FR2665559A1 - System for managing electric vehicles have a battery of accumulators, vehicle housing and battery housing for such a system, and vehicle comprising such a vehicle housing - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention also relates to a system for managing at least one vehicle (1) comprising at least one DC electric motor (5) fed from at least one battery of accumulators, characterised in that it includes a vehicle housing (6) which is mounted integral with each vehicle (1), and which comprises means for automatically capturing, in digital form, information relating to the vehicle (1), especially the time of operation of the vehicle (1), and in that it includes means for transmitting this information to a computer device which makes it possible to manage the vehicle or a plurality of vehicles in order, in particular, to provide for the monitoring, checking, maintenance or repair thereof.

Description

ELECTRIC VEHICLE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WITH
ACCUMULATOR BATTERY, VEHICLE HOUSING AND HOUSING
BATTERY OF SUCH A SYSTEM, AND VEHICLE COMPRISING SUCH
VEHICLE HOUSING.

 The invention relates to a system for managing at least one vehicle comprising at least one direct current electric motor powered by at least one storage battery, and more particularly a system for managing a fleet of such electric vehicles, '' a fleet of batteries and a fleet of battery chargers.

 Accumulator batteries used in DC electric vehicles must be regularly recharged. Therefore, when an electric vehicle is to be used permanently, several batteries are used, one of which is used on the vehicle while the others are in charge.

 Furthermore, in many electric vehicle applications such as forklifts used in the industry for handling loads in workshops or warehouses, a plurality of electric vehicles are used simultaneously and a plurality of batteries. In practice, it is therefore necessary to manage a fleet of electric vehicles and a fleet of batteries, with a view to the maintenance, control or repair of each of the vehicles and of each of the batteries. Indeed, each vehicle must be regularly serviced and maintained (brake pads, cleaning, checking, overhaul, ...) and each battery has a limited lifespan, sometimes must be repaired or undergo special charge cycles allowing its delivery. level regularly.

 Generally, the management of information concerning the electric vehicle, for example its cumulative operating time or the need to carry out a.

revision or maintenance or repair is left to the initiative of the users of the vehicles.

However, in practice, in a fleet of electric vehicles, the same user may have to use different vehicles. And, in any case, the users are generally not very attentive and attentive to the upkeep and maintenance of the vehicles.

 The invention therefore aims to propose a management system for at least one vehicle or a fleet of electric vehicles with accumulator battery which makes it possible to ensure the control, maintenance or repair of each vehicle automatically, in particular thanks to a computer device.

 The invention also aims to propose a system for managing accumulator batteries used in a vehicle or a fleet of vehicles.

 The invention also aims to propose a system for managing at least one vehicle or a fleet of vehicles and / or at least one battery or a fleet of batteries which allows a reduction in the short maintenance time of the batteries, reduction of staff required, daily monitoring of the operating time of each vehicle and each battery, automatic regular maintenance of vehicles and batteries, fleet monitoring by a computer system, and real-time monitoring of possible incidents of operation of batteries and battery chargers.

 The invention also aims to carry out maintenance forecasts for trucks, downgrading of batteries, renewal of batteries and vehicles, as well as monitoring over time of battery performance.

 To do this, the invention provides a system for managing at least one vehicle comprising at least one direct current electric motor powered by at least one storage battery, characterized in that it comprises a vehicle unit mounted integral of each vehicle and comprising means for automatic entry in digital form of information relating to the vehicle, in particular the operating time of the vehicle, and in that it comprises means for transmitting this information & a computer device which makes it possible to manage the vehicle or a plurality of vehicles, in particular for monitoring, checking, maintenance or repair. According to the invention, the means for automatically entering information detect the state of an electrical contact during operation of the at least one of the electric motors of the vehicle, and accumulate the time during which this electrical contact remains in this state.

 According to the invention, the means for transmitting the automatically entered information to a computer device consist of a battery box secured to each battery and comprising a memory, of means for transmitting the information entered from the vehicle box to the mounted battery box secured to the battery connected to the vehicle, and means for transmitting the information stored in each battery box to a charger box when the battery is connected to a charger for charging, the charger box being secured to the charger and making the interface with the IT device.

