DE102020125540A1 - Charging device for supplying electrical energy to connected electric vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a charging device for supplying electrical energy to connected electric vehicles. Known charging devices have the disadvantage that they are either dependent on an external controller or trigger a significant unbalanced load in the electrical supply network. A charging device for supplying electrical energy to connected electric vehicles with a power supply and a delivery device is therefore proposed, the power supply comprising three phases of a three-phase power supply and the delivery device comprising several contact points and each contact point being set up for supplying electrical energy to one electric vehicle each , wherein a control unit is provided for determining an energy requirement and/or the available electrical power consumption of each connected electric vehicle and a switch unit that can be switched by means of the control unit, wherein the switch unit is set up for switching the three phases of the three-phase power supply for supplying different contact points with one phase, two phases or three phases of the three-phase power supply depending on the determined energy requirements of each electric vehicle such that an unbalanced load between the three phases of the three-phase omical supply is reduced, minimized or avoided.

Description

The invention relates to a charging device for supplying electrical energy to connected electric vehicles according to the preamble of claim 1.

Charging devices of the type mentioned serve to supply electric vehicles or vehicles with electrical support at so-called charging points with electrical energy and to charge their accumulators. In particular, several electric vehicles can be charged at the same time on such a charging device, it being unclear in advance when which electric vehicle has to be supplied with which amount of energy.

In the DE 10 2018 203 387 A1 it is revealed that three vehicles are loaded with a single column. A single electricity can be generated and used for charging each of these vehicles. This is a direct current (DC) charging system.

In the DE 10 2017 207 281 A1 charging management for several vehicles is described. A division of current amounts is not described. Sequential charging at a grid point of a power grid is discussed.

the DE 10 2016 217 162 A1 describes the control of an optimal charging process. A method for calculating a charging plan, for example supported by a photovoltaic system, is described. For this purpose, the battery level of an electric vehicle is transmitted to the charging device.

the DE 10 2017 100 733 A1 discloses a mobile charging station for multiple vehicles.

No charging device is known in which charging currents, in particular for the power supply, are compensated.

The object of the invention is to improve the prior art.

The object is achieved by a charging device for supplying electrical energy to connected electric vehicles according to independent claim 1. Advantageous refinements are described in dependent claims 2 to 10.

Because different contact points of the delivery device can be supplied with one, two or three phases of the three-phase power supply depending on the load, namely according to the specific energy requirement of each connected electric vehicle, the three-phase power supply can be loaded comparatively evenly, so that an unbalanced load between the three phases of the three-phase power supply is reduced. is minimized or avoided.

The following terms are explained here:

A "charging device" can be any technical device that is suitable for supplying electrical energy to a connected electric vehicle or several connected electric vehicles. For example, such a charging device is a charging station for electric vehicles or a charging point, which is called a “wall box”, for example. Such a charging device usually has one or more connection points for electric vehicles and in some cases can also supply different systems in electric vehicles, for example DC charging and AC charging.

An “electric vehicle” is, for example, an automobile, kart, electrically assisted bicycle or other vehicle that uses electricity or an electric motor in whole or in part for propulsion. For example, this is a vehicle equipped with an accumulator for receiving and storing electrical energy, with the electrical energy then being used for propulsion by an electric motor, for example to support an internal combustion engine. Furthermore, such an electric vehicle can also be operated purely electrically.

A "power supply" is, for example, the mains power connection of such a charging device, with electrical energy being supplied to the charging device via this mains power connection, so that it can then be distributed to connected electric vehicles.

A "delivery device" can be, for example, a panel, a control panel, a connector field or another connection option with or without cables for devices for delivering or transferring electrical power to a connected electric vehicle or multiple connected electric vehicles.

A “three-phase supply” is a three-phase powered power supply. Such three-phase current is referred to as three-phase alternating current or, depending on the reference, also as three-phase alternating current. In electrical engineering, such a three-phase current is known as a form of multi-phase alternating current, with three individual alternating currents or alternating voltages of the same Fre frequency, which are at a phase angle of 120° to one another, a rotating field is generated. Such a three-phase power supply can usually have a voltage of 230 volts per phase and 400 volts between the phases. Colloquially, three-phase current is also referred to as heavy current or power current.

