FR3075496B1 - DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE RECHARGE OF A BATTERY BEFORE STARTING A DOWNLOAD UPDATE OF AN EQUIPMENT OF A SYSTEM - Google Patents

Abstract

A control device (DC) equips a system (V) comprising a rechargeable service battery (BS) during a recharging phase and supplying electronic equipment (E2) that can be updated. This device (DC) comprises control means (MCT) triggering the communication to a user of the system (V), after receiving an update, a request to obtain a date and a schedule programmed to start this update, then determining a time before the scheduled time to start a recharge phase, according to a quantity of electrical energy estimated necessary for the update and an estimated state of charge of the service battery (BS) before the scheduled time, then triggering a start of the charging phase at the determined time, then triggering a start of the update received at the scheduled time.

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CHECKING THE RECHARGE OF A BATTERY BEFORE STARTING A DOWNLOADED UPDATE OF A SYSTEM EQUIPMENT

The invention relates to systems comprising at least one electronic item of equipment which can be updated by downloading, possibly by means of waves.

Many systems, such as vehicles (possibly of the automobile type) include electronic equipment (generally computers) whose operation is defined by software modules (or "software"), which, for some at least of them, can be the subject of downloaded updates, possibly by waves.

The term “download” means here the fact of transmitting, possibly by wave (or “Over The Air”), to the communication module of a system, one or more data files defining an update. at least one electronic device in this system. Such a transmission can be done on the initiative of a server or at the request of a computer of the system.

As those skilled in the art know, when a computer update is decided, possibly within the framework of a campaign, the software update modules are transmitted to the system (s) concerned ( s), and the start of this update is locally triggered as soon as possible in each system. Generally this triggering is carried out once the system is asleep (or unused), which requires to wake it up at least partially or to keep it awake and therefore induces a discharge of its service battery (generally very low voltage) which supplies certain at least of its electronic equipment. Such an operation can pose several problems.

In fact, when the system includes a rechargeable service battery that can be recharged in a programmed manner, the start of a received update may result in an interruption of a charging phase in progress or else a cancellation of a charging phase programmed. This results in particular from the fact that the updating of electronic equipment may not be possible during a recharging phase.

In addition, installing an update consuming a certain amount of electrical energy, it can therefore discharge the service battery below a level allowing the system to start if its initial state of charge was low. This results in an impossibility of using this system and an acceleration of the aging of its service battery.

In addition, when a system is woken up several times for successive installations of several updates received in a short period of time, this causes each time the wakeup and then the functioning of several electronic equipment (and not only that to be put ), which accelerates the aging of this electronic equipment.

It has certainly been proposed in patent document WO 2012/002231 to estimate the periods during which a vehicle will not be used in order to install the updates received during these periods. It has also been proposed to request from the user of a system a programmed date and time to start an update received. However, such solutions only prevent the installation of updates during the phases of use of the vehicle, which could be potentially dangerous, but not successive awakenings and interruptions or cancellations of the recharging phases. In addition, this cannot prevent the discharge of the service battery below the level allowing the system to start up when its initial state of charge is low. To prevent such a situation from occurring, the update can be forbidden to start when the state of charge of the service battery is too low, but this prevents the update.

The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation.

It notably proposes a control device intended to equip a system comprising at least one rechargeable service battery during a recharging phase and supplying at least one electronic equipment suitable for being updated, and a communication module suitable for receiving updates.

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

- trigger the communication to a user of the system, following the reception of an update for electronic equipment, of a request for obtaining a date and a schedule programmed to start this received update, then

- determine an instant before this scheduled time on this scheduled date to start a recharging phase, based on an estimated amount of electrical energy required for the update received and an estimated state of charge of the battery bondage before this scheduled time on this scheduled date, then

- trigger a start of the recharging phase at this determined time, then

- trigger a start of the update received at this scheduled time on this scheduled date.

Thanks to this control of the starting of the updates after recharging of the service battery, it is advantageously possible to prevent the discharge of the latter below the level allowing the system to start, and therefore the service battery is prematurely aged.

