DE102016012996A1 - Charger for charging a vehicle battery, system and corresponding method - Google Patents

Abstract

A charging device (4) for charging a vehicle battery, in particular a bicycle battery (6), with a power supply (56); a power electrics (54) for supplying a charging current to the vehicle battery (6); an at least partially exchangeable charging port (8; 8 '); 8 "; 8" ') for connecting the charger (4) to the vehicle battery (6), the charging port (8; 8'; 8 "; 8" ') having an interface (58; 58'; 58 '). A bidirectional communication interface (52) via which data can be received and transmitted; at least one controller (44) comprising at least one processor (46) and at least one non-volatile one Memory (50), wherein in the memory (50) a plurality of charging profiles (21.1, 21.2) are stored. Described are further a system and a method for charging a vehicle battery.

Description

Described are a charger for charging a vehicle battery, in particular a Fahrradakkumulators, a system with a corresponding charger, and a method for charging a vehicle battery.

Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular in everyday life. On the one hand this affects automobiles such as passenger cars, trucks and passenger vehicles, on the other hand, bicycles, so-called e-bikes. Corresponding e-bikes are bicycles with an electric auxiliary drive, which supports the driver while pedaling and thus reduces the drive energy to be applied by humans. E-bikes significantly expand the range of use of bicycles, making bicycles interesting for groups of people who can not ride ordinary bikes because of their health and for use in hilly regions.

Currently, there are no standards for the charging infrastructure of e-bikes, which is why every manufacturer of e-bikes or drive components, including the battery, develops and uses its own technology. This affects both the charging parameters and the connections.

The driving technology of e-bikes is complex and represents the highest cost factor in e-bikes. Of these, the accumulator used is the largest single item. Since the accumulator also represents a wearing part, which must be replaced after a certain period of operation, resulting in the use of e-bikes significantly higher operating costs than regular bicycles. There is therefore an effort to extend the life of accumulators as much as possible. One way to do this is to use intelligent charging technologies. Vehicle manufacturers are therefore working on new, life-prolonging charging strategies. At the same time, new battery technologies are being researched to make batteries more powerful and durable.

The DE 20 2015 003 701 U1 discloses a charger for a power supply unit in a frame member of a vehicle having an interface to the electric and self-rolling charging cables, wherein the charger is configured so that it can be arranged at one end of a receptacle of the power supply unit in the frame element of the vehicle, so that upon insertion of the power supply unit in the receptacle of the frame member is a mechanical and electrical connection to the charger.

Families with multiple e-bikes, possibly from multiple manufacturers, may require a variety of chargers.

Thus, the task of developing a charger and a system of the type mentioned in such a way that a charger universal and promising future is useful than conventional chargers.

The object is achieved by a charger according to claim 1, a system according to the independent claim 8 and by a method according to the independent claim 11. Further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The charger described below for charging a vehicle battery, in particular bicycle accumulator, provides a power supply that provides the corresponding energy to the other components of the charger and to the battery to be charged. The power supply can be provided for example in the form of a power cable or in the form of its own battery.

Furthermore, a power electrical system is provided which adjusts and provides a charging current and a charging voltage for the vehicle accumulator. Furthermore, depending on the embodiment, a charging end voltage and / or a supply voltage can be provided. The power electronics can be designed so that current and voltage is converted according to the vehicle battery to be connected and charged. The power electronics may be configured to provide a constant charging current or a variable charging current. The voltage may be kept constant or varied in some embodiments. In addition to charging methods with constant charging power, methods with impulse charging are known and can be implemented with variants of the charger described here.

Furthermore, an at least partially exchangeable charging connection is provided for connecting the charging device to the vehicle accumulator, wherein the charging connection has an interface to the vehicle accumulator. By virtue of the fact that the charging connection can be removed, a charging connection suitable for the respective vehicle accumulator can be selected, and different types of vehicle accumulator can be charged with one and the same charging device. The interface to the Fahrzeugakkumulator can be formed, for example in the form of a plug in the vehicle battery or another part of the vehicle, such as a special Charging port, is plugged. Depending on the design, the charging connection can be provided on a housing of the charger or on a cable.

Furthermore, a bidirectional communication interface is provided, via which data can be received and sent. The communication interface thus enables the communication of the charger with other communication-capable devices.