A "contact point" is, for example, a special connection point of the delivery device or a socket or a plug to which a connection element or cable intended for a special electric vehicle can be connected. Electrical energy can then be supplied to a special, connected vehicle by means of such a contact point.

A "control unit" is, for example, a small computer, a chip or an electronic control unit, which forwards information in the charging device and can coordinate the control and regulation tasks. For example, this control unit is a charge controller, which can be designed as a standard component of an electrical distribution system.

A "switching unit" can, for example, be a device which, depending on information and/or control signals from the control unit, switches individual phases or also all phases of the three-phase power supply together.

An "unbalanced load" is known as the uneven loading of the phase conductors (outer conductors) of a three-phase alternating current network (three-phase network). Such unbalanced loads also lead to an uneven load on upstream elements of such a three-phase power supply. For example, generators or power transformers can suffer damage if the unbalanced load is too great. For this reason, a maximum unbalanced load must be observed for the mains voltage supply. An even distribution of a connected load to three different outer conductors of the three-phase power supply can effectively prevent such an unbalanced load.

In one embodiment, the control unit has a state of charge sensor for detecting a state of charge and/or an energy requirement dependent on the state of charge and/or the available electrical power consumption of each connected electric vehicle.

Using the state of charge sensor, the control unit can receive information about the state of charge or a dependent energy requirement of each connected electric vehicle, for example control or regulate the switching unit accordingly, so that charging of a connected electric vehicle depending on the charging requirement is possible. Furthermore, the information about the state of charge and/or a dependent energy requirement and/or the available electrical power consumption of each electric vehicle can be used to reduce, minimize or avoid an unbalanced load between the three phases of the three-phase power supply.

A “state of charge sensor” can be any device that can determine a state of charge and/or an energy requirement dependent on the state of charge and/or the available electrical power consumption of a connected electric vehicle. This state of charge sensor can be arranged both in the charging device and in the connected electric vehicle or, for example, be a device which queries the state of charge of the electric vehicle and forwards corresponding information to the control unit.

In order to be able to react to additional power requirements of a connected electric vehicle and/or to switch the three-phase power supply accordingly depending on this additional power requirement, the control unit has a power requirement sensor for detecting an additional energy requirement for each electric vehicle and/or an additional energy requirement for ancillary units of each electric vehicle.

A "power requirement sensor" is, for example, a sensor in the charging device or in a connected electric vehicle, which can determine the power requirement or energy requirement of this electric vehicle. This current requirement sensor can be arranged both in the charging device and in the electric vehicle or can be used within the charging device to request corresponding information from the connected electric vehicle and forward it so that it can be used by the control unit.

An "additional energy requirement" is, for example, an energy requirement for additional units or ancillary units of the connected electric vehicle. For example, such an additional unit or ancillary unit is ventilation, air conditioning or lighting of an electric vehicle. In this way, the charging device can also be used to meet a power requirement, for example for pre-air conditioning a connected electric vehicle that is standing in the sun.

In one embodiment, the control unit has a transmission device for transmitting information about an available energy quantity for the respective electric vehicle to the respective electric vehicle.

This means that the electric vehicle can be informed electronically or in some other way, for example via pulse width modulation of a signal which is transmitted to the electric vehicle via an additional line in the charging connector, about the amount of current or amount of energy or current strength available for charging the electric vehicle. A correspondingly equipped electric vehicle can then control the amount of electricity to be drawn accordingly.

A "transmitting device" is, for example, a radio module, an RFID module or another device that can transmit information via radio, infrared or other means. Such a transmission device can be used, for example, to transmit an available current for charging a connected electric vehicle.

For example, in order to be able to bill for an amount of energy loaded into an electric vehicle or to be able to further process the entire amount of energy transmitted, for example, the control unit has a communication module for sending and/or receiving information about an amount of energy transmitted to and/or from a external entity or multiple external entities. In this case, for example, information about a transmitted amount of energy of each connected electric vehicle or previously connected electric vehicles can be transmitted.

