Claims:We claim:
1. A charging system for a vehicle comprising:
a device charging unit (101) removably coupled to a communication bus unit (102);
a user device (104) removably coupled to said communication bus unit (102);
wherein, said communication bus unit (102) being configured to charge said user device (104);
a bi-directional charging unit (103) electrically coupled to said communication bus (102);
wherein, said bi-directional charging unit (103) being electrically configured to a power unit (106) by an ignition switch (105); and
wherein, said bi-directional charging unit (103) being configured to charge one of said user device (104) and a power unit (106) based on a switching position of said ignition switch (105).
2. The charging system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1,wherein said communication bus unit (102) being electrically coupled to said bi-directional charging unit (103).
3. The charging system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said power unit (106) being configured to a prime mover (109);
wherein, said prime mover (109) being controlled by an ECU (110) to charge said power unit (106);
wherein, said prime mover (109) being enabled by said ignition switch (105).
4. The charging system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 3 , wherein said ECU (110) being activated by an ignition switch (105);
5. The charging system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bi-directional charging unit (103) being configured to enable charging of said power unit (106) when an ignition key being OFF;
wherein, said bi-directional charging unit (103) being configured to enable charging of said user device (104) when said ignition key being ON.
6. The charging system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bi-directional charging unit (103) comprising a vehicle battery charger unit (103b) and a device charging sub-unit (103a);
wherein said vehicle battery charger unit (103b) being configured to receive an input voltage from said device charging sub-unit (103a).
7. The charging system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 6, said vehicle battery charger unit (103b) comprises a booster circuit (204) to boost said input voltage received from said device charging sub-unit (103a);
wherein, said booster circuit (103b) having a digital switching circuit (U1) to control a duty cycle of the input voltage based on a feedback received form a potential divider circuit (201);
wherein, said digital switching circuit (U1) being electrically connected to a boost disable circuit (207) and a reverse battery protection circuit (208); and
a switch (M1) electrically connected to digital switching circuit (U1), an inductor (L1) and a resistor (R_sense1).
8. The charging system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 7 , wherein said boost disable circuit (207) being configured to disable said vehicle battery charger circuit (103a) when an ignition input (301) being in an ON condition.
9. The charging system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 7 , wherein said digital switching circuit (U1) being configured to control a duty cycle, said control being based on switching of said switch (M1);
wherein, said switch (M1) having a gate protection circuit (202) to prevent voltage biasing.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter generally relates to a charging system. The present subject matter specifically but not exclusively relates to charging system for a internal combustion IC engine.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In order to start a vehicle with an ignition, a vehicle starting system is required to activate the ignition of the IC engine. There are several modes of activating the ignition of the engine in a vehicle, e.g. a kick start system and an electric start system. In a kick start method for starting the ignition of the engine, a ratchet lever system is manually operated by foot. The ratchet engages a gear linked to a crankshaft and causes the crankshaft to spin past top dead centre so that the ignition spark can ignite the compressed fuel mixture.
[0003] On the other hand, the electric start system is a great convenience by eliminating any manual effort. The Electric start system for the ignition of the engine is connected to initiation of a battery powered electrical system, which can be either switch or a button provided on the vehicle itself or a wireless initiation by sending a signal to a control unit in the vehicle, which is responsible for controlling the operation of the engine of the vehicle. The battery powered electrical system spins a starter motor, which engages an internal starter clutch and this in turn spins up the engine.
[0004] But with the improvement of technology and providing improved user experience, the kick start operation is now almost outdated and only the electric start system is preferred in the vehicle. For the electric start system, a power source such as a battery is always required.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0006] Fig. 1 illustrates a side view of the exemplary two-wheeled vehicle.
[0007] Fig. 2 illustrates a block diagram for a charging system for a vehicle in a vehicle.
[0008] Fig. 3 illustrates a block diagram for charging system.
[0009] Fig. 4 illustrates a circuit diagram of the charging system for the vehicle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00010] There may be certain situations where, the vehicle has not been operated for a longer duration e.g. a month, the battery drains completely. Due to which the user of the vehicle need to recharge the battery first or replace the drained battery with a new battery. Since, most of the vehicles does not have an on-board battery charger, the battery along with the vehicle need to be taken to the nearest charging or service station in order to charge the battery. Sometimes, the vehicle needs to be towed till the service centre causing great inconvenience and hardship to the user. Hence, it becomes important that the user of the vehicle (may be implemented in three wheeled or a four wheeled vehicle) is able to charge the battery without taking the vehicle to the nearest service centre and without any additional equipment.
[00011] Hence, the present invention provides a charging system for a vehicle, specifically, but limited to, for a two-wheeled saddle type vehicle. The charging system as per the present invention is a bi-directional charging system, which is capable of charging a portable device such as a smart phone etc., when the ignition of the vehicle is in an ON condition. The charging system is also capable of charging the vehicle battery when the ignition is in an OFF condition. This allows the vehicle battery to get charged without taking the vehicle in a service station or eliminating the need of removing the battery from the vehicle or installing an additional charging port for the battery in the vehicle.
