FR3067181A1 - DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRICAL ENERGY TRANSFERRED IN INDUCTION RECHARGE OF A BATTERY OF A VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

A device (DC) controls the induction charging of a battery (BR) of a vehicle (V) comprising a passenger compartment (H), a secondary recharging device (DR2) transforming the electric power transferred into a charging current by induction by a primary charging device (DR1) placed under the secondary charging device (DR2). This device (DC) comprises an external sensor (CE1) and an internal sensor (CI1) installed on an external side of the vehicle (V) and in the passenger compartment (H) and delivering local measurements of an intensity of a field generated by induction, and control means (MC) instructing the primary recharging device (DR1) to transfer new electrical energy less than that being transferred when at least one of the local measurements is greater than a predefined threshold and a living being has been detected near the vehicle (V) or in the passenger compartment (H).

Description

i

DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE ELECTRICAL ENERGY TRANSFERRED DURING A RECHARGE BY INDUCTION OF A VEHICLE BATTERY

The invention relates to the induction charging of rechargeable vehicle batteries, and more precisely the control of this charging.

As those skilled in the art know, certain vehicles, of the all-electric or hybrid rechargeable type, comprise at least one rechargeable battery by induction (or without contact) by means of a primary, external recharging device and comprising a circuit primary intended to cooperate with a secondary circuit of a secondary recharging device which they comprise.

This secondary circuit (on board the vehicle) notably includes a secondary coil, generally installed under the part of the body which defines the floor, and responsible for transforming the electrical energy transferred into charging current intended to supply the battery. The primary circuit (of the primary recharging device) comprises a primary coil which, when supplied with current and placed under the secondary coil of the vehicle, generates a variable magnetic field which induces a transfer of electrical energy to this secondary coil.

The more you want to reduce the duration of a recharge, the more you have to generate a high intensity magnetic field. However, the higher this intensity, the greater the health risk of living beings present in the passenger compartment of the vehicle or near the vehicle, due to exposure to the magnetic field. This is the reason why in many countries there are rules defining a maximum intensity of magnetic field to which a person can be exposed without this posing a risk to his health.

It has been proposed, in particular in document US Pat. No. 9,263,917, to determine whether a living being was approaching a vehicle in the charging phase, and if so to systematically reduce the electrical energy transferred as a precautionary principle. Such a solution does not prove to be optimal at all since the reduction is systematically carried out independently of the intensity of the current magnetic field and independently of the actual environment of the vehicle and of the latter's passenger compartment.

The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation.

To this end, it proposes in particular a device intended to control the induction charging of at least one battery of a vehicle comprising a passenger compartment, a secondary charging device comprising a secondary circuit transforming energy into a charging current for the battery. electric transferred by induction by a primary circuit of a primary recharging device placed at least partially under the secondary circuit.

This control device is characterized by the fact that it includes:

at least one external sensor and at least one internal sensor suitable for being installed respectively on an external side of the vehicle and in the passenger compartment and delivering local measurements of an intensity of a magnetic field generated by the induction, and

- control means ordering the primary recharging device to transfer a new electrical energy lower than an electrical energy being transferred when at least one of the local measurements is above a predefined threshold and a living being has been detected near the vehicle or in the passenger compartment.

The invention therefore makes it possible to control the intensity of the magnetic field which is generated by the primary recharging device as a function of the area where a living being has been detected, so that the latter is subjected to an intensity below the predefined threshold.

The control device according to the invention may include other characteristics which can be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

its control means can determine a maximum electrical energy to be transferred by induction when at least one of the local measurements is greater than the predefined threshold and a living being has been detected near the vehicle or in the passenger compartment, and can order the primary recharging device to transfer new electrical energy at most equal to this determined maximum electrical energy;

> its control means can determine the maximum electrical energy based on an estimate of a distance separating the secondary circuit from the detected living being;

- It may include at least two external sensors suitable for being installed respectively on the right and left external sides of the vehicle;

- It may include at least two internal sensors suitable for being installed respectively in the first and second passenger reception areas of the passenger compartment, located near the secondary circuit.

The invention also proposes a secondary recharging device suitable for equipping a vehicle and comprising, on the one hand, a secondary circuit suitable for transforming into recharging current for at least one rechargeable battery of a vehicle of the electrical energy transferred by induction by a primary circuit of a primary recharging device placed at least partially under this secondary circuit, and, on the other hand, a control device of the type of that presented above.

The invention also provides a vehicle, possibly of the automobile type, and comprising a passenger compartment, at least one rechargeable battery, a secondary circuit transforming into recharge current for the battery electrical energy transferred by induction by a primary circuit of a primary charging device placed at least partially under the secondary circuit. This vehicle is characterized by the fact that it also includes either a control device of the type presented above, or a secondary recharging device of the type presented above.

