IP Library Granted Patent US 12,420,744
Granted Patent B2
US 12,420,744 · App. 17/857,669 · Granted Sep 23, 2025

Methods and systems for vehicles having battery and reserve energy storage device

Inventors: Roger Akira Kyle (Aubrey, TX); Timothy Wang (Ann Arbor, MI); Bryan Else Yamasaki (Frisco, TX); Justin K Shen (Canton, MI); Prince Ramos Remegio (McKinney, TX)
Assignees: Toyota Motor North America, Inc.; Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
B60R25/30B60L50/60B60R25/40H02J7/0063H02J7/0068B60R2325/10
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,420,744
App. No.
17/857,669
Granted
Sep 23, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for a vehicle having a main battery and a reserve energy storage device is provided. The method includes determining occurrence of a triggering event associated with the vehicle, and transferring power from the main battery to the reserve energy storage device in response to the triggering event to render the vehicle not drivable.

Claims (24)

1. A method for a non-hybrid electric vehicle having an electric-only powertrain, a main battery powering the electric-only powertrain, and a reserve energy storage device, the method comprising:

determining an occurrence of a triggering event associated with the non-hybrid electric vehicle; and

transferring power from the main battery to the reserve energy storage device in response to the triggering event until the non-hybrid electric vehicle is not drivable due to the main battery having a charge level that is insufficient for powering vehicle drive components of the electric-only powertrain.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the main battery is configured to supply power to the non-hybrid electric vehicle for driving, and the reserve energy storage device is configured to receive power from the main battery.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

discharging power in the reserve energy storage device in response to the triggering event.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the reserve energy storage device supplies power to a non-driving component of the non-hybrid electric vehicle, and the non-driving component is configured to provide location information of the non-hybrid electric vehicle.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the non-driving component of the non-hybrid electric vehicle includes at least one of a GPS radio and a cellular radio.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the triggering event is indicative of the non-hybrid electric vehicle being stolen.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

detecting the main battery is replaced with a new battery; and

transferring power in the new battery to the reserve energy storage device in response to the detecting the replacement.

8. The method of claim 2 , wherein a power capacity of the reserve energy storage device is larger than a power capacity of the main battery.

9. A system, comprising:

a non-hybrid electric vehicle having an electric-only powertrain, a main battery powering the electric-only powertrain, and a reserve energy storage device; and

a controller coupled to the main battery and the reserve energy storage device, the controller configured to cause a transfer of power from the main battery to the reserve energy storage device in response to a determination of a triggering event that is associated with the non-hybrid electric vehicle and until the non-hybrid electric vehicle is not drivable due to the main battery having a charge level that is insufficient for powering vehicle drive components of the electric-only powertrain.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the main battery is configured to supply power to the non-hybrid electric vehicle for driving, and the reserve energy storage device is configured to receive power from the main battery.

11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the power in the reserve energy storage device is discharged in response to the triggering event.

12. The system of claim 9 , further comprising:

a non-driving component of the non-hybrid electric vehicle configured to provide location information of the electric vehicle,

wherein the reserve energy storage device supplies power to the non-driving component.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the non-driving component of the non-hybrid electric vehicle includes at least one of a GPS radio and a cellular radio.

14. The system of claim 9 , wherein the triggering event is indicative of the non-hybrid electric vehicle being stolen.

15. The system of claim 10 , wherein a power capacity of the reserve energy storage device is larger than a power capacity of the main battery.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2025
From: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
To: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Reel/Frame 072778/0530 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 5, 2022
From: KYLE, ROGER AKIRA; WANG, TIMOTHY; YAMASAKI, BRYAN ELSE; SHEN, JUSTIN K; REMEGIO, PRINCE RAMOS
To: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.; TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 060401/0091 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240010166A1 · Jan 11, 2024
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