FR3141109A1 - MONITORING THE STATES OF CONTACTORS OF AN INTERFACE DEVICE BETWEEN A CHARGING CONNECTOR AND A DIRECT CURRENT RECHARGEABLE BATTERY OF A VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

A monitoring method is implemented in a vehicle including a rechargeable battery having first positive and negative terminals, a charging connector having second positive and negative terminals, and an interface device including first and second contactors, each having open and closed states and coupled respectively to the first and second positive terminals and to the first and second negative terminals, and allowing direct current charging of the battery in their closed state. This method comprises a step (10-40) in which, in the event of a request to place the first and second contactors in the open state, the interface device is acted upon to isolate the battery when at least one value, representative of a difference between voltages measured between two terminals chosen from the first and second positive and negative terminals, becomes greater than an associated threshold in an associated time interval. Figure 3

Description

MONITORING THE STATES OF CONTACTORS OF AN INTERFACE DEVICE BETWEEN A CHARGING CONNECTOR AND A DIRECT CURRENT RECHARGEABLE BATTERY OF A VEHICLE Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to vehicles comprising a rechargeable battery at least in direct current, and more specifically the monitoring within such vehicles of the placement in an open state of contactors of an interface device coupled to a charging connector and to the rechargeable battery.

State of the art

Certain vehicles, possibly of the automobile type, include a rechargeable battery coupled, via an interface device with contactors (and fuses), to a charging connector allowing it to be recharged with direct current when the latter is temporarily coupled to a power source external.

It is recalled that in direct current charging (sometimes called mode 4 charging), the battery is recharged, via a main electrical circuit which is coupled to the interface device, with high direct current (typically 125 A to 250 A ) which comes directly from an external (direct current) power source, temporarily connected to the main electrical circuit via a charging cable connected to the vehicle's charging connector, generally without conversion by a converter.

The vehicle interface device presented above comprises first and second contactors (or switches), each having open and closed states and coupled respectively to the positive terminal of the battery and the positive terminal of the charging connector and to the negative terminal of the battery and the negative terminal of the charging connector.

For direct current charging to be possible after coupling the charging connector to an external power source, it is necessary in particular that the first and second contactors have been placed in their closed state on the order of a battery calculator controlling the operation of the battery and the interface device.

Likewise, so that the charging connector can be decoupled from the external power source after direct current charging, the first and second contactors must have been placed in their open state on order of the battery computer. It is therefore essential to determine before decoupling (but also after) whether the first and second contactors have actually been placed in their open state, in order to avoid, after decoupling, an unfortunate electrocution of a person by the introduction of at least one one of his fingers in the charging connector.

Currently, each of the first and second contactors is arranged to transmit to the battery calculator information indicating that it has actually been placed in its open state following receipt of a request for such placement by this battery calculator. However, this type of contactor is very expensive, and above all the reliability of the information transmitted is not sufficiently high and therefore it can happen that at least one of the first and second contactors signals that it has been placed in its open state while it is still in its closed state or a quasi-closed state.

The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation.

Presentation of the invention

To this end, it proposes in particular a monitoring method intended to be implemented in a vehicle comprising:

- a rechargeable battery having first positive and negative terminals,

- a charging connector having second positive and negative terminals, and

- an interface device comprising first and second contactors, each having open and closed states and coupled respectively to the first and second positive terminals and to the first and second negative terminals, and allowing direct current recharging of the rechargeable battery when they are placed in their closed state and the charging connector is temporarily coupled to an external power source.

This monitoring method is characterized by the fact that it comprises a step in which, in the event of a request to place the first and second contactors in their open state, the interface device is acted upon to isolate the rechargeable battery when at minus a value, representative of a difference between voltages measured between two terminals chosen from the first and second positive and negative terminals, becomes greater than a threshold associated with this difference in a time interval associated with this difference.

Thanks to the invention, we are now certain of the status diagnosis of each contactor when the latter has remained in its closed (or almost closed) state after an opening request, which significantly increases the safety of vehicle users V .

