Apparatus and method for controlling locking of a charging inlet of a vehicle

Abstract

An apparatus and method for controlling locking of a charging inlet of a vehicle are disclosed. The apparatus for controlling locking of a charging inlet includes a charging inlet including an input device and being engageable with a connector, the input device being disposed at a position where pressing is determined based on a type of the connector of a charging cable, an on-board charger (OBC) disposed to generate an inlet unlock signal when the input device is pressed by the connector, and a controller disposed to unlock the charging inlet upon receipt of the inlet unlock signal.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0076480, filed on June 23, 2020, with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to a device and method for controlling the locking of a charging port. Background Technology

[0004] Recently, the use of electric vehicles powered by batteries has increased. Electric vehicles typically employ two charging methods: slow charging and fast charging. Considering slow charging, the charging cable connector is locked when it engages with the charging port. Therefore, if charging stops while the connector is engaged, the charging port cannot be unlocked until charging is complete, resulting in unnecessary waiting. Therefore, there is a need to develop a technology that controls the locking of the charging port based on the charging method, thereby reducing charging wait time. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The implementation scheme of this application solves the problems in the prior art while maintaining the advantages of the prior art.

[0006] The embodiments of this application provide a device and method for controlling the locking of a charging inlet, which can control the locking of the charging inlet based on the vehicle's charging method.

[0007] The problems solved by the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those described above. Those skilled in the art will clearly understand other technical problems not mentioned herein through the following description.

[0008] According to an embodiment of this application, a device for controlling the locking of a charging inlet includes: a charging inlet including an input device and capable of engaging with a connector, the input device being positioned such that pressing is determined based on the type of connector of the charging cable; an on-board charger (OBC) for generating an inlet unlock signal when the input device is pressed through the connector; and a controller for unlocking the charging inlet upon receiving the inlet unlock signal.

[0009] The controller can determine whether to enter the inlet lock mode when the connector and the charging port are engaged.

[0010] The controller can determine whether to generate an entry unlock signal when it determines that the entry lock mode has been entered.

[0011] The controller can control the relay to open when the input device is pressed, and when the on-board charger (OBC) detects a voltage change due to the relay opening, the controller receives an entry unlock signal generated by the on-board charger (OBC) to determine that an entry unlock signal has been generated.

[0012] The controller can determine that the charging method is fast charging when it determines that an entry unlock signal has been generated.

[0013] The controller can control the transmission of the entry unlock signal to the locking device.

[0014] The controller can release the entrance locking mode when it determines that the entrance has not been entered or when an entrance unlock signal is transmitted to the locking device.

[0015] The controller can determine whether charging is in progress when the inlet lock mode is released.

[0016] The controller can determine when to re-enter the inlet lock mode during charging to lock the connector from disengaging from the charging inlet.

[0017] The controller can release the inlet lock mode when it is determined that no charging is in progress.

[0018] According to an embodiment of this application, a method for controlling the locking of a charging inlet includes: generating an inlet unlock signal when the charging inlet is engaged with a connector, the charging inlet including an input device disposed at a position determined by a press based on the type of connector of the charging cable; and unlocking the charging inlet upon receiving the inlet unlock signal.

[0019] The method may further include determining whether to enter an inlet locking mode when the connector and the charging inlet are engaged.

[0020] Once it is determined that the entrance lock mode has been entered, determine whether to generate an entrance unlock signal.

[0021] The input device can be pressed to control the relay to turn on. When the on-board charger (OBC) detects a voltage change caused by the relay turning on, the entry unlock signal generated by the on-board charger (OBC) can be received and it can be determined that an entry unlock signal has been generated.

[0022] Once an entry unlock signal is confirmed, the charging method can be determined to be fast charging.

[0023] The method may further include controlling the transmission of the entry unlock signal to the locking device when it is determined that an entry unlock signal has been generated.

[0024] The method may further include controlling the release of the entrance locking mode when it is determined that no entrance locking mode has been entered, or when an entrance unlock signal is transmitted to the locking device.

[0025] The method may further include determining whether charging is in progress when the entry lock mode is released.

[0026] When it is determined that charging is in progress, the inlet lock mode can be re-entered to lock the connector from disengaging from the charging inlet.

