Wireless charger activation

A computer including a processor is programmed to determine that an object including ferrous material is in a charging field of an inductive charger, actuate the inductive charger, and determine a temperature of the object. The processor is further programmed to determine, based on the temperature, whether the inductive charger is operational.

BACKGROUND

A vehicle may include a wireless charger to charge various devices such as a smart phone, etc. Wireless chargers may be beneficial because of their convenience and ease of use resulting from the lack of an electrical wired connection to a device being charged. However, problems arise when a wireless charger in a vehicle fails to operate and/or do not operate properly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Introduction

Disclosed herein is a computer including a processor that is programmed to determine that an object including ferrous material is in a charging field of an inductive charger and actuate the inductive charger. The processor is further programmed to determine a temperature of the object, and determine, based on the temperature, whether the inductive charger is operational.

The processor may be further programmed to determine whether the inductive charger is operational only after determining that no mobile device is present in the charging field.

The object may be a cover, and the processor may be further programmed to output, via a human machine interface, a request to remove a mobile device from the charging field and to close the cover.

The processor may be further programmed to determine the object is in the charging field based on data received from a position sensor.

The processor may be further programmed to determine the temperature of the object based on data received from a temperature sensor that is in the inductive charger.

The inductive charger may be disposed in a vehicle interior and the processor may be further programmed to determine whether the temperature sensor is operational based in part on an exterior temperature.

The processor may be further programmed to determine the temperature based on thermal image data received from a camera with a field of view including the object.

The object may touch an outer surface of the inductive charger when disposed in the charging field of the inductive charger.

The processor may be further programmed to determine a rate of temperature change and determine whether the inductive charger is operational based on the determined rate of temperature change and a predetermined rate of temperature change threshold.

The processor may be further programmed to charge a mobile device in the charging field by actuating the inductive charger.

The processor may be further programmed to deactivate the inductive charger while determining the temperature of the object.

The object may be a cover that has an open position and a closed position, wherein the cover in the closed position is in the charging field and the cover in the open position is outside the charging field.

The ferrous material may be in form of a layer, wherein at least one of the layer is disposed in the object and is attached to an outer surface of the object.

Further disclosed herein is a method that includes determining that an object including ferrous material is in a charging field of an inductive charger, actuating the inductive charger, determining a temperature of the object, and determining, based on the temperature, whether the inductive charger is operational. The object may be a cover.

The method may further include outputting, via a human machine interface, a request to remove a mobile device from the charging field and to close the cover.

Determining that the object is in the charging field may be based on data received from a position sensor.

Determining the temperature of the object may be based on data received from a temperature sensor that is in the inductive charger.

The method may further include determining a rate of temperature change and determining whether the inductive charger is operational based on the determined rate of temperature change and a predetermined rate of temperature change threshold.

The method may further include deactivating the inductive charger while determining the temperature of the object.

Further disclosed is a computing device programmed to execute the any of the above method steps.

Yet further disclosed is a computer program product, comprising a computer readable medium storing instructions executable by a computer processor, to execute any of the above method steps.

Exemplary System Elements

FIG. 1is a block diagram of a vehicle100. The vehicle100may be powered in variety of known ways, e.g., with an electric motor and/or internal combustion engine. The vehicle100may include an instrumentation panel (IP)105, a computer110, actuator(s)120, sensor(s)130, a human machine interface (HMI)140, and a wireless inductive charger150, each of which are discussed in more detail below.

The computer110includes a processor and a memory such as are known. The memory includes one or more forms of computer-readable media, and stores instructions executable by the computer110for performing various operations, including as disclosed herein.

The computer110may include programming to operate one or more of vehicle brakes, propulsion (e.g., control of acceleration in the vehicle by controlling one or more of an internal combustion engine, electric motor, hybrid engine, etc.), steering, climate control, interior and/or exterior lights, etc., as well as to determine whether and when the computer110, as opposed to a human operator, is to control such operations.

The computer110is generally arranged for communications on a vehicle communication network, e.g., including a communication bus such as a controller area network (CAN) or the like. The computer110may include or be communicatively coupled to, e.g., via a vehicle communications bus as described further below, more than one processor, e.g., controllers or the like included in the vehicle for monitoring and/or controlling various subsystems such as a powertrain, brake, steering, etc.