In addition, at least one controller is provided which has at least one processor and at least one non-volatile memory, wherein a plurality of loading profiles is stored or can be stored in the memory.

The controller is on the one hand connected to the power electronics, wherein the power electronics is controllable by the controller. Thus, the controller can be used to selectively drive the power electronics, for example, to load the vehicle battery according to a charging profile to unload or even format or refresh. The connection of the controller with the power electronics also allows regulation thereof and compliance with the corresponding requirements of the charging profile.

The controller is also connected to the charging port to read via the charging port an encoding specific to the vehicle accumulator. The coding of the vehicle accumulator type can be determined.

In addition, the controller is connected to the bidirectional communication interface to receive data from the bidirectional communication interface and / or to transmit data via the bidirectional communication interface.

Furthermore, the controller is configured to receive a charging profile via the bidirectional communication interface, to store it in the at least one non-volatile memory and to use it for charging the vehicle battery.

With the charger described above, a variety of functions can be realized. On the one hand can be achieved via the charging port detection of each connected vehicle battery. If there is a suitable charging profile for the particular vehicle battery, it may be loaded and executed from the non-volatile memory and applied via the power electronics to charge the vehicle battery. Furthermore, it is possible via the bidirectional communication interface to load additional charging profiles concerning new and already known vehicle accumulators in the charger and then apply. For example, an improved charging profile with adapted charging parameters can be provided and stored on the charger. Furthermore, new charging profiles can be developed and provided for future vehicle accumulators in the future. In addition, it is also possible to create and apply individualized charging profiles, for example, depending on the driving profiles of the users of the vehicle battery to be charged therewith.

Some embodiments may have more than one charging port.

In a first further embodiment, the charging connection can have the coding or the charging connection can have a cable which has the coding, wherein the coding in both cases is a mechanical, electrical, optical or electronic coding. Other types of coding are conceivable.

In this way, the coding can be carried out directly via the connection to the vehicle battery, which is adapted specifically to the respective Fahrzeugakkumulator. Thus, by selecting the already geometrically matching charging port, a selection of the appropriate charging profile or a selection of different matching charging profiles can be achieved and an accidental selection of a wrong charging profile, which could possibly damage the vehicle battery or even destroy it, can be avoided.

Mechanical codings can be achieved, for example, via corresponding spring bolts, which are brought into a different configuration by a correspondingly designed charging connection. The configuration can be read out by the controller and used to determine the vehicle accumulator type. Further mechanical codings can be achieved, for example, via different connection geometries.

Electrical codings can be achieved, for example, via different pin assignments, so that different pins are occupied in different ways for different vehicle accumulators. Alternatively or additionally, electrical properties of the cable or the charging port may be specific to a corresponding vehicle accumulator, which may be read out accordingly. Alternatively or additionally, certain conductor lines or certain insulator sections which represent an encoding may subsequently be provided.

Electronic encodings can be done, for example, via readable microprocessors, memory or Nahfeldkommunikationsmittel provided in the charging port or in the cable.

Optical encodings may be, for example, bar codes, QR codes, e.g. be indicated by optical letter recognition recognizable label or the like. The shape of a charging connection of a vehicle battery can also represent a coding or the shape of the vehicle battery itself.

The corresponding coding possibilities described above as well as other mechanical, electrical or electronic alternatives thereto can also be combined with one another in order to achieve coding.

Thus, a configuration of the charger can also be done in vehicle batteries that are themselves or their charging ports not communicable, which increases the range of use of the charger described here. The charging port can be equipped with sensors or communication means according to the particular configuration.

In some embodiments, the bidirectional communication interface can be part of the charging connection, so that the bidirectional communication interface can be designed both for detecting the vehicle battery and for receiving a charging profile. In this way, only one communication interface is needed. In addition, the corresponding charging profile can be stored, for example, in the vehicle accumulator so that no connection to another device is necessary, be it via means of proximity communication or via means of distance communication.

Another further embodiment can provide that the charging connection has a charging socket or a terminal, via which a mechanical, electrical or electronic coding can be read out, wherein the charging socket or the terminal is connected to the control. As described above, the charging socket or the terminal may have corresponding sensors and / or communication means. A terminal is a connection to a housing of the charger.

