Vehicle that controls the recharging of the battery based on the status of the sensor of the DC recharging socket

Abstract

The present invention relates to a means of transport (V), comprising: a rechargeable battery (BR), a base (ER), on which are fixedly connected: a first socket (P1), the first socket being suitable for recharging the battery (BR) with direct current and comprising two first pins, each of which is provided with a first sensor for measuring temperature; and a second socket (P2), the second socket being suitable for recharging the battery (BR) with alternating current and comprising two second pins, each of which is provided with a second sensor for measuring temperature; and a processor (PR) and a memory (MD), the processor and the memory being configured to trigger interruption of the recharging when the first sensor fails during recharging using the first socket (P1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention claims priority from French application N°2002436 filed on March 12, 2020, the contents (text, drawings and claims) of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The invention relates to a means of transport having at least one rechargeable battery which can be charged with direct current and recharged with alternating current, and more precisely to the management of the recharging of such a battery. Background Art

[0003] Some vehicles comprise at least one battery that can be recharged (according to the user's choice) both with direct current and with alternating current, thanks to a first socket and a second socket that are fixedly integrated with a base comprised in the front part or in the rear part of the vehicle. More precisely, the first socket of the base is suitable for recharging with direct current and generally comprises two first pins, and the second socket of the base is suitable for recharging with alternating current and generally comprises at least two second pins (most often, seven pins).

[0004] When it is desired to recharge the battery of a vehicle with direct current (or respectively with alternating current), an external socket (eg of a recharging station) is connected to the first socket (or respectively the second socket) of the vehicle.

[0005] The continuous connection and disconnection of the external pins on the pins through which the current of the first and second sockets of the base circulates causes wear of these pins and therefore causes the contact of these pins with the external pins to become increasingly fragmentary. Therefore, when there are gaps in metal contact / between metal, small arcs sometimes occur, which lead to an increase in the temperature of the base, which is potentially dangerous for the vehicle, the socket of the base and the user who performs the disconnection from the external socket. It is therefore very important to monitor the temperature of the base during each recharging period, especially when recharging with direct current, because the intensity of this direct current is very high.

[0006] To this end, it has been proposed to add a first temperature sensor to each of the two first pins through which the direct current of the first socket of the base passes and a second temperature sensor to each of the two second pins through which the alternating current of the second socket of the base passes, and to interrupt the recharging when at least one of the first and second sensors detects a temperature greater than a threshold value, typically equal to 90° C. This interruption is usually accompanied by a display on the screen of the means of transport (for example a service beacon) in order to inform the user of the means of transport.

[0007] This operating mode has several disadvantages. In fact, if the four first and second sensors fail simultaneously, it is not possible to have a temperature measurement and therefore not to interrupt the recharging in view of the base temperature, which can be dangerous for the user (risk of burns) and / or for the vehicle and / or for the recharging terminals (risk of fire). In addition, the sensor that detects a temperature greater than the threshold value can (optionally temporarily) suffer a malfunction. Therefore, it can be wrongly decided to interrupt the recharging due to this malfunction, which can be harmful to the user, since he retrieves the vehicle whose battery has not been recharged and which is therefore unusable if the powertrain of the vehicle is fully electric.

[0008] The object of the present invention is therefore, inter alia, to improve the situation. Summary of the invention

[0009] To this end, the present invention particularly provides a means of transport, which includes at least one rechargeable battery and a base, on which are fixedly connected: on the one hand, a first socket, which is suitable for recharging the battery with direct current and includes two first pins, each of which is provided with a first sensor for measuring temperature; and on the other hand, a second socket, which is suitable for recharging the battery with alternating current and includes two second pins, each of which is provided with a second sensor for measuring temperature.

[0010] The transportation vehicle is characterized in that the transportation vehicle further comprises at least one processor and at least one memory, and the at least one processor and the at least one memory are configured to perform operations including, during recharging using the first socket:

[0011] - detecting a simultaneous failure of said first sensor by analyzing the signal of said first sensor,

[0012] - Then, when said first sensor simultaneously detects a fault, interruption of the recharging is triggered.

