Systems and methods for controlling accessory sockets

Abstract

Method (100) for controlling an accessory socket (50) by an electronic control unit (20) in a vehicle (1) at which a battery-operated device (60) is to be charged, comprising: Providing (110) communications between the battery-powered device (60) and the electronic control unit (20) of the vehicle (1); Determine (120) whether the battery-powered device (60) is connected to an electrical bus (40) and is being charged; and when the battery-powered device (60) is not connected to the electrical bus (40) or the battery-powered device (60) is not being charged, interrupt (150) the current from the accessory socket (50), the method further comprising: Determine (140) whether the battery-operated device (60) has a charge level greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold; when the charge level of the battery-operated device (60) is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, interrupt (150) the power supply to the accessory socket (50); Determine the time elapsed since the battery-powered device (60) was connected to the accessory socket (50); and when the elapsed time reaches a predetermined threshold, then determine (160) whether the battery-powered device (60) is connected to the electrical bus (40) and is charging.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The technical field generally concerns power supply systems of vehicles and in particular methods for controlling the power supply of one or more accessory sockets in the vehicle. background

[0002] The electrical load on vehicles is increasing and becoming ever more complex. When all systems are operating simultaneously, a vehicle can draw more than 300 amps. It's not just the electrical load that's growing in quantity, but also its complexity, with more and more processors and other electronic functions and devices.

[0003] As a vehicle's functionality expands, so does the importance of power management to conserve energy in the vehicle battery. Alternators typically generate up to 185 amps. However, due to the use of features such as power steering, heated seats, and hybrid systems, temporary currents of around 350 amps can occur. The stable current in a vehicle is approximately 77 amps. When the vehicle is switched off, the current can even drop to 20 mA.

[0004] A common example of an electronic device that frequently draws power from a vehicle's battery via an accessory socket is the mobile phone. When fully charged, mobile phones can draw approximately 1 amp (e.g., 750 mA). If left switched on for a long time, mobile phones can drain a vehicle battery. The same applies to other portable electronic devices.

[0005] Accordingly, it is desirable to conserve a vehicle battery by reducing the amount of electricity consumed by rechargeable devices. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying claims in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background information on the invention.

[0006] WO 2010 / 046311 A2 concerns a power supply unit comprising at least one energy storage device and at least one interface for connecting an energy generator to charge the energy storage device, and at least one power supply connection that can be fed by the energy storage device, wherein the at least one power supply connection is intended to supply a user with standby power and / or charging power via the energy storage device. The power supply system comprises at least one power supply unit and at least one energy generator that feeds the at least one power supply unit.

[0007] US 2009 / 0312012 A1 concerns remote communication and control of a vehicle via a primary and a secondary cellular device provided by the vehicle user. The primary cellular device remains with the user, while the secondary cellular device is for the vehicle and is housed in a docking station inside the vehicle. The vehicle docking station is equipped with typical electrical interfaces for mobile phones to power the secondary cellular device and establish a bidirectional data communication link between the secondary cellular device and a vehicle onboard computer. The secondary cellular device remains active and provides a cost-effective, remotely accessible communication link between the vehicle onboard computer and the primary cellular device or another telephone, provided certain security conditions are met.

[0008] EP 2 602 906 A2 relates to a charger configured to detect an unloaded, disconnected state of an electronic device with a rechargeable battery, and configured to detect a connected state of the charger to an electronic device in which the charger can supply rechargeable energy to the electronic device. The automatic switching on and off of the mains power supply occurs depending on the detected state of the charger to avoid wasteful energy consumption in standby mode. State detection can be achieved by monitoring a voltage on one or more signal lines connected to the electronic device. Summary

[0009] A method for controlling an accessory power outlet (APO) during the charging of a battery-operated device is provided, comprising the features of claim 1.

[0010] A system for controlling an accessory power outlet (APO) in a vehicle during the charging of a battery-powered device. The system comprises the features of claim 7.

