KR102603604B1 - Electric vehicle charging system for improve charging stability - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electric vehicle charging system, comprising: a connector communication unit that checks the charging state using a vehicle communication unit and a CP signal; a charging unit that checks the CP signal of the connector communication unit and provides an alternating current voltage in state C; When the voltage level of the CP signal does not satisfy the state C state, scan and check the voltage level of the CP signal, and if the voltage level of the CP signal is in the range of 4.5V to 7.5V, the charging unit recognizes it as being in state C. It may include a level scanner.

Description

Electric vehicle charging system for improving charging stability}

The present invention relates to an electric vehicle charging system, and more specifically to an electric vehicle charging system that can improve charging stability.

In general, charging methods between electric vehicles (EV) and EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) can be largely divided into charging methods using AC (Alternating Current) and charging methods using DC (Directing Current).

The charging method using AC is a method of charging using a generator or commercial AC power (e.g. 220VAC), and the charging method using DC is a method of charging a portable battery by converting it to AC power using a DC/AC converter.

To charge an electric vehicle, the charging signal line (or plug) of the EVSE is connected to the charging inlet of the electric vehicle (electric vehicle) in the form of a charging gun.

EV and EVSE control states such as enable and wake-up using mutual CP (Control Pilot) signals.

In Publication Patent No. 10-2023-0089707 (published on June 21, 2023, electric vehicle battery charging control device and method using an electric vehicle power supply), the electric vehicle charging connector is connected to the OBC (On Board Charger) of the electric vehicle, and then sends a CP signal. It describes monitoring, controlling the enable or wake-up state according to the value of the CP signal, and performing a charging operation according to each state.

Typically, CP signals are divided into states A, B, C, and D, and the voltage value of the CP signal for classification of each state is determined.

State A is unconnected and the CP signal is set to 12V, state B is connected and set to 9V, state C is charged and set to 6V, and state D is set to 3V for a charger terminal removal request or error state.

1 is an exemplary diagram of a conventional charging connector and a vehicle-side charger communication circuit.

Referring to FIG. 1, the charging connector 100 outputs a CP signal of 12V, and when the charging connector 100 is connected to the charging inlet of an electric vehicle, the voltage drops to 9V according to the voltage distribution of the charger communication circuit 200. It comes true.

At this time, the detection unit 110 can detect the voltage drop and confirm that the charging connector 100 is connected to the electric vehicle.

Additionally, the vehicle side confirms that the charging connector 100 is connected and adjusts the voltage to 6V corresponding to state C by adjusting the resistance value using the switch S1.

This is detected by the detector 110, and the controller 120 performs control to supply AC voltage so that the battery of the electric vehicle can be charged.

However, due to a variety of reasons, there may be cases where the voltage actually detected by the detection unit 110 is not 6V.

The above causes may vary depending on the model and manufacturer of the electric vehicle. Even for the same vehicle model and manufacturer, the range of voltage drop may vary depending on wiring, resistance value, assembly conditions, etc., making it impossible to maintain an accurate 6V CP signal. Cases arise.

In addition, it may be difficult to maintain the CP signal corresponding to state C due to weather factors, corrosion of the connection terminal of the charging connector 100, or damage to the socket portion.

In this case, when the CP signal does not maintain 6V, actual charging does not occur even though the charging connector 100 is connected to the electric vehicle, and the user may judge that the charger itself is broken, which is a problem that may reduce reliability. There was this.

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention in consideration of the above problems is to provide an electric vehicle charging system that can perform normal charging operations despite CP signal abnormalities caused by various causes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electric vehicle charging system that can predict the state of the connector by monitoring CP signal abnormalities occurring in a specific charging connector.

The electric vehicle charging system of the present invention to solve the above problems includes a connector communication unit that checks the charging state using the vehicle communication unit and a CP signal, and an AC voltage in state C by checking the CP signal of the connector communication unit. When the voltage level of the charging unit and CP signal does not satisfy the state C state, the voltage level of the CP signal is scanned and checked, and if the voltage level of the CP signal is in the range of 4.5V to 7.5V, the charging unit detects state C. It may include a level scanner to recognize that it is in a state.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the level scanner provides a memory for dividing and storing a voltage range of 4.5V to 7.5V according to a set level range, and each of the level ranges stored in the memory to the controller of the charging unit, It may include a microcomputer that detects the level range to which the CP signal level detected by the communication unit belongs.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the level scanner may further include a communication unit that transmits a charger ID and level classification data that is a result of detecting the level range.

In an embodiment of the present invention, it may further include an analysis server that receives the charger ID and level classification data from the communication unit and stores the level classification data for each charger ID in time series.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the analysis server may analyze stored level classification data to determine whether there is an abnormality in the terminal portion or socket portion of the charger connector.

