DE102020115023A1 - Charging device for electric vehicles, system with such a charging device and method for operating such a charging device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a charging device (10) for an electric vehicle, having a charging connection and a charging controller (11) with a control unit (111) and an energy meter (112) connected to the control unit (111) with a display on which a meter reading can be shown , the display being visible from outside the charging device (10). The charging device (10) is set up to transmit a value for an energy price from the control unit (111) to the energy meter (112) for display on its display. The invention also relates to a system with such a charging device (10) and a method for charging an electric vehicle using such a charging device (10).

Description

The invention relates to a charging device for electric vehicles, having a charging connection for the electric vehicle and a charging controller connected to it. The charging device also has an energy meter for detecting an amount of energy released by the charging device during the charging process. The invention further relates to a system with such a charging device and an operating method for such a charging device.

Charging devices are used to charge electric vehicles by providing electrical energy in a suitable form, as direct current or alternating current, at a charging connection, for example a charging socket or a charging cable with a corresponding plug. The charging devices can be designed in the form of charging columns or also for wall mounting.

In particular, for charging devices in public spaces that are publicly available to people for a fee, a traceable and legally compliant measurement of the amount of energy supplied is required. In Germany, calibration law requirements must be met in this regard. For example, it is required that a meter reading of the energy meter used to measure the amount of energy delivered can be read by the user before, during and after the charging process. In order to meet this requirement, a correspondingly approved and calibrated and encapsulated counter is usually used, which is arranged inside the charging device, a counter reading displayed by this counter being visible from outside through a viewing window in the charging device.

Another requirement is that a user must be comprehensibly informed about an energy price for the subsequent charging process before the start of a charging process.

It is often provided that people can only use a charging device if they have concluded a usage contract with an operator or a service provider associated with the operator in advance. The future users must accordingly be registered with a service. In connection with the registration, the conditions of use are announced, so that the requirement to disclose the costs is met through the registration.

For drivers of an electric vehicle, this procedure is unsatisfactory in that only those charging devices can be used that have already been registered. Charging and thus using the electric vehicle would be much more flexible if a payment process at a charging device could take place spontaneously and without prior registration. It would then be possible to start a charging process, for example by specifying a bank or credit card, even if no contract has been concluded in advance with the operator of the charging device or a service provider associated with him. For this, however, it would be necessary that the energy costs incurred during a charging process are clearly communicated to the user.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to create a charging device, a system with a charging device and an operating method for such a charging device, with which a charging process can be carried out with comprehensible indication of energy costs even without prior registration.

This object is achieved by a charging device and a system with a charging device or by an operating method for a charging device with the features of the respective independent claim. Advantageous refinements and developments are each the subject matter of the dependent claims.

A charging device according to the invention of the type mentioned at the beginning is set up to transmit a value for an energy price from the control unit to the energy meter for display on its display.

In order to be able to indicate the amount of energy delivered by the charging device to the electric vehicle during the charging process in accordance with calibration law, an energy meter is mandatory as part of the charging control. The energy meter is usually arranged in a closed measuring capsule, which is preferably closed securely in accordance with calibration law, in particular sealed. In addition, the energy meter has a display for the meter reading, which can usually be read from the outside of the charging device through a sight glass. By transmitting the value for the energy price according to the invention and displaying it on the display of the energy meter, the price is indicated in an encapsulated unit and thus in conformity with calibration law. By transferring the value for the energy price to the meter, the already established conformity of the energy meter with calibration law is used to indicate the energy price in compliance with calibration law without additional components and thus with little additional effort.