A “communications module” can be any device that is suitable for sending and/or receiving information. For example, this is a radio module, a GSM module for a cellular network or another similar device.

In a further embodiment, the switching unit has three switching devices, each switching device being assigned to a contact point and the control unit using one switching device to supply one phase, two phases or three phases of the three-phase power supply to one contact point assigned to the switching device for each electric vehicle, so that each electric vehicle is supplied with an electrical power determined by the control unit.

Thus, by means of the charging device, each connected electric vehicle can be assigned either one phase, two phases or three phases of the three-phase power supply. For example, a connected electric vehicle receives electrical power from only one phase because this connected electric vehicle has a low power requirement. Another connected electric vehicle can receive electric power from three phases because the energy demand of this connected electric vehicle is correspondingly higher. Thus, an unbalanced load of the three-phase power supply is at least kept within a permissible range.

If, on the other hand, a vehicle is charged from two phases, for example, and a second vehicle is also connected for charging, the second vehicle can be charged in one phase and the unbalanced load of the three-phase power supply can be at least partially compensated for and thus reduced. The second vehicle can then be charged with a higher current than at a separate charging station, at which it alone would generate a high unbalanced load.

A "switching means" is, for example, a switch, an electromechanical switching element or any other device that is suitable for switching one phase, two phases or three phases of the three-phase power supply separately or together.

In order to make the electrical configuration of the charging device simple, each switching means is a relay or contactor, in particular a single-phase relay, a two-phase relay or three-phase relay or a single-phase contactor, a two-phase contactor or three-phase contactor .

In one embodiment, a respective connected electric vehicle is supplied with single-phase alternating current and/or three-phase current by means of a respective contact point.

In this way, for example, in the case of a so-called AC charging station, direct transmission from the respective phase of the three-phase power supply to the respective electric vehicle can be implemented. Such so-called AC-chargeable electric vehicles often have their own charging systems or chargers and can also be equipped in such a way that these charging systems or chargers have an above-mentioned state of charge sensor or an above-mentioned power requirement sensor, for example via additional lines of a so-called "Type 2" charging plug , connect to the charging device or supply it with information.

For example, in order to simplify the billing of the amount of electricity supplied, the charging device has a measuring device for determining an electrical power output and/or an amount of energy output on, wherein information about the electrical power output or the amount of energy output, in particular in the control unit or measuring device, can be stored.

A “measuring device” is, for example, an electricity meter or a similar type of device or device which is suitable for adding up electrical power or displaying a total or partial amount of energy delivered and transmitting it to the control unit, for example.

In a further embodiment, the information on the electrical power output or the amount of energy output can be transmitted to an external device or to a plurality of external devices.

The information recorded by the measuring device can thus be transmitted to an external location or external device, for example by means of the communication module, so that, for example, the power output can be billed centrally to the owner of a connected electric vehicle.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer Ladestation für bis zu drei Elektrofahrzeuge in einer Seitenansicht sowie
• 2 eine schematische Darstellung einer Ladeeinheit der Ladestation.

The invention is explained below using exemplary embodiments. Show it

• 1 a schematic representation of a charging station for up to three electric vehicles in a side view and
• 2 a schematic representation of a charging unit of the charging station.

A charging station 101 has a charging column 102 . Three charging connections, namely a charging connection 103, a charging connection 105 and a charging connection 107 (rear) are arranged on the charging station 102. The charging connection 103, the charging connection 105 and the charging connection 107 are used to connect electric vehicles to the charging station 102.

The charging station 102 has a three-phase connection 108 which supplies the charging station 102 with three-phase alternating current at 400 volts. The three-phase connection 108 is connected within the charging station 102 in such a way that the charging connections 103 , 105 and 107 can be supplied with electrical power by means of a charging unit 201 .

A charging cable 109 with a plug 110 located at the end of the charging cable 109 is connected to the charging connection 103 . Electrical current provided by the charging connection 103 can thus be routed to a connected electric car 131 via the charging cable 109 and the plug 110 .

