DE102020118618A1 - Charging station for charging a vehicle battery and method of operation for improved safety - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a charging station for charging a vehicle battery of an electric motor vehicle and a method for operating such a charging station. The charging station has an energy transmission device for electrical coupling to the motor vehicle, a sensor system for automatically detecting a fault in the motor vehicle that can lead to the destruction of its vehicle battery, and a control unit connected to the sensor system. This control unit is set up to output a specified data signal when a fault is detected, in order to initiate at least one measure to reduce the effect of the fault on the surroundings of the motor vehicle.

Description

The present invention relates to a charging station for charging a vehicle battery and a method for operating such a charging station for safely charging a motor vehicle.

An increasing spread of electric motor vehicles is currently being sought. For this purpose, traction batteries are developed and used for these motor vehicles, which have an ever higher energy density and are still primarily based on lithium-ion technology. This can advantageously enable a relatively high range and practicality, but in connection with the relatively high energy content and charging currents that are aimed for, it can also represent a potential risk. Cases are known in which a battery cell of such a lithium-ion traction battery failed, which then resulted in a catastrophic thermal chain reaction (thermal runaway). An area surrounding the respective motor vehicle can potentially be affected, for example by fire, smoke gases, heated particles, potentially toxic reaction products and/or the like.

The relatively long charging time of the available traction batteries is currently still a factor in the adoption of electric motor vehicles CN 102 202 944 B a battery exchange station. There, empty vehicle batteries are to be robotically removed from vehicles by a sliding door system and replaced with charged batteries. The batteries removed from the vehicles are transported to a warehouse via an automatic transport system and charged there. In such a warehouse, the batteries can be charged and stored under more controllable environmental conditions. However, if a fault occurs in a battery stored in the warehouse, a catastrophic spread to a particular environment can be prevented or delayed in a simpler manner. For example, the warehouse may be enclosed by fireproof walls and positioned in relative isolation.

Another approach is in the DE 10 2013 222 518 A1 describes a method for mitigating temperature conditions in a wireless charging system within a vehicle. In this case, a chargeable device is charged using a wireless charger, with temperature information relating to the inductive charging being recorded. An amount of power supplied to the chargeable device by the charger is then adjusted based on the sensed temperature information. This is to prevent a mobile or portable rechargeable device from being charged inside a vehicle in temperature conditions that could cause serious damage to a device battery, such as a chemical leak or fire outbreak. Additional countermeasures include suspending charging or disabling a hardware component of the device, such as its display or camera. Likewise, the inductive charger can be switched off if it is detected that the device on the inductive charger is also connected to a wired charging source. Likewise, an HVAC system or a climate controller for tempering an interior of the vehicle or for distributing air throughout the interior of the vehicle can be controlled.

The object of the present invention is to enable safe charging when charging an electric motor vehicle.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Advantageous refinements and developments of the present invention are specified in the dependent patent claims, in the description and in the drawing.

A charging station according to the invention is set up or designed to charge a vehicle battery, in particular a traction battery of an electric motor vehicle. For this purpose, the charging station has an energy transmission device for electrically coupling to the motor vehicle in order to charge its vehicle battery. Such an energy transmission device can include, for example, a charging cable or a transmission coil for inductive energy transmission and a power circuit or power electronics for providing voltages or currents required for charging the vehicle battery. The charging station according to the invention is therefore used to connect a motor vehicle to the charging station in order to charge its vehicle battery while it is in the motor vehicle. This can advantageously enable particularly convenient charging of common electric motor vehicles that are not designed for a quick battery change to restore their range or operational readiness.

