A system and method for maintaining charge in a battery

Abstract

The present invention provides a system (200) having one or more sensors (210) for sensing one or more real time vehicle operating parameters (108), one or more actuators (220) configured to calibrate one or more time data (106) of the vehicle (10). A control unit (230) in communication with the one or more sensors (210) and the one or more actuators (220), the control unit (230) is configured to receive the one or more real time vehicle operating parameters (108) and one or more time data (106) of the vehicle (10), process the one or more real time vehicle operating parameters (108) and one or more time data (106) of the vehicle (10) with a predetermined information of the vehicle (10), provide one or more assist (114) to the vehicle (10) for a predetermined time, and activate one or more operations (126, 136) to maintain charge in the battery (240).

Description

TITLE OF INVENTIONA SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAINTAINING CHARGE IN A BATTERYTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present subject matter is related to a battery, in particular relates to a system for maintaining charge in the battery and a method thereof.BACKGROUND

[0002] Conventionally, a battery is provided in a vehicle, the battery is employed to transfer the energy to electrical and electronics components of the vehicle. Now developments in automotive industries are moving towards the electric, hybrid, solar etc. kind of vehicles. The vehicles with the hybrid or electric power trains requires more energy output from the batteries, due to this the drainage of charge in the battery is very fast as compared to previous vehicles such as vehicles having only an internal combustion engine as power train. So, maintaining the effective charge in the battery in vehicle maneuvering conditions is a challenge for automotive industries.

[0003] To maintain the charge in the batteries conventionally a regulator rectifier unit (RR unit) was used which is an electrical device that converts AC current produced by a stator into DC current and passes it on the battery to maintain charge. Now in recent time in a hybrid vehicle an integrated stator generator (ISG) machine is employed which also serves functions of maintaining charge in the batteries by taking the energy from the power unit and recover or store that energy in the batteries. One of the important functions of ISG machine is to function as stator motor to start the internal combustion engine and to provide the extra torque tointernal combustion engines for improving the fuel efficiency, power generation to vehicle and reduction of emissions.

[0004] To provide extra torque to the internal combustion engine, the ISG machine extracts the energy from the batteries. Problem comes when rider demands extra torque on the continuous intervals, then the ISG will consume more charge, and this will lead to the fast drainage of batteries and at the same time the fuel efficiency gets hampered because the hybrid vehicles necessitate the two energy sources and if efficiency of one source degrades, this hampers the overall working of the hybrid vehicles. When the rider demands the continuous extra torque, it becomes difficult for the ISG machine to maintain the charge in the battery. This led to a breakdown in the batteries and the user needs to replace the battery or again require charging.

[0005] The ISG machine is also employed to charge the batteries at the time of deceleration of vehicle. The Charge in batteries can be maximized during the deceleration time so that part of the energy lost during the braking is converted into electrical energy and stored in battery and later to be used during next extra torque. Typically, the EV / HEV a battery management system (BMS) is provided, which monitors batteries state of charge, but problem comes when the BMS is not provided and still the ISG machine is employed to function.

[0006] Thus, there is a need in the art for a which address at least the aforementioned problems.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In one aspect, a system for maintaining charge in a battery of a vehicle, the system having, one or more sensors for sensing one or more real time vehicle operating parameters, one or more actuator configured to calibrate one or more time data of the vehicle and a control unit communicated with the one or more sensorsand the one or more actuator, the control unit may be configured to, receive the one or more real time vehicle operating parameters and one or more time data of the vehicle, process the one or more real time vehicle operating parameters and one or more time data of the vehicle with a predetermined information of the vehicle, provide one or more assist to the vehicle for a predetermined time; and activate one or more operations to maintain charge in the battery.

[0008] In an embodiment of the invention, the one or more real time data of the vehicle operating parameters comprise any or a combination of a rate of change of throttle opening, an activation of one or more operations.

[0009] In another embodiment of the present invention, the one or more-time data of the vehicle having a window timer, an assist count, and a cumulative assist duration.

[0010] In another embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined information of the vehicle having a threshold value of the rate of change of throttle opening, a threshold value for the window timer, a threshold value for the assist count and a threshold value for the cumulative assist duration.[Oi l] In another embodiment of the present invention, the one or more real time data of the vehicle may be configured to reset to initial value at one or more predetermined conditions.

