Vehicle charging method and vehicle charging control system for parking lot

Abstract

This invention proposes a vehicle charging method for parking lots, the method comprising at least: acquiring charging demand information of vehicles entering the parking lot; selecting a charging robot for the vehicle based on the vehicle's charging demand information and the vehicle's parking location information in the parking lot; and causing the charging robot to travel to the vehicle and charge the vehicle. According to the vehicle charging method for parking lots of this invention, even during peak parking electricity consumption periods, the various charging needs of electric vehicles in the parking lot can be met promptly and flexibly through a mobile charging robot with relatively sufficient power, and the charging resources of the parking lot can be optimally allocated. This invention also proposes a corresponding vehicle charging method, a vehicle charging control system for parking lots, and a computer program product.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a vehicle charging method and a vehicle charging control system for parking lots, as well as corresponding computer program products. Background Technology

[0002] With the increasing number of electric vehicles, the problem of charging difficulties is becoming more and more common, especially during peak electricity consumption periods or periods when electric vehicles are charging in large numbers. Moreover, in reality, charging parking spaces are often occupied by gasoline vehicles, which further complicates the charging of electric vehicles. However, current technology is still insufficient in dealing with these adverse situations. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a vehicle charging method for parking lots, a corresponding vehicle charging method in parking lots, a vehicle charging control system for parking lots, and a corresponding computer program product, so as to optimize the use of parking lot charging resources, flexibly and timely meet the different charging needs of electric vehicles in parking lots, and thus solve the problem of difficulty in charging electric vehicles in parking lots as much as possible.

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a vehicle charging method for a parking lot is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes at least: acquiring charging demand information of vehicles entering the parking lot; selecting a charging robot for the vehicle based on the vehicle's charging demand information and the vehicle's parking location information in the parking lot; and causing the charging robot to travel to the vehicle and charge the vehicle.

[0005] In one exemplary embodiment, the method further includes: when selecting a charging robot for a vehicle, also selecting a charging robot for the vehicle in conjunction with the load information of the power system.

[0006] In one exemplary embodiment, selecting a charging robot for a vehicle based on the load information of the power system includes selecting a charging robot for the vehicle based on peak and off-peak electricity prices.

[0007] In another exemplary embodiment, selecting a charging robot for a vehicle based on the load information of the power system includes selecting a charging robot for a vehicle based on peak and off-peak periods.

[0008] In one exemplary embodiment, selecting a charging robot for a vehicle based on peak and off-peak electricity prices includes: setting an electricity price threshold; when the electricity price is lower than the electricity price threshold, selecting the charging robot closest to the vehicle from among the idle charging robots with remaining power sufficient to meet the vehicle's charging needs, based on parking location information; and when the electricity price is higher than the electricity price threshold, selecting the charging robot with the least remaining power from among the idle charging robots with remaining power sufficient to meet the vehicle's charging needs.

[0009] In one exemplary embodiment, when the electricity price is lower than an electricity price threshold, all idle charging robots with insufficient power are recalled for charging; and / or when the electricity price is higher than an electricity price threshold, only idle charging robots with remaining power below a predetermined power level are recalled for charging.

[0010] In one exemplary embodiment, selecting a charging robot for a vehicle based on peak and off-peak hours includes: during off-peak hours, assigning the vehicle the charging robot closest to it from among the idle charging robots with remaining power sufficient to meet the vehicle's charging needs, based on parking location information; and during peak hours, assigning the vehicle the charging robot with the least remaining power from among the idle charging robots with remaining power sufficient to meet the vehicle's charging needs.

[0011] In one exemplary embodiment, during off-peak electricity consumption periods, all idle charging robots with insufficient power are recalled for charging; and / or during peak electricity consumption periods, only idle charging robots with remaining power below a predetermined level are recalled for charging.

[0012] In one exemplary embodiment, each charging robot is equipped with a replaceable energy storage module and provides multiple backup energy storage modules. When there is no charging robot among the idle charging robots with remaining power sufficient to meet the charging needs of the vehicle, the charging robot with the lowest remaining power is instructed to replace the backup energy storage module and the charging robot is assigned to the vehicle.

[0013] In one exemplary embodiment, the remaining power of each backup energy storage module is monitored so as to: charge all backup energy storage modules with insufficient power when the electricity price is lower than the electricity price threshold or during off-peak hours; and / or replace the backup energy storage module with the least remaining power among the backup energy storage modules with remaining power sufficient for the vehicle's charging needs when the electricity price is higher than the electricity price threshold or during peak hours.

