DE102020112109A1 - Electricity meter for a charging station - Google Patents

Abstract

The application relates to an electricity meter (102, 202, 302) for a charging station (100, 200, 300) for charging electric vehicles (122, 322), in particular small electric vehicles (122, 322), comprising at least one receiving interface (106, 206, 306) ), set up to receive an energy data set containing at least one electrical energy limit value released for a charging process, at least one measuring device (104, 204, 304), set up to measure one between the charging station (100, 200, 300) and one with the charging station (100 , 200, 300) electrically connected electric vehicle (122, 322) exchanged electrical energy variable during a charging process, wherein the measuring device (104, 204, 304) comprises at least one detection module (110, 210, 310), configured to detect that the in the Charging process exchanged electrical energy variable corresponds to the released electrical energy limit variable, and at least one with the measuring device (104, 204, 304) connected control interface (108, 208, 308), set up to cause an interruption of the exchange of the electrical energy variable, upon detection that the electrical energy variable exchanged in the charging process at least corresponds to the released electrical energy limit variable.

Description

The application relates to an electricity meter for a charging station for charging electric vehicles, in particular small electric vehicles. In addition, the registration relates to a charging application, a charging system, a mobile terminal and a method.

Charging stations for charging electric vehicles are known from the prior art. In the known charging stations, a user can connect his electric vehicle to the charging station and initiate a charging process. For this purpose, a user authentication is usually carried out first, usually with the support of a backend system. The charging process then takes place, in which an electrical energy quantity is exchanged in the form of electrical energy, in particular given from the charging station to the electric vehicle.

After the charging process, the charging process carried out is billed with the support of a backend system. Due to the growing number of charging stations, especially as a result of the correspondingly increasing amounts of data, data handling for charging processes for electric vehicles or electrically powered vehicles is becoming more and more complex. This leads to an enormous effort in terms of the technical requirements of the hardware of the charging stations and the backend system. In addition, the downstream billing processes take a lot of effort.

The problem described above increases significantly if a charging process is carried out in accordance with calibration law and, in particular, billed. The legal calibration requirements with regard to billing with accurate measured values lead to major challenges for the cost-effectiveness of the hardware of a charging station, especially when billing is done by the backend system.

This is particularly problematic in the case of charging stations for small electric vehicles, such as electric scooters, electric bicycles, etc. In electric vehicles of this type, only small amounts of energy or quantities of electric energy are regularly exchanged. This leads to the fact that the effort for each charging process that has to be carried out for a process that complies with calibration law is very high, especially in comparison to the low amount of energy in each case.

The application is therefore based on the object of providing a possibility which at least reduces the problems described above and enables a charging process to be carried out with less effort and, in particular, at the same time an energy supply in accordance with calibration law.

The object is achieved according to a first aspect of the application by an electricity meter for a charging station for charging electric vehicles, in particular small electric vehicles, according to claim 1. The electricity meter comprises at least one receiving interface, set up to receive an energy data record containing at least one electrical energy limit value released for a charging process . The electricity meter comprises at least one measuring device, set up to measure an electrical energy variable exchanged between the charging station and an electric vehicle electrically connected to the charging station during a charging process. The measuring device comprises at least one detection module set up to detect that the electrical energy variable exchanged in the charging process corresponds to the released electrical energy limit variable. The electricity meter comprises at least one control interface connected to the measuring device, set up to interrupt the exchange of the electrical energy variable upon detection that the electrical energy variable exchanged in the charging process at least corresponds to (i.e. in particular corresponds to or exceeds) the released electrical energy limit variable.

In contrast to the prior art, according to the application, an electricity meter is provided for a charging station in which a measuring device with a detection module and an associated control interface is provided, which interrupts or ends a charging process at least when a predetermined (and released) electrical energy quantity or the amount of energy was exchanged in the charging process, the problems described above are at least reduced.

A charging process can be carried out with less effort. In particular, a process that conforms to calibration law and thus in particular a calibration law-compliant energy supply can take place. Only a registered electricity meter is required to carry out a charging process. There is no need to connect the charging station to a backend system. In particular, there is no collection and storage of the charging data and the data is not made available to the user / customer, as it is not relevant for the legal transaction and billing.

The present electricity meter is intended for a charging station, that is to say in particular for installation in a charging station. In normal operation of the electricity meter, the electricity meter is installed in a charging station. The electricity meter can also be used in other applications (in which it is to be ensured that no more electricity is used than was paid for in advance, for example in social housing), for example as an electricity meter in a building for exchanging between a distribution network and a household network Control amount of energy.

A charging station in accordance with the registration is set up for charging electric vehicles. For this purpose, the charging station can comprise at least one charging point, set up to deliver an electrical energy variable, such as electrical energy (or power or current). The charging point can preferably also be set up to receive electrical power.

The charging point can in particular be an electrical interface, for example in the form of a firmly attached charging cable with a charging connection (e.g. a charging plug) and / or a charging connection for connecting a charging cable (e.g. a charging plug receptacle, e.g. in the form of a charging plug socket). A firmly attached charging cable is to be understood in particular to mean that a user cannot separate the charging cable from the charging station without destroying it.

