Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to consumption of battery energy and particularly to prevent unauthorized access to energy in traction battery

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Recently, with the electric vehicles’ demands and popularity, especially in the two-wheeler segment, there is tremendous need for efficient battery packs. It is important to maintain and manage the battery packs as they are of significant charge density. Battery packs consist of thousands of cells packed together with several interconnects. The printed circuit boards such as battery management system (BMS) are mounted onto the battery packs to monitor the parameters connected with the battery pack and its individual cells, then use the data collected to reduce safety problems and ensure battery performance. BMS manages battery optimization via cell balance, which increases the battery's long-term life. The BMS can also monitor the voltage, coolant flow, state of charge (SOC) and state of health (SOH) of the battery pack.

A vehicle control unit (VCU) connected to a vehicle network typically receives user generated signals and/or signals generated by sensors or actuators connected to the vehicle network. The generated signals operate to control a particular component involved in performing a function. The sensors, actuators, and/or other control systems communicate with each other and the VCU of a given control system via a shared vehicle communication network. The VCUs may, by way of example, be used to control throttle, navigation through user interface on display unit, transmission, anti-lock braking (ABS), control of power regeneration, remote on-board diagnostic (OBD), sending commands to BMS to control battery pack output and so on.

However, these battery packs could be misused for purposes other than what they are defined for, leading to several issues. Thus, it is necessary to safeguard battery pack from unauthorized use except giving power to the vehicle for running motor & other functions which facilitate performance of vehicle.

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY INVENTION
When charge is taken from the battery pack from an external source for some other purposes and not for an electrical vehicle to run a motor, the battery pack drains faster thus losing its capacity to withhold the charge. This causes an effect in shortening the battery's life and leads to permanent damage to the battery.

Hence, it is a primary objective of the current invention to solve the problem of unauthorized extraction of energy from a traction battery from an external source.

Also, extraction of charge for external purposes by unreliable equipments could effect the performance and functioning of the battery pack. Thus, it is another objective of the current invention to protect the performance and functioning of the battery pack.

Further, extraction of charge through external unreliable sources could lead to early replacement of the battery pack which is an additional cost involved to the OEMs. Thus, it is another objective of the current invention to avoid such an additional cost.

The above-mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein and which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Various embodiments herein describe a system and method to prevent theft of energy from a traction battery in an electric vehicle. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a system to prevent theft of energy from a traction battery in an electric vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises of the following. A vehicle control unit (VCU) determines the switched off status of a motor. The VCU determines the switched off status of an antilock braking system (ABS). An external source extracts energy from the traction battery, furthermore to the determined status of the motor and the ABS. A battery management system (BMS) detects the energy extracted from the traction battery. The VCU receives the detected information to identify if the energy extracted is unauthorized based on the determined status of the motor and the ABS. The BMS receives command from the VCU to terminate supply of energy from the traction battery. The BMS terminates the supply of energy from the traction battery based on the received command from the VCU.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method to prevent theft of energy from a traction battery in an electric vehicle is disclosed. The method comprises of following steps. Determining the switched off status of a motor by a vehicle control unit (VCU). Determining the switched off status of an antilock braking system (ABS) by the VCU. Extraction of energy from the traction battery by an external source, furthermore to the determined status of the motor and the ABS. Detecting the energy extracted from the traction battery by a battery management system (BMS). Receiving the detected information to identify if the energy extracted is unauthorized based on the determined status of the motor and the ABS by the VCU. Receiving command from the VCU to terminate supply of energy from the traction battery by the BMS. Terminating the supply of energy from the traction battery based on the received command from the VCU by the BMS.

As per first embodiment of the current invention, the method comprises detecting the energy extracted from the traction battery based on a plurality of parameters determined by an inertial measurement unit (IMU) in the VCU.

As per second embodiment of the current invention, the method comprises detecting the energy extracted from the traction battery based on a geolocation and a speed of the electric vehicle provided by a global positioning system (GPS).

As per third embodiment of the current invention, determining the switched off status of the ABS is based upon rotation of one or more wheels of the electric vehicle.

As per fourth embodiment of the current invention, determining the switched off status of the motor is based upon supply of energy to the motor from a motor controller.

As per fifth embodiment of the current invention, the system comprises an inertial measurement unit (IMU) in the VCU that determines a plurality of parameters based on which the energy extracted from the traction battery is detected.

As per sixth embodiment of the current invention, the system comprises a global positioning system (GPS) that provides a geolocation and a speed of the electric vehicle based on which the energy extracted from the traction battery is detected.

The foregoing has outlined, in general, the various aspects of the invention and serves as an aid to better understanding the more complete detailed description which is to follow. In reference to such, there is to be a clear understanding that the present invention is not limited to the method or application of use described and illustrated herein. It is intended that any other advantages and objects of the present invention that become apparent or obvious from the detailed description or illustrations contained herein are within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled-in-the-art from the following description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating prevention of energy theft from a traction battery in an electric vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic flow diagram illustrating prevention of energy theft from a traction battery in an electric vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Further, those skilled-in-the-art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a system and method to prevent theft of energy from a traction battery in an electric vehicle. In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled-in-the-art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

The specification may refer to “an”, “one” or “some” embodiment(s) in several locations. This does not necessarily imply that each such reference is to the same embodiment(s), or that the feature only applies to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments.

As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless expressly stated otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes”, “comprises”, “including” and/or “comprising” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations and arrangements of one or more of the associated listed items.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying figures.