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

- in its step, it is possible to determine, firstly, whether a first value, representative of a first difference between a first voltage measured between the first terminals and a second voltage measured between the second positive terminal and the first negative terminal , becomes greater than a first threshold associated with this first difference in a first time interval associated with this first difference, on the second hand, if a second value, representative of a second difference between a third voltage measured between the second terminals and the second voltage becomes greater than a second threshold associated with this second difference in a second time interval associated with this second difference, and, on the third hand, if a third value, representative of a third difference between the first and third voltages, becomes greater than a third threshold associated with this third difference in a third time interval associated with this third difference. In this case, if the first value is greater than the first threshold in the first time interval and/or the second value is greater than the second threshold in the second time interval and/or the third value is greater than the third threshold in the third time interval, we can act on the interface device to isolate the rechargeable battery;

- in the presence of the first option, in its step, the first threshold can be equal to the product of the first voltage by a first chosen coefficient, the second threshold can be equal to the product of the first voltage by a second chosen coefficient, and the third threshold can be equal to the product of the first voltage by a third chosen coefficient;

- in the presence of the last sub-option, in its step, the first, second and third coefficients can be between 0.03 and 0.07;

- also in the presence of the first option, in its step, the first and second time intervals can be between 100 milliseconds and 1 second;

- also in the presence of the first option, in its step, the third time interval can be between 50 milliseconds and 200 milliseconds;

- in its step, in the event of isolation of the rechargeable battery, it is also possible to carry out in the vehicle at least one complementary action chosen from a recording of at least one fault code representative of an opening fault of one at least the first and second contactors and triggering an alert generation for a user of the vehicle reporting a problem requiring immobilization of the vehicle and intervention by an after-sales service.

The invention also proposes a computer program product comprising a set of instructions which, when executed by processing means, is capable of implementing a monitoring method of the type of that presented above, in a vehicle comprising, on the one hand, a rechargeable battery having first positive and negative terminals, on the second part, a charging connector having second positive and negative terminals, and, on the third part, a device for interface comprising first and second contactors, each having open and closed states and coupled respectively to the first and second positive terminals and to the first and second negative terminals, and allowing direct current charging of the rechargeable battery when they are placed in their closed state and that the charging connector is temporarily coupled to an external power source, to monitor the reality of the placements of the first and second contactors in their open state following a placement request.

The invention also proposes a monitoring device intended to equip a vehicle comprising:

- a rechargeable battery having first positive and negative terminals,

- a charging connector having second positive and negative terminals, and

- an interface device comprising first and second contactors, each having open and closed states and coupled respectively to the first and second positive terminals and to the first and second negative terminals, and allowing direct current recharging of the rechargeable battery when they are placed in their closed state and the charging connector is temporarily coupled to an external power source.

This monitoring device is characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one processor and at least one memory arranged to carry out the operations consisting, in the event of a request to place the first and second contactors in their open state, in triggering an action on the interface device for isolating the rechargeable battery when at least one value, representative of a difference between voltages measured between two terminals chosen from the first and second positive and negative terminals, becomes greater than a threshold associated with this difference in a time interval associated with this difference.

The invention also proposes a vehicle, possibly of automobile type, and comprising, on the one hand, a rechargeable battery having first positive and negative terminals, on the other hand, a charging connector having second positive and negative terminals , on the third hand, an interface device comprising first and second contactors, each having open and closed states and coupled respectively to the first and second positive terminals and to the first and second negative terminals, and allowing direct current charging of the rechargeable battery when they are placed in their closed state and the charging connector is temporarily coupled to an external power source, and, fourthly, a monitoring device of the type presented above .

Brief description of the figures

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

schematically and functionally illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle comprising a GMP transmission chain with an electric driving machine associated with a main battery rechargeable in direct current and associated with a battery calculator and an interface device, and supervised by a supervision computer, and a monitoring device according to the invention,

schematically and functionally illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a battery calculator comprising an exemplary embodiment of a monitoring device according to the invention, and

schematically illustrates an example of an algorithm implementing a monitoring method according to the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

The invention aims in particular to propose a monitoring method, and an associated DS monitoring device, intended to allow monitoring of the placements in an open state of first C1 and second C2 contactors of an interface device DI coupling a BP rechargeable battery with, in particular, a CR charging connector in a vehicle V.