[0012] In another embodiment of the present invention, the one or more predetermined conditions having a vehicle starting condition, the window timer being more than threshold, after activation of one or more operations.

[0013] In another embodiment of the present invention, the one or more assist may be configured to actuate when the rate of change of throttle opening being more than threshold and a deactivate condition of one or more operations.

[0014] In another embodiment of the present invention, the one or more operations having a first cooldown time and a second cooldown time.

[0015] In another embodiment of the present invention, the first cooldown time may be configured to activate when the one or more assist may be at a deactivation stage.

[0016] In another embodiment of the present invention, the second cooldown time may be configured to activate when at a predetermined window timer, a number of the one or more assist may be more than a threshold value or a total time of a number of the one or more assist being more than a threshold time condition.

[0017] In another embodiment of the present invention, the first cooldown time may be lesser than the second cooldown time of the vehicle.

[0018] In another embodiment of the present invention a method to maintain charge in a battery, the method maybe receiving, by one or more actuators, one or moretime data of a vehicle, Collecting, by one or more sensors, one or more real time vehicle operating parameters, Checking, by a control unit, an activation of one or more operations, Providing, by the control unit, one or more assist to the vehicle, Analysing, by the control unit, the activation of the one or more operation after the lapse of one or more assist given to the vehicle.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The detailed description is described with reference to an embodiment of a device along with the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference features and components.

[0020] Fig. 1 depicts an exemplary flow chart for activation of one or more operations, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Fig. 2. depicts a block diagram for activation of the one or more operations,in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Fig. 3. depicts an exemplary flow chart for activation of a first cooldown time, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Fig. 4. depicts an exemplary flow chart for activation of a second cooldown time, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Fig. 5. depicts an exemplary working example of the system for activating the one or more operations, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Aspect of the present invention pertains to a system and method for maintaining charge in a battery. In one aspect the system includes one or more sensors for sensing one or more real time vehicle operating parameters, one or more actuators for calibrating one or more time data of the vehicle and a control unit for activating the one or more operations for maintaining charge in the battery.

[0026] The objective of the present invention is to increase the life of battery by maintaining sufficient charge in the battery at the time of request of torque or power assist from the user.

[0027] Another objective of the present invention is to increase the performance of battery by providing adequate cooldown time after the power assist request by user.

[0028] Another objective of the present invention is to provide more desirable pickup and power to the vehicle by increasing the charge in the battery at the cooldown period.

[0029] Figure 1 illustrates the flow chart involved in a method 100 for maintaining charge in the battery 230, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. The flow chart involved in the method 100 for maintaining charge in the battery 230 of the vehicle 10 are illustrated in figure 1,3,4. As illustrated at 104 the vehicle 10 tends to start, herein the vehicle 10 can be 2-wheeler, 3-wheeler, 4- wheeler or any multi wheeled vehicle, at this stage the one or more time data 106 can be reset to an initial value. In an embodiment the one or more-time data 106 can be a window time, a number of assist count, and a cumulative assist duration time, further a window time can be in the range of 0 Sec to 60 seconds where the 0 sec is the initial value and 60 seconds to be final value. Further, the number of assist count can be in the range of 0 assist to 10 assists, where the 0 is initial value and 10 is final value and the cumulative assist duration time will be dependent on the number of assists requested by the user which can be in the range from 0 sec to 400 sec where 0 sec is initial value, and 40 sec is final value. In an embodiment one or more actuators 220 are provided to calibrate the one or more-time data 106 of the vehicle 10.

[0030] At 108 one or sensors 210 are configured to determine whether a rate of throttle opening is more than a threshold value. In an embodiment, the one or more sensors 210 can be a throttle position sensor, which can be installed at a throttle of the 2-wheeled, 3 wheeled, 4 wheeled or multi-wheeled vehicle, further the threshold value for rate of change of throttle opening can be in the range of 10 degree to 60 degree. In one working example, when the throttle opening is more than threshold 108, the control unit 230 tends to trigger the assist 112 but at this stage the assist is not provided to the power unit (not shown) of the vehicle 10.