In an advantageous embodiment of the charging device, the energy meter is coupled to a signature unit in order to digitally sign the meter reading and the value for the energy price. One digital signature for the meter reading is known from charging stations. Because the signature unit available for this is also used to sign the energy price, this size is also stored in a traceable and tamper-proof manner during the charging process, without a separate signature unit having to be used. The energy meter is preferably arranged together with the signature unit in a measuring capsule, in particular in a closed measuring capsule.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the charging device has a payment device with at least one input terminal for receiving user input and a card and / or NFC (Near Field Communication) reader. By specifying the energy price via the energy meter, the charging column according to the invention is suitable for carrying out charging processes with users who have not previously concluded a contract with an operator of the charging column. The payment device now provides the further technical requirements for identifying and authorizing such a user.

A system according to the invention for charging an electric vehicle has at least one such charging device, which is connected in terms of data technology to a network environment that provides a charging device management service. In addition to monitoring the charging processes, a value for the energy price can be transmitted to the charging device for display on the energy meter via the data connection.

In an advantageous embodiment of the system, the at least one charging device is connected in terms of data technology to a further network environment that provides a billing service. A billing service that is independent of the operator of the charging device can thus be used.

• - Bereitstellen eines Wertes für einen Energiepreis an eine Steuereinheit der Ladevorrichtung;
• - Übertragen des Wertes an einen Energiezähler mit einer Anzeige;
• - Darstellen des Wertes für den Energiepreis zusammen mit mindestens einem Zählerstand des Energiezählers auf der Anzeige des Energiezählers;
• - Bereitstellen von elektrischer Energie an einem Ladeanschluss der Ladevorrichtung; und
• - Erfassen von abgegebener Energie an dem Ladeanschluss durch den Energiezähler.

A method according to the invention for charging an electric vehicle by means of a charging device has the following steps:

• - Providing a value for an energy price to a control unit of the charging device;
• - Transmitting the value to an energy meter with a display;
• - Representation of the value for the energy price together with at least one meter reading of the energy meter on the display of the energy meter;
• - Provision of electrical energy at a charging connection of the charging device; and
• - Detection of energy delivered at the charging connection by the energy meter.

The advantages mentioned in connection with the charging device result.

In an advantageous development of the method, the value for the energy price is retrieved from a network environment. In this embodiment, the operator can easily adapt the price flexibly to current energy prices.

In a further advantageous development of the method, before the start of a loading process, payment information of a user is recorded via a payment device and sent to a billing service for authentication. By specifying the energy price via the energy meter, the charging column according to the invention is suitable for carrying out charging processes with users who have not previously concluded a contract with an operator of the charging column. The payment facility and subsequent authorization enable such a user to use the charging device.

In a further advantageous development of the method, after a charging process has ended, at least one meter reading of the energy meter and the value for the energy price are digitally signed and stored. The digitally signed data can preferably be called up by the user and used to create a receipt. In this case, it can be provided that, in order to retrieve the digitally signed data, a user provides information on the charging process, on the basis of which the charging process is identified. The data can include sections of a card number, a position of the loading device and / or a time of the loading process. Corresponding information from the user is compared with the data in order to identify a data record of a charging process assigned to the user.

• 1 ein schematisches Diagramm eines Systems mit einer Ladevorrichtung;
• 2 ein schematisches Diagramm des Aufbaus einer Ladevorrichtung; und
• 3a, b jeweils ein Flussdiagramm zur Verdeutlichung eines Verfahrens zum Betreiben einer Ladevorrichtung.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments with the aid of figures. The figures show:

• 1 a schematic diagram of a system having a charging device;
• 2 a schematic diagram of the construction of a charging device; and
• 3a, b each a flowchart to illustrate a method for operating a charging device.

In 1 is a system with a loading device 10 shown in the form of a schematic diagram.

The system includes besides the charging device 10 Network environments 4th , 5 that to Implementation of an operating procedure for the charging device 10 are relevant. For the sake of simplicity of illustration, there are further system components, for example an energy supply connection of the charging device 10 as well as a charging connection of the charging device 10 , which is connected to an electric vehicle in order to charge its drive battery, not shown. It goes without saying that known techniques can be used both with regard to the energy supply and the charging connection.

