Systems and methods for controlling power to a platform module

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11733753-B2
Application number	US-202117379044-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 19, 2021
Priority date	Jul 19, 2021
Publication date	Aug 22, 2023
Grant date	Aug 22, 2023

Abstract

A platform module having switchable power for a vehicle including a movable member capable of achieving multiple positions and a position sensor. The movable member includes a plurality of ports configured to provide power. The position sensor is configured to detect a position of the movable member. A first port from the plurality of ports is configured to provide power when the movable member is in a first position; and a second port from the plurality of ports is configured to provide power in response to detecting that the movable member is in a second position. Further, a method is provided for switching power to the platform module.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A platform module having switchable power for a vehicle, the platform module comprising:
a movable member comprising a plurality of ports configured to provide power; and
a position sensor configured to detect a position of the movable member, wherein:
a first port from the plurality of ports is configured to provide the power when the movable member is in a first position; and
a second port from the plurality of ports is configured to provide the power in response to detecting that the movable member is in a second position without providing power when the movable member is in the first position.

2. The platform module of claim 1 , wherein the first port and the second port are configured to output different voltages.

3. The platform module of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle comprises:
a vehicle battery configured to provide the power to the first port and/or the second port;
a sensor configured to monitor a battery storage level of the vehicle battery; and
control circuitry configured to turn off the power to the second port based on the battery storage level dropping below a threshold storage level.

4. The platform module of claim 3 , wherein the vehicle further comprises:
a load usage sensor configured to monitor a power consumption of the plurality of ports; and
control circuitry configured to turn off the power to the first port based on the power consumption rate being greater than a threshold consumption rate and the battery storage level being less than the threshold storage level.

5. The platform module of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle further comprises:
a proximity sensor configured to track a distance between a user and the vehicle; and
control circuitry configured to turn off power to the second port of the plurality of ports in response to the proximity sensor identifying that the distance is greater than a threshold distance.

6. The platform module of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle further comprises:
control circuitry configured to:
monitor a battery storage level at a vehicle battery;
turn off the power to the first port based on the battery storage level falling below a first threshold storage level; and
turn off power to the second port based on the battery storage level falling below a second threshold storage level.

7. The platform module of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle further comprises:
an electronic key fob configured to transmit a signal to the vehicle indicating a proximity of the electronic key fob to the vehicle; and
control circuitry configured to turn off the power to the second port in response to a loss of signal from the electronic key fob.

8. The platform module of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle further comprises:
control circuitry configured to:
operate in a plurality of operational modes, wherein at least one of a normal mode and an energy-efficient mode is selected from the plurality of operational modes;
initiate the energy-efficient mode; and
turn off power to the first port of the plurality of ports in response to initiating the energy-efficient mode.

9. The platform module of claim 8 , wherein the vehicle further comprises:
a user interface configured to receive an input, wherein the input is one of turning one or more ports of the plurality of ports off or on.

10. The platform module of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle further comprises:
a usage sensor configured to detect a load on the plurality of ports; and
control circuitry configured to turn off the power to the plurality of ports in response to the load being undetected for a period of time.

11. The platform module of claim 1 , wherein each port of the plurality of ports is coupled by an electric wire system to a vehicle battery.

12. The platform module of claim 1 , wherein the movable member comprises:
a frame;
a countertop positioned on top of the frame;
the plurality of ports disposed on the countertop; and
a leg member configured to pivot around an end of the frame and provide support to at least some of the platform module.

13. A vehicle comprising:
a movable member configured to extend from a storage compartment;
a plurality of ports disposed on the movable member and configured to provide electric power, wherein:
a first port of the plurality of ports disposed on the movable member is configured to provide a first voltage; and
a second port of the plurality of ports disposed on the movable member is configured to provide a second voltage; and

a switch configured to turn off power to one of the first port, or the second port in response to the movable member retracting into the storage compartment.

14. A method for switching power to a platform module for a vehicle, the method comprising:
providing power to a plurality of ports disposed on a movable member;
detecting, based on a position sensor, a position of the movable member;

wherein:
providing power to a first port from the plurality of ports when the movable member is in a first position; and
providing power to a second port from the plurality of ports when the movable member is in a second position without providing power to the second port when the movable member is in the first position.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the first port and the second port are configured to output different voltages.

16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
providing power from a vehicle battery coupled to the first port and/or the second port;
monitoring, via a sensor, a battery storage level of the vehicle battery; and
turning off, via a control circuitry, the power to the second port in response to the battery storage level dropping below a threshold storage level.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:
monitoring, via a load usage sensor power consumption of the plurality of ports; and
turning off, via the control circuitry, the power to the first port based on the power consumption rate being greater than a threshold consumption rate and the battery storage level being less than the threshold storage level.

18. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
tracking by a proximity sensor a distance between a user and the vehicle; and
turning off, via a control circuitry, the power to the second port of the plurality of ports in response to the proximity sensor identifying that the distance is greater than a threshold distance.

19. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
monitoring a battery storage level at a vehicle battery;
turning off the power to the second port based on the battery storage level falling below a threshold first storage level; and
turning off power to the first port based on the battery storage level falling below a threshold second storage level.

20. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
transmitting by an electronic key fob a signal to the vehicle indicating a proximity of the electronic key fob to the vehicle; and
turning off, via a control circuitry, the power to the second port in response to a loss of signal from the electronic key fob.

Assignees

• Rivian Ip Holdings Llc

Inventors

• Jewkes Rachel
• Lobo Kyle
• Weast Aaron

Classifications

• H02J2105/30

  the load networks being external to vehicles, i.e. exchanging power with vehicles · CPC title

• G06F1/266 Primary

  Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips · CPC title

• B60L53/60

  Monitoring or controlling charging stations · CPC title

• B60L55/00

  Arrangements for supplying energy stored within a vehicle to a power network, i.e. vehicle-to-grid [V2G] arrangements · CPC title

• H02J9/002

  in which a reserve is maintained in an energy source by disconnecting non-critical loads, e.g. maintaining a reserve of charge in a vehicle battery for starting an engine · CPC title