Charging control method and charging control device for electric vehicle and electric vehicle using the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a charging control method and device for an electric vehicle, and an electric vehicle utilizing the same. The charging control method includes: when charging is stopped due to a timeout of a power line communication (PLC) communication message sent from a charging device, storing the identification information of the charging device and a charge stop current value; when recharging, using the identification information of the charging device to confirm whether recharging is to be performed by the same charging device as when charging was stopped; and, if recharging is to be performed by the same charging device as when charging was stopped, adjusting the charging current of the charging device based on the charge stop current value of the charging device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging control method and a charging control device for an electric vehicle, and an electric vehicle using the charging control device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a charging control method and a charging control device for an electric vehicle, and an electric vehicle using the same: when charging is performed using a charging device, after a communication message of a power line communication (PLC) times out due to control pilot (CP) line noise generated during charging, if recharging is performed using the charging device, charging can be controlled by reducing the CP line noise, thereby enabling continuous charging without stopping even in a charging device that does not meet a charging standard for power spectral density (PSD). Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with the expansion of the electric vehicle market and the expansion of research and development of electric vehicles by global manufacturers and emerging manufacturers, international standardization related to electric vehicles has been continuously developing, and there has been fierce competition among countries to seize the standards.

[0003] An electric vehicle is a vehicle that is driven by charging a battery from the power grid, and is closely related to the charging infrastructure.

[0004] Such a charging infrastructure is a system for charging electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles, and may include charging system technology based on smart grid connection for charging electric vehicles (charging interface, on-board charging device, external charging device, power measurement and billing, etc.), electric vehicle operation information collection and operation behavior monitoring technology for ensuring service operation efficiency, smart grid connection technology that is believed to operate effectively by connecting to the power system, etc.

[0005] As electric vehicles become more prevalent, such charging infrastructure becomes increasingly important, and work on international standardization is underway.

[0006] In particular, the international standard for charging interfaces is IEC 62196-X, which varies depending on the power supply method. Specifically, IEC 62196-1 is a universal standard for connectors and receptacles for electric vehicles, IEC 62196-2 is a standard for connectors and receptacles for alternating current (AC) electric vehicles, and IEC 62196-3 is a standard for connectors and receptacles for direct current (DC) electric vehicles.

[0007] A combined DC charging method, combining European and American methods, has been proposed as an international standard. This method offers numerous design and cost advantages, requiring only one fast and slow charging jack. This combined method defines the European 7-pin method and the American 5-pin method as the standard.

[0008] Meanwhile, the combined method uses a power line communication (hereinafter referred to as "PLC") technology for communication between the electric vehicle and the charging device.

[0009] In this regard, international charging standards (DIN 70121, ISO 15118) define as standards the power spectral density (PSD) that must be met between electric vehicles and charging devices.

[0010] Therefore, the electric vehicle performs a process of adjusting the strength of the PLC communication signal to meet the charging standard based on the charging socket.

[0011] However, the charging device does not meet the standard content related to the strength of the PLC communication signal, nor does it perform a process of adjusting the strength of the PLC communication signal based on the charging connector.

[0012] That is, if the charging device does not meet the standard content related to the strength of the PLC communication signal, when the electric vehicle is fast charged, the noise generated when the charging current increases may be greater than the strength of the PLC communication signal.

[0013] In this case, when the electric vehicle diagnostics times out (which prevents the PLC communication message sent from the charging device from being acknowledged), the electric vehicle enters a charge termination sequence to stop charging. At this point, even when the electric vehicle is recharged using the same charging device, charging is repeatedly stopped, causing confusion and discomfort to the user.

[0014] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a method that can prevent charging from being stopped even if an electric vehicle uses a charging device that does not meet the standard content related to the strength of the PLC communication signal.

