Method for obtaining vehicle information, and method and system for charging electric vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for obtaining vehicle information, and a method and system for charging an electric vehicle. In an embodiment, a method of obtaining vehicle information during AC (slow) charging of an electric vehicle charger is provided, and methods and systems for charging an electric vehicle using the method are also provided. The method of obtaining vehicle information during slow charging of an electric vehicle charger may include transmitting a DC method as charging method information to an electric vehicle through power line communication (PLC), obtaining vehicle information from the electric vehicle, terminating the PLC with the electric vehicle, and performing AC charging of the electric vehicle based on pulse width modulation (PWM) communication, the PWM communication is terminated with termination of the AC charging, and the PLC is resumed to obtain vehicle information from the electric vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to charging electric vehicles. Background Art

[0002] Unlike fast charging that requires DC charging and power transmission control, in the case of slow charging, the on-board charger (OBC) in the vehicle performs charging control, and therefore a conventional electric vehicle slow charger only requires low-level communication using a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal defined in ISO 15118.

[0003] However, in recent years, in order to improve the convenience of chargers, various types of vehicle data are required, and since power distribution functions such as V2X (V2G and V2H) need to be applied to chargers, there is a need to develop a slow charger that applies advanced communication using power line communication (PLC).

[0004] As described above, most mass-produced electric vehicles or electric vehicles currently being mass-produced are designed so that they do not support power line communication (PLC) for slow charging in an electric vehicle charge controller (EVCC), while electric vehicles currently being developed are designed to support PLC even during slow charging.

[0005] Therefore, in the future, electric vehicles capable of power line communication during slow charging and electric vehicles incapable of power line communication will inevitably be mixed in the market, and there is a need to develop a universal slow charger that can obtain vehicle information and perform slow charging by being applied to both electric vehicles that support PLC and electric vehicles that do not support PLC.

[0006] This background art is technical information known to the inventor in order to derive the present invention or obtained during the process of deriving the present invention and is not necessarily referred to as known art as defined in patent statutes. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present disclosure relates to charging of electric vehicles, and more particularly, to a method of obtaining vehicle information during slow charging of an electric vehicle charger, and a method and system for charging an electric vehicle using the same.

[0008] In view of the above situation, the embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure have been designed, and the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for obtaining vehicle information during slow charging of an electric vehicle charger, wherein, even for a vehicle that does not support power line communication (PLC), the vehicle information can be obtained before performing slow charging of the vehicle, and a method and system for charging an electric vehicle using the method are provided.

[0009] In addition, an embodiment provides a method for obtaining vehicle information during slow charging of an electric vehicle charger, wherein, even if it is not certain whether the vehicle to be charged supports power line communication (PLC), the vehicle information can be obtained before performing slow charging of the vehicle, and a method and system for charging an electric vehicle using the method are provided.

[0010] In addition, an embodiment provides a method for obtaining vehicle information during slow charging of an electric vehicle charger, wherein not only charging can be performed between the charger and the vehicle, but also authentication and payment can be automatically performed through power line communication (PLC), and a method and system for charging an electric vehicle using the method are provided.

[0011] In addition, an embodiment provides a method for obtaining vehicle information during slow charging of an electric vehicle charger, wherein customer demand information (e.g., charging end time prediction information, etc.) can be generated and provided based on additional information (e.g., charging state (SoC), etc.) obtained through power line communication (PLC), thereby improving customer convenience and satisfaction; and a method and system for charging an electric vehicle using the method are provided.

[0012] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not necessarily limited to the above-mentioned matters, and a person skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains may clearly understand other embodiments contemplated and covered by the present disclosure from the following description.

[0013] As a technical means for achieving the above features and advantages through an embodiment, a method of obtaining vehicle information during slow charging of an electric vehicle charger, and a method and system for charging an electric vehicle using the method may be provided.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the above and other features and advantages can be achieved by providing a method for obtaining vehicle information during slow charging of an electric vehicle charger, the method comprising: (a) sending a direct current (DC) method as charging method information to an electric vehicle via power line communication (PLC); (b) obtaining vehicle information from the electric vehicle, (c) terminating PLC with the electric vehicle and performing slow charging of the electric vehicle based on pulse width modulation (PWM) communication, (d) terminating PWM communication when slow charging is completed, and (e) restoring PLC to obtain vehicle information from the electric vehicle.

[0015] According to an embodiment, the method may include: determining whether AC PLC support determination information related to the electric vehicle is input when connected to the electric vehicle; if the AC PLC support determination information is input, sending the AC PLC support determination information to a server; and receiving a determination signal from the server. In this embodiment, if the determination signal corresponds to a case where the vehicle does not support AC PLC, the electric vehicle charger may perform steps (a) to (e).

[0016] According to an embodiment, the method may include obtaining vehicle information from the electric vehicle through PLC if it is determined that the signal corresponds to a case of a vehicle supporting AC PLC.

[0017] According to an embodiment, the method may include: if AC PLC support determination information is not input, sending an AC method as charging method information to the electric vehicle through PLC; determining whether a response is received from the electric vehicle within a preset time; and if a response is received, obtaining vehicle information from the electric vehicle through PLC.

[0018] According to an embodiment, the method may include, if no response is received, terminating the current PLC and performing steps (a) to (e).