[0027] When it is determined that no charging is taking place, the inlet lock mode can be released. Attached Figure Description

[0028] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the embodiments of this application will become more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] Figure 1 A diagram illustrating the configuration of a device for controlling the locking of a vehicle charging port according to an embodiment of this application;

[0030] Figure 2 A view showing the charging port engagement during slow charging;

[0031] Figure 3 A view showing the charging inlet and input device that are engaged during fast charging;

[0032] Figure 4 and Figure 5 The illustration is intended to schematically show how a relay can be operated by pressing an input device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0033] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating a method for locking a vehicle charging port according to an embodiment of this application;

[0034] Figure 7 A diagram illustrating the configuration of a computing system for performing the method according to an embodiment of this application.

[0035] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0036] 110: Charging Port

[0037] 120: Input device

[0038] 140: Communication devices

[0039] 150: Locking device

[0040] 160: Controller

[0041] 1000: Computing System

[0042] 1100: Processor

[0043] 1300: Memory

[0044] 1400: User Interface Input Device

[0045] 1500: User Interface Output Device

[0046] 1600: Storage device

[0047] 1700: Web interface. Detailed Implementation

[0048] Some embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Reference numerals have been added to the components in each drawing, and it should be noted that the same reference numerals refer to the same or equivalent components even when shown in other drawings. Furthermore, detailed descriptions of well-known features or functions will be omitted when describing embodiments of this application to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the main points of this application.

[0049] In describing components according to embodiments of this application, terms such as first, second, "A", "B", (a), and (b) may be used. These terms are intended only to distinguish one component from another, and do not limit the nature, order, or sequence of the components. Unless otherwise stated, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains. Terms defined in general dictionaries should be interpreted as having the same meaning as in the context of the relevant technical field, and not as having an idealized or overly literal meaning, unless expressly defined as such in this application.

[0050] Figure 1 This illustration shows the configuration of a device for controlling the locking of a vehicle charging port according to an embodiment of this application.

[0051] like Figure 1 As shown, the device 100 for controlling the locking of the vehicle charging port according to the embodiment of this application may include a charging port 110, an input device 120, an on-board charger (OBC) 130, a communication device 140, a locking device 150, and a controller 160.

[0052] Charging inlet 110 can be connected to a charging cable at charging outlet to receive power. Charging inlet 110 may include multiple connection terminals and can be implemented as a DC combination type, thereby enabling the engagement of different types of connectors based on the charging method. Here, the DC combination type can be implemented in an integrated form, including five AC connectors and two DC connectors. (See reference...) Figure 2 and Figure 3 A more detailed explanation is provided.

[0053] Figure 2 To show the view of the charging port engagement during slow charging, and Figure 3 This is a view showing the charging port and input device that are engaged with each other during fast charging.

[0054] like Figure 2 As shown, during slow charging, the connectors of the charging inlet and charging outlet of the charging cable engage. The charging inlet may include five AC connectors 20. Figure 3 As shown, during fast charging, the connectors of the charging cable at the charging inlet and charging outlet engage. The charging inlet may include five AC connectors 20 and two DC connectors 30. In an embodiment of this application, the two DC connectors 30 are not engaged during slow charging, but are engaged during fast charging. This feature allows the charging method to be determined.

[0055] During fast charging, the connector of the charging cable, which engages with both DC connectors, contacts the charging inlet. The input device 120 can be positioned in this area to determine the charging method based on the characteristic of the charging cable connector engaging with both DC connectors. Further, the input device 120 can be implemented in a form that can be pressed when the charging cable connector contacts the charging inlet. When the charging cable connector engages with the charging inlet 110 and the charging inlet 110 is pressed through the connector, the controller 160 can generate an inlet unlock signal. For this purpose, the input device 120 can be implemented in the form of, for example, a button or push button. According to the embodiment, such as... Figure 3 As shown, although the display input device 120 is located between the two DC connectors, the input device 120 is not limited thereto, and the input device 120 can be located in any area where the connector engages with the charging port 110 and can contact (press) the connector.

[0056] The on-board charger (OBC) 130 is a charger installed in a vehicle, and can refer to a device that charges the battery by converting AC power supplied from the connector of the charging cable into direct current (DC). Furthermore, when the input device 120 is pressed, the relay opens, and the voltage changes due to the relay opening, the OBC can detect the voltage change and generate an entry unlock signal.