The present invention analyzes the CP signal level to ensure that normal charging is performed even when the CP signal at a normal level is not detected due to the characteristics of the electric vehicle or environmental influences when performing CP signal communication between the connector of the charger and the electric vehicle. By enabling this, there is an effect of improving charging stability and preventing a decrease in reliability of the charger.

In addition, the present invention analyzes the pattern of the CP signal level of a specific charger to diagnose abnormalities in the terminals of the connector or damage to the socket portion, thereby improving convenience by enabling easy confirmation of the connector to be replaced without regular inspection of the connector. There is an effect that can be achieved.

1 is an exemplary circuit diagram of a conventional charger connector and a communication unit of an electric vehicle.
Figure 2 is a block diagram of an electric vehicle charging system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a partial detailed block diagram of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a graph to explain the analysis process of the analysis server.
Figure 5 is a partial detailed block diagram according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the electric vehicle charging system of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

The embodiments of the present invention are provided to more completely explain the present invention to those skilled in the art, and the embodiments described below may be modified into various other forms, and the embodiments of the present invention may be modified. The scope is not limited to the examples below. Rather, these examples are provided to make the present invention more faithful and complete and to fully convey the spirit of the present invention to those skilled in the art.

The terms used herein are used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. As used herein, the singular forms include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Additionally, when used herein, “comprise” and/or “comprising” means specifying the presence of stated features, numbers, steps, operations, members, elements and/or groups thereof. and does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other shapes, numbers, operations, members, elements and/or groups. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any one and all combinations of one or more of the listed items.

Although terms such as first, second, etc. are used herein to describe various members, regions, and/or portions, it is obvious that these members, parts, regions, layers, and/or portions are not limited by these terms. . These terms do not imply any particular order, superiority or inferiority, or superiority or inferiority, and are used only to distinguish one member, region or portion from another member, region or portion. Accordingly, a first member, region or portion described below may refer to a second member, region or portion without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to drawings schematically showing embodiments of the present invention. In the drawings, variations of the depicted shape may be expected, for example, depending on manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the specific shape of the area shown in this specification, but should include, for example, changes in shape resulting from manufacturing.

Figure 2 is a block diagram of an electric vehicle charging system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the present invention includes a connector communication unit 10 of a charger that transmits and receives CP signals with the vehicle communication unit 20, and a connector that supplies AC power to the vehicle through a connector according to the CP signal of the connector communication unit 10. When there is an abnormality in the CP signal level of the charging unit 40 and the connector communication unit 10, a level scanner 30 that provides a stored level scan range to the charging unit 40 and stores and transmits the detected level range data. ) and an analysis server 60 that receives error data of the CP signal level detected from the level scanner 30, analyzes the CP signal level error of a specific connector for a set period, and provides analysis results, and an analysis server It may include a display unit 50 that displays the analysis results of (60).

Hereinafter, the structure and operation of the present invention configured as described above will be described in more detail.

First, the connector communication unit 10 checks a CP signal that confirms the connection status and charging status of the vehicle communication unit 20 and the charger connector through the CP signal line.

As mentioned earlier, the connector communication unit 10 can check the status information of states A, B, C, and D.

Figure 3 is a detailed block diagram of the main part of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the connector communication unit 10 can output a CP signal at a voltage level of 12V (state A), and the effect of the voltage drop of the vehicle communication unit 20 when the charger connector is coupled to the charging inlet of an electric vehicle. It is reduced to a CP signal of 9V.

At this time, the detection unit 11 detects a CP signal of 9V, and the detection result is input to the controller 41 of the charging unit 40.

A CP signal of 9V is detected in the vehicle's control unit (e.g., MCU), and for charging, the switch (S1) of the vehicle communication unit (20) is closed and a resistor (R3) is added to lower the voltage level to 6V by voltage distribution. do.

At this time, the voltage level of the CP signal is detected by the detection unit 11, and when the 6V voltage level is confirmed, the charging unit 40 supplies AC voltage through the L1 and N terminals of the connector to enable charging.

If the CP voltage detected by the detector 11 is not at the voltage level corresponding to state C due to various reasons described above, the controller 41 limits the output of the AC voltage.

At this time, the controller 41 outputs a signal indicating that there is a problem in the microcomputer 31 of the level scanner 30 when a certain period of time has elapsed in the state B state and the voltage level of the CP signal is not normal.

The level scanner 30 uses an Android board. That is, the microcomputer 31 runs the Android OS, and the memory 32 for driving the microcomputer 31 stores voltage level information for detecting the CP signal.

In addition, the level scanner 30 includes a communication unit 33 for performing data communication with the analysis server 60 through a communication network such as LTE or 5G using an Android board.

The level scanner 30 provides voltage level information stored in the memory 32 to the controller 41 to detect the current CP signal level.