[0014] In one exemplary embodiment, when the electricity price is higher than the electricity price threshold or during peak electricity consumption periods, the replaced backup energy storage module is charged to at least the predetermined amount of electricity.

[0015] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a corresponding charging method for a vehicle is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the charging method includes at least: automatically establishing communication with a parking lot-side communication module when the vehicle enters a parking lot, thereby enabling the vehicle charging control system to obtain charging demand information and parking location information of the vehicle; and enabling the vehicle and the vehicle charging control system to establish a charging connection for a charging robot selected by the vehicle based on the vehicle's charging demand information and parking location information.

[0016] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a computer program product, particularly a computer-readable program carrier, is provided, the computer program product including or storing computer program instructions, which, when executed by a processor, enable the processor to at least assist in performing the method described in any embodiment of the first and second aspects of the present invention.

[0017] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a vehicle charging control system for a parking lot is provided, comprising: a controller including a memory and a processor, the memory storing computer program instructions, wherein when the computer program instructions are executed by the processor, the processor is capable of at least assisting in performing the method described in either the first or second aspect of the present invention.

[0018] In one exemplary embodiment, the vehicle charging control system further includes, on the parking lot side: a plurality of charging robots for charging vehicles; a charging compartment for charging the charging robots; and a parking lot side communication module configured to communicate with vehicles entering the parking lot.

[0019] In one exemplary embodiment, the vehicle charging control system further includes a vehicle-side communication module located on the vehicle side, configured to automatically establish communication with the parking lot-side communication module when the vehicle enters the parking lot, thereby enabling the vehicle charging control system to obtain the vehicle's charging demand information and parking location information.

[0020] The beneficial effects of the present invention, based on the above aspects, are that after an electric vehicle enters a parking lot, it automatically sends charging demand information and parking location information. Based on the charging demand and parking location, a charging robot with appropriate power is selected for the electric vehicle. This ensures that the vehicle can be charged by a mobile charging robot with relatively sufficient power, regardless of its location within the parking lot. This solves the problem of gasoline vehicles occupying charging spaces and can meet the charging needs of electric vehicles in a timely and flexible manner. Furthermore, by combining the load information of the power system to select charging robots for vehicles and to charge the charging robots and / or backup energy storage modules, the charging resources of the parking lot can be optimally configured. This maximizes the utilization of parking lot charging resources, especially during peak electricity consumption periods, while simultaneously reducing costs. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which will provide a better understanding of its principles, features, and advantages. The drawings include:

[0022] Figure 1 A flowchart illustrating the main steps of a vehicle charging method for a parking lot according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically.

[0023] Figure 2A flowchart illustrating the main steps of a charging method for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically.

[0024] Figure 3 A vehicle charging control system for a parking lot according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated schematically.

[0025] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a charging compartment and a charging robot according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0026] To make the technical problems to be solved, the technical solutions, and the beneficial technical effects of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and several exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this invention.

[0027] Figure 1 A flowchart illustrating the main steps of a vehicle charging method for a parking lot according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically. Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle charging method for a parking lot according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes at least the following steps:

[0028] S101: Obtain charging demand information for vehicles entering the parking lot;

[0029] S102: Based on the vehicle's charging demand information and its parking location information in the parking lot, a charging robot is selected and dispatched to the vehicle; and

[0030] S103: Drive the charging robot to the vehicle and charge the vehicle.

[0031] In step S101, charging demand information is obtained from the vehicle when it enters the parking lot. This charging demand information includes, for example, the vehicle's remaining battery power and the estimated parking time. If the vehicle is, for example, a gasoline-powered vehicle, charging demand information cannot be obtained.

[0032] In step S102, after obtaining the vehicle's charging demand information, the vehicle's parking location in the parking lot is further obtained, and a charging robot is selected for the vehicle based on the vehicle's charging demand information and parking location.

[0033] In one embodiment, charging demand information can be analyzed and evaluated to determine the required charging amount or charging mode for the vehicle, such as fast charging / slow charging. Based on this, a charging robot can be selected for the vehicle and its operation can be instructed. For example, if the vehicle requires a large amount of charging and the dwell time is short, or if the owner actively requests fast charging, a charging robot with sufficient remaining power can be selected for the vehicle, and the charging robot can automatically extend the charging port of the corresponding fast charging mode for rapid charging.

[0034] In one embodiment, a charging robot is also selected for the vehicle based on the load information of the power system.

