DE102014222455A1 - Method and device for controlling an inductive charging of a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for controlling an inductive charging of a battery (BT) of a vehicle (FZ) by means arranged in a ground (EB) exciter coil (SP1) of a charging station (LS), comprising the following steps: - Determining (S100) a change of relative position of a subfloor (UB) of the vehicle (FZ) relative to the ground (EB) during the inductive charging of the battery (BT); - comparing (S200) a determined change value of the relative position with a predetermined reference value; - interrupting (S300) the current inductive charging when the change value exceeds the reference value.

Description

The present invention relates to a method and a device for controlling an inductive charging of a battery of a vehicle, in particular a traction battery of a hybrid electric or electric vehicle. The invention further relates to a vehicle with a battery, in particular a hybrid electric or electric vehicle with a traction battery, as well as a charging station for inductive charging of the battery of the vehicle.

There are vehicles, such as B. hybrid electric or electric vehicles whose battery, such. B. traction battery, can be charged wirelessly inductively from a vehicle external charging station. For this purpose, the vehicles on the underbody of the vehicle have one or more induction coils (ie secondary coils) which are electrically connected to the battery via a charging control unit.

The vehicle-external charging station comprises one or more exciter coils (ie primary coils) which are arranged in the ground, for example, of a parking space. To charge the battery, the vehicle is approached and parked in the parking lot so that the excitation coils and the induction coils overlap. The excitation coils of the charging station generate from an electric power supplied from a public power electric power electromagnetic waves that generate induction currents in the induction coil in the vehicle underbody. These induction currents are supplied by the induction coils of the battery, which charges the battery.

In such an inductive charging of the battery, a power of a few tens of kilowatts (or even up to a hundred kilowatts) is transmitted between the excitation coils and the induction coils. Due to this high power, it is life-threatening for people to get into the electromagnetic alternating field between the excitation and induction coils during the inductive charging process.

Since an inductive charging of the battery is usually performed automatically and also often takes a few hours to load, the above charging station as already mentioned in a parking lot, especially at a private car park or in a private parking garage of the vehicle owner, arranged.

In artisanal active vehicle owners, it may happen that the vehicle owners perform some repairs or tire changes in the vehicles themselves. If the vehicle is inductively charged during this repair work or during the tire change, so that it happens that the vehicle owner with his body parts, such. B. hands, between the excitation and induction coils device and thereby sometimes seriously injured.

Thus, the object of the present invention is to provide a way to make an inductive charging of a battery of a vehicle safer for people.

This object is solved by subject matters of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a method is provided for controlling an inductive charging process of a battery of a vehicle, in particular a traction battery of a hybrid electric or electric vehicle, by means of an exciter coil of a vehicle-external charging station arranged in a ground.

According to the method, during an inductive charging of the battery, a change in a relative position of a subfloor of the vehicle relative to the ground is determined.

The thus determined change value of the relative position is compared with a predetermined reference value. If the determined variation value exceeds the predetermined reference value, the current inductive charging process is interrupted.

Under a subfloor of the vehicle is understood in particular a lower outer surface of the vehicle, which must be reached if you want to repair the vehicle from below or inspect.

Under a ground is in particular a ground area, a reason, or a road surface understood on which the vehicle is parked and on, at or below the surface of said excitation coil is stationary or mobile.

The invention is based on the finding that the vehicle or the underbody of the vehicle is usually raised or tilted before the repair or before a tire change, so that the vehicle owner or a repairer of the vehicle (to get under the vehicle) sufficient space between the subfloor and the ground.

When lifting, tilting or tilting the vehicle is by changing the inclination of the vehicle relative to the ground or by changing the distance of the vehicle to the Soil changed the relative position of the underbody of the vehicle relative to the ground. This change in the relative position is detected and based on this it is determined whether the vehicle or the underbody of the vehicle has been raised, tilted or tilted.

Since the vehicle body and thus the underbody of the vehicle can slightly tilt or tilt even in the case of strong gusts of wind, the determined change value of the relative position is compared with a predetermined reference value. In this case, the reference value is chosen so that a slight tilting or tilting of the vehicle is not erroneously recognized as an intentional change in the relative position of the vehicle.