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 estimate the amount of electrical energy required for the update received as a function of an estimated duration of this update and of a number of electronic devices of the system to be awakened during the update day;

- its control means can estimate the state of charge of the service battery before the scheduled schedule on the scheduled date according to habits of use of the system before this scheduled schedule on this scheduled date;

- its control means can check, before the schedule scheduled on the scheduled date, whether the amount of electrical energy stored in the service battery is greater than a threshold which is a function of the amount of electrical energy estimated necessary for the update received and a predefined electrical energy reserve. If not, its control means do not trigger the update to the scheduled schedule on the programmed date and trigger the communication to the system user of a new request to obtain a new date and a new schedule programmed to start the update, in order to determine a new instant before this new schedule scheduled on this new date scheduled to start a new recharging phase, then to trigger a start of this new recharging phase at this new determined time, then to trigger a start of the update received at the new programmed schedule at the new programmed date.

The invention also provides a system comprising at least one service battery rechargeable during a recharging phase and supplying at least one electronic equipment capable of being updated, a communication module capable of receiving updates, and a control device of the type presented above.

For example, this system can constitute a vehicle, possibly of the automobile type.

The invention also provides a control method intended to be implemented in a system comprising at least one service battery rechargeable during a recharging phase and supplying at least one electronic equipment capable of being updated, and a module communication to receive updates.

This process is characterized by the fact that it includes a step in which, following the receipt of an update for electronic equipment:

- we require from a user of the system a date and a schedule programmed to start this received update, then

- an instant must be determined before this programmed schedule on this scheduled date to start a recharging phase, as a function of an estimated quantity of electrical energy necessary for the update received and of an estimated state of charge of the battery of servitude before this scheduled time on this scheduled date, then

- the recharging phase is started at this determined time, then

- we start the update received at this scheduled time on this scheduled date.

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

- in its stage, we can estimate the amount of electrical energy necessary for the update received based on an estimated duration of this update and a number of electronic devices in the system to be woken up during the update up to date ;

- in its stage, one can estimate the state of charge of the service battery before the scheduled schedule on the scheduled date according to habits of use of the system before the scheduled schedule on the scheduled date;

- in its stage, it can be checked, before the schedule scheduled on the scheduled date, whether the amount of electrical energy stored in the service battery is greater than a threshold depending on the amount of electrical energy estimated necessary for setting received and from a predefined reserve of electrical energy. Then, in the negative, the update is not carried out on the programmed schedule on the scheduled date and a new date and a new scheduled schedule are required from the system user to start the update, in order to determine a new instant to precede this new programmed timetable on this new programmed date to start a new recharging phase, then to start this new recharging phase at this new determined instant, then to start the update received at this new programmed timetable on this new scheduled date.

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

FIG. 1 schematically and functionally illustrates a vehicle comprising an all-electric type transmission chain and a supervision computer equipped with a control device according to the invention, and

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an example of an algorithm implementing a control method according to the invention.

The object of the invention is in particular to propose a DC control device, and an associated control method, intended to allow the control of the installation of the updates received in a system V comprising at least one rechargeable BS service battery and supplying at least one electronic equipment Ej, MCN which can be updated by downloading, possibly by waves.

In what follows, it is considered, by way of nonlimiting example, that the system V is a vehicle of automobile type, such as for example a car. However, the invention is not limited to this type of system. It indeed relates to any type of system comprising a service battery supplying electronic equipment which can be updated by downloading. Consequently, the invention relates to vehicles (land, sea (or river), and air), satellites, electronic devices (possibly general public), and installations, possibly of industrial type, for example.

There is diagrammatically shown in FIG. 1 an example of system V (here a vehicle) comprising a rechargeable BS service battery, an on-board network (or electrical supply) RB to which electronic equipment Ej and a communication module are connected MCN, and a DC control device according to the invention. It will be noted that in the example illustrated, the system V also comprises a main rechargeable battery BP and a charger CB, the utility of which will be understood below.

The illustrated system V being a vehicle, it therefore comprises a transmission chain. Here, the transmission chain is of the all-electric type, by way of illustrative example. It therefore comprises, in particular, a motor machine MM, coupling means MCP and a first transmission shaft AT1 associated with a first train T1, in addition to the main battery BP and the charger CB. However, the invention is not limited to this type of transmission chain. Indeed, the transmission chain could be of the hybrid type by including in addition a thermal driving machine associated with its second train T2, or else of the thermal type by comprising only one thermal driving machine associated with at least one of its T1 and T2 trains.

The term “driving machine” is understood here to mean a machine (or an engine) arranged so as to supply or recover torque for moving a vehicle, either alone or in addition to at least one other possible electric driving machine. or thermal (such as a thermal engine (reactor, turbojet or chemical engine)).