[00012] Another embodiment of the present subject matter provides a charging system for a vehicle where the charging system comprises a charging unit which is removably coupled to a communication bus unit. A user device or charging unit , which is removably coupled to the communication bus unit. The communication bus unit being enabled to charge said user device. A bi-directional charging unit is electrically coupled to the communication bus. The bi-directional charging unit is electrically configured to a power unit by an ignition switch.
[00013] The bi-directional charging unit is configured to charge the user device or charge the power unit based on a switching position of said ignition switch.
[00014] Yet another embodiment of the present subject matter is to provide an charging system for a vehicle in wherein, the bi-directional charging unit comprises a vehicle battery charger unit and a device charging unit. The vehicle battery charger unit is configured to receive an input voltage from the device charging unit. The present subject matter is further described with reference to accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. Various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, encompass the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[00015] Fig. 1. Fig. 1 illustrates a left side view of an exemplary two-wheeled vehicle (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The vehicle (100) illustrated, has a schematically shown frame assembly (105) (shown in dotted line). In the present embodiment, the frame assembly (105) is step-through type includes a head tube (105A), and a main frame (105B) that extend rearwardly downward from an anterior portion of the head tube (105A). The main frame (105B) extends inclinedly rearward to a rear portion of the vehicle (100).
[00016] The vehicle (100) includes one or more prime movers that are connected to the frame assembly (105). In the present implementation, one of the prime movers is an internal combustion (IC) engine (115) mounted to the frame assembly (105). In the depicted embodiment, the IC engine (115) is mounted to a structural member (135) that is pivoted to the frame assembly (105). In one embodiment, the structural member (135) is a rigid member made of metal. The vehicle (100) also includes another prime mover, which is an electric motor (120). In a preferred embodiment, the electric motor (120) is hub mounted to one wheel of the vehicle (100). In another embodiment, more than one electric motor is mounted to wheels of the vehicle. In the depicted embodiment, the vehicle (100) includes at least two-wheels and the electric motor (120) is hub mounted to the rear wheel (125) of the vehicle. A front wheel (110) is rotatably supported by the frame assembly (105) and is connected to a handle bar assembly (130) that enables manoeuvring of the vehicle (100).
[00017] Further, the vehicle (100) includes a high capacity on-board battery (not shown) that drives the electric motor (120). The high capacity battery may include one or more high capacity battery packs or one or more low capacity cells. The high capacity battery can be disposed at a front portion, a rear portion, or at the centre of the vehicle (100). The high capacity battery is supported by the frame assembly (105) and the vehicle (100) includes plurality of body panels, mounted to the frame assembly (105) for covering various components of the vehicle (100). The plurality of panels includes a front panel (140A), a leg shield (140B), an under-seat cover (140C), and a left and a right side panel (140D). A glove box may be mounted to a leg shield (140B).
[00018] A floorboard (145) is provided at the step-through portion defined by the main frame (105B). A seat assembly (150) is disposed rearward to the step-through portion and is mounted to the main frame (105B). The seat assembly (150) that is elongated in a longitudinal direction F-R of the vehicle (100) enables the user to operate the vehicle in a saddle ride-type posture. One or more suspension(s) connect the wheels (110), (125) to the vehicle (100) and provide comfortable ride. The vehicle (100) comprises of plurality of electrical and electronic components including a headlamp unit (155A) movably supported on a head tube (105A), a taillight (155B), a starter motor (not shown), a horn etc. Also, the vehicle (100) includes a master control unit (not shown) that takes control of the overall operation of the vehicle (100) including the function of the IC engine (115), the electric motor (120), charging of the batteries from a magneto/integrated starter generator (ISG), driving of loads by the magneto/ISG, charging of the high capacity batteries by the electric motor operating in generator mode, and any other operations associated with the operation of the vehicle (100).the vehicle (100) can be a two-wheeled saddle type or a three wheeled vehicle.
[00019] Fig. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the charging system (200) for a vehicle as per the present invention in conjunction with the prime mover (109), such as an IC engine, of the vehicle. The charging system (200) comprises a charging connector (101) to supply AC power. A communication bus unit (102) which is removably connected to a bi- directional charging unit (103). The communication bus unit (102) is removably connected to the charging connector (101), a user device (104) and the bi-directional charging unit (103). The bi-directional charging unit (103) is electrically connected to an ignition switch (105) of the vehicle and the bi-directional charging unit (103) is provided in the vehicle.
[00020] Further, the ignition switch (105) is connected to a vehicle ECU (engine control unit) (110), which controls the operation of the prime mover (109).
[00021] Fig. 3 illustrates a block diagram for charging system (200) for a vehicle. The charging system (200) comprises a charging connector (101), which is removably connected to a power supply to receive an AC voltage. The charging connector (101) is removably coupled to a communication bus unit (102). The communication bus unit (102) is capable of sending voltage or data. The communication bus unit (102) can be a USB port. A user device (104), such as a portable device (e.g. smart phone), is removably coupled to the communication bus unit (102) to enable charging of the user device (104).