The loading device 10 can for example be set up to provide direct and / or alternating voltage, the latter on one or more phases, at its charging connection. For supplying energy to the charging device 10 a three-phase alternating voltage from a low-voltage power supply network is used as a rule. Alternatively, the loading device 10 also be connected to a DC bus for their energy supply. As already mentioned at the beginning, the charging device 10 be designed as a (free-standing) charging station or be provided for wall mounting. The charging device is described below by way of example and not by way of limitation 10 also as a charging station 10 designated.

According to 1 includes the charging station 10 a charge controller 11th that controls the application of energy to the charging port. The charge controller 11th is in connection with switching elements, also not shown here, for example contactors, which couple the contacts of the charging connection to the power supply network. If necessary, rectifiers and / or voltage converters can be interposed. Next, the loading device 10 Fuse devices, also not shown, for example overcurrent fuses and differential current switches (direct and / or alternating current sensitive).

The charging station 10 further comprises a sequence control 12th , for example an industrial PC, which is optionally equipped with or is connected to a display unit, for example a screen, in particular a touchscreen. A database is used to store information about charging processes 13th present with which the sequence control 12th can communicate or within the sequence control 12th is implemented.

There is also a payment facility 14th provided that a processing of a payment process for the from the charging station 10 electricity supplied. Details on the structure of the loading device 10 are below in 2 explained in more detail.

The loading device 10 is connected to a network, especially the Internet. This can be done in a wired manner via an Ethernet connection, via a telephone connection with a corresponding converter, or wirelessly via a cellular modem, in particular according to the GSM or the 5G standard.

In the 1 is the network connection through several connections of the charging device 10 to network environments 4th , 5 shown. The division into the network environments 4th , 5 corresponds to different logical network areas, the network environment is concrete 4th an operator 1 the loading device 10 assigned and the network environment 5 a billing service, through which a payment for the from the charging device 10 supplied electricity is dealt with.

The operator 1 assigned network environment 4th , hereinafter also referred to as operator cloud for short 4th includes one or more servers that provide various services, a loader management service 41 and a receipt management service 42 . The loader management service 41 is in data exchange with the charging controller 11th the loading device 10 . Usually one operator operates 1 multiple loaders 10 each with the charging device management service 41 communicate. Via the loader management service 41 are the operating states and usage states of the respective charging device 10 recorded. The ones from the loader management service 41 The data and information collected are from the operator 1 to monitor and / or control the various charging devices 10 retrievable.

The document management service 42 is an independent service that a user accesses 2 the loading device 10 can access after having a charge at the charging station 10 has executed. Via the document management service 42 can the user 2 subsequently receive information about a completed charging process by using an application 3 ("App") on a mobile device or a stationary computer and checked. Details of this process are given below using a process sequence of a charging process in connection with the 3b explained. The document management service 42 is independent of the loader management service 41 and does not access the information collected by it, but is in direct data exchange with the process control 12th the loading device 10 .

2 shows details of the construction of the loading device 10 also in a schematic diagram. Network connections leading to the outside are not shown in this illustration.

The charge controller 11th includes a control unit 111 that actually controls the charging process. The control unit 111 is in data exchange with the sequence control 12th , e.g. B. to initiate or cancel the loading process and also to send information about the loading process to the sequential control system 12th for storing z. B in the database 13th and forwarding to the operator cloud 4th transferred to. The data connection between the control unit 111 and the flow control 12th takes place, for example, via an Ethernet connection, with a robust protocol, for example Modbus-TCP, being used.

To avoid the loading process from the charger 10 Being able to specify the amount of energy delivered to the electric vehicle in accordance with calibration law is part of the charging control 11th an energy meter 112 present. The energy meter 112 is together with a signature unit 113 in a closed measuring capsule 114 arranged, which is preferably locked securely in accordance with calibration law, in particular sealed.