Control of at least the motive machine MM and of the coupling means MCP is ensured by a supervision computer CS.

The CB charger is intended to be connected to an external power supply, such as a charging station or a mains socket, via a dedicated charging cord.

The main BP battery is designed to store electrical energy, for example at low voltage (typically 300 V). It can in particular be recharged via the CB charger during programmed or unscheduled recharging phases.

The coupling means MCP are responsible for coupling / decoupling the motor machine MM to / from the first transmission shaft AT1 coupled to the first train T1 (here of wheels), on the order of the supervision computer CS. This makes it possible in particular to communicate to the first transmission shaft AT1 a torque defined by a setpoint (of torque or of speed) and produced by the motive machine MM from the electrical energy stored in the main battery BP.

For example, the first train T1 is located at the rear of the vehicle V, and preferably, and as illustrated, coupled to the first drive shaft

AT1 via a differential (here rear) DR. However, in a variant, this first train T1 could be located at the front of vehicle V.

The service battery BS is of very low voltage type (for example 12 V, 24 V or 48 V). It supplies an on-board network RB to which electronic equipment Ej, MCN of the vehicle V are connected. This service battery BS is, here, coupled to the main battery BP via a CV converter of DC / DC type, in order to be able to be recharged especially during a recharging phase via the CB charger. But it is not compulsory. It could indeed be directly recharged by the motive machine MM when the latter (MM) is in operation.

One of the electronic equipment (MCN) is a communication module. The illustrated system V being a vehicle, the communication module is coupled to a non-wired communication network, and therefore can receive by means of waves data files defining updates of at least one electronic equipment Ej, MCN of the V system. But when the system is installed fixedly (and therefore not mobile), its MCN communication module can be coupled to a wired communication network.

The electronic equipment Ej (which can be updated) are, for example, computers or man / machine interfaces or sensors or even actuators. Note that at least one of these computers can be involved in the installation of updates. In the example illustrated without limitation in FIG. 1, three electronic devices E1 to E3 (j = 1 to 3) are connected to the on-board network RB. However, the number of electronic devices Ej connected to the on-board network RB can take any value greater than or equal to one (1).

The control device DC, according to the invention, comprises control means MCT which are responsible for intervening each time that the communication module MCN has received an update to be installed in at least one of the electronic devices Ej.

In the nonlimiting example illustrated in FIG. 1, the control device DC is part of the supervision computer CS. But it is not compulsory. This DC control device could indeed be an equipment coupled to the CS supervision computer, directly or indirectly. Consequently, the DC control device can be produced in the form of software modules (or computer or "software"), or else of a combination of electronic circuits (or "hardware") and software modules.

When an update has been received for electronic equipment Ej (for example the first E1), the control means MCT start by triggering the communication to a user of system V of a request for obtaining a date dp and an hp schedule programmed to start this received update.

For example, this request can be displayed on a screen of the central display handset which is installed in or on the dashboard of vehicle V and which constitutes a man / machine interface. The user can then provide the programmed dp and hp date via this same man / machine interface (for example by selection in an agenda) or via another man / machine interface (for example with voice recognition).

It will be noted that when the programmed date dp and hourly hp fall during a programmed recharging phase of the main battery BP, the control means MCT trigger the communication to the user of the system V of a new request for obtaining a new date dp and a new schedule hp programmed to start the update received.

Then, the control means MCT determine an instant id which must precede this programmed timetable hp on this programmed date dp to start a recharging phase, as a function of an estimated quantity of electrical energy necessary for the update received and of an estimated state of charge of the service battery BS before this scheduled schedule hp on this scheduled date dp.

Note that this instant id can precede the scheduled hp schedule by one or more hours, as by one or more tens of minutes, or even several hours (but preferably not exceeding 24 hours).

It should also be noted that the programmed date dp and hp time must not be too close to the current time so that there is sufficient time to recharge the BS service battery. Consequently, it is possible to define a minimum duration between the date dp and hourly hp programmed and the current instant, and indicate to the user of the system V that he must provide date dp and hourly hp spaced from the instant in courses lasting longer than this minimum duration. For example, this minimum duration can be between five hours and ten hours.

It will also be noted that the control means MCT can estimate the amount of electrical energy necessary for the update received as a function, for example, of an estimated duration of this update and of a number of electronic devices Ej of the V system to be woken up during this update.