In what follows, we consider, by way of non-limiting example, that the vehicle V is of the automobile type. This is for example a car, as illustrated in the . But the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. It concerns in fact any type of vehicle comprising a GMP transmission chain with an electric driving machine associated with a direct current rechargeable battery via an interface device and a charging connector. Thus, it concerns land vehicles (utility vehicles, camper vans, minibuses, coaches, trucks, motorcycles, road machinery, construction machinery, agricultural machinery, leisure machinery (snowmobile, kart), tracked machinery, trains and trams, for example), aircraft and boats.

Furthermore, we consider in what follows, by way of non-limiting example, that the vehicle V comprises a powertrain transmission chain (or GMP) of all-electric type (and therefore whose traction is ensured exclusively by at least an electric driving machine MME). But the GMP could be of hybrid type (thermal and electric).

We have schematically represented on the a vehicle V comprising an electric GMP transmission chain (and therefore an MME electric driving machine), a supervision computer CS, an on-board network RB, a service battery BS, a rechargeable battery BP associated with an interface device DI and a CB battery calculator, a main electrical circuit CEP, a CV converter, and a DS monitoring device according to the invention.

The RB on-board network is an electrical supply network to which electrical (or electronic) equipment (or components) are coupled which consume electrical energy.

The utility battery BS is responsible for supplying electrical energy to the on-board network RB, in addition to that supplied by the CV converter powered by the rechargeable battery BP via the main electrical circuit CEP, and sometimes in place of this converter RESUME. For example, this BS utility battery can be arranged in the form of a very low voltage type battery (typically 12 V, 24 V or 48 V). It is rechargeable at least through the CV converter. We consider in the following, by way of non-limiting example, that the BS utility battery is of the 12 V Lithium-ion type.

The main (or “high voltage”) electrical circuit CEP is connected, on the one hand, to the rechargeable battery BP via the interface device DI, and, on the other hand, to electronic equipment, such as for example the converter CV and the MME electric prime mover. It also allows the recharging (at least in direct current) of the rechargeable battery BP by an external power source SA and temporarily coupled to a charging connector CR of the vehicle V. This main electrical circuit CEP therefore comprises at least one circuit d power supply P1 ensuring the coupling between the rechargeable battery BP and at least the electric driving machine MME and CV converter, and a charging circuit P2 connected to the charging connector CR and making it possible to recharge the rechargeable battery BP via a power source SA external and temporarily coupled to the CR charging connector via a charging cable.

In the example illustrated non-limitingly on the the P2 charging circuit allows the rechargeable battery BP to be recharged not only in direct current (or mode 4), but also in alternating current (or mode 2 or 3), under the control of the AC charger calculator (associated with the CV converter) and CB battery calculator (associated with the BP rechargeable battery). But in alternative embodiments not illustrated, the charging circuit P2 could only allow direct current charging (or mode 4).

The transmission chain has a GMP which is, here, purely electric and therefore which includes, in particular, an electric driving machine MME, an AM motor shaft, and an AT transmission shaft. Here we mean “electric driving machine” an electric machine arranged so as to provide torque to move the vehicle V when supplied with electrical energy, as well as possibly to recover torque in the transmission chain.

The operation of the transmission chain (and therefore of the GMP) is supervised by a CS supervision computer.

The electric driving machine MME (here an electric motor) is here coupled to the rechargeable battery BP via the power supply circuit P1 of the main electrical circuit CEP, in order to be supplied with electrical energy, as well as possibly to power this battery rechargeable BP in electrical energy, for example during a regenerative braking phase.