Since the vehicle tilts or tilts only briefly for a gust of wind, preferably a number of change values of the relative position determined successively over a certain period of time are compared with the reference value. This avoids that a temporary by z. Gusting caused relative change in position is erroneously recognized as an intentional change in the relative position of the vehicle.

If the determined change value of the relative position exceeds the predetermined reference value, it can be concluded with a rather high probability that the vehicle was intentionally raised, inclined, or tilted or bent.

Based on this, it is then assumed that the vehicle is repaired, and as a corresponding measure, the current inductive charging operation is interrupted. This prevents that harmful or even life-threatening alternating field is generated by the exciter coil of the charging station and emitted in the area under the underbody of the vehicle.

This creates a possibility with which the battery of the vehicle can be safely charged for people.

In this case, the current inductive charging process is preferably interrupted by an interruption of a power supply to the exciter coil of the charging station.

Preferably, during the inductive charging of the battery, a change in an inclination angle of the vehicle or the underbody of the vehicle relative to the ground is determined as the change in the relative position and compared with the predetermined reference value or a predetermined inclination angle reference value. The ongoing inductive charging is interrupted when the detected change amount of the inclination angle exceeds the reference value or the inclination angle reference value.

The inclination of the vehicle or the underbody of the vehicle is understood in particular to be pitching or tilting of the vehicle about the vehicle transverse axis and / or roll of the vehicle about the vehicle longitudinal axis.

As an alternative or in addition to the change in the angle of inclination, during the inductive charging of the battery, preferably a change in a distance between the underbody of the vehicle and the ground is determined as the change in the relative position and compared with the predetermined reference value or a predetermined distance reference value. The current inductive charging process is interrupted when the determined variation value of the distance exceeds the reference value or the distance reference value.

By determining the change in the distance between the underbody of the vehicle and the ground, it is detected whether the vehicle or its subfloor, in particular in the direction of the vehicle vertical axis, is raised.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a device for controlling an inductive charging of a battery of a vehicle, in particular a traction battery of a hybrid electric or electric vehicle, by means provided in a ground excitation coil of a charging station is provided.

The device comprises a detection arrangement and a charging control arrangement.

The determination arrangement in turn comprises a determination unit, a comparison unit and a signal output unit.

The determination unit is set up to determine a change in a relative position of a subfloor of the vehicle relative to the ground during an inductive charging of the battery. For this purpose, the determination unit includes, for example, a suitable sensor.

The comparison unit is set up to compare, during the inductive charging process of the battery, a change value of the relative position with a predetermined reference value determined by the determination unit and forwarded to the comparison unit via a signal connection. For this purpose, the comparison unit, for example, comprises a comparator.

The signal output unit is configured to generate and output a control signal when the determined relative position change value exceeds the reference value. The control signal signals an interruption of the current inductive charging process. For this purpose, the signal output unit comprises, for example, a signal generator and a signal transmitter.

The charging control device in turn comprises a signal receiving unit for receiving the control signal from the signal output unit, and a charging control unit for interrupting the current inductive charging operation when the signal receiving unit receives the control signal from the signal output unit. The signal recording unit comprises, for example, a signal receiver.

Preferably, the determining arrangement comprises at least one inclination sensor. The tilt sensor is configured to measure (preferably at certain time intervals) an angle of inclination of the vehicle in the earth's gravitational field and thus an angle of inclination of the underbody of the vehicle relative to the ground during the inductive charging of the battery, and to forward the measured inclination angle values to the determining unit. The determination unit is preferably set up to determine the change value of the relative position from the (successive) measured tilt angle values.

As an alternative or in addition to the inclination sensor, the determination arrangement preferably comprises at least one pressure sensor. The pressure sensor is set up to measure, during the inductive charging process of the battery (preferably at specific time intervals), a pressure acting on the vehicle wheel of the vehicle from the vehicle body of the vehicle and to forward the measured pressure values to the determination unit. The determination unit is preferably also configured to determine the change value of the relative position from the (successive) measured pressure values.

