Vehicle power plug converter

Apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed for a vehicle power plug converter. An example disclosed plug-in converter for a vehicle power socket includes a wireless node, a plug, a switch, an accessory power socket and a controller. The example a wireless node wirelessly receives service messages. The example plug is configured to plug into the vehicle power socket. The example switch is between the plug and the accessory power socket. Additionally, the example controller, in response to receiving the service messages, closes the switch to electrically couple the plug and the accessory power socket.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to vehicle power buses and, more specifically, a vehicle power plug converter.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles include 12 volt (V) power ports in various locations around the vehicle, such as on the infotainment head unit. Traditionally, these power ports are connected to a power bus that is “continuous”; that is, the power ports receive power when the vehicle ignition is off. Drivers may forget to unplug accessories, such as phones, dash cameras, GPS, or RADAR detector. As a result, the battery of the vehicle may drain while the driver is away.

SUMMARY

Example embodiments are disclosed for a vehicle power plug converter. An example disclosed plug-in converter for a vehicle power socket includes a wireless node, a plug, a switch, an accessory power socket and a controller. The example a wireless node wirelessly receives service messages. The example plug is configured to plug into the vehicle power socket. The example switch is between the plug and the accessory power socket. Additionally, the example controller, in response to receiving the service messages, closes the switch to electrically couple the plug and the accessory power socket.

An example disclosed system includes a vehicle and a plug-in converter. The example vehicle includes a first wireless node electrically coupled to a first vehicle power bus, and a first power socket electrically coupled to a second vehicle power bus. The example plug-in converter is configured to plug into the first power socket. Additionally, the example plug-in converter includes a second wireless node, a switch, and a controller to, in response to receiving service messages, close the switch to electrically couple a plug and a second power socket.

An example disclosed method to manage power to a device electrically coupled to a first power bus of a vehicle includes, in response to receiving a service message from a wireless node electrically coupled to a second power bus to the vehicle, providing a first signal to a switch between the first power bus and the device. The first signal causes the switch to be in a closed state. Additionally, the example method includes, in response to not receiving the service message for a threshold period of time, providing a second signal to the switch. The second signal causes the switch to be in an open state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Vehicle subsystems are connected to a direct current (DC) power bus. The power bus is supplied by an alternator and a battery. When the engine is running, the alternator supplies power to the DC power bus through a power regulator. Additionally, when the alternator cannot supply enough current to meet the current demand (e.g., when the engine is off), the DC power is supplied by the battery. Thus, the power bus supplies power even when vehicle of off. As used herein, “continuous power” refers to power that is available when the ignition switch of the vehicle is set to off. Several vehicle subsystems (e.g., a sound system, lights, etc.) receive power when the ignition switch is set to the accessory power (“ACC”) position or the on position. As used herein “ignition power” refers to power that is available when the ignition switch of the vehicle is set to ACC or on. Additionally, several vehicle subsystems (e.g., the interior lights, rear defroster, seat warmers, etc.) receive power for a limited time period (e.g., five minutes, ten minutes, etc.) after the ignition switch is set to off. As used herein, “delayed accessory power” refers to power that is available for a limited time period after the ignition switch is set to off. A body control module monitors and controls various subsystems of the vehicle. For example, the body control module may control power windows, power locks, an immobilizer system, and/or power mirrors, etc. Additionally, the body control module controls the ignition power and the delayed accessory power.

As disclosed below, a switched power plug is insertable into a power port of the vehicle. The power port receives continuous power from the power bus. A vehicle wireless node is electrically coupled to a vehicle subsystem (e.g., the sound system, the done light, the rear defroster, etc.) that receives ignition power or delayed accessory power via the body control module. In such a manner, the vehicle wireless node receives power when the corresponding subsystem receives power. While receiving power, vehicle wireless node periodically broadcasts a service message. The switched power plug includes a switch wireless node that communicably couples with the vehicle wireless node. The switched power plug supplies power into an accessory (e.g., phones, dash cameras, GPS, or RADAR detector) electrically coupled to the switched power plug based on the service messages. The switched power plug switches off the power to the accessory after not receiving the service message for a threshold period of time (e.g. three times the period that the vehicle wireless node broadcasts the service message, etc.). For example, if the vehicle wireless node broadcasts the service message every 15 seconds, the switched power plug may switch off the power to the accessory after not receiving the service message for 45 seconds. Additionally, the switched power plug supplies power to the accessory upon receiving the service message.

FIG. 1is a block diagram of electronics100of a vehicle102in accordance with the teaching of this disclosure. The vehicle102may be a standard gasoline powered vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, an electric vehicle, a fuel cell vehicle, and/or any other mobility implement type of vehicle. The vehicle102includes parts related to mobility, such as a powertrain with an engine, a transmission, a suspension, a driveshaft, and/or wheels, etc. Additionally, the vehicle102may be non-autonomous, semi-autonomous or autonomous. In the illustrated example, the vehicle102includes an ignition switch104, a battery106, a power manager108, fuses110, a body control module112, accessories114a-114c, a wireless node116, and a power socket118. In the illustrated example, the vehicle102includes an alternator120. Alternatively in some examples, some vehicles102(e.g. electric vehicles, etc.) may not have the alternator120, but instead have a larger battery106.