[0011] A vehicle is provided. The vehicle comprises the features of claim 8. Description of the drawings

[0012] The embodiments are described below in conjunction with the following drawings, where identical reference numerals denote identical elements, and where: Fig. Figure 1 is a simplified representation of a vehicle according to one embodiment. Fig. Figure 2 is a simplified logical flowchart of a procedure for controlling an accessory power outlet (APO) in a vehicle. Detailed description

[0013] It is understood by those skilled in the art that the various exemplary logical blocks, modules, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments described herein are executable as electronic hardware, computer software to be executed on a processor, or as combinations thereof. Some of the embodiments are described above as functional and / or logical block components (or modules) and various processing steps. It is understood that these block components (or modules) are executable by a variety of hardware, software to be executed on a processor, and / or firmware components configured to perform the specified functions.

[0014] To clearly illustrate this interchangeability, various exemplary components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps can be described above in general terms of their functions. Whether these functions are implemented as hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design constraints of the overall system. A person skilled in the art can implement the described functionality in different ways for each specific application; however, these implementation decisions are not to be interpreted as exceeding the scope of protection of the present invention. For example, an embodiment of a system or component may employ various integrated circuits, such as memory elements, digital signal processing elements, logic elements, lookup tables, etc., which can perform different functions under the control of one or more microprocessors or other control devices.Furthermore, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the embodiments described here are merely examples.

[0015] The various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described herein in connection with an electronic control unit (ECU) in the various embodiments described herein can be implemented using a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an ASIC, an FPGA, any programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof to perform the functions described herein. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, but alternatively, it can also be any conventional processor, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor can also be a combination of computers, e.g.,A combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any such configuration may be used.

[0016] In the present sense, "exemplary" is to be understood exclusively as "serving as an example, case, or for illustration." An embodiment described here as exemplary is not necessarily to be considered preferred or advantageous compared to other embodiments.

[0017] The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments described herein can be executed directly as hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of both. A software module can reside in RAM, flash memory, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, registers, a hard disk, removable disk, CD-ROM, or any known type of data storage medium. An exemplary data storage medium is coupled to the processor such that the processor can read data from and write data to the data storage medium. Alternatively, the data storage medium can be integrated with the processor. The processor and data storage medium can be contained within an ASIC. The ASIC can be located in a user's terminal device. Alternatively, the processor and data storage medium can be discrete components of a user's terminal device.

[0018] In the present case, relational terms such as "first" and "second," etc., can only be used to distinguish one object or action from another, without necessarily requiring or implying an actual relationship or sequence of such objects or actions. Ordinal numbers such as "first," "second," "third," etc., merely denote different individual components of a plurality, without indicating an order or sequence, unless this is expressly stated in the claim. The order of the wording of the respective claims does not mean that the process steps must necessarily occur in a temporal or logical order corresponding to this order, unless this is expressly specified in the claim.The process steps can be exchanged in any order without leaving the scope of protection of the invention, as long as the exchange neither contradicts the wording of the claim nor is logically nonsensical.

[0019] Furthermore, terms like "connect" or "couple," used to describe a relationship between different elements, should not be interpreted as requiring a direct physical connection between the respective elements, depending on the context. For example, two elements can be connected physically, electronically, logically, or in any other way via one or more additional elements.

[0020] Fig. Figure 1 is a simplified diagram of a vehicle 1 to illustrate an embodiment of the disclosed object. The vehicle includes, among other things, wheels 3, a drivetrain 4, and a body 2. The vehicle also includes a battery 30. The battery 30 can be of any size and voltage required for the intended operation of the vehicle 1. As non-limiting examples, the battery can provide a potential of 12 V, 110 V, or 220 V.

[0021] The battery current 30 is distributed via a direct current (DC) bus 40. The DC bus 40 shown is simplified for clarity and brevity. The DC bus 40 can be a single conductive element, such as a cable, or it can be a more complex circuit with distribution lines, such as the exemplary distribution lines 40A and 40B. The various distribution lines of the DC bus 40 can supply any number of DC loads in the vehicle, such as the electronic control unit (ECU) 20, a wireless transceiver 10, and the accessory sockets 50A and 50B.