[0019] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for obtaining vehicle information during slow charging of an electric vehicle charger is provided, the method comprising: determining whether AC PLC support determination information related to the electric vehicle is input; when the AC PLC support determination information is input, sending the AC PLC support determination information to a server, receiving a determination signal from the server, and executing one of a first to a third sequence according to whether the AC PLC support determination information is input and the determination signal from the server, thereby obtaining the vehicle information.

[0020] According to an embodiment, the method may include executing a first sequence to obtain vehicle information if the determination signal from the server corresponds to a case of a vehicle supporting AC PLC.

[0021] According to an embodiment, the method may include executing a second sequence to obtain vehicle information if the determination signal from the server corresponds to a case of a vehicle that does not support ACPLC.

[0022] According to an embodiment, the method may include, if the AC PLC support determination information is not input, performing a third sequence to obtain the vehicle information.

[0023] According to an embodiment, the first sequence may include obtaining vehicle information from the electric vehicle via the PLC.

[0024] According to an embodiment, the second sequence may include: sending the DC method as charging method information to the electric vehicle through the PLC; obtaining vehicle information from the electric vehicle; terminating the PLC with the electric vehicle and performing slow charging of the electric vehicle based on PWM communication; terminating the PWM communication when the slow charging is completed; and restoring the PLC to obtain vehicle information from the electric vehicle.

[0025] According to an embodiment, the third sequence may include: sending the AC method as charging method information to the electric vehicle through the PLC; determining whether a response is received from the electric vehicle within a preset time; and obtaining vehicle information by executing the first sequence or the second sequence according to whether a response is received.

[0026] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for charging an electric vehicle is provided, the method comprising: determining, by an electric vehicle charger, whether AC PLC support determination information related to the electric vehicle is input; if the AC PLC support determination information is input, sending the AC PLC support determination information to a server; receiving a determination signal from the server; and charging the electric vehicle by executing one of a first to a third sequence according to whether the AC PLC support determination information is input and a determination signal from the server.

[0027] According to an embodiment, the method may include performing slow charging of the electric vehicle by executing a first sequence if the determination signal from the server corresponds to a case of the vehicle supporting AC PLC.

[0028] According to an embodiment, the method may include performing slow charging of the electric vehicle by executing a second sequence if the determination signal from the server corresponds to a case of a vehicle that does not support AC PLC.

[0029] According to an embodiment, the method may include performing slow charging of the electric vehicle by executing a third sequence if the AC PLC support determination information is not input.

[0030] According to an embodiment, the method may include: obtaining vehicle information from the electric vehicle through the PLC; and performing slow charging of the electric vehicle through the PLC.

[0031] According to an embodiment, the second sequence may include: transmitting a DC method as charging method information to the electric vehicle through PLC; obtaining vehicle information from the electric vehicle; terminating PLC with the electric vehicle and performing slow charging of the electric vehicle based on PWM communication.

[0032] According to an embodiment, the third sequence may include: sending the AC method as charging method information to the electric vehicle through the PLC; determining whether a response is received from the electric vehicle within a preset time; and performing slow charging of the electric vehicle by executing the first sequence or the second sequence according to whether a response is received.

[0033] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an electric vehicle charging system implemented so that an electric vehicle charger charges an electric vehicle through slow (AC) charging.

[0034] According to an embodiment, if AC PLC support determination information is input, the electric vehicle charger may send the AC PLC support determination information related to the electric vehicle to a server, receive a determination signal from the server, and perform slow charging of the electric vehicle by executing one of the first to third sequences according to whether the AC PLC support determination information is input and according to the determination signal.

[0035] According to an embodiment, if the determination signal corresponds to a case of a vehicle supporting AC PLC, the electric vehicle charger may obtain vehicle information from the electric vehicle through PLC according to a first sequence and perform slow charging of the electric vehicle through PLC.

[0036] According to an embodiment, the electric vehicle charger can send the DC method as charging method information to the electric vehicle through PLC according to the second sequence to obtain vehicle information from the electric vehicle, terminate the PLC with the electric vehicle, and if it is determined that the signal corresponds to a vehicle that does not support AC PLC, perform slow charging of the electric vehicle based on PWM communication.

[0037] According to an embodiment, the electric vehicle charger can send the AC method as charging method information to the electric vehicle through the PLC according to the third sequence, and if the AC PLC support determination information is not input, determine whether a response is received from the electric vehicle within a preset time, if a response is received, perform slow charging according to the first sequence, and if no response is received, perform slow charging according to the second sequence.

[0038] In addition to means for solving the above-mentioned problems, specific details of various embodiments and implementations according to the present disclosure may be included in the following description and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] The above and other features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0040] Figure 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an electric vehicle charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0041] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the electric vehicle charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when executing a first sequence;

[0042] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the electric vehicle charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when executing the second sequence;

[0043] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the electric vehicle charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when executing the third sequence;

[0044] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the overall operation of the electric vehicle charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0045] Figure 6 It is shown Figure 1 Detailed structural implementation of an electric vehicle charging system is shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] With reference to the embodiments described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the advantages and features of the present disclosure and the manner in which the present disclosure is implemented will become apparent. However, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to the embodiments disclosed below and may be embodied in many different forms. On the contrary, these exemplary embodiments are provided to make the present disclosure comprehensive and complete and to fully convey the scope to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the full scope of the present disclosure should be defined by the claims.