In another further embodiment, an identifier may be stored in the charger, wherein the identifier via the bidirectional communication interface is sendable. The corresponding identifier can be unique to the charger and consist, for example, of a serial number. Such a serial number may for example be stored in non-volatile memory, in particular in a protected area, or in a ROM memory. Alternatively, the MAC address or an alternative unique identifier of the communication interface may be used. By sending an identifier, additional functions may be enabled, for example, securing the configuration of the charger so that it is transferable to a new charger, mapping the charger to a particular user, and the like.

The charger may further include a user interface for user manipulation. The user interface may include, for example, a display and / or other light indicators such as LEDs and buttons or a touch-sensitive display.

The transmission of the identifier via the bidirectional communication interface can be initiated via the controller. The controller may, for example, read the identifier from memory or may instruct the bidirectional communication interface to send the corresponding Mac address.

In another further embodiment, the non-volatile memory may have a plurality of memory areas, wherein in the memory areas loading profiles, user profiles, the identifier and / or diagnostic data are stored and / or stored. Further data can be stored in the memory. The non-volatile memory may be divided into a protected area and an unprotected area.

In another further embodiment, the charger may be equipped with a clock to achieve timed charging profiles. Thus, for example, a trickle charge can be configured in winter. To operate the clock, an energy store may be provided in the charger.

In another further embodiment, the controller can be set up to read the coding as well as a user profile and to select a loading profile on the basis of the coding and the user profile and to use it for loading the vehicle accumulator.

In another further embodiment, at least one user default may be storable in the non-volatile memory, wherein the controller is adapted to read the user default and to select a load profile based on the user default and to use for charging the vehicle battery. In this way, the charger can select a suitable for the user charging profile, for example, the Vehicle battery only fully charged when the user needs it, for example, before a long bike ride. On days when only shorter distances are covered, for example when driving to work on a daily basis, the vehicle's accumulator can only be charged as far as necessary, which can extend the life of the vehicle's accumulator.

A first independent subject matter relates to a system having a charger of the type described above and a user terminal, the charger and user terminal being communicable with each other, wherein a charging profile stored on the user terminal can be sent to the charger via the communication link and stored in the non-volatile memory of the charger is and / or connected to a regional network central computer, the central computer and charger can be brought into communication with each other, a stored on the host computer charging profile via the communication link to the charger and can be stored in the non-volatile memory of the charger.

The user terminal may have a communication interface for establishing the communication connection.

A communication of the charger can thus be done with a user terminal and / or a central computer. The communication via a user terminal can be local, the communication via a central computer, for example by means of the Internet. Thus, a configuration of the charger via user terminal or central computer or both can be done.

In a first further embodiment of the system, the user terminal may be a mobile user terminal, in particular a mobile phone, a tablet computer or a notebook, or a stationary user terminal, in particular a personal computer, wherein stored on the user terminal, a computer program product for managing the charger and is executable. A mobile phone may be, for example, a smartphone. A smartphone is a mobile phone that provides more functionality, similar to a computer, than a traditional mobile phone.

This allows the local configuration of a charger that, for example, because of its location can not connect to a local network, for example, because the charger is housed in a garage, a basement or the like without network coverage.

According to another further embodiment, the user terminal and the central computer can be connected to one another, wherein data can be stored by the user terminal on the central computer, wherein the central computer is adapted to send at least one charging profile depending on the data to the user terminal and / or charger , In this way, a configuration of the charger via the user terminal can be done. The user terminal may have an easy-to-use interface and be used to load charging profiles from the central computer and store them on the charger. The user terminal can simultaneously serve to manage several corresponding chargers. Premium services can also be mapped via the user terminal. About the user terminal and firmware updates and the like can be played.

Another subordinate object described here relates to a method for charging a vehicle battery, in particular a bicycle battery, by means of a charger, wherein a suitable for Fahrzeugakkumulator charging port is selected, the type of Fahrzeugakkumulators is detected by the charging port, from a non-volatile memory of the charger, a corresponding charging profile is loaded and the charging profile for charging the vehicle battery is applied, wherein a communication connection with a user terminal and / or a central computer is established via a bidirectional communication interface of the charger, wherein a charging profile of the user terminal and / or the central computer loaded and in the non-volatile Memory is stored.

A first further aspect of the method provides to send an identifier from the charger to the user terminal and / or the central computer.

In a further aspect, a user profile is loaded from the non-volatile memory and used to select the charging profile.

