Charging Management for Autonomous Electrically Operated Vehicles at Worksites

Abstract

A method of charging management for a worksite including a plurality of autonomous electrically operated vehicles is provided. The method includes communicating charger characteristics from a plurality of charging modules to a central controller and communicating vehicle characteristics from the plurality of electrically operated vehicles to the central controller. Charging is scheduled for the plurality of electrically operated vehicles based on the charger characteristics and the vehicle characteristics, and scheduling the charging includes assigning each of the electrically operated vehicles a designated charging time and a designated charging module. Each electrically operated vehicle and its designated charging module are matched up at the electrically operated vehicle's designated charging time.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of electrically operated vehicles. [Background technology]

[0002] Large work sites typically have one or more charging points for electric work vehicles, which may be at the same location or at different locations.

[0003] An autonomous electric work vehicle may drive up to a charge point to charge without knowledge of the characteristics of the charge point and risk not being able to charge. For example, the charge point may be in use by another vehicle, have low power or charge, be faulty, be the wrong type, or otherwise unavailable. In the event that an electric work vehicle is unable to charge at a charge point, it may be required to wait or drive to a different charge point. Queues may become long with unnecessary idling of electric work vehicles. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A method of charging management for a worksite including a plurality of autonomous electrically operated vehicles is provided. The method includes communicating charger characteristics from a plurality of charging modules to a central controller. The method further includes communicating vehicle characteristics from the plurality of electrically operated vehicles to the central controller. The method further includes scheduling charging of the plurality of electrically operated vehicles based on the charger characteristics and the vehicle characteristics, where scheduling charging includes assigning each of the electrically operated vehicles a designated charging time and a designated charging module, the designated charging module being one of the plurality of charging modules. The method further includes associating each electrically operated vehicle with its designated charging module at the designated charging time for the electrically operated vehicle. The charger characteristics include a location of the charging module and an availability of the charging module. The vehicle characteristics include a current state of charge of the electrically operated vehicle's battery and a capacity of the electrically operated vehicle's battery.

[0005] A charging management device for a worksite including a plurality of autonomous electrically operated vehicles is provided. The charging management device includes a central controller. The charging management device is configured to communicate charger characteristics from the plurality of charging modules to the central controller. The charging management device is further configured to communicate vehicle characteristics from the plurality of electrically operated vehicles to the central controller. The charging management device is further configured to schedule charging of the plurality of electrically operated vehicles based on the charger characteristics and the vehicle characteristics, where scheduling the charging includes assigning to each of the electrically operated vehicles a designated charging time and a designated charging module, the designated charging module being one of the plurality of charging modules. The charging management device is further configured to bring each electrically operated vehicle together with its designated charging module at the designated charging time of the electrically operated vehicle. The charger characteristics include a location of the charging module and an availability of the charging module. The vehicle characteristics include a current state of charge of a battery of the electrically operated vehicle and a capacity of the battery of the electrically operated vehicle.

[0006] In this manner, efficient charging may be scheduled for autonomous electrically operated vehicles. An example may be that queues for charging may be limited to prevent electrically operated vehicles from traveling unnecessarily far to a charging module or to a charging module that has low power or is experiencing problems.

[0007] Specific aspects of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram illustrating communication between a charging module and three electrically operated vehicles via a central controller and negotiation between the electrically operated vehicles according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Referring to FIG. 1 , a method of charging management for a worksite including a plurality of autonomous electrically operated vehicles 130, 140, 150 is illustrated. Although the method is illustrated with three electrically operated vehicles 130, 140, 150 and two charging modules 110, 120 as an example, the worksite could include two electrically operated vehicles or more than three electrically operated vehicles and more than two charging modules. The method includes communicating charger characteristics from the plurality of charging modules 110, 120 to a central controller 200. The vehicle characteristics are communicated from the plurality of electrically operated vehicles 130, 140, 150 to the central controller. Charging is scheduled for the plurality of electrically operated vehicles 130, 140, 150 based on the charger characteristics and the vehicle characteristics. Scheduling charging includes assigning each of the electrically operated vehicles 130, 140, 150 a designated charging time and a designated charging module, the designated charging module being one of the plurality of charging modules 110, 120.