[0047] The shapes, sizes, ratios, angles, numbers, etc. shown in the drawings to describe various embodiments of the present disclosure are given only by way of example, and therefore, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to the diagrams in the drawings. Throughout the specification, the same or similar elements are represented by the same reference numerals. In addition, in the description of the present disclosure, when it may make the subject matter of the present disclosure quite unclear, the detailed description of the related known technologies may be omitted. In this specification, when the terms "including", "comprising", etc. are used, other elements may be added unless the term "only" is used. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the elements described in the singular may be intended to include multiple elements.

[0048] In interpreting constituent elements included in various embodiments of the present disclosure, the constituent elements can be interpreted as including an error range even if not explicitly described.

[0049] In the description of various embodiments of the present disclosure, when describing a time relationship, for example, when using "after", "subsequently", "next", "before", etc. to describe the time relationship between two actions, unless the terms "directly" or "only" are used, the actions may occur non-continuously.

[0050] In the description of various embodiments of the present disclosure, although terms such as "first" and "second" may be used to describe various elements, these terms may be used only to distinguish identical or similar elements from each other. Therefore, in this specification, unless otherwise mentioned, within the technical scope of the present disclosure, an element modified by "first" may be the same as an element modified by "second".

[0051] It is understood that, although the terms "first", "second", "A", "B", "(a)", "(b)", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements of the present disclosure, these terms may be used only to distinguish one element from another, and the nature, order or sequence of the corresponding elements is not necessarily limited by these terms. It is understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected to", "coupled to", or "accessing" another element, although an element may be directly connected to or directly access another element, an element may be "connected to", "coupled to", or "accessing" another element via another element.

[0052] “At least one” should be understood to include all combinations of one or more related elements. For example, “at least one of a first element, a second element, and a third element” not only refers to the first element, the second element, or the third element, but also refers to all combinations of two or more of the first element, the second element, and the third element.

[0053] The corresponding features of various embodiments of the present disclosure may be partially or completely coupled and combined with each other, and various technical linkage devices and drives thereof are possible. These different embodiments may be performed independently of each other, or may be performed in association with each other.

[0054] The embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below through drawings and examples. Because the proportions of components shown in the drawings may have proportions different from actual proportions for the convenience of description, the proportions are not necessarily limited to those shown in the drawings.

[0055] Hereinafter, a method of obtaining vehicle information during slow charging of an electric vehicle charger according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and a method and system for charging an electric vehicle using the same will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0056] Figure 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an electric vehicle charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0057] Reference Figure 1The electric vehicle charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a charging controller 100 provided in an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), a charging controller 200 provided in an electric vehicle (EV), and a server 300, and the configuration of the electric vehicle charging system is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0058] The charging controller 100 installed in the EVSE (or charger) (hereinafter referred to as the first charging controller or the charger-side charging controller) and the charging controller 200 (hereinafter referred to as the second charging controller or the vehicle-side charging controller) provided in the electric vehicle EV (or vehicle) can be connected via a charging cable C.

[0059] The charging cable C (or charging connector) may include a control pilot (CP) line. The CP line may be a communication line for adjusting the charging level between the charger EVSE and the vehicle EV or exchanging other information.

[0060] The charger EVSE according to the embodiment may be a charger capable of performing slow charging (AC charging) of an electric vehicle EV. For example, the charger EVSE may be a dedicated charger for slow charging. For example, the charger EVSE may be a universal charger capable of performing both slow charging and fast charging (DC charging) and a universal charger in a state of performing slow charging.

[0061] The electric vehicle EV according to the embodiment may be an automobile which supplies electric current drawn from a rechargeable energy storage device such as a battery as an energy source for a motor which is a power unit.

[0062] However, the electric vehicle EV according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include a hybrid vehicle having both an electric motor and a general internal combustion engine, and may include not only a car but also a motorcycle, a cart, a scooter, and an electric bicycle.

[0063] According to an embodiment, the charger EVSE may receive information for determining whether PLC is supported during AC charging (hereinafter referred to as AC PLC support determination information) before charging the vehicle EV. According to an embodiment, the charger EVSE may not receive the AC PLC support determination information.

[0064] For example, the charger EVSE may receive user information or vehicle information as the AC PLC support determination information, but the AC PLC support determination information is not limited thereto. For example, the user information may be preset ID information, and the vehicle information may be vehicle model information.

[0065] For example, the charger EVSE may receive the AC PLC support determination information directly from the user. Alternatively, the charger EVSE may receive the AC PLC support determination information through an authentication device such as a user authentication card or communication with the vehicle EV.

[0066] The charger EVSE may transmit the received AC PLC support determination information to the server 300 , and receive a result of determining whether the vehicle to be charged is a vehicle supporting PLC during AC charging from the server 300 .

[0067] According to one embodiment, when the charger EVSE is connected to the vehicle EV through the charging cable C, the first charging controller 100 and the second charging controller 200 may exchange data (or information) through the CP line and perform charging control, etc.

[0068] The server 300 may communicate with the charger EVSE, determine whether the vehicle to be charged is a vehicle supporting PLC during AC charging based on AC PLC support determination information transmitted from the charger EVSE, and transmit the determination result to the charger EVSE.

[0069] The server 300 may store information about a vehicle supporting PLC during AC charging (AC PLC-supported vehicle) and information about a vehicle not supporting PLC during AC charging (AC PLC-non-supported vehicle).