• 1 eine Ansicht eines Systems mit einem Ladegerät in einer Konfiguration;
• 2 ein System mit einem Ladegerät in einer zweiten Konfiguration;
• 3 ein System mit einem Ladegerät in einer dritten Konfiguration;
• 4 ein System mit einem Ladegerät in einer vierten Konfiguration;
• 5 ein Blockschaltbild des Ladegeräts;
• 6 eine erste Variante eines Ladeanschlusses;
• 7 eine zweite Variante eines Ladeanschlusses;
• 8 eine dritte Variante eines Ladeanschlusses;
• 9 eine vierte Variante eines Ladeanschlusses;
• 10 ein Ablaufdiagramm eines Verfahrens zum Laden eines Fahrradakkumulator, sowie
• 11 eine Fortsetzung des Diagramms aus 10.

Further features and details will become apparent from the following description, in which - where appropriate, with reference to the drawings - at least one embodiment is described in detail. Described and / or illustrated features form the subject matter, or independently of the claims, either alone or in any meaningful combination, and in particular may additionally be the subject of one or more separate applications. Same, similar and / or functionally identical Parts are provided with the same reference numerals. Here are shown schematically:

• 1 a view of a system with a charger in a configuration;
• 2 a system with a charger in a second configuration;
• 3 a system with a charger in a third configuration;
• 4 a system with a charger in a fourth configuration;
• 5 a block diagram of the charger;
• 6 a first variant of a charging port;
• 7 a second variant of a charging port;
• 8th a third variant of a charging port;
• 9 a fourth variant of a charging port;
• 10 a flowchart of a method for loading a bicycle accumulator, as well
• 11 a continuation of the diagram 10 ,

Hereinafter, identical or equivalent components are provided with the same reference numerals for better readability.

1 shows a view of a system 2 with a charger 4 in a configuration.

The charger 4 is for charging a vehicle battery 6 intended. The vehicle accumulator 6 in the present case is a bicycle accumulator of an e-bike. The vehicle accumulator 6 has no own communication option.

The charger 4 has a charging port 8th on. The charging port 8th is located on a charging cable 12 , The charging cable ends in a charging socket 10 in which a Adapterendstück is used, in connection with the 6 to 9 is explained. About the Adapterendstück the vehicle battery 6 connected to the store.

There is also a smartphone 14 provided with a communication link 15 with the charger 4 consists. The charger 4 is equipped for bidirectional communication and can thus send data to the smartphone 14 send and receive from this.

The smartphone 14 is via a communication connection 15.2 with the Internet 16 connected and can data from the Internet 16 receive and send to this.

There is also a server 18 provided, which also has a communication connection 15.3 to the internet 16 is connected. The smartphone 14 can over the internet 16 with the server 18 by means of the communication links 15.2 . 15.3 communicate.

The server 18 is provided with a memory having various areas for storing public and non-public records, such as manuals in a public area and firmware, loading profiles, user profiles, etc. in a non-public area. The user profiles can be an identifier of the charger 4 , Names, addresses and other data of the user of the smartphone 14 and the user of the charger 4 have a software version of the charger 4 for example, on the charger 4 Provided firmware and stored on it load profiles, it can be stored user profiles, for example, concern the typical uses of the bicycle and the like.

To access the data of the server 18 can on the smartphone 14 An appropriate software (app) can be stored that communicates with the charger 4 and with the server 18 regulates and configures the charger 4 serves.

The connection between the charger 4 and the smartphone 14 can be established via an ad hoc wireless connection (eg via Bluetooth or WLAN).

To log in to the server 18 a user identification may take place via a corresponding user identification number and / or via the identifier of the charger 4 is made.

Over the internet 16 can via communication links 15.4 other service providers 20 be connected, the other functions to control the charger 4 enable. For example, such service providers may be home automation providers, such that the charger is incorporated into a more complex home control system.

Using the smartphone 14 can get data from the charger 4 be received and sent to this. Furthermore, the charger 4 by means of the smartphone 4 be started and stopped.

The smartphone 14 can be a charging profile 21.1 to the charger 4 transfer.

2 shows a system 2 ' with a charger 4 in a second configuration.

Unlike the system 2 out 1 is additionally a communication connection 15.5 between the charger 4 and the internet 16 produced. In this mode, the charger can 4 directly over the internet 16 with the server 18 communicate and, for example, firmware updates or new load profiles 21.2 Respectively.