The charging station according to the invention also includes a sensor system for automatically detecting a fault in the respective motor vehicle coupled to the charging station, which can lead to the destruction of its vehicle battery. Such a fault can, for example, be a short circuit or damage to at least one battery cell the vehicle battery, a thermal error and/or the like. The charging station also has a control unit connected to this sensor system, which is set up to output a specified data signal when a fault is detected in order to initiate at least one measure to reduce the impact of the fault on the surroundings of the respective motor vehicle. Such a data signal can be sent, for example, via a wired or wireless data connection to a facility or a device of the charging station itself and/or to a facility, a device or a person outside of the charging station. The data signal to be output can be specified or stored, for example, in a data storage device of the control unit. Likewise, the control unit can be set up to determine or generate the data signal itself, for example depending on a particular situation in the individual case. Both the sensor system and the data signal or the at least one measure caused by this are described in more detail below. However, it should already be noted at this point that different variants can be used here, such as electrical, optical and/or chemical sensors or control, radio or warning signals and/or the like.

It can be problematic when using electric motor vehicles that most of the corresponding error cases occur during charging operation at a charging station, i.e. when charging your vehicle battery or during charge maintenance operation in which the vehicle battery is permanently kept in a fully charged state (English: trickle charge ) occur and such a charging operation often takes place unattended, for example overnight. In contrast, most faults in conventional motor vehicles powered by internal combustion engines occur during their operating times, ie when a person is typically in the vicinity or is driving the motor vehicle. If an error occurs in this way in an unattended electric motor vehicle, it is often not possible to react to it quickly enough to prevent negative, potentially catastrophic effects on a particular environment of the motor vehicle. A particularly early detection of faults and the fastest possible reaction to them are therefore desirable in order to avoid damage. However, sensors and communication devices of the respective motor vehicle itself cannot always be used reliably for this purpose, since they can also be damaged or fail due to the respective error and/or be put into a rest or sleep state during charging in order not to load the vehicle battery. The sensors of the charging station, on the other hand, can advantageously be supplied by the charging station itself or via its power supply, for example from a stationary electrical power supply network, and can therefore be operated during charging or continuously without loading the vehicle battery. Due to the immediate proximity of the charging station to the motor vehicle coupled to it, faults in the respective motor vehicle that occur while the respective motor vehicle is connected or coupled to the charging station or parked at the charging station can be automatically detected particularly reliably and particularly early. However, the charging station and the sensor system can be sufficiently secured to be able to reliably output the data signal even in the event of a relatively serious fault in the motor vehicle with or from its vehicle battery. This can be achieved, for example, by an appropriately secured, for example fire-proof, housing or the like.

The present invention makes it possible to reduce the effects of errors and thus a risk associated with electric motor vehicles by automatically detecting errors and automatically outputting corresponding data signals. This can also have beneficial indirect effects, such as a reduction in insurance benefits or insurance premiums for electric vehicles or the avoidance of corresponding risk premiums, and can thereby support the adoption and further spread of electric vehicles.

In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the data signal is designed to automatically activate a ventilation device and/or a fire protection or fire suppression device and/or to switch to a respective maximum operating level. In particular, these can be facilities in a building surrounding the charging station. This can be, for example, an underground car park or a multi-storey car park or the like. The ventilation and/or fire-fighting device can, for example, automatically suck off smoke gases, particles or other reaction products or chemicals that are generated or emitted by the motor vehicle or prevent them from spreading. Likewise, the motor vehicle and/or its surroundings can be cooled, if necessary, and the spread of a fire caused by the fault in or on the motor vehicle can be avoided or delayed. Corresponding buildings can in turn typically be equipped with sensors for detecting smoke gases or fire. By coupling the charging station with the respective vehicle However, the fault can advantageously be detected earlier by the sensors of the charging station than by such building-specific sensors, for example conventional smoke or fire alarms on a ceiling of a garage or the like. Recognizing an error as early as possible can have a significant impact on reducing the corresponding effects. The automatic activation of the ventilation and/or fire-fighting device of the charging station or in the vicinity of the charging station can advantageously automatically initiate or initiate localized measures at the position of the respective motor vehicle to reduce the effects of the fault. The use of the building's own facilities can be particularly advantageous, since these can typically be designed to be more powerful than the facilities of the charging station or the motor vehicle itself.

