Patent Description:
The present disclosure generally relates to alternative fuel vehicles ("AFVs") and more particularly to systems for managing hazards associated with such AFVs.

Special training, tools and information are often required for emergency responders, such as the Fire Service and EMS, to safely handle emergency situations involving AFVs. Such AFVs include, for example, electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, fuel cell vehicles and gaseous fuel vehicles. As the configuration of each AFV varies by make, model and year, vehicle manufacturers provide emergency response guides for use by first and second responders that provide vehicle and safety information unique to the particular AFV. Currently, collections of these emergency response guides are made available through websites hosted, for example, by the National Fire Protection Association. The guides vary based on the type of architecture, system(s) and component(s) used in the AFV.

In general, emergency responders are required to locate various badges or other identifiers on the AFV and/or to decode the VIN of the AFV to properly identify the vehicle make, model and year. After the AFV is properly identified, the emergency responder must then locate the corresponding emergency response guide. Of course, in emergency situations such as fighting a fire or assisting injured people, time is of the essence, and any delays in identifying the AFV and accessing the corresponding emergency response guide may result in further property damage, more severe injuries or even death.

Additionally, when water is involved, the dangers presented by AFVs, particularly those with high voltage systems, may be even more severe. It is well known that water is a good conductor of electricity and electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles store large amounts of electrical energy in on-board batteries. The emergency response guides for such AFVs instruct the emergency responders how to safely treat the vehicles when water is involved, which may occur as a result of flooding or driver error. Many AFVs have a high voltage service disconnect and/or an emergency disconnect which must be accessed by the emergency responders. While some AFVs include a high voltage battery that discharges automatically when a collision is detected such as by a motion detector, not all AFVs include this feature. Additionally, some vehicles become at least partially submerged in water as a result of flooding or other events, where no collision occurs.

Thus, what is needed is an improved approach to enable emergency responders to quickly and safely respond to situations involving AFVs.

<CIT> relates to a method of processing vehicle crash data including the steps of receiving vehicle data obtained at a vehicle during a vehicle crash, determining the identity of the vehicle, estimating the severity of the vehicle crash using the determined vehicle identity and the received vehicle data, and providing the estimated severity to an emergency responder.

<CIT> relates to determining vehicle collision on the basis of a change in a vehicle speed V at the time of communication cut-off when that occurs, to discharge, by using a discharge circuit, a charge stored in a smoothing capacitor.

<CIT> relates to a system for discharging the electric charge stored in a battery of an electric/ hybrid vehicle, upon receiving a signal indicative of the occurrence of a vehicle event such as a flood, a crash or a failure of electrical isolation.

<CIT> relates to an in-vehicle power storage device that discharges a battery in a case where collision of a vehicle is detected or predicted, and stops discharging the battery when an over-discharged state has not been reached.

<CIT> discloses a method for managing battery charging of an electric vehicle docked to a charging station accommodating the vehicle to be charged through induction. The method involves monitoring the temperature in the area near the induction charging plates, such that if the sensed temperature has exceeded a threshold, the vehicle controller causes the charger to be disabled from providing power or causing the vehicle and the charger to lose association and charging of the battery to discontinue. When a battery charge procedure is already underway, the method includes interrupting the procedure in response to an object detection signal.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle hazard management system as defined in claim <NUM>.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of managing hazards associated with a vehicle having a high voltage system as defined in claim <NUM>.

Preferred features of the invention are recited in the dependent claims.

The above-mentioned and other features of this disclosure and the manner of obtaining them will become more apparent and the disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the present disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein;.

Although the drawings represent embodiments of the various features and components according to the present disclosure, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explain the present disclosure. The exemplification set out herein illustrates embodiments of the disclosure, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure in any manner.

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, which are described below. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. The disclosure includes any alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device and described methods and further applications of the principles of the disclosure, which would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates. Moreover, the embodiments were selected for description to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the disclosure.

