WO2017092953A1

WO2017092953A1 - Monitoring device for monitoring an energy transmission unit

Info

Publication number: WO2017092953A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/076419
Authority: WO
Inventors: Achim Henkel; Philipp Schumann
Original assignee: Robert Bosch Gmbh
Priority date: 2015-12-02
Filing date: 2016-11-02
Publication date: 2017-06-08
Also published as: DE102015223993A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a charging station of a device that is suitable for monitoring the charging station when the charging station is connected to a charging socket on a vehicle; the charging station comprises a contact head that is electrically connected to a voltage source of the charging station, and an introducing mechanism designed to automatically introduce the contact head into the charging socket on the vehicle, the charging station being covered by a sensor skin.

Description

description

title

Monitoring device for monitoring a

Energy transmission device

The present invention relates to a monitoring device for

Monitoring an energy transmission device. State of the art

Electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles usually have an electrical energy storage, such as a traction battery, which provides the electrical energy for propulsion. Is this electric

Energy storage fully or partially discharged, so the electric vehicle must control a charging station, where the energy storage can be recharged. So far, it is customary that at such a charging station the

Electric vehicle is connected by a cable connection to the charging station. This connection must usually be made manually by a user. It is also necessary that charging station and

Electric vehicle a mutually corresponding connection system

exhibit. The document DE 10 2009 001 080 AI discloses a

Charging device for a land vehicle with a battery-like power storage device. Via a contact arm, an electrical connection between the power storage device and a charging device can be produced. The contact arm is mounted movably on the loading device.

Furthermore, occasionally wireless charging systems for electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles are known. For this purpose, an electric vehicle is parked above a transmitting coil (transmitting device) or a charging pad or charging device. This coil emits a high frequency alternating magnetic field. The

alternating magnetic field is from a receiving coil (charging coil or

Receiving device) received within the vehicle and in electrical Energy converted. By means of this electrical energy, a traction battery of the vehicle can then be charged.

There is therefore a need for a device and a method for automatically electrically connecting a charging station to the charging socket of an electric or hybrid vehicle, which enables a comfortable, reliable and efficient connection of the charging station to the charging socket of the vehicle, which is also safe and passerby as well as others

Living things are not endangered.

Disclosure of the invention

The device according to the invention with the characterizing part of claim 1 has the advantages that thereby the personal and animal protection in the environment is increased by autonomously moving loading arms or charging stations.

According to the invention, it is provided that the charging station of a device which is suitable for monitoring the charging station when connecting the charging station to a charging socket of a vehicle, wherein the charging station a

Contact head, which is electrically connected to a voltage source of the charging station, an insertion device which is designed to automatically insert the contact head into the charging socket of the vehicle, is covered with a sensor skin. The sensor skin acts as an "interactive protective shield" so that the device or charging station poses no danger to pedestrians or animals. For this purpose, the entire charging station or preferably the moving parts of the same is covered with a sensor skin, which controls controlled in touch in a safe state. In this case, the safe state can be an immediate stop.

The measures mentioned in the dependent claims advantageous refinements of the method specified in the independent claim are possible. Advantageously, the sensor skin is designed so that it has the flexibility of

Does not restrict robotic arms. By e.g. Flexibility or increased flexibility of the sensor skin can be adapted to these curved surfaces or flexibly adapt to surface structures which, for example, are displaced from each other or change with respect to their surface shape. Thus, cracking or damage of the sensor skin is avoided when it is put under tension. Also, a partially rigid sensor skin is effective if it does not restrict the flexibility unduly. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sensor skin is constructed from individual sensors (so-called "taxel"). This structure has the advantage that per square centimeter several individual sensors (advantageously thousands

Single sensors) can be installed and thus a resolution and sensitivity can be achieved, which exceed the human tactile accuracy. For comparison, for example, the human fingertip has about 240 individual sensors.