[0013] Thus, during recharging with direct current, any risk of abnormal heating of the base is avoided (considering the high current flowing in the first socket), since it is considered very unlikely that the two first sensors will fail simultaneously without a malfunction at the location of this first socket.

[0014] The means of transport according to the invention may include other features which may be adopted individually or in combination, in particular:

[0015] - the processor and memory of the transport may be configured to perform operations comprising: triggering an indication to a passenger of the transport of the interruption of the recharging;

[0016] - the processor and memory of the transport may be configured to perform operations consisting in: triggering an indication to passengers of the transport if at least one of the first sensor or the second sensor fails for a period of time greater than a time threshold;

[0017] - the processor and memory of the vehicle can be configured to perform operations consisting in: in the event of a failure of at least one of the first sensor or the second sensor, triggering the storage in the memory of a fault code associated with each sensor that fails;

[0018] - the processor and memory of the transportation means may be configured to perform operations including: triggering storage of a fault code associated with each faulty sensor in the memory corresponding to the fault duration of each faulty sensor;

[0019] - the processor and memory of the vehicle may be configured to perform operations that, during recharging using the second socket: when the second sensor fails and when the temperature measured by at least one first sensor is greater than a selected temperature threshold or when the first sensor also fails, triggering interruption of the recharging;

[0020] - each of the first sensor and the second sensor can measure the temperature of the base;

[0021] - The transport means may be of motorised type.

[0022] The present invention also provides a method for controlling the recharging of a rechargeable battery of a transportation vehicle, wherein the transportation vehicle also includes a base, on which are fixedly connected: on the one hand, a first socket, which is suitable for recharging the battery with direct current and includes two first pins, each of which is provided with a first sensor for measuring temperature; and on the other hand, a second socket, which is suitable for recharging the battery with alternating current and includes two second pins, each of which is provided with a second sensor for measuring temperature.

[0023] The method is characterized in that the control method comprises steps, wherein:

[0024] - in a first sub-step, detecting whether the two first sensors fail at the same time by analyzing the signals of the two first sensors,

[0025] - Then, in a second sub-step, when a fault is detected by said first sensor, recharging using said first socket is interrupted, regardless of the temperature measured by at least one second sensor.

[0026] The present invention also provides a computer program product, which includes a set of instructions, which when executed by a processing unit can implement a control method of the type described above, wherein the control method is used to control the recharging of a rechargeable battery of a transportation vehicle, wherein the transportation vehicle also includes a base, on which are fixedly connected: on the one hand, a first socket, which is suitable for recharging the battery with direct current and includes two first pins, each of which is provided with a first sensor for measuring temperature; and on the other hand, a second socket, which is suitable for recharging the battery with alternating current and includes two second pins, each of which is provided with a second sensor for measuring temperature. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] Figure 1 An embodiment of a means of transport according to the invention is schematically and functionally shown,

[0029] Figure 2 Schematically and functionally illustrates an embodiment of a recharging base coupled to a power supply module including an embodiment of a management computer, and

[0030] Figure 3 An example of an algorithm for implementing the recharging management method according to the present invention is schematically shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The invention aims in particular at providing a vehicle V comprising at least one battery BR which can be recharged in a controlled manner with direct current or with alternating current in order to avoid overheating of a recharging base ER of the vehicle.

[0032] In the following, as a non-limiting example, it is considered that the transport means V is of the motor type. The transport means is, for example, a car, such as Figure 1As shown above. However, the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. The invention relates in fact to any type of vehicle comprising a fully electric or hybrid powertrain (or GMP) and comprising at least one rechargeable battery (which can be recharged with direct current or with alternating current, depending on the user's choice). Thus, the invention relates, for example, to land vehicles (utility vehicles, motorhomes, minibuses, coaches, trucks, motorcycles, road construction equipment, construction site equipment, agricultural equipment, leisure equipment (snowmobiles, karts), equipment with tracks and manned expedition equipment), watercraft and aircraft.