[0015] The matters described in the description of the related art are provided to help understanding the background of the present invention and may include matters that were not previously known to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Summary of the Invention

[0016] An object of the present invention is to provide a charging control method and a charging control device for an electric vehicle, and an electric vehicle using the same. When charging is performed using a charging device, after a power line communication (PLC) communication message times out due to control pilot (CP) line noise generated during charging, thereby stopping charging, if recharging is performed using the charging device, the present invention can control charging by reducing CP line noise, thereby enabling continuous charging without stopping charging even in a charging device that does not meet a charging standard for power spectral density (PSD).

[0017] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a charging control method for an electric vehicle may include: when charging is stopped due to a timeout of a power line communication (PLC) communication message sent from a charging device, storing identification information and a charging stop current value of the charging device; when charging again, using the identification information of the charging device to confirm whether recharging is performed through the same charging device as when charging was stopped; and when recharging is performed through the same charging device as when charging was stopped, adjusting the charging current of the charging device based on the charging stop current value of the charging device.

[0018] The method may further include setting a charging target current value to a charge stop current value or less before the step of adjusting the charging current of the charging device, and the step of adjusting the charging current of the charging device may adjust the charging current based on the charging target current value.

[0019] The identification information of the charging device may be a Media Access Control (MAC) address of the charging device.

[0020] When the intensity of the control pilot (CP) line noise is equal to the signal strength of the PLC communication message or higher, a timeout of the PLC communication message may occur.

[0021] The step of adjusting the charging current of the charging device may be performed by adjusting the charging current to be less than the charging target current value and controlling the intensity of the CP line noise to be less than the signal intensity of the PLC communication message.

[0022] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a charging control device includes: at least one processor and a memory, the memory being configured to store computer-readable instructions, and when executed by the at least one processor, the instructions can cause the charging control device to: store identification information and a charge stop current value of the charging device when charging is stopped due to a timeout of a power line communication (PLC) communication message sent from the charging device; when charging again, use the identification information of the charging device to confirm whether recharging is performed through the same charging device as when charging was stopped; and when recharging is performed through the same charging device as when charging was stopped, adjust the charging current of the charging device based on the charge stop current value of the charging device.

[0023] When executed by at least one processor, the instructions may cause the charging control device to: set the charging target current value to the charging stop current value or less before adjusting the charging current of the charging device; and adjust the charging current based on the charging target current value when adjusting the charging current of the charging device.

[0024] When executed by at least one processor, when adjusting the charging current of the charging device, the instructions can cause the charging control device to control the intensity of the CP line noise to be less than the signal strength of the PLC communication message by adjusting the charging current to be less than the charging target current value.

[0025] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an electric vehicle may include: a motor configured to drive wheels, a battery, and a charging control device; the motor being configured to supply power to the motor; and the charging control device being configured to, when charging of the battery is performed using a charging device, adjust a charging current of the charging device based on a charge stop current value of the charging device after charging is stopped due to a power line communication (PLC) communication message timeout caused by control pilot (CP) line noise.

[0026] The charging control device may be included in an Electric Vehicle Communication Controller (EVCC) configured to control fast charging, or implemented as a separate configuration.

[0027] The charging control device may include at least one processor and a memory, wherein the memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions, and when executed by the at least one processor, the instructions may cause the charging control device to: store identification information and a charge stop current value of the charging device when charging is stopped due to a timeout of a PLC communication message sent from the charging device; when charging again, use the identification information of the charging device to confirm whether recharging is performed through the same charging device as when charging was stopped; and when recharging is performed through the same charging device as when charging was stopped, adjust the charging current of the charging device based on the charge stop current value of the charging device.

[0028] When charging is performed using a charging device, after a PLC communication message times out due to CP line noise generated during charging, thereby stopping charging, if recharging is performed using the charging device, the present invention can control charging by reducing the CP line noise, thereby enabling continuous charging without stopping charging even in a charging device that does not meet the charging standard of the PSD.

[0029] In addition, the present invention can enable the electric vehicle to actively distinguish the charging device that has previously stopped charging when attempting to charge again with the same charging device after charging fails using the charging device that does not meet the charging standard of the PSD, and can adjust the current charging current by referring to the current just before charging was stopped, so that charging can be performed even in a problematic charging device.

