Method, computer program product and storage medium for heating a charging unit

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for heating a charging unit (10a, 10b, 10c) by means of a heating device (13), the charging unit being configured for charging a drive battery (11) of a vehicle (12), the method having the steps of recognizing a relative movement of the vehicle (12) relative to a charging station (14) at which the drive battery (11) can be charged, and automatically activating the heating device (13) in order to heat the charging unit (10a, 10b, 10c) or automatically generating a heating prompt for a vehicle occupant in order to activate the heating device (13) in dependence on the recognized relative movement of the vehicle (12) relative to the charging station. The invention also relates to a computer program product (15) for carrying out the method according to the invention and to a storage medium (16) on which the computer program product (15) according to the invention is stored.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method for heating a charging unit via a heating device, wherein the charging unit is configured to charge a vehicle's drive battery. The invention also relates to a computer program product for performing this method and a computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program product thereon. Background Technology

[0002] Sub-zero winter temperatures and snowfall can complicate the charging process for vehicle drive batteries. Snow can quickly accumulate in the grooves and openings of the charging socket after the charging port cover is opened, preventing or at least making it more difficult to connect to the charging plug. The same problem applies to the charging plug at charging stations. Frozen and / or freezing water can also hinder the charging process. This can result in time loss during what is already a relatively long charging process. It is also possible that the charging process will not start at all. To address this issue, heating devices have been developed for heating such charging units or contact plugs and sockets. Such systems are available from German patent application DE 10 2017 112 390 A1, where different methods for activating the heating device are described. Nevertheless, it has been shown that there is a need for optimizations to the heating process for a more reliable, efficient, and / or user-friendly manner. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to at least partially address the problems described above. In particular, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to improve the heating process for heating a charging unit used to charge a vehicle's drive battery.

[0004] The aforementioned technical problems are solved by the present invention. In particular, the aforementioned technical problems are solved by the method according to the present invention, the computer program product according to the present invention, and the storage medium according to the present invention. Other advantages of the present invention are apparent from the specification and drawings. Herein, the features described with respect to the method also apply to the computer program product according to the present invention and the storage medium according to the present invention, and vice versa; therefore, for the purposes of this disclosure, various aspects of the invention are always referenced and / or may be referenced in turn.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for heating a charging unit by a heating device, wherein the charging unit is configured to charge a drive battery for a vehicle. The method comprises the following steps:

[0006] - Identify the relative movement of the vehicle with respect to the charging station, where the drive battery can be charged; and

[0007] - Based on the detected relative movement of the vehicle relative to the charging station, the heating device is automatically activated to heat the charging unit or a heating prompt for vehicle occupants is automatically generated to activate the heating device.

[0008] Within the scope of this invention, it has been recognized that the relative movement of a vehicle with respect to a charging station can be used as a means or parameter for the particularly effective and efficient automated operation of heating devices. The method can be easily implemented in a vehicle without requiring additional installation space and can be integrated into existing vehicles.

[0009] A charging unit can be broadly defined as any component that must be primarily used and / or operated by the user to charge the driving battery. Therefore, a charging unit specifically includes a charging plug on the charging station side, a charging socket on the vehicle side, and a socket cover on the vehicle side. These components can be heated individually or collectively by a heating device. That is, the heating device can have heating elements for heating the charging plug, heating elements for heating the charging socket, and / or heating elements for heating the socket cover. The heating device is preferably designed as an electric heating device and particularly has a resistance heating element, preferably a heating wire, which is heated when the resistance is energized and releases the generated heat to the charging unit in this manner through thermal conduction or heat transfer. The heating device may have a heating wire, which is respectively housed or has been housed in the housing, particularly a plastic and / or metal housing, of the vehicle's charging socket, charging plug, and / or socket cover.

[0010] The heating device preferably operates at 12 volts. This reduces costs associated with potential contact protection. Furthermore, existing technologies or power sources, such as those used for heated exterior mirrors or heated seats in vehicles, can be utilized. The drive battery should be understood, in particular, as a drive battery and / or high-voltage battery used for accelerating vehicles, especially passenger cars or vans.

[0011] As a supplement to identifying relative movement, additional factors and / or parameters can be identified and / or considered, based on which the heating device can be activated and / or a heating alert can be generated. Thus, it can be determined whether a charging station has been reserved or booked for the vehicle, wherein activation of the heating device and / or generation of a heating alert is implemented based on the determined reservation. Activation of the heating device and / or generation of a heating alert can be implemented, particularly when it has been identified and / or determined that the vehicle is moving toward and / or onto a route toward the charging station after such reservation. Similarly, when to search for charging stations in the vehicle's user interface and / or in an application on a mobile computer can be considered.