Furthermore, this electric motor machine MME is coupled to the motor shaft AM, to provide it with torque by rotational drive. This motor shaft AM is here coupled to a reduction gear RD which is also coupled to the transmission shaft AT, itself coupled to a first train T1 (here of wheels), preferably via a differential DV.

This first train T1 is here located in the front part PVV of the vehicle V. But in a variant this first train T1 could be the one which is here referenced T2 and which is located in the rear part PRV of the vehicle V.

The CV converter is also responsible, here, during the driving phases of the vehicle V, of converting part of the electric current stored in the rechargeable battery BP to supply converted electric current to the on-board network RB and the utility battery BS (for the reload).

Note, as illustrated non-limitatively in the , that the CV converter can be part of a CH charger also comprising a CA charger calculator responsible, at least, for controlling the recharges of the rechargeable battery BP.

The rechargeable BP battery here powers the MME electric driving machine, it constitutes a main (or traction) battery. It can, for example, include electrical energy storage cells, possibly electrochemical (for example of the lithium-ion (or Li-ion) or Ni-Mh or Ni-Cd type). Also for example, the rechargeable battery BP can be of the low voltage type (typically 450 V for illustration purposes). But it could be medium voltage or high voltage.

Furthermore, the rechargeable battery BP is (here) associated with a battery box BB which notably includes the interface device DI, voltage/current measuring means (not illustrated), and the battery calculator CB. For example, the rechargeable battery BP and the battery case BB may be part of a battery assembly (or “pack”).

It will also be noted that in the example illustrated non-limitingly on the the vehicle V also includes a distribution box BD to which the utility battery BS, the CV converter and the on-board network RB are coupled. This distribution box BD is responsible for distributing in the on-board network RB the electrical energy stored in the utility battery BS or produced by the converter CV, for powering the electrical components (or equipment) coupled to the on-board network RB depending on power requests received (in particular from the GMP CS supervision computer).

The interface device DI is arranged so as to isolate, if necessary, the rechargeable battery BP from the entire main electrical circuit CEP, as well as individually from the charging connector CR, from the electric motor machine MME, and from the converter RESUME. It includes contactors (or switches) Cj, possibly based on MOSFET(s), which can each be placed in an open (or non-conducting) state or a closed (or conducting) state on the order of the battery calculator CB, as well as as protection fuses.

In the example illustrated non-limitingly on the the interface device DI comprises five contactors (or switches) C1 to C5 (j = 1 to 5).

The first contactor (or switch) C1 is here connected to a second positive terminal (U6) of the charging connector CR and to the fourth contactor C4 and to a precharging resistor R (U3). It is therefore also coupled to a first positive terminal (U1) of the rechargeable battery BP. This first contactor C1 must always be placed in its closed state during a direct current charging phase.

The second contactor (or switch) C2 is here connected to a second negative terminal (U02) of the charging connector CR and to the fifth contactor C5. It is therefore also coupled to a first negative terminal (U00) of the rechargeable battery BP. This second contactor C2 must always be placed in its closed state during a direct current charging phase.

The third contactor (or switch) C3 is here connected to the first positive terminal (U1) of the rechargeable battery BP and connected in series with the precharge resistor R which is connected more or less directly to the positive terminals of the CV converter (U4) and MME prime mover (U3). This third contactor (or switch) C3 is always placed in its open state during a recharging phase.

The fourth contactor (or switch) C4 is here connected in parallel with the third contactor (or switch) C3 and the precharge resistor R (between U1 and U3). It ensures the coupling/decoupling of the rechargeable battery BP (U1) to the CV converter (U4) and MME driving machine (U3).

The fifth contactor (or switch) C5 is here connected to the first negative terminal (U00) of the rechargeable battery BP and to the negative terminal (U01) of the driving machine MME. It ensures the coupling/decoupling of the rechargeable battery BP (U00) to/from the driving machine MME (U01).

In the illustrated arrangement, the voltage/current measuring means determine in particular a first voltage U10 (difference between the potentials U1 and U00) which is the voltage at the terminals of the rechargeable battery BP, a second voltage U60 (difference between the potentials U6 and U00) and a third voltage U62 (difference between potentials U6 and U02) which is the voltage across the charging connector CR.