[0030] Furthermore, the present invention can maintain the charging state without adding a separate hardware device when recharging is attempted after charging is stopped using a charging device that does not meet the charging standard of the PSD.

[0031] Furthermore, the present invention can take into account that the charging device in the electric vehicle is continuously charged, thereby improving the robustness and compatibility of charging.

[0032] Furthermore, even in the current charging system of electric vehicles, the present invention can be implemented by improving software without additional hardware. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a charging system for an electric vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a case where charging is stopped due to a timeout of a PLC communication message from a charging device.

[0035] Figure 3 It means Figure 2 The diagram shows a situation where the charging device stops charging and then adjusts the charging current to maintain recharging.

[0036] Figure 4 It is an explanation Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the configuration of the communication control device shown.

[0037] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing a charging control method of an electric vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, in the following description and the accompanying drawings, detailed descriptions of well-known functions or configurations that may obscure the subject matter of the present invention will be omitted. In addition, it should be noted that throughout the drawings, identical components are denoted by identical reference numerals whenever possible.

[0039] The terms or words used in this specification and the appended claims should not be construed as limited to the general meaning or dictionary meaning, but should be construed according to the meaning and concept corresponding to the technical idea of the present invention based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define them publicly as terms for the best interpretation.

[0040] Accordingly, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the accompanying drawings are merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to represent the entire technical concept of the present invention. It should be understood that various equivalent forms and modifications may replace those embodiments and configurations when this application is submitted.

[0041] Some elements are exaggerated, omitted, or schematically shown in the drawings, and the actual sizes of the elements are not necessarily shown in the drawings. The present invention is not limited by the relative sizes or intervals shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0042] Throughout the specification, when a part "includes" a component, this does not exclude other components, and other components may be further included unless otherwise specifically described. In addition, when a part is "connected" to another part, it can be "directly connected" or "electrically connected" with other elements interposed therebetween.

[0043] Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, singular forms include plural forms.

[0044] It should be understood that the terms "comprise" or "include" and the like indicate the existence of features, values, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof described in this specification, but do not exclude the possibility of the pre-existence or addition of one or more other features, values, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0045] In addition, the term "unit" used in the specification represents a software or hardware component, such as an FPGA or ASIC, and the "unit" performs any function. However, "unit" does not mean limited to software or hardware. A "unit" can be configured in an addressable storage medium and is also configured to execute one or more processors. Accordingly, as an example, a "unit" may include the following components, such as: software components, object-oriented software components, class components and task components, processes, functions, properties, programs, subroutines, program code segments, drivers, firmware, microcodes, circuits, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays and variables. The functions provided in components and "units" can be combined into fewer components and "units", or further divided into additional components and "units".

[0046] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily practice the present invention. However, the present invention can be implemented in various forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In the accompanying drawings, parts not related to the description of the present invention are omitted for clarity of description, and identical parts are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the specification.

[0047] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0048] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a charging system for an electric vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2is a schematic diagram illustrating a situation where charging is stopped due to a timeout of a PLC communication message from a charging device. Figure 3 It means Figure 2 The schematic diagram of the charging device showing the situation of maintaining recharging by adjusting the charging current after stopping charging is shown. Figure 4 It is an explanation Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the configuration of the communication control device shown.

[0049] like Figure 1 As shown, a charging system for an electric vehicle 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a charging control device 110, an on-board charger (OBC) 120, a battery management system (BMS) 130 and a battery 140, wherein the charging control device 110 controls fast charging; the on-board charger (OBC) 120 controls slow charging; the battery management system (BMS) 130 optimally manages the battery 140 to improve safety and reliability; and the battery 140 is charged.

[0050] In addition, the electric vehicle 100 further includes a motor (not shown) for driving wheels, and the motor receives power from the battery 140 .