[0012] Especially when a vehicle is traveling toward or being driven toward a charging station and / or is on its way to a charging station, the vehicle has relative movement to the charging station. A charging station can be understood as a charging station with charging cables and charging plugs for charging electric vehicles or vehicles with drive batteries. Activation of the heating device can be understood as operating and / or running the heating device to generate heat or heat for heating at least a portion of the charging unit.

[0013] To generate a heating alert, a corresponding generation unit may be provided. The heating alert can be generated in the form of visual, auditory, and / or tactile signals. Therefore, a visual heating alert can be displayed as a symbol to vehicle occupants, especially the driver, in an area of ​​the dashboard and / or head-up display. This alert can also be displayed and / or notified to the driver via a mobile computing unit, such as an app and / or program on a smartphone, for example, as a push notification. The visual heating alert can be supplemented with an auditory signal. Relative movement of the vehicle relative to the charging station can be identified using geographic information, particularly via the GPS unit of the vehicle's navigation device. To identify relative movement of the vehicle relative to the charging station, a motion identification unit for identifying vehicle movement may be provided. This motion identification unit may have an accelerometer and / or a satellite-based positioning unit, particularly a GPS unit. An activation unit for activating the heating device may be provided.

[0014] To activate the heating device and / or generate a heating alert, the available heating power in the vehicle can also be considered. If the state of charge of the drive battery, which is also used for the heating process if necessary or can be used for the heating process, is already low, the heating process can be omitted. More precisely, the activation of the heating device and / or the generation of a heating alert in the vehicle can be disabled and / or prevented. In this case, the heating of the charging plug at the charging station can still be used for the desired heating process, and the charging plug can also be considered as part of the charging unit.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the invention, in one method, the approach of a vehicle to a charging station is identified, and the activation of a heating device and / or the generation of a heating alert are implemented based on the identified approach. This provides a simple and efficient measure for automatically initiating the heating process. To identify the approach of a vehicle to a charging station and / or a charging parking lot with a charging station, the distance between the vehicle and the charging station can be determined, in particular, measured, at different points in time. The distance between the vehicle and the charging station can thus be determined, wherein the activation of the heating device and / or the generation of a heating alert are implemented based on the determined distance. This distance can be determined using a distance determination unit. This distance can be determined optically, electromagnetically, via satellite signals, and / or via geographic information, in particular via a GPS unit. Within the scope of the identified approach, a comparison can be made between the identified and / or determined distance between the vehicle and the charging station and a predetermined distance between the vehicle and the charging station, wherein if the determined distance is less than the predetermined distance or a corresponding reference distance and / or if the comparison provides a corresponding result, the heating device can be activated and / or a heating alert can be generated. In other words, if the vehicle is detected to be in a predetermined proximity to the charging station and / or moving further toward the charging station, the heating process and / or the generation of a heating alert can be automatically activated. To determine the distance between the vehicle and the charging station, as an alternative or addition to the aforementioned distance determination unit, distance sensors can be positioned and / or used on the vehicle and / or the charging station. The proximity and / or distance can be determined at different, predetermined, and / or continuous time intervals. Based on the vehicle's approach to the charging station, the start time for activating the heating device and / or generating a heating alert can also be determined.

[0016] It is also feasible to determine the vehicle's route in the method according to the invention, and to activate the heating device and / or generate a heating alert based on the determined route. Therefore, when the vehicle is identified as moving towards and / or destined for a charging station based on the route and / or corresponding route information, the heating device can be activated and / or a heating alert can be generated. This also provides a simple and efficient method for automatically initiating the heating process and / or generating a heating alert. The route can be determined based on a route input by the driver into the vehicle's navigation device, or such a route can be used as a route to be considered. The route can also be determined statistically based on the vehicle's repetitive driving segments, particularly in a manner associated with (clock) time. If the driver, for example, drives the vehicle to work daily and regularly charges the vehicle's drive battery during this period, this can be identified and / or considered so that the heating device can be automatically activated and / or a heating alert can be generated based on this information. Based on the determined route of the vehicle, the start time for activating the heating device and / or generating the heating alert can also be determined.

