Battery charging time optimization system
AssigneeTesla Motors, Inc.
InventorScott Ira Kohn
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for optimizing battery pack charging is provided. In this system, during charging the coupling of auxiliary systems (e.g., battery cooling systems) to the external power source are delayed so that the battery pack charge rate may be optimized, limited only by the available power. Once surplus power is available, for example as the requirements of the charging system decrease, the auxiliary system or systems may be coupled to the external power source without degrading the performance of the charging system.
Claims12
A method for optimizing the charging cycle of a battery pack of an electric vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
- electrically connecting a power control subsystem of said electric vehicle to an external power source, wherein said power control subsystem may draw up to a maximum power from said external power source;
- monitoring a parameter corresponding to an electric vehicle auxiliary system;
- comparing said parameter to a first preset value when said power control subsystem is electrically connected to said external power source, said first preset value corresponding to a threshold requirement of said electric vehicle auxiliary system, wherein said method comprises the following steps when said parameter is less than said first preset value:
- determining an optimal charge rate for said battery pack, wherein said optimal charge rate determining step is performed by a charging controller, and wherein said optimal charge rate is limited by said maximum power;
- charging said battery pack at said optimal charge rate;
- determining whether surplus power is available from said external power source based on said optimal charge rate;
- disabling said electric vehicle auxiliary system from drawing power from said external power source when said battery pack is charging at said optimal charge rate and when no surplus power is available;
- and
- enabling said electric vehicle auxiliary system to draw power from said external power source via said power control subsystem when said battery pack is charging at said optimal charge rate and when surplus power is available;
- and
- wherein said method comprises the following steps when said parameter is greater than said first preset value:
- enabling said electric vehicle auxiliary system to draw power from said external power source via said power control subsystem;
- and
- charging said battery pack at a suboptimal charge rate, wherein said suboptimal charge rate is limited by said maximum power reduced by a power drain corresponding to said electric vehicle auxiliary system electrically connected to said power control subsystem.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.