[0031] At 112 the control unit 230 is configured to identify whether the one or more operations 126, 136 are activated or deactivated. In an embodiment, the one or more operations 126, 136 comprising a first cooldown time 126 and a second cooldown time 136. In conjunction with 110 and 112, if the one or more operations126, 136 are in deactivated state, the control unit 230 is configured to activate the one or more assist 114, than one or more actuators 220 tends to count the number of one or more assist 114 and the duration of one or more assist 114, further if the one or more operations 126, 136 are activate at this stage than the system is configured to not to provide one or more assist 114.

[0032] Figure 3 in conjunction with figure 1, the first cooldown time 126 is configured to active when the one or more assist 114 is requested by the user, further assist time will be calibrated by the one or more actuators 220, the control unit 230 is configured to have a look-up table, the look-up table tends to map the cooldown time for the one or more assist 114 time. At 124 when the assist is over the control unit 230 tends to activate the first cooldown time 126, further if the assist time is not lapsed, the system 200 will recalibrate assist condition.

[0033] In an exemplary embodiment, the first cooldown time is in the range of 0 seconds to 200 seconds.

[0034] in a non-limiting example, the when the user start the vehicle 10, the window timer, the assist counter and the assist timer tends to actuate at 106. Then system tends to check the throttle position (TP), if the TP is more than threshold the control system 230 tends to trigger the assist at 110, but assist will be provided when the first cooldown time and the second cooldown time is deactivated or lapsed. Then after that the assist will be provided to the vehicle 10, further a value will be taken by the control system 230 to identify the time of cooldown which is to be given in corresponding the assist time. Later after lapsing of the assist time the control unit 230 will activate the first cooldown time 126. Further, the system 200 will wait for the first cooldown time to lapse and then the system 200 will provide the next assist.

[0035] Further, referring to figure 4 in conjunction with figure 1 the second cooldown time 136 is provided in the vehicle 10. The second cooldown time 136 is configured to activate after satisfaction of a predetermined conditions. In an embodiment, at 114 when one or more assist 114 is active, the system 200 tends to wait for lapse of the first cooldown time 126. Then at 116, the assist counter tends to be activated to count the number of assists in the window timer. In an embodiment, multiple conditions arise at 116, a first condition is if the number of assists are not equal to 0 and a second condition is if the number of assists are 0. In the first condition when the assists are not equal to then the system 200 is configured to check whether the assist duration is more than a threshold time 128. In an embodiment the threshold time can be in the range of 0 to 100 sec. further is the assist duration is more than threshold time, the system 200 tends to count the assist at 132, and if the assist duration is less than threshold the system 200 will not count the assist 130.

[0036] Further, at the first condition if the assist count is not equal to 0, the cumulative assist duration timer triggers and configured to calculate the time durations of the total number of assists. Further, at the 134, the if the cumulative assist duration is more than a threshold time or the number of assists is more than a threshold value the second cooldown time 136 will be triggered.

[0037] In a non- limiting example, the total number of assist at 134 can be in the range of 0 to 10 and the threshold value can be ranging from 5 to 10.

[0038] In a non-limiting example, the cumulative assist duration can be in the range of 0 to 400 seconds and the threshold time can be ranging from 200 to 400 seconds.

[0039] In a non- limiting example, the second cooldown time can be ranging from 0 to 500 seconds.

[0040] At the second condition, when the number of assist count is equal to 0 at 116, the window timer tends to be restarted at 118, further if the window timer is more a threshold value at 120 then again, the system 200 tends to be restart the window timer, the assist counter and the cumulative assist timer at 122.

[0041] Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of the system 200 for maintaining charge in the battery 240 of the vehicle 10. The system 200 is configured to have one or more input delivery sub-systems (210, 220). The one or more input delivery sub-systems comprising, one or more sensors 210 and one or more actuators 220.

[0042] In an embodiment, the one or more sensors 210 comprising a throttle position sensor and an analog sensor. The one or more sensors 210 are configured to detect the one or more real time vehicle operating parameters 108, 112, further the one or more actuators 220 are provided to calibrate the one or more real time data 106 of the vehicle 10. The one or more actuators 220 comprising the window timer, the assist counter, and the cumulative assist timer.