For example, these voltage determinations can be carried out periodically. Also for example, this period can be between 10 milliseconds and 50 milliseconds. As an illustrative example, the period can be equal to 10 milliseconds.

As mentioned above, the invention proposes in particular a monitoring method intended to allow the monitoring of the placements in the open state of the first C1 and second C2 contactors of the DI interface device, in particular during the direct current recharge phases. .

This (monitoring) method can be implemented at least partially by the monitoring device DS (illustrated at least partially in Figures 1 and 2) which comprises for this purpose at least one processor PR1, for example a digital signal (or DSP (“Digital Signal Processor”)), and at least one MD memory. This DS monitoring device can therefore be produced in the form of a combination of electrical or electronic circuits or components (or “hardware”) and software modules (or “software”). For example, it can be a microcontroller.

The memory MD is RAM in order to store instructions for the implementation by the processor PR1 of at least part of the monitoring process. The processor PR1 may include integrated (or printed) circuits, or several integrated (or printed) circuits connected by wired or non-wired connections. By integrated (or printed) circuit we mean any type of device capable of performing at least one electrical or electronic operation.

In the example illustrated without limitation in Figures 1 and 2, the monitoring device DS is part of the battery calculator CB. But this is not obligatory. Indeed, the monitoring device DS could include its own dedicated computer, which is then coupled to the battery computer CB, or could be part of the supervision computer CS, for example.

As illustrated without limitation on the , the (monitoring) method, according to the invention, comprises a step 10-40 which is implemented at least each time the battery calculator CB sends to the interface device DI a request (or an order) for placement of the first C1 and second C2 contactors in their open state (a priori in a recharging phase).

Step 10-40 of the method includes a sub-step 10 in which one (the monitoring device DS) is informed of such a request for placement in the open state. Step 10-40 of the method also includes a sub-step 30 in which we act (the monitoring device DS triggers an action) on the interface device DI to isolate the rechargeable battery BP when at least one value vk, representative of a difference dk between voltages measured between two terminals chosen from the first and second positive (U1, U6) and negative (U00, U02) terminals, becomes greater than a threshold sk which is associated with this difference dk in an interval of time itk associated with this difference dk.

In other words, as soon as a value vk (representative of a difference in voltages dk concerning at least one of the first C1 and second C2 contactors) is greater than the associated threshold sj in the associated time interval itk, we consider that this is abnormal and therefore that this contactor(s) C1 and C2 is (are) not in its (their) open state. This situation being potentially very dangerous for a person who puts a finger in the CR charging connector, we therefore isolate the rechargeable battery BP from the main electrical circuit CEP (here by ordering the fourth C4 and fifth C5 contactors to place themselves in their open state ). When the GMP is all electric, it then becomes impossible to move the vehicle V using its transmission chain.

Thus, we are certain of the status diagnosis of each contactor Cj when the latter (Cj) has remained in its closed (or almost closed) state after an opening request, which significantly reinforces the safety of users of vehicle V. In addition, this makes it possible to use first C1 and second C2 contactors which are much less expensive due to the fact that they no longer need to be arranged in such a way as to transmit to the battery calculator CB information signaling their placement in the state open.

For example, and as illustrated without limitation on the , step 10-40 may include a sub-step 20 in which (the monitoring device DS) can compare each value vk, representative of a difference dk to the associated threshold sk during the associated time interval itk. If each value vk is less than or equal to the associated threshold sk in the associated time interval itk, we (the monitoring device DS) performs substep 20 again. On the other hand, if at least one value vk becomes greater than the associated threshold sk in the associated time interval itk, we (the monitoring device DS) performs substep 30 to isolate the rechargeable battery BP from the main electrical circuit CEP. It will be understood that a time delay equal to the duration of each time interval itk is triggered just after the transmission of the order for placement in the open state by the battery calculator CB.

