EP3292017A1

EP3292017A1 - Method and device for monitoring a connection between an electric vehicle and a charging station

Info

Publication number: EP3292017A1
Application number: EP16710169.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Stephan Hell
Original assignee: Innogy SE
Current assignee: CCS Abwicklungs AG
Priority date: 2015-05-07
Filing date: 2016-03-16
Publication date: 2018-03-14
Also published as: US11034251B2; CA2984844A1; DE102015107161A1; WO2016177502A1; US20180056803A1; CN107624089A

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for monitoring a charging process at a charging station, comprising the determination of an end of a charging process with an electric vehicle at the charging station. In order to determine whether a vehicle is permanently connected to a charging station without charging, it is proposed to carry out a charge standby check at the charging station with the electric vehicle after the end of the charging process with said electric vehicle has been established, and to generate a signal at the charging station when charging availability is detected.

Description

Method and device for checking a connection between a

Electric vehicle and a charging station

The subject matter relates to a method and apparatus for checking a connection between an electric vehicle and a charging station.

The acceptance of electric vehicles depends heavily on the ability to conveniently load such vehicles. The store must not only be possible in the home environment, but at any time and in unfamiliar surroundings. Efforts are currently underway to build a network of charging stations. However, since the charging of electric vehicles at charging stations usually takes a longer time, it is necessary that the availability of the charging station is ensured for a user. In addition, it is unlikely that in the next few years the density of the charging station is as high as it is today

Filling station network is common, so that a user must search regularly in a foreign environment, a charging station.

However, parking space is a relevant factor for the operator of the charging station, especially in semi-public areas, for example at parking lots of shops or in parking garages. In addition, the operators of the charging station want to be able to provide these to as many users as possible. At present it is not possible to determine whether an electric vehicle is actually charging at a charging station or whether only the charging cable is plugged in, but the actual charging process has been completed. This is the case in particular for so-called DC charging, in particular charging according to the CHADEMO standard. In addition, the operator of the charging station can not automatically determine whether a charging cable is still plugged in, because a charging process is still ongoing, or if a charging cable is only gefinzt, although the actual charging process is already completed. It is therefore impossible for the operator to use charging stations and parking space efficiently. In particular, can Charging station those users of the charging station not locate, which use the parking space in front of the charging station only for parking, but no longer to shop.

For this reason, the object of the object to provide a method and an apparatus available, with which the use of a charging station can be made more efficient by a plurality of users. This object is achieved by a method according to claim 1 and an apparatus according to claim 13. With the aid of the present method, it is possible to monitor a charging process at a charging station and, in particular, to determine whether a charging process has ended while at the same time leaving a charging cable connected to the electric vehicle which was previously charged. For this purpose, it is objectively proposed that an end of a charging process with an electric vehicle is determined on the charging station side. This can be done in many ways, a

Charging process is usually terminated when the charging station

Electric vehicle via the charging cable no to charge the battery of the

Electric vehicle provides more electrical energy needed. Also, the electric vehicle may notify the charging station in a charge-end message that a charging process in the electric vehicle has ended.

However, if it is determined that charging has been completed, in many cases it can not be ascertained whether the electric vehicle has subsequently also been correctly disconnected from the charging cable. In particular, in most charging procedures, the termination of the charging process will cease

Communication between the electric vehicle and the charging station so that the charging station no longer communicates with the electric vehicle. This end of communication is protocol-related in most charging methods, since the protocols assume that with the end of the charging process further communication between the electric vehicle and charging station is no longer necessary. After it has been determined on charging station side that a charging process with an electric vehicle has ended, it is objectively proposed that

charging station side a (re) charging readiness test is performed.

It has been objectively recognized that these charging station side

Charge readiness test can be performed with the same electric vehicle, in which the charging was previously determined to be completed. This means that objectively after the determined end of the charging process with a

certain electric vehicle charging station side a charge standby test will be performed with this electric vehicle. Through this

Charge Test will be a re-communication with the

Electric vehicle built, which was terminated shortly before due to the end of the charging process.

