart of a second method for performing a jump start according to the present disclosure is depicted.
[0014] Figure 4 Depicted are snapshots of a user interface displaying one or more notifications to assist a vehicle operator in jump starting a vehicle in accordance with the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments of the disclosure are shown and which are not intended to be limiting.
[0016] Figure 1A block diagram of an exemplary first vehicle 100 configured to jump-start a second vehicle 102 according to the present disclosure is depicted. The first vehicle 100 can take the form of any passenger vehicle or commercial vehicle, such as, for example, a car, an SUV, a work vehicle, a crossover, a van, a minivan, a taxi, a bus, a truck, etc. In addition, the first vehicle 100 can be a manually driven vehicle and / or can be configured to operate in a partially or fully autonomous mode. In an exemplary aspect, the first vehicle 100 can be a battery electric vehicle (BEV) and the second vehicle 102 can be an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. The second vehicle 102 can include a battery 104, which can be configured to start or crank the engine of the second vehicle 102. In some aspects, the battery 104 can be temporarily connected to the first vehicle 100 to crank the second vehicle engine (e.g., when the battery 104 can be discharged).
[0017] The first vehicle 100 may include a plurality of components including, but not limited to, a first energy storage system 106 , a second energy storage system 108 , an electric motor 110 , a direct current to direct current (DC-DC) converter 112 , a switch 114 , a detection unit 116 , and / or a control unit 118 .
[0018] In some aspects, the first energy storage system 106 can be a traction battery pack configured to provide power to the electric motor 110. The electric motor 110 can be configured to receive the power and drive wheels (not shown). The second energy storage system 108 can be an auxiliary battery that can be configured to power one or more vehicle loads / accessories. In some aspects, the second energy storage system can be a 12 volt 18Ah battery. The loads / accessories can include, but are not limited to, headlights, window motors, pumps, etc. The first energy storage system 106 can have higher voltage power than the second energy storage system 108. In some aspects, the second energy storage system 108 can be configured to be temporarily connected to the battery 104 to jump-start the second vehicle 102. In an exemplary aspect, the second energy storage system 108 can be connected to the battery 104 via conventional jumper cables (in Figure 4 4 (shown as jumper cables 406) connected to the battery 104.
[0019] The DC-DC converter 112 may be a buck converter and may be configured to receive high voltage power from the first energy storage system 106. In response to receiving the high voltage power, the DC-DC converter 112 may step down the high voltage power to low voltage power and provide / supply the low voltage power to the second energy storage system 108 (e.g., to charge the second energy storage system 108). In some aspects, the DC-DC converter 112 may be configured to supply the low voltage power to the second energy storage system 108 via the switch 114.
[0020] The switch 114 may be configured to operate in an on state and an off state. In the on state, the switch 114 may enable current to flow from the DC-DC converter 112 to the second energy storage system 108. In the off state, the switch 114 may prevent / prohibit current from flowing from the DC-DC converter 112 to the second energy storage system 108. In this way, the switch 114 may be configured to selectively connect the DC-DC converter 112 and the second energy storage system 108, and may open or close the circuit between the DC-DC converter 112 and the second energy storage system 108.
[0021] The detection unit 116 can be configured to measure the current flow into and out of the second energy storage system 108 and the voltage at the second energy storage system column. In some aspects, the detection unit 116 can include a current / voltage sensor, or the detection unit 116 can be a battery management sensor. The control unit 118 can be communicatively coupled to the detection unit 116 and can receive input from the detection unit 116.
[0022] The control unit 118 may be configured to control the operation of the DC-DC converter 112 (e.g., the output from the DC-DC converter 112) and the switch 114. Specifically, the control unit 118 may be configured to control the charging of the second energy storage system by controlling the operation of the DC-DC converter 112 and the switch 114. In some aspects, the control unit 118 may be configured to control the charging of the second energy storage system based on input obtained from the detection unit 116. In an exemplary aspect, the control unit 118 may be configured to control the charging of the second energy storage system when the second vehicle 102 may be connected to the first vehicle 100 for jump starting. The control unit 118 may include one or more controllers that are communicatively coupled to each other and configured to jump start the second vehicle 102. The following is in conjunction with Figures 2 to 3 Operations performed by the first vehicle 100 to jump start the second vehicle 102 are described.