It will also be noted that the control means MCT can estimate the state of charge of the service battery BS before the programmed schedule hp at the programmed date dp according to habits of use of the system V before this scheduled schedule hp at this programmed date dp. To this end, the DC control device can periodically record the state of charge of the service battery BS in correspondence with the time and day. The state of charge is easily accessible in the V system, for example via one of the computers and / or via an on-board communication network, through which the electronic equipment Ej and MCN exchange data and possibly of the multiplexed type. Then, the control means MCT can carry out statistics of the average state of charge of the service battery BS as a function of the time and day and deduce from its statistics habits of use of the system V (for example in terms of duration of use and / or mode of use) depending on the time and day. These statistics cover a maximum of one week (or 7 days) period. Thus, the MCT control means know, for example, that usually in a first given time interval of one working day the state of charge of the service battery BS is low, while in a second given time interval of a working day the state of charge of the service battery BS is high and that in this same first given time interval of a non-working day the state of charge of the service battery BS is high.

Then, the control means MCT trigger a start of the recharging phase of the service battery BS at the determined id time which precedes the scheduled schedule hp on the scheduled date dp. The service battery BS can be recharged via the possible main battery BP, for example by passing through a DC / DC type converter or possibly by triggering a phase of recharging this main battery BP via the charger CB. In the absence of a main battery BP and therefore when the transmission chain is hybrid or thermal, the recharging of the service battery BS can, for example, be done by temporarily operating the thermal power unit (preferably during a driving phase).

Then, the MCT control means trigger a start of the update received at the programmed schedule hp on the scheduled date dp.

It will be noted that the MCT control means can, optionally but preferably, check, before the scheduled schedule hp on the scheduled date dp, whether the quantity of electrical energy stored in the service battery BS is greater than a threshold which is a function the amount of electrical energy estimated necessary for the update received and a predefined reserve of electrical energy. The amount of energy represents the product of electrical consumption by the time required for the update.

If so, the MCT control means trigger the start of the update received at the scheduled schedule hp on the scheduled date dp. If not, the control means MCT do not trigger the update to the programmed schedule hp on the programmed date dp and trigger the communication to the user of system V of a new request for obtaining a new date dp 'and a new hp schedule' scheduled to start this update. Then, the MCT control means determine a new instant id ’which must precede this new programmed timetable hp’ on this new programmed date dp ’to start a new recharging phase. Then, the MCT control means trigger the start of this new recharging phase at this new determined id ’instant. Then, the MCT control means trigger the start of the update received at the new programmed schedule hp 'at the new scheduled date dp', of course after having carried out a new verification of the state of charge and provided that the latter is compatible with the update.

Controlling the starting of updates in the V system after recharging the service battery BS advantageously makes it possible to prevent the discharging of the latter (BS) below the level allowing the starting of the V system, and therefore to avoid the premature aging of the BS service battery. In addition, this avoids interruptions or cancellations of the programmed recharging phases, and the premature aging of the electronic components which are involved in the alarms and updates of the Ej electronic equipment. In addition, this allows an increase in the availability of updates.

It is important to note that the invention can also be considered from the point of view of a control method, which can in particular be implemented by means of a DC control device of the type presented above.

The functionalities offered by the implementation of the method according to the invention being identical to those offered by the DC control device presented above, only the combination of main functionalities offered by the control method is presented below with reference to the example of algorithm illustrated in figure 2.

This control method comprises a step in which one (the DC control device) requests (or obtains) from a user of the system V, following the reception of an update for an electronic equipment Ej, a date dp and an hp schedule programmed to start this received update. This phase corresponds to substep 10 of the example algorithm illustrated in FIG. 2.

Then, this step continues with the determination (by the DC control device) of an instant id which must precede this programmed timetable hp on this programmed date dp to start a phase of recharging the service battery BS, as a function of an estimated quantity of electrical energy necessary for the update received and an estimated state of charge of the service battery BS before the scheduled schedule hp at the scheduled date dp. This phase corresponds to substep 20 of the example algorithm illustrated in FIG. 2.

Then, this step continues with the start of the recharging phase at the determined time id (triggered by the DC control device). This phase corresponds to substep 30 of the example algorithm illustrated in FIG. 2.