 According to the invention, each vehicle unit and each battery unit includes means for exchanging high frequency signals corresponding to digital information via the DC power wires to which these units are connected.

 The invention also relates to an electric vehicle box comprising at least one DC motor powered by a storage battery, comprising means for automatically entering information relating to the vehicle in digital form, in particular the vehicle operating time, and means for transmitting on the power wires carrying the direct current supplying high frequency signals corresponding to the information entered in digital form. The invention also relates to a battery case comprising means for digitally entering information relating to the battery, and means for transmitting on the power wires carrying the direct current from the battery of high frequency signals corresponding to the information. entered in digital form.

 The invention finally relates to an electric vehicle comprising at least one direct current electric motor powered by at least one storage battery, characterized in that it comprises a vehicle housing which remains integral with this vehicle, and which comprises means automatic entry of information relating to the vehicle - in particular its operating time - and means for transmitting the entered information to a battery box secured to the battery supplying the vehicle, via the battery power leads in the form of signals to high frequency.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description which refers to the appended figures in which
- Figure 1 is a block view of a management system according to the invention
- Figure 2 is a block view of an embodiment of a vehicle housing according to the invention
- Figure 3 is a block view of an embodiment of a battery box according to the invention
- Figure 4 is a block view of an embodiment of a charger unit of a management system according to the invention.

 The management system according to the invention is schematically represented in FIG. 1. This management system makes it possible to manage at least one vehicle 1 -and more generally a fleet of vehicles 1-, at least one storage battery 2 -and more generally a park of accumulator batteries 2-, and at least one charger 3 of accumulator battery -and more generally a park of chargers 3 of accumulator batteries-. Such a management system comprises means secured to each vehicle 1, means secured to each battery 2, and means secured to each charger 3. The management system also includes a computer device 4 which allows the processing of information coming from each vehicle 1, each battery 2, and each charger 3.

 The invention therefore relates to a management system for at least one vehicle 1 comprising at least one direct current electric motor 5 supplied by at least one storage battery 2, characterized in that it comprises a vehicle housing 6 mounted integral with each vehicle 1. A vehicle unit 6 comprises means 7, 8, 9 for automatic entry in digital form of information relating to the vehicle 1, in particular the operating time of the vehicle 1. These means 7, 8, 9 are automatic input means, in the sense that no manual action or user operation is necessary, the input of information regularly taking place automatically.

 According to the invention, the means 7, 8, 9 for automatically entering information from a vehicle box 6 comprise means 7, 8 for detecting the state of an electrical contact 10 of the vehicle 1. This electrical contact has its state which varies depending on whether at least one of the electric motors 5 of the vehicle 1 is in operation, or that all the electric motors 5 of the vehicle 1 are stopped.

The electrical contact 10 is for example associated with the control pedal 11 of the vehicle 1. I1 is closed when the user presses on the control pedal 11 and thus triggers the start-up of one of the electric motors 5 of the vehicle 1 In FIG. 1, a single vehicle 1 has been shown, but the management system is more particularly designed to manage a fleet of vehicles 1 with direct current electric motor. Such a vehicle 1 is for example a forklift which generally includes three electric motors. To actuate at least one of these electric motors, the user must, in such a vehicle, first actuate the control pedal 11. Consequently, the actuation of this control pedal 11 exactly reflects the time of use and of vehicle operation 1.

 According to the invention, the means 7, 8, 9 for automatically entering information also include means 9 for accumulating the time during which said electrical contact 10 remains in the state corresponding to the operation of at least one of the electric motors. 5.

 The means 7, 8 for detecting the state of the electrical contact 10 consist of an electrical connection 7 to the electrical contact 10 which is a switch, and of a circuit 8 for interfacing with the means 9 of cumulative time which consist of a time counter 9 integrated into a microprocessor 12 of the vehicle housing 6.

 The vehicle unit 6 also includes a memory 29 which makes it possible to store the information entered by the means 7, 8, 9 via the microprocessor 12. This memory 29 consists of the internal RAM memory of the microprocessor 12.