[0057] When OBC 130 detects a voltage change due to the input device 120 being pressed, communication device 140 can transmit the entry unlock signal generated by OBC 130 to controller 160 via CAN communication, and can also transmit the entry unlock signal to locking device 150 via CAN communication. According to an embodiment of this application, since OBC 130 uses P-CAN communication and locking device 150 uses C-CAN communication, communication device 140 can transmit the entry unlock signal generated by OBC 130 to locking device 150 via gateway (IGPM).

[0058] The locking device 150 can be controlled to prevent the connector of the charging cable from separating from the charging port 110, so as to maintain the engagement state.

[0059] The controller 160 can be implemented using various processing devices, such as a microprocessor equipped with a semiconductor chip capable of performing calculations or executing various instructions; and the controller 160 can control the overall operation of the device for controlling the locking of the charging port according to the embodiment of this application based on at least one algorithm. Specifically, the charging port can be unlocked upon receiving an unlock signal.

[0060] When the connector of the charging cable is determined to engage with the charging inlet 110 for charging, the controller 160 can supply power to the controller required for charging the vehicle. Here, the controller required for charging the vehicle may include a device that supplies power using an IG3 power supply, which can supply power to charging circuits using high-capacity batteries, portable devices, and safety devices. For reference, an IG1 power supply can supply power to devices involved in starting the engine, and an IG2 power supply can supply power to electrical equipment with a large load other than starting the engine (e.g., headlights and heating elements).

[0061] When power is supplied to the controller required to charge the vehicle, the controller 160 determines whether an entry lock mode has been entered. Here, the entry lock mode can refer to a mode in which the control locking device 150 keeps the connector of the charging cable engaged with the charging inlet 110, without disengaging it.

[0062] Upon determining that the entry lock mode has been entered, the controller 160 can determine whether the input device 120 has been pressed. (See reference...) Figure 4 and Figure 5 A more detailed explanation is provided.

[0063] Figure 4 and Figure 5 The illustration is intended to schematically show how a relay can be operated by pressing an input device according to an embodiment of this application.

[0064] like Figure 4 As shown, according to the embodiment of this application, when the input device 120 is pressed, the controller 160 can control the relay to open. Since the relay opening causes a voltage change detected from the OBC 130, the controller 160 can receive the entry unlock signal generated in the OBC 130. Upon receiving the entry unlock signal, it can determine that an entry unlock signal has been generated and that the charging method is a fast charging method. Further, as... Figure 5 As shown, when the input device 120 is not pressed, the controller 160 can control the relay to turn off, and the OBC 130 will not generate an entry unlock signal. Since the relay is turned off and no voltage change is detected from the OBC 130, the controller 160 will not receive an entry unlock signal. Since the controller 160 will not receive an entry unlock signal, it can be determined that no entry unlock signal has been generated, and the charging method can be determined to be the slow charging method.

[0065] Upon determining that an entry unlock signal has been generated, the controller 160 can control the transmission of the entry unlock signal to the locking device 150. According to an embodiment of this application, the OBC 130 can transmit the entry unlock signal to the controller 160 via P-CAN communication, and the controller 160 can control the transmission of the entry unlock signal to the locking device 150 via a gateway (IGPM) using C-CAN communication.

[0066] When the inlet unlock signal is transmitted to the locking device 150, the controller 160 can control the locking mode to be released for a specific time. Here, releasing the locking mode may mean that the controller 160 controls the locking device 150 to make it easy to disconnect the connector of the charging cable from the charging inlet 110.

[0067] While releasing the entry lock mode for a specific period of time, the controller 160 can determine whether charging is in progress. When power is normally supplied from the charging cable connector to the charging port 110, the controller 160 can determine that charging is in progress. In this case, the entry lock mode can be re-entered, and the controller 160 can control the locking device 150 to prevent the charging cable connector from separating from the charging port. Furthermore, when it is determined that the input device 120 is not pressed, that is, when the charging method is determined to be a slow charging method, the controller 160 can control the locking device 150 to prevent the charging cable connector from separating from the charging port.

[0068] Simultaneously, when it is determined that the power supply from the charging cable connector to the charging port 110 is not proceeding normally and the port lock mode is released for a specific period of time, the controller 160 can determine that charging has stopped or is not in progress, and maintain the port lock mode released. Accordingly, in the fast charging method, when charging is not in progress but the charging cable connector is engaged with the charging port 110, the controller 160 can maintain the port lock mode released, allowing the user to easily disconnect the charging cable connector from the charging port.

[0069] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating a method for locking a vehicle charging port according to an embodiment of this application.