From the energy meter 112 Recorded amounts of energy or meter readings are stored in the signature unit 113 digitally signed so that one of the signature unit 113 created and sent to the control unit 111 transferred data record cannot be manipulated afterwards. The signature unit 113 known methods are used, which are based, for example, on asymmetrical encryption. For this purpose, the signature unit 113 A key pair, comprising a private key and a public key, is generated, of which the private key cannot be seen in the signature unit 113 and thus in the measuring capsule 114 remains, whereas the public key to the control unit 111 and thus ultimately can also be issued to the outside world. A suitable signature algorithm is, for example, the ECDSA (Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm) method. A data connection between the energy meter 112 and the signature unit 113 and also between the signature unit 113 and the control unit 111 again use the Modbus protocol, for example, especially in the Modbus RTU configuration with information transmitted in binary form.

2 shows the structure of the payment facility in more detail 14th . At the loading device 10 According to the registration, the charging process is planned without prior registration with the operator 1 to enable for every user, provided that he can authorize himself for a payment process. The loading device 10 sees one or more input terminals for this 141 before, which are each coupled to one or more card or NFC (Near Field Communication) readers 142. The card or NFC readers 142 enable a credit card or bank card with a payment function and / or equivalent data that is stored in a mobile device, for example a smartphone, to be read in. In interaction with the input terminal 141 , which, for example, allows a personal identification number (PIN) to be entered, information for authorization is sent to the billing service in the wider network environment 5 sent. A release returned by the accounting service is received by the payment facility 14th to the sequence control 12th which is then in communication with the charging controller 11th can either initiate or cancel the charging process. Details on this will also be given in the context of 3a explained. The connection between the input terminal 141 and the card or NFC reader 142 usually takes place via a serial data bus, for example in accordance with the RS-232 specification. A data transfer from the input terminal 141 for sequence control 12th takes place, for example, via an Ethernet connection using the ZVT protocol established for payment functions.

In 3a is an embodiment of an operating method according to the application for a charging device 10 or a system with a charging device 10 shown in the form of a flow chart. The operating method can, for example, from the in the 1 and 2 shown loading device 10 are carried out and is explained below by way of example with reference to these figures.

The procedure according to 3a relates to the charging process as such. In 3b an optionally subsequent process section is also shown in the form of a flowchart, according to which the provision of a document (receipt) after the loading process has been carried out 3a made clear.

In a first step S1, in the in 3a The method shown provides information about a price for an amount of energy. This can take the form of a price per kilowatt hour (kWh), for example. In one embodiment, the value of the energy price can already be in the charging device 10 , e.g. B. in the database 13th , be deposited. In an alternative embodiment it is provided that the value of the price in the charging device management service 41 is stored and from the operator cloud 4th from the loading device 10 , specifically the sequence control 12th , is retrieved. In this embodiment, the price is flexible in that it is determined by the operator 1 can be adapted to current energy prices.

In a next step S2, the value retrieved in step S1 is received from the sequence control 12th to the charge controller 11th forwarded and there via the control unit 111 and the signature unit 113 to the energy meter 112 transmitted. The price is then taken from the energy meter 112 on a display of the energy meter 112 displayed. As in connection with the 1 and 2 mentioned is the display of the energy meter 112 through a sight glass from the outside of the loading device 10 readable. By displaying the price on the energy meter 112 the price is given in an encapsulated unit of the measuring capsule 114 and thus compliant with calibration law.

In addition, the price is usually also provided on one for a user 2 easier to see display, for example one with the sequence control 12th associated display. The user 2 but has the option of setting the price on the energy meter in accordance with the legal requirements 112 read off and compare with the otherwise displayed price.

In a next step S3 it is queried whether a user 2 the loading device 10 would like to use to charge his electric vehicle, for example by connecting the electric vehicle to the charging port of the charging device 10 goes hand in hand.

