CN115352293A

CN115352293A - Method for heating a charging unit, computer program product and storage medium

Info

Publication number: CN115352293A
Application number: CN202210492508.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: S.阿纳奥特
Original assignee: Volkswagen AG
Current assignee: Volkswagen AG
Priority date: 2021-05-17
Filing date: 2022-05-07
Publication date: 2022-11-18
Also published as: DE102021204967A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for heating a charging unit (10 a, 10b, 10 c) by means of a heating device (13), said charging unit being configured for charging a drive battery (11) of a vehicle (12), comprising the following steps: a relative movement of the vehicle (12) relative to a charging station (14) is detected, a drive battery (11) can be charged at the charging station (14), and, depending on the detected relative movement of the vehicle (12) relative to the charging station, a heating device (13) is automatically activated in order to heat the charging unit (10 a, 10b, 10 c) or a heating instruction for a vehicle occupant is automatically generated in order to activate the heating device (13). The invention also relates to a computer program product (15) for carrying out the method according to the invention and to a storage medium (16) on which the computer program product (15) according to the invention is stored.

Description

Method for heating a charging unit, computer program product and storage medium

Technical Field

The invention relates to a method for heating a charging unit by means of a heating device, wherein the charging unit is configured for charging a drive battery of a vehicle. The invention also relates to a computer program product for carrying out such a method and to a computer-readable storage medium on which such a computer program product is stored.

Background

Winter temperatures below freezing and snowfall may complicate the charging process for charging the drive battery of the vehicle. After opening the plug-in charging flap of the vehicle, snow can quickly deposit in the grooves and openings of the charging plug-in, thereby preventing or at least making more difficult a plug-in connection with the charging plug. The same problem applies to the charging plug at the charging station. Frozen and/or freezing water may also impede the charging process. The result may be a loss of time during the charging process, which at least to date is relatively long. It may also happen that the charging process cannot be started at all. In order to take this into account, heating devices for heating such charging units or contact plugs and sockets have been developed. Such a system is available from german patent application DE 10 2017 112 390 A1. There are also described different methods for activating the heating means. Nevertheless, it has been shown that there is also a need for an optimization of the heating process that is more reliable, efficient and/or user friendly.

Disclosure of Invention

The technical problem underlying the present invention is at least partially to take into account the above-mentioned problems. In particular, the object of the invention is to improve the heating process for heating a charging unit for charging a drive battery of a vehicle.

The above technical problem is solved by the present invention. The above-mentioned technical problem is solved, inter alia, by a method according to the invention, a computer program product according to the invention and a storage medium according to the invention. Further advantages of the invention emerge from the description and the drawing. The features described in connection with the method are of course also applicable here in connection with the computer program product according to the invention and the storage medium according to the invention and vice versa, so that the inventive aspects are always and/or can be cited in connection with each other in the context of the disclosure.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a method for heating a charging unit by means of a heating device is provided, wherein the charging unit is configured for charging a drive battery of a vehicle. The method has the following steps:

-identifying a relative movement of the vehicle with respect to a charging station at which the driving battery can be charged; and is

-automatically activating heating means for heating the charging unit or automatically generating a heating prompt for a vehicle occupant to activate heating means, depending on the identified relative movement of the vehicle with respect to the charging station.

Within the scope of the invention, it has been recognized that the relative movement of the vehicle with respect to the charging station can be used as a means or parameter for particularly effective and efficient automated operation of the heating device. The method can be implemented simply in a vehicle without requiring additional installation space and can be integrated into existing vehicles.

The charging unit may be summarized as a component that has to be used and/or manipulated mainly by a user in order to charge the drive battery. The charging unit therefore comprises, in particular, a charging plug on the charging station side, a charging socket on the vehicle side and a socket flap on the vehicle side. These components may be heated individually or collectively by heating means, respectively. That is, the heating device may have a heating means for heating the charging plug, a heating means for heating the charging socket, and/or a heating means for heating the socket flap. The heating device is preferably designed in the form of an electrical heating device and in particular has an electrical resistance heating element, preferably a heating wire, which is heated when the electrical resistance is energized and in this way releases the generated heat or heat to the charging unit by means of heat conduction or heat transfer. The heating device may have a heating wire which is or has been arranged in a housing, in particular a plastic and/or metal housing, of a charging socket, a charging plug and/or a socket flap of the vehicle.

