Vehicle Power Management System

A vehicle power management system (VPMS) for controlling a charging voltage of a battery in a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a charging source that provides a selected voltage to the battery, the system comprising:

• a battery monitor coupled to the battery for determining a state of charge (SOC) of the battery, a battery temperature, and a battery charging current;
• and
• a VPMS controller receiving periodic messages from the battery monitor including measurement results of the SOC, battery temperature, and battery charging current from the battery monitor, wherein the VPMS controller evaluates the messages from the battery monitor to determine a charge mode;
• wherein the VPMS controller enters a rapid charge mode when the SOC is less than a first threshold, wherein the VPMS controller selects a target rapid charge voltage, compensates the target rapid charge voltage for the battery temperature, and transmits the compensated rapid charge voltage to the charging source, and wherein the VPMS controller compares the battery charging current to an overcurrent threshold and if the battery charging current exceeds the overcurrent threshold then the VPMS controller transmits a reduced charge voltage to the charging source;
• wherein the VPMS controller enters a normal charge mode when the SOC is greater than the first threshold and less than a second threshold, wherein the VPMS controller selects a target normal charge voltage which is less than the target rapid charge voltage, compensates the target normal charge voltage for the battery temperature, and transmits the compensated normal charge voltage to the charging source;
• wherein the VPMS controller enters a trickle charge mode when the SOC is greater than the second threshold, wherein the VPMS controller selects a target trickle charge voltage which is less than the target normal charge voltage, compensates the target trickle charge voltage for the battery temperature, and transmits the compensated trickle charge voltage to the charging source;
• wherein the VPMS controller enters the trickle charge mode in the event of a failure to receive the SOC, battery temperature, or battery charging current from the battery monitor.