The charging station can comprise a charging device that can have components in a conventional manner to enable a current flow from an energy source (e.g. a public energy supply network, an energy generator, etc.) via the charging point and a charging cable. In this way, an electrically operated vehicle or its electrical energy storage device can be charged (or discharged).

In the present case, an electric vehicle is in particular an at least partially electrically operated vehicle. An electric vehicle has a rechargeable energy store, in particular in the form of a rechargeable battery. The charging station is preferably set up for charging small electric vehicles, such as electric scooters, electric scooters, electric bicycles, Segways, etc.

The charging station can, for example, be a charging station or be designed as a “wallbox”. In particular, the electricity meter according to the application can be part of the charging station. Parts of the charging station (such as the electricity meter) can also be integrated into a wall or floor. It goes without saying that a bidirectional current or power transmission can take place via the charging cable and the charging technology of the charging station.

According to the application, the electricity meter has at least one (wireless or wired) receiving interface. The receiving interface is at least set up to receive an energy data set. The receiving interface can preferably be communicatively connected to at least one charging station interface of the charging station. An energy data set received by the charging station interface can be forwarded from the charging station interface to the receiving interface of the electricity meter.

The energy data record contains at least one released electrical energy limit variable. In the present case, a released energy limit variable means in particular the electrical energy variable that may be exchanged, in particular given off, during a charging process.

The electrical energy limit can preferably be an electrical energy (amount) or an energy value (e.g. x kWh). “Released” means in particular that it has already been checked that a user may receive this released energy limit value. The released amount of energy can preferably already have been billed, in particular paid for.

The electricity meter according to the application, also called electricity meter, has at least one measuring device. The measuring device is set up to measure an electrical energy variable exchanged during a charging process. In particular, the measuring device can detect the amount of electrical energy supplied by the charging station to a connected electric vehicle. It goes without saying that the measuring device can also be set up to detect an electrical energy variable received by the charging station from a connected electric vehicle.

The electrical energy quantity is in particular electrical energy (or electrical energy values). Alternatively or additionally, the electrical energy variable can be an electrical variable from which at least the electrical energy can be determined, such as an (exchanged) electrical current.

The measuring device measures (continuously) the amount of electrical energy exchanged during a charging process. The measuring device according to the application has a detection module. The detection module can in particular continuously compare the measured electrical energy variable (or the measured energy values) with the received energy limit variable (or the released energy value). The energy limit variable can in particular be provided by the receiving interface of the measuring device

The detection module detects in particular when the measured electrical (and actually exchanged) energy quantity corresponds to the released energy limit quantity. In other words, according to the application, reaching (or exceeding) the energy limit value is detected or recorded by the energy value actually exchanged.

According to the application, a control interface is also integrated in the electricity meter. The control interface is (communicatively) connected to the measuring device, in particular the detection module of the measuring device. The control interface preferably brings about an interruption of the exchange of the electrical energy variable immediately upon a previously described detection, that is to say in particular an interruption of the current flow or the energy transmission. Preferably, the detection module can control the control interface immediately after the achievement of the energy limit variable by means of the energy variable actually exchanged in such a way that a corresponding interruption is brought about, in particular immediately.

In other words, the electricity meter according to the application is set up to control a charging process in such a way that only the maximum amount of energy that corresponds to a (previously agreed) amount of energy is released during a charging process.

According to a preferred embodiment of the electricity meter according to the application, the energy data record obtained can contain at least one certification date. A certification date is in particular a digital certificate, preferably a digital data record, for example according to the standards of the ITU-T or the IETF. A certification date is set up in particular to confirm the authenticity and / or the integrity of the data content of the energy data set and / or of the transmitter (or the source). In other words, the source / energy data set can be viewed as trustworthy by the electricity meter given a permissible certification date. In other variants of the registration, the at least one certification date can alternatively or additionally also be another date, such as a signature or the like.

The electricity meter can have at least one (internal) test module connected to the receiving interface. The checking module can be set up to check whether the certification date received is a permissible certification date. This can increase security. In particular, the electricity meter itself can ensure that charging processes are only carried out for actually authorized (and in particular already billed or paid) amounts of energy.

According to a further embodiment of the electricity meter according to the application, the electricity meter can have a data memory (internal) connected (communicatively) to the test module. At least one admissibility criterion can be stored in the data memory. The checking module can be set up to check the received certification data based on the stored admissibility criterion. The at least one admissibility criterion can be at least one saved admissible certification date. Alternatively or additionally, at least one (cryptographic) checking algorithm (or the like) can be stored as an admissibility criterion, with which a received certification date can be checked. For example, a digital certificate can contain data that are required for its verification by means of the cryptographic algorithm. By applying the at least one checking algorithm, it can be determined whether the certification date received is a permissible certification date or not.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the electricity meter according to the application, the test module can be (communicatively) connected to the control interface. The control interface can be set up to bring about an exchange of the electrical energy variable for the charging process (only) if it is determined by the test module that the certification date is a permissible certification date. In other words, a charging process is only started and energy output is only enabled if the test module has determined that the energy data record contains a valid certification date. Otherwise the charging process will not be released and will therefore not be carried out. The charging process can preferably be started immediately after a positive test.