Advantageously, each individual sensor has at least one piezoelectric element. Piezo elements exploit the piezoelectric effect in which an electrical voltage is generated when a mechanical force is applied. Upon application of force to the sensor skin (for example, by shock, impact, touch, etc.), the resulting pressures are converted into voltages, whereby it can be detected, with which intensity an object (human being, living beings, etc.) collides with the device.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that the piezoelectric element has at least one nanowire. Advantageously, the piezoelectric element is composed of rods having a diameter in the nanometer range (for example in the range of 100-700 nm - preferably 500 nm). These sticks are in lattice-shaped

Arrangement vertically from the pad and are provided at the top and bottom with electrodes. If they are bent when touched, take care

piezoelectric effect that changes the current flow between the electrodes. This signal can be read out and interpreted by a computer become. Advantageously, bundles of approximately 1500 wires are always close together in each individual sensor (also called "sensor point").

In a further advantageous embodiment, the nanowire has zinc oxide. Piezo elements could be certain crystals or piezoelectric ceramics, ie polycrystalline materials. Piezoelectric thin films are increasingly being used as active sensor materials. With the help of

Semiconductor technologies it is possible to use these active piezoelectric

To deposit thin films on silicon. This is advantageously zinc oxide or aluminum nitride. Polyvinylidene fluoride can also be used.

Advantageously, the charging station and / or the vehicle has at least one

Near field sensor on. The near field sensor operates without contact, which is why it can detect objects before they come into contact with the surface of the charging station or device.

Advantageously, the near field sensor is based on an optical, capacitive or inductive operating principle. Likewise, he can use ultrasound or detect heat sources by means of an infrared sensor or work by means of radar. A combination of the aforementioned functional principles is possible. All methods work without contact, which is why they are suitable for the near field sensor.

Advantageously, the charging station has at least one near field sensor which

Can detect movement. About the near field sensor or the near field sensors living beings that are approaching the device or are in motion, can be detected. If an object of the device / charging station approaches, it can control it to a safe state, which can be, for example, an immediate stop. Alternatively, a suitable warning signal can avert a collision. Furthermore, the near field sensor is advantageously suitable for classifying the detected objects in terms of their danger potential. Depending on the approaching object, be it a human or an animal or depending on the speed, be it fast or slow, there is a respective danger potential. Height As a result of approach speeds, the collision between the device and the creature can cause more damage than it would at lower speeds. Accordingly, the

Charging station can be controlled in a safe state when an object approaches with appropriate speed.

Advantageously, the near field sensor is part of the environmental sensor system of the vehicle. This does not require an extra near field sensor to be provided for the function. Rather, the environmental sensor of the vehicle can be controlled by the device and be used for the monitoring task. Should by a collision a danger for the approaching object or the

Charging station (plug arm, etc.) go out, then be suitable

Protective measures taken. This can be the interruption of the

Positioning or the loading mean. Warning signals can be used advantageously to indicate the impending collision. These signals are intuitive to humans, e.g. in the form of optical or acoustic signals.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become

Expert from the following description of exemplary

Embodiments, which should not be construed as limiting the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

Show it:

1 shows a schematic representation of a plan view of a device for electrically connecting a charging station with a charging socket according to an embodiment; Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a side view of a

Device for electrically connecting a charging station with a charging socket according to another embodiment; All figures are merely schematic representations of inventive devices or their components according to embodiments of the

Invention. In particular, distances and size relationships are not shown to scale in the figures. In the various figures, corresponding elements are provided with the same reference numbers.