[0010] Each electrically operated vehicle and its designated charging module are brought together at the electrically operated vehicle's designated charging time.

[0011] The charger characteristics include the location of the charging module and the availability of the charging module. The vehicle characteristics include the current state of charge of the electrically operated vehicle's battery and the capacity of the electrically operated vehicle's battery.

[0012] Schedules 132 , 142 , 152 , including designated charging times and designated charging modules for each electrically operated vehicle 130 , 140 , 150 , may be communicated from the central controller 200 to each electrically operated vehicle 130 , 140 , 150 .

[0013] Scheduling charging may be based on one or more of the priority assigned to each electrically operated vehicle, the state of charge of the battery of each electrically operated vehicle, the duration of charging required for each electrically operated vehicle, the proximity of each electrically operated vehicle to the charging module, and the available power of the charging module. In this way, the scheduling can ensure that the electrically operated vehicles do not fall below a threshold state of charging. Furthermore, the scheduling can efficiently organize charging. For example, it may be efficient to charge the vehicle when it is close to the charging module, even if the state of charge of the battery is relatively high, so that it does not need to return to the charging module when it is further away, wasting time and charging.

[0014] The transfer of charger characteristics to the electrically operated vehicle and the transfer of vehicle characteristics to the charging module may occur simultaneously or sequentially in either order. The charger characteristics and vehicle characteristics may be transferred continuously or at regular intervals. Alternatively, the charger characteristics and vehicle characteristics may be transferred on demand, for example, in response to a request by a remote operator or a separate controller. The charger characteristics and vehicle characteristics may be transferred directly between the charging module and the electrically operated vehicle, in addition to via the central controller 200.

[0015] The charging module and the electrically operated vehicle may each include a telematics module that may be configured to transmit and receive charger characteristics and vehicle characteristics.

[0016] The charging module may include a mains power source or may not be connected to a mains power source. The charging module may include a power pack. The charger may include a generator.

[0017] Scheduling charging may be based on at least one of a priority assigned to each electrically operated vehicle, a state of charge of each electrically operated vehicle's battery, a charging duration requested for each electrically operated vehicle, a proximity of each electrically operated vehicle to a charging module, and an available charge of the charging module. Because charging is more time consuming than charging, for example, a diesel-electrically operated vehicle, scheduling charging can take into account expected charging durations to avoid queues.

[0018] The charger characteristics may further include the health status of the charger. For example, whether the charger is working, whether the charger is damaged, whether there are limited performance of the charger. The charger characteristics may further include the charge capacity of the charger. For example, the charger may have a limited amount of available charge when not connected to a mains power source. The charge capacity may include the state of charge of the power pack. In an aspect, the charge capacity may include either an indication that the charger has enough charge to fully charge the battery or an indication that indicates the predicted state of charge of the battery after the charger has been fully drained. The charger characteristics may further include the charge rate of the charger and the connection type of the charger (e.g., DC, AC, three-phase, etc.).

[0019] The charger characteristics include the availability of the charging module. The availability of the charging module may include an indication of whether the charger is in use and the reservation status of the charger. For example, the charger may be currently in use, currently free, reserved for use at some time by another vehicle, or not reserved. If the charger is in use, the availability of the charging module may further include a predicted charging end time that the charger will be available. Similarly, if the charger is reserved, the availability of the charging module may further include a period of time that the charger will be free prior to reservation and / or a predicted end time for the reservation.

[0020] The predicted end-of-charge time may be calculated by the central controller based on a current state of charge of the battery being charged, a target state of charge of the battery being charged, and a charge rate of the charger. If the charger is not connected to a mains power source, the charger characteristics may further include a predicted state of charge of the charger at the predicted end-of-charge time.