The charging control unit preferably comprises a controllable switch. The switch comprises a control signal terminal for applying a signal, in particular the control signal from the signal output unit, and a controllable switching path for producing and interrupting a current supply to the exciter coil.

The signal output unit is preferably further configured to send the control signal via a wireless signal connection to the signal recording unit. Similarly, the signal receiving unit is preferably further configured to receive the control signal via the wireless signal connection.

The charging control unit preferably comprises a controllable switch which has a control signal terminal for applying a signal and a switching path which can be controlled by the signal present at the control signal terminal for producing or interrupting a current supply to the exciter coil of the charging station.

The determination arrangement is preferably arranged on the vehicle side, that is, on the vehicle.

Analogously, the charging control arrangement is preferably charging station side, that is stationary at or in the charging station, and thus arranged outside the vehicle.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a vehicle with a battery, in particular a hybrid electric or electric vehicle with a traction battery, is provided. In this case, the vehicle comprises the determination arrangement of the device described above for controlling an inductive charging of the battery.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a charging station for inductive charging a battery of a vehicle, in particular a traction battery of a hybrid electric or electric vehicle is provided. In this case, the charging station comprises an excitation coil arranged in (or on) a ground and the charging control arrangement of the device described above for controlling an inductive charging of the battery.

Advantageous embodiments of the method described above, as far as applicable to the device described above, the above-mentioned vehicle and the above-mentioned charging station, also be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the device, the vehicle and the charging station.

Analogous advantageous embodiments of the device described above, as far as the above-described method, the above-mentioned vehicle and the above-mentioned charging station transferable, also to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the method, the vehicle and the charging station.

In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Showing:

1 in a schematic representation of an electric vehicle and a charging station with a device for controlling a inductive charging a traction battery of the electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention;

2 in a schematic flow diagram, a method for controlling an inductive charging of the traction battery of in 1 illustrated electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention.

1 shows a schematic representation of an electric vehicle FZ with a traction battery BT and a stationary charging station LS for inductive charging of the traction battery BT.

The electric vehicle FZ comprises an electric motor EM as a drive unit, which is mechanically connected via a drive shaft AW with vehicle wheels FR of the electric vehicle FZ for transmitting the torques and drives the vehicle wheels FR during operation of the electric vehicle FZ via the drive shaft AW.

The electric vehicle FZ further comprises a driver electronics TE, which is electrically connected between the electric motor EM and the traction battery BT and during operation of the electric vehicle FZ provides phase currents for the electric motor EM from the direct current provided by the traction battery BT.

The electric vehicle FZ further comprises an induction coil SP2 (or a secondary coil) for inductive charging of the traction battery BT, which is electrically connected to the traction battery BT via a charging control unit LE1. The induction coil SP2 is arranged on the underbody UB of the electric vehicle FZ.

The traction battery BT is inductively charged via the induction coil SP2 from the stationary charging station LS, which is located at a parking lot where the electric vehicle FZ is parked.

The charging station LS comprises an excitation coil SP1 (or a primary coil), which is arranged sunk in the ground EB of the parking lot. The charging station LS further comprises a charging control unit LE2 with a controllable switch ST, which is electrically connected between the exciter coil SP1 and power supply lines SV of a public power supply network. In a closed switching state, the switch ST electrically connects the exciter coil SP1 to the power supply lines SV, and in an open switching state, disconnects the exciter coil SP1 from the power supply lines SV again.

For inductive charging of the traction battery BT, the electric vehicle FZ is approached to the parking lot and parked in the parking lot, so that the vehicle-side induction coil SP2 overlaps the charging station side exciter coil SP1. In a manner known to those skilled in the art, the charging station-side charge control unit LE2 and the vehicle-side charge control unit LE1 recognize that the induction coil SP2 and the exciter coil SP1 overlap. In addition, if the vehicle-side charge control unit LE1 determines that the charge state of the traction battery BT is below a predetermined desired charge state, then the two charge control units LE1, LE2 start an inductive charging process.