[0033] In addition, in the following, as a non-limiting example, it is considered that the GMP of the vehicle V is fully electric. The GMP of the vehicle V therefore comprises at least one electric drive machine, which generates a torque for moving the vehicle, in particular based on the energy stored in the rechargeable battery. But the GMP of the vehicle V can be hybrid and therefore comprise at least one electric drive machine and at least one non-electrical (optionally thermal) drive machine.

[0034] exist Figure 1 Schematically shown above is a vehicle V according to the invention comprising a drive train, here with a fully electric GMP, a (recharging) base ER comprising a first socket P1 and a second socket P2 as well as at least one processor PR and at least one memory MD.

[0035] As shown in the figure without limitation, the GMP of the vehicle V here comprises an electric drive machine MM associated with a rechargeable battery BR and a coupling device DC. In addition, the drive train comprises in particular an engine shaft AM and a transmission shaft AT as a supplement to the own GMP.

[0036] The electric drive machine MM is responsible for generating torque based on the energy stored in the battery BR under the command of the monitoring computer (not shown) of the GMP. The electric drive machine (MM) sends this torque to the engine shaft AM, which is also connected to the coupling device DC. This torque is generated here for the drive wheel axle (here the first axle T1), which is connected to the coupling device DC via the transmission shaft AT. Therefore, when the coupling device DC connects the engine shaft AM to the transmission shaft AT, the generated torque is transmitted here to the first axle T1.

[0037] exist Figure 1 In the non-limiting example shown above, the first axle T1 is located at the front of the vehicle V and is preferably and as shown connected to the transmission shaft AT via a differential (here a front differential) D1. In a variant, however, this first axle T1 could be an axle located at the rear of the vehicle V and referenced T2.

[0038] The coupling device DC can be, for example, a shaft speed reduction gearbox. However, the coupling device can also be a claw coupling or a clutch.

[0039] The battery BR can be recharged with direct current or with alternating current (according to the user's choice) via a power supply module MA connected to the (recharging) base ER. For example, the battery BR can be of low voltage type (typically 220 V or 400 V or 600 V). But it can also be of medium voltage type or of extra low voltage type (typically 48 V).

[0040] like Figure 1 As shown above without limitation, this battery BR also supplies electrical equipment of the vehicle V, which is connected to the onboard power supply network RB, for example. For this purpose, the battery BR is here coupled to the onboard power supply network RB via a DC / DC type converter CV and optionally via an energy distribution module MDE.

[0041] The first socket P1 is fixedly connected to the base ER and is suitable for recharging the battery BR with direct current. Figure 2 As shown above, the first socket includes two first pins B1 through which direct current flows, and each of the two first pins is provided with a first sensor C1 for locally measuring temperature.

[0042] The second socket P2 is fixedly connected to the base ER and is suitable for recharging the battery BR with alternating current. Figure 2 As shown above, the second socket particularly includes two second pins B2 through which the alternating current flows, and each of the two second pins is provided with a second sensor C2 for locally measuring the temperature. Figure 2 In the non-limiting example shown above, the second socket P2 includes seven pins, of which two second pins B2 constitute a socket of the CCS2 type (but the present invention is applicable to any type of socket).

[0043] Preferably, each of the first sensor C1 and the second sensor C2 measures the temperature of the susceptor ER.

[0044] The power supply module MA ensures the interface between the battery BR and the base ER. It is responsible for managing the power supply of the battery BR at each recharging phase during which an external socket (e.g. of a recharging station) is connected either to the first socket P1 or to the second socket P2.

