Positioning support system for positioning motor vehicle at charging station, corresponding method and corresponding software and suitable data memory

Abstract

The invention relates to a positioning support system for a motor vehicle having an electric drive, having an indication function for supporting the driver when positioned at a charging station which is suitable for charging the motor vehicle via a charging cable. The positioning support system is designed to ascertain environment information relating to the environment of the motor vehicle by means of a vehicle-side environment sensor, to ascertain an environment visualization of the environment of the vehicle on the basis of the environment information by means of a visualization of the range of action of the charging cable, and to show the ascertained environment visualization on a display device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a positioning support system for a motor vehicle with an electric drive, in particular a passenger car, such as an electric car or a plug-in hybrid vehicle, which has an indication function for supporting the driver when positioning at a charging station for charging the motor vehicle via a charging cable. The invention also relates to a corresponding method and corresponding software as well as a suitable vehicle-external data memory. Background Art

[0002] In motor vehicles with an electric drive, whose electrical energy storage can be charged from the outside at a charging station, for example at a public charging post, the motor vehicle must be positioned at the charging station before charging, i.e. within the range of action of a charging cable used for charging, which forms an electrical connection between the charging interface of the vehicle and the charging post. The main application scenario of the present invention relates to charging cables belonging to the charging station; however, it is also possible to use the present invention for charging cables carried in the vehicle. Positioning the motor vehicle at the charging station is difficult for the driver: if the vehicle is parked too far from the charging post, the charging cable cannot reach the charging interface of the own vehicle, so that the driver must get back into the vehicle and must bring the vehicle closer to the charging station. If the vehicle is parked too close to the charging station, a collision may occur.

[0003] The problem is exacerbated by the fact that the length of such a charging cable belonging to the respective charging station is not the same for all charging stations and depends, for example, on the charging standard used or on the country or region.

[0004] Maneuvering support systems with a function for visualizing the surroundings of a motor vehicle in an environment display, for example for parking, are known from the prior art. Such an environment display is usually a so-called top-down display, in which the surroundings are viewed from above (also referred to as a top-down display). Here, the environment display also usually includes a visual vehicle representation of the motor vehicle viewed from above. In a camera-based environment display, images of multiple cameras pointing in different directions, for example images of two exterior mirror cameras pointing to different sides, images of a rear-view camera pointing backwards, and optionally images of a front camera pointing forwards, can be superimposed, for example, for the environment display.

[0005] Known surroundings displays may also have vehicle-specific symbols as instructions to the driver, for example the position of the trailer hitch, the position of the tires or the expected trajectory at a given steering angle. Summary of the invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to assist the driver when positioning a motor vehicle at a charging station.

[0007] This object is achieved by the features of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims. It is pointed out that the additional features of the dependent claims of the independent claim can form a separate invention independent of the combination of all features of the independent claim without the features of the independent claim or only in combination with a subset of the features of the independent claim, which invention can become the subject of an independent claim, a divisional application or a subsequent application. This applies in the same way to the technical teachings described in the description, which can form an invention independent of the features of the independent claim.

[0008] A first aspect of the invention relates to a positioning support system for a motor vehicle with an electric drive, in particular a passenger car, such as an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle, which has an indication function for supporting the driver when positioning at a charging station, which is suitable for charging the motor vehicle via a charging cable. The positioning support system is preferably used in an application scenario where the charging station is a public charging station and the charging cable is a charging cable belonging to the charging station (i.e. the charging cable is not carried by the own vehicle).

[0009] The positioning support system is designed to perform the various activities described below. This is usually achieved by means of one or more software-controlled devices, in particular electronic control units. Each of the one or more software-controlled devices may include one or more programmable processors that operate in a program-controlled manner according to the invention via one or more software programs.

[0010] The positioning support system is designed to determine environmental information about the environment of the motor vehicle by means of vehicle-side environmental sensors (e.g., camera sensors and / or ultrasonic sensors) and to determine an environmental visualization of the vehicle environment based on the environmental information (i.e., to determine corresponding image data for display on a display device). For example, the environmental visualization is a view from above (also referred to as a top view) of a vehicle representation of the vehicle with the vehicle itself, wherein images of multiple cameras pointing in different directions, for example, images of two exterior mirror cameras pointing to the left and right, an image of a rear-view camera pointing backwards, and an image of an optional front camera pointing forwards are superimposed.

[0011] In this case, the visualization of the surroundings also includes the visualization of the range of the charging cable (usually by marking specific surrounding areas that indicate the range in the visualization of the surroundings).

[0012] The determined visualization of the surroundings is shown on a display device (usually arranged in the vehicle cockpit), for example on a central screen in the vehicle cockpit.

[0013] The positioning assistance system according to the invention facilitates the driver's positioning of his vehicle at the charging station by visualizing the range of the charging cable (in particular by marking a specific area indicating the range in a visualization of the surroundings), so that the vehicle and its charging interface can be easily parked within the range of the charging cable.