If the electric vehicle signals its readiness to charge in relation to the charging station during this readiness for chargeability test, the charging station determines that it is ready to be charged. In this case, the charging station objectively generates a signal, which for

Further processing is suitable. Such a signal can be used to output an optical or acoustic signal directly to the charging station. Such a signal can also be used, for example, via a

Central computer the user of the electric vehicle by electronic means,

For example, by means of a short message, email, phone call or the like to make it aware that the charging process is finished and he please be

Electric vehicle wants to remove from the charging station. Also, the signal may be passed to a parking management system. With the help of this signal, it is possible in the parking management system, for example, a

Parking fee, in particular for the time from the end of the charging process. Further uses of the generated signal are of course also possible. With the aid of the present method, after a completed charging process, in which otherwise the communication with the electric vehicle is terminated, Nevertheless, it can be determined whether the electric vehicle remains connected to the charging cable. Previously, it was only possible to determine the end of the charging process charging station side, but not automatically, whether the then charged electric vehicle was decoupled electrically and mechanically even after charging from the charging station. This is possible with the aid of the present method.

In the subject method is according to an embodiment

proposed that at least one short-circuit test between the charging station and an electric vehicle and optionally additionally an insulation test is performed in the charging standby test on the charging station side. In a short-circuit test, it is determined whether the electric vehicle is electrically connected to the charging cable, which is preferably firmly attached to the charging station. In this case, an electrical short circuit occurs between the charging station and the electric vehicle via the charging cable, i. an immediate connection between

Electric vehicle and charging cable. If this is detected, a ready to charge can be detected.

It is also possible that objectively in the loading readiness test

charging station side at least one charging sequence is initiated. A charging sequence may be, for example, by transmitting a charging request via the charging cable to the electric vehicle. Such a loading readiness request is specified in various loading protocols. In particular, the so-called

DC charging (DC charging), preferably according to the CHAdeMO standard, initiates communication between the charging station and the electric vehicle at the beginning of a charging process on the conductors of the charging cable provided for this purpose. In response to the initiation of the loading sequence, in particular to the

By sending the charge-ready request via the charging cable from the charging station to the electric vehicle, the electric vehicle can signal its readiness for charging in a response message. In this respect, it is objectively proposed that charging station side a response of the electric vehicle is waiting for the initiated charging sequence. If an answer of the electric vehicle to the initiated Charging sequence, it can be assumed that the electric vehicle is still connected to the charging cable. In the event that an answer of an electric vehicle to the initiated charging sequence in the charging station fails, it can be concluded that the electric vehicle has been disconnected from the charging cable.

Since the charging process has already been terminated in the present method before the charging station-side carrying out a charging standby test after step b), which was detected in step a), it is not necessary to start again

Charge completely. This is not desired. In this respect, however, in the case of the present method in the case of established readiness to charge after step b), the subsequent exchange of charging energy between the charging station and the electric vehicle is prevented on the charging station side. Here is the

Charging standby test according to an embodiment prior to the exchange of charging energy between the charging station and the electric vehicle charging station ended. In this respect, it is objectively suggested that only a partial

Charge-Standby Check is performed without fully completing the Charge-Standby Check.

However, it was determined on the charging station side that the electric vehicle from the

Charging cable is disconnected, eliminating the determination of the readiness for charging and in the charging station can be noted that the charging process can be carried out completely in a new charge-ready test. That is, the

Charging readiness test is only completed before the replacement of charging energy, until a disconnection of the electric vehicle from the charging cable was previously detected. This may be done, for example, by detecting a failure of an electric vehicle to respond to the charge-by-pass check. Then, namely, a new electric vehicle quite normal to complete the charging cycle, including

complete charge-by-charge check and exchange of electrical energy between charging station and electric vehicle. According to one exemplary embodiment, it is proposed that, after determining the end of the charging process after step a), first of all a defined time is waited for on the charging station side until step b) is triggered on the charging station side. In general, the charge-by-charge test can be performed, for example, in a 30-second cycle,

Minute, two-minute or five-minute intervals.

This avoids an excessive communication load on the charging cable between the charging station and the electric vehicle. In addition, the user of the electric vehicle is given the opportunity to use the electric vehicle after the end of the electric vehicle

Disconnect the charging process from the charging cable in accordance with regulations. However, the defined time must not be too long, so as not to miss the time period

Electric vehicle is disconnected and to which a new electric vehicle is connected to the charging cable. In this case, in the charging standby test after step b), a charging standby of another electric vehicle would be detected and the replacement of charging power would be inhibited even though a new electric vehicle is connected to the charging station.

However, it is also possible that a new electric vehicle before the start of a

Charging the charging station automatically signals its readiness to charge. Is this in the protocol for the connection between electric vehicle and charging station

provided, the review can be omitted if an answer of an electric vehicle has failed. Then that is done when connecting a new

Electric vehicle to the charging station signaling the new vehicle relative to the charging station automatically. On the charging station side, a signal is then received from a new electric vehicle that it is connected and the conventional charging process can be initiated.