Via the vehicle network, the computer110may transmit messages to various devices in the vehicle100and/or receive messages from the various devices, e.g., controllers, actuators, sensors, etc., including sensors130. Alternatively or additionally, in cases where the computer110actually comprises multiple devices, the vehicle communication network may be used for communications between devices represented as the computer110in this disclosure. Further, as mentioned below, various controllers and/or sensors130may provide data to the computer110via the vehicle communication network.

In addition, the computer110may be configured for communicating through a wireless communication interface with a remote computer such as a mobile device160. The wireless communication interface may communicate via a communication network. The communication network may be one or more of wireless communication mechanisms, including any desired combination of wireless (e.g., cellular, wireless, satellite, microwave and radio frequency) communication mechanisms and any desired network topology (or topologies when multiple communication mechanisms are utilized).

The wireless communication interface typically includes conventional electronic circuitry such as a wireless (or radio frequency) signal transmitter, a wireless (or radio frequency) signal receiver, and an amplifier circuit to boost an outgoing and incoming radio frequency signal. The vehicle100computer110may be programmed to receive a wireless signal, via the wireless signal receiver. The computer110may be programmed to identify an identifier of a device such as a mobile device160transmitting wireless signals based on the received wireless signal. The wireless signal receiver may be configured to receive wireless signals based on various wireless communication protocols, e.g., LTE, Bluetooth™, WAN, etc. For example, the computer110may be programmed to receive a request for charging a battery of the mobile device160. The computer110may be programmed to determine whether the received request is from the mobile device160associated with the vehicle100(e.g., vehicle occupant mobile device) based on the received identifier of the mobile device160.

Sensors130may include a variety of devices known to provide data via the vehicle communications bus. For example, the sensors130may include one or more cameras, radars, and/or Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) sensors disposed in the vehicle100providing data encompassing at least some of the vehicle interior and/or exterior. In one example shown inFIG. 1, the camera sensor130with a field of view135provides image data encompassing at least a part of vehicle100interior, e.g., the instrumentation panel105.

The actuators120typically include circuits, chips, or other electronic components that can actuate various vehicle subsystems in accordance with appropriate control signals as is known. For instance, the actuators120may include one or more relays, servomotors, etc. The actuators120, therefore, may be used to control braking, acceleration, and steering of the vehicle100. The control signals used to control the actuators120may be generated by the computer110, a control unit located in the vehicle100, e.g., the brake controller, etc.

The HMI140may be configured to receive user input, e.g., during operation of the vehicle100. As one example, an HMI140may include touchscreens, buttons, knobs, keypads, microphone, and so on for receiving information from a user. Moreover, an HMI140may include various interfaces such a Ford SYNC® computing interface, a smart phone, etc., for receiving information from a user and/or output information to the user.

With reference toFIGS. 1-3, the wireless inductive charger150may wirelessly charge a battery, e.g., a battery of the mobile device160. The wireless inductive charger150may charge the battery using known magnetic induction techniques. The inductive charger150may be mounted to a vehicle100instrument panel105. Thus, the inductive charger150may be disposed in an interior115of the vehicle100. The inductive charger150may include a cover165with an open (seeFIGS. 1-2) and a closed position (seeFIG. 3). The wireless inductive charger150may include an outer surface155on which a device such as the mobile device160can be placed for charging while the cover165is in the open position (seeFIGS. 1-2). The cover165may be slideably and/or pivotably moved from the open position to the closed position and vice versa. In one example, the cover165in the closed position completely covers the outer surface155.

The computer110may be programmed to actuate the inductive charger150to generate a magnetic charging field230. The charging field230may encompass at least a part of the outer surface155and an area above the surface155. The inductive charger150may include a transmitter coil, electric and/or electronic components, etc. The transmitter coil may include conducting material such as copper wire, wrapped around a core of plastic, ferrous material, etc. For example, the charging field230may reach up to 5 cm (centimeters) above the outer surface155.