The charging unit 201 has a main switch 203, a power pack 205, the charging controller 207 and a radio module 215. Furthermore, a neutral conductor collection point 217 and a ground point 219 are arranged inside the charging unit 201 .

Furthermore, the charging unit 201 has three contactors 209, three electricity meters 211 and three contactors 213 switching one-phase/three-phase. A contactor 213, electricity meter 211 and contactor 209 together form a so-called switching unit 251 within the charging unit 201. The respective switching unit 251 is therefore present three times within the charging unit 201 (in 2 shown once, not shown twice).

The modules mentioned are each arranged on top-hat rails 221. Overall, the charging unit 201 is constructed in particular like a conventional switch box of an electrical distribution system.

The charging unit 201 in the form described is set up for three charging connections, namely for the charging connections 103 , the charging connection 105 and the charging connection 107 . One switching unit 251 is assigned to each charging connection and ensures their respective function. The three switching units 251 are controlled by a common charging controller 207 .

The neutral conductor collection point 217 and the ground point 219 serve to collect all neutral conductors and the collection of all ground conductors within the electrical wiring within the charging unit 201. Individual cables or wires are not described or shown in the figures for the sake of clarity.

The charging unit 201 can be activated by means of the main switch 203 . The charging unit 201 is arranged behind a lockable flap (not shown), so that only a service technician can operate the main switch 203. Thus, such a charging unit 201 or the charging station 101 cannot be activated or deactivated without authorization.

The power pack 205 transforms an AC voltage of 230 volts AC from one of the three phases of the three-phase power supply 108 into a DC voltage of 12 volts. This DC voltage of 12 volts is used to supply the remaining components in the charging unit 201 and, among other things, provides the control voltage for the contactors 209 and 211. Corresponding lines are not described.

The charging controller 207 takes over all control within the charging unit 201, takes from connected electric vehicles incoming signals, emits signals to these electric vehicles and regulates the functions of the charging unit 201.

For this purpose, the charging controller 207 is connected to the contactor 209, the electricity meter 211, the contactor 213 and the radio module 215. The electricity meter 211 is also connected to the radio module 215 .

An electric car 131 has a charging socket 132 . The plug 110 is plugged into this charging socket 132 so that electrical energy can be supplied from the charging connection 103 to the electric car 131 .

The plug 110 is a so-called “type 2 charging plug” (not shown). A neutral conductor, a neutral conductor and three phase conductors for a three-phase current supply are arranged within the plug 110 . Furthermore, the plug 110 has two additional electrical conductors for communication with the charging technology of the electric car 131 . Information about the state of charge and the power requirement and the amount of power provided by the charging connection 103 can be exchanged between the electric car 131 and the charging station 102 via these electrical conductors. This is done using pulse width modulation and wiring the electrical conductors with a defined resistance. These two additional electrical conductors each provide a communication line.

In the electric car 131, a line 133 leads from the charging socket 132 to a charge controller 134. Electrical power is thus passed from the charging socket 132 to the charge controller 134 via the line 133.

The charge controller 134 contains all of the components that are required to control the charge for the electric car 131 . Among other things, a charger is also integrated here. The charging power provided in this way from the charge controller 134 is then fed via a line 136 to a battery 137 of the electric car 131 . The rechargeable battery 137 is the electric energy store of the electric car 131 and then forwards its electric power to drive components of the electric car 131 . The electric car 131 can thus be operated with the electrical power from the battery 137 .

A charging cable 111 with a plug 112 at its end is arranged at the charging connection 105 of the charging station 102 . Electrical power is delivered from the charging connection 105 to a connected electric vehicle via the charging cable 111 and the plug 112 .

An electric car 141 is connected to the charging connection 105 by means of the plug 112 .

An electric car 141 has a charging socket 142 which receives electrical power from the plug 112 . A line 143 then leads this electrical power to a charge controller 144. The charge controller 144 is constructed analogously to the charge controller 134 of the electric car 131. Electrical power is delivered to a rechargeable battery 147 via a line 146 and the rechargeable battery 147 is charged. In addition, the charge controller 144 has the option of supplying electrical energy to an air conditioning unit 149 by means of a line 148 . Like plug 110, plug 112 is a so-called “Type 2 charging plug” with the above-mentioned connections and communication lines.