[0023] The first vehicle 100 and the vehicle operator implement and / or perform operations as described herein in the present disclosure in accordance with the vehicle owner's manual and safety guidelines. Additionally, any actions taken by the vehicle operator based on recommendations or notifications provided by the first vehicle 100 should comply with all rules specific to the location (e.g., federal, state, country, city, etc.) and operation of the first vehicle 100. Recommendations or notifications as provided by the first vehicle 100 should be considered suggestions and followed only in accordance with any rules specific to the location and operation of the first vehicle 100.
[0024] Figure 2 A flow chart of an exemplary first method 200 for performing a jump start according to the present disclosure is depicted. Figure 1 To describe Figure 2 The following process is exemplary and is not limited to the steps described below. Moreover, alternative embodiments may include more or fewer steps than shown or described herein, and may include the steps in an order different from that described in the example embodiments below. Figure 2 At the same time, reference Figure 4 , which depicts an example snapshot of a user interface 400 displaying one or more notifications to assist a vehicle operator in jump starting a vehicle.
[0025] refer to Figure 2 , at step 202, the method 200 may start. At step 204, the method 200 may include obtaining, by the control unit 118, a user request to activate a jump start mode of the first vehicle 100. In the jump start mode, when the second vehicle 102 may be temporarily connected to the first vehicle 100, the first vehicle 100 may be configured to jump start the second vehicle 102. In some aspects, the first vehicle 100 may be temporarily connected to the second vehicle 102 by connecting the battery 104 to the second energy storage system 108 via a jumper cable 406. In some aspects, the control unit 118 may obtain the user request from a user interface 400. The user interface 400 may be associated with a user device (such as a mobile phone, a laptop, a wearable device, a tablet, etc.), a human machine interface (HMI) associated with the first vehicle 100, or a head-up display (HUD) in the first vehicle 100. In other aspects, the control unit 118 may receive the user request from a dedicated actuator or button disposed in the first vehicle 100.
[0026] At step 206, the method 200 may include determining, by the control unit 118 in response to obtaining the user request, a battery type and / or battery capacity of the battery 104 when the second vehicle 102 may be temporarily connected to the first vehicle 100. The control unit 118 may use information associated with the battery type and / or battery capacity of the battery 104 to determine a charging time required to charge the battery 104 prior to cranking an engine associated with the second vehicle 102 (as described later in the following description).
[0027] In some aspects, the control unit 118 can determine the battery type and / or battery capacity by transmitting a request to the user interface 400 requesting the vehicle operator to input the battery type and / or battery capacity of the battery 104. The vehicle operator can view / hear the request on the user interface 400, and can provide / enter the required battery details (e.g., battery type / capacity) on the user interface 400 in response to viewing / hearing the request. In other aspects, the vehicle operator can provide / enter information associated with the vehicle type of the second vehicle 102 (e.g., whether the second vehicle 102 is an ICE vehicle, the model of the vehicle, etc.). In additional or alternative aspects, the control unit 118 can determine the battery type and / or battery capacity by obtaining input from a vehicle camera (not shown). In this case, the control unit 118 can determine the vehicle type, battery type, and / or battery capacity associated with the second vehicle 102 by analyzing (e.g., by using a known image processing algorithm) an image captured by the vehicle camera.
[0028] At step 208, the method 200 may include operating, by the control unit 118, the switch 114 in a disconnected state in response to determining the battery type / capacity. At step 210, the method 200 may include transmitting, by the control unit 118, a first notification on the user interface 400 indicating one or more steps that the vehicle operator needs to perform to connect the jumper cables 406 to the battery 104 and the second energy storage system 108 (associated with the first vehicle 100). The control unit 118 may transmit the first notification to prevent any adverse conditions when the switch 114 may be in a disconnected state. In an exemplary aspect, the first notification may display the connection point between the battery 104 and the second energy storage system 108 (or provide a visual indication of the location of the connection point), such as Figure 4 as described in (specifically, Figure 4 402 in the figure) to facilitate the vehicle operator to connect the battery 104 and the second energy storage system 108 via the jumper cables 406. In other aspects, the first notification may include one or more text steps that may facilitate the vehicle operator to connect the battery 104 and the second energy storage system 108 via the jumper cables 406, such as Figure 4 As shown in view 404 .
