WO2013092548A2

WO2013092548A2 - Unlocking circuit

Info

Publication number: WO2013092548A2
Application number: PCT/EP2012/075895
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin Jankowski
Original assignee: Phoenix Contact Gmbh & Co Kg
Priority date: 2011-12-22
Filing date: 2012-12-18
Publication date: 2013-06-27
Also published as: DE102011122629A1; WO2013092548A3; DE102011122629B4

Abstract

The present invention relates to a circuit (101) for unlocking a plug connection locked by an electromotive actuator, with a first switching element Rel 1 for opening a mechanical locking device, a capacitor C for storing energy for at least one actuation of the mechanical locking device and for providing a reference voltage Vref, and a comparator Comp for comparing the reference voltage Vref provided by the capacitor C to an input voltage and for controlling the first switching element Rel 1 on the basis of the comparison.

Description

unlocking

The present invention relates to a circuit for releasing an electromotive lock in case of power failure, for example for unlocking a charging cable for a motor vehicle.

State of the art

The document DE 694 14 772 T2 relates to charging couplings for electric vehicles and clutches for releasably coupling supply connectors with battery connectors which are arranged in electric vehicles to charge them.

Disclosure of the invention

It is the object underlying the invention to provide an electrical unlocking circuit, with which it can be ensured that an electromotive

Plug lock is released in case of power failure and can be removed in case of failure and under other unforeseen circumstances, such as in a

Vehicle or a charging station plugged in, lockable charging cable This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claim.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the figures, the

Description and dependent claims.

According to one aspect of the invention, this object is achieved by a circuit for

Unlocking a charging cable for a motor vehicle solved, with a first switching element for opening a mechanical locking device, a capacitor for

Storing energy for at least one actuation of the mechanical

Locking device and for providing a reference voltage and a

A comparator for comparing the reference voltage provided by the capacitor with an input voltage and for driving the first switching element based on the comparison. As a result, the advantage is achieved that a circuit is realized by simple means, through which even in the case of an unforeseen interruption

Supply voltage unlocking the charging cable takes place and the charging cable can be removed. In contrast to locking devices in which solenoids are supplied with power over the entire locking time, it allows the invention Circuit to use electromotive actuators, which receive only a single electrical pulse to drive the latch in the locked position. As a result, an energy-efficient locking mechanism can be realized. The main task of the circuit is to safely unlock the connector in case of power failure. The energy efficiency results from the use of an electromotive actuator, which, unlike a lock by a solenoid does not need to be permanently energized and only requires one electrical pulse for locking and unlocking. The switching elements used can be formed both by relays and by semiconductor components. In an advantageous embodiment, the circuit comprises a second switching element for closing the mechanical locking device. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the circuit can not only be used as an emergency unlocking circuit, but additionally a function can be used as a regular circuit for locking a charging cable.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the circuit comprises a pulse generator for actuating the first switching element. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the switching element is controlled by a precisely predetermined pulse and can be realized a high switching safety of the switching element when unlocking.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the circuit comprises a

Current limiting resistor for charging the capacitor. As a result, the technical advantage is achieved, for example, that destruction of the capacitor or the circuit is prevented by a too large current.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the circuit comprises a diode between a terminal of the capacitor and a reference voltage input of the capacitor

Comparator. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the

Current direction is set to the comparator and the switching safety of

Comparator increased.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the circuit has a first

Optocoupler for transmitting an electrical signal from a circuit input to the first switching element. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the circuits for the electrical signal for switching the locking state and the circuits for providing an operating voltage for the actuators are galvanically separated from each other and an undesired coupling is prevented.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the circuit has a second

Optocoupler for transmitting an electrical signal from a circuit input to the second switching element. As a result, the technical advantage is achieved, for example, that both a locking signal and an unlocking signal can be galvanically separated from the operating voltage.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the circuit has an optocoupler for blocking the electrical signal from a circuit input. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that no interference can be generated by undefined input voltages at the switching inputs in the event of an emergency release. In a further advantageous embodiment, the circuit comprises a switch for connecting an operating voltage terminal of the comparator to a ground potential. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the

Emergency unlocking function of the circuit can be tested or by a

Parent circuit can be triggered.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the switch is an optocoupler. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the signal input to

Triggering the release can be galvanically separated from the other circuits of the circuit and high security of the circuit can be realized.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the circuit comprises a signal shaper for actuating the first switching element and for actuating the second switching element. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that different signals can be used to control a locking state, so that a

Input signal, which is designed for a solenoid, can be converted to an electromotive actuator.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the signal conditioner comprises a first pulse generator for actuating the first switching element. This is for example likewise achieved the technical advantage that a high switching safety of

Switching element can be ensured for other unlocking signals.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the signal shaper comprises a second pulse generator for actuating the second switching element. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that a high switching safety of

Switching element can be ensured for other locking signals.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the signal conditioner comprises a switch for driving the first and the second pulse generator. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the pulse can be controlled indirectly and depending on the configuration of the circuit by different input voltages.