To activate or switch to a maximum operating level of such devices, the data signal can be a wirelessly transmitted or transmitted control signal, for example. Various transmission technologies, for example WLAN or WiFi, mobile radio, Bluetooth or the like, can be used for this purpose. This has the advantage that the risk of damage to data lines can be avoided and, in addition, equipping or retrofitting corresponding buildings with a charging station according to the invention can be simplified. A fire-fighting device in the present sense can be or include, for example, an extinguishing agent spray system or a device for oxygen displacement or the like.

In a further advantageous refinement of the present invention, the data signal is designed to automatically notify a specified aid organization for averting danger, in particular a locally responsible fire brigade, with regard to the detected fault. Additionally or alternatively, other relevant organizations, services, and/or individuals may be notified by the data signal. This can, for example, concern a security service or operator of a respective building in which or in the vicinity or vicinity of which the charging station is located, people staying in such a building, an operator of the charging station, an owner or user of the motor vehicle and/or the like. For this purpose, the data signal can, for example, be sent out or transmitted automatically via a corresponding data network, for example WLAN, mobile radio, intranet or Internet or the like. The automatic transmission of such a data signal means that it is advantageously possible to react particularly promptly to the detection of the respective fault, as a result of which its effects can advantageously be particularly effectively reduced. In particular, measures to reduce the effects of the error can be triggered automatically in a particularly timely manner, regardless of whether the error is observed or recognized by a human observer or the motor vehicle and the charging station are operated unattended. Overall, therefore, a particularly reliable response and a particularly short response time to the detected fault can be achieved and an optimum measure can be initiated in each case. This can be particularly advantageous in urban environments with relatively high population, infrastructure and vehicle densities.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the charging station has a suction device for automatically sucking off air or gas from the respective motor vehicle, ie the motor vehicle that is coupled or connected to the charging station or parked in its area. The data signal is then set up to automatically activate this suction device or to switch it to a maximum operating level. The suction device can be or include a blower or a pump, for example. Heated air, flue gases, particles and/or gaseous reaction products or reaction products conveyed through the air can advantageously be conducted or directed in a predetermined direction by the suction device. As a result, an attack on neighboring facilities, for example other vehicles parked next to the respective motor vehicle, can be avoided or delayed. Equipping the charging station with such a suction device advantageously allows the device to be aligned at least almost optimally with an expected or intended parking space of the motor vehicle and thus a particularly effective and reliable effect. Likewise, the suction device can be pivoted and then automatically aligned with the motor vehicle. For this purpose, the respective position of the motor vehicle can be automatically detected by means of a corresponding position sensor system of the charging station. Such a position sensor system can, for example, comprise pressure sensors or magnetic sensors integrated into a parking space or a camera arranged at the charging station and/or the like. In the present case, the charging station is therefore set up to automatically activate the suction device or to switch to its maximum operating level when a fault is detected. As a result, for example, heated air, smoke gases, potentially toxic outgassing, particles and/or the like produced by the fault in the area of the motor vehicle can be at least partially extracted from the motor vehicle. This can according to their one carry into the environment of the motor vehicle and thus avoid or delay contamination of the environment, damage, in particular a fault chain reaction in neighboring vehicles or devices, and/or the like.