[0029] At step 212, the method 200 may include determining, by the control unit 118, whether the connection of the jumper cables 406 is correct. In other words, the control unit 118 may determine whether the jumper cables 406 are properly attached to the battery 104 and the second energy storage system 108 (i.e., connected according to the steps indicated on the user interface 400). In some aspects, the control unit 118 may obtain input (e.g., current and voltage information, such as voltage drop) from the detection unit 116, and may verify the jumper cable connection based on the input obtained from the detection unit 116.
[0030] In response to determining that the jumper cables 406 may not be properly attached, the method 200 may move back to step 210. In some aspects, the control unit 118 may provide feedback to the vehicle operator (e.g., via a horn honking or external sound exciter) when the jumper cables 406 may not be properly attached. On the other hand, in response to determining that the jumper cables 406 may be properly attached, the method 200 may move to step 214. In some aspects, the control unit 118 may also transmit another notification on the user interface 400 to indicate to the vehicle operator that the jumper cables 406 are properly attached.
[0031] At step 214, the method 200 may include deactivating, by the control unit 118, one or more vehicle loads in the first vehicle 100 (heated seating area, steering wheel, etc.) in response to determining that the jumper cables 406 are properly attached. In some aspects, the control unit 118 may deactivate the vehicle loads to enable the control unit 118 to provide (via the DC-DC converter 112) an additional amount of current to crank the engine associated with the second vehicle 102. For example, the control unit 118 may deactivate the vehicle loads so that the current usage of the first vehicle 100 is reduced to or below a predefined value (e.g., 80A-100A). In some aspects, the control unit 118 may deactivate the vehicle loads when the control unit 118 receives a user request to activate the jump start mode (e.g., to distinguish from a disabled vehicle condition).
[0032] At step 216, the method 200 may include setting, by the control unit 118, the output voltage of the DC-DC converter 112 to a predetermined voltage value. Specifically, when the switch 114 may be closed or caused to operate in an on state, the control unit 118 may cause the voltage output from the DC-DC converter 112 (or the DC-DC output voltage) to drop to a voltage level / value slightly higher than the second energy storage system voltage to prevent overcurrent on the switch 114. Figure 3 The steps of operating the switch 114 in the on state are described.
[0033] At step 218 , the method 200 may stop.
[0034] Figure 3 A flow chart of an exemplary second method 300 for performing a jump start according to the present disclosure is depicted. Figure 3 The following process is exemplary and is not limited to the steps described below. Furthermore, alternative embodiments may include more or fewer steps than shown or described herein, and may include the steps in an order different from the order described in the example embodiments below.
[0035] refer to Figure 3 , at step 302, the method 300 may begin. At step 304, the method 300 may include operating, by the control unit 118, the switch 114 in an on state. In other words, the control unit 118 may close the switch 114, thereby enabling current to flow between the DC-DC converter 112 and the second energy storage system 108 (e.g., when the output voltage of the DC-DC converter 112 is set, as described above in connection with step 216).
[0036] At step 306, the method 300 may include causing, by the control unit 118, the second energy storage system 108 to supply the first amount of current to pre-charge the battery 104 for a predefined duration (e.g., in a pre-cranking phase that may precede cranking the second vehicle 102). For example, the control unit 118 may cause the second energy storage system 108 to supply the first amount of current to the battery 104 for 2 minutes. In some aspects, the control unit 118 may set the output voltage of the DC-DC converter 112 at a level at step 216 such that the first amount of current in the range of 100-120A may flow from the switch 114 in the pre-cranking phase. The control unit 118 may cause the second energy storage system 108 to supply the first amount of current when the switch 114 may be in the on state.
[0037] At step 308, the method 300 may include causing the switch 114 to move operation from the on state to the off state by the control unit 118 when the predefined duration (e.g., 2 minutes in the pre-rotation start phase) may be completed. For example, the control unit 118 may open the switch 114 when the battery 104 may be pre-charged for 2 minutes in the pre-rotation start phase using the first amount of current.
