WO2023242252A1

WO2023242252A1 - Charging plug and charging method for an electric vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2023242252A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/065931
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael GERKENS; Marcel JOVIC
Original assignee: Weidmüller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
Priority date: 2022-06-14
Filing date: 2023-06-14
Publication date: 2023-12-21
Also published as: DE202022103343U1

Abstract

The invention relates to a charging plug (10) for an electric vehicle, comprising a grip part (11) and a plugging portion (13) disposed at a front end of the grip part (11). The charging plug (10) is characterized by a fingerprint sensor (17) disposed on it. The invention also relates to a method for charging an electric vehicle at a connection device by means of a connection cable (16), which is connected to the connection device and at the end of which a charging plug (10) is disposed, wherein the charging plug (10) has a fingerprint sensor (17) and wherein a print of an applied finger is analyzed, the print is compared with stored prints and, depending on a result of the comparison, release information is output to the connection device.

Description

Charging plug and charging method for an electric vehicle

The invention relates to a charging plug and a charging method for an electric vehicle with a handle part and a plug-in section arranged at a front end of the handle part.

Electric vehicles are connected to a direct or alternating current supply line in order to charge one or more traction batteries for ferry operations or to otherwise supply the electric vehicle's consumption. For this purpose, connection devices in the form of boxes or columns have been established that are set up in private or public traffic areas and to which electric vehicles can be connected for charging. Junction boxes are usually mounted on a wall and are called a “wall-box”. Charging stations are usually free-standing.

The connection devices, hereinafter also referred to as charging devices, are usually connected to a power supply network via a multi-phase, typically three-phase connection cable. The connection devices offer the possibility of inserting a connection cable, also known as a charging cable, which is specifically suitable for this purpose and has the aforementioned charging plug at its free end for connection to the electric vehicle. Alternatively, the connection cable can be permanently connected to the charging device.

In addition to the power supply lines through which the current for charging the battery is transmitted, signal or data lines are usually also arranged in the connection cable, which enable signal or data exchange between the connection device and the vehicle in order to exchange or coordinate parameters of the charging process . The electric vehicle releases the delivery of charging power from the connection device via the signal or data lines if suitable parameters for the charging process are available and have been set by the vehicle or the connection device.

Particularly in public traffic areas, but increasingly also in private environments and especially when a connection device is used by several parties, the connection devices are often equipped with authorization mechanisms to prevent unauthorized use of the connection device. Device and thus prevent unauthorized or unbilled electricity consumption. Various authorization mechanisms are known, for example the use of an electromechanical key switch, the use of card readers or the use of a fingerprint sensor that is mounted on the connection device.

The object of the present invention is to provide an authorization mechanism that is easy to use and which, in particular, should also be suitable for subsequent use in a connection device.

This task is solved by a charging plug or a method for charging an electric vehicle with the features of the independent patent claim. Advantageous designs and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

A charging plug according to the invention of the type mentioned at the beginning is characterized in that a fingerprint sensor is arranged on the charging plug.

The fingerprint sensor on the charging plug can be used to authorize a charging process on a connection device. The positioning on the charging plug makes the fingerprint sensor very convenient to use, since the charging plug has to be grasped by the user anyway to plug it into the vehicle to start the charging process. On the other hand, the arrangement of the fingerprint sensor on the charging plug offers the possibility of retrofitting the fingerprint sensor even in connection devices that are not equipped with a fingerprint sensor or another type of authentication option. By connecting the charging plug to the connection device via the connection cable (charging cable), information that the fingerprint sensor records can easily be forwarded to the connection device via the connection cable and evaluated there. Alternatively, an evaluation can also take place within the charging plug, whereby the corresponding release information can then be passed on to the connection device, for example via the connection cable. Control lines via which the connection device communicates with the electric vehicle as standard can advantageously be used for this purpose. If an evaluation unit arranged in the charging plug is set up to manipulate the communication that is used anyway for a specific charging standard in order to exchange parameters of the charging process or release signals, the authorization mechanism can mechanism can be retrofitted to a connection device without changing it.

In an advantageous embodiment of the charging plug, the fingerprint sensor is arranged on the handle part of the charging plug, preferably in a front section in the insertion direction. It can, for example, be arranged on a side that points upwards after the connection cable has been plugged into the electric vehicle. Even when the cable is plugged in, authorization can be carried out by placing the appropriate finger on it. Further preferably, the fingerprint sensor is positioned so that its position can be easily identified haptically. For example, it can be arranged in a depression or on an elevation, which means that the user can find the fingerprint sensor even in the dark or when there is insufficient lighting.