For this purpose, the charging station-side charging control unit LE2 closes the switch ST and thus switches the excitation coil SP1 to the power supply lines SV, whereby an alternating current I flows through the exciter coil SP1. Thereafter, the exciting coil SP1 generates electromagnetic alternating field WF, which generates induction currents in the vehicle-side induction coil SP2. These induction currents are fed by the induction coil SP2 of the traction battery BT, whereby the traction battery BT is charged.

During the inductive charging process, electromagnetic flux from the exciting coil SP1 flows from a power of up to several tens of kilowatts to the induction coil SP2. This high power is life-threatening for a human if he should get with his body parts in the space between the two coils SP1, SP2, where the electromagnetic flow with the said power flows.

If the electric vehicle FZ is repaired during the inductive charging process mentioned above, it may happen that the repairer of the electric vehicle FZ with its body parts or tools gets into the electromagnetic flow between the two coils SP1, SP2 and thus. This can lead to a serious injury to the repairman.

In order to avoid such an accident, it is necessary to automatically detect a possible repair work on the electric vehicle FZ in advance and, in the event of an imminent repair, to prematurely interrupt the inductive charging process.

For this purpose, a device V is provided, which comprises a vehicle-side determination arrangement EA and a charging station-side charging control arrangement LA.

The determination arrangement EA in turn comprises a determination unit EE, a comparison unit VE and a signal output unit SE.

On the output side, the determination unit EE is signal-technically connected to an input of the comparison unit VE. The determination unit EE is set up to determine a change in the measured values from measured values obtained in chronological succession and to forward the change thus determined to the comparison unit VE.

On the output side, the comparison unit VE is signal-connected to an input of the signal output unit SE. The comparison unit VE comprises two comparators for comparing analog quantities. The comparison results forward the comparison unit VE in the form of signals to the signal output unit SE.

The signal output unit SE comprises a signal generator for generating a subsequently to be described control signal depending on the comparison results of the comparison unit VE, and a signal transmitter for transmitting the control signal via a wireless signal connection SV.

The determining arrangement EA further comprises an inclination sensor NS which, for example, is a component of an electric stabilization device of the electric vehicle FZ and is set up to measure an angle of inclination of the electric vehicle FZ relative to the ground EB. In addition, the determination arrangement EA comprises a pressure sensor DS, which is arranged on a wheel suspension of the electric vehicle FZ and is adapted to measure a pressure acting on the vehicle wheel FR from the vehicle body of the electric vehicle FZ.

The inclination sensor NS is the signal output connected to an input of the detection unit EE. Analogously, the pressure sensor DS is connected on the output side to a further input of the determination unit EE by signal technology.

The charging station-side charging control arrangement LA comprises a signal receiving unit SN, which comprises a signal receiver for receiving the control signal emitted by the signal transmitter of the signal output unit SE.

The charging control arrangement LA further comprises the previously described charging control unit LE1 together with the controllable switch ST for controlling the current supply I to the exciter coil SP1. The charging control unit LE1 is signal connected to the input side of a signal output of the signal receiving unit SN.

Hereinafter, the operation of the device V described above based on 2 described in more detail.

If the traction battery BT is inductively charged via the two coils SP1, SP2, the determination unit EE determines according to a method step S100 from the inclination angle values and pressure values provided by the inclination sensor NS and the pressure sensor DS a change in a relative position of the underbody UB of the electric vehicle FZ relative to that Soil EB.

For this purpose, the determination unit EE detects whether the inclination of the underbody UB of the electric vehicle FZ with respect to the ground EB changes. For this purpose, the determination unit EE calculates a difference of z. B. two consecutive measured tilt angle values of the tilt sensor NS.

In addition, the detection unit EE detects whether the distance from the underbody UB changes with respect to the ground EB. For this purpose, the determination unit EE calculates a difference from z. B. two consecutive measured pressure values of the pressure sensor NS.

The respective differences of the inclination angle values or the pressure values are then forwarded by the determination unit EE of the comparison unit VE. The comparison unit VE compares the respective differences with the respective given reference values for the inclination change and the distance change by means of the two comparators according to a further method step S200 and forwards the comparison results to the signal output unit SA.