Preferably, each value vk is equal to the absolute value of the associated voltage difference dk, i.e. (vk = |dk|). But in a variant embodiment each value vk could be equal to the associated voltage difference dk (i.e. vk = dk).

Also for example, in sub-step 20 of step 10-40 we (the monitoring device DS) can analyze the temporal evolution of first v1 (k = 1), second (k = 2) and third (k = 3) values on the associated itk time interval. In this case, in substep 20 of step 10-40 we (the monitoring device DS) can determine:

- if the first value v1, representative of a first difference d1 between the first voltage U10 (measured between the first terminals U1 and U00 of the rechargeable battery BP) and the second voltage U60 (measured between the second positive terminal U6 of the connector recharge CR and the first negative terminal U00 of the rechargeable battery BP), becomes greater than a first threshold s1 associated with this first difference d1 in a first time interval it1 associated with this first difference d1,

- if the second value v2, representative of a second difference d2 between the third voltage U62 (measured between the second terminals U6 and U02 of the charging connector CR) and the second voltage U60, becomes greater than a second threshold s2 associated with this second difference d2 in a second time interval it2 associated with this second difference d2, and

- if a third value v3, representative of a third difference d3 between the first U10 and third U62 voltages, becomes greater than a third threshold s3 associated with this third difference d3 in a third time interval it3 associated with this third difference d3.

In this substep 20 of step 10-40 if the first value v1 has become greater than the first threshold s1 in the first time interval it1 and/or the second value v2 has become greater than the second threshold s2 in the second interval of time it2 and/or the third value v3 has become greater than the third threshold s3 in the third time interval it3, we act (the monitoring device DS triggers an action) on the interface device DI to isolate the rechargeable battery BP in substep 30.

It will be understood that the first comparison of the first value v1 to the first threshold s1 is intended to make it possible to determine whether there is an opening fault of the first contactor C1, the second comparison of the second value v2 to the second threshold s2 is intended to make it possible to determine whether there is a failure to open the second contactor C2, and the third comparison of the third value v3 to the third threshold s3 is intended to make it possible to determine whether there is a failure to simultaneously open the first C1 and second C2 contactors.

We are forced to carry out the three comparisons described above when it is not possible to measure the voltage U020 (between U02 and U00), as is the case in the example of the device. DI interface shown on the . It will be understood that for safety reasons it is not possible to connect the first U00 and second U02 negative terminals via a resistor to measure the voltage U020. But other architectures of the interface device DI can make it possible to only have to carry out two comparisons of values vk with associated thresholds sk.

Also for example, the first threshold s1 can be equal to the product of the first voltage U10 by a first chosen coefficient µ1 (i.e. s1 = U10*µ1).

Also for example, the second threshold s2 can be equal to the product of the first voltage U10 by a second chosen coefficient µ2 (i.e. s2 = U10*µ2).

Also for example, the third threshold s3 can be equal to the product of the first voltage U10 by a third chosen coefficient µ3 (i.e. s3 = U10*µ3).

Also for example, the first µ1, second µ2 and third µ3 coefficients can be between 0.03 and 0.07. As an illustrative example, the first µ1, second µ2 and third µ3 coefficients can be equal to 0.05. But other values of first µ1, second µ2 and third µ3 coefficients can be used. In particular, the first µ1, second µ2 and third µ3 coefficients could differ from each other. For example, the values of the first µ1, second µ2 and third µ3 coefficients can be chosen during the development phase of the vehicle V.

Also for example, the first it1 and second it2 time intervals can be between 100 milliseconds and 1 second. As an illustrative example, the first it1 and second it2 time intervals can be equal to 500 milliseconds. But other values of first it1 and second it2 time intervals can be used. In particular, the first it1 and second it2 time intervals could differ from each other. For example, the values of the first it1 and second it2 time intervals can be chosen during the development phase of the vehicle V.

Also for example, the third time interval it3 can be between 50 milliseconds and 200 milliseconds. As an illustrative example, the third time interval it3 can be equal to 90 milliseconds. But other values of third time interval it3 can be used. For example, the value of the third time interval it3 can be chosen during the development phase of the vehicle V.