[0021] In an embodiment, the charger may include a DC charger and the charger characteristics may further include a DC voltage of the charger.

[0022] The vehicle characteristics may further include a predicted time until charging is required. The predicted time may be based on at least one of a current state of charge, a discharge rate, and a distance from a charger. The discharge rate may be based on a current discharge rate. The discharge rate may be based on data derived from previous discharges of the battery, for example, the data including discharge rates at different states of charge, or discharge rates for an operator, or for performing various tasks by the vehicle. The distance from the charger may be used to calculate a state of charge required to go to the charger, and therefore a minimum state of charge that the vehicle can reach before it needs to go to the charger.

[0023] The vehicle characteristics may further include a period of time available for charging. The available time may be based on a return-to-work time for an electrically operated vehicle. For example, an electrically operated vehicle may have work scheduled before it needs to be charged.

[0024] The vehicle characteristics may further include a target state of charge for charging. For example, the target state of charge may be to fully charge the battery to a 100% state of charge. The target state of charge may include a state of charge determined to be adequate to maintain good battery health. The target state of charge may be a state of charge required to complete a next task or a next shift.

[0025] The vehicle characteristics may further include at least one of a battery voltage, a maximum charge rate of the battery, a state of health of the battery, and a battery temperature.

[0026] The charging module may include a geofence. The geofence may define a perimeter around the charging module, for example, based on a radius from the charging module. Within the geofence, the speed of the electrically operated vehicle may be limited below a threshold speed and / or the electrically operated vehicle may be limited to the tasks it is allowed to perform. There may be other restrictions, such as, for example, the number of electrically operated vehicles allowed within the geofence at one time. The charger characteristics may include the geofence and any restrictions on electrically operated vehicles occurring within the geofence.

[0027] In an aspect, matching each electrically operated vehicle with its designated charging module may include directing each electrically operated vehicle to its designated charging module. In another aspect, matching each electrically operated vehicle with its designated charging module may include directing the designated charging module to the electrically operated vehicle.

[0028] According to an aspect of the disclosure, a charging management device for a worksite including a plurality of autonomous electrically operated vehicles includes a central controller. The charging management device is configured to communicate charger characteristics from the plurality of charging modules to the central controller and to communicate vehicle characteristics from the plurality of electrically operated vehicles to the central controller. The charging management device is further configured to schedule charging for the plurality of electrically operated vehicles based on the charger characteristics and the vehicle characteristics. Scheduling charging includes assigning a designated charging time and a designated charging module to each of the electrically operated vehicles, the designated charging module being one of the plurality of charging modules. The charging management device is further configured to associate each electrically operated vehicle with its designated charging module at the designated charging time of the electrically operated vehicle. The charger characteristics include a location of the charging module and an availability of the charging module. The vehicle characteristics include a current state of charge of the batteries of the electrically operated vehicles and a capacity of the batteries of the electrically operated vehicles.

[0029] The charging management device may be configured to perform any of the methods described above. The charging management device may include a telematics device in the charging module and a telematics device in the electrically operated vehicle.

Claims

1. A method of charge management for a worksite including a plurality of autonomous electrically operated vehicles (130, 140, 150), comprising: transmitting charger characteristics from a plurality of charging modules (110, 120) to a central controller (200); transmitting vehicle characteristics from a plurality of electrically operated vehicles (130, 140, 150) to said central controller (200); Scheduling charging of the plurality of electrically operated vehicles (130, 140, 150) based on characteristics of the charger and characteristics of the vehicles, wherein scheduling charging includes: The specified charging time, and a designated charging module, said designated charging module being one of said plurality of charging modules (110, 120); to each of the electrically operated vehicles (130, 140, 150); associating each electrically operated vehicle with a designated charging module at the designated charging time for the electrically operated vehicle; Equipped with The characteristics of the charger are: a location of the charging module; and an indication as to whether the charging module is in use; and The reservation status of the charging module At least one of Including, The characteristics of the vehicle are: a current state of charge of the battery of the electrically operated vehicle; and The capacity of the battery of the electrically operated vehicle. Including, The characteristics of the vehicle are: a predicted time until charging is required based on a current state of charge and a discharge rate, the discharge rate being based either on a current discharge rate or on data derived from previous discharges of the battery; characterized in that it further comprises A method comprising:

2. Scheduling charging is A priority assigned to each electrically operated vehicle; a state of charge of the battery of each electrically operated vehicle; the required charging period for each electrically operated vehicle; the proximity of each electrically operated vehicle to the charging module; and The amount of available power of the charging module 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is based on at least one of:

3. The characteristics of the charger are: the health status of the charger; the charging capacity of the charger; Charge rate, and Charger Connection Type 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising at least one of:

4. The characteristics of the vehicle are: The estimated time before you will be required to charge, The time period available for charging, a target state of charge for the battery of the electrically operated vehicle; 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising at least one of:

5. The characteristics of the vehicle are: The estimated time before you will be required to charge, The time period available for charging, a target state of charge for said battery; Battery voltage, the maximum charging rate of said battery; the state of health of said battery; and The temperature of the battery The method of claim 1 or 3, further comprising at least one of:

6. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of associating each electrically operated vehicle with a designated charging module includes directing each electrically operated vehicle to the designated charging module.

7. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of associating each electrically operated vehicle with a designated charging module includes directing the designated charging module to the electrically operated vehicle.

8. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of associating each electrically operated vehicle with a designated charging module includes determining whether to direct each electrically operated vehicle to a designated charging module or to point the designated charging module to the electrically operated vehicle.

9. A charging management device for a worksite including a plurality of autonomous electrically operated vehicles (130, 140, 150), the charging management device including a central controller (200), the charging management device comprising: transmitting charger characteristics from the plurality of charging modules (110, 120) to a central controller (200); communicating vehicle characteristics from a plurality of electrically operated vehicles (130, 140, 150) to said central controller; scheduling charging of the plurality of electrically operated vehicles (130, 140, 150) based on characteristics of the charger and characteristics of the vehicles; and scheduling charging includes: The specified charging time, and a designated charging module, said designated charging module being one of said plurality of charging modules (110, 120); to the electrically operated vehicle; associating each electrically operated vehicle with a designated charging module at the designated charging time for the electrically operated vehicle; The characteristics of the charger are: a location of the charging module; and an indication as to whether the charging module is in use; and The reservation status of the charging module At least one of Including, The characteristics of the vehicle are: a current state of charge of the battery of the electrically operated vehicle; and The capacity of the battery of the electrically operated vehicle. Including, The characteristics of the vehicle are: a predicted time until charging is required based on a current state of charge and a discharge rate, the discharge rate being based either on a current discharge rate or on data derived from previous discharges of the battery; characterized in that it further comprises A charge management device configured to:

10. Scheduling charging is A priority assigned to each electrically operated vehicle; a state of charge of the battery of each electrically operated vehicle; the required charging period for each electrically operated vehicle; the proximity of each electrically operated vehicle to the charging module; and The amount of available power of the charging module 10. The charging management device of claim 9, wherein the charging management device is based on at least one of the following:

11. The characteristics of the charger are: the health status of the charger; the charging capacity of the charger; Charge rate, and Charger Connection Type 10. The charge management device of claim 9, further comprising at least one of:

12. The characteristics of the vehicle are: The estimated time before you will be required to charge, The time period available for charging, a target state of charge for the battery of the electrically operated vehicle; 12. The charge management device of claim 9 or 11, further comprising at least one of:

13. The characteristics of the vehicle are: The estimated time before you will be required to charge, The time period available for charging, a target state of charge for said battery; Battery voltage, the maximum charging rate of said battery; the state of health of said battery; and The temperature of the battery 12. The charge management device of claim 9 or 11, further comprising at least one of:

Images