[0038] At step 310, the method 300 may include measuring, by the control unit 118, a voltage level at the second energy storage system 108 (e.g., when the switch 114 may be in an open state). In some aspects, the control unit 118 may obtain input from the detection unit 116 when the switch 114 may be in an open state, and determine the voltage level (or battery 104 charge level) based on the input obtained from the detection unit 116. As an example, the control unit 118 may determine a voltage drop at the second energy storage system 108 during a predefined time when the second energy storage system 108 supplies energy to the battery 104.
[0039] At step 312, the method 300 may include determining, by the control unit 118, an additional duration that may be required to complete the pre-charging of the battery 104. In other words, the control unit 118 may determine / calculate the additional duration required to pre-charge the battery 104 during the pre-cranking phase. In some aspects, the control unit 118 may calculate the additional duration based on the measured voltage level (or charge level) of the battery 104 (as determined in step 310), the battery type, and / or the battery capacity. Calculating the additional duration based on the real-time measured voltage level (i.e., after charging the battery 104 for a predefined time as described above) provides an accurate state of charge of the battery 104. In some aspects, the calculation of the additional duration required for the battery 104 is also based on the total charge required for the battery 104, which may be based on the battery type / capacity. In other aspects, the calculation of the additional duration takes into account changes in the real-time ambient temperature.
[0040] At step 314, the method 300 may include transmitting, by the control unit 118, to the user interface 400, a second notification indicating an additional duration required to pre-charge the battery 104. At step 316, the method 300 may include causing, by the control unit 118, the switch 114 to move operation from an off state to an on state in response to calculating the additional duration. Operating the switch 114 in the on state causes the second energy storage system 108 to supply the first amount of current to the battery 104 for the additional duration. In additional aspects, the control unit 118 may transmit to the user interface 400 a third notification indicating that the battery 104 may be pre-charged when the additional duration may be completed. In further aspects, the third notification may include a request to the vehicle operator to crank the second vehicle engine when the additional duration may be completed.
[0041] At step 318, the method 300 may include causing the second energy storage system 108 to supply a second amount of current to the battery 104 for another predefined duration (e.g., 10 seconds) by the control unit 118 to crank the second vehicle engine (or the second vehicle ignition system). The second amount of current may be greater than the first amount of current. In some aspects, the control unit 118 may cause the second energy storage system 108 to supply the second amount of current during the cranking phase (e.g., when the above-mentioned predefined duration and additional duration may be completed). During the cranking phase, the control unit 118 may set the output voltage of the DC-DC converter 112 to such a level that a second amount of current of approximately 200A may flow from the switch 114. In an exemplary aspect, the control unit 118 may cause the second energy storage system 108 to supply a second amount of current of 200A to the battery 104 for 10 seconds. When the current in the switch 114 exceeds 200A, the switch 114 may be disconnected (i.e., switched to an off state), and the control unit 118 may transmit feedback to the vehicle operator via the user interface 400. In this case, the switch 114 may not close again (ie, return to the on state) until the switch 114 is cooled.
[0042] When the second vehicle engine can be cranked, the second vehicle engine can begin charging the battery 104, and the jumper cables 406 can be removed. In this way, when the battery 104 associated with the second vehicle 102 can be discharged, the first vehicle 100 can be used to power the second vehicle 102 to start the second vehicle ignition system. The above steps during cranking of the second vehicle engine, including the steps of pre-charging the battery 104 by supplying a first amount of current (before cranking the second vehicle engine), disabling / deactivating one or more vehicle loads, and supplying a second amount of current (greater than the first amount of current), facilitate the first vehicle 100 to provide sufficient power to crank the second vehicle engine.
[0043] At step 320 , the method 300 may stop.
[0044] In the above disclosure, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part of the above disclosure, which illustrate specific embodiments in which the present disclosure can be practiced. It should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. References in this specification to "one embodiment," "embodiment," "example embodiment," etc. indicate that the described embodiment may include specific features, structures, or characteristics, but each embodiment may not necessarily include the specific features, structures, or characteristics. In addition, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, when features, structures, or characteristics are described in conjunction with an embodiment, whether or not explicitly described, those skilled in the art will recognize such features, structures, or characteristics in conjunction with other embodiments.