The vehicle according to the invention may include other characteristics which can be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

- It can include first detection means generating an alert signal intended for at least the control device in the event of detection of a living being in the passenger compartment;

> the first detection means can comprise at least one item of equipment chosen from a pressure sensor installed in a seat and a camera installed in the passenger compartment and acquiring images of at least one passenger reception area for this latest ;

- It may include second detection means generating an alert signal intended for at least the control device in the event of the detection of a living being near the vehicle;

> the second detection means can comprise at least one item of equipment chosen from a portable electronic device detector controlling access to the vehicle and an on-board camera acquiring images of at least part of the environment of the vehicle.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates, in a top view, a car park comprising three parking spaces, on one of which has just parked a vehicle equipped with an exemplary embodiment of a control device according to the invention, a secondary recharging device and a battery to be recharged by induction by a primary recharging device, and

- Figure 2 schematically illustrates, in a side view, the vehicle of Figure 1 being recharged by induction of its battery by the primary and secondary charging devices.

The object of the invention is in particular to propose a DC control device intended to control the induction recharges of at least one BR rechargeable battery of a vehicle V comprising a passenger compartment H.

In what follows, it is considered, by way of nonlimiting example, that vehicle V is of the automobile type. It is for example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 1 and 2, a car. However, the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. It relates in fact to any type of vehicle comprising at least one rechargeable battery by induction. Consequently, it also relates to utility vehicles, coaches (or buses), trucks, trams, construction machinery, agricultural vehicles, road vehicles, ULMs ("Ultra Light Motorized"), helicopters and planes.

Furthermore, it is considered in what follows, by way of nonlimiting example, that vehicle V comprises an all-electric type powertrain. However, the vehicle could include a powertrain of the rechargeable hybrid type, that is to say comprising at least one heat engine and at least one electric motor coupled to at least one rechargeable battery.

In Figure 1 is schematically shown a parking lot PK comprising three parking spaces Em (m = 1 to 3). Note that the number of Em parking spaces can take any value at least equal to one (1). It should also be noted that the PK car park can be covered or uncovered, and that it can possibly be a garage.

The PK car park is equipped with at least one DR1 primary recharging device allowing V vehicles to recharge their BR rechargeable battery (ies) in at least one of the Em parking spaces (here at least the second E2).

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle V comprises at least one BR battery, rechargeable and coupled to a secondary charging device DR2, a cabin H suitable for accommodating at least one passenger, and a DC control device according to the invention.

This secondary charging device DR2 comprises a secondary circuit CS dedicated to induction charging, and management means MG which are, for example, part of a computer CA and which are responsible for managing the charging of the battery BR. In the example illustrated, the CA computer is dedicated to induction charging and therefore forms part of the DR2 secondary charging device. But it is not compulsory. Indeed, the CA computer could perform at least one other function within the vehicle V.

The secondary circuit CS notably includes a secondary coil, associated with a capacitor, and capable of transforming the electrical energy transferred by the primary recharging device DR1 into recharging current for the (each) battery BR.

In the example illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 1 and 2, the primary recharging device DR1 comprises a mobile housing BM coupled to a source of current supply SA.

Furthermore, in the example illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electrical power source SA is a wall box (or “wall box”) which is, for example, connected to an electrical power network ( or sector) and responsible for the distribution of electrical energy and protection. But the SA power source could be a power grid (or mains).

The mobile unit BM is able to move on the running surface of at least one of the parking spaces Em (here at least E2), in order to position itself precisely under the secondary coil of the secondary circuit CS of a vehicle V parked on one of these Em parking spaces (here E2), as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

This mobile BM box includes at least one primary circuit CP and a power cord CA.

The mobility of the mobile box BM can be obtained by means of wheels RM mounted on rotation on the latter (BM), as in the example illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. It will be noted that this mobility could also be obtained by means of caterpillars coupled to wheels secured in rotation to the mobile BM box.

The mobile BM box is possibly autonomous. In this case, its movements are made in a motorized manner thanks to the presence of at least one electric motor MT suitable for driving in rotation at least one of the wheels RM (which is then driving).

The primary circuit CP includes in particular a primary coil, associated with a capacitor, and suitable for being supplied with current by the AC power cord, in order to inductively transfer electrical energy to the secondary coil of the secondary circuit CS of the vehicle V, once it has been positioned precisely under this secondary coil (see Figure 2).

The AC power cord is coupled to the primary circuit CP (possibly via at least one electronic circuit and / or at least one electronic component (possibly power)). It preferably has a large section in order to allow a high recharging power, typically between 150 kW and 300 kW, for ultra-fast recharges.

The DC control device according to the invention comprises at least one external sensor CEj, at least one internal sensor Clk, and control means MC.

The (each) external sensor CEj is suitable for being installed on an external side of the vehicle V and delivers local measurements of the intensity of the magnetic field which is generated by the induction and measured where it is installed.