The charging connection 107 of the charging station 102 is not occupied in the example shown, but could also charge a third electric vehicle.

The charging process for the electric car 131 and the electric car 141 at the charging station 102 is described as follows:

When the battery 137 of the electric car 131 is about half full and the battery 147 of the electric car 141 is also half full, the charge controller 134 and the charge controller 144 send this information to the charging station 102. This is done via the respective communication lines in the cables 109 and 111 , so that there is corresponding information within the charging station 102 . From this information, an available amount of current per phase of the three-phase connection 108 is determined within the charging station 102 by means of a charging controller 207 and the charging connection 103 and the charging connection 105 are supplied with corresponding information. Switching elements in charging connection 103 and charging connection 105 then connect a respective phase of three-phase connection 108 to electric car 131 and electric car 141 .

In the present example it is assumed that the electrical power is sufficient to charge both vehicles, namely the electric car 131 and the electric car 141 with one phase of the three-phase power supply 108 each. A certain unbalanced load then results in relation to the third phase of the three-phase power supply 108, but this is comparatively small and therefore permissible. A third phase of the three-phase connection 108 would then be available to a further electric vehicle at the charging connection 107 .

After some time, the battery 137 of the electric car 131 is two-thirds charged. It is assumed here that the rechargeable battery 137 has a comparatively high capacity. The battery 147 des Electric cars 141, on the other hand, are fully charged at the same time, since they have a comparatively low total capacity. The charge of the battery 147 is then switched off by the charge controller 144 in the electric car 141. Corresponding information is thus transmitted to the charging station 102 via the plug 112 and the charging cable 111, so that the charging controller 207 becomes aware of it.

The charge controller 144 reports to the charge controller 207 a need for pre-air conditioning of the electric car 141 at the charging station 102. A comparatively low current, which is then fed to the electric car 141, is then fed from the charge controller 144 via the line 148 to the air conditioning unit 149, so that the electric car 141 is air-conditioned. The power requirement of the air conditioning unit 149 is comparatively low compared to the power requirement for charging the rechargeable battery 147.

A phase of the three-phase power supply 108 is now switched on to the electric car 141 within the charging station 102 and is loaded with 5% of its possible output due to the comparatively low energy requirement of the air conditioning unit 149 in the example shown.

The electric car 131 with the rechargeable battery 137 that is now two-thirds charged now communicates with the charging station 102. The charging controller 207 then establishes that the electric car 131 can assume a high output. The charging controller 207 also establishes that the electric car 141 is only using 5% of the possible power of one phase of the three-phase power supply 108 .

All three phases of the three-phase power supply 108 to the electric car 131 are now activated at the charging connection 103, so that the battery 137 is charged as quickly as possible. This is because all three phases of the three-phase power supply 108 together can provide a large amount of energy.

The unbalanced load in the three-phase power supply is very low due to the low electrical energy that is fed to the air conditioning device 149 .

If another electric vehicle were now plugged into charging connection 107, charging controller 207 would again determine within charging column 102 which electrical power is available for which of the connected electric vehicles and the energy requirements transmitted to the respective electric vehicle would be compared, so that taking into account the possible unbalanced load of three-phase power supply 108 corresponding phases are switched on to corresponding electric vehicles.

If, as described above, the connection of an electric vehicle or a change in the power requirement or the power availability for connected electric vehicles is determined by the charging controller 207, the respective contactor 209 is activated, which acts as a contactor for enabling charging. Electrical power can then basically be activated for one of the charging connections present in the charging station 102 .

Parallel to this, the legitimation for the corresponding electric vehicle is compared by means of the radio module 215, so that only an electric vehicle that is authorized to do so is charged.

Furthermore, the charging controller 207 transmits control signals to the contactor 213, so that one phase or three phases of the three-phase power supply 108 are connected to the electric vehicle connected to the respective switching unit 251.