[0045] In addition, where appropriate, the functions described herein may be performed in one or more of the following: hardware, software, firmware, digital components, or analog components. For example, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) may be programmed to perform one or more of the systems and programs described herein. Certain terms are used throughout the specification and claims to refer to specific system components. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, components may be referred to by different names. This document is not intended to distinguish between components that have different names but the same function.
[0046] It should also be understood that the word "example" as used herein is intended to be non-exclusive and non-limiting in nature. More specifically, the word "example" as used herein indicates one of several examples, and it should be understood that no undue emphasis or preference is placed on the specific example described.
[0047] Computer-readable media (also referred to as processor-readable media) include any non-transitory (e.g., tangible) media that participate in providing data (e.g., instructions) that can be read by a computer (e.g., by a processor of a computer). Such media may take many forms, including, but not limited to, non-volatile media and volatile media. A computing device may include computer-executable instructions, where the instructions may be executable by one or more computing devices (such as those listed above) and stored on a computer-readable medium.
[0048] With respect to the processes, systems, methods, heuristics, etc. described herein, it should be understood that although the steps of such processes, etc. have been described as occurring according to a certain ordered sequence, such processes may be practiced by performing the described steps in an order different from that described herein. It should also be understood that certain steps may be performed simultaneously, other steps may be added, or certain steps described herein may be omitted. In other words, the descriptions of the processes herein are provided for the purpose of illustrating various embodiments and should in no way be construed as limiting the claims.
[0049] Therefore, it should be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Upon reading the above description, many embodiments and applications other than the examples provided will be apparent. The scope should not be determined with reference to the above description, but should be determined with reference to the entire scope of the appended claims and equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is anticipated and expected that the technology discussed herein will develop in the future, and the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. In short, it should be understood that the present application is capable of modification and change.
[0050] Unless explicitly indicated to the contrary in this article, all terms used in the claims are intended to be given their ordinary meanings as understood by the skilled person described herein. Specifically, unless the claim states an explicit limitation to the contrary, the use of singular articles such as "one", "the", "said" and the like should be interpreted as describing one or more of the indicated elements. Unless otherwise specifically stated or understood in other ways within the context when used, conditional language such as, in particular, "can", "may", "can" or "may" is generally intended to express that certain embodiments may include certain features, elements and / or steps, while other embodiments may not include certain features, elements and / or steps. Therefore, such conditional language is generally not intended to imply that one or more embodiments require each feature, element and / or step in any way.
[0051] In one aspect of the invention, the user interface is associated with a user device or a heads-up display (HUD).
[0052] In one aspect of the present invention, the method includes: in response to obtaining the user request, causing the switch to move operation from an on state to an off state; and when the switch is in the off state, transmitting to the user interface a first notification indicating one or more steps of connecting the jumper cables to the battery and the first vehicle, wherein the first notification includes a visual indication of the location of connection points associated with the battery and the first vehicle.
[0053] In one aspect of the present invention, the method includes: when the predefined duration is completed, causing the switch to move the operation from the on state to the off state; when the switch is operated in the off state, obtaining input from the detection unit, wherein the detection unit is configured to measure the current flow and voltage at the second energy storage system; determining the voltage level of the battery based on the input obtained from the detection unit; calculating the additional duration required to pre-charge the battery based on the voltage level of the battery; and transmitting a third notification indicating the additional duration required to pre-charge the battery.
[0054] In one aspect of the invention, causing the second energy storage system to supply the second amount of current includes causing the second energy storage system to supply the second amount of current when the additional duration is complete.
[0055] According to the present invention, a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions is provided, which, when executed by one or more processors, result in the following operations: obtaining a user request to activate a jump start mode of a first vehicle, wherein the first vehicle is configured to jump start a battery of a second vehicle via jumper cables in the jump start mode; deactivating a vehicle load in the first vehicle after obtaining the user request; causing a switch to operate in an on state after the deactivation, wherein: the switch is configured to selectively connect a second energy storage system and a converter, the switch is configured to operate in the on state and the off state, the second energy storage system is configured to provide power to the battery, the converter is configured to (i) receive high-voltage power from the first energy storage system configured to provide power to an electric motor and (ii) provide low-voltage power to the second energy storage system; when the switch is in the on state, causing the second energy storage system to supply a first amount of current to pre-charge the battery for a predefined duration; and when the battery is pre-charged, causing the second energy storage system to supply a second amount of current to the battery to start a second vehicle ignition system.