[0045] The processor PR and the memory MD are configured to perform operations that, during recharging using the first socket P1, when the two first sensors C1 fail, regardless of the temperature measured by the at least one second sensor C2, trigger interruption of the recharging. Here, the sensor is considered to be failed (in a failed state) when the processor PR determines, after analyzing the sensor signal, that, for example:

[0046] - the signal is no longer provided, meaning that the temperature is no longer measured, or

[0047] - the signal is outside a predetermined range of values, or

[0048] - The evolution of the signal is abnormal, for example an evolution that is too sudden.

[0049] Thus, only if the two first sensors C1 are simultaneously in a faulty state during recharging with direct current, the recharging is automatically interrupted. Since it is very unlikely that the two first sensors C1 will fail simultaneously without a functional malfunction at the location of the first socket P1, it is decided to avoid any risk of abnormal heating of the base ER, taking into account the high current flowing in the first socket P1. Therefore, there is no longer a risk of burns to the user or a risk of fire in the vehicle V.

[0050] The processor PR may be, for example, a digital signal processor (or DSP (Digital Signal Processor)). The processor PR may include an integrated (or printed) circuit or a plurality of integrated (or printed) circuits connected by a wired or wireless connection. An integrated (or printed) circuit is understood to be any type of device capable of performing at least one electrical or electronic operation. Thus, the processor may, for example, involve a microcontroller.

[0051] The memory MD is a random access memory in order to store instructions for implementing, by the processor PR, at least a part of the management method (and therefore the functionality of the method) described further below.

[0052] Note that in Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the example shown above, which is not limiting, the processor PR and the memory MD form part of a computer CA, which itself forms part of a power supply module MA and is implemented in the form of a combination of electrical or electronic circuits or components (or "hardware") and software modules (or "software"). However, in a variant embodiment not shown, the processor PR and the memory MD may form part of a computer, which is optionally dedicated to managing the recharging according to the state of the first sensor C1 and the second sensor C2, and is external to the power supply module MA, which computer is connected to the power supply module (MA) to notify it of the decided recharging interruption.

[0053] It is also noted that if the processor PR detects a fault in only one of the two first sensors C1 , it will continue to analyse the temperature measured by the other (non-faulty) first sensor C1 and therefore decide to interrupt recharging with direct current if this measured temperature is greater than a temperature threshold.

[0054] For example, the temperature threshold may be between 80° C. and 100° C. Thus, the temperature threshold may be chosen to be equal to 90° C., for example.

[0055] It is also noted that the processor PR and the memory MD are preferably configured to execute an operation consisting in triggering an indication to the passengers of the vehicle V of the interruption of said recharging (with direct current or with alternating current).

[0056] It is understood that this indication occurs when the user decides to use the vehicle V again after recharging the battery BR.

[0057] For example, the indication can be implemented by displaying a service indicator light or a dedicated warning text message on a screen of the vehicle V (e.g. the screen of the dashboard or the screen of the central instrument cluster) and / or by diffusing a dedicated sound (or audio) message via at least one speaker present in the vehicle V.

[0058] It is also noted that the processor PR and the memory MD are preferably configured to perform operations consisting in that, in the event of a malfunction of at least one of the first sensor C1 or the second sensor C2 for a period of time greater than a time threshold: triggering an indication to the passengers of the vehicle V. It is considered here that when the malfunction of the first sensor C1 or the second sensor C2 is permanent (for too long), the malfunction is indicated to the user of the vehicle V. For example, the indication may be implemented by displaying a service indicator or a dedicated warning text message on a screen of the vehicle V (e.g. a screen of the dashboard or a screen of the central instrument cluster) and / or by diffusing a dedicated sound (or audio) message via at least one loudspeaker present in the vehicle V.