The present disclosure provides, among other things, systems for automatically communicating key information to emergency responders in the event of an AFV crash (as detected by a motion sensor, airbag system, seat belt pretensioning system, etc.), a catastrophic battery fault and/or a water immersion event. The key information that is automatically reported to responders (generally through <NUM> in the United States) may include the location of the vehicle, the vehicle make, model and year, information indicating whether the vehicle is a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, and an emergency response guide corresponding to the vehicle or a link to an emergency response guide corresponding to the vehicle. By automatically communicating this information to the emergency responders at the time of the emergency event, the system permits the responders to identify and consult the emergency response guide corresponding to the vehicle either before leaving or while en route to the scene, and eliminates the delays associated with searching for vehicle badges, markings, VIN, etc. on the scene. In this manner, emergency responders may suit up with appropriate personal protective equipment ("PPE") and prepare any other equipment needed for the response for the particular AFV involved in the incident in advance of arriving at the scene.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, AFVs are provided with a "black box" type device which in certain embodiments is heat resistant and capable of communicating wirelessly, via RF, or otherwise with an emergency responder device such as a computer in the emergency vehicle, a handheld device, a mobile phone, etc. When on-site, the emergency responder device receives from the black box and then broadcasts, displays or otherwise communicates some or all of the following information: <NUM>) a warning that the vehicle is an AFV; <NUM>) the make, model and year of the AFV; and <NUM>) appropriate emergency response guide information for the AFV. In this manner, emergency responders can consult the appropriate emergency response guide and proceed safely with the response without having to search for vehicle identification information.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a system is provided that detects when an AFV has either driven into water and stopped or has become partially submerged in water when not in operation (e.g., parked in a lot that has become flooded). In the case of a parallel hybrid AFV, if the batteries are at risk of becoming flooded (i.e., the batteries are located underneath the vehicle) and the engine has not yet flooded (e.g., because the engine is mounted at a higher location such as in a commercial AFV), the system may automatically deactivate the batteries and switch to internal combustion power only and/or take action with the batteries, such as discharging them. This response may be particularly suitable for commercial AFVs due to the potentially greater height difference between the batteries and the engine as compared to a passenger AFV. Additionally, if the AFV has a range-extender, the system may discontinue providing charge to the batteries from the range-extender.

In situations where the AFV is being charged externally when a flooding event occurs, the system may automatically deactivate the charging system. In the case of a fleet of AFVs being charged when a flooding event occurs, when a system on an AFV located in one area detects flooding, the system may communicate with other AFVs nearby to cause those AFVs to deactivate their charging system and/or to prepare their batteries to be discharged.

Referring now to <FIG>, a vehicle hazard management system <NUM> is shown in use with an AFV <NUM>. System <NUM> generally includes a sensor <NUM>, a controller <NUM> and a transmitter <NUM>. AFV <NUM> generally includes a high voltage system <NUM> including a battery <NUM> (or collection of batteries), a DC-DC converter <NUM>, a drive unit <NUM>, a charge port <NUM> and a discharge device <NUM>. The components of high voltage system <NUM> are connected via high voltage cabling <NUM>. While AFV <NUM> is depicted as a fully electric vehicle, it should be understood that the principles of the present disclosure apply equally to any type of AFV including hybrid vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, gaseous fuel vehicles and any other vehicle that presents hazards to emergency responders. In AFV <NUM>, electricity is supplied to battery <NUM> through charge port <NUM> using a conventional charging system. Battery <NUM> may include one or more cells that employ any of various suitable energy storage technologies such as lithium-ion batteries. Battery <NUM> provides the stored electricity to drive unit <NUM>, which converts DC current into <NUM>-phase AC current that one or more electric motors (not shown) use to power the rear wheels. DC-DC converter <NUM> transforms the high voltage current from battery <NUM> to low voltage for charging a standard <NUM> volt battery (not shown), which powers various components of AFV <NUM> such as the supplementary restraint system, ignition system, airbags, displays and lighting components. In certain embodiments, discharge device <NUM> causes battery <NUM> to discharge when activated by system <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the electrical energy from battery <NUM> is drained through a resistive device such as a heater. As explained herein, discharge device <NUM> may cause battery <NUM> to discharge its energy before rising water reaches battery <NUM>.

Sensor <NUM> of system <NUM> may include one or more sensor devices as described herein, including a collision sensor and/or a water sensor. Sensor <NUM> may include one or more accelerometers or other motion detection devices that detect a sudden impact or may be integrated into an airbag system or seat belt pretensioning system of AFV <NUM> that provides collision detection functionality. In any event, sensor <NUM> provides an activation signal to controller <NUM> when an activation event occurs such as a collision, a fault involving battery <NUM>, or at least a partial water submersion event. The activation signal initiates a response by system <NUM> in the manner described below.