To configure the Internet access of the charger 4 can the smartphone 14 be used. The smartphone 14 can provide the corresponding access data to a network connection or the access data can be accessed via the smartphone 14 entered and on the charger 4 get saved.

Also can via the smartphone 14 In some embodiments, a user configuration is created and placed on the charger 4 get saved. In this case, the smartphone is used 14 as an interface between the charger 4 and internet 16 ,

3 shows a system 2 "with a charger 4 in a third configuration.

In this configuration, there is no direct wireless connection between the smartphone 14 and the charger 4 , The charger 4 is only by means of the internet 16 with the server 18 , the smartphone 14 as well as the service provider 20 connected. In this way can be a remote control of the charger 4 respectively.

A connection 15.1 (dashed lines) of the smartphone 14 with the charger 4 is only used to establish the communication connection 15.5 of the charger 4 with the Internet 16 requires, for example, storing access data and creating user profiles.

4 shows a system 2 ''' with a charger 4 in a fourth configuration.

Here is the charger 4 in a self-sufficient mode of operation in which there is no connection to the Internet or connection to the smartphone 14 can be used.

The configurations after the 1 to 4 can with the same charger 4 be performed. Other chargers may be designed so that only certain configurations are possible.

5 shows a block diagram of the charger 4 ,

The charger 4 has a housing 40 with a user interface 42 on. The user interface 42 can interact with the user with the charger 4 serve. The user interface 42 can provide a variety of information, such as the status of a load, the status of a network connection, diagnostic data, and the like. Furthermore, the user interface 42 Allow inputs to start and stop a load, for example.

Furthermore, there is a controller 44 (dashed lines framed) provided a processor 46 having. There is also a ROM memory 48 as well as a RAM memory 50 provided, the latter being non-volatile and can be described with data.

The RAM memory 50 contains various memory areas 50.1 to 50.5. Different data can be stored in the memory areas 50.1 to 50.5, for example in a protected area network access data, network key and network name, in another area an allocation table, in a third area different charging profiles 21.1 . 21.2 for vehicle accumulators from different manufacturers. The RAM memory 50 In various embodiments, it may have a different number or fewer memory areas, in particular more than those shown here.

In one embodiment it can be provided that the charging profiles for all compatible vehicle batteries already at the delivery of the charger 4 are stored. In another embodiment, these can be stored during startup.

Furthermore, it can be provided, new loading profiles 21.1 . 21.2 via an established communication link to load and in the memory area 50.1 in the RAM memory 50 save. In this way, loading profiles can be updated as newer versions of loading profiles are available, or premium loading profiles with special properties can be stored. Also, incompatible load profiles can not be deleted. Such specific loading profiles can be via value-added services through the server 18 or service provider 20 to provide. In another memory area, a version number of the firmware can be stored.

Another memory area 50.2 may be for diagnostic data 51 be provided, wherein the memory area 50.2 upon delivery of the corresponding charger 4 is still empty. The diagnostic data 51 are registered in the course of operation. To the diagnostic data 51 may be number of times per specific accumulator, total time of use and / or sum of charges, state data of the vehicle battery 6 etc. count. This diagnostic data 51 can be provided via the network connection.

Another area 50.5 of the memory 50 can user profiles 53 to be reserved. There, for example, individual charging profiles depending on time, day of the week, electricity price, etc. may be stored and possible preferred charging profiles, which may include, for example, charging profiles, which are designed for maximum range as well as those that are designed for maximum life of the battery.

In the ROM memory 48 can be an identifier 55 be filed.

In the memory area 50.2 user preferences 57 stored, eg a start time or a special load profile selection.

Furthermore, it is a radio module 52 provided for bidirectional communication with the smartphone 14 and / or the internet 16 Is provided. The radio module 52 may for example be a WLAN module or a Bluetooth module or a module that controls several communication protocols. The radio module 52 is with the controller 44 connected. This allows the controller 44 , via the radio module 52 with the smartphone 14 and / or the server 18 and / or the service provider 20 to communicate. About the radio module 52 a start or termination of a charging process can be triggered.

Furthermore, a power electrical system 54 provided on the one hand with a power supply 56 and on the other hand with the charging port 8th connected is. The power electronics is also with the controller 44 connected to the application of a charged charging profile and to control the charging process. The control 44 can the power electrics 54 configure so that the charging profile is maintained.