[0070] For example, in a case where the vehicle model information is used as the AC PLC support determination information, the server 300 may classify and store vehicles supporting AC PLC and vehicles not supporting AC PLC based on the vehicle model information.

[0071] For example, when user information is used as the AC PLC support determination information, the server 300 may classify and store vehicles supporting AC PLC and vehicles not supporting AC PLC based on the user information.

[0072] According to an embodiment, the server 300 may determine whether the vehicle to be charged supports AC PLC based on the AC PLC support determination information, and transmit the determination result (or determination signal) to the charger EVSE.

[0073] For example, the server 300 may output a first determination signal if the vehicle to be charged is a vehicle supporting AC PLC, and transmit a second determination signal if the vehicle to be charged is a vehicle not supporting AC PLC.

[0074] According to an embodiment, the charger EVSE may perform different sequences according to whether the AC PLC support determination information is input and according to a determination result of the server 300 .

[0075] For example, the charger EVSE may execute a first sequence (sequence A) upon receiving a first determination signal from the server 300, execute a second sequence (sequence B) upon receiving a second determination signal from the server 300, and may execute a third sequence (sequence C) if no ACPLC support determination information is received.

[0076] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing an operation ( S200 ) of the electric vehicle charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when performing a first sequence (sequence A).

[0077] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the first charging controller 100 of the charger EVSE can perform power line communication with the second charging controller 200 of the vehicle EV through the CP line to obtain vehicle information and payment information, vehicle charging state information, etc., and control AC charging. For example, the first charging controller 100 can perform AC charging of the vehicle EV while communicating with the second charging controller 200 according to the AC PLC communication protocol (ISO 15118).

[0078] According to an embodiment, the electric vehicle charging system may be implemented to charge the vehicle EV using a plug-and-charge (PnC) charging method. The PnC charging method may be a method of automatically performing authentication and billing for charging between the charger EVSE and the vehicle EV.

[0079] In the case where the electric vehicle charging system is implemented in this manner to charge the vehicle EV using the PnC charging method, the first charging controller 100 and the second charging controller 200 may perform authentication and automatic billing while performing power line communication (PLC) through the CP line.

[0080] A certificate authentication process, a billing method setting process, and an automatic fee settlement and billing process may be performed between the first charging controller 100 and the second charging controller 200 .

[0081] Specifically, the first charging controller 100 may perform a communication setting process for forming a network for power line communication (PLC) in association with the second charging controller 200 (operation S210).

[0082] According to the communication setting process, the first charging controller 100 may transmit a PWM signal having a set duty ratio to the second charging controller 200 to notify that charging is performed through AC charging.

[0083] Then, the second charging controller 200 may check that the voltage of the CP line is a normal voltage (eg, 9V) and the PWM signal from the first charging controller 100 is a signal for operating in the AC charging mode, and prepare to operate in the PLC charging mode.

[0084] When the communication setup process is completed, the first charging controller 100 can send AC charging method information (or input voltage type information) (e.g., single phase or three phase) to the second charging controller 200 (operation S220) so that the second charging controller 200 can charge the vehicle EV according to the AC charging method.

[0085] According to an embodiment, the transmission of the AC charging method information (operation S220 ) may be included in the communication setting process (operation S210 ).

[0086] After operation S220 , the first charging controller 100 may perform member authentication and billing method setting for providing a PnC charging service associated with the second charging controller 200 (operation S230 ).

[0087] In the case where the electric vehicle charging system is implemented to charge the vehicle EV using the PnC charging method, operation S230 may be performed, and depending on the implementation, operation S230 may be omitted.

[0088] After operation S230, the first charging controller 100 may receive and acquire vehicle information (vehicle charging state information) for charging from the second charging controller 200 through PLC (operation S240), and perform AC charging of the vehicle EV through PLC based on the vehicle charging state information (operation S250).

[0089] While performing AC charging, the first charging controller 100 may receive and acquire vehicle charging state information from the second charging controller 200 .

[0090] For example, the vehicle charging status information may include maximum voltage information, maximum current information, expected energy reserves when the vehicle is fully charged (full SoC), expected energy reserves at the requested charging end time (bulk SoC), etc., but the vehicle charging status information is not necessarily limited to this.

[0091] After operation S250 , the first charging controller 100 may terminate communication with the second charging controller 200 when AC charging is completed (operation S260 ).

[0092] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the operation ( S300 ) of the electric vehicle charging system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure when performing the second sequence (sequence B).

[0093] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 3 , the first charging controller 100 of the charger EVSE can send charging method information as a DC method to the second charging controller 200 of the vehicle EV through the CP line, and obtain vehicle information, payment information, vehicle charging status information, etc. while performing PLC with the second charging controller 200.

[0094] In addition, upon acquiring the information, the first charging controller 100 may terminate the PLC with the second charging controller 200 and perform pulse width modulation (PWM) communication with the second charging controller 200 to perform AC charging of the vehicle EV.

[0095] When AC charging of the vehicle EV is completed, the first charging controller 100 may terminate PWM communication, resume PLC with the second charging controller 200 to obtain vehicle information (including vehicle charging state information), and then terminate communication with the second charging controller 200 .

[0096] According to an embodiment, the electric vehicle charging system may be implemented to charge a vehicle EV using a plug-and-charge (PnC) charging method.