The ignition switch104is electrically coupled to a starter motor (not shown) an electric drive motor. In some examples, the ignition switch104is configured to receive a key. Alternatively or additionally, in some examples, the ignition switch104may be coupled to a passive entry-passive start system that facilitates operation of the ignition switch104without inserting a key. The ignition switch104has an off position and an on position. Additionally, in some examples, the ignition switch104has an accessory power position (sometimes referred to as “ACC”).

The battery106may be any suitable battery to provide power to the vehicle102. For example, the battery106may be an acid-lead battery or a lithium-ion battery. The battery106supplies power when the ignition switch104is set to off or ACC, or when the alternator120does not supply enough current. When the vehicle102is an electric or hybrid vehicle, the battery106may be the primary source of power. In some examples, the alternator120supplies AC current based on the revolutions per minute (RPM) of the engine. The power manager108regulates the current and voltage from the battery106and/or the alternator120. In the illustrated example, the power manager108supplies the regulated power to the body control module112and the power socket118via one or more power buses122of the vehicle102. In some examples, the power manager108controls recharging the battery106using excess current generated by the alternator120. In the illustrated example, the power buses122include fuses110that protect the electrical systems of the vehicle102.

The body control module112controls various subsystems of the vehicle102. For example, the body control module112may control power windows, power locks, an immobilizer system, and/or power mirrors, etc. The body control module112includes circuits to, for example, drive relays (e.g., to control wiper fluid, etc.), drive brushed direct current (DC) motors (e.g., to control power seats, power locks, power windows, wipers, etc.), drive stepper motors, and/or drive LEDs, etc. The body control module112is communicatively coupled to input controls within the vehicle102, such as power window control buttons, power lock buttons, etc. The body control module112instructs the subsystem to act based on the corresponding to the actuated input control. For example, if the driver's side window button is toggled to lower the driver's side window, the body control module112instructs the actuator controlling the position of the driver's side window to lower the window. Additionally, the body control module112is electrically coupled to the ignition switch104. The example body control module112includes one or more switches and a controller (e.g., a processor and/or a circuit, etc.) that controls the power received by the accessories114a-114c. The body control module112controls the ignition power and the delayed accessory power.

The accessories114a-114ccontrol various subsystems in the vehicle102that receive ignition power and/or delayed accessory power from the vehicle102. For examples, a dome light114bmay receive delayed accessory power that is on for ten minutes after the ignition switch104is set to off. As another example, a rear defroster114cmay receive ignition power that is on when the ignition switch is set to off or ACC.

The wireless node116includes hardware and firmware to implement a short-range wireless network, such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). The BLE protocol is set forth in Volume 6 of the Bluetooth Specification 4.0 (and subsequent revisions) maintained by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group. In the illustrated example, the wireless node116is electrically coupled to the power bus associated via one of the accessories114a-114c. Alternatively, in some examples, the wireless node116is electrically coupled to the body control module112to receive the ignition power or the delayed accessory power. When powered, the example wireless node116periodically (e.g., every ten seconds, every fifteen seconds, etc.) transmits a service message. The service message advertises that the wireless node116is receiving power.

The power socket118is a receptacle connector designed for receiving an electrical plug. The power sockets118may be located in various locations around the vehicle102. For example, one power socket118may be embedded in an infotainment head unit and another power socket118may be embedded in back of a center armrest console accessible to the rear seats of the vehicle102. In the illustrated example, the power socket(s)118receive continuous power from the power manager108.

As discuss in connection withFIG. 2below, a switched power plug124may be plugged into the power socket(s)118. The switched power plug124is communicatively coupled to the wireless node116. The switched power plug124provides power to a device electrically coupled to the switched power plug124while receiving the service message. After a period of time (e.g., three times the period of the service message, etc.) of not receiving the service message, the switched power plug124stops supplying power to the electrically coupled device. In such as manner, the switched power plug124converts the continuous power socket118into an ignition power or delayed accessory power socket.

FIG. 2is a block diagram of electronics200of the switched power plug124ofFIG. 1. The switched power plug124converts the continuous power socket118ofFIG. 1into an ignition power or delayed accessory power socket. In the illustrated example, the switched power plug124includes a power manager202, a processor or controller204, memory206, a wireless node208, a switch210, and a power socket212. In some examples, the switched power plug124also includes a universal serial bus (USB) port214.