1 shows a schematic representation of device 10 for monitoring a charging station 11 for electrically connecting the charging station 11 with a charging socket 12 of a vehicle 13. The vehicle 13 may be

For example, to act a hybrid or electric vehicle. In particular, the vehicle 13 may be a fully or partially electrically powered motor vehicle, such as a passenger car or a truck. The charging station includes a

Positioning device 22 and an insertion device 16 with a

Contact head 14. By means of the positioning device 22, the

Insertion device 16 and thus also at the insertion device 16th

arranged contact head 14 are moved along predetermined directions. Thus, the contact head 14 can be positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the charging socket 12 of the vehicle 13. For example, the positioning device 22 may have a first positioning device 23 and a second positioning device 24. The first

Positioning device 23 may, for example, a horizontal

Execute movement and thus the insertion device 16 with the contact head 14 horizontally, that is parallel or at least approximately parallel to a Absteilfläche for the vehicle 13 move. The second positioning device 24 may be mechanically connected to the first positioning device 23 and perform a movement in a vertical spatial direction. The direction of movement of the second positioning device 24 is thus perpendicular to the

Direction of movement of the first positioning device 23. In this way the insertion device 16 with the contact head 14 through the first

Positioning device 23, for example, to be moved laterally. As a result, several juxtaposed vehicles 13 can be controlled. For example, three vehicles 13 can be parked next to one another on the three bearing surfaces I, II and III, which with respect to the degree of freedom of the

Positioning device by moving the insertion device 16 laterally with the contact head 14 by means of the first positioning device 23

Positioning device 24 can be controlled. In addition, the contact head 14 of the insertion device 16 can also be brought to a position that coincides with the position of the charging socket 12 of the corresponding vehicle 13. In this case, the height of the charging socket 12, and the height of the contact head 14 is initially disregarded in this positioning. The positioning of the contact head 14 on the same, or at least approximately the same height as the height of the charging socket 12 of the corresponding vehicle 13 is carried out separately by means of the second

Positioning device 24.

The horizontal and vertical orientation of the contact head 14 with respect to the charging socket 12 during the positioning by the

Positioning device 22 does not exactly match the position of the charging socket 12 of the corresponding vehicle 13. Rather, it is sufficient to position the contact head 14 within a predetermined tolerance range with respect to the charging socket 12 of the vehicle 13. The exact alignment of the contact head 14 with respect to the charging socket 12 takes place during the insertion of the contact head 14 in the charging socket 12. The charging station 11 is covered with a sensor skin 17. In this case, the entire charging station 11 may be coated with the sensor skin 17 or only individual parts of the

Charging station, such as the positioning device 22 or the first and second positioning device 23, 24 or the contact head 14 may be coated with the sensor skin. The sensor skin 14 itself is flexible and can also be transparent. It can consist of individual sensors 17.1, 17.2, 17.3, ... 17.n

be constructed, the individual sensors, for example, operate as piezoelectric elements 18. For this purpose, the piezoelectric elements 18 work, for example, with the help of nanotechnology. They contain nanowires 19 which have a diameter in the range of 100-600 nm, preferably 500 nm, and consist for example of zinc oxide, aluminum nitride or polyvinylidene fluoride. The

resulting rods are in a lattice-like arrangement perpendicular from the pad and are provided at the top and bottom with electrodes. If they are bent when touched, a piezoelectric effect causes the current flow between the electrodes to change. This signal can be read out and interpreted by a computer 26, thus detecting the collision / contact with a moving object. In the case of an object detection (be it a human or another living being), the movement of the device 10 or charging station 11 is transferred to a safe state, which may be, for example, an immediate stop. Also, additional protection measures for passers-by are possible. Thus, the device 10 or the charging station 11 or parts thereof may be coated with an airbag 25 which effectively buffers collisions.

Furthermore, the charging station 11 and / or the vehicle 13 has a

Near field sensor 20 on. This near-field sensor 20 operates without contact and functions optically, inductively, by means of ultrasound, by means of an infrared sensor or by means of radar. It is quite possible that the near field sensor selectively fulfills one of the mentioned functional principles. However, it is also conceivable that the near-field sensor 20 uses several of the above-mentioned functions in combination (e.g., radar and infrared). Moving objects are preferably detected via the near-field sensor 20 and classified with respect to their hazard potential. The near field sensor 20 may be part of the vehicle external