In addition, according to a further embodiment of the electricity meter according to the application, the energy data record obtained can contain at least one charging station identifier. The test module can be set up to check (preferably in addition to the above-described checking of the certification data) whether the received charging station identifier corresponds to the charging station identifier of the charging station of the electricity meter. The charging station identifier of the charging station in which the electricity meter is integrated can, for example, be stored in the data memory of the electricity meter. A charging station identifier can, for example, have been recorded in advance by a mobile terminal. The charging station identifier can be attached, for example, in the form of a code (e.g. QR code or the like) and recorded by a mobile device.

Only if the obtained charging station identifier corresponds to the charging station identifier of the charging station of the electricity meter can the control interface produce an exchange of an electrical energy variable, that is to say in particular produce an electrical connection to enable a current to flow. This can improve the security even further.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the electricity meter according to the application, the electricity meter can have an (internal) switching module that can be controlled by the control interface. The switching module can be set up to establish and interrupt the exchange of the electrical energy variable. The switching module can in particular be switchable between two switching states (open and closed) based on control information (provided by the control interface). In an open switching state, an electrical connection is interrupted, and thus in particular an exchange of the electrical energy variable is interrupted. In a closed switching state, an electrical connection is established and thus in particular an exchange of the electrical energy variable is established.

In particular, an electrical line that electrically connects a charging station connection and the at least one charging point or charging connection of the charging station can be routed through the electricity meter (in particular through a housing of the electricity meter described below). The at least one switching module can be integrated in the line section that is passed through. In particular, by integrating the switching module into the electricity meter, security can be improved even further. This makes manipulation of the switching module more difficult.

According to a preferred embodiment of the electricity meter according to the application, the electricity meter can be a (MID (Measuring Instruments Directive)) calibrated electricity meter. It goes without saying that the electricity meter with other variants can also be calibrated according to a different calibration guideline. In particular, the electricity meter can meet the respective requirement for measurement accuracy.

Alternatively or preferably in addition, the electricity meter can have a (safety) housing. In particular, the housing can be a sealed housing. At least the measuring device of the electricity meter can be integrated in the housing. Since the measuring device according to the application is integrated with the detection module in the housing, the safety can be improved even further.

The housing can preferably be made of a plastic material (e.g. high-strength special plastic) and / or a metal, in particular steel. The housing can in particular be a housing that meets the requirements of protection class IP4x.

In addition to the measuring device, at least the test module can preferably be integrated in the housing. This makes manipulation of the test module much more difficult. Alternatively or preferably in addition, the data memory can be integrated in the housing. Alternatively or additionally, the switching module can be integrated in the housing.

The measuring device, the test module, the data memory and the switching module as well as the control interface can particularly preferably be integrated in the housing of the (calibrated) electricity meter. This ensures a particularly high level of security against manipulation.

In this embodiment, the control interface can also be formed only by a communication link. Thus, the test module can control the switching module via the control interface (in the form of a communication connection) in such a way that the switching state of the switching module is changed, in particular the switch is closed. In a corresponding manner, the detection module can control the switching module via the control interface (in the form of a communication connection) in such a way that the switching state of the switching module is changed, in particular the switch is opened.

As has already been described, during a charging process, controlled by the electricity meter according to the application, a maximum of only as much energy is transmitted as is specified by the released energy quantity. However, less energy can be given off by the charging station than the amount of energy released.

If an interruption in the charging process is detected (for example due to the user decoupling the charging cable), the charging process can be (finally) terminated before the entire released electrical energy has been exchanged. This means in particular that any residual energy (quantity) that has not yet been exchanged expires and, in particular, cannot be transferred in a further charging process.

Another aspect of the application is a charging station for charging electric vehicles, comprising at least one electricity meter described above.

The charging station can in particular be a previously described charging station in which at least one previously described electricity meter is integrated. In this case, in the case of a plurality of charging points, a corresponding plurality of electricity meters can be provided, that is to say in particular one electricity meter per charging point. A plurality of electricity meters can preferably have a common housing.

According to a preferred embodiment of the charging station according to the application, the charging station can be an autonomously operated charging station. Autarkic means in particular that the charging station has no connection to a backend system. In particular, a downstream billing process with a backend system and / or an upstream authentication process with a backend system is / are dispensed with.

According to a further embodiment of the charging station according to the application, the charging station can comprise at least one charging station connection, set up to electrically connect the charging station to an electrical energy source, in particular an electrical supply network. The charging station can also include at least one charging point with at least one charging connection, set up to connect an electric vehicle (via a charging cable).

The charging station can comprise at least one charging device, for example containing safety means, such as fuses, etc.

A charging station according to the application can have at least one switching module that can be controlled by a control interface of the electricity meter (in particular for the case that a corresponding switching module is not integrated in the electricity meter).

The charging station can comprise at least one (previously described) test module and in particular a (previously described) data memory (in particular for the case that a corresponding test module or a corresponding data memory is not integrated in the electricity meter).

As has also already been described, at least one (previously described) charging station interface can be provided in the charging station. The at least one charging station interface can in particular be a near-field interface (e.g. an RFID interface and / or an NFC interface and / or a Bluetooth interface and / or a WLAN interface).