In a further embodiment, the switch is an optocoupler. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that a galvanic decoupling of the circuits is achieved and a transmission of interference is avoided.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the signal shaper is designed to actuate the first switching element when an input voltage disappears. As a result, the technical advantage is achieved, for example, that only for locking the charging cable, a voltage must be applied and the energy efficiency of the circuit is improved. in the

In general, the circuit is also designed in this embodiment, a

Both electromotive actuator to lock as well as unlock.

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawing and are in

Described in more detail below.

Show it:

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the circuit;

Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the circuit having an input blocking section; Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a third embodiment of the circuit with additional input for unlocking the charging cable;

4 is a block diagram of a fourth embodiment of the circuit with a

Signal conditioners.

Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of a circuit for releasing an electromotive lock in case of power failure. Charging electric vehicles should be easy for anyone to do. This should be the systems used

self-explanatory and handy. In a standard charging, it can be assumed that a charging cable is carried in the vehicle. Thus, it is necessary for a system user to operate a plug-in connection both at the charging station and at the vehicle. This process should be as simple and comfortable as possible.

Charges are usually extended in time over several hours and therefore take place unattended. In order to avoid that the charging process is interrupted in an undesirable manner, for example, to steal the charging cable or the

Charging maliciously to stop charging, the connectors of the charging cable in the

Charging station and mechanically locked in the vehicle. Necessary interlocking or sealing operations should be automatic and require no additional handling. The electromechanical lock can be triggered by an electrical signal that is sent as soon as the charging process is started. If the charging process is interrupted and the charging cable is de-energized, then the

electromechanical lock unlocked. In spite of system errors or power failures that locked to one unintentionally

Can lead plug-in device to remove the charging cable is one

Emergency release required.

The locking is usually realized by means of solenoids or electromotive actuators. In this case, solenoids are supplied with power over the entire locking time and fall back spring loaded with no current in the unlocked position. This type of locking is energy consuming, because during the entire locking time of the holding current flows. It is advantageous to use an electromotive actuator, for example, when a blind cap is to be locked during the charge-free time. On the other hand, electromotive actuators are conceivable that only a single

received electrical pulse to drive the latch in the locked position. Similarly, the electromotive actuators receive a single pulse in reverse polarity to unlock the plug contact. Compared with a permanent supply with a holding current, this embodiment is more energy efficient.

For errors such as a power failure, however, would remain the current

Lock state received, so that in this case there would be no way to get the locked plug from the charging station. The circuit shown in Fig. 1 performs the following functions:

Pass the locking and unlocking function

Provide locking and unlocking functions initiated by external controls

- Emergency release of the electromotive actuators

Voltage conversion if the existing operating voltage does not match the actuator.

The block diagram shown in Figure 1 further details and the basic function can be removed.

An operating voltage Vcc is supplied to one terminal of the circuit 101. The diodes D1 and D3, for example Schottky diodes, allow the current to pass only in one direction and act as a barrier in the other direction. The diodes D1 and D3 therefore prevent a voltage drop of the voltage Vcc that the capacitor C unintentionally discharges. Via the diode D3, the voltage Vcc is led to a terminal of a comparator Comp. The other terminal of the comparator Comp is connected to the capacitor C via the diode D4. The comparator Comp determines which of the two supplied voltages Vcin and Vref is higher.

Now falls the operating voltage Vcc minus the voltage drop across the diode D3, ie Vcin, below the voltage value of the capacitor minus the voltage drop across the diode D4, ie Vref, the comparator Comp outputs a negative edge, the pulse generator, or timer Timerl to a Pulse of a preset length t causes. One such pulse may be, for example, a rectangular pulse, which switches the transistor T1 in the conductive state.

By this pulse, the relay Reh is controlled, so that the output voltage Vout for the time t in the polarity to open or unlock the electromotive actuator at the output terminals 109 and 1 1 1 is present. This is done by the transistor T1 is switched by the pulse in a conducting state and thus a terminal of the relay Reh is set to the ground potential.

The capacity C, for reasons of longevity, zero maintenance and

Temperature resistance is designed as a double-layer capacitor, for example as a super-capacitor, ultra-capacitor, gold cap or supercap, is on the

Current limiting resistor or resistor Rv charged. The series resistor Rv is an electrical resistor which is connected in series with the capacitor C in order to limit the current to permissible values. At the end of the charging, the capacitor C has the

Reached voltage Vout.