If one of the two differences exceeds the corresponding reference value, the signal output unit SA generates a control signal by means of the signal generator and transmits the control signal via the wireless signal connection SV to the signal receiving unit SN of the charge control arrangement LA. The control signal indicates an opening of the switch ST.

The control signal is received by the signal receiving unit SN and forwarded to the charging control unit LE2 and applied by the charging control unit LE2 to the control input of the switch ST. Thereafter, the switch ST is opened and the power supply I is interrupted by the power supply lines SV to the exciting coil SP1. Consequently, the inductive charging is surely interrupted.

Claims (11)

Method for controlling an inductive charging process of a battery (BT) of a vehicle (FZ) by means of an exciter coil (SP1) of a charging station (LS) arranged in a ground (EB), comprising the following method steps: - determining (S100) a change in a relative position of a subfloor (UB) of the vehicle (FZ) relative to the ground (EB) during the inductive charging of the battery (BT); - comparing (S200) a determined change value of the relative position with a predetermined reference value; - interrupting (S300) the current inductive charging when the change value exceeds the reference value. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of interrupting (S300) further provides that the ongoing inductive charging is interrupted by interrupting a power supply (I) to the field coil (SP1). The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the step of recognizing (S100) further provides that, as the change of the relative position, a change of a tilting angle of the subfloor (UB) with respect to the ground (EB) is detected. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of recognizing (S100) further provides that, as the change in the relative position, a change in a distance between the subfloor (UB) and the ground (EB) is detected. Device (V) for controlling an inductive charging process of a battery (BT) of a vehicle (FZ) by means of an excitation coil (SP1) of a charging station (LS) arranged in a ground (EB), the device (V) having the following features: - an investigation order (EA) with: A determination unit (EE) for determining a change in a relative position of a subfloor (UB) of the vehicle (FZ) relative to the ground (EB) during an inductive charging process of the battery (BT), • a comparison unit (VE) for comparing a determined change value of the relative position with a predetermined reference value, and A signal output unit (SA) for outputting a control signal (SS) when the determined variation value exceeds the reference value; A charge control arrangement (LA) with: A signal receiving unit (SN) for obtaining the control signal (SS), A charging control unit (LE2) for interrupting the current inductive charging process when the control signal (SS) is received by the signal receiving unit (SN). Device (V) according to claim 5, wherein the determining arrangement (EA) comprises at least one inclination sensor (NS), which is adapted during the inductive charging of the battery (BT) to measure an inclination angle of the subsoil (UB) relative to the ground (EB) and to transmit measured inclination angle values to the determination unit (EE), wherein the determination unit (EE) is set up to determine the change value from the measured inclination angle values. Device (V) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the determining arrangement (EA) comprises at least one pressure sensor (DS), which is adapted during the inductive charging of the battery (BT) to measure a pressure acting on a vehicle wheel (FR) and measured pressure values to the determination unit (EE), wherein the determination unit (EE) is set up to determine the change value from the measured pressure values. Device (V) according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the signal output unit (SA) is further adapted to transmit the control signal (SS) via a wireless signal connection (SV), and the signal receiving unit (SN) is further adapted to receive the control signal (S). SS) via the wireless signal connection (SV). Device (V) according to one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the charging control unit (LE2) comprises a controllable switch (ST) for establishing or interrupting a power supply (I) to the exciter coil (SP1) having a control signal terminal (AS) for application of the control signal (SS). Vehicle (FZ) with a battery (BT) comprising the detection arrangement (EA) of the device (V) according to one of claims 5 to 9 for controlling an inductive charging of the battery (BT). Charging station (LS) for inductively charging a battery (BT) of a vehicle (FZ) with an exciter coil (SP1) arranged in a ground (EB), wherein the charging station (LS) is the charging control arrangement (LA) of the device (V) according to one of the claims 5 to 9 for controlling the exciting coil (SP1) and an inductive charging of the battery (BT) by means of the exciting coil (SP1).

Images