[0070] like Figure 6 As shown, when controller 160 determines in S110 that the connector of the charging cable is engaged with the charging inlet 110 for charging, controller 160 can supply power to the controller required for charging the vehicle in S120. When power is supplied to the controller required for charging the vehicle, controller 160 determines in S130 whether an inlet lock mode has been entered. Here, the inlet lock mode can refer to a mode in which the control locking device 150 keeps the connector of the charging cable engaged with the charging inlet 110, without disengaging it.

[0071] When controller 160 determines that the entry lock mode has been entered ("Yes" in S130), controller 160 may determine in S140 whether input device 120 has been pressed. In S140, controller 160 may determine whether input device 120 has been pressed, thereby generating an entry unlock signal. (See reference) Figure 4 and Figure 5 Provide detailed explanations.

[0072] When controller 160 determines that an entry unlock signal has been generated ("Yes" in S140), controller 160 can control the entry unlock signal to be transmitted to locking device 150 in S150. According to an embodiment of this application, since OBC 130 uses P-CAN communication method for communication and locking device 150 uses C-CAN communication method for communication, communication device 160 can control communication device 140 through gateway (IGPM) in S150 to transmit entry unlock signal to locking device 150.

[0073] When the inlet unlock signal is transmitted to the locking device 150, the controller 160 can control the locking mode to be released for a specific time in S160. In S160, releasing the locking mode can mean that the controller 160 controls the locking device 150 to make the connector of the charging cable easily separated from the charging inlet 110 by external pressure.

[0074] While releasing the inlet lock mode for a specific time, the controller 160 can determine in S170 whether charging is in progress. In S170, if power is normally supplied from the connector of the charging cable to the charging inlet 110, the controller 160 can determine that charging is in progress ("Yes" in S170). In this case, in S180, the connector re-enters the inlet lock mode, and the controller 160 can control the locking device 150 to prevent it from separating from the charging inlet. Further, when the controller 160 determines that the input device 120 is not pressed ("No" in S140), that is, when the charging method is determined to be a slow charging method, the controller 160 controls the locking device 150 in S180 to prevent the connector from separating from the charging inlet.

[0075] Simultaneously, when the controller 160 determines that the connector of the charging cable is not normally supplying power to the charging port 110 and the port lock mode is released for a specific period of time ("No" in S170), the controller 160 can determine in S190 that charging has stopped or is not charging, and maintain the release of the port lock mode in S200. Accordingly, in the fast charging method, when charging is not actually taking place but the connector of the charging cable is engaged with the charging port 110, the controller 160 can maintain the port lock released, thereby allowing the user to easily disconnect the connector of the charging cable from the charging port.

[0076] Figure 7 A diagram illustrating the configuration of a computing system for performing the method according to an embodiment of this application.

[0077] refer to Figure 7 The computing system 1000 may include at least one processor 1100, a memory 1300, a user interface input device 1400, a user interface output device 1500, a storage device 1600, and a network interface 1700 that are interconnected via a bus 1200.

[0078] Processor 1100 may be a central processing unit (CPU) or a semiconductor device that processes instructions stored in memory 1300 and / or storage device 1600. Memory 1300 and storage device 1600 may include various types of volatile or non-volatile storage media. For example, memory 1300 may include ROM (Read-Only Memory) 1310 and RAM (Random Access Memory) 1320.

[0079] Therefore, the operation of the methods or algorithms described in association with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented directly in hardware, by a software module executed by processor 1100, or by a combination thereof. The software module can be stored on a storage medium (i.e., memory 1300 and / or storage device 1600), such as RAM, flash memory, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, registers, hard disk, portable hard disk, and / or CD-ROM. An exemplary storage medium can be coupled to processor 1100, which can read information from and record information in the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium can be integrated with processor 1100. Processor 1100 and storage medium can be stored in an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The ASIC can be stored in a user terminal. In another case, processor 1100 and storage medium can be stored as separate components in the user terminal.

[0080] The device and method for controlling the locking of the charging inlet according to the embodiments of this application can control the locking of the charging inlet based on the charging method to prevent unnecessarily prolonging the charging standby time.

[0081] While this application has been described above with reference to exemplary embodiments and accompanying drawings, it is not limited thereto and various modifications and variations can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this application as defined in the appended claims.