The voltage level information stored in memory 32 may range from 4.5 to 7.5V.

That is, the upper and lower scan range is designated based on 6V, which is the normal CP signal level representing state C, and upon request from the controller 41, scan level information is provided to the controller 41.

At this time, the level ranges of 4.5 to 7.5 V described above are not provided simultaneously, but the level ranges are provided separately.

Specifically, the memory 32 of the level scanner 30 contains 4.5 V and less than 5 V (first level), 5 V and less than 5.5 V (second level), 5.5 V and less than 6 V (third level), and 6 V and more than 6.5 V. Scanning data divided into V and below (4th level), 6.5V and 7V and below (5th level), and 7V and 7.5V and below (6th level) are stored.

This division of level ranges can be understood as intended for the collection and use of more diverse information about electric vehicles and electric vehicle chargers.

First, after confirming that there is no level detection corresponding to state C from the controller 41, the microcomputer 31 provides a scan request for detecting the voltage range from the first level to the sixth level to the controller 41. do.

The controller 41 checks whether the range of voltage detected by the detector 11 is 4.5 V or more and less than 5 V in response to the first level scan request from the microcomputer 31, and performs this confirmation process (scan) starting from the first level. Perform sequentially up to level 6.

If a voltage corresponding to a voltage range of a specific level is detected in the detection unit 11 in the scan results from the first level to the sixth level, the controller 41 performs a scan corresponding to the voltage detected in the detection unit 11. Level information is provided to the microcomputer 31.

In addition, if the voltage detected by the detection unit 11 falls within the range of the first level to the sixth level, the controller 41 determines that it is in state C, and sends an alternating current voltage to the terminals (L1, N), and thus charges the battery of the electric vehicle.

In the above scan process, the controller 41 sequentially scans from the first level to the sixth level, but when the voltage of the detection unit 11 matching a specific level is confirmed, the scan for subsequent levels can be omitted. .

For example, when performing the second level scan, if the voltage detected by the detection unit 11 is 5V or more and less than 5.5V, the third level and subsequent scans are omitted and the In addition to notifying that level 2 voltage is detected, AC voltage can be supplied to ensure normal charging.

In this way, the present invention scans the detected voltage even when the CP signal of state C, which is defined as a 6V voltage level, is not detected, and if the detected voltage is in the voltage range of 4.5V to 7.5V, it is recognized as state C and charges the electric vehicle battery. You can do it.

Therefore, if the voltage level in state C cannot be provided due to the characteristics of the electric vehicle or external factors, the charger manufacturer will prevent the reliability of the charger product from deteriorating because the user may judge it to be a problem with the charger product rather than a problem with the electric vehicle. You can do it.

As described above, the microcomputer 31 confirms the detected CP signal voltage level of the detection unit 11 by dividing it into the first level to the sixth level from the controller 41 and transmits it to the analysis server 60 through the communication unit 33. .

As mentioned earlier, the level scanner 30 is an Android board and can communicate data with the analysis server 60 through an LTE or 5G network.

The microcomputer 31 transmits the detected CP signal level along with a determined ID to the charger itself through the communication unit 33.

For example, ID and level values can be transmitted. Specifically, level classification data that can distinguish between the first level and the sixth level can be transmitted along with the ID.

Here, the ID may be a mobile phone number.

The analysis server 60 receives and stores ID and level classification data from multiple chargers, and analyzes changes in level classification data for each ID.

Here, the period of analysis data or the amount of level classification data can be set arbitrarily, but in order to detect highly reliable data, it is desirable to define the period or amount of level classification data set for each analysis.

The analysis server 60 analyzes changes in level classification data of the same ID when level classification data has been accumulated for at least one month or more than 50 times.

Figure 4 is an example data diagram for explaining the analysis work of the analysis server 60.

Figure 4 is a graph showing level classification data in time series for more than one month or more than 50 times for chargers with the same ID.

The analysis server 60 calculates the ratio of the average of the area (X2) on the graph formed by the recently set number (or period) of level classified data to the average (X1) of the area on the graph formed by all level classified data.

For example, calculate the ratio of the area (X2) comprised by the most recent 10 level classified data to the area (X1) comprised by all 50 level classified data.

In the above example, if the calculated ratio (X2/X1) is 0.2, it is analyzed as being in a normal state. This is because it is the same as the ratio of the latest level classification data to the entire level classification data.

If the calculated ratio is lower than the set value (for example, 0.1), it may be determined that the recently input level classification data is lower than the average level classification data, and at this time, the analysis server 60 determines that the charger connector terminal portion Analyze above.

If the charger connector terminal (CP terminal to be exact) is contaminated or the socket part protecting the CP terminal is damaged and the connection with the terminal of the vehicle communication unit 20 is loosely coupled, the CP signal level may be detected as low. Because you can.