[0035] For example, in one embodiment, a charging robot is selected for a vehicle based on peak-valley electricity prices. In a preferred embodiment, firstly, an electricity price threshold is set based on the peak-valley electricity prices of the parking lot's location. This threshold can be, for example, higher than the electricity price during off-peak hours but lower than the electricity price during normal hours, or higher than the electricity price during normal hours but lower than the electricity price during peak hours. In this embodiment, the electricity price threshold is set to be higher than the electricity price during off-peak hours but lower than the electricity price during normal hours. Therefore, when selecting a charging robot for a vehicle, the current electricity price is compared with the electricity price threshold. When the electricity price is lower than the threshold, it indicates that the current period is an off-peak time, and a charging robot can be randomly selected from among the available charging robots with remaining power sufficient to meet the vehicle's charging needs. Preferably, the charging robot closest to the vehicle is selected based on the parking location information. On the other hand, when the electricity price is higher than the electricity price threshold, it indicates that the current period is either a peak electricity consumption period or a normal period. Therefore, among the idle charging robots with remaining power that can meet the charging needs of vehicles, the charging robot with the least remaining power can be selected for the vehicle. This will maintain the high power of the idle charging robots as much as possible to meet different charging needs, reduce the number of charging robots that need to be charged during peak hours, and optimize the allocation of charging resources in the parking lot.

[0036] In another optional embodiment, charging robots are selected for vehicles based on peak and off-peak hours. For example, during off-peak hours, among the available charging robots with sufficient remaining power to meet the vehicle's charging needs, the charging robot closest to the vehicle is assigned based on the parking location information. Conversely, during peak hours, among the available charging robots with sufficient remaining power to meet the vehicle's charging needs, the charging robot with the least remaining power is assigned to the vehicle. The division of peak and off-peak hours can be consistent with the local peak and off-peak hour division, or it can be a division specific to parking lots based on daily statistical data or experience.

[0037] After selecting a charging robot for the vehicle, in step S103, the charging robot is driven to the vehicle and charges the vehicle.

[0038] After charging is complete, the charging robot can go to a designated location to wait for its next assignment, or be recalled for charging.

[0039] In one embodiment, all idle charging robots can be fully charged during off-peak hours to adequately meet charging demand during peak hours. Specifically, when the electricity price is below a threshold, all idle charging robots with insufficient charge are recalled for charging. Furthermore, when the electricity price is above the threshold, only idle charging robots with remaining charge below a predetermined level can be recalled for charging to meet the charging needs of a larger number of vehicles. The charging strategy can be further refined based on daily statistics or experience. For example, in one example, a first threshold and a second threshold are set between off-peak and normal electricity prices, and between normal and peak electricity prices. When the current electricity price is below the first threshold, all idle charging robots with insufficient charge are recalled for charging. When the current electricity price is above the first threshold but below the second threshold, idle charging robots with less than, for example, 70% remaining charge are recalled for charging. When the current electricity price is above the second threshold, idle charging robots with less than, for example, 50% remaining charge are recalled for charging. By determining whether to charge the charging robots based on peak and off-peak electricity prices, charging demand at different times can be adaptively met, and charging costs can be reduced.

[0040] Similar to determining whether to charge charging robots based on peak and off-peak electricity prices, charging robots can also be based on peak and off-peak hours. For example, during off-peak hours, all idle charging robots with insufficient power are recalled for charging, while during peak hours, only idle charging robots with remaining power below a predetermined level are recalled for charging. Similarly, the predetermined level could be 70%, 60%, 50%, etc., of the total power.

[0041] Of course, peak and off-peak electricity prices and peak and off-peak hours for parking lots can be combined to select charging robots for vehicles and decide whether to charge the charging robots, so as to reduce costs while meeting charging needs as much as possible.

[0042] In one embodiment, each charging robot is equipped with a replaceable battery module and provides multiple backup battery modules. When none of the idle charging robots have sufficient remaining power to meet the vehicle's charging needs, the charging robot with the lowest remaining power is instructed to replace its backup battery module and is then reassigned to the vehicle. This expands the charging resources of the parking lot and further ensures charging capacity during peak hours.

[0043] In one embodiment, the remaining power of each backup energy storage module is also monitored so that when the electricity price is below a threshold or during off-peak hours, all backup energy storage modules with insufficient power are charged; and / or when the electricity price is above the threshold or during peak hours, among the backup energy storage modules with sufficient remaining power to meet the vehicle's charging needs, the backup energy storage module with the least remaining power is replaced for the charging robot. This further optimizes the allocation of charging resources.