If a charging process is planned, the method branches to a next step S4 in which the payment device 14th is activated and the user, e.g. via the with the flow control 12th coupled display, is asked to select a payment option in order to initiate a payment process. If necessary, the user can choose between different payment options (credit card, EC card, contactless payment via a mobile device). Entered payment information, which relates, for example, to the card identification numbers and information on an identification number (PIN) that may have to be entered, is sent to the further network environment in step S4 5 (hereinafter also referred to as the billing cloud 5 designated) and transferred to a billing service located there.

It can be provided that a typical maximum amount that can be incurred for a charging process is also sent to the billing service in order to make a reservation or advance booking of this amount. Accordingly, the payment option must allow a credit line of this amount in order to result in authorization and approval by the billing service.

In a step S5, the billing service receives a response from the billing cloud 5 from the payment facility 14th received and to the flow control 12th passed on. This checks whether the billing service authorizes and approves the pending transaction. If this is not the case, the method branches back to step S3, whereby the charging device 10 is ready for another charging process or a repetition of this charging process.

If the transaction has been released, the step branches to a next step S6, in which the loading process is started. For this purpose, the billing service can generate a transaction number that is used as an identification number for the further process.

To start the charging process, the corresponding information is sent to the charging controller along with the transaction number 11th hand over. When the loading process starts, the signature unit 113 requested the current meter reading of the energy meter 112 to be read out and saved as an energy meter reading at the start of the charging process.

The charging process is then continued and in a step S7 it is repeatedly checked whether the charging process is still active or is aborted by terminating the charging process or exceeding a maximum time provided for the charging process.

In a step S8, after the end of the charging process, the value of the energy counter is 112 read again and a data packet is created that contains the counter reading at the beginning of the charging process, at the end of the charging process and the counter difference. Each of the data packets includes further key values for the charging process and also those previously communicated and from the energy meter 112 shown price per unit of energy. These data packets are sent by the signing unit 113 signed using the private key.

The data packets are sent by the control unit in a subsequent step S9 111 the charge controller 11th to the sequence control 12th and also to the loader management service 41 into the operator cloud 4th transfer.

In one embodiment, a copy of the public key of the signing process is also made by the control unit independently of the data packets 111 the charge controller 11th to the sequence control 12th and from there to the document management service 42 sent. In an alternative embodiment, provision can be made for a copy of the public key to be added directly to the data packets. With the help of the public key, the authenticity of the transmitted data packets can be checked in subsequent steps (cf. step S13).

Furthermore, in a final step S10, the information from the data packets is used to provide the billing service in the further network environment 5 to report the actual costs incurred. Any difference to the amount debited in advance will be credited accordingly. This ends the actual charging process.

In an alternative to the in 3a It can be provided that steps S1 and S2, in which price information is retrieved and displayed, are only carried out after steps S3 and S4. In such a refinement, it can be implemented that, depending on the billing mode and also depending on the charging method (e.g. normal charging or quick charging), the price per amount of energy is set at different levels.

In the flowchart in 3b further process steps are shown, which can be carried out after the actual loading process has been carried out.

The procedure according to 3a allows that one to the operator 1 unknown user 2 on the loading device 10 can charge their electric vehicle. This offers the user 2 great flexibility in the selection and use of charging devices 10 . The unnecessary pre-registration with the operator 1 leads however to the fact that no address or other contact information is available to the user 2 to send a receipt for the loading process and the money paid after the loading process has been completed. One possible solution to this problem would be the charging device 10 to be provided with a receipt printer, which is basically possible, but with additional effort, especially in the maintenance of the loading device 10 connected is.

With the system according to 1 is instead in the operator cloud 4th the document management service 42 run to which a user 2 can access it after the loading process if necessary.

To do this, the user provides 2 for example, using a mobile device and an application running on it 3 in a first step S11 a request to the document management service 42 , in which he only provides details about the charging process known to him, for example a location of the charging station, possibly an at least approximate time of the charging process and at least part of a card or bank account number that was used to account for the charging process.