[0059] It is also noted that the processor PR and the memory MD are preferably configured to perform operations consisting in that, in the event of a failure of at least one of the first sensor C1 or the second sensor C2: triggering the storage in the memory of a fault code associated with each sensor that failed. Thus, when entering after-sales service, it is possible to know, by accessing the content of this memory, whether the first sensor C1 or the second sensor C2 is considered to be (temporarily or permanently) failed. This thus makes it possible to decide whether the failed first sensor C1 or the second sensor C2 or the entire base ER (which has the first socket P1 and the second socket P2) should be replaced.

[0060] The memory for storing the fault codes may, for example, constitute part of the computer CA (or more generally, the power supply module MA). But the memory may also be non-dedicated and therefore used to store a number of vital information of the vehicle V. In the latter case, the memory may, for example, constitute part of what a person skilled in the art sometimes calls an intelligent service box (or BSI-monitoring device). The transmission of the message containing the fault code to the memory is thus implemented via a communication network loaded in the vehicle V and optionally multiplexed.

[0061] When the latter option is present, the processor PR and the memory MD may optionally be configured to perform operations consisting in triggering the storage in said memory of a fault code associated with each sensor that fails, corresponding to the fault duration of each sensor that fails.

[0062] It is also noted that the processor PR and the memory MD may be configured to perform operations consisting in triggering, during recharging using the second socket P2 (and therefore with alternating current): interruption of the recharging when the second sensor C2 fails and when the temperature measured by at least one first sensor C1 is greater than a temperature threshold (described further above) or when the first sensor C1 also fails.

[0063] In fact, a potential malfunction at the location of the second socket P2 (which may or may not cause a simultaneous malfunction of the two second sensors C2) is considered less serious than a potential malfunction of the first socket P1, since the intensity of the current flowing in the second socket P2 is relatively weaker. Therefore, here, in addition to detecting the malfunction of the two second sensors C2, it is also necessary to detect the exceeding of the temperature threshold or to detect that the first sensor C1 is also malfunctioning, so as to decide to interrupt the recharging with alternating current.

[0064] Also note that Figure 2 As shown above, in a non-limiting manner, the computer CA may also include, as a supplement to its random access memory MD and the processor PR, a mass memory MM, in particular for storing temperature measurements (from the first sensor C1 and the second sensor C2) and intermediate data involved in all these calculations and processes. In addition, the computer CA may also include an input interface IE for receiving at least temperature measurements in order to use them in calculations or processes, optionally after shaping and / or demodulating and / or amplifying said temperature measurements in a manner known per se by means of a digital signal processor PR'. In addition, the computer CA may also include an output interface IS, in particular for sending recharging interruption messages and indications of the computer (at least for the power supply module MA) and messages containing sensor fault indications or fault codes.

[0065] The invention can also be seen in the form of a control method for implementing a vehicle V described above in order to be able to control the recharging of the battery BR of this vehicle.

[0066] The management method comprises steps 10 - 40 in which, when the first sensor C1 fails (simultaneously), recharging using the first socket P1 is interrupted, regardless of the temperature measured by at least one second sensor C2 .

[0067] exist Figure 3 An example of an algorithm for implementing the recharging management method according to the present invention is schematically shown above.

[0068] The algorithm comprises a sub-step 10 in which, in the case of activation of recharging with direct current (via the first socket P1 ), temperature measurements performed by the first sensor C1 and the second sensor C2 are obtained and analyzed.

[0069] If then a simultaneous failure of both first sensors C1 is detected in the first sub-step 20 , the ongoing recharging with direct current is interrupted in the second sub-step 30 .

[0070] Then, in a sub-step 40 , the interruption of the recharging can be indicated to the passengers of the vehicle V and / or at least one fault code (optionally associated with the duration of the fault) can be stored in a memory.

[0071] It is also noted that one or more sub-steps of steps 10-40 of the control method can be performed by different components. Thus, the control method can be implemented by multiple digital signal processors, random access memories, large-capacity memories, input interfaces, and output interfaces.

[0072] It is also noted that the present invention also provides a computer program product (or computer program), which includes a set of instructions, which when executed by an electronic circuit (or hardware) type processing component (such as a processor PR) can implement the recharging control method described above, and the recharging control method is used to control the recharging of the battery BR of a vehicle V.