[0051] Here, the charging control device 110 may be included in an Electric Vehicle Communication Controller (EVCC) or implemented as a separate configuration. The Electric Vehicle Communication Controller (EVCC) may be a PLC communication controller for fast charging.

[0052] In addition, the charging control device 110 , the OBC 120 , and the BMS 130 may be connected to each other through controller area network (CAN) communication.

[0053] Specifically, the charging control device 110 and the OBC 120 may be connected via a charging device (electric vehicle supply equipment, EVSE) 200 and a charging connector. Here, the charging control device 110 may be connected to the charging device 200 via a PLC communication method using a frequency band of 1.8 MHz to 30 MHz.

[0054] At this time, the charging device 200 sends a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal to the charging control device 110 and the OBC 120 via the control pilot (CP) line. The charging control device 110 and the OBC 120 then determine whether the battery is fast charged or slow charged based on the duty cycle of the PWM signal (i.e., the ratio of the high-level signal to the low-level signal of the pulse width).

[0055] As described above, when charging is performed between the electric vehicle 100 and the charging device 200, if the charging current increases, noise may be introduced from the high-voltage DC line into the CP line. Hereinafter, the noise introduced from the high-voltage DC line is referred to as "CP line noise."

[0056] First, if the charging device 200 satisfies the charging standard of power spectrum density (PSD), the charging state of the electric vehicle 100 can be normally maintained. At this time, the charging control device 110 can normally receive the PLC communication message from the charging device 200.

[0057] However, if the charging device 200 does not meet the charging standard of the PSD, it cannot normally maintain the charging of the electric vehicle 100. At this time, when the intensity of the CP line noise is equal to or greater than the signal strength of the PLC communication message sent by the charging device 200, the charging control device 110 cannot receive the PLC communication message.

[0058] As described above, when the PLC communication message is not received normally, the charging control device 110 diagnoses a timeout state due to not receiving the PLC communication message defined in the charging standard, and enters the charging stop sequence. Here, the timeout state may be when the PLC communication message is not received within 0.25 seconds.

[0059] At this time, the charging control device 110 stores the media access control (MAC) address of the charging device 200 and the charge stop current value.

[0060] Here, when PLC communication is performed between charging control device 110 and charging device 200 during charging, a MAC address, which is a unique identification address assigned to a network interface, can be shared between charging control device 110 and charging device 200. That is, each of charging control device 110 and charging device 200 has a unique MAC address.

[0061] The MAC address may be unique address information for identifying the charging apparatus 200, and may be applied as a substitute for identification information for identifying the charging apparatus 200. Here, for convenience of description, the description will be limited to the MAC address.

[0062] Furthermore, the charge stop current value can be considered as a maximum threshold current value to which the charging current can be increased during charging between the electric vehicle 100 and the charging device 200. In other words, the charge stop current value can be a maximum threshold current value for adjusting the charging current so that the PLC communication message diagnosis times out and does not enter the charge stop sequence.

[0063] In this regard, reference Figure 2When charging is performed between electric vehicle 100 and charging device 200, the charging current (a) increases. At this time, CP line noise (b) may be introduced into the CP line from the high-voltage DC line. The CP line noise (b) also increases as the charging current (a) increases. However, the signal strength of the PLC communication message (c) may remain constant.

[0064] The intensity of the CP line noise (b), which increases with the increase in charging current (a), can be equal to or greater than the signal strength of the PLC communication message (c). In this case, the charging control device 110 is unable to properly receive the PLC communication message (c) due to the interference of the CP line noise (b), ultimately diagnosing that the PLC communication message (c) has timed out. Therefore, charging between the electric vehicle 100 and the charging device 200 is stopped. At this time, when charging is stopped, the current value of the charging current (a) represents the charging stop current value (e.g., 70A).