The analysis server 60 transmits data indicating the need to inspect the charger connector terminal to the communication unit 33 when the ratio of the most recently set period or most recently set data amount to the set entire period or total data amount to be used for analysis is less than the set value. do.

At this time, each charger is distinguished by ID (mobile phone number) and can receive data without error, and the microcomputer 31, which confirms the inspection guidance data of the analysis server 60, communicates with the controller 41, and the controller ( 41) may display a code or message on the display unit 50 to check the terminal portion and socket portion of the charger connector.

Therefore, the present invention can remotely detect abnormalities in the connector terminal and socket of a charger that is repeatedly used in public, and automatically notifies the remote detection result to prevent charging failure or other safety accidents that may occur due to the use of a damaged charger. can be prevented.

Figure 5 is a block diagram according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 5, the present invention further includes a voltage detection unit 42 that detects AC voltage in the charging unit 40.

The voltage detection unit 42 detects the level of AC voltage supplied to the charger and provides the result to the controller 41.

The controller 41 provides the voltage drop ratio with respect to the normal AC voltage to the microcomputer 31 using the voltage detection result of the voltage detection unit 42.

That is, in the domestic case, the voltage drop ratio of the currently detected AC voltage is calculated based on 220VAC and provided to the microcomputer 31.

If the voltage detected by the voltage detection unit 42 is detected as 198VAC, it is calculated that the voltage drop is 10%, and at this time, the voltage drop ratio is provided to the microcomputer 31.

The microcomputer 31 adjusts the first to sixth level voltages to match the voltage drop ratio and detects the CP signal level described above.

For example, if the voltage drop is 10%, the voltage range of the first level can be adjusted to 4.05V or more and less than 4.5V.

This can be understood as applying the actual value of commercial AC power because the voltage supplied to the CP signal terminal is determined using the input commercial AC power.

Therefore, the present invention has the feature of ensuring stable charging of electric vehicles by taking into account aging of switchboards, etc., aging of power wiring, etc.

The process of checking the type of state and detecting an abnormality in a socket, etc. using the adjusted voltage range of the first to sixth levels is the same as the above-described embodiment, and further detailed description will be omitted.

In addition, in the above examples, level information stored in the memory 32 of the level scanner 30 is provided so that the level of the CP signal detected in the detection unit 11 can be detected by the controller 41 of the charging unit 40. As described, a converter that adjusts the voltage (12V) supplied to the connector communication unit 10 of FIG. 3 according to the level information stored in the memory 32 may be further included.

The level of the CP signal changes according to the voltage adjustment of the converter, and the controller 41 checks the voltage level at which the state can be confirmed regardless of the voltage level of the CP signal, which changes depending on various causes, and determines and operates the state. It can be done.

It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and can be implemented with various modifications and variations without departing from the technical gist of the present invention. will be.

10: Connector communication unit 11: Detection unit
20: Vehicle communication unit 30: Level scanner
31: Microcomputer 32: Memory
33: Communication unit 40: Charging unit
50: Display unit 60: Analysis server

Claims (5)

A connector communication unit that checks the status for charging using the vehicle communication unit and CP signal;
a charging unit that checks the CP signal of the connector communication unit and provides AC voltage in state C; and
When the voltage level of the CP signal does not satisfy the state C state, scan and check the voltage level of the CP signal, and if the voltage level of the CP signal is in the range of 4.5V to 7.5V, the charging unit recognizes it as being in state C. Includes a level scanner that
The level scanner is,
The first level is 4.5V to less than 5V, the second level is 5V to less than 5.5V, the third level is 5.5V to less than 6V, the fourth level is more than 6V but less than 6.5V, the fifth level is 6.5V to less than 7V, A memory for storing scanning data divided into the sixth level, 7V to 7.5V, and each of the level ranges stored in the memory are provided to the controller of the charging unit to detect the level range to which the CP signal level detected in the connector communication unit belongs. It includes a microcomputer that
The charging unit includes a voltage detection unit that detects the level of AC voltage supplied to the charger, and a controller that calculates a voltage drop ratio of the AC voltage level detected by the voltage detection unit to a normal AC voltage and provides the voltage drop ratio to the microcomputer,
The microcomputer is configured to scan the level of the CP signal by adjusting the voltage range of the first to sixth levels of the scanning data. delete According to paragraph 1,
The level scanner is,
An electric vehicle charging system further comprising a communication unit that transmits a charger ID and level classification data resulting from the level range detection. According to paragraph 3,
An electric vehicle charging system further comprising an analysis server that receives the charger ID and level classification data from the communication unit and stores the level classification data for each charger ID in time series. According to clause 4,
The analysis server is,
By analyzing the stored level classification data,
An electric vehicle charging system characterized by analyzing whether there is an abnormality in the terminal or socket portion of the charger connector.

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