The heating device is preferably operated at 12 volts. This reduces the effort for possible contact protection. Furthermore, already existing technical equipment or associated power supplies, for example for heating the exterior rear view mirror or the seat of a vehicle, can be used. A drive battery is to be understood to mean, in particular, a drive battery and/or a high-voltage battery for accelerating a vehicle, in particular in the form of a passenger car or a truck.

In addition to the recognition of the relative movement, further factors and/or parameters can also be determined and/or taken into account, according to which the heating device can be activated and/or a heating prompt can be generated. It is thus possible to determine whether the charging station has been reserved or reserved for a vehicle, wherein the activation of the heating device and/or the generation of the heating program is carried out according to the determined reservation. The activation of the heating device and/or the generation of the heating prompt can be carried out in particular when it has been recognized and/or determined that the vehicle has moved in the direction of the charging station after the reservation and/or has traveled on a route in the direction of the charging station. In a similar manner, it is possible to take into account when a charging station is sought in a user interface in the vehicle and/or in an application on the mobile computer.

In particular, the vehicle has a relative movement with respect to the charging station when the vehicle is traveling towards the charging station or is driven towards the charging station and/or is located on a road leading to the charging station. A charging station is understood to be a charging post having a charging cable and a charging plug for charging an electric vehicle or a vehicle having a battery for driving. Activation of the heating device may be understood as the operation and/or operation of the heating device in order to generate heat or heat for heating the charging unit and/or at least a part of the charging unit.

A corresponding generation unit can be provided and/or provided for generating the heating program. The heating cues may be generated in the form of visual, audible, and/or tactile signals. The visual heating indication can thus be displayed in the form of a symbol to the vehicle occupant, in particular the driver, in the region of the dashboard and/or the head-up display. The prompt may also be displayed and/or notified to the driver, e.g. in the form of a push message, by an App and/or program on the mobile computing unit, e.g. a smartphone. The visual heating cue may be supplemented with an audible signal. The identification of the relative movement of the vehicle with respect to the charging station can be carried out by means of geographic information, in particular by means of a GPS unit of a navigation device of the vehicle. In order to detect a relative movement of the vehicle relative to the charging station, a movement detection unit for detecting a movement of the vehicle can be provided and/or provided. For recognizing the vehicle movement, the movement recognition unit can have an acceleration sensor and/or a satellite-based positioning unit, in particular a GPS unit. An activation unit for activating the heating device may be provided and/or provided.

For activating the heating device and/or generating the heating instruction, a specific available heating power in the vehicle may also be taken into account. If the state of charge of the drive battery, which is also used or can be used for the heating process, is already low, the heating process can be omitted. More specifically, activation of a heating device and/or generation of a heating alert in a vehicle may be inhibited and/or prevented. In this case, the heating of the charging plug at the charging station can of course still be used for the desired heating process, which charging plug can also be considered as part of the charging unit.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is possible in a method to recognize the approach of the vehicle to the charging station and to carry out the activation of the heating device and/or the generation of the heating program as a function of the recognized approach. This provides a simple and efficient means for automatically starting the heating process. In order to detect the approach of the vehicle to the charging station and/or to a charging park with the charging station, the distance between the vehicle and the charging station can be determined, in particular measured, at different points in time. The distance between the vehicle and the charging station can thus be determined, wherein the activation of the heating device and/or the generation of the heating tip is carried out as a function of the determined distance. The distance may be determined using a distance determination unit. The distance can be determined optically, electromagnetically by means of satellite signals and/or by means of geographic information, in particular by means of a GPS unit. Within the scope of the detection of the approach, a comparison may be made between the detected and/or determined distance between the vehicle and the charging station and a predetermined distance between the vehicle and the charging station, wherein the heating device may be activated and/or a heating prompt may be generated if the determined distance is less than the predetermined distance or a corresponding reference distance and/or if the comparison made provides a corresponding result. In other words, the heating process and/or the generation of the heating prompt may be automatically activated if it is recognized that the vehicle is in a predetermined proximity of the charging station and/or is moving further towards the charging station. In order to identify the distance between the vehicle and the charging station, as an alternative or in addition to the aforementioned distance determination unit, a distance sensor can be located and/or used on the vehicle and/or the charging station. The proximity and/or distance may be determined at different, predetermined and/or consecutive time intervals. Based on the proximity of the vehicle to the charging station, a starting point in time for activating the heating device and/or for generating a heating prompt may also be determined.