According to Figure 1, a system to prevent theft of energy from a traction battery (101) in an electric vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises of the following. A vehicle control unit (VCU) (106) determines the switched off status of a motor (104). The VCU (106) determines the switched off status of an antilock braking system (ABS) (107). An external source (102) extracts energy from the traction battery (101), furthermore to the determined status of the motor (104) and the ABS (107). A battery management system (BMS) detects the energy extracted from the traction battery (101). The VCU (106) receives the detected information to identify if the energy extracted is unauthorized based on the determined status of the motor (104) and the ABS (107). The BMS (105) receives command from the VCU (106) to terminate supply of energy from the traction battery (101). The BMS (105) terminates the supply of energy from the traction battery (101) based on the received command from the VCU (106).

According to Figure 2, a method to prevent theft of energy from a traction battery (101) in an electric vehicle is disclosed. The method comprises of following steps. Determining the switched off status of a motor (104) by a vehicle control unit (VCU) (106). Determining the switched off status of an antilock braking system (ABS) (107) by the VCU (106). Extraction of energy from the traction battery (101) by an external source (102), furthermore to the determined status of the motor (104) and the ABS (107). Detecting the energy extracted from the traction battery (101) by a battery management system (BMS) (105). Receiving the detected information to identify if the energy extracted is unauthorized based on the determined status of the motor (104) and the ABS (107) by the VCU (106). Receiving command from the VCU (106) to terminate supply of energy from the traction battery (101) by the BMS (105). Terminating the supply of energy from the traction battery (101) based on the received command from the VCU (106) by the BMS (105).

As per first embodiment of the current invention, the method comprises detecting the energy extracted from the traction battery (101) based on a plurality of parameters determined by an inertial measurement unit (IMU) (108) in the VCU (106).

As per second embodiment of the current invention, the method comprises detecting the energy extracted from the traction battery (101) based on a geolocation and a speed of the electric vehicle provided by a global positioning system (GPS) (109).

As per third embodiment of the current invention, determining the switched off status of the ABS (107) is based upon rotation of one or more wheels of the electric vehicle.

As per fourth embodiment of the current invention, determining the switched off status of the motor (104) is based upon supply of energy to the motor (104) from a motor controller (103).

As per fifth embodiment of the current invention, the system comprises an inertial measurement unit (IMU) (108) in the VCU (106) that determines a plurality of parameters based on which the energy extracted from the traction battery (101) is detected.

As per sixth embodiment of the current invention, the system comprises a global positioning system (GPS) (109) that provides a geolocation and a speed of the electric vehicle based on which the energy extracted from the traction battery (101) is detected.

FURTHER ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
The current invention solves the problem of unauthorized extraction of energy from a traction battery from an external source. The current invention also protects the performance and functioning of the battery pack. Further, extraction of charge through external unreliable sources could lead to early replacement of the battery pack which is an additional cost involved to the OEMs. Thus, the current invention avoids such an additional cost.

Although the embodiments herein are described with various specific embodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the invention with modifications. However, all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the claims. It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all the generic and specific features of the embodiments described herein and all the statements of the scope of the embodiments which as a matter of language might be said to fall there between.

REFERENCE TABLE

S.No. Name Numbering
1. a traction battery 101
2. an external source 102
3. a motor controller 103
4. a motor 104
5. a battery management system (BMS) 105
6. a vehicle control unit (VCU) 106
7. an antilock braking system (ABS) 107
8. an inertial measurement unit (IMU) 108
9. a global positioning system (GPS) 109
, Claims:We claim:

1. A method to prevent theft of energy from a traction battery (101) in an electric vehicle, the method comprising of:
determining the switched off status of a motor (104) by a vehicle control unit (VCU) (106);
determining the switched off status of an antilock braking system (ABS) (107) by the VCU (106);
extraction of energy from the traction battery (101) by an external source (102), furthermore to the determined status of the motor (104) and the ABS (107);
detecting the energy extracted from the traction battery (101) by a battery management system (BMS) (105);
receiving the detected information to identify if the energy extracted is unauthorized based on the determined status of the motor (104) and the ABS (107) by the VCU (106);
receiving command from the VCU (106) to terminate supply of energy from the traction battery (101) by the BMS (105);
terminating the supply of energy from the traction battery (101) based on the received command from the VCU (106) by the BMS (105).

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method further comprises detecting the energy extracted from the traction battery (101) based on a plurality of parameters determined by an inertial measurement unit (IMU) (108) in the VCU (106).

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method further comprises detecting the energy extracted from the traction battery (101) based on a geolocation and a speed of the electric vehicle provided by a global positioning system (GPS) (109).

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein determining the switched off status of the ABS (107) is based upon rotation of one or more wheels of the electric vehicle.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein determining the switched off status of the motor (104) is based upon supply of energy to the motor (104) from a motor controller (103).

6. A system to prevent theft of energy from a traction battery (101) in an electric vehicle, the system comprising of:
a vehicle control unit (VCU) (106) determines the switched off status of a motor (104);
the VCU (106) determines the switched off status of an antilock braking system (ABS) (107);
an external source (102) extracts energy from the traction battery (101), furthermore to the determined status of the motor (104) and the ABS (107);
a battery management system (BMS) (105) detects the energy extracted from the traction battery (101);
the VCU (106) receives the detected information to identify if the energy extracted is unauthorized based on the determined status of the motor (104) and the ABS (107);
the BMS (105) receives command from the VCU (106) to terminate supply of energy from the traction battery (101);
the BMS (105) terminates the supply of energy from the traction battery (101) based on the received command from the VCU (106).

7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the system further comprises an inertial measurement unit (IMU) (108) in the VCU (106) that determines a plurality of parameters based on which the energy extracted from the traction battery (101) is detected.

8. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the system further comprises a global positioning system (GPS) (109) that provides a geolocation and a speed of the electric vehicle based on which the energy extracted from the traction battery (101) is detected.