[0017] Furthermore, in the method according to the invention, the identification of the relative movement of the vehicle relative to the charging station can also be implemented via near-field communication. Therefore, car2x, RFID, and / or NFC units can be located in and / or on the charging station and in and / or on the vehicle, through which the approach of the vehicle to the charging station can be identified simply, reliably, and energy-efficiently. The time elapsed before the vehicle has reached its final parking position at the charging station and the driver is standing at the charging station to charge the drive battery is sufficient to clear any possible snow and / or ice from the charging plug and / or charging socket and / or bring the corresponding area to a sufficiently high operating temperature to prevent the formation of snow and / or ice in that area during charging.

[0018] According to another embodiment of the invention, in one method, the planned arrival time of the vehicle at the charging station can be determined, and the activation of the heating device and / or the generation of a heating alert can be performed based on the determined arrival time. The planned arrival time can, in particular, set a precise start or trigger time for activating the heating device and / or for generating the heating alert. The planned arrival time can be determined based on the vehicle's determined route, based on a continuously determined distance between the vehicle and the charging station, and / or based on or by identifying pre-arranged reservations for the vehicle at the charging station.

[0019] In addition to the method according to the invention, it is also feasible to determine the temperature, humidity, and / or weather conditions in the vehicle's surrounding environment, and to activate the heating device and / or generate a heating alert based on the determined temperature, humidity, and / or weather conditions. Especially in conjunction with the consideration of relative movement according to the invention, the automatic activation of the heating device and / or the automatic generation of a heating alert can therefore be implemented particularly effectively and efficiently. For example, the activation of the heating device and / or the generation of a heating alert can be implemented based on or considering the following conditions or determined states.

[0020] - The vehicle is approaching the charging station and the ambient temperature is below the predetermined temperature, for example, below 4°C.

[0021] - The vehicle is approaching the charging station and it is snowing.

[0022] - The vehicle's designated route leads to the charging station and the ambient temperature is below a predetermined temperature, for example, below 4°C.

[0023] Furthermore, it is feasible to determine, in the method according to the invention, the temperature, humidity, and / or weather conditions in the vehicle's surrounding environment, and to determine the start time for activating the heating device and / or generating a heating alert based on the determined temperature, humidity, and / or weather conditions. For example, the start time for activating the heating device and / or generating a heating alert can be determined as follows.

[0024] - The vehicle is approaching the charging station, the ambient temperature is 0°C, and the planned arrival time is 5 PM. The start time for activating the heating device and / or generating a heating alert is set to 4:55 PM or the corresponding scheduled time prior to the planned arrival.

[0025] - The vehicle is approaching the charging station; the ambient temperature is -10°C; and the planned arrival time is 5 PM. The start time for activating the heating system and / or generating a heating alert is set to 4:50 PM.

[0026] Various sensor elements are provided and / or distributed on vehicles, at charging stations, and / or distributed throughout the system. These sensor elements can be used to determine various environmental influences. These sensor elements can be used to identify extreme weather conditions based on external temperature using temperature sensors. The risk of icing can be identified by a corresponding humidity sensor, which is a sensor element within the charging socket. Furthermore, mechanical sensors can be considered, which can directly or indirectly sense blockages and / or mechanical obstructions caused by ice in the charging socket, for example, in the form of resistance measurements used to detect icing in the charging socket. Therefore, the use of sensor elements can improve methods for heating and thus improve the control and / or regulation of the heating device.

[0027] In the method according to the invention, the component temperature of at least one functional component of the charging unit can also be determined, and the activation of the heating device and / or the generation of a heating prompt can be performed based on the determined component temperature. If, for example, it is determined that the temperature at the charging plug and / or charging socket is below a predetermined and / or predeterminable value, the heating device can be activated and / or a heating prompt can be generated. If the temperature is above the predetermined value, the heating device is not activated, and no heating prompt is generated.

[0028] Based on the determined component temperature of at least one functional component of the charging unit, the method of the present invention can also determine the start time point for activating the heating device and / or generating a heating prompt based on the determined component temperature. As described above, this can be done in particular in conjunction with other environmental influences and / or parameters.

[0029] According to another aspect of the invention, a computer program product is provided, which includes commands that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the aforementioned method according to the invention.

[0030] The computer program product can be implemented as computer-readable command code in any suitable programming language and / or machine language, such as JAVA, C++, C#, and / or Python. The computer program product can be stored on computer-readable storage media, such as a data disk, removable drive, volatile or non-volatile memory, or built-in memory / processor. The command code can program a computer or other programmable device, such as a vehicle's controller, to perform desired functions. Furthermore, the computer program product can be provided and / or has been provided on a network such as the Internet, from which users can download the computer program product when needed. The computer program product can be implemented and / or has been implemented in hardware, either as software or through one or more specific electronic circuits, or in any hybrid form, i.e., through software and hardware components. The computer program product can be implemented quickly and easily in existing systems, particularly in vehicles and / or charging stations.