The cover165may be formed of hard plastic, etc. The cover165may include ferrous material. The ferrous material may be a layer attached to an external surface of the cover165and/or between plastic layers of the cover165. As discussed below, the cover165may be heated using inductive energy. The inductive charger150may cause electrical current in the ferrous material included in the cover165. Additionally or alternatively, the vehicle100may include an object including ferrous material that can be placed on the outer surface155. As discussed below, the computer110may be programmed to determine whether there is a deficiency in the inductive charger150based on generated heat in the object and/or cover165.

The cover165in the closed position may touch the outer surface155of the inductive charger150. Thus, the cover165may be at least in part within in the charging field230of the inductive charger150. For example, the cover165may slideably move on the surface155while touching the surface155. “Touching” in the present context means physically touching or having a gap less than or equal to 3 millimeters.

The mobile device160may include an inductive receiver220(e.g., an inductive coil) that receives electric energy via the charging field230upon placing the mobile device160on the surface155within the charging field230, as shown inFIG. 2. A mobile device160processor may be programmed to actuate the inductive receiver220to receive electric energy from the charging field230and charge a rechargeable battery included in the mobile device160.

The computer110may be programmed to actuate the inductive charger150to charge the device160battery upon, e.g., detecting the mobile device160on the outer surface155based on vehicle100sensor130data and/or receiving a request to charge the mobile device160battery. For example, the computer110may receive a request to charge the battery of the mobile device160via a vehicle100wireless communication interface. In the present context, this mode of operation of the charger150is referred to as “charging mode.”

The wireless inductive charger150may fail to charge the mobile device160, e.g., as a result of a deficiency in the inductive charger150and/or the mobile device160. For example, the mobile device160processor may fail to actuate the inductive receiver220to receive electric energy from the charging field230. Advantageously, the computer110can be programmed to determine whether the wireless inductive charger150is operational. Thus, the computer110is programmed to determine that an object, e.g., the cover165, including ferrous material therein and/or thereon, is in the charging field230of the inductive charger150, and can further be programmed to then actuate the inductive charger150. The computer110is further programmed to determine a temperature of the object and determine, based on the temperature, whether the inductive charger150is operational (i.e., whether the inductive charger150can charge the device160if operated in the “charging mode”). In the present context, this mode of operation of the inductive charger150is referred to as “diagnostics mode.” In the “diagnostics mode,” the computer110determines whether the inductive charger150in the “charging mode” can wirelessly charge, e.g., the mobile device160battery.

The charging field230may induce inductive current in the ferrous material included in the object, e.g., the cover165. The induced current generates a temperature increase in the ferrous material. Thus, the computer110may determine that the inductive charger150operates by determining a temperature increase in the object.

In one example, the computer110may be programmed to determine a rate of temperature change and to determine whether the inductive charger150is operational based on comparing the determined rate of temperature change to a predetermined threshold. The computer110may be programmed to determine that the inductive charger150is operational, i.e., can charge the device160, upon determining that an increase of temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature rate of increase, e.g., 3 degrees Celsius per minute. The computer110may be programmed to determine a first temperature of the object at a time at which the inductive charger150is actuated, and a second temperature after a predetermined time, e.g., 1 minute, and to determine that the inductive charger150is operational based on the first and second temperatures.

The computer110may be further programmed to determine whether the inductive charger150is operational only after determining that no device such as the mobile device160is present in the charging field230. As discussed above, the computer110may determine whether the inductive charger150is operational based on temperature changes of the object, e.g., the cover165. In one example, the computer110may be programmed to output, via the HMI140, a request to remove the mobile device160from the charging field230and to close the cover165. The cover165may include ferrous material. Thus, in the closed position, the ferrous material included in the cover165may be within the charging field230of the inductive charger150, whereas in the open position, the cover165and therefore the ferrous material may be outside the charging field230.

The computer110may be programmed to determine that the object (e.g., the cover165) is in the charging field230based on data received from a position sensor250. In one example, the position sensor250may include a proximity switch, mechanical switch, etc. The computer110may be programmed to receive data from the position sensor250and determine whether the cover165is in the closed position based on the received data. The computer110may be programmed to determine that the cover165is closed only upon determining that the cover165completely covers the outer surface155, e.g., based on data received from the position sensor250. Additionally or alternatively, the computer110may be programmed to determine whether the cover165is in closed position and/or the object is placed on the outer surface155based on image data received from the camera sensor130with the field of view135including the outer surface155. Thus, the computer110may be programmed to determine whether the cover165is closed using known image processing techniques.