[0022] The DC bus 40 can also include auxiliary circuits to increase or decrease voltages in any part of the DC bus 40. For example, the distribution line 40A can include one or more known DC / DC converters to reduce a 110 V potential to 6 V. The DC bus 40 can also include known auxiliary circuits to transmit digital data via the DC bus to the ECU 20 or other equivalent computers in the vehicle.

[0023] The APOs (50A / 50B) may have one or more physical sockets configured to accept one or more connectors (e.g., plugs) present on an electronic device or a charging cable of an electronic device (not shown) and configured to charge the battery (not shown) of the electronic device. Non-restrictive examples of an electronic device include, in particular, a mobile phone, a computer, a music storage device, and a gaming device. Other non-restrictive examples of connectors / interfaces include, in particular, a USB interface, a conventional lighter interface, cylindrical connectors, single-pin connectors, multi-pin connectors, Molex connectors, Tamiya connectors, Empower connectors, Deans connectors, SAE connectors, ISO 4165 connectors, and mobile phone connectors of all types.

[0024] In the present embodiments, the electronic devices 60 have a means for wired and / or wireless communication with the wireless transceiver 10. Means for wired and wireless communication in a vehicle are numerous and well known. Therefore, for the sake of clarity and brevity, further discussion of the many forms of wired and wireless communication is omitted, and it is merely stated that the communication protocols for these communications can be Ethernet, Zigbee™, Bluetooth™, Wi-Fi, as well as any other protocol that may be developed in the future under IEEE standards 802.15, 802.11, or that may be developed in the future under any other IEEE successor standard for wired or wireless communication.

[0025] Fig.Figure 2 is a logical flowchart of a method 100 for controlling the power supply of an APO in a vehicle. For the sake of simplicity, the following explanations focus, purely by way of example, on the charging of mobile phones. However, the applicants do not intend to limit the subject matter to this. The following explanations can be applied to any electrical / electronic device that requires battery charging. Non-limiting examples include, in particular, iPods™, iPads™, notebook computers, tablet computers, pagers, Blackberries™, portable radios, electronic reading devices (i.e., a Nook™), etc.

[0026] In process 110, a mobile phone is wirelessly synchronized with a computer in vehicle 1 and physically connected to a 50 A / B accessory socket for charging. Synchronization occurs when a mobile device communicates with applications on a computer or server. This is often simply referred to as "synchronizing" or "docking." Mobile devices need to be able to load applications, updates, and changes to their operating systems or settings. Even devices capable of communicating via wireless networks need to be able to load software somehow, even if it's just to load what's necessary to establish the wireless connection in the first place. This can be achieved by synchronizing a device's operating system and applications either with a central management program or by synchronizing individual applications on a computer in the vehicle.

[0027] Most mobile devices use a cable, docking station, or base station to communicate with a computer, usually via a USB interface. Applications on the device can transfer and receive data from applications on the computer, ensuring that both the computer and device have access to the same information. For example, date-booking software on a Palm device can communicate and exchange appointments with a Microsoft Outlook calendar on a Windows computer. Wireless devices can synchronize over the internet or wireless networks. Wireless synchronization eliminates the need for a physical connection between the device and the computer.

[0028] This example assumes that the central computer is the ECU 20. Synchronizing mobile phones with a vehicle's computer for communication purposes is common knowledge, so for the sake of brevity and clarity, a more detailed description is omitted. In process 110, a clock is also started to display the elapsed time.

[0029] At decision point 120, the ECU 20 determines whether a mobile phone 60 is present (i.e., connected) and being charged at an APO 50 A / B. This can be done in various ways, so numerous that they cannot all be listed here. One example, however, would be the wireless transmission of a "charging" flag in the mobile phone's software. This software may be contained in an "app" (i.e., application) installed on the mobile phone by a user, or it may be part of the mobile phone's operating system. In either case, the charging notification is transmitted wirelessly to the ECU 20.