[0031] Furthermore, within the scope of this invention, a computer-readable storage medium is provided on which a computer program product as described in the above detailed description is stored. This storage medium is preferably provided in the form of a non-volatile storage medium. Therefore, the computer program product and the storage medium offer the same advantages as those described in the detailed description of the method according to the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Further improvements to the invention can be derived from the following description of various embodiments of the invention schematically illustrated in the accompanying drawings. All features and / or advantages derived from the specification or drawings, including structural details and spatial arrangements, may be important to the invention not only in themselves but also in various combinations.

[0033] The following figures illustrate:

[0034] Figure 1 Vehicles approaching a charging station are shown;

[0035] Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating the method according to the present invention is shown;

[0036] Figure 3 A storage medium having a computer program product stored thereon is shown;

[0037] Figure 4 The charging socket for the charging unit is shown;

[0038] Figure 5 The charging socket with a flip-top cover is shown for the charging unit; and

[0039] Figure 6 The charging plug of the charging unit is shown.

[0040] In the accompanying drawings, elements with the same function and the same mode of operation are respectively equipped with the same reference numerals. Detailed Implementation

[0041] Figure 1 A vehicle 12 with a drive battery 11 is shown approaching a charging station 14 to charge the drive battery 11. A charging unit is provided to facilitate the charging process, the unit having a charging plug 10a on the charging station 14 and a charging socket 10b and socket cover 10c on the vehicle 12.

[0042] Then refer to Figure 2 Explain the use of heating in Figure 1 The method shown in the charging units 10a, 10b, and 10c is for charging the drive battery 11 of the vehicle 12. The charging units 10a, 10b, and 10c have components such as a socket flip cover 10c, which are useful for the function of the charging socket 10b but are not directly required for the charging process. Within the scope of this invention, the charging units 10a, 10b, and 10c can therefore always be understood to refer to at least one of the three components mentioned, namely the charging plug 10a, the charging socket 10b, and / or the socket flip cover 10c. To heat the charging units 10a, 10b, and 10c, it is first necessary to... Figures 4 to 6 The heating device 13 is shown. In step S1, the relative movement of the vehicle 12 relative to the charging station 14, where the drive battery 11 is to be charged, is first identified or determined. Subsequently, based on the identified relative movement of the vehicle 12 relative to the charging station, the heating device 13 is automatically activated to heat the charging units 10a, 10b, and 10c. As an alternative to automatically activating the heating device, a heating prompt for the vehicle occupants can be automatically generated to activate the heating device 13. This heating prompt may be in the form of, for example, an audible signal and / or a visual signal, particularly in the form of at least one LED on the charging units 10a, 10b, and 10c and / or in the vehicle 12.

[0043] Within the scope of identifying relative movement, in particular, the approach of vehicle 12 to charging station 14 can be identified, wherein activation of heating device 13 and / or generation of heating alert can be implemented based on the identified approach. Furthermore, the route of vehicle 12 can be determined, wherein activation of heating device 13 and / or generation of heating alert can also be implemented based on the determined route.

[0044] The relative movement of vehicle 12 with respect to charging station 14 can be identified via near-field communication. For this purpose, corresponding communication units can be deployed in the area of ​​charging station 14 and / or in vehicle 12. Furthermore, the planned arrival time of vehicle 12 at charging station 14 can be determined, and the activation of heating device 13 and / or the generation of a heating alert can be implemented based on the determined arrival time. Particularly effective and / or efficient, the method can be implemented by determining the temperature, humidity, and / or weather conditions in the environment surrounding vehicle 12, and activating heating device 13 and / or generating a heating alert based on the determined temperature, humidity, and / or weather conditions. Furthermore, the component temperature of at least one functional component of charging units 10a, 10b, 10c can be determined, and the activation of heating device 13 and / or the generation of a heating alert can be implemented based on the determined component temperature. Furthermore, the temperature, humidity, and / or weather conditions in the environment surrounding the vehicle 12 can be determined, and the start time for activating the heating device 13 and / or generating a heating alert can be determined based on the determined temperature, humidity, and / or weather conditions. The start time for activating the heating device 13 and / or generating a heating alert can also be determined based on the determined component temperature of at least one functional component of the charging units 10a, 10b, and 10c.