Claims

1. A means of transport (V), comprising at least one rechargeable battery (BR) and a base (ER), on which are fixedly connected: i) a first socket (P1), the first socket being suitable for recharging the rechargeable battery (BR) with direct current and comprising two first pins (B1), each of which is provided with a first sensor (C1) for measuring temperature; and ii) a second socket (P2), the second socket being suitable for recharging the rechargeable battery (BR) with alternating current and comprising two second pins (B2), each of which is provided with a second sensor (C2) for measuring temperature, characterized in that The transport means further comprises at least one processor (PR) and at least one memory (MD), wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory are configured to perform operations consisting in that, during recharging using the first socket (P1): - detecting a simultaneous failure of said first sensor (C1) by analyzing the signal of said first sensor, - Then, when said first sensor (C1) simultaneously detects a fault, interruption of said recharging is triggered.

2. The transportation vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The processor (PR) and the memory (MD) are configured to perform operations consisting of triggering an indication of the interruption of the recharging to a passenger of the vehicle (V).

3. The transportation vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The processor (PR) and the memory (MD) are configured to perform operations of: triggering an indication to passengers of the transport vehicle (V) when at least one of the first sensor (C1) or the second sensor (C2) fails for a period of time greater than a time threshold.

4. The transportation vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The processor (PR) and the memory (MD) are configured to perform operations in which, when at least one of the first sensor (C1) or the second sensor (C2) fails, a fault code associated with each failed sensor is stored in the memory.

5. The transportation vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that: The processor (PR) and the memory (MD) are configured to perform an operation of triggering storage of a fault code associated with each faulty sensor in the memory corresponding to a fault duration of each faulty sensor.

6. The transportation means according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 5, characterized in that: The processor (PR) and the memory (MD) are configured to perform operations that, during recharging using the second socket (P2), trigger interruption of the recharging when the second sensor (C2) fails and when the temperature measured by at least one first sensor (C1) is greater than a selected temperature threshold or when the first sensor (C1) also fails.

7. The transportation vehicle according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 5, characterized in that: Each of the first sensor (C1) and the second sensor (C2) measures a temperature of the susceptor (ER).

8. The transportation vehicle according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 5, characterized in that: The transport means is of motorised type.

9. A method for controlling the recharging of a rechargeable battery (BR) of a transport vehicle (V), the transport vehicle further comprising a base (ER), on which are fixedly connected: i) a first socket (P1), the first socket being suitable for recharging the rechargeable battery (BR) with direct current and comprising two first pins (B1), each of the two first pins being provided with a first sensor (C1) for measuring temperature; and ii) a second socket (P2), the second socket being suitable for recharging the rechargeable battery (BR) with alternating current and comprising two second pins (B2), each of the two second pins being provided with a second sensor (C2) for measuring temperature, characterized in that The control method comprises steps (10-40), wherein: - in a first sub-step (20), by analyzing the signals of the two first sensors, detecting whether the two first sensors (C1) fail at the same time, - Then, in a second sub-step ( 30 ), recharging using said first socket ( P1 ) is interrupted when said first sensor ( C1 ) detects a fault.

10. A computer program product, comprising a set of instructions, which when executed by a processing unit can implement a control method according to claim 9, wherein the control method is used to control the recharging of a rechargeable battery (BR) of a transport vehicle (V), the transport vehicle also comprising a base (ER), on which are fixedly connected: i) a first socket (P1), the first socket being suitable for recharging the rechargeable battery (BR) with direct current and comprising two first pins (B1), each of which is provided with a first sensor (C1) for measuring temperature; and ii) a second socket (P2), the second socket being suitable for recharging the rechargeable battery (BR) with alternating current and comprising two second pins (B2), each of which is provided with a second sensor (C2) for measuring temperature.

Images