In other variants of the registration, the at least one charging station interface can be a remote communication interface (e.g. mobile radio interface) and / or an optical reader (e.g. for capturing an optical code (e.g. QR code) that is displayed on a screen of a mobile device and in particular at least the May contain energy data set). A charging system according to the application can in particular comprise the at least one mobile terminal, as will be described below. A user interface can also be provided as the charging station interface.

• - mindestens ein Übertragungsmodul eingerichtet zum Bewirken eines Übertragens, durch das mobile Endgerät, eines Ladeanfragedatensatzes an eine Abrechnungszentrale, wobei der Ladeanfragedatensatz zumindest eine freizugebende elektrische Energiegröße enthält,
• - mindestens ein Empfangsmodul, eingerichtet zum Erhalten eines Ladefreigabedatensatz nach einer erfolgten Abrechnung der freizugebenden elektrischen Energiegröße, wobei der Ladefreigabedatensatz zumindest die freigegebene elektrische Energiegröße (und vorzugsweise ein Zertifizierungsdatum) enthält,
• - wobei das Übertragungsmodul eingerichtet ist zum Bewirken eines Übertragens eines Energiedatensatzes, an einen Stromzähler einer Ladestation, wobei der Energiedatensatz zumindest die freigegebene elektrische Energiegröße (und vorzugsweise das Zertifizierungsdatum) enthält.

Another subject matter of the application is a charging application, in particular in the form of a software application that can be executed by a processor of a mobile terminal, for installation on the mobile terminal, comprising:

• - At least one transmission module set up to effect a transmission, by the mobile terminal, of a charge request data record to a billing center, the charge request data record containing at least one electrical energy variable to be released,
• - At least one receiving module, set up to receive a charging release data record after the billing of the electrical energy quantity to be released has taken place, the charging release data record containing at least the released electric energy quantity (and preferably a certification date),
• - wherein the transmission module is set up to effect a transmission of an energy data set to an electricity meter of a charging station, wherein the energy data set contains at least the released electrical energy quantity (and preferably the certification date).

In particular, the charging application can be used to initiate a charging process at a charging station described above. The charging application can in particular interact with communication means of the mobile terminal in order to transmit and / or receive data.

The loading application is in particular a software application that can be installed on a mobile terminal device. The loading application in the form of a computer program, in particular the instructions or program instructions, can be stored in a computer program product, in particular a program memory. For example, a program memory is a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, a magnetic memory, an EEPROM memory (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory) and / or an optical memory.

In addition, a mobile terminal can have a main memory, for example a volatile or non-volatile memory, in particular a memory with random access (RAM), such as a static RAM memory (SRAM), a dynamic RAM memory (DRAM), a ferroelectric RAM memory (FeRAM) and / or a magnetic RAM memory (MRAM). The processor of the mobile terminal can, for example, store intermediate results or the like in the main memory.

Another aspect of the registration is a mobile terminal on which at least one charging application described above is installed.

Exemplary and non-exhaustive mobile devices are smartphones, tablet computers, mobile game consoles, laptops, netbooks, data glasses, smart watches and similar wearables.

A mobile terminal has at least one near-field interface, in particular for transmitting an energy data set to a charging station interface of a charging station at which the user of the mobile terminal would like to carry out a charging process. A mobile terminal can also include a remote communication interface, in particular for transmitting a charging request data record to a billing center (located away from the charging station and the mobile terminal) and / or for receiving a charging release data record from a billing center.

• - mindestens eine zuvor beschriebene Ladestation, und
• - mindestens ein zuvor beschriebenes mobiles Endgerät, auf dem mindestens eine zuvor beschriebene Ladeanwendung installiert ist.

Another aspect of the application is a charging system for charging electric vehicles, comprising:

• - at least one previously described charging station, and
• - At least one previously described mobile terminal on which at least one previously described charging application is installed.

It goes without saying that the charging system can comprise two or more charging stations and / or two or more mobile terminals, each with an installed charging application.

According to a preferred embodiment of the charging system according to the application, the charging system can comprise at least one accounting center implemented in a backend system. The billing center can be set up to carry out billing for an electrical energy variable to be released contained in a charging request data record before a charging process is carried out. The billing center can be set up to transmit a charging release data record after the (verified) billing of the electrical energy quantity to be released has taken place, wherein the charging release data record can contain at least the released electric energy quantity and a certification date.

For example, a requested electrical energy variable can be billed based on user data from a user account of a user. The user can be registered in the charging system, for example. For example, as part of the installation process of the charging application, the user can be registered in the accounting center. In particular, during an installation it may be necessary to provide billing data, such as credit card data, account data, data of a PayPal account (or the like), etc. Device etc.) must be saved in a user account. A transferred charging request data record can preferably also include the user identifier, which can in particular be added by the charging application.

The backend system can preferably form at least part of the charging system described above. In particular, the back-end system (e.g. formed by one or more servers distributed in a cloud) can be used to (at least partially) carry out the method described above.