Device 10 or the charging station 11 or may be part of the environmental sensor of the vehicle 13 and be shared or used for monitoring tasks. Should a danger to the object or parts of the device 10 result from a collision, suitable protective measures are taken. This may be the interruption of the positioning process or may include an interruption of the charging process. In addition, warning signals can be generated to indicate the impending collision. These warning signals can be emitted optically (eg flashing light) or acoustically (warning tone). Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a side view of a

Device 10 for electrically connecting a charging station 11 with a

Charging socket 12 according to another embodiment. The same elements with respect to Figure 1 are provided with the same reference numerals and are not explained in detail. The device 10 may include a communication device 27 receiving data from the vehicle. The data transmission can unidirectionally from the vehicle 13 in the direction of

Communication device 27 done. Alternatively, a bidirectional data transmission between the vehicle 13 and communication device 27 is possible. The communication device 27 may be, for example, a

Radio interface 28 include. By means of this radio interface 28 is a wireless data transmission between communication device 27 and

Vehicle 13 possible. For example, the radio interface 28 can establish a WLAN connection with the vehicle 13. Alternatively, a connection via a mobile network is possible, for example GSM, UMTS or LTE. Furthermore, a wireless data exchange by means of near field communication (NFC / RFID) can take place. Other wireless communication methods are also possible. Additionally or alternatively, the communication device 27 may also include an optical sensor or an optical interface.

For example, the optical sensor 29 may be a camera, a bar code scanner or a QR code scanner. Moreover, other devices for receiving data from the vehicle 13 and for exchanging data between the vehicle 13 and device 10 for automatically connecting or passing on the information that a moving object has been detected are also possible.

The communication device 27 may be provided by the vehicle 13

receive vehicle-specific data, in particular data that are relevant for charging the energy storage device 30 in the vehicle 13. These data may include, for example, authorization data, billing parameters, charging voltage, charging current, battery capacity and other charging parameters. In addition, information about the position of the charging socket 12 on the vehicle 13 may also be included in the transmitted data. Furthermore, the Communication device 27 also receive data about the parked position of the vehicle 13 with respect to the charging station 11 and also contain data that the near field sensor 20 with respect to detected moving objects (living beings, animals, humans, etc.) has passed.

Claims

claims

Device (10) for monitoring a charging station (11) when connecting the charging station (11) to a charging socket (12) of a vehicle (13), the charging station (11) having a contact head (14) connected to a voltage source (15). the charging station (11) is electrically connected, an insertion device (16) which is adapted to automatically insert the contact head (14) in the charging socket (12) of the vehicle (13), characterized in that the charging station (11) with a Sensor skin (17) is coated.

Device (10) for monitoring a charging station (11) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor skin (17) does not interfere with the movement of the robot.

Device (10) for monitoring a charging station (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor skin (17) consists of individual sensors (17.1, 17.2, 17.n).

Device (10) for monitoring a charging station (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each individual sensor (17.x) has at least one piezoelectric element (18).

Device (10) for monitoring a charging station (11) according to claim 4, characterized in that the piezoelectric element (18) has at least one nanowire (19).

Device (10) for monitoring a charging station (11) according to claim 5, characterized in that the nanowire (19) comprises zinc oxide.

Device (10) for monitoring a charging station (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the charging station (11) and / or the vehicle (13) has at least one near field sensor (20).

8. Device (10) for monitoring a charging station (11) according to

Claim 7, characterized in that the at least one near field sensor (20) operates optically, capacitively, inductively, by means of ultrasound, by means of infrared or by means of radar.

9. Device (10) for monitoring a charging station (11) according to

Claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the at least one near field sensor (20) is suitable for detecting objects (21), preferably moving objects.

10. Device (10) for monitoring a charging station (11) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the at least one near field sensor (20) is adapted to classify the detected objects (21), towards a hazard potential.

11. Device (10) for monitoring a charging station (11) according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the

Near field sensor (20) is part of an environmental sensor system (21) of the vehicle (13).