[0097] In the case where the electric vehicle charging system is implemented in this manner to charge the vehicle EV using the PnC charging method, the first charging controller 100 and the second charging controller 200 may perform authentication and automatic billing while performing PLC through the CP line.

[0098] Specifically, the first charging controller 100 may perform a communication setting process for forming a network for PLC in association with the second charging controller 200 (operation S310).

[0099] Because the communication setting process in operation S310 can be Figure 2 The communication setting process in operation S210 is the same as that in operation S210, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0100] When the communication setting process is completed, the first charging controller 100 may transmit the DC method as charging method information to the second charging controller 200 (operation S320).

[0101] After operation S320 , the first charging controller 100 may perform member authentication and billing method setting for providing a PnC charging service associated with the second charging controller 200 (operation S330 ).

[0102] In the case where the electric vehicle charging system is implemented to charge the vehicle EV using the PnC charging method, operation S330 may be performed, and depending on the implementation, operation S330 may be omitted.

[0103] After operation S330, the first charging controller 100 may receive and obtain vehicle information (vehicle charging state information) for charging from the second charging controller 200 through the PLC (operation S340).

[0104] After operation S340 , the first charging controller 100 may terminate PLC with the second charging controller 200 upon acquiring the vehicle charging state information (operation S350 ), and perform PWM communication with the second charging controller 200 based on the vehicle charging state information to perform AC charging (operation S360 ).

[0105] After operation S360, the first charging controller 100 may terminate PWM communication with the second charging controller 200 when AC charging is completed (operation S370), resume PLC with the second charging controller 200 to obtain vehicle charging status information (operation S380), and then terminate communication with the second charging controller 200 (operation S390).

[0106] According to an embodiment, operation S380 may be performed by repeating operations of a second subsequence (S_sequence B) including operations S310 to S340.

[0107] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation ( S400 ) of the electric vehicle charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when performing a third sequence (sequence C).

[0108] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 4 , the first charging controller 100 of the charger EVSE may send the AC method as charging method information to the second charging controller 200 of the vehicle EV through the CP line, and determine whether a response is received from the second charging controller 200 within a preset time.

[0109] When a response is received within a preset time, the first charging controller 100 may perform PLC with the second charging controller 200 of the vehicle EV through the CP line to obtain vehicle information, payment information, and vehicle charging state information, and control AC charging.

[0110] If a response is not received within a preset time, the first charge controller 100 may terminate communication with the second charge controller 200 and perform a communication setup process to reconnect with the second charge controller 200 .

[0111] Thereafter, the first charging controller 100 may transmit the charging method as DC to the second charging controller 200 and perform PLC with the second charging controller 200 to obtain vehicle information, payment information, vehicle charging state information, and the like.

[0112] Upon acquiring this information, the first charging controller 100 may terminate the PLC with the second charging controller 200 and perform PWM communication with the second charging controller 200 to perform AC charging of the vehicle EV.

[0113] When AC charging of the vehicle EV is completed, the first charging controller 100 may terminate PWM communication, resume PLC with the second charging controller 200 to obtain vehicle information (including vehicle charging state information), and then terminate communication with the second charging controller 200 .

[0114] According to an embodiment, the electric vehicle charging system may be implemented to charge the vehicle EV using a PnC charging method.

[0115] In the case where the electric vehicle charging system is implemented in this manner to charge the vehicle EV using the PnC charging method, the first charging controller 100 and the second charging controller 200 may perform authentication and automatic billing while performing PLC through the CP line.

[0116] Specifically, the first charging controller 100 may perform a communication setting process for forming a network for PLC in association with the second charging controller 200 (operation S410).

[0117] Since the communication setting process performed in operation S410 can be performed with Figure 2 The communication setting process in operation S210 is the same as that in operation S210, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0118] When the communication setting process is completed, the first charging controller 100 may transmit the AC method (including phase information) as charging method information to the second charging controller 200 (operation S420).

[0119] After operation S420, the first charging controller 100 may determine whether a response is received from the second charging controller 200 within a preset time (operation S430).

[0120] If a response is received as a result of the determination in operation S430 (Yes in operation S430), the first charging controller 100 may perform operations including operations S230 to S260 (refer to Figure 2 ) of the first subsequence (S_sequenceA)( Figure 4 According to an embodiment, the first charging controller 100 may omit the operation of S230.

[0121] Therefore, the first charging controller 100 can obtain the vehicle charging state information while performing PLC with the second charging controller 200, and perform AC charging of the vehicle EV based on the obtained vehicle charging state information.

[0122] In addition, the first charging controller 100 may terminate the communication with the second charging controller 200 when the AC charging is completed. The first charging controller 100 may receive and acquire the vehicle charging state information from the second charging controller 200 while performing the AC charging.

[0123] If no response is received as a result of the determination in operation S430 (No in operation S430), the first charging controller 100 may terminate the current power line communication (PLC) (operation S450) and perform the second sequence (sequence B) (refer to Figure 3 )( Figure 4 Operation S460 in .

[0124] Therefore, the first charging controller 100 can send the charging method as DC to the second charging controller 200, perform PLC with the second charging controller 200 to obtain vehicle information, payment information, vehicle charging status information, etc., terminate PLC with the second charging controller 200, and perform AC charging of the vehicle EV while performing PWM communication with the second charging controller 200.