• - Übertragen, durch ein mobiles Endgerät, eines Ladeanfragedatensatzes an eine Abrechnungszentrale, wobei der Ladeanfragedatensatz zumindest eine freizugebende elektrische Energiegröße enthält,
• - Empfangen, durch das mobile Endgerät, eines Ladefreigabedatensatz nach einer erfolgten Abrechnung der freizugebenden elektrischen Energiegröße, wobei der Ladefreigabedatensatz zumindest die freigegebene elektrische Energiegröße (und vorzugsweise ein Zertifizierungsdatum) enthält,
• - Übertragen eines Energiedatensatzes, durch das mobile Endgerät, an einen Stromzähler einer Ladestation, wobei der Energiedatensatz zumindest die freigegebene elektrische Energiegröße (und vorzugsweise das Zertifizierungsdatum) enthält, und
• - Steuern (vorzugsweise durch einen zuvor beschriebenen Stromzähler), basierend auf dem erhaltenen Energiedatensatz, eines Ladevorgangs zum Laden eines Elektrofahrzeugs derart, dass die während des Ladevorgangs ausgetauschte elektrische Energiegröße maximal der erhaltenen freigegebenen elektrischen Energiegröße entspricht.

Yet another aspect of the application is a method for operating a charging system, in particular a charging system described above. The procedure includes:

• - Transmitting, by a mobile terminal, a charging request data record to a billing center, the charging request data record containing at least one electrical energy variable to be released,
• - Receipt, by the mobile terminal, of a charging release data record after the billing of the electrical energy quantity to be released has taken place, the charging release data record containing at least the released electric energy quantity (and preferably a certification date),
• - Transmission of an energy data set by the mobile terminal to an electricity meter of a charging station, the energy data set containing at least the released electrical energy quantity (and preferably the certification date), and
• - Controlling (preferably by an electricity meter described above), based on the received energy data set, a charging process for charging an electric vehicle in such a way that the amount of electrical energy exchanged during the charging process corresponds at most to the amount of released electrical energy obtained.

The method can at least partially be carried out, in particular controlled, by a charging application described above and installed on a mobile terminal device.

A module, device, interface, etc. described above can at least partially comprise hardware elements (e.g. processor, storage means, lines, etc.) and / or at least partially software elements (e.g. executable code).

The characteristics of the electricity meters, charging systems, charging applications, processes and mobile devices can be freely combined with one another. In particular, features of the description and / or the dependent claims, even with complete or partial circumvention of features of the independent claims, can be independently inventive on their own or freely combined with one another.

• 1 eine schematische Ansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer Ladestation gemäß der vorliegenden Anmeldung mit einem Ausführungsbeispiel eines Stromzählers gemäß der vorliegenden Anmeldung,
• 2 eine schematische Ansicht eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels einer Ladestation gemäß der vorliegenden Anmeldung mit einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel eines Stromzählers gemäß der vorliegenden Anmeldung,
• 3 eine schematische Ansicht eines Ladesystems gemäß der vorliegenden Anmeldung, und
• 4 ein Diagramm eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines Verfahrens gemäß der vorliegenden Anmeldung.

There are now a large number of possibilities for designing and further developing the electricity meter according to the application, the charging system according to the application, the charging application according to the application, the mobile terminal according to the application and the method according to the application. For this purpose, reference is made, on the one hand, to the claims subordinate to the independent claims, and, on the other hand, to the description of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawing. In the drawing shows:

• 1 a schematic view of an embodiment of a charging station according to the present application with an embodiment of an electricity meter according to the present application,
• 2 a schematic view of a further embodiment of a charging station according to the present application with a further embodiment of an electricity meter according to the present application,
• 3 a schematic view of a charging system according to the present application, and
• 4th a diagram of an embodiment of a method according to the present application.

The same reference symbols are used below for the same elements.

the 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a charging station 100 according to the present application with an embodiment of an electricity meter 102 according to the present application.

The charging station 102 is used to exchange a quantity of electrical energy. In the following exemplary embodiments, electrical energy is always used as an electrical energy variable. In particular, the charging station 100 give off electrical energy. A bidirectional exchange is possible with other types of registration.

The charging station 100 is with an energy source 120 connected, in this case a (public) supply network 120 , like a low voltage network 120 or local network or a medium-voltage network 120 . For an electrical connection to the supply network 120 indicates the charging station 100 a charging station connector 114 on.

In particular, the charging station has for the delivery of electrical energy 100 at least one charging point 132 on, in the present example in the form of a charging socket 132 . It goes without saying that two or more charging points can be provided and / or a plurality of electricity meters corresponding to the number of charging points.

To get a current flow from the charging station connector 114 to the charging point 132 to enable is an internal electrical connection 134 in the charging station 100 provided, in particular in the form of an electrically conductive line 134 .

As can be seen, there is a charging plug in the present case 130 a charging cable 128 with the charging socket 132 coupled, in particular electrically and mechanically connected. Another charging plug 140 of the charging cable 128 is with a charging socket 126 of an electric vehicle 122 coupled, in particular electrically and mechanically connected.

Here is the electric vehicle 122 for example a small electric vehicle 122 in the form of an electric scooter 122 . The electric scooter 122 has a rechargeable battery 124 that can be charged especially during a charging process with the by the charging station 100 provided electrical energy.