[0065] After stopping charging, when recharging is performed by the charging device 200, the charging control device 110 can maintain the recharging of the charging device 200 while controlling the CP line noise generated during charging. That is, the charging control device 110 controls the charging of the electric vehicle 100, which continuously maintains the recharging of the charging device 200 that does not meet the charging standard without stopping.

[0066] Specifically, when recharging after stopping charging, charging control device 110 confirms whether recharging is performed by charging device 200. This is because when recharging after stopping charging, recharging can also be performed by a third charging device instead of charging device 200.

[0067] That is, when recharging is performed after charging is stopped, the charging control device 110 uses the MAC address of the charging device 200 to confirm whether recharging is performed by the charging device 200. At this time, the charging control device 110 confirms whether recharging is performed by the charging device 200 by comparing the MAC address of the charging device 200 with the MAC address of the charging device currently recharging.

[0068] Next, when recharging is performed using the charging device 200 , the charging control device 110 controls charging of the electric vehicle 100 after setting a charging target current value using the charge stop current value of the charging device 200 .

[0069] At this time, the charging control device 110 maintains recharging of the charging device 200 while adjusting the charging current of the charging device 200 based on the charging target current value.

[0070] In other words, charging control device 110 controls the intensity of CP line noise to be less than the signal strength of the PLC communication message by adjusting the charging current of charging device 200 to less than the target charging current value. Here, the target charging current value can be set to the charge stop current value or less. In other words, the target charging current value ≤ the charge stop current value.

[0071] In this regard, reference Figure 3 When recharging using the charging device 200, the charging control device 110 adjusts the charging current (a) so that the charging current is less than the charging target current value.

[0072] In addition, the target charging current value can be set to have a predetermined margin (α) with the charge stop current value. For example, if the charge stop current value is 70 A, the target charging current value can be 69 A. In this case, the margin (α) can be 1 A.

[0073] Furthermore, the charging current (a) can be adjusted to be smaller than the charging target current value, and the intensity of the CP line noise (b) can be controlled to be smaller than the signal intensity of the PLC communication message (c).

[0074] Therefore, even if the charging device 200 does not meet the charging standard, charging between the electric vehicle 100 and the charging device 200 can be performed normally without stopping the charging.

[0075] Furthermore, the charging control device 110 is configured to Figure 5 The charging control method of the electric vehicle 100 is performed according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

[0076] refer to Figure 4 The charging control device 110 includes at least one processor 111 , a memory 112 and a communication unit 113 , wherein the memory 112 is used to store computer-readable instructions; and the communication unit 113 is used to perform PLC communication with the charging device 200 .

[0077] When the computer readable instructions stored in the memory 112 are executed by at least one processor 111, the charging control device 110 performs the following operations according to the following description. Figure 5 The exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is used to perform a charging control method for an electric vehicle.

[0078] Here, the processor 111 may also be referred to as a controller, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, etc. In addition, the processor 111 may be implemented by hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof.

[0079] In addition, the memory 112 can be a single storage device or a collective term for multiple storage elements. The computer-readable instructions stored in the memory can be executable program code or parameters, data, etc. In addition, the memory 112 can include random access memory (RAM), or can include a disk storage device or non-volatile memory (NVRAM) such as flash memory.

[0080] Furthermore, communication unit 113 transmits and receives data with charging device 200 via Ethernet via PLC communication. Specifically, communication unit 113 and charging device 200 share MAC addresses to execute the charging sequence. For example, the MAC address of charging device 200 might be "04:55:65:00:45:67," while the MAC address of electric vehicle 100 might be "00:B0:52:FF:FF:02." Here, the stored MAC address becomes "04:55:65:00:45:67," which is the MAC address of charging device 200, when charging stops.

[0081] Hereinafter, reference will be made to the Figure 5 A charging control method of an electric vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0082] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing a charging control method of an electric vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0083] The charging control device 110 may be mounted to the electric vehicle 100 to control battery charging and perform charging in conjunction with the charging device 200 mounted to an external charging infrastructure ( S101 ).