[0044] In one embodiment, when the electricity price is higher than the electricity price threshold or during peak electricity consumption periods, the replaced backup energy storage module is charged to at least a predetermined amount of power, such as 70%, 60%, 50% of the total power, as mentioned above.

[0045] Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating the main steps of a charging method for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the charging method for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes at least the following steps:

[0046] S201: When a vehicle enters the parking lot, it automatically establishes communication with the parking lot-side communication module, enabling the vehicle charging control system to obtain the vehicle's charging demand information and parking location information; and

[0047] S202: The vehicle and the vehicle charging control system establish a charging connection for the charging robot selected by the vehicle based on the vehicle's charging demand information and parking location information.

[0048] The charging method for vehicles according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can promptly meet the charging needs of all vehicles entering a parking lot that require charging.

[0049] Figure 3 A vehicle charging control system for a parking lot according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is schematically illustrated. Figure 3 As shown, a vehicle charging control system 100 for a parking lot according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a controller 10, a plurality of charging robots 20, a charging compartment 30, and a parking lot-side communication module 40.

[0050] The controller 10 may include, for example, a memory and a processor. The memory stores computer program instructions, which, when executed by the processor, enable the processor to execute, or at least assist in executing, the vehicle charging method for a parking lot and the vehicle charging method described above according to embodiments of the present invention. The computer program product may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium may include, for example, high-speed random access memory, and may also include non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk, RAM, plug-in hard disk, smart memory card, secure digital card, flash memory card, at least one disk storage device, flash memory device, or other volatile solid-state storage device. The processor may be a central processing unit, or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors, application-specific integrated circuits, off-the-shelf programmable gate arrays or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc.

[0051] like Figure 4 As shown, the multiple charging robots 20 may include: an interactive screen 21, which is used to interact with users on charging-related information and can also be used to display other information, such as advertisements; a charging and discharging interface 22, which is used to establish a charging connection with the vehicle to charge the vehicle, and to establish a charging connection with the charging port in the charging compartment 30 to be charged; a power storage module 23, which is preferably replaceable and used to store power; a control module 24, which performs corresponding movement control and charging control on the charging robots 20 according to the scheduling instructions or recall charging instructions from the controller 10, and sends the remaining power information of the power storage module 23 to the controller 10; and a movement module 25, which moves the charging robots to a designated location according to the control instructions of the control module 24.

[0052] like Figure 4 As shown, the charging compartment 30 is configured, for example, as an automated sorting shelf, capable of automatically picking up and placing the charging robot 20 and establishing a charging connection with it. In a preferred embodiment, the charging compartment 30 is also equipped with a spare battery module compartment and a power monitoring module. The spare battery module compartment rechargeably stores multiple spare charging modules that can be replaced onto the charging robot 20, and the power monitoring module is configured to monitor the remaining power of the multiple spare battery modules. The charging compartment 30 is communicatively connected to the controller 10 to receive recall charging commands from the controller 10 along with the charging robot 20, and to send the remaining power information of the spare battery modules to the controller 10. Note that the charging robot 20 and the charging compartment 30 are only schematically shown in the figure, and their actual proportions and styles are not limited.

[0053] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle charging control system 100 for a parking lot further includes a vehicle-side communication module 50, which is configured to automatically establish a communication connection with the parking lot-side communication module 40 when a vehicle enters the parking lot, so that the vehicle charging control system 100 can obtain the vehicle's charging demand information and parking location information.

[0054] The present invention also relates to a computer program product, particularly a computer-readable program carrier, the computer program product including or storing computer program instructions, which, when executed by a processor, enable the processor to at least assist in performing the methods described in the above embodiments according to the present invention.

[0055] Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein, they are given for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Various substitutions, alterations, and modifications can be conceived without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A vehicle charging method for a parking lot, characterized in that, The vehicle charging method for parking lots includes at least: acquiring charging demand information of vehicles entering the parking lot; selecting a charging robot for the vehicle based on the vehicle's charging demand information and the vehicle's parking location information in the parking lot; and having the charging robot drive to the vehicle and charge it. The method further incorporates load information from the power system to optimize the allocation of charging resources in the parking lot, including selecting a charging robot based on peak and off-peak electricity prices. This includes setting an electricity price threshold; when the electricity price is lower than the threshold, selecting the charging robot closest to the vehicle from among the available charging robots with sufficient remaining power, based on the parking location information; and when the electricity price is higher than the threshold, selecting the charging robot with the least remaining power from among the available charging robots with sufficient remaining power.