In one housing 118 the charging station 100 is an embodiment of an electricity meter 102 arranged according to the present application. In other words it is an electricity meter 102 in the case 118 the charging station 100 integrated.

The electricity meter 102 is in particular a MIT calibrated (or similarly calibrated) electricity meter 102 . The electricity meter 102 in the present case has a housing 116 on. The case 116 is in particular a security housing 116 , for example from a highly break-proof special plastic. Preferably the housing is 116 a sealed housing 116 .

As can be seen, there is a line section 136 the electrical connection 134 through the inside of the case 116 passed through. Furthermore, the electricity meter 102 in the present case a receiving interface 106 , a control interface 108 and a measuring device 104 on. At least the measuring device 104 is present completely in the housing 116 of the electricity meter 102 integrated.

The receiving interface 106 (which can also have a send function in the case of variants of the registration) is set up to receive an energy data record containing at least one electrical energy limit value released for a charging process. In particular, this is the maximum amount of energy that can be exchanged during a charging process. In the following, an electrical energy limit is always used as an electrical energy limit variable.

The receiving interface 106 is arranged in particular in a housing wall. The receiving interface 106 is present with a charging station interface 138 the charging station 100 connected, in the present example a near-field interface 138 .

The measuring device 104 is set up to measure the electrical energy exchanged during a charging process, in particular that to the electric vehicle 122 electrical energy delivered. For example, the measuring device 104 work according to the induction principle. It goes without saying that in other variants of the application, a measuring device can work according to other measuring principles.

According to the application, the measuring device 104 a detection module 110 . The receiving interface 106 the received electrical limit energy or the received limit energy value to the detection module 110 provide. The detection module 110 is set up to detect a match between the energy exchanged during a charging process and the released limit energy.

The measuring device 104 can (almost) continuously record the exchanged energy during a charging process. The detection module 110 can in particular monitor the measured energy (values) and preferably (almost) continuously compare it with the released limit energy value, in particular to cause the charging process to be terminated immediately upon detection of a previously described correspondence.

For example, x kWh may have been released as the limit energy value, for example 2 kWh. The detection module 110 detects the start of the charging process (and in particular an energy start value of the measuring device (e.g. 0 kWh, if the start value can be set to 0 after each charging process).

Once the detection module 110 detects that during this charging process 2 kWh have been exchanged, causes the detection module 110 that the control interface 106 interrupts the charging process. The one with the measuring device 104 connected control interface 106 is set up to interrupt the exchange of the electrical energy variable immediately upon detection that the electrical energy exchanged in the charging process corresponds to the released electrical limit energy.

In particular, the switching module is activated directly 112 such that the electrical connection 134 is interrupted. In particular, the control of the switching module 112 the switching module 112 set to an open switching state.

the 2 shows a schematic view of a further embodiment of a charging station 200 according to the present application with a further embodiment of an electricity meter 202 according to the present application. To avoid repetition, essentially only the differences from the previous exemplary embodiment are described below, and otherwise reference is made to the explanations relating to the previous exemplary embodiment.

As can be seen, the charging station 200 present two charging station interfaces 238.1 , 238.2 that support different technologies (e.g. a Bluetooth interface 238.1 and an optical reader 238.2 ).

In the electricity meter 202 , especially the case 216 of the electricity meter 202 , in this case are the measuring device 204 , a switching module 242 , the control interface 208 , a test module 244 and a data store 246 (fully) integrated. In particular, only authorized users (e.g. from an operator of the charging station 200 and / or the electricity meter 202 ) Access to the inside of the electricity meter housing 216 , which can at least be sealed. This at least makes it possible to subsequently detect a manipulation.

A charging station interface 238.1 , 238.2 receive an energy data record and send it to the receiving interface 206 forward onto. The energy data set can preferably be in addition to contain a certification date and, for example, a charging station identifier of the released limit energy or the amount of energy desired and released by the user.

A certification date can in particular be a digital certificate which confirms that the released amount of energy of the energy data record has already been billed, i.e. in particular confirms that the user has already paid for the released amount of energy in advance.

The receiving interface 106 provides the received energy data set to the test module 244 to disposal. The test module 244 can check whether the charging station identifier matches the charging station identifier of the charging station 200 of the electricity meter 202 corresponds, in particular is identical to this. For example, the obtained charging station identifier can be compared with the charging station identifier of the charging station 200 of the electricity meter 202 done in the data store 246 can be stored.

Furthermore, the test module 244 check whether the certification date received is a valid certification date. For example, in the data store 246 at least one test algorithm must be stored. In particular, a plurality of test algorithms can be stored for a corresponding number of permissible certification date types. The test module 244 can apply a stored test algorithm to the received certification date and, depending on the test result, determine whether the received certification date is permissible or not.

In the event that the certification date received is invalid and / or the charging station ID is invalid, i.e. not for the charging station ID of the charging station 200 of the electricity meter 202 corresponds, the charging station remains 200 locked. In other words, a charging process is blocked.