In the example illustrated without limitation in FIG. 1, the DC control device comprises two external sensors CE1 and CE2 (j = 1 or 2) which are installed respectively on the left and right external sides of the vehicle V. But the device DC control includes any number of external sensors CEj, as long as this number is at least equal to one (1). It will be understood that the more the vehicle V includes places equipped with external sensors CEj, the higher the precision of the control of the transferred electrical energy.

For example, an external sensor CEj can be installed in an area close to the DR2 secondary charging device or an area for accessing the passenger compartment or the boot. Thus, it can be installed in at least one door area or on an exterior face of a side member of vehicle V or in an area of a trunk door or of a tailgate or of a front hood or of a bumper (or shield). An external CEj sensor is not installed completely inside a metal room or equipment as this could significantly alter the intensity of the magnetic field that is actually present locally.

The (each) internal sensor Clk is suitable for being installed in the passenger compartment H and delivers local measurements of the intensity of the magnetic field which is generated by the induction and measured where it is installed.

In the example illustrated without limitation in FIG. 1, the DC control device comprises two internal sensors CI1 and CI2 (k = 1 or 2) which are installed respectively in first Z1 and second Z2 passenger reception areas (s ) of the passenger compartment H, located near the secondary circuit CS. However, the DC control device includes any number of internal sensors Clk, as long as this number is at least equal to one (1). It will be understood that the more the vehicle V includes places equipped with internal sensors Clk, the higher the precision of the control of the transferred electrical energy.

For example, an internal sensor Clk can be installed in an area which is located between the floor of vehicle V and the dashboard of the latter (V) and which is dedicated to the feet of at least one front passenger. Thus, it can be installed on an external face of the dashboard (located in the passenger compartment H) or on the floor of vehicle V, or in the area of the center console or between the seats of vehicle V, for example. An internal Clk sensor is not installed completely inside a room or metallic equipment as this could significantly modify the intensity of the magnetic field that is actually present locally.

The control means MC order the primary recharging device DR1 to generate and transfer new electrical energy which is less than the electrical energy being transferred when at least one of the local measurements (provided by CEj and Clk) is greater than a predefined threshold and that a living being has been detected near vehicle V or in the passenger compartment H.

Thus, it is very advantageous to control the intensity of the magnetic field generated by the primary recharging device DR1 as a function of the area where a living being has been detected, so that the latter is subjected to an intensity below the predefined threshold. The latter may, for example, be imposed by a national or international health rule intended to avoid a health risk. Consequently, in the absence of being living near the vehicle and in the passenger compartment H, it is possible to use high or even very high magnetic field intensities, in order to significantly reduce the duration of recharging.

In addition, the control can be carried out as a function of the actual environment of the vehicle V and of the arrangement of the passenger compartment H since it is based on real local measurements of the intensity of the magnetic field which can be felt by a living being present where these local measurements are made.

The control means MC can transmit each order by means of a message (or a request), or a signal (analog or digital) to the management means MG of the secondary recharging device DR2, which manage the recharging and in particular the maximum value of the electrical energy to be transferred, and therefore communicate with the control means of the primary circuit CP equipping the mobile unit BM.

For example, the control means MC can determine a maximum electrical energy to be transferred by induction when at least one of the local measurements is greater than the predefined threshold and a living being has been detected near the vehicle V or in the passenger compartment H. In this case, the control means MC order the primary recharging device DR1 to transfer new electrical energy which is at most equal to this determined maximum electrical energy.

In the presence of the option described in the previous paragraph, the control means MC can, for example, determine the maximum electrical energy as a function of an estimate of the distance which separates the secondary circuit CS from being alive detected.

This estimated distance can be provided by any detection means fitted to vehicle V.

Thus, the vehicle V can, for example, comprise first detection means which generate an alert signal intended for at least the DC control device in the event of detection of a living being in the passenger compartment H. Par example, these first detection means may comprise at least one piece of equipment which is chosen from a pressure sensor installed in a seat and responsible for detecting the presence of a person on this seat, and a camera installed in the passenger compartment H and charged acquire images of at least one passenger reception area (s) of the latter (H) (for example the front passenger reception areas) in order to detect the presence of at least one passenger by analysis ίο acquired images.

As a variant or in addition, the vehicle V can, for example, comprise second detection means which generate an alert signal intended for at least the DC control device in the event of detection of a living being near the vehicle V. For example, these second detection means may comprise at least one piece of equipment which is chosen from a portable electronic device detector controlling access to vehicle V and an on-board camera acquiring images of at least part of the vehicle environment V.

“Portable electronic device” is understood here to mean an electronic key (or “Smart key” or “plip”) or an electronic card / badge of the hands-free type or else a smart phone (or “smartphone”) comprising an application controlling the vehicle V.