[0043] The control unit 230 is provided in the system 200. The control unit 230 is configured to receive the one or more real time vehicle operating parameters 108,112 from the one or more sensors 210 and the one or more real time data 106 of the vehicle 10 from the one or more actuators 220.

[0044] In an embodiment, the one or more sensors 210 is configured to determine whether the throttle position is more than the throttle position 108 and the activation and deactivation state of the one or more operations 126, 136. If affirmative, the control unit 230 tends to provide the one or more assist 114 to the vehicle 10. In a non-limiting example, the one or more assist 114 duration can be ranging from 0 to 100 sec. Simultaneously, the one or more actuators 220 is configured to start the window time, calculation of number of assist and start the cumulative assist time.

[0045] Further, the control system 230 is configured to analyze the data received from the one or more sensors 210 and the one or more actuators 220 and trigger the one or more operations 126, 136.

[0046] Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment or a non-limiting working example 500. In this example the system 200 is configured to be provided in the vehicle 10. In graph 510 data of the assist triggered is provided, in graph 520 data of the one or more assist 114 is provided, in graph 530 data of the assist count during the window timer is provided, in graph 540 data of the assist duration in the window timer is provided, further in graph 550 data of window time is provided, in graph 560 data of the first cooldown time 126 is provided and in graph 570 data of the second cooldown time 136 is provided.

[0047] Referring to figure 5. In graph 510, the assist trigger is provided between 0 to 20 seconds (consider it at 10 seconds) by the user, the system 200 after calibration turned the assist on for 10 seconds (between 10 to 20 seconds) as stated in graph 520. This assist trigger and activation is done in the window timer provided of 70 seconds in graph 550. After the first assist is on from 10 to 20 seconds, first cooldown time is provided in graph 560 after the assist is over from 10 to 20 seconds. The first cooldown time of 15 seconds is provided between 20 to 40 seconds. Further, as stated in graph 510, the user tried to use the assist again between 20 to 40 seconds, but the system 200 was under the first cooldown condition and it denied the user input. Later after 35 seconds when the first cooldown period was over, then only the system 200 was allowed to use the assist. Similarly, in graph 530 the assist counter is also provided to count the number of assists in the window timer of 0 to 70 seconds. Further, the assist duration timer is also provided in graph 540, the calculated time of 3 assist is provided. After the 3 assist one second cooldown time is provided, which is for the 80 seconds from 70seconds to 150 seconds. This second assist is provided, when the total of 3 assist is triggered by the system 200 within the window timer of 70 seconds, or the system 200 is configured to provide second cooldown after the assist duration reached threshold value.

[0048] The claimed features / method steps of the present invention as discussed above are not routine, conventional, or well understood in the art, as the claimed features / steps enable the following solutions to the existing problems in conventional technologies. Specifically, the technical problem of inefficiently providing torque / power assist to a vehicle using one or more batteries is solved by present invention.

[0049] Moreover, the present invention provides increased battery life by maintaining the adequate charge in the battery after assist is provided by the system. The cooldown periods are also provided to maintain the charge drainage which tends to increase the performance of the battery of vehicle. The cost of servicing and replacement is reduced because of increased battery life. Power and pick up of the vehicle is also improved as the assist is provided with the effective power supply from the battery.

[0050] The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. Also, aspects of the embodiments are not necessarily limited to specific embodiments.

[0051] Depicted figures are for illustrative purposes, many modifications and variations of the present subject matter are possible within the scope of the present subject matter, in the light of above disclosure.

[0052] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes andmodification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.List of reference signs:10- Vehicle 100- method for maintaining charge in a battery104- ignition on condition106- one or more real time data108-one or more real time vehicle operating parameters110- assist trigger 112- one or more real time vehicle operating parameters114- assist On116- assist counter118- actuation of window timer119- cumulative assist timer 120- window timer condition122- reset one or more real time data124- assist over126- first cooldown timer128, 220- one or more actuators130- assist counter condition132- assist counter condition134- one or more actuators136- second cooldown time 138- reset condition200- system for maintaining charge in a battery210- one or more sensors220- one or more actuators230- control unit 240- a battery306- sub-system500- working example510- assist trigger graph520- assist on graph 530-assist counter graph540- assist duration timer graph550- window duration graph560- first cooldown time graph570- second cooldown time graph