This information is provided by the document management service in a step S12 42 evaluated and a suitable data record from one within the document management service 42 The database is searched for recorded loading processes and a document is created from this data record. This procedure assumes that information about charging processes is already received from the charging device after they have been completed 10 to the document management service 42 were transferred. In an alternative embodiment, it is also possible that a request for a suitable data record is only sent to the charging device when required 10 and in particular their sequence control 12th is transmitted and then demand-driven from the database there 13th is retrieved. A copy of the signature unit's public key 113 that the document management service 42 was transmitted (see. Step S9) is also indicated on the receipt.

In a step S13, the document is then sent to the application 3 sent. The user 2 can electronically archive the receipt or print it out if necessary. In addition to the price and cost information, the receipt also contains the underlying data packages themselves in the version in which they were received from the signature unit 113 created, played back so that the user 2 the possibility is open to check the authenticity of the data on which the receipt is based. This can be done, for example, within the application 3 by entering the public key specified on the receipt by the user or automatically reading it from the receipt and checking the authenticity of the data packets. After this optional check of the authenticity of the data packet in a step S14, the method ends.

List of reference symbols

1

operator

2

user

3

application

4th

Network environment (operator cloud)

41

Loader management service

42

Document management service

5

further network environment (billing cloud)

10

Charging device

11th

Charge control

111

Control unit

112

Energy meter

113

Signature unit

114

Measuring capsule

12th

flow control

13th

Database

14th

Payment facility

141

Input terminal

142

Card or NFC reader

Claims (14)

Charging device (10) for an electric vehicle, having a charging connection and a charging controller (11) with a control unit (111) and an energy meter (112) connected to the control unit (111) with a display on which a meter reading can be shown, the display can be viewed from outside the charging device (10), characterized in that the charging device (10) is set up to transmit a value for an energy price from the control unit (111) to the energy meter (112) for display on its display. Loading device (10) after Claim 1 , in which the energy meter (112) is coupled to a signature unit (113) in order to digitally sign the meter reading and the value for the energy price. Loading device (10) after Claim 2 , in which the energy meter (112) is arranged together with the signature unit (113) in a measuring capsule (114). Loading device (10) after Claim 3 , in which the measuring capsule (114) is closed. Loading device (10) according to one of the Claims 1 until 4th , comprising a payment device (14) with at least one input terminal (141) for receiving user input and a card and / or NFC reader (142). A system for charging an electric vehicle, comprising at least one charging device (10) according to one of the Claims 1 until 5 wherein the at least one charging device (10) is connected in terms of data technology to a network environment (4) which provides a charging device management service (41). System according to Claim 6 , wherein the at least one charging device (10) is connected in terms of data technology to a further network environment (5) which provides a billing service. A method for charging an electric vehicle by means of a charging device (10), comprising the following steps: - Providing a value for an energy price to a control unit (111) of the charging device (10); - Transmitting the value to an energy meter (112) with a display; - Representation of the value for the energy price together with at least one meter reading of the energy meter (112) on the display of the energy meter (112); - Providing electrical energy to a charging connection of the charging device (10); and - The energy meter (112) detects the energy output at the charging connection. Procedure according to Claim 8 , for which the value for the energy price is retrieved from a network environment (4). Procedure according to Claim 8 or 9 , in which the payment information of a user (2) is recorded via a payment device (14) before the start of a charging process and sent to a billing service for authentication. Method according to one of the Claims 8 until 10 , in which at least one meter reading of the energy meter (112) and the value for the energy price are digitally signed and stored after the end of a charging process. Procedure according to Claim 11 , in which the digitally signed data can be called up by the user (2) and used to create a receipt. Procedure according to Claim 12 , in which the user (2) specifies information about the charging process in order to call up the digitally signed data, by means of which the charging process is identified. Procedure according to Claim 13 , in which the data relate to sections of a card number, a position of the loading device and / or a time of the loading process.

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