Method for predicting charging process duration

Abstract

A method for predicting the duration of a future charging process for a vehicle battery. The method comprises estimating a future charge amount of the battery corresponding to the start of the future charging process. The method further comprises estimating a future temperature of the battery. The method still further comprises determining a future charging power or a characteristic thereof to be applied to the battery during the future charging process, wherein the future charging power or characteristic thereof is based on the estimated future charge amount and the estimated future temperature and is representative of a charging amount or characteristic thereof that will maintain the temperature of the battery at or below a threshold temperature during the future charging process. The method still further comprises predicting a duration of the future charging process based on the estimated future charge amount and the determined future charging power or characteristic thereof.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates generally to a plug-in electric vehicle, and more particularly to a method for predicting the duration of one or more future charging sessions of a battery of the plug-in electric vehicle. Background technique [0002] Plug-in electric vehicles can be charged in a number of different ways with a variety of different power sources and charging arrangements. One specific way in which a plug-in electric vehicle can be charged is through an external high voltage charger, such as a charger that is part of a charging station and provides DC power of 200V-600V. One advantage of charging a plug-in electric vehicle via an external high-voltage charger is that it can be charged quickly. This type of charging arrangement, which is also referred to as "fast charging", can significantly reduce charging times and at the same time provide a charging power of between 10 kW-300 kW. As used herein, the term "fast charging" encompasses any...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0004] While potentially providing a more accurate prediction of the duration of the charging process compared to conventional techniques using nominal battery temperature, one disadvantage of this technique is that the prediction is not made until the charging process begins

In this way, the vehicle user does not know how far in advance the charging process will be initiated and, therefore, cannot factor this into his / her travel planning

As such, due to an unknown amount of time that may be added to the trip (resulting from the execution of one or more charging processes), the amount of time the trip may take may be significantly different (increased) from the amount of time expected by the user

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