Claims

We claim:

1. A system (200) for maintaining charge in a battery (240) of a vehicle (10), the system (200) comprising: one or more sensors (210) for sensing one or more real time vehicle operating parameters (108); one or more actuators (220) configured to calibrate one or more time data (106) of the vehicle (10); a control unit (230) in communication with the one or more sensors (210) and the one or more actuators (220), the control unit (230) being configured to: receive the one or more real time vehicle operating parameters (108) and one or more time data (106) of the vehicle (10); process the one or more real time vehicle operating parameters (108) and one or more time data (106) of the vehicle (10) with a predetermined information of the vehicle (10); provide one or more assist (114) to the vehicle (10) for a predetermined time; and activate one or more operations (126, 136) to maintain charge in the battery (240).

2. The system (200) for maintaining charge in the battery (240) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more real time vehicle operating parameters (108) being any ora combination of a rate of change of throttle opening, an activation of one or more operations.

3. The system (200) for maintaining charge in the battery (240) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more-time data (106) of the vehicle (10) being a window timer, an assist count, and a cumulative assist duration.

4. The system (200) for maintaining charge in the battery (240) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined information of the vehicle (10) being any one of a threshold value of the rate of change of throttle opening, a threshold value for the window timer, a threshold value for the assist count and a threshold value for the cumulative assist duration.

5. The system (200) for maintaining charge in the battery (240) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the one or more real time data (106) of the vehicle (10) being configured to reset to an initial value at one or more predetermined conditions (104, 120, 138), and wherein the one or more predetermined conditions (104, 120, 138) being a vehicle (10) starting condition (104), the window timer being more than threshold (120), after activation of one or more operations (126, 136).

6. The system (200) for maintaining charge in the battery (240) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more assist (114) being configured to actuate when the rate of change of throttle opening being more than threshold (108) and a deactivate condition (112) of one or more operations (126, 136).

7. The system (200) for maintaining charge in the battery (240) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the one or more operations (126, 136) being any one of a first cooldown time (126) and a second cooldown time (136).

8. The system (200) for maintaining charge in the battery (240) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first cooldown time (126) being configured to activate when the one or more assist (114) being at a deactivation stage (124).. The system (200) for maintaining charge in the battery (240) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the second cooldown time (136) being configured to activate when at a predetermined window timer, a number of the one or more assist (114) being more than a threshold value or a total time of a number of the one or more assist being more than a threshold time condition (134).

10. The system (200) for maintaining charge in the battery (240) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first cooldown time (126) being lesser than the second cooldown time (136) of the vehicle (10).

11. A method (100) to maintain charge in a battery (240), the method (100) comprising: receiving, by one or more actuators (220), one or more-time data (106) of a vehicle (10); collecting, by one or more sensors (210), one or more real time vehicle operating parameters (108); checking, by a control unit (230), an activation (112) of one or more operations (126, 136); providing, by the control unit (230), one or more assist (114) to the vehicle (10); analyzing, by the control unit (230), the activation of the one or more operation (126, 136) after the lapse of one or more assist (114) given to the vehicle (10).

12. The method (100) to maintain charge in the battery (240) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the one or more vehicle operating parameters (108) being determined based on the received one or more data (106) of the vehicle (10), the one or more real time vehicle operating parameters (108) being any or a combination of a rate of change of throttle opening, an activation of one or more operations.

13. The method (100) to maintain charge in the battery (240) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the predetermined information of the vehicle (10) being one or more of a threshold value of the rate of change of throttle opening, a threshold value for the window timer, a threshold value for the assist count and a threshold value for the cumulative assist duration.

14. The method (100) to maintain charge in the battery (240) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the one or more real time data (106) of the vehicle (10) being configured to reset to initial value at one or more predetermined conditions (104, 120, 138), and wherein the one or more predetermined conditions (104, 120, 138) being a vehicle (10) starting condition (104), the window timer being more than threshold (120), after activation of one or more operations (126, 136).

15. The method (100) to maintain charge in the battery (240) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the one or more assist (114) being configured to actuate when the rate of change of throttle opening being more than threshold (108) and a deactivate condition (112) of one or more operations (126, 136).

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