It is recalled that the aforementioned detector is responsible for exchanging messages by means of waves with a portable electronic device previously paired, and therefore can be arranged so as to detect and signal the presence of a passenger carrying the latter and to analyze the intensity of the waves defining these messages and transmitted by this portable electronic device in order to deduce therefrom an estimate of the distance which separates it from the latter.

Likewise, an on-board camera can acquire images of the environment of the vehicle V in order to detect the presence of at least one living being by analysis of the acquired images and determine by these analyzes an estimate of the distance which separates it from this being. living.

Thanks to the estimated distance, the control means MC can, for example, order the management module MG to impose a transfer of a first electrical energy (possibly maximum) in the absence of detection of a being living, or a second electrical energy lower than the first electrical energy if a living being is detected in an environment located between 5 m and 10 m from vehicle V, or a third electrical energy lower than the second energy electric if a living being is detected in an environment between 2 m and 5 m from vehicle V or a fourth electrical energy is less than the third electric energy when a living being is detected in an environment between 0 m and 2 m from vehicle V or a fifth electrical energy, possibly less than the fourth electrical energy, if a living being is detected in in the passenger compartment H.

In an alternative embodiment, the control means MC can order the management module MG to reduce the transferred electrical energy, without specifying the importance of this reduction, then if this reduction is not sufficient to pass the values of the local measurements below the predefined threshold, they again instruct the management module MG to reduce the transferred electrical energy, and so on until the values of the local measurements are all less than the predefined threshold.

It will be noted that in the example illustrated without limitation in FIG. 2, the control means MC form part of the computer CA which possibly forms part of the secondary recharging device DR2. Consequently, the control means MC can be part of the secondary recharging device DR2. In other words, the DC control device can be part of the secondary charging device DR2. Furthermore, the control means MC can be produced in the form of software modules (or computer or even "software") or a combination of electronic circuits (or "hardware") and software modules.

Claims (10)

1. Device (DC) for controlling the induction charging of at least one battery (BR) of a vehicle (V) comprising a passenger compartment (H), a secondary charging device (DR2) comprising a secondary circuit (CS ) transforming into recharging current for said battery (BR) electrical energy transferred by induction through a primary circuit (CP) of a primary recharging device (DR1) placed at least partially under said secondary circuit (CS), characterized in that it comprises i) at least one external sensor (CEj) and at least one internal sensor (Clk) suitable for being installed respectively on an external side of said vehicle (V) and in said passenger compartment (H) and delivering measurements local intensity of a magnetic field generated by said induction, and ii) control means (MC) ordering said primary recharging device (DR1) to transfer new electrical energy lower than current electrical energy s transfer when at least one of said local measurements is above a predefined threshold and a living being has been detected near said vehicle (V) or in said passenger compartment (H). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said control means (MC) determine a maximum electrical energy to be transferred by induction when at least one of said local measurements is greater than said predefined threshold and that a living being has been detected near said vehicle (V) or in said passenger compartment (H), and instruct said primary charging device (DR1) to transfer new electrical energy at most equal to said determined maximum electrical energy. 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said control means (MC) determine said maximum electrical energy as a function of an estimate of a distance separating said secondary circuit (CS) from said living being detected. 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises at least two external sensors (CEj) adapted to be installed respectively on the right and left external sides of said vehicle (V). 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises at least two internal sensors (Clk) suitable for being installed respectively in first (Z1) and second (Z2) passenger reception areas (s) of said passenger compartment (H), located near said secondary circuit (CS). 6. Secondary charging device (DR2) capable of equipping a vehicle (V) and comprising a secondary circuit (CS) capable of transforming into charging current for at least one rechargeable battery (BR) of a vehicle (V) of the electrical energy transferred by induction through a primary circuit (CP) of a primary charging device (DR1) placed at least partially under said secondary circuit (CS), characterized in that it comprises a control device (DC) according to one of the preceding claims. 7. Vehicle (V) comprising a passenger compartment (H), at least one rechargeable battery (BR), a secondary circuit (CS) transforming into recharging current for said battery (BR) electrical energy transferred by induction by a circuit primary (CP) of a primary recharging device (DR1) placed at least partially under said secondary circuit (CS), characterized in that it further comprises a control device (DC) according to one of claims 1 to 5 or a secondary recharging device (DR2) according to claim 6. 8. Vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises first detection means generating an alert signal intended for at least said control device (DC) in the event of detection of a living being in said cockpit (H). 9. Vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that said first detection means comprise at least one item of equipment chosen from a pressure sensor installed in a seat and a camera installed in said passenger compartment (H) and acquiring images of at least a reception area for the passenger (s) of the latter (H). 10. Vehicle according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that it comprises second detection means generating an alert signal to at least said control device (DC) in the event of detection of a living being near said vehicle (V).