The power electrics 54 can be equipped with appropriate sensors to the charging of the vehicle battery 6 to monitor. The monitoring can be used to transfer diagnostic data to the RAM memory 50 save.

The control 44 is also connected to the charging port 8th connected to the charging port 8th Information about the type of bicycle accumulator 6 to obtain. This is the charging port 8th interchangeable.

In one embodiment, the charging port 8th have a mechanical socket connected to the charger 4 over the charging cable 12 is connected and in which an adapter piece is used, which fits mechanically and electrically into the socket. The adapter tail has an encoding specific to the bicycle accumulator to be connected 6 is. Different coding possibilities are in the 6 to 9 shown.

6 shows a first variant of the charging port 8th ,

The charging port 8th is with a fixed socket 10 equipped with an adapter end piece 58 is used. Rifle 10 and adapter tail 58 are by means of pins 59 contacted.

The adapter end piece 58 looks over a chip 60 an electronic coding 61 in front.

7 a second variant of the charging port 8th' ,

At the corresponding adapter end piece 58 ' is a chip 62 in the bicycle accumulator 6 provided an electronic coding 61 ' represents.

The chip 62 can, as shown here, conductive with the pins 59 be connected and communicate like that. Alternatively, the chip may also have wireless communication via the charger 4 are readable. This can be done in the charger 4 , eg in the charging port 8th' , appropriate communication means may be provided. Alternatively or additionally, for this purpose, the radio module 52 be used.

8th shows a third variant of the charging port 8th ".

This variant sees the use of a adapter end piece 58 " before, at the charging socket 10 "Spring bolt 64 are provided by corresponding wells 66 in the adapter end piece 58 " compressed differently deep. This can be read out via the charging port. The wells 66 provide a mechanical coding 61 "dar.

9 shows a fourth variant of a charging connection 10 ''' ,

In this embodiment, a Adapterendstück 58 ''' used in which an electrical coding 61 ''' via a pin assignment of certain pins 68 takes place. Some of the pins 68 are not through-contacted, which can achieve a clear assignment.

The charger 4 can be operated in three different modes: in a general operation, as in 4 presented via a smartphone, as in 1 presented or over the Internet, as in 3 shown.

The mobile phone 14 is thus for easy use of the charger 4 not necessary, the charger 4 can also be used independently. The mobile phone 14 Can be used on a corresponding, on the smartphone 14 stored and executed program to establish a radio connection to the charger 4 on the server 18 to register, an internet connection of the charger 4 with the Internet 16 to install firmware updates, with existing direct or indirect (via the Internet 16 ) Connection to load and save new load profiles, start and stop loading etc ..

To start a charging process via the smartphone 14 can the controller 44 Check if the bicycle accumulator 6 is connected and depending on the outcome of the test start the charging process or not. In some embodiments, in these cases, feedback may be provided via the user interface 42 and / or the smartphone 14 respectively. Is a bicycle accumulator 6 connected, the charge level of the bicycle battery 6 be checked and stopped at a too high level, a store.

In some embodiments, further, a diagnosis may be started and, depending on the outcome of the diagnosis, conditioning of the bicycle accumulator 6 respectively.

About the direct or indirect connection of the charger 4 with the smartphone 14 can be done updating the firmware, the program being on the smartphone 14 the version number of the firmware from the RAM 50 by means of the controller 44 queries and in the presence of a firmware with a higher version number transmission and installation of the new firmware on the charger 4 performs or causes.

With the help of on the smartphone 14 Furthermore, individual user profiles can be created so that the bicycle accumulator is loaded 6 depending on time, day of the week, electricity price, special charging request (complete charging, life-prolonging charging) is possible.

The user profiles can both on the charger 4 , on the smartphone 14 as well as on the server 18 be filed. When saving on the server 18 can be the identifier of the charger 4 used to assign the user profile.

Should the user use the bicycle accumulator 6 want to load on another charger, for example, at his job or at another charging station and is the local charger also with the central computer 18 connectable or connected and capable of performing the functions of the previously described charger 4 In this way, the selected loading profile can be applied. To a relationship between the bicycle accumulator 6 and the corresponding charging station, an ad hoc communication link between the smartphone 14 and the corresponding charging station to provide the required information.