[0082] Therefore, exemplary embodiments of this application are provided to explain the spirit and scope of this application, but not to limit it, and thus the spirit and scope of this application are not limited by the embodiments. The scope of this application should be interpreted based on the appended claims, and the technical spirit within the scope of equivalent claims should be included within the scope of this application.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling locking of a charging inlet, the apparatus comprising: a charging inlet including an input device and being engageable with a connector, the input device being disposed at a position where pressing is determined based on a type of the connector of a charging cable; an on-board charger disposed to generate an inlet unlock signal when the input device is pressed by the connector; a controller disposed to unlock the charging inlet upon receipt of the inlet unlock signal, wherein the input device is pressed when the connector of the charging cable contacts a plurality of DC terminals of the charging inlet. The controller is disposed to determine whether to enter an inlet locking mode when the connector and the charging inlet are engaged with each other.

2. The apparatus for controlling the locking of a charging inlet according to claim 1, wherein, The controller is disposed to determine whether to generate the inlet unlock signal when it is determined that the inlet locking mode is entered.

3. The device for controlling the locking of a charging inlet according to claim 2, wherein, The controller is disposed to control a relay to be on when the input device is pressed, and to receive the inlet unlock signal generated by the on-board charger when the on-board charger detects a voltage change due to the relay being on, to determine that the inlet unlock signal is generated.

4. The apparatus for controlling the locking of a charging inlet according to claim 3, wherein, The controller is disposed to determine that a charging method is a fast charging method when it is determined that the inlet unlock signal is generated.

5. The apparatus for controlling the locking of a charging inlet according to claim 4, wherein, The controller is disposed to control the inlet unlock signal to be delivered to a locking device.

6. The apparatus for controlling the locking of a charging inlet according to claim 5, wherein, The controller is disposed to control release of the inlet locking mode when it is determined that the inlet locking mode is not entered or the inlet unlock signal is delivered to the locking device.

7. The device for controlling the locking of a charging inlet according to claim 6, wherein, The controller is disposed to determine whether charging is in progress when the inlet locking mode is released.

8. The apparatus for controlling the locking of a charging inlet according to claim 7, wherein, The controller is disposed to re-enter the inlet locking mode to lock the connector from being separated from the charging inlet when it is determined that charging is in progress.

9. The apparatus for controlling the locking of a charging inlet according to claim 8, wherein, The controller is disposed to control the release of the inlet locking mode to be maintained when it is determined that charging is not in progress.

10. The apparatus for controlling the locking of a charging inlet according to claim 8, wherein, 11. A method for controlling locking of a charging inlet, the method comprising: generating an inlet unlock signal when a charging inlet is engaged with a connector, the charging inlet including an input device disposed at a position where pressing is determined based on a type of the connector of a charging cable; unlocking the charging inlet upon receipt of the inlet unlock signal, wherein the input device is pressed when the connector of the charging cable contacts a plurality of DC terminals of the charging inlet. determining whether to enter an inlet locking mode when the connector and the charging inlet are engaged with each other.

12. The method for controlling the locking of a charging inlet according to claim 11, further comprising: determining whether to generate the inlet unlock signal when it is determined that the inlet locking mode is entered.

13. The method for controlling the locking of a charging inlet according to claim 12, further comprising:

14. The method for controlling locking of a charging inlet according to claim 13, further comprising: controlling a relay to be on when the input device is pressed; determining that the inlet unlock signal generated by the on-board charger is received and determining that the inlet unlock signal is generated when the on-board charger detects a voltage change due to the relay being on. determining that a charging method is a fast charging method when it is determined that the inlet unlock signal is generated.

15. The method for controlling the locking of a charging inlet according to claim 14, wherein, controlling the inlet unlock signal to be delivered to a locking device when it is determined that the inlet unlock signal is generated.

16. The method for controlling the locking of a charging inlet according to claim 15, further comprising: controlling release of the inlet locking mode when it is determined that the inlet locking mode is not entered or the inlet unlock signal is delivered to the locking device.

17. The method for controlling the locking of a charging inlet according to claim 16, further comprising: ​ 18. The method for controlling the locking of a charging inlet according to claim 17, further comprising: When the entry lock mode is released, it is determined whether charging is in progress.

19. The method for controlling the locking of a charging inlet according to claim 18, further comprising: When it is determined that charging is in progress, the entry lock mode is re-entered to lock the connector from being separated from the charging inlet.

20. The method for controlling the locking of a charging inlet according to claim 18, further comprising: When it is determined that charging is not in progress, the control to release the entry lock mode is maintained.

Images