In the event of positive test results, i.e. in the event of a detected correspondence between the charging station identifier and the charging station identifier of the charging station 200 of the electricity meter 202 and if a valid certification date is determined, the test module 244 the control interface 208 control in such a way that it causes an exchange of the electrical energy quantity for the charging process to be established. In particular, this only takes place in the case of the above-mentioned positive test results. It goes without saying that the charging station identification check can also be omitted.

In this embodiment, the control interface can also be formed only by a communication link. Thus, the test module can control the switching module via the control interface (in the form of a communication connection) in such a way that the switching state of the switching module is changed, in particular the switch is closed. In a corresponding manner, the detection module can control the switching module via the control interface (in the form of a communication connection) in such a way that the switching state of the switching module is changed, in particular the switch is opened.

The control interface 208 can in particular the (internal) switching module 242 control in such a way that the switching module 242 is closed. A current flow from the charging station connection to the charging point 232 via the electrical connection 234 is possible with it. It goes without saying that a conventional check can be carried out beforehand to determine whether an electric vehicle has been properly connected via a charging cable.

The charging process can then be carried out in the manner described above and by the measuring device according to the application 204 monitored as previously described. It should be noted here that the charging process can be terminated prematurely, in particular by the user. In this case, a released amount of residual energy can expire.

the 3 shows an embodiment of a charging system 360 according to the present application. The charging system 360 includes at least one charging station 300 . The charging station shown 300 can according to the charging station 200 according to the 2 be formed, so that to avoid repetition, essentially only the differences are described below and otherwise refer to the previous remarks on 2 or 1 is referred.

The charging system 360 includes at least one mobile device 362 (e.g. a smartphone 362 ) on which a charging application 364 in the form of an app 364 installed. In particular, FIG. 3 is a schematic view of one embodiment of a charging application 364 shown according to the present application.

The charging application 364 , in particular in the form of a processor of a mobile terminal 362 executable software application 364 , comprises at least one transmission module 366 and at least one receiving module 368 .

The mobile device 362 , in particular controlled by the charging application 364 , can use a communication network 370 (especially a long-distance communication network 370 eg in the form of a cellular network 370 ) with a billing center 372 communicate.

The accounting center 372 is implemented in particular in a back-end system or forms a back-end system. The backend system can be formed by one or more (distributed) servers. The accounting center 372 in the present case comprises at least one accounting module 376 and at least one generation module 378 , set up to generate certification data.

It goes without saying that in other variants two or more accounting centers can be provided, for example from different accounting service providers.

In addition, the mobile device is 362 to communicate with the charging station 300 via at least one other communication network 374 set up (for example based on a near-field technology such as Bluetooth, RFID or WLAN technology).

How the charging system works 360 is explained in more detail below with the help of the 4th described. the 4th shows a diagram of an embodiment of a method according to the present application.

In a first step 401 there is a transmission by the mobile terminal 362 , a charge request data record to the accounting center 372 . The charge request data record contains at least one electrical energy variable to be released or one from the user of the mobile terminal 362 Amount of energy required for one charging process.

In particular, the transmission module 366 the charging application 364 be arranged to effect transmission, by the mobile terminal 362 (in particular by a (not shown) communication module of the mobile terminal 362 ), the charge request data record to the accounting center 372 .

The charge request data record can preferably also contain at least the user identifier that the mobile terminal device 362 (system-wide one-to-one) is assigned. This can be done by the charging application 364 to be added.

In a further step 402 there is a reception by the mobile terminal 362 , a charging release data record after a settlement of the electrical energy quantity to be released. The charge release data record contains at least the released electrical energy quantity, preferably additionally a (permissible) certification date. In particular, the receiving module 368 be set up to receive a charging release data set after the accounting of the electrical energy quantity to be released has taken place.

In particular, the accounting module 376 carry out an accounting. For example, in the accounting center 372 User accounts (in front of registered users), each with user ID and billing data, can be stored in a database. The associated billing data can be determined based on the user ID of the charge request data record. The billing data can be used to bill the required amount of energy. If the billing was successful, that is to say, in particular, a payment has already been made or will be made with sufficient certainty, the charge release data record can be generated.

The generation module can preferably 378 If the billing is successful, generate a certification date, especially as proof of successful billing. The certification date can be added to the charge release record.

In a further step 403 an energy data set is transmitted by the mobile terminal 362 , to the electricity meter 302 a charging station 300 , wherein the energy data record contains at least the released electrical energy variable, preferably also the generated certification date in the present case.

In particular, the transmission module 366 be set up to effect a transmission of the energy data set to the electricity meter. In particular, the data content of the received charge release data record can be forwarded. For example, a charging station identifier of the charging station 300 to be added to the charging process. For example, one at the charging station 300 attached optical code containing the charging station identifier of the charging station 300 , through a camera of the mobile terminal 362 are recorded. The charging application 364 can control this and in particular add the recorded charging station identifier to the energy data set.

In a further step 404 a charging process (at the charging station 300 ) for charging an electric vehicle 322 in such a way that the electrical energy quantity exchanged during the charging process corresponds at most to the released electrical energy quantity received, as was described in particular above.

As can be seen from the previous statements, the charging station itself advantageously has no connection to a backend system.