It will also be noted that in sub-step 30 of step 10-40, in the event of isolation of the rechargeable battery BP, it is also possible to carry out (the monitoring device DS can also trigger the carrying out) in the vehicle V at (at) least one complementary action chosen from:

- recording at least one fault code representative of an opening fault of at least one of the first C1 and second C2 contactors, and

- triggering an alert generation for a user of vehicle V (for example the driver) reporting a problem requiring immobilization of vehicle V and intervention by an after-sales service.

The recording of at least one fault code representative of an opening fault of at least one of the first C1 and second C2 contactors is intended to facilitate the search for the origin of such an opening fault by a technician from an after-sales service, and to allow this technician to solve the problem and to inform the user of vehicle V of the origin of the immobilization of vehicle V. For example, the CS supervision computer and/or the CB battery calculator can store this (each) fault code. Preferably, when we carry out the three comparisons of values vk with the associated thresholds sk, we use three fault codes representative respectively of an opening fault of the first contactor C1, of an opening fault of the second contactor C2, and a simultaneous opening fault of the first C1 and second C2 contactors.

The user can be alerted, for example, by means of a lit indicator light (for example in the dashboard of vehicle V) and/or a message displayed on at least one screen of vehicle V ( for example from the dashboard or a central handset) or on the screen of a smartphone (or “smartphone”) of the user, and/or broadcast by at least one speaker of the vehicle V or this smart phone. The aforementioned light can, for example, be a stop light (or “warning”), but it could also be a light dedicated to the CR charging connector. This alert is intended to inform the driver of vehicle V that the main electrical circuit CEP can no longer be used, and that he must immediately call an after-sales service to have his vehicle V checked.

Preferably, taking into account the potential seriousness of the situation when at least one of the first C1 and second C2 contactors has remained closed (or almost closed) when it should be open, the vehicle V is not re- authorized to operate normally only after an intervention and repair by an after-sales service and a reconfiguration of at least one computer of the vehicle V in a sub-step 40 of step 10-40.

Note also, as illustrated non-limitatively in the , that the battery calculator CB (or the calculator of the monitoring device DS) can also include a mass memory MM1, in particular to store each voltage (here U10, U60 and U62) involved in a difference dk, as well as possible intermediate data involved in all its calculations and processing. Furthermore, this CB battery calculator (or the DS monitoring device calculator) can also include an IE input interface for receiving at least each voltage (here U10, U60 and U62) involved in a difference dk for use them in calculations or processing, possibly after having formatted and/or demodulated and/or amplified it, in a manner known per se, by means of a digital signal processor PR2. In addition, this CB battery calculator (or the DS monitoring device calculator) can also include an IS output interface, in particular to deliver a message (or order) to isolate the rechargeable battery BP, a possible message (or order) for triggering the alert, and a possible message containing a fault code.

It will also be noted that the invention also proposes a computer program product (or computer program) comprising a set of instructions which, when executed by processing means of the electronic circuit (or hardware) type, such as for example the processor PR1, is capable of implementing the monitoring method described above to monitor in the vehicle V the reality of the placements in the open state of the first C1 and second C2 contactors of the interface device DI.

Claims (10)