[0125] Furthermore, when AC charging of the vehicle EV is completed, the first charging controller 100 may terminate PWM communication, resume PLC with the second charging controller 200 to obtain vehicle information (including vehicle charging state information), and then terminate communication with the second charging controller 200 .

[0126] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the overall operation of the electric vehicle charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0127] Figure 5 The step-by-step operation shown in Figure 1 The electric vehicle charging system shown in the embodiment of the present invention is implemented and may include reference Figures 2 to 4 The first to third sequences described (sequence A, sequence B, and sequence C). Hereinafter, detailed descriptions related to the first to third sequences (sequence A, sequence B, and sequence C) will be omitted.

[0128] See also Figures 1 to 5 , the first charging controller 100 of the charger EVSE may determine whether AC PLC support determination information has been input before charging the vehicle EV (operation S510 ).

[0129] For example, in a case where the charging cable (or connector) C has been connected to the vehicle EV (operation S500 ), the first charging controller 100 may determine whether AC PLC support determination information has been input.

[0130] When it is determined as a result of the determination in operation S510 that the AC PLC support determination information has been input (Yes in operation S510), the first charging controller 100 may transmit the AC PLC support determination information to the server 300 (operation S520) and receive a determination signal from the server 300 (operation S530).

[0131] Then, the first charging controller 100 may determine whether the received determination signal is the first determination signal or the second determination signal (operation S540).

[0132] The first determination signal may be a signal output from the server 300 if the vehicle to be charged is a vehicle supporting AC PLC, and the second determination signal may be a signal output from the server 300 if the vehicle to be charged is a vehicle not supporting AC PLC.

[0133] The first charging controller 100 may perform the first sequence (sequence A) if the determination signal is the first determination signal (operation S550 ), and perform the second sequence (sequence B) if the determination signal is the second determination signal (operation S560 ).

[0134] On the other hand, when it is determined as a result of the determination in operation S510 that the AC PLC support determination information is not input (No in operation S510), the first charging controller 100 may perform the third sequence (sequence C) (operation S570).

[0135] According to the operation of the electric vehicle charging system of the embodiment of the present disclosure, even for a vehicle that does not support PLC during AC charging, vehicle information can be obtained before performing AC charging of the vehicle.

[0136] Furthermore, according to the operation of the electric vehicle charging system of the embodiment of the present disclosure, even in a case where it cannot be determined whether the vehicle supports PLC during AC charging, vehicle information may be obtained before performing AC charging of the vehicle.

[0137] Furthermore, since the electric vehicle charging system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can perform charging using the PnC charging method, not only charging can be performed between the charger and the vehicle, but also authentication and payment can be automatically performed through power line communication (PLC).

[0138] In addition, the electric vehicle charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can generate and provide customer requested information (e.g., charging end time prediction information, etc.) based on vehicle information (e.g., maximum voltage information, maximum current information, full SoC, large SoC, etc.) obtained through power line communication (PLC), thereby improving customer convenience and satisfaction.

[0139] Figure 6 The present invention is shown in the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 Detailed structure of an electric vehicle charging system.

[0140] See also Figure 1 and Figure 6 The first charging controller 100 of the charger EVSE may include a first communication controller 110 , a charger controller 120 , and a communication modem 130 for communicating with the server 300 , but the configuration of the first charging controller 100 is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0141] For example, the first communication controller 110 may be represented as a PLC communication controller, a PLC modem, a power supply side (or charger side) communication controller (a power supply equipment communication controller (SECC)), or the like.

[0142] The first communication controller 110 may be connected to the second charging controller 200 of the vehicle EV side through a CP line to perform communication. According to an embodiment, the first communication controller 110 may communicate with a second electric vehicle communication controller (EVCC) 210 and an on-board charger (OBC) 220.

[0143] The first communication controller 110 may form a network with the second charging controller 200 through a communication establishment process. The first communication controller 110 may acquire information about the vehicle EV while communicating with the second charging controller 200 through the established network and control charging of the vehicle EV.

[0144] The first communication controller 110 may perform a preset operation according to a determination signal from the charger controller 120 .

[0145] According to the setting (for example, according to the first determination signal), the first communication controller 110 can communicate with the second charging controller 200 supporting PLC during AC charging. For example, the first communication controller 110 can communicate with the second charging controller 200 according to the AC PLC communication protocol (ISO 15118) to acquire information about the vehicle EV and perform AC charging (or control).

[0146] According to the setting (for example, according to the second determination signal), the first communication controller 110 can acquire vehicle information while communicating with the second charging controller 200 that does not support power line communication (PLC) during AC charging, and perform AC charging. In this case, after sending DC as the charging method information to the second charging controller 200, the first communication controller 110 can obtain vehicle information (including vehicle charging state information) through PLC.

[0147] Furthermore, the first communication controller 110 may terminate the PLC when acquiring the vehicle information, and then perform AC charging based on or together with the use of the PWM communication.

[0148] The first communication controller 110 may terminate the PWM communication when the AC charging is completed, and then resume the PLC to obtain vehicle information (including vehicle charging state information).

[0149] According to the setting (for example, according to the third determination signal), the first communication controller 110 can communicate with the second charging controller 200 which cannot determine whether it supports power line communication during AC charging to obtain vehicle information and perform AC charging. In this case, the first communication controller 110 can send AC as charging method information to the second charging controller 200, and if there is a response from the second charging controller 200 within a preset time, communicate with the second charging controller 200 according to the AC PLC communication protocol (ISO 15118) to obtain information about the vehicle EV and perform AC charging.