Claims
1. A first vehicle, comprising: a first energy storage system configured to provide power to the electric motor; a second energy storage system configured to provide power to a battery of a second vehicle via jumper cables; a converter configured to receive high voltage power from the first energy storage system and to provide low voltage power to the second energy storage system; a switch configured to selectively connect the second energy storage system and the converter, wherein the switch is configured to operate in an on state and an off state; and A control unit, the control unit being configured to: obtaining a user request to activate a jump start mode of the first vehicle, wherein the first vehicle is configured to jump start the battery in the jump start mode; deactivating a vehicle load in the first vehicle after obtaining the user request; causing the switch to operate in the on state after deactivation of the vehicle; causing the second energy storage system to supply a first amount of current to pre-charge the battery for a predefined duration when the switch is in the on state; and The second energy storage system is caused to supply a second amount of current to the battery to activate a second vehicle ignition system while the battery is pre-charged. 2 . The first vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the second current amount is greater than the first current amount. 3 . The first vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured to receive the user request to activate the jump-start mode via a user interface.
4. The first vehicle of claim 3, wherein the user interface is associated with a user device or a heads-up display (HUD).
5. The first vehicle of claim 3, wherein the control unit is configured to: causing the switch to move operation from the on state to the off state in response to obtaining the user request; and When the switch is in the open state, a first notification is transmitted to the user interface indicating one or more steps to connect the jumper cables to the battery and the first vehicle, wherein the first notification includes a visual indication of the location of connection points associated with the battery and the first vehicle. 6 . The first vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising a detection unit configured to measure current flow and voltage at the second energy storage system.
7. The first vehicle of claim 6, wherein the control unit is further configured to: obtaining an input from the detection unit; verifying a jumper cable connection to the battery and the first vehicle based on the input obtained from the detection unit; and Based on verifying the jumper cable connection with the battery and the first vehicle, a second notification is transmitted.
8. The first vehicle of claim 7, wherein the control unit is further configured to: causing the switch to move operation from the on state to the off state when the predefined time duration is completed; obtaining an input from the detection unit when the switch is operated in the off state; determining a voltage level of the battery based on the input obtained from the detection unit; calculating an additional duration required to pre-charge the battery based on the voltage level of the battery; as well as A third notification is transmitted indicating the additional duration required to pre-charge the battery.
9. The first vehicle of claim 8, wherein the control unit is further configured to: causing the switch to move operation from the OFF state to the ON state in response to calculating the additional duration; and The second energy storage system is caused to supply the first amount of current for the additional duration when the switch is in the on-state.
10. The first vehicle of claim 9, wherein the control unit is further configured to transmit a fourth notification indicating that the battery is pre-charged when the additional duration is completed.
11. The first vehicle of claim 9, wherein the control unit is further configured to cause the second energy storage system to supply the second amount of current when the additional duration is completed.
12. The first vehicle of claim 8, wherein the control unit is further configured to: determining a battery type and a battery capacity associated with the battery; and The additional duration is calculated based on the battery type and the battery capacity.
13. A method comprising: obtaining, by a control unit, a user request to activate a jump-start mode of a first vehicle, wherein the first vehicle is configured to jump-start a battery of a second vehicle via jumper cables in the jump-start mode; deactivating, by the control unit, a vehicle load in the first vehicle after obtaining the user request; After the deactivation, the switch is operated in an on state by the control unit, wherein: The switch is configured to selectively connect the second energy storage system and the converter, The switch is configured to operate in the on state and the off state, The second energy storage system is configured to provide power to the battery, The converter is configured to (i) receive high voltage power from a first energy storage system configured to provide power to an electric motor and (ii) provide low voltage power to the second energy storage system; When the switch is in the on state, the control unit causes the second energy storage system to supply a first amount of current to pre-charge the battery for a predefined duration; and When the battery is pre-charged, the second energy storage system is caused by the control unit to supply a second amount of current to the battery to activate a second vehicle ignition system. The method of claim 13 , wherein the second current amount is greater than the first current amount. 15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein obtaining the user request comprises obtaining the user request to activate the jump start mode via a user interface.