[0030] Whether a mobile phone 60 is present (i.e., connected) and being charged at an APO 50 A / B can be determined continuously or discontinuously. Discontinuous monitoring, in this context, occurs regularly or irregularly; this also includes random or variable monitoring, as well as a fixed, irregular monitoring pattern.

[0031] According to alternative embodiments, the "charging" notification can be sent digitally via the DC bus 40 as wired communication directly to the ECU 20. The communication of digital data via a power cable, such as a connected display, is generally known (e.g., iPhone™), so for the sake of brevity and clarity, a more detailed description is omitted.

[0032] According to other embodiments, the charging notification may include a notification of a state of charge (SOC) or a change in the SOC (ΔSOC). The state of charge (SOC) corresponds to the fuel gauge of a conventional battery or battery pack in an electric vehicle (BEV), hybrid vehicle (HEV), or plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV). The units of SOC are percentage points (0% = empty; 100% = full). An alternative form of the same measurement is the depth of discharge (DoD), which is the inverse of SOC (100% = empty; 0% = full). The SOC is commonly used when referring to the current state of a battery in use, while the DoD is most often used when referring to the battery's lifespan after repeated use.

[0033] Further information about the charging status can be obtained by detecting a trickle current through a specific 40 A / B distribution line. Means for detecting a current flowing through a wire are generally known. For example, a 41 A / 41 B detection resistor can be installed in the 40 A / B distribution line.

[0034] If it is determined that the Handy 60 is either not present or not charging (i.e., full battery), the ECU 20 switches off the power supply to the APO in process 150. This can be done by selectively opening a relay in the distribution line leading to the APO with the Handy 60, or the ECU can switch off the power supply to all APOs.

[0035] At decision point 130, the ECU 20 determines whether the state of charge (SOC) of the mobile phone battery falls below a predetermined threshold. This determination can be made by receiving a message about the SOC from the mobile phone via the wireless transceiver or through wired communication. The message can be any known type of message. Non-restrictive examples of messages include, in particular, a minimum voltage, an ampere-hour calculation result, and a number of "bars" as commonly displayed on mobile phones. The predetermined threshold can be set at the time of manufacture or configured by a user.

[0036] If the SOC falls below the predetermined threshold, the respective APOs will be supplied with energy until the threshold is reached in process 140, at which point the energy supply to the APOs will be interrupted in process 150.

[0037] In process 160, the time elapsed since the last determination in process 110 is checked. If the elapsed time has expired, the process returns to process 110 and process 100 repeats. The elapsed time can be set at the time of production or configured by a user.

[0038] If the SOC is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, the time elapsed since the last measurement in process 110 is checked in process 160. If the elapsed time has expired, the process returns to process 110 and process 100 repeats. Examples

[0039] Example 1. Method for controlling an accessory socket by a computer in a vehicle during the charging of a battery-powered device, comprising: Synchronizing communications between the battery-powered device and the vehicle's computer; Determine whether the battery-powered device is connected to an electrical bus and is being charged; and If the battery-powered device is not connected to the electrical bus or is not charging, interrupt the power from the accessory socket.

[0040] Example 2. Method according to Example 1, wherein the determination of whether the battery-powered device is connected to an electrical bus and is being charged is performed discontinuously.

[0041] Example 3. Method according to Example 1 or 2, wherein the determination of whether the battery-powered device is being charged is selected from a group of conditions consisting of receiving data from the battery-powered device indicating that the charging marker has been set, detecting a trickle current to the battery-powered device, and receiving digital data from the battery-powered device indicating a positive change in the state of charge of the battery-powered device.

[0042] Example 4. Procedure according to one of Examples 1 - 3, further comprising: Determine whether the battery-powered device has a charge level below a predetermined threshold; and If the charge level of the battery-powered device falls below the predetermined threshold, supply power to the accessory socket until the charge level is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, followed by interrupting the power supply to the accessory socket.