It is also possible to determine the course of the vehicle in the method according to the invention and to carry out the activation of the heating device and/or the generation of the heating prompt depending on the determined course. Thus, the heating device can be activated and/or a heating prompt can be generated when, for example, a movement of the vehicle in the direction of the charging station and/or a destination at the charging station is detected on the basis of the route and/or the corresponding route information. This also makes it possible to provide a simple and still efficient means for automatically starting the heating process and/or generating a heating instruction. The route may be determined based on a route input by the driver into the navigation device of the vehicle, or such a route may be used as the route to be considered. The route can also be determined statistically on the basis of repeated travel sections of the vehicle, in particular in a manner correlated with the (clock) time. If the driver drives the vehicle, for example, daily, on duty and during this period charges the drive battery of the vehicle regularly, this can be recognized and/or taken into account in order to automatically activate the heating device and/or generate a heating prompt on the basis of this information. Based on the determined route of the vehicle, a starting point in time for activating the heating device and/or for generating a heating prompt may also be determined.

In the method according to the invention, the identification of the relative movement of the vehicle with respect to the charging station can also be carried out by near field communication. In and/or on the charging station and in and/or on the vehicle, therefore, car2x, RFID and/or NFC units can be located, by means of which the approach of the vehicle to the charging station can be recognized in a simple, reliable and energy-saving manner. The time that elapses before the vehicle has reached a final parking position at the charging station and the driver stands at the charging station in order to charge the drive battery is sufficient to clear possible snow and/or ice from the charging plug and/or the charging socket and/or to bring the respective area to a sufficiently high operating temperature in order to prevent snow and/or ice from forming in the area during the charging process.

According to a further embodiment variant of the invention, in a method, a planned arrival time of the vehicle at the charging station can be determined and the activation of the heating device and/or the generation of the heating program can be carried out as a function of the determined arrival time. The planned arrival time can in particular set a precise starting or triggering time for activating the heating device and/or for generating the heating program. The planned arrival time may be determined based on a determined route of the vehicle, based on a continuously determined distance between the vehicle and the charging station, and/or based on or by identifying a previously completed reservation for the vehicle for the charging post.

In the method according to the invention, it is also possible to determine a temperature in the surroundings of the vehicle, an air humidity in the surroundings of the vehicle and/or a weather condition in the surroundings of the vehicle and to carry out the activation of the heating device and/or the generation of the heating program as a function of the determined temperature, the determined air humidity and/or the determined weather condition. In particular in combination with the consideration of the relative movement according to the invention, the automatic activation of the heating device and/or the automatic generation of the heating instruction can thus be carried out particularly effectively and efficiently. The activation of the heating device and/or the generation of the heating cue can be carried out, for example, on the basis of or taking into account the following conditions or determined states.

-the vehicle is approaching a charging station and the ambient temperature is below a predetermined temperature, for example below 4 ℃.

The vehicle is approaching a charging station and is snowing.

The determined route of the vehicle leads to a charging station and the ambient temperature is below a predetermined temperature, for example below 4 ℃.

It is furthermore possible that, in the method according to the invention, a temperature in the surroundings of the vehicle, an air humidity in the surroundings of the vehicle and/or a weather condition in the surroundings of the vehicle are determined and a starting point in time for activating the heating device and/or generating the heating program is determined as a function of the determined temperature, the determined air humidity and/or the determined weather condition. The starting point in time for activating the heating device and/or for generating the heating prompt may be determined, for example, as follows.

The vehicle is approaching the charging station, the ambient temperature is 0 ℃, and the planned arrival time is 17 points. The starting point in time for activating the heating means and/or for generating the heating tips is set to 16.

The vehicle is approaching the charging station, the ambient temperature is-10 ℃, and the planned arrival time is 17 points. The starting point in time for activating the heating device and/or for generating the heating cue is set to 16.

Various sensor elements are provided and/or distributed on the vehicle, on the charging station and/or can be used to determine various environmental influences. These sensor elements can be used to identify extreme weather conditions based on the external temperature by means of a temperature sensor. The risk of icing can be identified by a corresponding humidity sensor as a sensor element in the charging socket. Furthermore, mechanical sensors may be considered, which may directly or indirectly sense a blockage of the charging socket and/or a mechanical blockage caused by ice, for example in the form of a resistance measurement for detecting icing in the charging socket. Thus, the use of a sensor element may improve the method for heating and thus the control and/or regulation of the heating device.

In the method according to the invention, it is also possible to determine a component temperature of at least one functional component of the charging unit and to carry out the activation of the heating device and/or the generation of the heating program as a function of the determined component temperature. If, for example, the temperature at the charging plug and/or the charging socket is determined to be below a predetermined and/or predeterminable value, the heating device may be activated and/or a heating prompt may be generated. If the temperature is above the predetermined value, the heating device is not activated and no heating prompt is generated.