 According to the invention, a vehicle unit also comprises means 14, 15, 16 for transmitting on the power wires 17, 18 carrying the direct supply current and connecting the battery 2 to the vehicle 1, of corresponding high frequency signals to the information entered in digital form by the means 7, 8, 9. The vehicle box 6 is electrically connected on the one hand in parallel to the power wires 17, 18 connecting the battery 2 to the motors 5 by two wires 19, 20 of connection, and on the other hand to the electrical contact 10 which is mounted in series between two connection wires 21, 22 connected to the connection terminals 7 of the vehicle housing 6.

 The means 14, 15, 16 for transmitting high frequency signals comprise a circuit 14 for transmitting and a circuit 15 for receiving such signals. The transmission circuit 14 is a modulator circuit carrying out a modulation of the type known under the name "FSK". This modulation principle codes the value 0 by a signal at a given first frequency, and the value 1 by a signal at a second frequency slightly offset from the first frequency. The modulated signals are of the sinusoidal type, and the frequency of each signal varies in practice within a range of values varying by 10% around the given center frequency. The reception circuit 15 consists of a demodulation circuit of the type known under the name "PLL" comprising a phase locked loop. The reception circuit 15 sends the demodulated signals to the microprocessor 12 which interprets them into digital information and the stored in memory 29. The means 14, 15, 16 for transmitting the high frequency signals also include a very selective bandpass filter circuit 16 which reshapes and amplifies the signals. Such a bandpass filter circuit 16 can consist of two LC circuits associated with a connection capacitor, in a conventional manner.

 The wires 19, 20 for connection to the power wires 17, 18 of the vehicle housing 6 according to the invention are also connected to a circuit 23 for supplying the various components of the vehicle housing 6 with electrical energy. A 7T filter 24 (that is to say connected to the two connection wires 19, 20 but only to one of the connection terminals, in particular the positive terminal, of the supply circuit 23) is interposed between the wires connection 19, 20 and the supply circuit 23 in order to maintain a high impedance in the range of high frequencies used.

 The vehicle unit 6 also includes display means 25 which may simply consist of a seven-segment display, and means 26 for manual entry of programming data. In practice, these manual entry means 26 make it possible to store in the vehicle housing 6 a number identifying the corresponding vehicle 1. These manual entry means 26 may consist of a switch placing the microprocessor 12 in programming mode.

In this programming mode, the microprocessor 12 chronologically displays on the display 25 a letter indicating the digits to follow corresponding to the vehicle number, then the digits from 0 to 9 for each digit to be programmed constituting the vehicle number. A push button of the manual entry means 26 makes it possible to select a digit between 0 and 9 for each position of the vehicle number.

 The data entered manually by the manual input means 26 are stored by the microprocessor 12 in a memory 13 EEPROM associated with the microprocessor 12. At the end of the programming, the user replaces the switch of the manual input means 26 in order to control again the microprocessor in its normal supervision and automatic data entry mode.

 The microprocessor 12 has an internal clock 28 and an internal RAM 29 for storing the information entered. A read only memory block 27 ROM or EPROM is associated with the microprocessor 12 to contain the programming instructions for this microprocessor 12.

 The microprocessor 12 permanently displays cyclically on the display 25 the number of the vehicle 1 previously programmed, and, subsequently, the operating time of the vehicle 1 entered by the means 7, 8, 9 of automatic entry. Furthermore, the microprocessor 12 transmits these same two pieces of information on the connection wires 19, 20 in the form of signals modulated at high frequency, in the direction of the battery 2.

 The management system according to the invention comprises means for transmitting the information entered automatically in digital form by each vehicle unit to a computer device 4 which makes it possible to manage the vehicle 1 or the fleet of vehicles 1, in particular for controlling it, maintenance or repair. According to the invention, these means for transmitting the information entered automatically to a computer device 4 essentially consist of a battery box 30 mounted integral with each battery 2 and comprising a memory for storing the information received from the vehicle unit 6 when the battery 2 is connected to a vehicle 1, means 14, 15, 16 for transmitting the information entered from the vehicle unit 6 to the battery unit 30, a charger unit 31 secured to each charger 3, and means 34, 35, 36 for transmitting the information stored in each battery box 30 to a charger unit 31 when the corresponding battery 2 is connected to a corresponding charger 3 for charging, the charger unit 31 providing the interface with the computer device 4.