In an advantageous development of the present invention, the charging station also has a filter arranged in the air flow of the suction device. Such a filter can be arranged, for example, on a side of the suction device facing away from the respective motor vehicle or the parking space provided for it, that is to say downstream of or downstream of it. As a result, an air flow between the motor vehicle and the suction device is advantageously not impeded or weakened by the filter. The filter can be a particle filter or a chemical filter, for example, ie set up, ie designed, to filter out particles, chemical substances or reaction products, fire products and/or the like. Substances or products of this type can thus be collected locally, as a result of which their entry into the area surrounding the motor vehicle can be prevented or reduced in a particularly effective manner.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the sensor system includes a voltage and/or current meter. The charging station is then set up to automatically detect the fault based on a voltage and/or current change in the energy transmission device. The sensor system, ie the voltmeter and/or current meter, can therefore be arranged in a current or circuit used to charge the vehicle battery of the motor vehicle, ie for example be part of the energy transmission device. If, for example, a battery cell of the vehicle battery is damaged in the event of a fault, this can lead to a corresponding voltage drop of a specific characteristic variable or a corresponding current change. For example, a voltage or a voltage drop of about 3.6 V or 3.7 V can develop per failed cell of a lithium-ion battery. There may also be a current peak, for example in the event of a short circuit within the vehicle battery. The presently proposed voltage- or current-based sensor system or detection of the fault is particularly advantageous since the fault can be detected particularly early in this way, for example before smoke development or a fire or fire in the vehicle battery can be detected from outside the motor vehicle. Likewise, based on a time profile of the voltage and/or current change, a type of error can be inferred, ie the respective error can be identified or characterized. Depending on the detected profile of the voltage or current change or depending on the identified error case, a corresponding or associated data signal can then be selected for output from a plurality of data signals specified for different profiles or error cases. As a result, the respective initiated measure can advantageously be coordinated or adapted to the respective situation and thus turn out to be particularly effective and efficient.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the sensor system includes a temperature sensor. The charging station is then set up to automatically detect the error when a temperature measured by the temperature sensor reaches or exceeds a predetermined temperature threshold value. Likewise, an error can be detected if the temperature changes at least at a predetermined speed and/or rises by at least a predetermined amount, in particular within a predetermined period of time. The temperature threshold value can therefore be specified, ie defined, absolutely or relative to an initial or starting temperature, for example at the beginning of a respective charging process or charging operation. Such a temperature sensor can be arranged, for example, on a charging plug or charging connection, that is to say on the vehicle-side end of a charging cable of the charging station. As a result, the temperature can advantageously be measured particularly close to the motor vehicle. Likewise, the temperature sensor can be integrated into a parking space provided for the respective motor vehicle to be charged. This can be particularly advantageous since vehicle batteries are often arranged close to the ground within the motor vehicle and a temperature change in the battery can therefore be detected particularly quickly, ie particularly early, by a temperature sensor arranged under the motor vehicle. Likewise, for example, a contactless temperature sensor can be used. For this purpose, for example, an infrared or laser thermometer can be arranged at the charging station, which is aligned or automatically aligned with the motor vehicle or the parking space provided for it. As a result, damage to the temperature sensor in the event of a fault in the motor vehicle can advantageously be avoided or delayed, and the corresponding data signal can thus be output in a particularly reliable manner.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the sensor system is set up to detect the fault based on a changed air composition, in particular based on the presence of reaction products associated with a battery fault. the sen Sorik can therefore be or include a chemical sensor, ie a so-called chemical or artificial nose. The sensor system can also include, for example, an oxygen content sensor, a smoke alarm and/or the like. The case of error can then be recognized automatically if the change occurs in a specific, predetermined manner or certain predetermined chemical substances or compounds are detected. In this way, a thermal fault can be identified particularly reliably. This can ensure, for example, that the fire brigade is only notified and/or a fire-fighting device or fire-fighting device is activated in the event of an actual thermal fault, which ultimately would not be necessary, for example, in the event of a purely mechanical or electrical failure without a subsequent thermal fault in the vehicle battery. This therefore enables a particularly situation-adapted reaction to different error cases and thus a particularly effective and efficient allocation of corresponding resources.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the sensor system includes a camera which is aimed at a parking space provided for motor vehicles to be charged at the charging station. The parking space or the motor vehicle parked there for charging can therefore be located in a recording or detection range of the camera. Likewise, the charging station or the sensor system can include a control device for automatically aligning the camera to the respective motor vehicle coupled to the charging station or parked in the parking space. This can be done, for example, using or based on automatic image processing or automatic image or camera data-based object recognition for recognizing the respective motor vehicle. The camera can be activated automatically, for example, when a motor vehicle is coupled to the charging station or when a corresponding charging process or charging operation begins, or it can be in continuous operation. Using image or camera data captured by the camera, the fault can be detected by automatic image processing, for example by automatic detection of smoke gas or smoke development, flames or other optically detectable changes in the motor vehicle, such as tire bursting, sagging or melting of plastic parts and/or the like. The camera can also be designed as a thermal imaging camera, for example, in order to detect a temperature change, in particular a localized one, in the area of the vehicle that can be caused by the fault. The data signal can preferably be or include an image or video signal generated by the camera. As a result, the data signal, for example an additional warning signal provided as part of the data signal, can give notified persons or security forces a particularly precise insight into a particular situation that is actually present in the area of the charging station, so that correspondingly adapted or appropriate measures to reduce the effects of the respective situation can be taken particularly reliably can be initiated or taken in the event of a specific error. Additionally or alternatively, camera data recorded by the camera, ie individual images or video data, can be stored. In the event of an error or after an error, this can advantageously enable simplified tracing of a sequence of events in the error or events leading to the error.

