Method for checking vehicle during charging
The method and system at charging stations automatically inspect vehicles for damage using sensors and control units, addressing the infrequency of traditional inspections by enabling early detection and prompt repairs, thus enhancing safety.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202410472941.9
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-06-27
- Filing Date
- 2024-04-19
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-27
- Estimated Expiration
- Not applicable · inactive patent
AI Technical Summary
Existing vehicle inspections are infrequent and may not detect damage until it poses a safety risk, such as stone chip impacts on windshields, which can lead to unsafe driving conditions.
A method and system for automatically checking a vehicle for damage during the charging process using sensors at charging stations, including cameras and control units to evaluate measurement data for defects, providing immediate inspection reports and enabling prompt repairs.
Frequent vehicle checks during charging processes enhance safety by detecting damage early, allowing for immediate countermeasures and reducing the risk of unsafe driving conditions.
Smart Images
Figure CN119189775A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The invention relates to a method for automatically checking a vehicle during a charging process at a charging station and to a vehicle system for carrying out the method, comprising at least one vehicle and at least one charging station. Background Art
[0002] The operation of a vehicle may result in unexpected damage to the vehicle. For example, damage may be in the form of stone chip impacts, breaks and / or cracks on window panes, in particular windscreens. Furthermore, parking on a curb may result in damage to the vehicle's wheel rims and / or tires. Such damage, if ignored, may lead to dangerous situations in road traffic.
[0003] Vehicles are usually inspected for damage during an annual or biennial inspection. Such inspections are required by law or by the car manufacturer, but for many injuries this may be too late. For example, a windshield hit by stone chips can make it unsafe to drive on the highway in a few days and pose a safety risk. Summary of the invention
[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and a vehicle system by means of which the vehicle can be automatically checked at short time intervals.
[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention by a method having the features of claim 1 and a vehicle system having the features of claim 8. Advantageous embodiments and developments are given in the dependent claims.
[0006] The method according to the invention is used to perform an automatic check on a vehicle during a charging process at a charging station. Preferably, the vehicle can be designed as a purely electrically driven vehicle or as an electrically driven vehicle, for example a so-called plug-in hybrid vehicle.
[0007] During the charging process, in a first step, a charging process of at least one battery or traction battery of the vehicle is started. During the charging process, measurement data of at least one surface of the vehicle are determined by at least one sensor of the charging station. The determination of the measurement data can take place in parallel with the charging process, before the charging process, or after the charging process has been completed or interrupted.
[0008] The determined measurement data are then evaluated by a local and / or external control unit with regard to damage and / or safety defects. During the charging process of the battery or after the charging process has been completed, a check report is automatically provided.
[0009] The method can automatically check the vehicle for damage. Due to the charging process that occurs more frequently than conventional checks, a higher frequency of checks can be provided, which increases traffic safety. Advantageously, the charging infrastructure, such as charging posts and / or charging stations, can have corresponding means and components, by which possible defects in the windshield or side windows can be checked, for example.
[0010] The direct local output of inspection reports or notifications enables immediate countermeasures to repair the damage. This can be in the form of booking a workshop, ordering spare parts, immediately replacing a damaged component (e.g. a light) or replacing a wheel with a spare wheel.
[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, a vehicle system for carrying out the method according to the invention is provided. The vehicle system has at least one charging station and at least one vehicle. The charging station has at least one sensor for determining measurement data of a surface of at least one vehicle and at least one control unit for evaluating the measurement data of at least one sensor. The control unit may be a local control unit arranged in a location adjacent to the sensor. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit may be designed as an external control unit, for example in the form of a cloud, which may receive the measurement data directly from the sensor or indirectly via the local control unit.
[0012] As soon as a user parks his vehicle at a charging station or starts the charging process, an automatic inspection of the vehicle can be initiated. In this case, a scanning device with one or more sensors can be provided to collect measurement data about the vehicle. Advantageously, a plurality of sensors can be arranged spatially offset from one another in order to detect the vehicle from different angles.
[0013] The user may be a customer, a vehicle driver or a vehicle owner or proprietor of the vehicle.
[0014] According to the design, at least one movable sensor can be provided. Here, the movable sensor can be connected to the charging station, for example, by an actuator or a mechanical arm, or separated from the charging station. The sensor separated from the charging station can be arranged on the ground or on a drone moving in the air, for example. In this way, the vehicle can be checked particularly effectively from all sides or angles.
[0015] The control unit can be designed in the form of an evaluation unit in order to receive and evaluate measurement data of at least one sensor, for example in the form of optical images or photographs, point clouds, etc. The processor unit can then analyze the measurement data in order to detect defects and damages.
[0016] In one embodiment, the inspection is automatically started with the charging process or is pre-set to be automatically performed with the charging process. Thus, the automatic inspection of the vehicle can be carried out in parallel with the charging process. Here, the corresponding user can book the inspection in advance. For example, the inspection can be booked via a booking application (App) of the charging station, by selecting directly at the charging station itself, or via other web-based applications.