Based on the determined component temperature of the at least one functional component of the charging unit, a starting point in time for activating the heating device and/or generating the heating program can also be determined in the method according to the determined component temperature. As already described above, this may be done in particular in combination with other environmental influences and/or parameters.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a computer program product is provided, comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the aforementioned method according to the invention.

The computer program product may be implemented as computer readable command code in any suitable programming and/or machine language, such as, for example, JAVA, C + +, C #, and/or Python. The computer program product may be stored on a computer readable storage medium, such as a data disk, a removable drive, a volatile or non-volatile memory, or an embedded memory/processor. The command codes may program a computer or other programmable device, such as a controller of a vehicle, to perform desired functions. Furthermore, the computer program product may be provided and/or already provided on a network, such as the internet, from which the user may download the computer program product when needed. The computer program product may be implemented and/or realized both in software and in one or more specific electronic circuits, i.e. in hardware, or in any hybrid form, i.e. by means of software components and hardware components. The computer program product can be implemented quickly and easily in existing systems, in particular in vehicles and/or charging stations.

Furthermore, it is within the scope of the present invention to provide a computer-readable storage medium on which the computer program product as described above in detail is stored. The storage medium is preferably provided in the form of a non-volatile storage medium. The computer program product and the storage medium thus bring the same advantages as detailed in relation to the method according to the invention.

Drawings

Further measures which improve the invention result from the following description of different embodiments of the invention which are shown schematically in the drawing. All features and/or advantages which are derived from the description or from the drawing, including structural details, spatial arrangements, can be essential to the invention both by themselves and in various combinations.

In the drawings, schematically:

FIG. 1 shows a vehicle approaching a charging station;

FIG. 2 shows a flow chart for explaining a method according to the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a storage medium having a computer program product stored thereon;

fig. 4 shows a charging socket of the charging unit;

fig. 5 shows a charging socket with a socket flap of the charging unit; and

fig. 6 shows a charging plug of the charging unit.

In the figures, elements having the same function and the same mode of action are each provided with the same reference numerals.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a vehicle 12 having a drive battery 11, which vehicle is approaching a charging station 14 in order to charge the drive battery 11. For the charging process, a charging unit is provided, which has a charging plug 10a on the charging station 14 and a charging socket 10b and a socket flap 10c on the vehicle 12.

Subsequently, a method for heating the

charging units

10a, 10b, 10c shown in fig. 1, which are configured to charge the drive battery 11 of the vehicle 12, is explained with reference to fig. 2. The charging

units

10a, 10b, 10c have components, such as a socket flap 10c, which are useful for the function of the charging socket 10b but are not directly required for the charging process. Within the scope of the present invention, the charging

unit

10a, 10b, 10c may therefore always be understood as meaning at least one of the three components mentioned, namely the charging plug 10a, the charging socket 10b and/or the socket flap 10c. In order to heat the charging

units

10a, 10b, 10c, the heating device 13 shown in fig. 4 to 6 is first required. In step S1, a relative movement of the vehicle 12 relative to the charging station 14 is first recognized or determined, at which the drive battery 11 is to be charged. Subsequently, depending on the recognized relative movement of the vehicle 12 with respect to the charging station, the heating device 13 is automatically activated in order to heat the

charging unit

10a, 10b, 10c. As an alternative to automatically activating the heating device, a heating prompt for the vehicle occupant may be automatically generated in order to activate the heating device 13, for example in the form of an acoustic signal and/or a visual signal, in particular in the form of at least one LED on the

charging unit

10a, 10b, 10c and/or in the vehicle 12.

Within the scope of the detection of the relative movement, in particular the approach of the vehicle 12 to the charging station 14 is detected, wherein the activation of the heating device 13 and/or the generation of a heating prompt can be carried out as a function of the detected approach. Furthermore, a route of the vehicle 12 can be determined, wherein the activation of the heating device 13 and/or the generation of the heating prompt can also be carried out according to the determined route.

