IP Library Granted Patent US 11,124,073
Granted Patent B2
US 11,124,073 · App. 16/171,066 · Granted Sep 21, 2021

Multi-electric source vehicle

Inventor: Benjamin Johnson (Fairview, OR)
Assignee: HYSTER-YALE GROUP, INC.
B60L3/0046B60L3/12B60L15/20B60L58/18G01R31/367G01R31/378B60L58/12B60L2200/42B60L2240/54B60L2250/16B60L2270/40
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,124,073
App. No.
16/171,066
Granted
Sep 21, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

Apparatuses, systems, kits, methods and storage medium associated with using different electrical energy source types with an electric vehicle are disclosed herein.

Claims (45)

1. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media having instructions stored thereon, wherein the instructions, in response to execution by a vehicle controller of an electric vehicle, cause the vehicle controller to:

detect an indication of a type of an electrical energy source connected to the electric vehicle, the electrical energy source to power a traction motor of the electric vehicle;

determine, based on the indication, the type of the electrical energy source; and

implement an energy source monitoring profile corresponding to the type of the electrical energy source,

wherein to detect the indication includes to detect whether a signal is received from the electrical energy source, and wherein to determine the type of the electrical energy source includes to determine, based on whether the signal is received, the type of the electrical energy source,

wherein detection of the presence of a signal from the electrical energy source indicates a first type of electrical energy source, and detection of the lack of a signal from the electrical energy source indicates a second type of electrical energy source.

2. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1 , wherein the indication is received from an electrical energy source status determining unit of the electric vehicle.

3. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1 , wherein to detect the indication includes to detect an interface between a communication connector and a management system of the electrical energy source.

4. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 3 , wherein to implement the energy source monitoring profile includes to:

detect state-of-charge information received from the management system of the electrical energy source;

determine a state-of-charge for the electrical energy source based on the state-of-charge information; and

utilize the state-of-charge for operation of one or more functions of the electric vehicle.

5. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1 , wherein the instructions further cause the vehicle controller to:

detect a startup of the electric vehicle; and

cause an electrical energy source type indication interface to be displayed on a display of the electric vehicle in response to detection of the startup of the electric vehicle.

6. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 5 , wherein the instructions further cause the vehicle controller to detect that the electrical energy source was disconnected from the electric vehicle, and wherein to cause the electrical energy source type indication interface to be displayed includes to cause the electrical energy source type indication interface to be displayed in response to the detection of the startup and detection that the electrical energy source was disconnected from the electric vehicle.

7. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1 , wherein to implement an energy source monitoring profile includes to utilize a discharge voltage profile corresponding to the type of the electrical energy source for determination of a state-of-charge that is utilized for operation of one or more functions of the electric vehicle.

8. An electric vehicle, comprising:

a traction motor to propel the electric vehicle;

a power relay system coupled to the traction motor, the power relay system coupled to a power connector that is to connect to an electrical energy source for the electric vehicle, wherein the electrical energy source is to provide power to the traction motor; and

a vehicle controller coupled to the electrical energy source, the vehicle controller to:

control operation of one or more functions of the electric vehicle;

detect an indication of a type of the electrical energy source when the electrical energy source is connected to the power connector; and

implement an energy source monitoring profile corresponding to the type of the electrical energy source based on the indication of the type of the electrical energy source;

wherein to detect the indication includes to detect whether a signal is received from the electrical energy source, and wherein to determine the type of the electrical energy source includes to determine, based on whether the signal is received, the type of the electrical energy source,

wherein detection of the presence of a signal from the electrical energy source indicates a first type of electrical energy source, and detection of the lack of a signal from the electrical energy source indicates a second type of electrical energy source.

9. The electric vehicle of claim 8 , further comprising an electrical energy source type indicator coupled to the vehicle controller, the electrical energy source type indicator to:

determine the type of the electrical energy source when the electrical energy source is connected to the power connector;

generate the indication of the type of the electrical energy source; and

provide the indication to the vehicle controller.

10. The electric vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the electrical energy source type indicator comprises a first portion of circuitry of the vehicle controller that is configured by programming to determine the type of the electrical energy source, and wherein to provide the indication to the vehicle controller includes to provide the indication to a second portion of the circuitry of the vehicle controller that is to implement the energy source monitoring profile.

11. The electric vehicle of claim 9 , further comprising an electrical energy source communication system with a communication connector that is to couple to a management system of the electrical energy source, the electrical energy source communication system coupled to the electrical energy type indicator, wherein to determine the type of the electrical energy source includes to determine whether the communication connector interfaces with the management system.

12. The electric vehicle of claim 9 , wherein to determine the type of the electrical energy source includes to determine whether information is received from the electrical energy source.

13. The electric vehicle of claim 8 , further comprising a user interface coupled to the vehicle controller, wherein the user interface provides information associated with the vehicle to an operator of the vehicle.

14. The electric vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the user interface includes a display and an input device, wherein the display is to display battery state-of-charge information for the first type of electrical energy source or the second type of electrical energy source.

15. The electric vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the electric vehicle is a forklift truck.

16. A kit for determination of a type of electrical energy source of an electric vehicle configured to operate with an electrical energy source, the kit comprising:

a communication connector to couple to a management system disposed upon the electrical energy source;

an electrical energy source communication system coupled to the communication connector and to couple to a vehicle controller of the electric vehicle, the vehicle controller to control operation of one or more functions of the electric vehicle, wherein the communication connector and the electrical energy source communication system are to facilitate determination of the type of the electrical energy source; and

one or more non-transitory computer-readable media having programming stored thereon, wherein the programming causes the vehicle controller to:

detect whether an interface is established between the communication connector and the management system; and

determine, based at least in part on whether the interface is established, the type of the electrical energy source,

wherein detection of the establishment of the interface indicates a first type of electrical energy source, and detection of the lack of establishment of the interface indicates a second type of electrical energy source.

17. The kit of claim 16 , wherein, in response to detecting the interface is established, the programming is further to cause the vehicle controller to utilize information from the management system to determine state-of-charge for the electrical energy source.

18. The kit of claim 16 , wherein the electrical energy source communication system is to couple to the vehicle controller via a controller area network bus (CAN-bus) of the electric vehicle.

Assignments (4)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 6, 2024
From: HYSTER-YALE GROUP, INC.
To: HYSTER-YALE MATERIALS HANDLING, INC.
Reel/Frame 067661/0617 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 28, 2021
From: HYSTER-YALE GROUP, INC. (A DELAWARE CORPORATION); NUVERA FUEL CELLS, LLC (A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY)
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. (A NATIONAL BANKING INSTITUTION)
Reel/Frame 057013/0037 →
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 23, 2021
From: HYSTER-YALE GROUP, INC.; NUVERA FUEL CELLS, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 056970/0230 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 18, 2021
From: JOHNSON, BENJAMIN
To: HYSTER-YALE GROUP, INC.
Reel/Frame 055638/0514 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62581518 · Nov 3, 2017
Related Publication 20190135112A1 · May 9, 2019
Cited By (1)
US 12,420,668