10 shows a flowchart of a method for loading the bicycle accumulator 6 ,

The flowchart assumes that the bicycle accumulator 6 matching charging port 8th on the charger 4 connected to the bicycle accumulator 6 to load. If this is not the case, first the matching adapter end piece 58 to 58 ''' in the charging socket 10 to 10 ''' used.

After the start of the procedure, it is first checked if a bicycle accumulator 6 connected.

If the test is negative, a message is output and the procedure aborted.

If the test is positive, the coding is done by means of the charging connection 8th read out and checked, whether in non-volatile memory 50 a suitable charging profile is available.

If this is not the case, a message is output and the procedure aborted. In further embodiments may be provided at this point, with existing connection to the smartphone 14 or to the central computer 18 to download, save and execute a suitable loading profile. This may, depending on the configuration with or without the prior consent of a user of the charger 4 respectively.

If the charging profile is available, the charging profile is sent to the power electronics 54 pass or these from the controller 44 controlled or regulated according to the charging profile.

Furthermore, for the bicycle accumulator 6 different loading profiles are available. In this case, a user may prior to handover to the power electronics 54 make a selection of the desired charging profile to be applied.

In a subsequent step, it is checked whether a charging voltage is below a charging end voltage of the bicycle accumulator 6 lies.

If this is not the case, a message is issued and the process aborted because the bicycle accumulator 6 is sufficiently charged.

If the charging voltage is below the end-of-charge voltage, the procedure is as in 11 shown continued. In this case, the process continues until the charge end voltage is reached. As long as this is not the case, diagnostic data are generated and stored in non-volatile memory 50 stored.

When the end-of-charge voltage is reached, a message is issued, the procedure is terminated and a result log as diagnostic data in the non-volatile memory 50 stored.

Although the subject matter has been further illustrated and explained in detail by way of embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variations can be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art. It is therefore clear that a multitude of possible variations exists. It is also to be understood that exemplary embodiments are only examples that are not to be construed in any way as limiting the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention. Rather, the foregoing description and description of the figures enable one skilled in the art to practice the exemplary embodiments, and those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the disclosed inventive concept, can make various changes, for example, to the function or arrangement of individual elements recited in an exemplary embodiment, without Protected area, which is defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanation in the description.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2, 2 ', 2' ', 2' ''

system

4

charger

6

Fahrradakkumulator

8, 8 ', 8' ', 8' ''

charging port

10, 10 ', 10' ', 10' ''

charging socket

12

charge cable

14

Smartphone

15.1, 15.2, 15.3, 15.4, 15.5

communication link

16

Internet

18

server

20

service provider

21.1,21.2

load profile

40

casing

42

User interface

44

control

46

processor

48

ROM memory

50

RAM

50.1-50.5

storage area

51

diagnostic data

52

radio module

53.1, 53.2

user profile

54

Electrical power

55

identifier

56

power supply

57

user preference

58, 58 ', 58 ", 58' ''

Adapterendstück

59

pins

60

chip

61, 61 ', 61' ', 61' ''

encoding

62

chip

64

Plungers

66

wells

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been 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.

Cited patent literature

• DE 202015003701 U1 [0005]

Claims (13)