In a further advantageous embodiment, it is provided to arrange a lighting device on the charging plug, through which the fingerprint sensor or its position can be recognized even in the dark. The lighting device can, for example, include a backlight of the fingerprint sensor or its sensor surface and/or be designed such that the fingerprint sensor or its sensor surface is surrounded by a luminous edge.

In a further advantageous embodiment it is provided that a sensor surface of the fingerprint sensor is set up as a screen (display) for displaying information. In this way, the fingerprint sensor can be used to display data about the charging process, for example. Feedback, operating instructions or other information can also be provided to the user without the need for an additional display option on the charging plug.

A method according to the invention relates to charging an electric vehicle on a connection device via a connection cable connected to it, at the end of which a charging plug is arranged. The method is characterized in that the charging plug has a fingerprint sensor, wherein an imprint of a placed finger is analyzed, the imprint is compared with stored imprints and, depending on a result of the comparison, release information is output to the connection device. This results in the advantages stated in connection with the charging plug. In an advantageous embodiment of the method, the release information is output to the connection device via control lines of the connection cable. Direct transmission to the connection device via control lines of the connection cable can be provided. Alternatively, signals forwarded to the electric vehicle can also be manipulated depending on the release information on the control lines of the connection cable. The manipulation of the signals represents an indirect output of the release information. Alternatively, provision can be made for the release information to be output wirelessly to the connection device.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the method, at least one authentication feature, in particular a digital certificate, is issued by the fingerprint sensor for authenticating a user to the electric vehicle and/or the connection device. In this way, rights management for different users and/or user-specific billing management, which is implemented in the connection device, can be supported in a user-friendly manner.

The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment with the aid of figures. The figures show:

Fig.1 is an isometric representation of a charging plug and a socket;

Fig. 2 is an isometric representation of only the charging plug from a perspective different from Fig. 1.

In Figures 1 and 2, an exemplary embodiment of a charging plug 10 according to the invention is shown in an isometric drawing from different viewing directions.

In Figure 1, the charging plug 10 is shown together with a socket 20 in a position shortly before the charging plug 10 is inserted into the socket 20 or shortly after the charging plug 10 is removed from the socket 20. Figure 2 shows the charging plug 10 separately.

The charging plug 10 has a handle part 11, which is slightly curved in the illustrated embodiment. Towards the front, free end, the handle part 11 ends with a collar 12, from which a plug-in section 13 protrudes. Plug contacts are arranged in the plug-in section 13 (not visible in FIGS. 1 and 2). In the figures, only an outer sleeve of the plug-in section 13 is shown, which surrounds the contacts and in which locking openings 14 are located. These serve to lock an inserted charging plug 10 with the help of corresponding extendable latches of the socket 20.

At the end opposite the plug-in section 13, a kink protection 15 is attached to the handle part 11, through which a connecting cable 16 is guided. The connection cable 16, symbolized here only by a short section, is coupled to a connection device, either connected directly to it or in turn via a plug designed comparable to the charging plug 10.

The socket 20, which is additionally visible in FIG. 1, has a built-in housing 21 with a cover 22. The cover 22 closes contacts 23 arranged in the central region of the housing 21, which interact with the corresponding contacts of the charging plug 10. The socket 20 shown in Figure 1 is shown in a non-installed state. The rear section of the socket 20 visible in the right part of Figure 1 is usually embedded in the electric vehicle.

The charging plug 10 and the socket 20 are designed here as “Type 2” as an example. These “Type 2” plugs or sockets are widely used in AC charging technology for electric vehicles. They provide five power contacts to provide three-phase alternating current over three phase conductors plus neutral and earth conductors. In addition, control lines are provided which are transmitted via the two upper contacts 23 visible in FIG. 1 at the socket 20.

For communication between the connection device and the electric vehicle, a control line from the connection device is supplied with a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal. The maximum charging current that can be provided by the connection device is transmitted to the electric vehicle in code via pulse width modulation, specifically the duty cycle defined therein. If the proposed charging current is suitable for the electric vehicle, it responds with a release signal by changing an impedance of the control line. The phase conductors are then supplied with alternating voltage for charging through the connection device. It is understood that the inventive design of the charging plug 10 presented below can also be transferred to other types of charging plugs other than those of “Type 2”.