The electrical energy transmitted to the respective electric vehicle is counted by the electricity meter 211 and information about the corresponding amount of electricity is transmitted to the radio module 215 . The transmission of this information by the radio module 215 is then released by means of the charging controller 207, so that corresponding data are transmitted to an external location. It is then possible to bill the corresponding amount of energy charged in an electric vehicle.

This procedure is carried out separately for each charging connection 103, charging connection 105 and charging connection 107 and with the respective associated switching units 251, so that a clear assignment of legitimation, power consumption and wiring to each electric vehicle is possible.

Reference List

101

charging station

102

charging station

103

charging port

105

charging port

107

charging port

108

three-phase connection

109

charging cable

110

plug

111

charging cable

112

plug

131

electric car

132

charging socket

133

management

134

charge controller

136

management

137

battery pack

141

electric car

142

charging socket

143

management

144

charge controller

146

management

147

battery pack

148

management

149

air conditioning unit

201

loading unit

203

main switch

205

power adapter

207

charge controller

209

contactor

211

electricity meter

213

Contactor 1-phase/3-phase

215

radio module

217

neutral collection point

219

mass point

221

DIN rail

251

switching unit

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

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

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 102018203387 A1 [0003]
• DE 102017207281 A1 [0004]
• DE 102016217162 A1 [0005]
• DE 102017100733 A1 [0006]

Claims (10)

Charging device (101) for supplying electrical energy to connected electric vehicles (131, 141) with a power supply (108) and a delivery device (102), the power supply (108) comprising three phases of a three-phase power supply (108) and the delivery device (102) comprises a plurality of contact points (103, 105, 107) and each contact point (103, 105, 107) is set up for the supply of electrical energy to a respective electric vehicle (131, 141), characterized by a control unit (207) for determining an energy requirement of each connected electric vehicle (131, 141) and a switching unit (209, 213) that can be switched by means of the control unit (207), the switching unit (209, 213) being set up to switch the three phases of the three-phase power supply (108) to supply different contact points (103 105 , 107) with one phase, two phases or three phases of the three-phase power supply (108) depending on the determined energy requirement of each electric vehicle (131, 141) such that an unbalanced load between the three phases of the three-phase power supply (108) is reduced, minimized or avoided. Charging device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the control unit (207) has a state of charge sensor for detecting a state of charge and/or an energy requirement dependent on the state of charge of each connected electric vehicle (131, 141). Charging device according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the control unit (207) has a power requirement sensor for detecting an additional energy requirement of each electric vehicle (131, 141) and/or an additional energy requirement for ancillary units (149) of each electric vehicle (131, 141). Charging device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (207) has a transmission device for transmitting information about an available amount of energy and/or the available electrical power consumption for the respective electric vehicle to the respective electric vehicle. Charging device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (207) has a communication module (215) for sending and / or receiving information about a transmitted amount of energy and / or the available electrical power consumption to and / or from an external Establishment or several external facilities. Charging device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switching unit (209, 213) has three switching means, each switching means being assigned to a contact point (103, 105, 107) and the control unit (207) using one switching means each for one phase, feeds two phases or three phases of the three-phase power supply (108) to a contact point (103, 105, 107) assigned to the switching means for one electric vehicle (131, 141) each, so that each electric vehicle (131, 141) is connected to one of the control units (207 ) certain electrical power is supplied. Charging device according to claim 6 , characterized in that each switching means is a relay or contactor, in particular a 1-phase relay, a 2-phase relay or a 3-phase relay or a 1-phase contactor, a 2-phase contactor or a 3-phase contactor . Charging device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a respective connected electric vehicle (131, 141) is supplied with 1-phase alternating current and/or 3-phase three-phase current by means of a respective contact point (103, 105, 107). Charging device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a measuring device (211) for determining an electrical power output or an amount of energy output, with information about the electrical power output or the amount of energy output being stored, in particular in the control unit (207) or the measuring device (211 ), can be saved. Charging device according to claim 9 , characterized in that the information on the electrical power output or the amount of energy output can be transmitted to an external device or to a plurality of external devices.

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