Charger for charging a vehicle battery, in particular bicycle accumulator (6), with a. a power supply (56); b. a power supply (54) for providing a charging current to the vehicle battery (6); c. an at least partially replaceable charging port (8; 8 '; 8 "; 8' '') for connecting the charging device (4) to the vehicle accumulator (6), the charging port (8; 8 '; 8"; 8' '') an interface (58; 58 '; 58 "; 58' '') to the vehicle accumulator (6); d. a bidirectional communication interface (52) via which data can be received and sent; e. at least one controller (44) having at least one processor (46) and at least one non-volatile memory (50), wherein in the memory (50) a plurality of charging profiles (21.1, 21.2) are stored, i. the controller (46) is connected to the power electronics (54), the power electronics (54) being controllable by the controller (46); ii. the controller (46) is connected to the charging port (8; 8 '; 8' '; 8' '') for supplying to the vehicle accumulator (8; 8 '; 8' '; 8' '') via the charging port (8; 6) to read out specific coding (61, 61 ', 61' ', 62' ''); iii. the controller (46) is connected to the bidirectional communication interface (52) to receive data from the bidirectional communication interface (52) and / or to transmit via the bidirectional communication interface (52), iv. wherein the controller (46) is adapted to receive a charging profile (21.1, 21.2) via the bidirectional communication interface (52), store in the at least one non-volatile memory (50) and apply it to charge the vehicle battery (6). Charger after Claim 1 wherein the charging terminal (8; 8 '; 8 ";8''') has the coding (61; 61 ';61'';62''') and / or wherein the charging terminal (8; 8 ';8") 8 ''') comprises a cable (12), the cable (12) having the coding, the coding comprising a mechanical coding (61''), an electrical coding (61'''), an optical coding or an electronic coding Coding (61; 61 ') is. Charger after Claim 1 or 2 in which the charging connection (8; 8 '; 8 ";8''') has a terminal or a charging socket (10; 10 ';10'';10''') via which a mechanical, electrical or electronic coding (8; 61, 61 ', 61 ", 62"') is readable, wherein the terminal or the charging socket (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10"') is connected to the controller (46). Charger according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the charger (4) an identifier (55) is stored, wherein the identifier (55) via the bidirectional communication interface (52) is sendable. Charger according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the non-volatile memory (50) has a plurality of memory areas (50.1, 50.2, 50.3, 50.4, 50.5), wherein in the memory areas (50.1, 50.2, 50.3, 50.4, 50.5) loading profiles ( 21.1, 21.2), user profiles (53.1, 53.2), the identifier (55) and / or diagnostic data (51) are stored and / or storable. Charger according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller (46) is adapted to read the coding (61; 61 '; 61 "; 62' '') as well as a user profile (53.1, 53.2) and a charging profile (21.1, 21.2 ) on the basis of the coding (61, 61 ', 61' ', 62' '') and the user profile (53.1, 53.2) to select and to load the vehicle battery (6). Charger according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the non-volatile memory (50) at least one user default (57) is storable, wherein the controller (46) is adapted to read the user default (57) and a charging profile (21.1, 21.2 ) to select on the basis of the user specification (57) and to apply for charging the vehicle battery (6). System with a charger (4) according to one of the preceding claims and a. a user terminal (14), wherein charger (4) and user terminal (14) can be brought into communication connection (15.1), wherein a charging profile (21.1, 21.2) stored on the user terminal (14) is sent to the charger (15.1) via the communication link (15.1). 4) and can be stored in the non-volatile memory (50) of the charger (4), and / or b. a central computer (18) connected to a local network (16), wherein the central computer (18) and charger (4) can be brought into communication connection (15.5), whereby a charging profile (21.1, 21.2) stored on the central computer (18) is transmitted via the Communication link (15.5) to the charger (4) and can be stored in the non-volatile memory (50) of the charger (4) can be stored. System after Claim 8 wherein the user terminal is a mobile user terminal, in particular a mobile telephone (14), a tablet computer or a stationary user terminal, in particular a personal computer, wherein on the user terminal (14) a computer program product for managing the charger (4) is stored and executable , System after Claim 8 or 9 wherein the user terminal (14) and the central computer (18) are connectable to each other, wherein data from the user terminal (14) on the central computer (18) can be stored, wherein the central computer (14) is arranged to send at least one charging profile (21.1, 21.2) depending on the data to the user terminal (14) and / or charger (4). Method for charging a vehicle accumulator, in particular a bicycle accumulator (6), by means of a charger (4), wherein a charging connection (8; 8 '; 8 "; 8' '') matching the vehicle accumulator (6) is selected, the type of vehicle accumulator ( 6) is detected from the non-volatile memory (50) of the charger (4), a corresponding charging profile (21.1, 21.2) is loaded and the charging profile (21.1 , 21.2) is used for charging the vehicle accumulator (6), wherein via a bidirectional communication interface (52) of the charger (4) a communication connection with a user terminal (14) and / or a central computer (18) is produced, wherein a charging profile (21.1 , 21.2) is loaded by the user terminal (14) and / or the central computer (18) and stored in the non-volatile memory (50). Method according to Claim 11 wherein an identifier (55) is sent from the charger (4) to the user terminal (14) and / or the central computer (18). Method according to Claim 11 or 12 in which a user profile (53.1, 53.2) is loaded from the non-volatile memory (50) and used to select the charging profile (21.1, 21.2).

Images