The relative movement of the vehicle 12 with respect to the charging station 14 may be identified through near field communication. For this purpose, a corresponding communication unit can be deployed in the area of the charging station 14 and/or in the vehicle 12. Furthermore, a planned arrival time of the vehicle 12 at the charging station 14 may be determined, and the activation of the heating device 13 and/or the generation of the heating prompt may be carried out depending on the determined arrival time. Particularly effectively and/or efficiently, the method may be implemented by determining a temperature in the surroundings of the vehicle 12, an air humidity in the surroundings of the vehicle 12 and/or a weather condition in the surroundings of the vehicle 12 and implementing the activation of the heating device 13 and/or the generation of the heating cue depending on the determined temperature, the determined air humidity and/or the determined weather condition. Furthermore, a component temperature of at least one functional component of the charging

unit

10a, 10b, 10c may be determined and the activation of the heating device 13 and/or the generation of the heating program may be carried out as a function of the determined component temperature. Furthermore, a temperature in the surroundings of the vehicle 12, an air humidity in the surroundings of the vehicle 12 and/or a weather condition in the surroundings of the vehicle 12 may be determined and a starting point in time for activating the heating device 13 and/or generating the heating prompt may be determined as a function of the determined temperature, the determined air humidity and/or the determined weather condition. The starting point in time for activating the heating device 13 and/or for generating the heating instruction may also be determined as a function of the determined component temperature of at least one functional component of the charging

unit

10a, 10b, 10c.

Fig. 3 shows a computer-readable storage medium 16 on which a computer program product 15 is stored. The computer program product 15 comprises commands which, when the computer program product 15 is executed by a computer, for example by a controller of the vehicle 12 and/or a controller of the charging station 14, cause the computer to carry out the above-described method.

Fig. 4 shows a charging socket 10b of the vehicle 12 together with an electric heating device 13 with heating wires located thereon. Fig. 5 shows a charging socket 10b and a socket flap 10c of a vehicle 12 together with an electric heating device 13 with heating wires on the socket flap 10c. Fig. 6 shows the charging plug 10a of the charging station 14 together with an electric heating device 13 having heating wires thereon.

The invention also allows other design principles than the shown embodiment. That is, the present invention should not be considered as being limited to the embodiments described with reference to the drawings.

List of reference numerals

10a charging plug (charging unit)

10b charging socket (charging unit)

10c socket flip (charging unit)

11. Battery for driving

12. Vehicle with a steering wheel

13. Heating device

14. Charging station

15. Computer program product

16. Storage medium

Claims

1. Method for heating a charging unit (10 a, 10b, 10 c) by means of a heating device (13), which charging unit is configured for charging a drive battery (11) of a vehicle (12), having the following steps:

-identifying a relative movement of the vehicle (12) with respect to a charging station (14) where the driving battery (11) can be charged; and is

-automatically activating a heating device (13) for heating the charging unit (10 a, 10b, 10 c) or automatically generating a heating cue for a vehicle occupant for activating the heating device (13) depending on the recognized relative movement of the vehicle (12) with respect to the charging station.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the approach of the vehicle (12) to the charging station (14) is recognized and the activation of the heating device (13) and/or the generation of a heating prompt is carried out as a function of the recognized approach.

3. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a route of the vehicle (12) is determined and the activation of the heating device (13) and/or the generation of the heating prompt is carried out according to the determined route.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the identification of the relative movement of the vehicle (12) with respect to the charging station (14) is carried out by near field communication.

5. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a planned arrival time of the vehicle (12) at the charging station (14) is determined and the activation of the heating device (13) and/or the generation of the heating prompt is carried out depending on the determined arrival time.

6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the temperature in the surroundings of the vehicle (12), the air humidity in the surroundings of the vehicle (12) and/or the weather conditions in the surroundings of the vehicle (12) are determined and the activation of the heating device (13) and/or the generation of the heating tips is carried out as a function of the determined temperature, the determined air humidity and/or the determined weather conditions.

7. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a component temperature of at least one functional component of the charging unit (10 a, 10b, 10 c) is determined and the activation of the heating device (13) and/or the generation of the heating prompt is carried out depending on the determined component temperature.

8. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the temperature in the surroundings of the vehicle (12), the air humidity in the surroundings of the vehicle (12) and/or the weather conditions in the surroundings of the vehicle (12) are determined and the starting point in time for activating the heating device (13) and/or generating the heating prompt is determined as a function of the determined temperature, the determined air humidity and/or the determined weather conditions.

9. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a component temperature of at least one functional component of the charging unit (10 a, 10b, 10 c) is determined and a starting point in time for activating the heating device (13) and/or generating a heating cue is determined depending on the determined component temperature.

10. A computer program product (15) comprising instructions which, when the computer program product (15) is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to any one of the preceding claims.

11. A computer-readable storage medium (16) with a computer program product (15) according to claim 10, which computer program product is stored on the storage medium.