[0017] According to another embodiment, the at least one sensor is designed as a camera sensor, a lidar sensor and / or a radar sensor and is configured to detect at least one surface or surface structure of the vehicle by means of measurement technology. The sensor is thus used to detect damage on the vehicle by means of measurement technology. In particular, measurement data in the form of image recordings and / or in the form of a point cloud can be determined by the at least one sensor.
[0018] According to another embodiment, measurement data of at least one surface of a headlight, a taillight, a turn signal light, measurement data of at least one surface of at least one glass pane (e.g. a windshield, a side window, a panoramic sunroof, a rear window), measurement data of at least one surface of a vehicle body, measurement data of at least one tire, at least one wheel rim are determined. By means of these measures, differences or damages of the vehicle surface can be monitored by means of image recognition of the control unit. Thus, a visual inspection of the vehicle can be effectively replaced by computer-assisted image evaluation of the determined measurement data.
[0019] According to another embodiment, at least one damage on at least one surface and / or at least one safety defect is determined by a control unit based on the determined measurement data, the at least one damage being in the form of a dent, crack or break, water ingress, blurring, stone impact, foreign matter, the at least one safety defect being in the form of insufficient tire tread depth, a tire that is not suitable for the weather, a damaged rim or tire sidewall, or in the form of tire aging. By means of these measures, the vehicle can be inspected for various damages during the charging process. Here, the wheel or the tire and rim can be inspected for tire or rim anomalies. In particular, carcass damage, cracks or breaks in the rubber, rim damage or outdated or insufficient tire characteristic data, such as the DOT mark or the lack of an M+S mark on winter tires, can be detected and inspected.
[0020] Furthermore, the vehicle's windows can be scanned cyclically by at least one sensor (e.g. in the form of a broken glass scanner) using a cloud-based image recognition program and checked for damage. If damage is detected or suspected, this result can be recorded in an inspection report and saved together with the associated charging ID.
[0021] Furthermore, at least one sensor, which can also be designed as one or more high-resolution cameras or scanners, can be used to monitor damage to the tires and rims. Here, the determined anomalies can also be stored under the relevant charging ID and mentioned in the inspection report. In addition, the image and text recognition software of the control unit can check the tire identification code (DOT code) and, if necessary, provide the customer with information about aged tires or tires that are not suitable for the weather. For this purpose, the corresponding results can also be stored on the charging ID and reflected in the inspection report. For example, it can be indicated that the vehicle was driven at winter temperatures but without M+S tires.
[0022] It is also possible to collect measurement data with the aid of at least one sensor, with which the control unit can automatically determine damage to the headlights and taillights. For example, moisture in the lights, cracks, breaks or scratches in the plastic can be recorded by sensor means. When a defect or damage is detected, a corresponding indication can be noted with the relevant charging ID and described in the inspection report.
[0023] Furthermore, the vehicle paintwork can be inspected for damage in the form of, for example, dents, cracks, deep scratches, rust etc. and, if necessary, noted in the inspection report.
[0024] According to another embodiment, the inspection report is provided to the vehicle user, such as the driver or owner or custodian of the vehicle, locally at the charging station in paper form, by e-mail, by means of an application on a portable device, via a download link and / or by means of an output unit on the vehicle side. Once the scan or automatic inspection and the evaluation of the determined measurement data have been completed, the inspection report can be created by the control unit and provided to the user, for example, via an output device at the charging station. Depending on the ordering of the automatic inspection, the inspection report can be presented electronically, by means of an application, sent by e-mail, provided to the user as a download file or provided to the user in paper form as a printed document at the charging station. For this purpose, a printer or a document printer can be provided at the charging station.
[0025] According to another embodiment, at least one service is provided to the user and / or initiated based on the determined inspection report, in particular in the form of a workshop appointment or a spare parts order. As soon as a defect or damage is identified by the automatic inspection, this information can be provided to the user, for example, via an application, a message in the vehicle, a message at the charging pile or charging station, etc. Here, the user can also directly choose to have the defect or damage repaired by a specialized dealer. For example, this option can be implemented in the form of an offer to repair the damage or in the form of an automatic booking of a service appointment in order to repair the determined damage in a workshop. Depending on the design, the user can also be provided or allowed to order spare parts in order to replace damaged vehicle parts, such as tires, rims, lamps, etc. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] The invention is schematically shown according to embodiments in the drawings and is further described with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0027] Figure 1 A vehicle system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.
[0028] List of reference numerals:
[0029] 1 Vehicle System
[0030] 2 Vehicles
[0031] 4 Charging Stations
[0032] 5 Operating the monitor
[0033] 6 Power battery
[0034] 7. Receipt Printer
[0035] 8Sensor / scanning system for identifying broken glass
[0036] 9Sensor / camera system for wheel inspection
[0037] 10Sensor / camera system for detecting headlight defects
[0038] 12 Control Unit
[0039] 14 Glass Noodles
[0040] 16 Tires
[0041] 18 wheel rims
[0042] 20 Headlight / Taillight DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0043] Figure 1 A vehicle system 1 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown. The vehicle system 1 has a vehicle 2 which is parked in or at a charging station 4 in order to carry out a charging process of a power battery 6. With the aid of the charging infrastructure or the charging station 4, an automatic check of the vehicle 2 can be carried out. In particular, with the aid of the vehicle system 1, a method according to the invention for carrying out an automatic check of the vehicle 2 is implemented during the charging process.