The computer110may be programmed to determine the temperature of the object based on data received from a temperature sensor240. The temperature sensor240may be mounted in the inductive charger210, under the outer surface155, etc. As discussed above, the cover165in the closed position may touch the outer surface155. Thus, the temperature sensor240mounted, e.g., underneath the outer surface155, may determine a temperature of the object, e.g., the cover, on the outer surface155. Additionally or alternatively, the computer110may be programmed to determine the temperature of the over165based on thermal image data received from the camera sensor130using known image processing techniques.

As shown inFIGS. 2-3, the temperature sensor240may be in the charging field230which may cause deficiencies, e.g., electrical noise, in determining the temperature. In one example, the computer110may be programmed to deactivate the inductive charger210while determining the temperature of the object, the cover165, etc.

The temperature sensor240may have deficiencies (i.e., faults or defects) which may result in an inaccurate temperature determination. In one example, the computer110may be programmed to determine whether the temperature sensor240is operational (i.e., is providing data within expected parameters, is not reporting a fault conditions, etc.) based in part on an exterior temperature of the vehicle100. The vehicle100may include an ambient temperature sensor130, e.g., mounted in the interior115of the vehicle100. For example, the computer110may be programmed to determine whether the temperature sensor240is operational based on data received from the temperature sensor240and the ambient temperature sensor130.

The computer110may determine a first temperature of the outer surface155and a first ambient temperature at a time of turning off the computer110. The computer110may be further programmed to determine a second temperature of the outer surface155and a second ambient temperature upon turning on the vehicle100. The computer110may be programmed to determine whether the temperature sensor240is operational based on a change of ambient temperature and a change of outer surface155temperature. The charger150including the temperature sensor240may be mounted to the IP105. That is, temperature changes measured by the temperature sensor240may follow temperature changes of the vehicle100interior115, although with a time delay. In one example, the computer110may be programmed to determine that the temperature sensor240has a deficiency upon determining that the received temperature data from the temperature sensor240is changed over a predetermined time, e.g., 30 minutes, within a range threshold, e.g., 2 degrees Celsius, whereas the ambient temperature changes over the predetermined time more than a second range threshold, e.g., 10 degrees. In other words, while the ambient sensor shows a change the temperature sensor240does not change accordingly.

Processing

FIGS. 4A-4Bare a flowchart of an exemplary process400for operating the inductive charger150. In one example, the computer110may be programmed to execute blocks of the process400.

The process400begins in a decision block405(seeFIG. 4A), in which the computer110determines whether the charger150is in the charging mode. For example, the computer110may be programmed to determine that the charger150is in the “charging mode” upon receiving a request from the mobile device160to charge the device160battery. If the computer110determines that the inductive charger150is in the “charging mode” then the process400proceeds to a block410; otherwise the process400proceeds to a decision block425.

In the block410, the computer110actuates the inductive charger150to charge the device160battery. For example, the computer110may be programmed to actuate the inductive charger150with a magnitude and/or frequency determined based on data received via the wireless communication interface from the mobile device160. Additionally, the computer110may be programmed to actuate the charger150only upon determining that the device160is within the charging field230. “Within the charging field230” may be defined as (i) an area where magnitude of the magnetic field exceeds a threshold such as 10 μT (micro tesla), and/or (ii) an area within a distance threshold, e.g., 2 mm, from the outer surface155. For example, the computer110may be programmed to determine that the device160is placed in the charging field230based on received feedback from the inductive charger150, using conventional induction techniques. As another example, the computer110may be programmed to determine that the device160is within in the charging field230based on received image data from the camera sensor130with the field of view135that includes the outer surface155.

Next, in a decision block415, the computer110determines whether the mobile device160battery is charged. For example, the computer110may be programmed to receive a charging status from the mobile device160via the vehicle100wireless communication interface. The charging status in the present context may include a percentage of battery charge, i.e., from 0 to 100%. If the computer110determines that the battery is charged, then the process400proceeds to a block420; otherwise the process400returns to the decision block415.

In the block420, the computer110deactivates the inductive charger150. Following the block420, the process400ends, or alternatively returns to the decision block405, although not shown inFIG. 4A.