[0043] Example 5. Procedure according to one of Examples 1 - 4, further comprising: Determine whether the battery-powered device has a charge level greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold; and If the charge level of the battery-powered device is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, interrupt the power supply to the accessory socket.

[0044] Example 6. Method according to Example 4, further comprising: determining a time that has elapsed since the battery-powered device was connected to the accessory socket; and when the elapsed time reaches a predetermined threshold, determining whether the battery-powered device is connected to the electrical bus and is being charged.

[0045] Example 7. Procedure according to Example 6, wherein one or both of the predetermined elapsed time and the threshold are set by a user.

[0046] Example 8. Method according to Example 5, further comprising: determining a time that has elapsed since the battery-powered device was connected to the accessory socket; and when the elapsed time reaches a predetermined threshold, then determining whether the battery-powered device is connected to the electrical bus and is being charged.

[0047] Example 9. System for controlling an accessory power outlet (APO) in a vehicle during the charging of a battery-powered device, comprising: a battery; an electric bus electrically connected to the battery; at least one accessory socket that communicates electrically with the battery and is designed to be compatible with a charging interface of a battery-powered device; and an electronic control unit (ECU), wherein the ECU is configured to: Synchronizing communications between the battery-powered device and the ECU; Determine whether the battery-powered device is connected to the electrical bus and is being charged; and If the battery-powered device is either not connected to the electrical bus or the battery-powered device is not charging, interrupt power from the accessory socket.

[0048] Example 10. System according to Example 9, wherein the determination of whether the battery-powered device is being charged comprises one or more of receiving data from the battery-powered device indicating that the charging marker has been set, detecting a trickle current to the battery-powered device, and receiving data from the battery-powered device indicating a positive change in the state of charge of the battery-powered device.

[0049] Example 11. System according to Example 9 or 10, wherein the ECU is further configured to: Determine whether the battery-powered device has a charge level below a predetermined threshold; and If the charge level of the battery-powered device falls below the predetermined threshold, supply power to the accessory socket until the charge level is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, and then interrupt the power supply to the accessory socket.

[0050] Example 12. System according to one of Examples 9 - 10, wherein the ECU is further configured to: Determine whether the battery-powered device has a charge level greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold; and If the charge level of the battery-powered device is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, interrupt the power supply to the accessory socket.

[0051] Example 13. System according to Example 11, wherein the ECU is further configured to: Determine the time elapsed since the battery-powered device was connected to the accessory socket; and When the elapsed time reaches a predetermined threshold, determine whether the battery-powered device is connected to an electrical bus and is being charged.

[0052] Example 14. System according to Example 12, wherein the ECU is further configured to: Determine the time elapsed since the battery-powered device was connected to the accessory socket; and When the elapsed time reaches a predetermined threshold, determine whether the battery-powered device is connected to an electrical bus and is being charged.

[0053] Example 15. Vehicle, including: a battery an electric bus electrically connected to the battery; at least one accessory socket that communicates electrically with the battery and is designed to be compatible with a charging interface of a battery-powered device; and an electronic control unit (ECU), wherein the ECU is configured to: Synchronizing communications between the battery-powered device and the ECU; Determine whether the battery-powered device is connected to the electrical bus and is being charged; and If the battery-powered device is either not connected to the electrical bus or the battery-powered device is not charging, interrupt power from the accessory socket.

[0054] Example 16. Vehicle according to Example 15, further comprising a transceiver capable of wirelessly communicating with the battery-powered device.

[0055] Example 17. Vehicle according to Example 15 or 16, wherein the battery-powered device and the ECU communicate via the electrical bus.

[0056] Example 18. Vehicle according to one of Examples 15 - 17, wherein the ECU further determines a SOC of the battery-powered device.

[0057] Example 19. Vehicle according to Example 18, wherein, if the SOC of the battery-powered device falls below a predetermined value, at least one accessory socket is supplied with power.

[0058] Example 20. Vehicle according to one of Examples 16 - 19, wherein wireless communication between the battery-powered device and the ECU is via a communication standard according to IEEE 802.15.1.