[0150] If there is no response from the second charge controller 200 within a preset time after sending AC as the charging method information to the second charge controller 200, the first communication controller 110 may terminate the current power line communication (PLC). Then, the first communication controller 110 may terminate the current power line communication (PLC), send DC as the charging method information to the second charge controller 200, and then obtain vehicle information (including vehicle charging state information) through PLC.

[0151] Furthermore, the first communication controller 110 may terminate the PLC when acquiring the vehicle information, and then perform AC charging based on or together with the use of the PWM communication.

[0152] The first communication controller 110 may terminate the PWM communication when the AC charging is completed, and then resume the PLC to obtain vehicle information (including vehicle charging state information).

[0153] The first communication controller 110 may provide the charger controller 120 with the acquired vehicle information.

[0154] When the charging cable C is connected to the vehicle EV, the charger controller 120 may determine whether AC PLC support determination information is input.

[0155] If the AC PLC support determination information is not input, the charger controller 120 may transmit a third determination signal to the first communication controller 110 so that the first communication controller 110 performs an operation according to a third sequence (sequence C).

[0156] If the AC PLC support determination information is input, the charger controller 120 may transmit the AC PLC support determination information to the server 300 and receive a first determination signal or a second determination signal from the server 300 .

[0157] The charger controller 120 may send a first determination signal to the first communication controller 110 so that the first communication controller 110 performs operations according to a first sequence (sequence A), and may send a second determination signal to the first communication controller 110 so that the first communication controller 110 performs operations according to a second sequence (sequence B).

[0158] The second charging controller 200 of the vehicle EV may include a second communication controller 210 , an on-board charger (OBC) 220 , and a battery management system (BMS) 230 , but the configuration of the second charging controller 200 is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0159] The second communication controller 210 , the OBC 220 , and the BMS 230 may be connected to each other through controller area network (CAN) communication, but the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0160] The second communication controller 210 may transmit vehicle information to the second communication controller 210 and perform (or control) AC charging of the battery of the vehicle EV while performing power line communication (PLC) with the first charging controller 100 through the CP line.

[0161] The second communication controller 210 may be denoted as a vehicle charge management system (VCMS).

[0162] The OBC 220 may perform AC charging of the battery of the vehicle EV while performing PWM communication with the first charging controller 100 through the CP line.

[0163] The BMS 230 may be a general battery management system, and may charge a battery of the vehicle EV while communicating with the second communication controller 210 and the OBC 220 .

[0164] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of obtaining vehicle information during slow charging of an electric vehicle charger, and a method and system for charging an electric vehicle using the method may be provided.

[0165] According to the operation of the electric vehicle charging system of the embodiment of the present disclosure, even for a vehicle that does not support power line communication (PLC), vehicle information can be obtained before performing AC charging of the vehicle.

[0166] Furthermore, according to the operation of the electric vehicle charging system of the embodiment of the present disclosure, even in a case where it cannot be determined whether the vehicle supports power line communication (PLC) during AC charging, vehicle information can be obtained before performing AC charging of the vehicle.

[0167] Furthermore, the electric vehicle charging system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may perform charging according to the PnC charging method, and thus may not only perform charging between the charger and the vehicle but also automatically perform authentication and payment through power line communication (PLC).

[0168] In addition, the electric vehicle charging system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can generate and provide customer demand information (e.g., charging end time prediction information, etc.) based on vehicle information (e.g., maximum voltage information, maximum current information, full SoC, large SoC, etc.) obtained through power line communication (PLC), thereby improving customer convenience and satisfaction.

[0169] The effects of the embodiments of the present disclosure are not necessarily limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

[0170] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to these embodiments and may be variously modified and implemented without departing from the technical spirit of the present disclosure. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are not necessarily intended to limit the technical spirit of the present disclosure, but are intended to explain, and the scope of the technical spirit of the present disclosure is not necessarily limited by these embodiments. Therefore, it should be understood that the above-mentioned embodiments are illustrative in all aspects and are not necessarily restrictive. The scope of protection of the present disclosure should be interpreted according to the claims, and all technical concepts within the equivalent scope should be interpreted as included within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A method for obtaining vehicle information during AC charging of an electric vehicle by an electric vehicle charger, the method comprising: Determine whether AC power line communications are supported; If the AC power line communication is not supported, sending the DC method as charging method information to the electric vehicle via the power line communication; obtaining vehicle information from the electric vehicle; terminating power line communication with the electric vehicle and performing AC charging of the electric vehicle based on pulse width modulation communication; terminating the AC charging; terminating the pulse width modulation communication; as well as The power line communication is restored to obtain vehicle information from the electric vehicle.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: Determining whether the AC power line communication is supported includes: when connected to the electric vehicle, determining whether AC power line communication support determination information related to the electric vehicle is input; If the AC power line communication support determination information is input, sending the AC power line communication support determination information to a server; and A determination signal is received from the server.

3. The method according to claim 1, comprising: If the AC power line communication is supported, vehicle information is obtained from the electric vehicle through the power line communication.