[0084] Thereafter, the charging control device 110 stops charging by diagnosing that the PLC communication message transmitted from the charging device 200 has timed out ( S102 , S103 ). At this time, the charging control device 110 stores the MAC address and the charge stop current value of the charging device 200 that stopped charging ( S104 ).

[0085] At the same time, the charging control device 110 uses the MAC address of the charging device 200 to confirm whether recharging is performed by the charging device 200 ( S105 ).

[0086] Then, if recharging is performed by the charging device 200 ( S105 ), the charging control device 110 sets a charging target current value using the charge stop current value of the charging device 200 ( S106 ), and maintains recharging of the charging device 200 while adjusting the charging current of the charging device 200 based on the charging target current value ( S107 ).

[0087] That is, the charging control device 110 controls the intensity of the CP line noise to be less than the signal intensity of the PLC communication message by adjusting the charging current to be less than the charging target current value, thereby preventing charging from being stopped due to timeout diagnosis of the PLC communication message.

[0088] The method according to some embodiments can be implemented in the form of program instructions, which can be executed and recorded on a computer-readable medium by various computer devices. Computer-readable media can include separate program instructions, data files, data structures, etc. or a combination thereof. The program instructions recorded on the medium can be program instructions specially designed and constructed for the present invention, or can be well-known and available to those skilled in the art of computer software. Examples of computer-readable media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks and tapes, optical media such as CD-ROMs, DVDs, magneto-optical media such as soft magnetic optical disks, and hardware devices such as ROMs, RAMs and flash memories that are specially configured to store and execute program instructions. Examples of program instructions include machine language codes such as those generated by a compiler, and high-level language codes that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter, etc.

Claims

1. A charging control method for an electric vehicle, the method comprising: storing identification information of the charging device and a charge stop current value when charging is stopped due to a timeout of a communication message of the power line communication transmitted from the charging device; When charging again, the identification information of the charging device is used to confirm whether recharging is performed by the same charging device as when charging was stopped; When recharging is performed by the same charging device as when charging was stopped, adjusting the charging current of the charging device based on the charge stop current value of the charging device; wherein, when the intensity of the control pilot line noise is equal to or higher than the signal intensity of the communication message of the power line communication, a timeout of the communication message of the power line communication occurs; The step of adjusting the charging current of the charging device controls the intensity of the control pilot line noise to be smaller than the signal intensity of the communication message of the power line communication by adjusting the charging current to be smaller than the charging target current value.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising setting the charging target current value to a charge stop current value or less before the step of adjusting the charging current of the charging device, in, The step of adjusting the charging current of the charging device adjusts the charging current based on the charging target current value.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein The identification information of the charging device is the media access control address of the charging device.

4. A charging control device comprising: at least one processor; as well as a memory configured to store computer-readable instructions, When executed by at least one processor, the instructions cause the charging control device to: storing identification information of the charging device and a charge stop current value when charging is stopped due to a timeout of a communication message of the power line communication transmitted from the charging device; When charging again, the identification information of the charging device is used to confirm whether recharging is performed by the same charging device as when charging was stopped; When recharging is performed by the same charging device as when charging was stopped, adjusting the charging current of the charging device based on the charge stop current value of the charging device; wherein, when the intensity of the control pilot line noise is equal to or higher than the signal intensity of the communication message of the power line communication, a timeout of the communication message of the power line communication occurs; When executed by at least one processor, the instructions cause the charging control device to: when adjusting the charging current of the charging device, control the intensity of the control pilot line noise to be less than the signal strength of the communication message of the power line communication by adjusting the charging current to be less than the charging target current value.

5. The charging control device according to claim 4, wherein: When executed by at least one processor, the instructions cause a charge control device to: Before adjusting the charging current of the charging device, setting the charging target current value to the charging stop current value or less; When adjusting the charging current of the charging device, the charging current is adjusted based on the charging target current value.

6. The charging control device according to claim 4, wherein: The identification information of the charging device is the media access control address of the charging device.

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