According to the invention, a fingerprint sensor 17 is arranged on the charging plug 10. In the example shown, the fingerprint sensor 17 is positioned on an elevation 18 which is located adjacent to the collar 12 in a front section of the handle part 11. When the charging plug 10 is inserted, the fingerprint sensor 17 is located on an upper side of the handle part 11. Shortly before or during or after inserting the charging plug 10 into the socket 20, a fingerprint can be read by placing the user's finger on the fingerprint sensor 17, which is compared with stored fingerprints and is evaluated as an authorization feature for the use of the connection device. By arranging the fingerprint sensor 17 on the charging plug 10, it can be operated easily and conveniently during preparations for the charging process.

It can be provided that only the fingerprint sensor 17 is arranged in the charging plug 10 and that this is connected to a corresponding evaluation unit in the area of the connection device via a data connection, which can be routed, for example, through the connection cable 16. Integration into the connection device can be done easily if the connection device has the evaluation unit required for this.

If this is not the case, the evaluation unit can be arranged in a separate housing, for example next to the connection device. Connection devices often have at least one release connection to which a potential-free switch can be connected, for example a key switch. Such a release connection of a connection device can be used by the evaluation unit that is coupled to the fingerprint sensor 17.

In an alternative embodiment, it is also conceivable to integrate an evaluation unit directly into the charging plug 10. A voltage supply can, for example, take place via the PWM signal that is present on the control lines. The fingerprint sensor 17 advantageously has such a low power consumption that the communication between the electric vehicle and the connection device is not impaired, in particular that Power supply through the fingerprint sensor 17 is not already evaluated by the connection device as a release signal.

In addition, it can be provided that power is only drawn from the PWM signal when the electric vehicle is not being charged. An energy buffer, for example a rechargeable battery or a capacitor with a large capacity, is then preferably present in order to supply the fingerprint sensor 17 and possibly the evaluation unit with power even if no power is taken from the PWM signal.

Alternatively and/or additionally, it can be provided to generate energy to supply the fingerprint sensor 17 and/or the evaluation unit in a so-called “energy harvesting” process. For this purpose, for example, a piezoelectric crystal can be present, which converts the kinetic energy of the charging plug 10 into electrical current. When moving the charging plug 10, either as a result of normal handling or consciously shaking it back and forth, electrical energy is generated for operation. Thermoelectric generators that exploit temperature differences or photovoltaic cells that utilize ambient light can also be used to generate energy.

Finally, it is also conceivable to use a battery installed in the charging plug 10 to exclusively supply energy to the fingerprint sensor 17 and, if necessary, the evaluation unit.

With the evaluation unit integrated in the charging plug 10, a release signal can then be passed on to the connection device via additional lines in the connection cable 16. Alternatively, it is possible to send the release signal from the charging plug 10 to a corresponding receiver in the area of the connection device via wireless connections.

Another alternative is that an evaluation unit integrated in the charging plug 10 acts directly on the control lines of the connection cable 16, which are used as standard for communication between the connection device and the electric vehicle. In this way, if authorization has not taken place, the release of the electric vehicle can be suppressed or, by not passing the PWM signal to the electric vehicle if authorization has not taken place, a release response from the electric vehicle can be prevented. Through a charging plug 10 designed in this way A fingerprint authorization mechanism can be easily retrofitted using the standard connection cable 16 and an unmodified connection device.

The positioning of the fingerprint sensor 17 on the handle part 11 shown already enables simple and intuitive operation, which is possible even in poor lighting conditions thanks to the haptically detectable elevation 18. Alternatively or in addition to the elevation 18 (or a trough), it can be provided to optically mark the area of the fingerprint sensor 17, for example by backlighting a sensor surface of the fingerprint sensor 17 and/or in which, for example, a luminous edge is arranged around the sensor surface.

In addition to activating the charging process, authorization using the fingerprint sensor 17 can also be used to prioritize charging processes using the charging plug 10 according to the registration. This is a particularly conceivable option for pool charging devices, for example on company premises. A personal tariffing of charging current can also be implemented using the fingerprint sensor 17, which saves the user from the hassle of additional identification, for example using credit cards or the like, at the charging device.

The fingerprint sensor 17 and/or the integrated evaluation unit can also be provided with an authentication feature, for example a digital certificate, in order to authenticate themselves to upstream entities and/or the vehicle. The digital certificate can include identification features of the finger print sensor 17 and/or the evaluation unit, for example an identification number that was already clearly assigned during production. For example, it can be ensured that a release signal generated by the internal evaluation unit of a charging plug 10 is actually authorized to activate the charging device to which the charging plug 10 is coupled. This is a development that is particularly advantageous for charging devices with connecting cables 16 that are not firmly attached.