The capacitance C is chosen such that it is designed for the voltage Vout and the amount of energy stored in the capacitor C is sufficient to activate the actuator

Locking mechanism safely open, even when the operating voltage has dropped to zero. The stored electrical energy is delivered in the event of a voltage drop from the capacitor C via the diode D2 and the relay Reh to the line to the output terminal 109.

On the one hand, therefore, the capacitor C stores the amount of energy required for switching the actuator, so that even when the operating voltage Vcc falls, the actuator can be actuated. On the other hand, the capacitor provides the reference voltage Vref, on the basis of which it can be determined by the comparator Comp

Voltage drop of the operating voltage Vcc is present. Applied input signals + Vin or -Vin at the input terminals 1 13 and 1 15 are polarity correct by the circuit 101 to the output terminals 109 and 1 1 1

passed. In this case, the input voltage Vin may be an arbitrarily high DC voltage, which is parameterized by the resistor R1. As long as the input voltage + Vin or - Vin is present, the associated relay Reh or Rel2 is controlled and the

Output voltage + Vout or -Vout is in the correct polarity to the Output terminals 109 and 1 1 1 at. The magnitude of the output voltage Vout is the applied operating voltage Vcc minus the voltage dropped across the diode D1.

For example, if a positive voltage + Vin applied to the input terminals 1 13 and 1 15, the relay deer is operated. During this period, the voltage + Vout is applied to the output terminals 109 and 1 1 1. If, however, a negative voltage -Vin is applied to the input terminals 1 13 and 1 15, the relay Rel2 is actuated. During this period, the voltage -Vout is applied to the output terminals 109 and 1 1 1.

In order to drive the relays Reil and Rel2 in accordance with the applied voltage + Vin or -Vin, the circuit 101 has two optocouplers Opt1 and Opt2. The

Input terminals of the first opto-coupler Opt1 are connected to the input terminals 1 13 and 1 15, respectively. The input terminals of the second optocoupler Opt2 are inversely connected to the input terminals 1 13 and 1 15. Depending on which polarity the voltage Vin has, therefore, either the first optocoupler Opt1 or the second optocoupler Opt2 is actuated, which then controls one of the relays Reh or Rel2.

The optocouplers Opt1 and Opt2 serve to transmit the electrical signals between the galvanically isolated circuits of the input terminals 1 13 and 1 15 and the output terminals 109 and 1 1 1. Optocouplers Opt1 and Opt2 comprise an optical transmitter, typically a light emitting diode (LED), and an optical receiver, such as a phototransistor, both housed in an opaque housing. Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of a second embodiment of the circuit 201 having an input blocking section.

As long as the operating voltage Vcc minus the voltage drop across the diode D3, i. Vcin, below the voltage value of the capacitor minus the voltage drop across the diode D4, i. Vref, is located, the input signal at the input terminals 1 13 and 1 15 is blocked via an optocoupler Opt3, so that at the output terminals 109 and 1 1 1 no interference can be generated by undefined input voltages.

For this purpose, the optocoupler Opt3 is connected via a resistor to the output of the comparator Comp. If the optocoupler Opt3 at lowering the operating voltage Vcc When activated, the inputs of the optocoupler Opt1 and the inputs of the optocoupler Opt2 are short-circuited so that the optocouplers Opt1 and Opt2 do not receive an input signal. The remaining circuit 201 corresponds to the circuit 101 shown in FIG.

3 shows a block diagram of a third embodiment of the circuit 301 with an additional input for unlocking the charging cable. This circuit also has the terminals RE + and RE-.

The additional terminals RE + and RE- allow the system to be unlocked and secured by connecting a voltage, which can be used, for example, by a fault output from a higher-level controller. For this purpose, a further optocoupler Opt4 is used, whose one output is connected to the terminal of the comparator Comp for the voltage Vcin. If the optocoupler Opt4 is activated by applying a voltage to the terminals RE + and RE-, the optocoupler sets the voltage Vcin of the comparator Comp to the ground potential. By this measure, so to speak, a voltage drop of the voltage Vcc at the

Comparator Comp is simulated so that the comparator Comp outputs a negative edge, which causes the timer Timerl to a pulse of a preset length t. Thereby, the actuator of the connector lock, such as a charging cable, is brought into an unlocked state. The remaining circuit 301 corresponds to the circuit 201 shown in FIG.

4 shows a block diagram of a fourth embodiment of the circuit 401 with a signal conditioner 409. The signal conditioner 409 comprises the input terminals CL + and Cl-, the optocoupler Opt5 and the pulse generators Timer2 and Timer3 and serves to process a different type of control signal. The other control signal may be, for example, that when a voltage is applied to the input terminals CL + and Cl-, the actuators are locked, while at an applied voltage of 0V, the actuators are unlocked, i. when the voltage disappears.