A further aspect of the present invention is a method for operating a charging station according to the invention. In the method according to the invention, while a motor vehicle is coupled to the charging station for charging its battery, the charging process and/or the motor vehicle are monitored by means of sensors in the charging station for the occurrence of a fault in the motor vehicle. If such an error is detected, a data signal is then automatically output by the charging station, for example by a communication device of the charging station, in order to initiate at least one measure to reduce the effect of the error on the surroundings of the respective motor vehicle. Likewise, other sequences, measures or processes mentioned in connection with the charging station according to the invention can be part of the method according to the invention, that is to say they can be carried out as corresponding—possibly optional—method steps, in particular automatically. To carry out the method, the charging station can have a corresponding data processing device, for example. This data processing device can then include a computer-readable data memory and a processor device connected thereto, for example a microprocessor, a microchip or a microcontroller. An operating or computer program can then be stored on the data memory, which encodes or represents the method steps of the method according to the invention or corresponding control instructions. This operating or computer program can then be executed automatically by the processor device in order to cause the charging station to carry out the method according to the invention.

Further features of the invention can be derived from the claims, the figures and the figures result in description. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description and the features and feature combinations shown below in the description of the figures and/or in the figures alone can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without going beyond the scope of the invention to leave.

In the single figure, the drawing shows a fragmentary schematic representation to illustrate charging of a motor vehicle with improved safety.

It is known that lithium-ion-based traction batteries in today's electric vehicles in particular can cause significant damage to their surroundings in the event of a fault and that such faults can often occur outside of the driving operation of corresponding vehicles, for example while the vehicle is parked or parked for charging. Not only can a fire break out as a result of such faults, in particular thermal chain reactions, but potentially toxic gases and particles can also be introduced into a vehicle environment and cause dirt and damage there. This can also represent an additional insurance risk for electric vehicles and cause high costs.

The single FIGURE shows a schematic view of a parking building 10 in which an electric motor vehicle 12 is parked. The parking building 10 can be, for example, an underground car park or a multi-storey car park or the like. In the present case, the parking building 10 includes a security infrastructure 14, which is represented here schematically by a ventilation device, but can also include a fire-fighting device, for example. A charging station 16 is arranged in the parking building 10 .

The motor vehicle 12 is an electric vehicle in the present case and accordingly has a traction battery 18 . The traction battery 18 can be charged by electrically coupling the motor vehicle 12 to the charging station 16 . This electrical coupling and a corresponding energy transmission device of the charging station 16 is represented here schematically by a charging cable 20, by means of which the motor vehicle 12 is connected to the charging station 16.

The charging station 16 also includes a sensor system 22 for automatically detecting a fault in the motor vehicle 12 or the traction battery 18. For this purpose, the sensor system 22 can, for example, include a voltage and/or current meter or sensor, a temperature sensor, a chemical sensor and/or the like include. In the present case, the sensor system 22 also includes a camera 24 which is aligned with the motor vehicle 12 . For processing or evaluating data recorded or provided by the sensor system 22 , ie sensor data or sensor signals, the charging station 16 here also has a control unit 26 connected to the sensor system 22 . This control unit 26 is therefore set up to use the sensor data provided by the sensor system 22 to detect a fault in the motor vehicle 12 or the traction battery 18 . The control device 26 also includes a communication device for generating or outputting a data signal, which is indicated here schematically as a wirelessly output or transmitted radio signal. The control unit 26 is set up to automatically output such a data signal when a fault is detected. Additionally or alternatively, the or a further data signal can also be output or transmitted by cable, depending on the design to an internal device of the charging station 16 and/or to an external receiver, that is to say different from the charging station 16 .