In order to be able to continuously determine whether the vehicle which has completed the charging process is still plugged in at the charging station, it is activated in accordance with

Embodiment proposed that the step b) is performed repeatedly. Step c) is preferably carried out only when the ready to charge has been determined. The step b) is preferably at intervals, in particular in Intervals of 30 seconds, one minute, five minutes, 10 minutes etc.

carried out. A suitable choice of the time interval is in particular a one-minute cycle, since then can also be determined regularly when a first vehicle staked and a second vehicle was infected.

According to one exemplary embodiment, it is proposed that a charging process be initiated and carried out before step a). As already mentioned, in step a) the charging process has already ended and this end of the charging process with the

Electric vehicle is determined charging station side. This requires, however, that before the step a) the charging at least carried out, if not by the

Charging station was also initiated itself, for example by a

Charge-ready test with subsequent transfer of charging energy from the charging station to the electric vehicle. The subject method is particularly suitable for charging according to the CHAdeMO standard. For other DC charging operations, the

represent objective method. Especially with the described CHAdeMO standard charging station side can not be determined after the end of the charging process, whether the electric vehicle remains connected to the charging station or not. This problem is solved by means of the present method.

Preferably, the subject method is used in a so-called multi-charger, which offers a variety of charging options. Such a multi-charger may, for example, have at least one charging socket for AC charging and additionally a battered charging cable for DC charging. In particular, the battered charging cable is suitable for charging according to the CHAdeMO standard. The electric vehicle does not need to carry its own charging cable in this case. According to one embodiment, it is proposed that the charging station side upon detection of an end of a charging process, a charging end signal from the vehicle Will be received. In particular, according to the CHAdeMO standard, the vehicle transmits a charge-end signal to the charging cable upon detection of the termination of the charge, in particular if the charge controller installed in the vehicle determines that the battery is fully charged. This charging end signal can be detected on the charging station side of the charging cable and an end of the charging process can be detected. In particular, according to the CHAdeMO standard, the charging station and the vehicle then terminate all communication, in particular any standard communication. The charging station can thus no longer determine by default whether the vehicle was decoupled electrically and mechanically from the charging station or the charging cable or not.

According to one exemplary embodiment, it is proposed that the charging station interrupt the charging current immediately after receiving the charging end signal. Thus, the charging current is first interrupted between steps a) and c). In particular, immediately after step a), the charging current is interrupted, since then charging station side is determined that no further electrical energy from the

Charging the electric vehicle via the charging cable must be provided. According to one exemplary embodiment, it is proposed, as already mentioned above, that the signal generated on the charging station side is evaluated on the charging station side and an optical or acoustic signal device in response to the signal

charging station side is activated. However, it is also possible according to an embodiment that the

Charging station side generated signal is transmitted to a spatially remote from the charging station computer and is further processed in the computer. This computer can for example have a connection to a wide area network, in particular a telecommunications network, such as a mobile network or the Internet and, for example via a short message center of the mobile network or a short message service a message to a user settle the charging station, especially as a text message. Also, an email can be sent to the user of the charging station. The computer may also be connected to or part of a parking management system to provide the parking management system with the ability to set different parking rates for the user of the electric vehicle, depending on the state of the charge, whether the charge is still ongoing or completed.

According to one exemplary embodiment, it is proposed that only when it was determined in step b) that there is no ready to charge, a new charging process can be carried out on the charging station side, in which, after a determined readiness for charging, charging energy is delivered by the charging station. As stated above, it must be possible for a new electric vehicle to perform a full charge. This requires that charging station side of the new electric vehicle charging readiness is determined. However, it must be possible to determine that there was no longer any connection with the previous electric vehicle, that is to say, first of all, that there is no readiness for charging on the charging cable or that the new electric vehicle is initiating a charging process with respect to the charging station. Only then can it be concluded that a new electric vehicle is connected. However, it is also possible that a new charge will be triggered manually.

For this purpose, a user interface may be provided at the charging station, e.g. a button, a

Touch display or the like may be provided. The user may interact with the user interface, e.g. Press the button on the charging station to start a new charging process. It can then be determined with certainty that a new charging process should be started.