In the charging plug 10 according to the application with an integrated fingerprint sensor 17, an electrical contact to the vehicle is combined with an authentication method for a user. As described previously, is the ability to identify a user and therefore his authorization to be able to determine, primarily intended for the control of charging processes.

In addition, this user authorization can also be used in conjunction with the electrical contact of the vehicle to grant access to vehicle-specific data and information.

In particular, if the charging plug 10 establishes a communication connection with the vehicle that goes beyond the previously mentioned PWM signal, for example a connection to the vehicle's internal CAN bus, vehicle data can be read out, which relate, for example, to charging processes, usage cycles, stress, a charging history and so on . Other data relating to the motor vehicle, which is regularly read out, for example as part of maintenance or inspection processes, can also be made accessible via the charging plug 10 or - as with software updates - transferred to the vehicle.

The fingerprint sensor 17 offers the possibility of implementing user-specific rights management. For example, certain users can only be granted access to non-critical vehicle data, whereas the vehicle's fault memory or other critical data can only be read by other users. It can also be provided that the option of importing software updates into the vehicle via the charging plug 10 is also subject to rights management using the finger print sensor 17.

The possibility of transmitting vehicle data via the charging plug 10 can also be used to identify a vehicle relative to the charging device to which the charging plug 10 is connected and in this way, for example, to set vehicle-specific tariffs for the charging current purchased. -IQ-

Reference symbol list

10 charging plugs

11 handle part 12 collar

13 connector section

14 locking opening

15 kink protection

16 Connection cable 17 Fingerprint sensor

18 increase

20 socket

21 housing 22 lid

23 contacts

Claims

Expectations

1 . Charging plug (10) for an electric vehicle with a handle part (11) and a plug-in section (13) arranged at a front end of the handle part (11), characterized in that a fingerprint sensor (17) is arranged on the charging plug (10).

2. Charging plug (10) according to claim 1, in which the fingerprint sensor (17) is arranged on the handle part (11).

3. Charging plug (10) according to claim 2, in which the fingerprint sensor (17) is arranged in a front section of the handle part (11) in the insertion direction.

4. Charging plug (10) according to claim 2 or 3, in which the fingerprint sensor (17) is arranged on an upper side when the charging plug (10) is inserted.

5. Charging plug (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the fingerprint sensor (17) is arranged in a trough or on an elevation (18).

6. Charging plug (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, having an evaluation unit for the fingerprint sensor (17).

7. Charging plug (10) according to claim 6, in which the evaluation unit is set up to analyze an imprint of a finger placed on it and compare it with stored imprints.

8. Charging plug (10) according to claim 7, in which the evaluation unit is set up to output release information depending on a result of the comparison.

9. Charging plug (10) according to claim 8, in which the release information is output on control lines of a connecting cable (16).

10. Charging plug (10) according to claim 8, in which the evaluation unit is set up to manipulate signals forwarded to the electric vehicle depending on the release information on control lines of the connecting cable (16).

11. Charging plug (10) according to one of claims 1 to 10, having a lighting device for identifying the fingerprint sensor (17).

12. Charging plug (10) according to claim 11, in which the lighting device backlights a sensor surface of the fingerprint sensor (17).

13. Charging plug (10) according to claim 11, in which the lighting device surrounds a sensor surface of the fingerprint sensor (17).

14. Charging plug (10) according to one of claims 1 to 13, in which a sensor surface of the fingerprint sensor (17) is set up as a screen for displaying information.

15. A method for charging an electric vehicle on a connection device via a connection cable (16) connected to it, at the end of which a charging plug (10) is arranged, characterized in that the charging plug (10) has a fingerprint sensor (17), wherein

- an imprint of a placed finger is analyzed;

- the impression is compared with deposited impressions; and

- Depending on a result of the comparison, release information is output to the connection device.

16. The method according to claim 15, in which the release information is output to the connection device via control lines of the connection cable (16).

17. The method according to claim 16, in which signals forwarded to the electric vehicle are manipulated depending on the release information on control lines of the connecting cable (16).

18. The method according to claim 15, in which the release information is wirelessly output to the connection device.

19. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 18, in which at least one authentication feature, in particular a digital certificate, is issued by the fingerprint sensor (17) for authenticating a user to the electric vehicle and / or the connection device.