A situation is shown here in which a thermal fault has occurred in the traction battery 18 . This is detected by means of sensors 22 and control unit 26, for example by means of associated fluctuations or changes in an electrical supply of motor vehicle 12 via charging cable 20, by means of a temperature or temperature change above a predetermined threshold value and/or by optical detection indicated schematically here Smoke gases 28, in particular by means of the camera 24. The control unit 26 then automatically outputs the data signal. In the present case, for example, the security infrastructure 14 of the parking building 10 can be activated by this data signal. Additionally or alternatively, a device of the charging station 16 can also be activated. In the present case, this can be a suction fan 30 of the charging station 16 . This can extract the smoke gases 28 from the motor vehicle 12 and direct them through a filter 32, preferably arranged downstream of the suction fan 30 in the direction of flow, in order to filter out particles and/or reaction products or chemicals from the extracted smoke gases 28.

In addition, a relevant or responsible person or an external emergency station 34, for example a fire brigade, is notified by the data signal. The data signal thus automatically triggers or initiates various measures in order to reduce the effects of the detected fault on the surroundings of motor vehicle 12 .

Overall, the examples described show how the surroundings of an electric vehicle can be protected against the effects of a fault, in particular thermal, in the vehicle and safe charging operation can thus be made possible.

Reference List

10

park building

12

motor vehicle

14

Security infrastructure (of the parking building 10)

16

charging station

18

traction battery

20

charging cable

22

sensors

24

camera

26

control unit

28

flue gases

30

suction fan

32

filter

34

place of action

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• CN 102202944B [0003]
• DE 102013222518 A1 [0004]

Claims (10)

Charging station (16) for charging a vehicle battery (18), having an energy transmission device (20) for electrically coupling to a motor vehicle (12) for charging its vehicle battery (18), a sensor system (22) for automatically detecting a fault in the respective vehicle with the Motor vehicle (12) coupled to the charging station (16), which can lead to the destruction of its vehicle battery (18), and a control unit (26) connected to the sensor system (22), which is set up to issue a predetermined error in response to such a detected fault Output data signal to cause at least one measure to reduce an effect of the error on an environment of the respective motor vehicle (12). charging station (16) after claim 1 , characterized in that the data signal is designed to automatically activate a ventilation device (14, 30) and/or a fire-fighting device (14), in particular of a building (10) surrounding the charging station (16), and/or to a maximum operating level to switch. Charging station (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data signal is designed to automatically notify a specified aid organization (34) for averting danger, in particular a fire brigade (34), with regard to the detected fault. Charging station (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the charging station (16) has a suction device (30) for automatically sucking air from the respective motor vehicle and the data signal is set up to automatically activate this suction device (30). charging station (16) after claim 4 , characterized in that the charging station (16) has a filter (32) arranged in the air flow of the suction device (30). Charging station (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor system (22) comprises a voltage and/or current meter and the charging station (16) is set up to detect the fault based on a voltage and/or current change in the energy transmission device (20) to recognize. Charging station (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor system (22) comprises a temperature sensor and the charging station (16) is set up to detect the error when a temperature measured by the temperature sensor reaches or exceeds a predetermined temperature threshold value . Charging station (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor system (22) is set up to detect the fault based on a changed air composition, in particular based on the presence of reaction products associated with a battery fault. Charging station (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor system (22) comprises a camera which is directed towards a parking space provided for motor vehicles (12) to be charged at the charging station (16). Method for operating a charging station (16) according to one of the preceding claims, in which, while a motor vehicle (12) is coupled to the charging station (16) for charging its battery, the charging process and/or the motor vehicle (12) is/are activated by means of a sensor system ( 22) the charging station (16) is monitored for the occurrence of a fault in the motor vehicle (12), and if a fault is detected, the charging station (16) automatically outputs a data signal in order to take at least one measure to reduce the impact of the fault on an environment of the respective motor vehicle (12).

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