Another aspect is a device according to claim 13, wherein the charging station side, a charge control circuit is provided. The charge control circuit is programmed to, for example, according to a specific charge protocol,

for example, to work with the CHAdeMO protocol. According to the

Programming is the charge control circuit set up for communication with an electric vehicle via a charging cable. In addition, the

Charge control circuit adapted to enable and disable the transmission of electrical energy for charging the electric vehicle via the charging cable. In addition, the charge control circuit has an object

Charge state monitoring circuit. These

Charge state monitoring circuit is set up to detect the end of a

Charging with the electric vehicle to determine. Furthermore, the

Charge state monitoring circuit configured to additionally activate a charging standby test circuit after detecting the end of a charging process. The charge-by-pass check circuit is arranged to perform a charge-by-pass check with this electric vehicle after the detected end of charging with the electric vehicle and to generate a signal when the charge standby is detected.

The aforementioned methods can also be realized as a computer program or as a computer program stored on a storage medium. Here, on the meter side and / or calibration site side, a microprocessor for carrying out the respective method steps by a computer program suitable

be programmed.

The features of the methods and devices are freely combinable. In particular, features and sub-features of the description and / or the dependent and independent claims, even in complete or partial circumvention of features or sub-features of the independent claims, alone or freely combined with each other independently be inventive.

The article will be explained in more detail with reference to drawings showing an exemplary embodiments. In the drawing: FIG. 1 shows an objective charging station; FIG. a sequence of an objective method after

Embodiment.

Fig. 1 shows a charging station 2 for charging electric vehicles. Electric vehicles in the sense of the subject matter can be, for example, plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV) as well as pure electric vehicles (EV). Vehicles can be, for example, cars, trucks, motorcycles and electric bicycles.

The charging station 2 is connected to an electrical power supply network 4 via a safety circuit 6, in particular comprising fuse and contactor.

The charging station 2 shown in FIG. 1 is a so-called multi-charger, in which different charging variants are offered. It is understood that too

Charging stations which offer only a single charging procedure, in the sense of

Subject are.

Starting from the safety circuit 6 branches in the charging station 2 a connection to a charging control unit 8 for an AC charge (AC charge). In this case, the charging control unit 8 comprises in particular a transformer and a logic for communication with an electric vehicle. The charging control unit 8 can be contacted via a socket 10 with a charging cable (not shown).

Starting from the safety circuit 6 is another branch to a

Rectifier 12 is provided. In the rectifier 12, a DC voltage is generated, which is forwarded via a second charge control device 14 to a fixed to the charging station 2 battered charging cable 16.

The charging control unit 14 operates in particular according to the CHAdeMO principle and has inter alia means for communication with the vehicle,

Charge state monitoring circuits and charge-by-charge check circuits in the sense of the object. The charge controller 14 is objectively so

programmed to perform the method of FIG.

As a rule, as shown in FIG. 2, the charging station 2 is in one

Charge-ready mode and asks in a step 20 via the charging cable 16 from a charging standby of an electric vehicle. This charge-by-pass check 20 may be a short-circuit check by checking whether an electric vehicle is electrically connected (short-circuited) to the charging station 2. The

However, charge ready check 20 may alternatively or cumulatively include establishing first charging communication with the electric vehicle via the charging cable 16. In the step 20, the charging controller 14 monitors the reception of a charging standby from the electric vehicle via the charging cable 16. When the charging controller 14 receives a charging standby of an electric vehicle on the charging cable 16, it branches to the step 22.

In step 22, it is checked whether the charging control unit 14 has previously determined on the charging cable 16 that a charging standby is not present. This can be done by

Check a memory by setting a marker. By setting the marker to HIGH, it can be signaled that a readiness to charge continues. By setting the marker to LOW, it can be signaled that a readiness to charge does not exist. The setting of the marker will be described below.

If it is determined that the marker is LOW, the program branches to step 24. In step 24, a charging process is performed, that is, the still possibly

to be completed readiness check and the transmission of electrical

Energy for charging the battery via the charging cable 16 is made in accordance with the protocol. This can be, for example, the CHAdeMO protocol. During the charging process is in step 26 continuously, that is checked at intervals, whether on the charging cable 16 from the electric vehicle, a charging end signal is received. If this is not the case, the check continues in step 26. If a loading end receives the signal, the process branches back to step 20 and the subject

Charging readiness test begins.

Previously, either in step 22, when branching to step 24, step 24, or step 26, the marker is set to HIGH. This indicates that a load has been performed.

In the subsequent step 22, a charging standby is checked via the charging cable 16. In the example described, the electric vehicle is still on

Charging cable 16 connected and signaled to the charging controller 14 its readiness to charge. That is, step 20 again branches off to step 22.