[0044] A charging station 4 with a vehicle 2 is shown by way of example. However, the charging process and the check process can be carried out simultaneously for a plurality of vehicles 2 parked at a plurality of charging stations 4. The check process can be initiated or at least verified, for example, via an operating display 5 of the charging station 4. Subsequently, the check of the vehicles 2 can be run automatically.
[0045] The vehicle 2 can preferably be designed as a purely electrically driven vehicle or as an electrically drivable vehicle 2 , for example a so-called plug-in hybrid vehicle, and have a power battery 6 .
[0046] Charging station 4 has a plurality of sensors 8 , 9 , 10 for determining measurement data of a surface of at least one vehicle 2 and at least one control unit 12 for evaluating the measurement data of sensors 8 , 9 , 10 .
[0047] The control unit 12 is designed, for example, as a local control unit, which is arranged in a location adjacent to the sensors 8, 9, 10. The control unit 12 has a storage unit (not shown) for at least temporary storage of measurement data and / or evaluation results. The results can be stored and / or output, for example, in the form of an inspection report. Here, the control unit 12 is configured to receive and evaluate the measurement data of the sensors 8, 9, 10.
[0048] As soon as a user parks his vehicle 2 at a charging station 4 or initiates a charging process, an automatic check of the vehicle 2 can be initiated. During the check, the vehicle 2 is detected by means of sensors from different angles.
[0049] In this case, a plurality of sensors 8 are designed as a scanning system for detecting glass breakage or damage of the glass surface 14. These sensors 8 can be designed as camera sensors. Possible damage to the glass surface 14 can include, for example, stone impacts, cracks and / or breaks in the glass pane. Preferably, the detection is performed by evaluating the measurement data of the sensors 8 by means of the control unit 12.
[0050] Furthermore, a sensor 9 of a camera system with image and text recognition is provided to monitor damage to the tire 16 and the rim 18. For example, an aged tire 16 can be monitored based on the DOT number determined by text recognition with subsequent comparison of the determined DOT number with a DOT number database.
[0051] Further sensors 10 in the form of camera systems may be provided in charging station 4 in order to detect defects in the headlights and taillights 20 .
[0052] The individual sensors 8, 9, 10 are advantageously arranged in such a way that the vehicle 2 can be detected from different spatial angles and / or heights by means of sensors. Furthermore, the sensors 8, 9, 10 are connected to the control unit 12 in a data-conducting manner. Thus, the control unit 12 receives and evaluates the determined measurement data.
[0053] The control unit 12 can be local or equipped with a cloud link to control the inspection and evaluate the received measurement data. Here, the control unit 12 can perform text recognition, image recognition, comparison with target geometry, etc., in order to determine damage and / or differences on the vehicle 2.
[0054] After the inspection has been carried out, an inspection report can be provided locally, for example by means of a document printer 7 .
Claims
1. A method (4) for performing an automatic check of a vehicle (2) during a charging process at a charging station, wherein: A charging process of at least one battery (6) of a vehicle (2) is started and measurement data of at least one surface of the vehicle (2) are determined by at least one sensor (8, 9, 10) of a charging station (4), wherein the determined measurement data are evaluated by a local and / or external control unit (12) with respect to damage and / or safety defects, wherein a check report is automatically provided during the charging process of the battery (6) or after completion of the charging process.
2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The check is automatically started with the charging process, or the check is preset to be automatically performed with the charging process.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: At least one sensor (8, 9, 10) is designed as a camera sensor, a lidar sensor and / or a radar sensor and is arranged to detect at least one surface or surface structure of the vehicle (2) by means of measurement technology.
4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that Determine measurement data of at least one surface of a headlight (20), a taillight (20), a turn signal light, measurement data of at least one surface of at least one glass panel (14), measurement data of at least one surface of a vehicle body, measurement data of at least one tire (16), measurement data of at least one wheel rim (18).
5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that Based on the determined measurement data, at least one damage on at least one surface is determined by a control unit (12) and / or at least one safety defect is determined, the at least one damage being in the form of a dent, crack or break, water ingress, blurring, stone impact, foreign matter, the at least one safety defect being in the form of insufficient tire tread depth, a tire (16) that is not suitable for the weather, a damaged rim (18) or tire sidewall, or in the form of tire aging.
6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The inspection report is provided locally at the charging station (4) to a user, for example the driver or owner or manager of the vehicle (2), in paper form, by e-mail, by means of an application on a portable device, via a download link and / or by means of a vehicle-side output unit.
7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that Based on the determined inspection report, at least one service is provided and / or initiated for the user, in particular in the form of a workshop appointment or a spare parts order.
8. A vehicle system (1) for carrying out the method according to any one of the preceding claims, the vehicle system comprising a charging station (4) and at least one vehicle (2), wherein: The charging station (4) has at least one sensor (8, 9, 10) for determining measurement data of a surface of at least one vehicle (2) and at least one control unit (12) for evaluating the measurement data of the at least one sensor (8, 9, 10).