Monitoring method for a vehicle (V) comprising i) a rechargeable battery (BP) having first positive and negative terminals, ii) a charging connector (CR) having second positive and negative terminals, and iii) a monitoring device interface (DI) comprising first (C1) and second (C2) contactors, each having open and closed states and coupled respectively to said first and second positive terminals and to said first and second negative terminals, and allowing direct current recharging of said rechargeable battery (BP) when they are placed in their closed state and said charging connector (CR) is temporarily coupled to an external power source (SA), characterized in that it comprises a step (10-40 ) in which, in the event of a request for placement of said first (C1) and second (C2) contactors in their open state, said interface device (DI) is acted upon to isolate said rechargeable battery (BP) when at least one value, representative of a difference between voltages measured between two terminals chosen from said first and second positive and negative terminals, becomes greater than a threshold associated with this difference in a time interval associated with this difference. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that in said step (10-40) it is determined i) whether a first value, representative of a first difference between a first voltage measured between said first terminals and a second voltage measured between said second positive terminal and said first negative terminal, becomes greater than a first threshold associated with this first difference in a first time interval associated with this first difference, ii) if a second value, representative of a second difference between a third voltage measured between said second terminals and said second voltage, becomes greater than a second threshold associated with this second difference in a second time interval associated with this second difference, and iii) if a third value, representative of a third difference between said first and third voltages, becomes greater than a third threshold associated with this third difference in a third time interval associated with this third difference, and, if said first value is greater than said first threshold in said first time interval and/or said second value is greater at said second threshold in said second time interval and/or said third value is greater than said third threshold in said third time interval, said interface device (DI) is acted upon to isolate said rechargeable battery (BP). Method according to claim 2, characterized in that in said step (10-40) said first threshold is equal to the product of said first voltage by a first chosen coefficient, said second threshold is equal to the product of said first voltage by a second coefficient chosen, and said third threshold is equal to the product of said first voltage by a third chosen coefficient. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that in said step (10-40) said first, second and third coefficients are between 0.03 and 0.07. Method according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that in said step (10-40) said first and second time intervals are between 100 milliseconds and 1 second. Method according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that in said step (10-40) said third time interval is between 50 milliseconds and 200 milliseconds. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that in said step (10-40), in the event of isolation of said rechargeable battery (BP), at least one action can be carried out in said vehicle (V). complementary chosen from a recording of at least one fault code representative of an opening fault of at least one of said first (C1) and second (C2) contactors and a triggering of an alert generation for a user of said vehicle (V) reporting a problem requiring immobilization of said vehicle (V) and intervention by an after-sales service. Computer program product comprising a set of instructions which, when executed by processing means, is capable of implementing the monitoring method according to one of claims 1 to 7, in a vehicle (V) comprising i) a rechargeable battery (BP) having first positive and negative terminals, ii) a charging connector (CR) having second positive and negative terminals, and iii) an interface device (DI) comprising first (C1 ) and second (C2) contactors, each having open and closed states and coupled respectively to said first and second positive terminals and to said first and second negative terminals, and allowing direct current recharging of said rechargeable battery (BP) when they are placed in their closed state and that said charging connector (CR) is temporarily coupled to an external power source (SA), to monitor the reality of the placements of said first (C1) and second (C2) contactors in their open state consecutively to a placement request. Monitoring device (DS) for a vehicle (V) comprising i) a rechargeable battery (BP) having first positive and negative terminals, ii) a charging connector (CR) having second positive and negative terminals, and iii) a interface device (DI) comprising first (C1) and second (C2) contactors, each having open and closed states and coupled respectively to said first and second positive terminals and to said first and second negative terminals, and allowing current recharge continuous operation of said rechargeable battery (BP) when they are placed in their closed state and said charging connector (CR) is temporarily coupled to an external power source (SA), characterized in that it comprises at least one processor (PR1) and at least one memory (MD) arranged to carry out the operations consisting, in the event of a request for placement of said first (C1) and second (C2) contactors in their open state, in triggering an action on said device interface (DI) to isolate said rechargeable battery (BP) when at least one value, representative of a difference between voltages measured between two terminals chosen from said first and second positive and negative terminals, becomes greater than a threshold associated with this difference in a time interval associated with this difference. Vehicle (V) comprising i) a rechargeable battery (BP) having first positive and negative terminals, ii) a charging connector (CR) having second positive and negative terminals, and iii) an interface device (DI) comprising first (C1) and second (C2) contactors, each having open and closed states and coupled respectively to said first and second positive terminals and to said first and second negative terminals, and allowing direct current recharging of said rechargeable battery (BP) when they are placed in their closed state and said charging connector (CR) is temporarily coupled to an external power source (SA), characterized in that it further comprises a monitoring device (DS) according to the claim 9.