Granted Patent B2

US 7,795,838 · App. 11/930,416 · Granted Sep 14, 2010

Abstract

Claims (44)

1. A method for charging a high voltage battery of a hybrid automotive vehicle and displaying battery defined diagnostic data to a user, comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of operating modules operable for charging the high voltage battery and displaying battery diagnostic data to the user, said plurality of operating modules comprising a carrier sub-system electronically connected to a hybrid sub-system;

initiating a jump assist operation upon an attempt to start the vehicle;

determining whether the state of charge of the high voltage battery is greater than a defined minimum value, if the vehicle fails to start;

notifying the user that a charging function is required by displaying a message on an interface device;

initiating a charging function to charge the high voltage battery to a state of charge greater than the defined minimum value, if the state of charge is determined to be insufficient;

determining if the high voltage battery has been sufficiently charged;

notifying the user that the charging function is complete, if the state of charge is greater than the defined minimum value; and

terminating the jump assist operation,

wherein the state of charge is a ratio of the remaining capacity of the high voltage battery to the capacity of the high voltage battery in its fully charged state.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of requiring the user to insert a key into the vehicle's ignition and turning the key to a valid calibration position prior to determining the state of charge of the high voltage battery.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of periodically updating to the charging status of the high voltage battery by visually displaying charging status messages on the interface device, if the charging function is initiated.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing access to the user to vehicle devices and features during the charging function.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of requiring the user to connect an external energy source to the high voltage battery, if the state of charge is not greater than the defined minimum value.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising the step of requiring the user to connect the external energy source to the high voltage battery in a defined time.

7. The method of claim 5 , further comprising the step of aborting the charging function, if the external energy source is disconnected prior to the state of charge defined minimum value being reached.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising the step of displaying a message to the user that the charging function was aborted.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising the step of aborting the charging function, if the external energy source is not connected in the defined time.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising the step of displaying a message to the user that the charging function was aborted.

11. The method of claim 4 , wherein the vehicle devices and features are selected from the group consisting of an audio system, an air conditioning system, a heating system, a navigational system or a telephone system.

12. A user interface system for charging a high voltage battery of a hybrid vehicle and displaying hybrid system information to a user, comprising:

a carrier sub-system, said carrier sub-system comprising a plurality of operation modules including a user control interface module communicably and electronically connected to a front control module (FCM), the FCM being communicably and electronically connected to a power-train control module (PCM), and a hybrid gateway module (HGM);

a hybrid sub-system, said hybrid sub-system comprising a plurality of operation modules including a battery pack control module (BPCM) for controlling a high voltage battery, the BPCM being communicably and electronically connected to a hybrid control processor (HCP) and an accessory power module (APM); and

a user interface device located internal the vehicle's cabin and being communicably and electronically connected to the FCM,

wherein the plurality of operation modules of the carrier sub-system and the hybrid sub-system are connected by a plurality of communication buses.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the PCM is communicably and electronically connected to a cooling pump operable for cooling defined features and devices of the vehicle, including features of the hybrid sub-system, during the charging function of the battery.

14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the BPCM may be coupled to an internal charging source, the internal charging source being located in the hybrid vehicle to charge the high voltage battery to a desired state of charge and start the vehicle or to an external charging source.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the external charging source is a battery connected to a jumper cable.

16. The system of claim 12 , wherein the user interface device is located in the vehicle's dashboard console such that the user can readily view the displays being projected.

17. The system of claim 12 , wherein the user interface device comprises a display screen for displaying various types of hybrid system in addition to serving other functions.

18. The system of claim 12 , wherein the user interface device comprises a touch pad and an audible system, wherein the audible system is operable for informing a user of a critical battery diagnostic data in addition to broadcasting music and other information.

19. The system of claim 17 , wherein the display screen is operable for displaying battery diagnostic data and state of charge data.

20. A method for charging a high voltage battery of a hybrid automotive vehicle and displaying battery defined diagnostic data to a user, comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of operating modules operable for charging the high voltage battery and displaying battery diagnostic data to the user, said plurality of operating modules comprising a carrier sub-system electronically connected to a hybrid sub-system;

initiating a jump assist operation upon an attempt to start the vehicle; requiring the user to insert a key into the vehicle's ignition and turning the key to a valid calibration position;

determining whether the state of charge of the high voltage battery is greater than a defined minimum value, if the vehicle fails to start; notifying the user that a charging function is required by displaying a message on a interface device;

requiring the user to connect to the high voltage battery an external energy source within a defined time, the external energy source being operable for charging the high voltage battery;

initiating a charging function to charge the high voltage battery to a state of charge greater than the defined minimum value, if the state of charge is determined to be insufficient;

periodically determining if the high voltage battery has been sufficiently charged and updating to the charging status of the high voltage battery by visually displaying charging status messages on the interface device, if the charging function is initiated;

aborting the charging function if the external energy source becomes disconnected or if the state of charge is not reached in a defined time;

notifying the user that the charging function was not complete, if the charging function is aborted;

providing access to the user to vehicle devices and features during the charging function;

notifying the user that the charging function is complete, if the state of charge is greater than the defined minimum value; and

terminating the jump assist operation.

Assignments (23)