2. The vehicle charging method for a parking lot according to claim 1, wherein, When the electricity price is lower than the electricity price threshold, all idle charging robots with insufficient power are recalled for charging; and / or when the electricity price is higher than the electricity price threshold, only idle charging robots with remaining power below the predetermined power level are recalled for charging.

3. A vehicle charging method for a parking lot, characterized in that, The vehicle charging method for parking lots includes at least: acquiring charging demand information of vehicles entering the parking lot; selecting a charging robot for the vehicle based on the vehicle's charging demand information and the vehicle's parking location information in the parking lot; and having the charging robot drive to the vehicle and charge it. The method further incorporates load information from the power system to optimize the allocation of charging resources in the parking lot, including selecting a charging robot based on peak and off-peak hours. This includes: during off-peak hours, assigning the nearest charging robot to the vehicle from among available charging robots with sufficient remaining power to meet the vehicle's charging needs, based on the parking location information; and during peak hours, assigning the charging robot with the least remaining power to the vehicle from among available charging robots with sufficient remaining power to meet the vehicle's charging needs.

4. The vehicle charging method for a parking lot according to claim 3, wherein, During off-peak hours, all idle charging robots with insufficient power are recalled for charging; and / or during peak hours, only idle charging robots with remaining power below a predetermined level are recalled for charging.

5. The vehicle charging method for a parking lot according to claim 1 or 3, wherein, Each charging robot is equipped with a replaceable battery module and provides multiple backup battery modules. When there is no charging robot with sufficient remaining power to meet the vehicle's charging needs among the idle charging robots, the charging robot with the lowest remaining power is instructed to replace the backup battery module and the charging robot is then assigned to the vehicle.

6. The vehicle charging method for a parking lot according to claim 5, wherein, Monitor the remaining power of each backup energy storage module so as to: charge all backup energy storage modules with insufficient power when the electricity price is lower than the electricity price threshold or during off-peak hours; and / or replace the backup energy storage module with the least remaining power among the backup energy storage modules with sufficient remaining power to meet the charging needs of the vehicle when the electricity price is higher than the electricity price threshold or during peak hours.

7. The vehicle charging method for a parking lot according to claim 2 or 4, wherein, Each charging robot is equipped with a replaceable battery module and provides multiple backup battery modules. When there is no charging robot with sufficient remaining power to meet the vehicle's charging needs among the idle charging robots, the charging robot with the lowest remaining power is instructed to replace the backup battery module and the charging robot is then assigned to the vehicle.

8. The vehicle charging method for a parking lot according to claim 7, wherein, Monitor the remaining power of each backup energy storage module so as to: charge all backup energy storage modules with insufficient power when the electricity price is lower than the electricity price threshold or during off-peak hours; and / or replace the backup energy storage module with the least remaining power among the backup energy storage modules with sufficient remaining power to meet the charging needs of the vehicle when the electricity price is higher than the electricity price threshold or during peak hours.

9. The vehicle charging method for a parking lot according to claim 8, wherein, When the electricity price is higher than the electricity price threshold or during peak electricity consumption periods, the replaced backup energy storage module will be charged to at least the predetermined amount of electricity.

10. The vehicle charging method for a parking lot according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 6, 8 to 9, further comprising: When a vehicle enters the parking lot, it automatically establishes communication with the parking lot-side communication module, enabling the vehicle charging control system to obtain the vehicle's charging demand information and parking location information. The vehicle and the vehicle charging control system establish a charging connection for the charging robot selected by the vehicle based on the vehicle's charging demand information and parking location information.

11. A computer program product comprising computer program instructions, wherein when the computer program instructions are executed by a processor, the processor is capable of at least assisting in performing the method according to any one of claims 1-10.

12. A vehicle charging control system for a parking lot, comprising: A controller includes a memory and a processor, the memory storing computer program instructions that, when executed by the processor, enable the processor to at least assist in performing the method according to any one of claims 1-10.

13. The vehicle charging control system according to claim 12, wherein, The vehicle charging control system also includes, on the parking lot side: multiple charging robots for charging vehicles; a charging compartment for charging the charging robots; and a parking lot side communication module configured to communicate with vehicles entering the parking lot.

14. The vehicle charging control system according to claim 13, wherein, The vehicle charging control system also includes a vehicle-side communication module located on the vehicle side, which is configured to automatically establish a communication connection with the parking lot-side communication module when the vehicle enters the parking lot, so that the vehicle charging control system can obtain the vehicle's charging demand information and parking location information.

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