Controller <NUM> may be a stand-alone device or may be part of an Engine Control Module ("ECM") in vehicles having internal combustion engines. Controller <NUM> may include one or more computing devices having memory, processing and communication hardware, firmware and/or software. Controller <NUM> may be a single device or a distributed device, and the functions of the controller may be performed by hardware and/or as computer instructions on a non-transient computer readable storage medium. As shown in <FIG>, in certain embodiments controller <NUM> may include an input interface <NUM>, a processor <NUM>, a memory device <NUM>, a GPS unit <NUM>, and an output interface <NUM>. Input interface <NUM> communicates the activation signals from sensor <NUM> to processor <NUM>. Processor <NUM> is programmed to respond to receipt of an activation signal by performing one or more of a variety of functions as described herein.

In certain embodiments, processor <NUM> responds to receipt of an activation signal by generating an emergency message that is communicated by output interface <NUM> to transmitter <NUM>. Processor <NUM> may generate an emergency message by accessing memory device <NUM> to obtain information stored in memory device <NUM> identifying the make, model and year of manufacture of AFV <NUM>. Processor <NUM> may also access GPS unit <NUM> to obtain information regarding the current location of AFV <NUM>, and include such location information in the emergency message.

Referring back to <FIG>, output interface <NUM> of controller <NUM> communicates emergency messages to transmitter <NUM>. Transmitter <NUM> may transmit the emergency messages wirelessly, as radio waves configured to be received by a conventional cell phone tower <NUM>. Using conventional cell communication technology, the emergency messages are transmitted to an intended recipient such as an emergency responder communication device <NUM>. In various embodiments, emergency responder communication device <NUM> may be a <NUM> system, an emergency responder dispatch system, an emergency responder radio or cell phone, or other device that functions to provide information to one or more first and/or second responders. Emergency responder communication device <NUM> may communicate the emergency messages to one or more additional emergency responder devices <NUM>. In this manner, emergency responders at, for example, a fire station, may be immediately alerted of an emergency situation involving AFV <NUM>, and provided location and identification information regarding the AFV <NUM>.

The emergency responders may use this information to locate the emergency response manual corresponding to the AFV <NUM> involved in the emergency, such as by accessing the emergency response manual on line. The emergency responders may use the information from the emergency response manual to suit up with PPE appropriate for the situation and/or bring other equipment that may be useful in addressing the emergency situation (e.g., fans, SCBA equipment, etc.). The emergency responders may obtain the necessary equipment before departing for the location of AFV <NUM>, and review the emergency response guide en route to AFV <NUM>. For example, many AFVs <NUM> include "no-cut zones" (e.g., areas occupied by high voltage system <NUM>) which present serious risk of injury or death if pierced or otherwise damaged by victim extraction equipment. Emergency responders can identify these "no-cut zones" before arriving at the scene and be prepared to perform any extraction procedures in a manner that avoids these areas of AFV <NUM>. In this manner, the delay associated with locating vehicle identification information, obtaining the appropriate emergency response guide and reviewing the emergency information at the scene of the emergency is eliminated.

Controller <NUM> of system <NUM> may also, under appropriate circumstances, respond to receipt of an activation signal by activating discharge device <NUM>, thereby causing discharge device <NUM> to discharge the stored energy in battery <NUM> as described herein.

Referring now to <FIG>, another embodiment of a vehicle hazard management system <NUM> is shown. In this embodiment, system <NUM> is configured as a "black box" type device mounted to AFV <NUM> and configured to withstand significant mechanical force (e.g., from a collision) and heat (e.g., from a fire resulting from a collision, malfunction of high voltage system <NUM>, or otherwise). Sensor <NUM> and controller <NUM> may be substantially the same as those described above with reference to vehicle hazard management system <NUM>. Transmitter 18A, on the other hand, unlike transmitter <NUM>, is configured as a local transmitter that communicates with emergency responder communication device <NUM> on the scene. As such, transmitter 18A may be configured to operate according to Bluetooth wireless protocols or other personal area network technologies. In this manner, when emergency responder communication device <NUM> comes within range of transmitter 18A, controller <NUM> provides emergency messages including the information described above directly to emergency responder communication device <NUM>.

It should be understood that while system <NUM> eliminates the need for emergency responders to identify AFV <NUM> on site by locating badges and other physical identifiers, system <NUM> does not provide some of the benefits of system <NUM> in that preparations cannot be made based on emergency messages prior to dispatch of the emergency responders or while en route to the scene. However, in locations where cellular communications are unavailable, system <NUM> may be unable to transmit emergency messages. System <NUM> at least provides the emergency messages to responders arriving at the scene. In other embodiments, AFV <NUM> is provided with both system <NUM> and system <NUM>. Of course, such a combined system may combine redundant components and/or otherwise consolidate features and functionality.