The same computer device 4 is connected to several charger boxes 31 via connection means 32 which may consist of an interface card with multiple connection or even of a link via a long distance transmission network.

 In FIG. 1, the dotted lines represent the charging room 33 in which the different chargers 3 are arranged, and in which the batteries 2 are placed for their charging, connected respectively to the chargers 3. The computing device 4 is shown integrated into load room 33, but this is obviously not compulsory. The presence of a vehicle housing 6 integral with each vehicle 1, a battery housing 30 integral with each storage battery 2 and a charger housing 31 integral with each charger 3 in fact allows the transmission of information automatically entered for vehicle 1 up to computer device 4, even though vehicles 1 are moving during their operation. In addition, this transmission is carried out extremely reliably and is inexpensive.Each vehicle housing 6, battery 30 or charger 31 is essentially made up of electrical and electronic components embedded in resin, which makes these housings extremely resistant. .

 When a battery 2 supplies a vehicle 1 and is connected to the power wires 17, 18 of this vehicle 1, the vehicle box 6 transmits information relating to vehicle 1 to the battery box 30. Each battery box 30 comprises means 49, 38 for storing the information transmitted by the vehicle unit 6, in particular means 49, 38 for accumulating the operating time of the same vehicle 1 connected to the corresponding battery 2. These means 49, 38 consist of a microprocessor 38 and a RAM memory 49 internal to the microprocessor 38. In general, a battery box 30 shown in FIG. 3 is similar to a vehicle box 6 shown in FIG. 2. I1 thus comprises a modulator transmission circuit 34, a demodulator reception circuit 35 of high frequency signals, a circuit 36 amplifier band pass filter, these circuits 34, 35, 36 being similar to circuits 14, 15, 16 and constituting means for transmitting high frequency signals to the power terminals 39, 40 of the battery 2, to which the battery box 30 is connected in parallel via connection wires 41, 42. The battery box 30 also includes a supply circuit 43 connected to connection wires 41, 42 via an ir filter 44.

A seven-segment display 45 and manual input and programming means 46 are also provided. The microprocessor 38 also includes an internal clock 58, a random access memory RAM 49 and a time counter 50. A ROM or EPROX read-only memory 51 is also associated with the microprocessor 38 for storing data necessary for its operation (programs). An EEPROM memory 37 is also associated with the microprocessor 38 to store information specific to the identification of the battery 2 (number, nominal voltage and capacity).

 All the information concerning the battery 2 stored in the EEPROM memory 37 is entered manually in the corresponding battery box 30 by means 46 of manual entry and programming.

The programming mode of the battery box 30 is similar to that of the vehicle box 6 described above. In programming mode, the microprocessor 38 cycles through the various parameters on the display 45, starting with a letter identifying the parameter and a plurality of series of digits from 0 to 9 corresponding to the digits constituting the corresponding number or number.

In practice, and according to the invention, it is possible to manually enter and program in a battery box 30 the capacity of the battery 2 concerned, its nominal voltage, and a number identifying this battery.

 When the microprocessor 38 is returned to normal operating mode, it successively displays on the display 45 the nominal capacity of the battery, its nominal voltage, its number, then, if the corresponding battery 2 is connected to a vehicle 1, the number of this vehicle 1 and the operating time of the latter that it receives via the transmission means 34, 35, 36 and the power wires 17, 18 of the vehicle 1 from the vehicle housing 6.

 The microprocessor 38 is programmed so that a battery box 30 accumulates the operating time of a vehicle 1 as long as it does not see any modification of the vehicle number 1. Thus, the same vehicle 1 can be disconnected from its battery 2 without the saved operating time being lost by the corresponding battery box 30. This operating time of the vehicle 1 is reset to zero in the battery box 30 when the latter is connected to a vehicle 1 whose number is different from the previous one or when the battery is connected to the charger. As soon as a vehicle box 6 is connected to a battery box 30, the microprocessor 12 transmitting cyclically and permanently the signals corresponding to the information entered automatically, the battery box 30 immediately receives and stores this information.