The example power manager202regulates voltage (e.g., 3.3V, 5V, etc.) to be used by the processor or controller204, the memory206, and the wireless node208. Additionally, in some examples, the power manager202regulates voltage to the power socket212and/or the USB port214. For example, the voltage from the continuous power socket118may be regulated from 14.3V to 12V for the power socket212and to 5V (e.g., at 1 A to 2.1 A, etc).

The processor or controller204may be any suitable processing device or set of processing devices such as, but not limited to: a microprocessor, a microcontroller-based platform, a suitable integrated circuit, one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and/or one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). The memory206may be volatile memory (e.g., RAM, which can include non-volatile RAM, magnetic RAM, ferroelectric RAM, and any other suitable forms); non-volatile memory (e.g., disk memory, FLASH memory, EPROMs, EEPROMs, memristor-based non-volatile solid-state memory, etc.), unalterable memory (e.g., EPROMs), read-only memory, and/or high-capacity storage devices (e.g., hard drives, solid state drives, etc). In some examples, the memory206includes multiple kinds of memory, particularly volatile memory and non-volatile memory. In some examples, the memory206may be integrated with the processor or controller204.

The memory206is computer readable media on which one or more sets of instructions, such as the software for operating the methods of the present disclosure can be embedded. The instructions may embody one or more of the methods or logic as described herein. In a particular embodiment, the instructions may reside completely, or at least partially, within any one or more of the memory206, the computer readable medium, and/or within the processor204during execution of the instructions.

The wireless node208hardware and firmware implements the same short-range wireless network as the wireless node116of the vehicle102. The wireless node208is communicatively coupled to the processor or controller204. Additionally, the wireless node208receives the service messages broadcast by the wireless node116of the vehicle102. Additionally, in some examples, the wireless node208also pairs with a mobile device216(e.g., a smart phone, a smart watch, a tablet, etc.) that includes a wireless node.

The switch210has an open state and a closed state. When the switch210is in the open state, power is not supplied to the power socket212. Conversely, when the switch210is in the closed state, power is supplied to the power socket212. The switch210may be a power transistor. For example, the switch210may be an N-channel MOSFET where (a) the gate is electrically coupled to the processor or controller204to control the state of the switch210, (b) the source is electrically coupled to the power manager202, and (c) the drain is electrically coupled to the power socket212. Alternatively, in some examples, the switch is a mechanical relay or a solid state relay (SSR).

The power socket212is configured to accept a 12V DC power plug that is designed to plug into the continuous power socket118of the vehicle102. The USB port214may be any suitable female USB connector. For example, the USB port214may be a female USB A-type connector or a female USB C-type connector.

The processor or controller204controls the state of the switch210based on the service messages received from the wireless node116of the vehicle102. Additionally, in some examples, the processor or controller204controls the state of the switch210based on the service messages from the mobile device.216. In some such examples, an application executing on the mobile device may be activated to transmit the service messages. In such a manner, the device plugged into the switched power plug124may receive power when the ignition switch104is set to off when the application is activated by the user. For example, a dashboard camera receive power when the mobile device216is within range (e.g., 33 feet, etc.) of the wireless node208of the switched power plug124, but does not receive power when mobile device moves past the range of the wireless node208. As illustrated in the example ofFIG. 3, upon receiving the service message, the processor or controller204closes the switch210. The processor or controller204causes the switch210to remain closed until the service message is not received for a threshold period of time. The threshold period of time facilitates, for example, robust handling of timing differences between the wireless node116of the vehicle102and the processor or controller204. In the illustrated example, the threshold period of time is three times the period in which the wireless node116of the vehicle102broadcasts the service message. For example, if the wireless node116of the vehicle102broadcasts the service message every ten seconds, the processor or controller204opens the switch after thirty seconds have elapsed without receiving the service message.

FIG. 4is a flowchart of a method of operating the switched power plug124ofFIGS. 1 and 2. Initially, at block402, the controller204determines, via the wireless node208, whether a service message has been received from the vehicle102or the mobile device216. If a service message has been received, the method continues to block404. Otherwise, if a service message has not been received, the method continues to block408. At block404, the controller204resets a counter that tracks when service messages have not been received. At block406, the controller204provides a signal so that the switch210closes or remains closed. At block408, the controller204increments the counter. At block410, the controller204determines whether the counter satisfies (e.g., is greater than) a time threshold. If the counter satisfies the time threshold, the method continues to block412. Otherwise, if the counter does not satisfy the time threshold, the method continues to block406, at which the controller204provides a signal so that the switch210closes or remains closed. At block412, the controller204does not provide a signal to the switch210so that the switch210opens or remains open.

The flowchart ofFIG. 4is a method that may be implemented by machine readable instructions that comprise one or more programs that, when executed by the controller204to implement the switched power plug124ofFIGS. 1 and 2. Further, although the example program(s) is/are described with reference to the flowchart illustrated inFIG. 4, many other methods of implementing the example the switched power plug124may alternatively be used. For example, the order of execution of the blocks may be changed, and/or some of the blocks described may be changed, eliminated, or combined.