In step 22, the status of the marker is checked and in that case it is determined that, since the marker is high, the ready to charge status has been signaled by the same electric vehicle previously loaded in steps 24 and 26. For this reason, step 22 branches off to step 28. In step 28, a signal is generated which can be used for further processing. This charging station side signal generated, for example, can be used to output at the charging station 2, an optical or acoustic signal.

Also, the signal from the charging station 2 via a communication interface, wired or wireless, can be transmitted to a remote computer and processed there for further action.

After the signal has been generated in step 28, it branches to step 30 and waits for a waiting time, for example 30 seconds or 1 minute.

After the waiting time is branched to step 20 and a renewed

Charge-ready check performed. If the electric vehicle is still connected to the charging cable 16, the charging control unit 14 again passes through steps 22, 28 and 30. At one point the electric vehicle will have been disconnected from the charging cable. If a branch is made to step 20 after this point in time, the charge-by-waiting test leads to the result that there is no ready to charge. In this case, a branch is made to step 32, in which the marker is set to LOW, then again, preferably after a waiting time, a branch is made to step 20 and the charge-by-pass check is performed again. The

Charge-ready test 20 is carried out at intervals until a readiness to charge on the charging cable 16 is signaled again.

Then, the program branches back again to step 22, but it is determined that the marker is LOW and a reload can be performed and steps 24 and 26 described above are repeated. With the help of the subject method, it is possible, especially in

Using the CHAdeMO standard, the continual pairing of a

Electric vehicle with a charging cable even after completing a charge safely determine. If necessary, then measures can be taken to make the charging station 2 available for further use, in particular to cause the user of the charging station 2, the charging cable 16 of his

Uncouple electric vehicle and thus release it for further use.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2 charging station

4 power supply network

6 safety circuit

8 charge control unit

10 socket

12 rectifiers

14 charge control unit

16 charging cables

20 Charge-Ready Check

22 marker test

24 charging

26 charge-end test

28 signal generation

30 waiting time

Reset 32 markers

Claims

P a n t a n s p r e c h e

Method for monitoring a charging process at a charging station, charging station-end detection of an end of a charging process with an electric vehicle,

Charging station side performing a charge-by-ready test with the

Electric vehicle after the determined end of the charging process with this electric vehicle,

Charging station side generating a signal when the readiness for charging is detected.

Method according to claim 1,

characterized,

that in the charging standby test charging station side at least one

Insulation test and a short circuit test between the charging station and an electric vehicle is performed and / or

that at the charging standby test charging station side at least one

Charging sequence is initiated and charging station side a response of the

Electric vehicle is waiting for the initiated charging sequence.

Method according to claim 1 or 2,

characterized,

the charging readiness test is terminated before the exchange of charging energy between the charging station and the electric vehicle on the charging station side.

Method according to one of claims 1 to 3,

characterized, that charging station side after the determination of the end of the charging process after step a) first a defined time is waited until the charging station side step b) is triggered.

Method according to one of claims 1 to 4,

characterized,

that step b) are carried out repeatedly.

Method according to one of claims 1 to 5,

characterized,

in that a charging process is initiated and carried out before the step a) on the charging station side.

Method according to one of claims 1 to 6,

characterized,

that the charging process is carried out as a DC charging process, in particular according to the CHAdeMO standard.

Method according to one of claims 1 to 7,

characterized,

that upon detection of an end of a charging process, a charging end signal is received by the vehicle.

Method according to one of claims 1 to 8,

characterized,

in that the charging current is interrupted between steps a) and c).

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9,

characterized, in that the signal generated on the charging station side is evaluated on the charging station side and an optical or acoustic signal device is activated on the charging station side in response to the signal.

Method according to one of claims 1 to 10,

characterized,

that the charging station side generated signal is transmitted to a spatially remote from the charging station computer and in the computer

is further processed.

Method according to one of claims 1 to 11,

characterized,

that only when it was determined in step b) that there is no readiness to charge, charging station side, a new charging is feasible, in which after a detected readiness charging charging energy is discharged from the charging station.

Device, in particular configured for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 12, with

a charging station side charging control circuit, set up for

Communication with an electric vehicle via a charging cable and to

Transmission of electrical energy for charging the electric vehicle via the charging cable, wherein

the charging control circuit comprises a state of charge monitoring circuit configured to detect an end of a charging process with the

Electric vehicle and additionally has a charge-by-waiting test circuit, which is set up to carry out a charge-by-standby test with this electric vehicle after the determined end of the charging process with the electric vehicle and to generate a signal when the charging readiness is established.