4. The method according to claim 2, comprising: if the AC power line communication support determination information is not input, transmitting the AC method as charging method information to the electric vehicle through power line communication; determining whether a response is received from the electric vehicle within a preset time; if a response is received, obtaining vehicle information from the electric vehicle via power line communication; as well as If no response is received, the current power line communication is terminated and the steps of transmitting a DC method, obtaining vehicle information, terminating power line communication, performing AC charging, terminating AC charging, terminating pulse width modulation communication, and resuming power line communication are performed.

5. A method for obtaining vehicle information during AC charging of an electric vehicle by an electric vehicle charger, the method comprising: determining whether AC power line communication support determination information related to the electric vehicle is input; If the AC power line communication support determination information is input, sending the AC power line communication support determination information to a server; receiving a determination signal from the server; as well as The vehicle information is obtained by executing one of first to third sequences according to whether the AC power line communication support determination information is input and according to the determination signal received from the server.

6. The method according to claim 5, comprising: If the determination signal from the server corresponds to a case of a vehicle supporting AC power line communication, executing the first sequence to obtain the vehicle information; as well as If the determination signal from the server corresponds to a case of a vehicle that does not support AC power line communication, a second sequence is performed to obtain the vehicle information.

7. The method according to claim 5, comprising: If the AC power line communication support determination information is not input, the third sequence is performed to obtain the vehicle information.

8. The method according to claim 5, wherein: The first sequence includes obtaining the vehicle information from the electric vehicle via power line communication.

9. The method according to claim 5, wherein: The second sequence includes: sending a DC method as charging method information to the electric vehicle via power line communication; obtaining the vehicle information from the electric vehicle; terminating power line communication with the electric vehicle and performing AC charging of the electric vehicle using pulse width modulation communication; terminating the AC charging and terminating the pulse width modulation communication; and The power line communication is restored to obtain the vehicle information from the electric vehicle.

10. The method according to claim 5, wherein: The third sequence includes: sending an AC method as charging method information to the electric vehicle via power line communication; determining whether a response is received from the electric vehicle within a preset time; and The vehicle information is obtained by executing the first sequence or the second sequence according to whether a response is received.

11. A method for charging an electric vehicle by an electric vehicle charger through AC charging, the method comprising: determining, by the electric vehicle charger, whether AC power line communication support determination information related to the electric vehicle is input; in response to the AC power line communication support determination information being input, sending the AC power line communication support determination information to a server; receiving a determination signal from the server; as well as The electric vehicle is charged by executing one of first to third sequences according to whether the AC power line communication support determination information is input and according to the determination signal received from the server.

12. The method according to claim 11, comprising: in response to a situation in which the determination signal from the server corresponds to a vehicle supporting AC power line communication, performing AC charging of the electric vehicle by executing the first sequence; as well as In response to a case where the determination signal from the server corresponds to a vehicle that does not support AC power line communication, AC charging of the electric vehicle is performed by executing a second sequence.

13. The method according to claim 11, comprising: In response to the AC power line communication support determination information not being input, AC charging of the electric vehicle is performed by executing the third sequence.

14. The method according to claim 11, comprising: obtaining vehicle information from the electric vehicle via power line communication; as well as Slow charging of the electric vehicle is performed through the power line communication.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein: The second sequence includes: sending a DC method as charging method information to the electric vehicle via power line communication; obtaining vehicle information from the electric vehicle; and Power line communication with the electric vehicle is terminated and AC charging of the electric vehicle is performed using pulse width modulation communication.

16. The method according to claim 11, wherein: The third sequence includes: sending an AC method as charging method information to the electric vehicle via power line communication; determining whether a response is received from the electric vehicle within a preset time; and AC charging of the electric vehicle is performed by executing the first sequence or the second sequence according to whether a response is received.

17. An electric vehicle charging system for an electric vehicle, the electric vehicle charging system comprising an electric vehicle charger, the electric vehicle charger being configured to charge the electric vehicle using AC charging, in, The electric vehicle charger is further configured to: if the AC power line communication support determination information is input, transmit the AC power line communication support determination information related to the electric vehicle to a server; wherein the electric vehicle charger is further configured to receive a determination signal from the server; and The electric vehicle charger is further configured to perform AC charging of the electric vehicle by executing one of first to third sequences according to whether the AC power line communication support determination information is input and according to the determination signal.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein: The electric vehicle charger is further configured to obtain vehicle information from the electric vehicle through power line communication according to the first sequence, and wherein the electric vehicle charger is further configured to: if the determination signal corresponds to a case of a vehicle supporting AC power line communication, perform slow charging of the electric vehicle through the power line communication.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein: The electric vehicle charger is further configured to transmit a direct current method as charging method information to the electric vehicle through power line communication according to a second sequence to obtain vehicle information from the electric vehicle, wherein the electric vehicle charger is further configured to terminate power line communication with the electric vehicle, and The electric vehicle charger is further configured to perform AC charging of the electric vehicle based on pulse width modulation communication if the determination signal corresponds to a case of a vehicle that does not support AC power line communication.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein: The electric vehicle charger is further configured to transmit an AC method as charging method information to the electric vehicle through power line communication according to the third sequence, The electric vehicle charger is further configured to: if the AC power line communication support determination information is not input, determine whether a response is received from the electric vehicle within a preset time, Wherein, the electric vehicle charger is further configured to: if a response is received, perform AC charging according to the first sequence, and The electric vehicle charger is further configured to: if no response is received, perform AC charging according to the second sequence.

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