[00022] A bi-directional charging unit (103) electrically is coupled to the communication bus unit (102). The bi-directional charging unit (103) is electrically configured to a power unit (106) by an ignition switch (105). The bi-directional charging unit (103) is configured to charge the user device (104) or charge the power unit (106) based on a switching position of the ignition switch (105). The bi-directional charging unit (103) comprises a device charging sub-unit (103a) and a vehicle battery charger (103a). The device charging sub-unit (103a) is operational when the ignition switch (105) is ON (or in closed condition), in order to charge the user device (104), while the ignition of the vehicle is operating. The vehicle battery charger (103b) is capable of charging the power unit (106) when the ignition switch (105) is OFF (or in open condition).
[00023] When the vehicle battery charger (103b) is operating, the device charging sub-unit (103a ) is not functional. The vehicle battery charger (103b) is charging the power unit (106) by taking the output voltage from the communication bus unit (102). The communication bus unit (102 ) is connected to the charging connector (101) to draw AC power. The communication bus provides very low input voltage which gets boosted by the vehicle battery charger (103b) and then the boosted power enables charging of the power unit (106).
[00024] An indication unit (107) provided in the instrument cluster ( not shown) is capable of indicating the charging status of the power unit (106) and the state of charge of the power unit (106).
[00025] Fig. 4 illustrates a circuit diagram of the charging system (200) for the vehicle depicting a vehicle battery charger unit (103b) and the device charging sub-unit (103a). The vehicle battery charger unit (103b) comprises a booster circuit (204) electrically connected to the device charging unit (103a). The booster circuit (204) comprises an input filter circuit (205) to filter any noise in the input voltage received from the device charging unit (103a). The device charging sub-unit (103a) and the input filter circuit (205) are connected to a zener diode D2, which receives a low input voltage (e.g. 5V) from the device charging sub-unit (103a). The device charging sub-unit (103a) receives the power from the communication bus unit (102), which is connected to an AC power supply.
[00026] After the low input voltage received from the device charging sub-unit (103a), a current flows to an inductor (L1) through resistor (R_sense1). The current flows to a switch (M1) e.g. a MOSFET. The inductor (L1) boosts the voltage. A gate protection circuit (202) for switch (M1) comprises of a zener diode (D3) and a resistor (R3). The gate protection circuit (202) avoids any biasing of voltage at the gate terminal of the switch (M1) and resistor (R3) drives the fast switching operation of the switch (M1). The switch (M1) is connected to a digital switching circuit (U1). The digital switching circuit (U1) has operation logic stored for enabling the switching process on the voltage across resistor (R2). The switch (M1) and the inductor (L1) along with the operation of the switching circuit boosts the low input voltage received from the device charging unit (103a).
[00027] Further, the gate protection circuit (202) is electrically connected to a digital switching circuit (U1) and a potential divider circuit (201) having resistors (R1, R8 and R2). A feedback from an output voltage across the resistor (R2) and based on the value of the voltage across resistor (R2), the digital switching unit (U1) is increasing or decreasing the duty cycle and controlling the switching of switch (M1).
[00028] The digital switching circuit (U1) is electrically connected to a boost disable circuit (207) and a reverse battery protection circuit (208). The boost disable circuit (207) disables the vehicle battery charger circuit (103a) when an ignition input (301) is in an ON condition, e.g, when ignition input (301) is given 12 V, a disable switch (Q1) gets biased and gets grounded. The collector of disable switch (Q1) enables the digital switching circuit (U1) to get connected to the ground and the digital switching circuit (U1) gets disabled and digital switching circuit (U1) stops switching operation.
[00029] The reverse battery protection circuit (208) is connected to the output of the digital switching circuit (U1) and an input of a battery (106). The reverse battery protection circuit (U1) ensures that if the battery (106) is in reverse condition, the booster circuit (204) should not fail. In case, the battery (106) is in reverse condition, then a protection circuit switch (Q1) of the reverse battery protection circuit (U1) gets open and the booster circuit (204) remains protected.

LIST REFERNCE SIGNS

vehicle (1)
head light assembly (102)
visor (101)
instrument cluster (104)
handle bar (105)
head tube (113)
wheel (24)
Side cowl (107)
a seat assembly (108,110)
a rider seat (108)
pillion seat (110)
Tail lamp assembly (112)
foot rest (120)
foot peg (119)
prime mover (109)
communication bus unit (102)
charging connector (101)
ignition switch (105)
vehicle ECU (engine control unit) (110)
communication bus unit (102)
bi-directional charging unit (103)
user device (104)
vehicle battery charger (103b)
device charging unit (103a)
booster circuit (204)
input filter circuit (205)
a inductor (L1)
switch (M1)
digital switching circuit (U1)
a potential divider circuit (201)
resistors (R1, R8 and R2)
protection circuit switch (Q1)