With other variants of the registration, a connection to a backend system can alternatively or additionally take place. For example, the accounting center can be communicatively connected to the charging station. For example, a charging release data record (additionally containing the charging station identifier; this can already be contained in the charging request data record) can also be transmitted directly to the charging station.

Claims (12)

Electricity meter (102, 202, 302) for a charging station (100, 200, 300) for charging electric vehicles (122, 322), in particular small electric vehicles (122, 322), comprising: - At least one receiving interface (106, 206, 306), set up to receive an energy data record containing at least one electrical energy limit value released for a charging process, - At least one measuring device (104, 204, 304), set up to measure an electrical energy variable exchanged between the charging station (100, 200, 300) and an electric vehicle (122, 322) electrically connected to the charging station (100, 200, 300) during a charging process, - wherein the measuring device (104, 204, 304) comprises at least one detection module (110, 210, 310), set up to detect that the electrical energy variable exchanged in the charging process corresponds to the released electrical energy limit variable, and - At least one control interface (108, 208, 308) connected to the measuring device (104, 204, 304), set up to interrupt the exchange of the electrical energy variable upon detection that the electrical energy variable exchanged in the charging process corresponds to the released electrical energy limit variable at least corresponds. Electricity meter (102, 202, 302) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that - the received energy data record contains at least one certification date, and - the electricity meter (102, 202, 302) has at least one test module (244, 344) connected to the receiving interface (106, 206, 306), set up for checking, whether the certification date received is a valid certification date. Electricity meter (102, 202, 302) according to Claim 2 , characterized in that - the electricity meter (102, 202, 302) has a data memory (246, 346) connected to the test module (244, 344), - at least one admissibility criterion being stored in the data memory (246, 346), and - The checking module (244, 344) is set up to check the certification date received, based on the stored admissibility criterion. Electricity meter (102, 202, 302) according to Claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that - the test module (244, 344) is connected to the control interface (108, 208, 308), and - the control interface (108, 208, 308) is set up to bring about an exchange of the electrical energy variable for the Loading process if the certification date is a valid certification date. Electricity meter (102, 202, 302) according to one of the Claims 2 until 4th , characterized in that - the received energy data record contains at least one charging station identifier, and - the test module (244, 344) is set up to check whether the received charging station identifier corresponds to the charging station identifier of the charging station (100, 200, 300) of the electricity meter (102, 202 , 302) corresponds. Electricity meter (102, 202, 302) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the electricity meter (102, 202, 302) has a switching module (242, 342) controllable by the control interface (108, 208, 308), set up for Establishing and interrupting the exchange of the electrical energy quantity. Electricity meter (102, 202, 302) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the electricity meter (102, 202, 302) is a calibrated electricity meter (102, 202, 302), and / or - the electricity meter (102, 202) , 302) has a housing (116, 216, 316), in particular a sealed housing (116, 216, 316), - at least the measuring device (104, 204, 304) being integrated in the housing (116, 216, 316) . Charging station (100, 200, 300) for charging electric vehicles (122, 322), comprising at least one electricity meter (102, 202, 302) according to one of the preceding claims. Loading application (364), in particular in the form of a software application (364) that can be executed by a processor of a mobile terminal (362), for installation on the mobile terminal (362), comprising: - at least one transmission module (366) set up to effect a transmission the mobile terminal (362), a charge request data record to at least one accounting center (372), the charge request data record containing at least one electrical energy variable to be released, at least one receiving module (368), set up to receive a charging release data record after the billing of the electrical energy quantity to be released has taken place, the charging release data record containing at least the released electric energy quantity and a certification date, - wherein the transmission module (366) is set up to bring about a transmission of an energy data record, to an electricity meter (102, 202, 302) of a charging station (100, 200, 300), the energy data record containing at least the released electrical energy quantity and the certification date. Charging system (360) for charging electric vehicles (122, 322), comprising: - at least one charging station (100, 200, 300) after Claim 8 , and - at least one mobile terminal (362) on which at least one charging application (364) is after Claim 9 installed. Charging system (360) Claim 10 , characterized in that - the charging system (360) comprises at least one accounting center (372) implemented in a back-end system, - the accounting center (372) being set up to carry out accounting for an electrical energy quantity to be released contained in a charging request data record before a charging process is carried out, and - wherein the billing center (372) is set up to transmit a charging release data record after billing has taken place for the electrical energy quantity to be released, the charging release data record containing at least the released electrical energy quantity and a certification date. Method for operating a charging system (360), in particular a charging system (360) according to Claim 10 or 11 comprising: - Transmitting, by a mobile terminal (362), a charging request data record to a billing center (372), the charging request data record containing at least one electrical energy variable to be released, - Receiving, by the mobile terminal (362), a charging release data record after billing has taken place the electrical energy variable to be released, the charging release data record containing at least the released electrical energy variable, - transmission of an energy data record by the mobile terminal (362) to an electricity meter (102, 202, 302) of a charging station (100, 200, 300), the Energy data record contains at least the released electrical energy quantity, and - based on the received energy data record, controlling a charging process for charging an electric vehicle (122, 322) such that the electrical energy quantity exchanged during the charging process corresponds at most to the released electrical energy quantity received.

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