This is done by activating the optocoupler Opt5 when applying a voltage with the correct polarity to the input terminals CL + and Cl-. When the optocoupler Opt5 is activated, a negative edge is output to the input of the pulse generator Timer2, as it is connected to the ground potential by the optocoupler Opt5. The pulse timer Timer2 then sends a pulse of a preset length t, which switches the downstream transistor T3 in the conductive state and so the relay Rel2 actuated.

This pulse drives the relay Rel2, so that the output voltage Vout for the time t in the polarity to close the electromotive actuator at the output terminals 109 and 1 1 1 is present. This is done by the transistor T3 is switched by the pulse in a conducting state and thus a connection of the relay Rel2 on the

Ground potential is placed. This is when applying a voltage to the

Input terminals CL + and Cl- the charging cable locked.

When the Optocoupler Opt5 is deactivated, a negative edge is output to the input of the Pulse Timer3 by passing it through the transistor T2 to the

Ground potential is placed. The pulse timer Timer3 then also sends a pulse of a preset length t, which switches the downstream transistor T4 in the conductive state, and thus actuates the relay Reh. This will unlock the charging cable when the voltage at the CL + and Cl- input terminals is switched off. The remaining circuit 401 corresponds to the circuit 301 shown in FIG.

All described and shown individual features can be combined in any meaningful way with each other to realize their beneficial effects at the same time.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

101 circuit

Timerl Clock / Pulser / Timer

109 output terminal

1 1 1 output terminal

1 13 input terminal

1 15 input terminal

D1 diode

D2 diode

D3 diode

D4 diode

Rv resistance

R1 resistance

C capacitor

Comp comparator / comparator

Deer relay

Rel2 relays

Opt1 optocoupler

Opt2 optocoupler

T1 transistor

T2 transistor

T3 transistor

201 circuit

Opt3 optocoupler

301 circuit

Opt4 optocoupler

RE + input terminal

RE input terminal

401 circuit

Timer2 Clock / Pulser / Timer '

Timer3 Clock / Pulser / Timer

409 signal conditioner

Opt5 optocoupler

CL + input terminal

CL input terminal

Claims

1 . Circuit (101) for unlocking a plug connection with a lock by an electromotive actuator, characterized by: a first switching element (Reh) for opening a mechanical locking device; a capacitor (C) for storing energy for at least one operation of the mechanical locking device and for providing a reference voltage (Vref); and a comparator (Comp) for comparing the reference voltage (Vref) provided by the capacitor (C) with an input voltage (Vcin) and for driving the first switching element (Reh) based on the comparison.

2. Circuit (101) according to claim 1, characterized in that the circuit (101) comprises a second switching element (Rel2) for closing the mechanical locking device.

3. The circuit (101) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the circuit (101) has a pulse generator (Timerl) for actuating the first

Switching element (deer) includes.

4. The circuit according to claim 1, wherein the circuit has a current limiting resistor for charging the

Capacitor (C).

5. Circuit (101) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the circuit (101) comprises a diode (D4) between a terminal of the capacitor (C) and a reference voltage input of the comparator (Comp).

6. The circuit (101) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the circuit (101) comprises a first optical coupler (Opt1) for transmitting a

electrical signal from a circuit input to the first switching element (deer).

7. Circuit (101) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the circuit (101) has a second optocoupler (Opt2) for transmitting an electrical signal from a circuit input to the second switching element (Rel2).

8. Circuit (201) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the circuit (201) comprises an optocoupler (Opt3) for blocking the electrical signal from a circuit input.

9. The circuit according to claim 1, wherein the circuit comprises a switch for connecting an operating voltage terminal of the comparator to a ground potential.

10. Circuit (301) according to claim 9, characterized in that the switch is an optocoupler (Opt4).

1 1. Circuit (401) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the circuit (401) comprises a signal conditioner (409) for actuating the first

Switching element (deer) and for actuating the second switching element (Rel2).

12. The circuit (401) according to claim 1 1, characterized in that the signal shaper (409) comprises a first pulse generator (Timer3) for actuating the first switching element (Reil).

13. Circuit (401) according to claim 12, characterized in that the signal shaper (409) comprises a second pulse generator (Timer2) for actuating the second switching element (Rel2).

14. Circuit (401) according to any one of claims 1 1 to 13, characterized in that the signal shaper (409) comprises a switch (Opt5) for driving the first and the second pulser (Timer2, Timer3).

15. Circuit (401) according to claim 14, characterized in that the switch (Opt5) is an optocoupler.

16. Circuit (401) according to any one of claims 1 1 to 15, characterized in that the signal shaper (409) is formed to actuate the first switching element (deer) in the absence of an input voltage (CL +).

17. Circuit (101, 201, 301, 401) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switching elements are relays or semiconductor components.