 When the battery 2 is discharged, it is placed connected in the charging room 33 to a charger 3.

When it is connected to the charger 3 via power wires 47, 48, the means 34, 35, 36, and in particular the modulator transmission circuit 34 of the battery box 30 transmits on the connection wires 41, 42, and therefore on the power wires 47, 48, high frequency signals corresponding to the information that the microprocessor 38 normally displays on its display 45, that is to say in practice the nominal capacity of the battery, the nominal voltage of the battery, battery number, truck number and cumulative truck run time.

Thus, a battery box 6 according to the invention comprises means for manual entry 46 in digital form of information relating to the battery 2, and means 34, 35, 36 for transmission on the power wires 47, 48 of the battery 2 of high frequency signals corresponding to the information entered in digital form either manually or from a vehicle unit 1.

 A charger box 31 is shown in FIG. 4, and it is essentially similar in its constitution to the vehicle box 6 and to the battery box 30. A charger box 31 is connected in parallel to the terminals 45, 46 of the charger 3 via connection wires 52, 53. The charger unit 31 includes a microprocessor 62, with an internal clock 59, its time counter 60, and its RAM RAM 61, and means of transmission on the connection wires 52, 53 , and therefore on the power wires 47, 48, of high frequency signals. These transmission means 54, 55, 56 consist of a transmission circuit 54 FSK modulator, a reception circuit 55 demodulator PLL, and a bandpass filter and amplifier circuit 56, these circuits being similar to those 14, 15, 16 or 34, 35, 36 of the vehicle box 6 or of the battery box 30. Also, the charger box 31 has a supply circuit 63 connected to the connection wires 52, 53 via an ir filter 64. A ROM or EPROM memory 57 is associated with the microprocessor 62, as well as a RAM 65, to allow its operation. The microprocessor 62 is connected by a serial communication interface 66 and a serial port 67 to the connection terminal 68 of the charger 3 to the computer device 4 via the link circuit 32.

Also, a parallel interface circuit 69 allows the connection of the charger unit 31 with the motherboard 70 of the charger 3 via a connection cable 71. In this way, the charger unit 31 also receives the charge information and the charger status 3. Manual input means 72 such as coding means allow the entry of a charger number. The microprocessor 62 emits a signal indicating the proper functioning of the charger unit 31 to a display device 73.

 The charger unit 31 has three main functions: it reads information from the charger; it reads the information coming from the battery box 30 of the battery 2 which is connected to it; it dialogues with the computer device 4 on request for information from the latter via a serial link. These three functions are managed in order of priority and in real time by the microprocessor 62.

 The battery box 30 permanently reads the information coming from the vehicle box 1 when the battery 2 is connected to a vehicle 1. The battery box 30 delivers its information on request from the charger box 31 when the battery 2 is connected to a charger 3. The means 14, 15, 16, 34, 35, 36, 54, 55, 56 for transmitting high frequency signals on the DC power wires and the microprocessors 12, 38, 62 are designed and programmed to manage a communication protocol which ensures the flow of information without error and allows a battery box 30 to differentiate the connection of the battery 2 to a vehicle 1 or the connection of the battery 2 to a charger 3.

 The means 34, 35, 36 for transmitting high frequency signals from a battery box 31 constitute the means for exchanging the high frequency signals corresponding to digital information via the power wires 47, 48 connecting the battery 2 with a charger housing 31 of a battery charger 3 when the latter is charging. The means 34, 35, 36 for transmitting a battery box 30 and the means 14, 15, 16 for transmitting a vehicle box 6 constitute means for exchanging high frequency signals corresponding to digital information via the power wires 17, 18 connecting the battery 2 to the vehicle 1 when the latter is mounted on the vehicle 1 to supply it, no specific connection being necessary between these boxes 6, 30.