In the decision block425, the computer110determines whether the charger150is in the diagnostics mode. For example, the computer110may determine that the charger150is in the “diagnostics mode” upon receiving a request from the HMI140, e.g., based on user input, to test the charger150. If the computer110determines that the inductive charger150is in the diagnostic mode, then the process400proceeds to a decision block430; otherwise the process400ends, or alternatively returns to the decision block405, although not shown inFIG. 4A.

In the decision block430, the computer110determines whether the mobile device160is removed from the outer surface155. For example, the computer110may be programmed to determine whether the device160is removed based on received image data from the camera sensor130with the field of view135including the outer surface and/or feedback electric signal received from the inductive charger150. If the computer110determines that the device160is removed from the outer surface155, then the process400proceeds to a decision block440(seeFIG. 4B); otherwise the process400proceeds to a block435.

In the block435, the computer110outputs a request to, e.g., via HMI140, to remove the device160from the outer surface155. Following the block435, the process400returns to the decision block430.

Turning toFIG. 4B, in the decision block440, the computer110determines whether the cover165is closed. The computer110may be programmed to determine that the cover165is closed based on data received from the position sensor250and/or image data received from the camera sensor130. Additionally or alternatively, the computer110may be programmed to determine that an object including ferrous material is disposed in the charging field230. If the computer110determines that the cover165is closed, then the process400proceeds to a block445; otherwise the process400proceeds to a block455.

In the block455, the computer110outputs a request, e.g., via the HMI140, to close the cover165. Additionally or alternatively, the computer110may be programmed to actuate a vehicle100actuator120to close the cover165. Following the block455, the process400returns to the decision block440.

In the block445, the computer110actuates the inductive charger150to heat the object, e.g., the cover165.

Next, in a decision block450, the computer110determines whether a predetermined wait time, e.g., 1 minute, has elapsed. If the computer110determines that the predetermined wait time has elapsed, then the process400proceeds to a decision block460; otherwise the process400returns to the decision block450.

In the decision block460, the computer110determines whether the temperature sensor240has a deficiency. For example, the computer110may be programmed to determine whether the temperature sensor240is faulty based on a determined change of ambient temperature and a change of outer surface155temperature. If the computer110determines that the temperature sensor240is operational (OK), then the process400proceeds to a block465; otherwise the process400proceeds to a block480.

In the block465, the computer110determines a change of the temperature of the cover165. For example, the computer110may be programmed to determine a change of the cover165temperature since start of heating the cover165, e.g., based on data received from the temperature sensor240, the image data received from the camera sensor130, etc.

Next, in a decision block470, the computer110determines whether the inductive charger150is operational. For example, the computer110may determine whether the charger150is operational based on the determined change of temperature of the cover165and a predetermined minimum expected rate of temperature change, e.g., 3 degrees Celsius per minute. If the computer110determines that the inductive charger150is operational, then the process400ends (seeFIG. 4A), or alternatively, returns to the decision block405, although not shown inFIGS. 4A-4B; otherwise the process400proceeds to a block475.

In the block475, the computer110outputs information to the HMI140, e.g., including deficiency of the charger150. Following the block475, the process400ends (seeFIG. 4A), or alternatively, returns to the decision block405, although not shown inFIGS. 4A-4B.

In the block480, computer110outputs temperature sensor240information to the HMI140, e.g., including deficiency of the temperature sensor240. Following the block480, the process400ends (seeFIG. 4A), or alternatively, returns to the decision block405, although not shown inFIGS. 4A-4B.

The article “a” modifying a noun should be understood as meaning one or more unless stated otherwise, or context requires otherwise. The phrase “based on” encompasses being partly or entirely based on.

With regard to the media, processes, systems, methods, etc. described herein, it should be understood that, although the steps of such processes, etc. have been described as occurring according to a certain ordered sequence, such processes could be practiced with the described steps performed in an order other than the order described herein. It further should be understood that certain steps could be performed simultaneously, that other steps could be added, or that certain steps described herein could be omitted. In other words, the descriptions of systems and/or processes herein are provided for the purpose of illustrating certain embodiments, and should in no way be construed so as to limit the disclosed subject matter.