Claims

[1] Method (100) for controlling an accessory socket (50) by an electronic control unit (20) in a vehicle (1) at which a battery-operated device (60) is to be charged, comprising: Providing (110) communications between the battery-powered device (60) and the electronic control unit (20) of the vehicle (1); Determine (120) whether the battery-powered device (60) is connected to an electrical bus (40) and is being charged; and when the battery-powered device (60) is not connected to the electrical bus (40) or the battery-powered device (60) is not being charged, interrupt (150) the current from the accessory socket (50), the method further comprising: Determine (140) whether the battery-operated device (60) has a charge level greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold; when the charge level of the battery-operated device (60) is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, interrupt (150) the power supply to the accessory socket (50); Determine the time elapsed since the battery-powered device (60) was connected to the accessory socket (50); and when the elapsed time reaches a predetermined threshold, then determine (160) whether the battery-powered device (60) is connected to the electrical bus (40) and is being charged. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the determination of whether the battery-operated device (60) is connected to the electrical bus (40) and is being charged is carried out discontinuously. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the determination of whether the battery-operated device (60) is being charged comprises one or more of receiving data from the battery-operated device (60) indicating that the charging indicator has been set, detecting a trickle current to the battery-operated device (60), and receiving digital data from the battery-operated device (60) indicating a positive change in the state of charge of the battery-operated device (60). [4] Method according to any one of claims 1-3, further comprising: Determine whether the battery-powered device (60) has a charge level below a predetermined threshold; and If the charge level of the battery-operated device (60) falls below the predetermined threshold, supply power to the accessory socket (50) until the charge level is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, followed by interrupting the power supply to the accessory socket. [5] Method according to claim 1, wherein one or both of the predetermined elapsed time and the threshold are set by a user. [6] System for controlling an accessory socket (50) in a vehicle at which a battery-operated device (60) is to be charged, comprising: a battery (30); an electric bus (40) electrically connected to the battery (30); at least one accessory socket (50) which is in electrical communication with the battery (30) and is configured to be compatible with a charging interface of a battery-powered device (60); and an electronic control unit (20), wherein the electronic control unit (20) is configured to: Providing communication between the battery-powered device (60) and the electronic control unit (20); Determine whether the battery-powered device (60) is connected to the electrical bus (40) and is being charged; and If the battery-powered device (60) is either not connected to the electrical bus (40) or the battery-powered device (60) is not being charged, interrupt the power from the accessory socket (50), wherein the electronic control unit (20) is further configured to: Determine whether the battery-powered device (60) has a charge level greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold; when the charge level of the battery-operated device (60) is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, interrupt the power supply to the accessory socket (50); Determine the time elapsed since the battery-powered device (60) was connected to the accessory socket (50); and when the elapsed time reaches a predetermined threshold, then determine whether the battery-powered device (60) is connected to the electrical bus (40) and is being charged. [7] Vehicle (1), comprising: a battery (30), an electric bus (40) electrically connected to the battery (30); at least one accessory socket (50) which is in electrical communication with the battery (30) and is configured to be compatible with a charging interface of a battery-powered device (60); and an electronic control unit (20), wherein the electronic control unit (20) is configured to: Providing communication between the battery-powered device (60) and the electronic control unit (20); Determine whether the battery-powered device (60) is connected to the electrical bus (40) and is being charged; and If the battery-powered device (60) is either not connected to the electrical bus (40) or the battery-powered device (60) is not being charged, interrupt the power from the accessory socket (50), wherein the electronic control unit (20) is further configured to: Determine whether the battery-powered device (60) has a charge level greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold; when the charge level of the battery-operated device (60) is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, interrupt the power supply to the accessory socket (50); Determine the time elapsed since the battery-powered device (60) was connected to the accessory socket (50); and when the elapsed time reaches a predetermined threshold, then determine whether the battery-powered device (60) is connected to the electrical bus (40) and is being charged.

Images