 The invention also relates to an electric vehicle 1 comprising at least one direct current electric motor 5 supplied by at least one storage battery 2, characterized in that it comprises a vehicle housing 6 which remains integral with this vehicle 1, and which includes means 7, 8, 9 for automatically entering information relating to the vehicle 1 -in particular its operating time- and means 14, 15, 16 for transmitting the information entered in the form of high frequency signals to a box battery 30 via the power wires connected to battery 2.

 Thanks to the management system according to the invention, a fleet of vehicles, a fleet of batteries, and a fleet of chargers can be managed by computer. We thus know at any time and in real time the operating time of a vehicle 1 between two battery charges, the number of cycles carried out by each battery, the state of the chargers, the state of charge of each battery connected to a charger in terms of time or capacity, ...

 The various components mentioned above are all known in themselves, and those skilled in the art can easily produce and program them by simple execution operations in order to obtain the functions described.

Claims (9)

 1. Management system of at least one vehicle (1) comprising at least one direct current electric motor (5) supplied by at least one storage battery characterized in that it comprises a vehicle housing (6) which is mounted integral with each vehicle (1), and which comprises means (7, 8, 9) for automatic capture in digital form of information relating to the vehicle (1), in particular the operating time of the vehicle (1), and in that it includes means for transmitting this information to a computer device (4) which makes it possible to manage the vehicle or a plurality of vehicles, in particular for monitoring, checking, maintenance or repair.  2. System according to claim 1 characterized in that the means (7, 8, 9) for automatic entry of information from a vehicle housing (6) comprise means (7, 8) for detecting the state of 'an electrical contact (10) of the vehicle (1), and means (9) for accumulating the time during which said electrical contact remains in this state.  3. System according to any one of claims 1 and 2 characterized in that the means for transmitting the information entered automatically to a computer device (4) consist of a battery box (30) mounted integral with each battery (2 ) and comprising a memory, means (14, 15, 16) for transmitting the information entered from the vehicle housing (6) to the battery housing (30) of the battery connected to the vehicle (1), of a charger housing (31) integral with each charger (3), and means (34, 35, 36) for transmitting the information stored in each battery box (30) to a charger box (31) when the battery (2) is connected to a charger (3) for charging, the charger housing (31) providing the interface with the computer device (4).  4. System according to claim 3 characterized in that each vehicle housing (6) and each battery housing (30) comprise means for exchanging high frequency signals corresponding to digital information via the power wires (17, 18 ) connecting the battery (2) to the vehicle (1) when it is mounted on the vehicle (1) to supply it, no specific connection being necessary between these boxes (6, 30).  5. System according to any one of claims 3 and 4 characterized in that a battery box (30) comprises means (49, 38) for storing information which is transmitted to it by a vehicle box (6) - in particular means (49, 38) for accumulating the operating times of the same vehicle (1) connected to the battery (2).  6. System according to any one of claims 3 to 5 characterized in that a battery box (30) comprises means for exchanging high frequency signals corresponding to digital information via the power wires (47, 48) connecting the battery (2) with a charger housing (31) of a battery charger (3) when the latter is charging.  7. Electric vehicle box comprising at least one DC motor powered by a storage battery (2), comprising means (7, 8, 9) for automatically entering information relating to the vehicle in digital form, in particular the operating time of the vehicle, and of means (14, 15, 16) of transmission on the power wires (17, 18) carrying the direct supply current, of high frequency signals corresponding to the information entered in digital form.  8. Battery box comprising means for digitally entering information relating to the battery, and means (34, 35, 36) for transmitting on the power wires (47, 48) carrying the direct current from the battery , high frequency signals corresponding to the information entered in digital form.  9. Electric vehicle comprising at least one direct current electric motor (5) supplied by at least one storage battery (2), characterized in that it comprises a vehicle housing (6) which remains integral with this vehicle ( 1) and which comprises means (7, 8, 9) for automatic entry of information relating to the vehicle (1) - in particular its operating time - and means (14, 15, 16) for transmitting the information entered to a battery box (30) via the power wires (17, 18) of the battery (2) in the form of high frequency signals.