Referring now to <FIG>, another embodiment of a vehicle hazard management system <NUM> is shown. System <NUM> generally includes a water sensor <NUM>, a controller <NUM> and a discharge device <NUM>. In the depicted embodiment, AFV <NUM> is a hybrid vehicle including an internal combustion engine <NUM> and a battery <NUM> (other components of high voltage system <NUM> are not shown). AFV <NUM> is shown partially submerged in water <NUM>. On such vehicles, for example certain commercial AFVs, water sensor <NUM> is positioned to detect water <NUM> when the level of the water approaches engine <NUM>, and before water <NUM> reaches battery <NUM>. This may occur when AFV <NUM> drives through deep water or is parked in an area that becomes flooded. When water sensor <NUM> detects the presence of water, it sends an activation signal to controller <NUM> in the manner described above. Controller <NUM> may respond to the activation signal by automatically deactivating battery <NUM> or automatically activating discharge device <NUM> which discharges battery <NUM>, and thereby causes AFV <NUM> to operate only on mechanical power provided by engine <NUM>.

<FIG> depicts yet another embodiment of a vehicle hazard management system <NUM> according to the principles of the present disclosure. System <NUM> includes a water sensor <NUM>, a controller <NUM> and a transmitter 18B and is designed to deactivate a charging station <NUM> coupled to charge port <NUM> of high voltage system <NUM>. Water sensor <NUM> is positioned to detect the presence of water <NUM> as the level of water approaches battery <NUM>. When water sensor <NUM> detects water, it provides an activation signal to controller <NUM> in the manner described above. Sensor <NUM> responds to the activation signal by causing transmitter 18B, which may be a local transmitter similar to transmitter 18A of system <NUM> described above, to send a deactivation signal to charging station <NUM>. Charging station <NUM> responds to receipt of such a deactivation signal by discontinuing charging of AFV <NUM>. In certain embodiments, transmitter 18B is configured to transmit deactivation signals to other adjacent systems <NUM> mounted to nearby AFVs <NUM>, such as in a situation where a fleet of vehicles are being charged in an area that is flooding. The adjacent systems <NUM> also transmit deactivation signals to their charging stations <NUM>, causing those charging stations <NUM> to discontinue charging. In this manner, the first AFV <NUM> that experiences water submersion can cause all AFVs <NUM> in this fleet to discontinue charging, even before those AFVs <NUM> experience flooding.

It should be understood that two or more of the various vehicle hazard management systems described herein may be combined into a single system that provides the functions of the combined individual systems.

As used herein, the modifier "about" used in connection with a quantity is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (for example, it includes at least the degree of error associated with the measurement of the particular quantity). When used in the context of a range, the modifier "about" should also be considered as disclosing the range defined by the absolute values of the two endpoints. For example, the range "from about <NUM> to about <NUM>" also discloses the range "from <NUM> to <NUM>.

The connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical couplings between the various elements. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements. The scope is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless explicitly so stated, but rather "one or more. " Moreover, where a phrase similar to "at least one of A, B, or C" is used in the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted to mean that A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may be present in an embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, or that any combination of the elements A, B or C may be present in a single embodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C.

Claim 1:
A vehicle hazard management system (<NUM>) mounted to a vehicle having a high voltage system including at least one battery (<NUM>) connected to a drive unit (<NUM>) and a DC-DC converter (<NUM>), comprising:
a sensor (<NUM>) configured to provide an activation signal in response to at least one of a collision involving the vehicle, a fault of the high voltage system, and at least partial submersion of the vehicle;
a controller (<NUM>) in communication with the sensor (<NUM>), the controller (<NUM>) being configured to receive the activation signal and to respond by generating an emergency message including information describing at least one of the make, model and year of the vehicle;
a discharge device (<NUM>) coupled to the controller (<NUM>) and to the at least one battery (<NUM>); and
a transmitter (<NUM>) coupled to the controller (<NUM>) and configured to transmit the emergency message to a communication device,
wherein the emergency message includes one of an emergency response guide corresponding to the vehicle or a link to an emergency response guide corresponding to the vehicle,
wherein the controller (<NUM>) is further configured to respond to receipt of the activation signal from the sensor (<NUM>) by causing the discharge device (<NUM>) to discharge energy stored in the at least one battery (<NUM>), and
the controller (<NUM>) is further configured to respond to the activation signal by causing the transmitter (<NUM>) to transmit a deactivation signal to another adjacent vehicle hazard management system mounted to a nearby vehicle, to cause that vehicle to deactivate its charging system and/or to prepare its batteries to be discharged.