Then, before the scheduled schedule hp on the scheduled date dp, it is preferably checked whether the amount of electrical energy stored in the service battery BS is greater than a threshold which is a function of the amount of electrical energy estimated necessary for the update received and a predefined reserve of electrical energy. This phase corresponds to sub-step 40 of the example algorithm illustrated in FIG. 2.

If not (“no”), we (the DC control device) do not trigger the update to the programmed schedule hp at the scheduled date dp, and we return to perform sub-step 10 in order to obtain the user a new date dp 'and a new schedule hp' programmed to start the update.

If yes ("yes"), the step continues with the initiation (by the DC control device) of the start of the update received at the scheduled hp schedule on the scheduled date dp. This phase corresponds to substep 50 of the example algorithm illustrated in FIG. 2.

Claims (10)

1. Control device (DC) for a system (V) comprising at least one service battery (BS) rechargeable during a recharging phase and supplying at least one electronic equipment (Ej) capable of being updated, and a communication module (MCN) suitable for receiving updates, characterized in that it comprises control means (MCT) triggering the communication to a user of said system (V), following the reception of an update day for said electronic equipment (Ej), of a request for obtaining a date and a schedule programmed to start this received update, then determining an instant to precede said scheduled schedule on said scheduled date to start a recharging phase, as a function of an estimated quantity of electrical energy necessary for said update received and of an estimated state of charge of said service battery (BS) before said schedule programmed at said programmed date, then triggering a start of said recharging phase at said determined time, then triggering a start of said update received at said scheduled time on said programmed date. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said control means (MCT) estimate said quantity of electrical energy necessary for said update received as a function of an estimated duration of this update and of a number electronic equipment (Ej) of said system (V) to be awakened during said update. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said control means (MCT) estimate said state of charge of the service battery (BS) before said scheduled time on said scheduled date according to usage habits of said system (V) before said scheduled time to said scheduled date. 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said control means (MCT) check, before said scheduled time on said scheduled date, if the amount of electrical energy stored in said service battery (BS ) is greater than a threshold which is a function of said quantity of electrical energy estimated necessary for said update received and of a predefined reserve of electrical energy, and if not does not trigger said update to said schedule scheduled on said date programmed and trigger the communication to said user of the system (V) of a new request for obtaining a new date and a new schedule programmed to start said update in order to determine a new instant to precede said new scheduled schedule on said new date programmed to start a new recharging phase, then to trigger a start of this new pha reload at said new determined time, then trigger a start of said update received at said new scheduled time on said new scheduled date. 5. System (V) comprising at least one service battery (BS) rechargeable during a recharging phase and supplying at least one electronic equipment (Ej) capable of being updated, and a communication module (MCN) own to receive updates, characterized in that it further comprises a control device (DC) according to one of the preceding claims. 6. System (V) according to claim 5, characterized in that it constitutes a vehicle. 7. Control method for a system (V) comprising at least one service battery (BS) rechargeable during a recharging phase and supplying at least one electronic equipment (Ej) suitable for being updated, and a module for communication (MCN) suitable for receiving updates, characterized in that it comprises a step in which a request is made to a user of said system (V), following receipt of an update for said electronic equipment (Ej), a date and a schedule programmed to start this received update, then an instant must be determined before said scheduled schedule on said scheduled date to start a recharging phase, according to an estimated amount of electrical energy necessary for said update received and for an estimated state of charge of said service battery (BS) before said scheduled schedule on said scheduled date, then said phase of starting recharging at said determined time, then starting said update received at said scheduled time on said programmed date. 8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that in said step it estimates said quantity of electrical energy necessary for said update received as a function of an estimated duration of this update and of a number of devices. electronic (Ej) of said system (V) to be awakened during said update. 9. Method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that in said step it estimates said state of charge of the service battery (BS) before said schedule scheduled on said scheduled date according to habits of use of said system ( V) before said scheduled time on said scheduled date. 10. Method according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that in said step it is checked, before said scheduled time on said scheduled date, if the amount of electrical energy stored in said service battery (BS) is greater at a threshold which is a function of said estimated quantity of electrical energy necessary for said update received and of a predefined reserve of electrical energy, and if not, said update is not carried out at said scheduled timetable on said scheduled date and said user of the system (V) is asked for a new date and a new schedule programmed to start said update in order to determine a new instant to precede said new schedule scheduled for said new date scheduled to start a new recharging phase, then to start this new recharging phase at said new determined instant, then to start said update received eu said new scheduled time on said new scheduled date.