[0045] Figure 3 A computer-readable storage medium 16 is shown, on which a computer program product 15 is stored. The computer program product 15 includes commands that, when executed by a computer, such as the controller of vehicle 12 and / or the controller of charging station 14, cause the computer to perform the methods described above.

[0046] Figure 4 The charging socket 10b of vehicle 12 is shown together with an electric heating device 13 with a heating wire located on the charging socket. Figure 5 The vehicle 12 is shown with a charging socket 10b and a socket cover 10c, together with an electric heating device 13 with a heating wire located on the socket cover 10c. Figure 6 The charging plug 10a of the charging station 14 is shown together with the electric heating device 13 with heating wire located on the charging plug.

[0047] In addition to the embodiments shown, the present invention allows for other design principles. That is, the present invention should not be considered limited to the embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0048] List of reference numerals

[0049] 10A charging plug (charging unit)

[0050] 10b Charging socket (charging unit)

[0051] 10c Socket Flip Cover (Charging Unit)

[0052] 11. Drive battery

[0053] 12 vehicles

[0054] 13 Heating device

[0055] 14 charging stations

[0056] 15 Computer program products

[0057] 16 Storage Media

Claims

1. Method for heating a charging unit (10a, 10b, 10c) by means of a heating device (13), the charging unit being configured for charging a drive battery (11) of a vehicle (12), the method having the following steps: - identifying a relative movement of the vehicle (12) with respect to a charging station (14) at which the drive battery (11) can be charged; and - automatically activating the heating device (13) in order to heat the charging unit (10a, 10b, 10c) or automatically generating a heating prompt for a vehicle occupant in order to activate the heating device (13) in dependence on the identified relative movement of the vehicle (12) with respect to the charging station, the charging unit comprising a charging plug on the side of the charging station and a charging socket on the side of the vehicle, wherein the heating device comprises a heating device arranged in the charging station and in the vehicle, and wherein, in order to activate the heating device and / or to generate the heating prompt, a determined, available heating power in the vehicle is also taken into account, the activation of the heating device in the vehicle and / or the generation of the heating prompt being inhibited and / or prevented when the state of charge of the drive battery has been low, and wherein, in order to activate the heating device and / or to generate the heating prompt, it is also taken into account whether the charging station has been reserved for the vehicle, the activation of the heating device and / or the generation of the heating prompt being carried out in dependence on the determined reservation. The approach of the vehicle (12) to the charging station (14) is identified, and the activation of the heating device (13) and / or the generation of the heating prompt is carried out in dependence on the identified approach. The route of the vehicle (12) is determined, and the activation of the heating device (13) and / or the generation of the heating prompt is carried out in dependence on the determined route. wherein The identification of the relative movement of the vehicle (12) with respect to the charging station (14) is carried out by means of near-field communication. The planned time of arrival of the vehicle (12) at the charging station (14) is determined, and the activation of the heating device (13) and / or the generation of the heating prompt is carried out in dependence on the determined time of arrival. The temperature in the surroundings of the vehicle (12), the air humidity in the surroundings of the vehicle (12) and / or the weather conditions in the surroundings of the vehicle (12) are determined, and the activation of the heating device (13) and / or the generation of the heating prompt is carried out in dependence on the determined temperature, the determined air humidity and / or the determined weather conditions. The component temperature of at least one functional component of the charging unit (10a, 10b, 10c) is determined, and the activation of the heating device (13) and / or the generation of the heating prompt is carried out in dependence on the determined component temperature.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The temperature in the surroundings of the vehicle (12), the air humidity in the surroundings of the vehicle (12) and / or the weather conditions in the surroundings of the vehicle (12) are determined, and a start point in time for activating the heating device (13) and / or for generating the heating prompt is determined in dependence on the determined temperature, the determined air humidity and / or the determined weather conditions.

3. The method according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, ​ 4. The method according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, ​ 5. The method according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, ​ 6. The method according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, ​ 7. The method according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, ​ 8. The method according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, ​ 9. The method according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, A component temperature of at least one functional component of the charging unit (10a, 10b, 10c) is determined, and a start point in time for activating the heating device (13) and / or generating a heating prompt is determined as a function of the determined component temperature.

10. A computer program product (15) comprising commands which, when the computer program product (15) is executed by a computer, cause the computer to implement the method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9.

11. A computer-readable storage medium (16) having the computer program product (15) according to claim 10 stored thereon.

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