[0014] In principle, two basic methods are conceivable for visualizing the range of a charging cable:

[0015] In a preferred first method, the range of action is shown in the form of a marked environment area associated with the charging interface of the motor vehicle, that is, the charging interface of the motor vehicle forms a reference point for the range of action. To this end, environmental information related to the charging station near the motor vehicle is obtained, and based on this, a visualization of the position of the charging station is set in the environmental visualization. For the visualization of the position of the charging station, the camera image of the charging station can be correctly displayed, for example, with respect to the position of the own motor vehicle. The charging station or a single reference point at the charging station (for example, the orientation of the connection point of the charging cable to the charging pile) can also be highlighted in the camera image by appropriate markings. If the visualized position of the charging station (for example, the charging station shown) is located in the marked environment area of ​​the range of action of the charging cable, then the charging interface of the motor vehicle is located in the range of action of the charging cable. If the charging station visible in the environmental visualization is, for example, located in the marked area of ​​the range of action of the charging cable, it can be assumed that the vehicle is parked close enough to the charging station. Advantageously, the surrounding visualization includes a visual vehicle representation of the motor vehicle or a part of the motor vehicle, which is usually shown on the display device at a position independent of the movement of the motor vehicle, and the marked surrounding area indicating the scope marks an area next to the visual vehicle representation, that is, at least next to the side of the vehicle where the vehicle-side charging interface is located. It is also conceivable to mark the surrounding area next to the other side of the vehicle, that is, in the case of an application in which the user places the charging cable laterally across the vehicle when the charging station is not located next to the vehicle-side charging interface.

[0016] If the motor vehicle has a plurality of charging connections at different locations on the motor vehicle, a separate visualization of the reach of the charging cable associated with the respective charging connection can be provided for each charging connection in the visualization of the surroundings.

[0017] The geometry of the range of the charging cable shown can take into account geometric conditions: the range shown can differ, for example, in different directions from the charging interface, in particular in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle than in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. If, for example, the charging plug must be inserted vertically into the charging socket on the vehicle, the range perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle is longer than the range parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

[0018] Alternatively, in the second method it is conceivable to display the range associated with the charging station, i.e. the charging station forms a reference point for the range. In this case, the environment visualization includes a visualization of the position of the charging interface on the vehicle side. For example, if the visualized position of the charging interface on the vehicle side is within the marked environment area of ​​the range of the charging cable, then the vehicle is parked sufficiently close to the charging station.

[0019] For both methods it is advantageous if the motor vehicle determines position information relating to the position of the motor vehicle or to the position of a charging station in the vicinity of the motor vehicle and provides this position information to a data memory in order to determine charging cable length information relating to the length of the charging cable using this position information.

[0020] The position information of the own motor vehicle can be obtained by means of a global navigation satellite system (e.g. GPS) for position determination. By determining the position of the own motor vehicle by means of a global navigation satellite system and determining the position offset of the charging station relative to the position of the own motor vehicle, for example, the position of a charging station located in the surroundings can be determined. Furthermore, it is possible to receive position information of a charging station located nearby by radio on the vehicle side.

[0021] The data memory is preferably a vehicle-external data memory in the rear end, which has, for example, the storage locations of the charging stations and the associated charging cable lengths. The data memory receives, for example, position information about the position of the motor vehicle determined by the vehicle via a complex communication network and determines the nearest storage location and the charging cable length associated with it, which is provided to the vehicle via the complex communication network. The positioning support system then receives the determined charging cable length information in order to thereby determine a visualization of the range of action of the charging cable based on the charging cable length information. Of course, the data memory can also be a vehicle-internal data memory.

[0022] If no position information is available or no charging cable length information is available based on the position information, a visualization of the range of the charging cable can be determined based on an assumed standard charging cable length.

[0023] Advantageously, the range information related to the range of the charging cable is determined based on the charging cable length information, namely by taking into account the following:

[0024] one or more characteristics of the motor vehicle, in particular the vehicle height, the vehicle width, the height of the vehicle-side charging interface and / or the orientation of the vehicle-side charging interface,

[0025] - one or more characteristics of the charging station, in particular the height of the charging interface on the charging station side, and / or

[0026] - one or more further properties of the charging cable (besides the charging cable length) (eg bendability).

[0027] It can therefore be provided that the charging cable length information is converted into range information in the sense of an effective range as a function of vehicle properties and optionally taking into account further parameters (eg relating to the charging station and / or the charging cable).

[0028] Based on the range information and the environment information (eg camera data), a visualization of the environment can then be presented which is shown on the display device.

[0029] A second aspect of the invention relates to a method for supporting the positioning of a motor vehicle having an electric drive when positioning the motor vehicle at a charging station for charging the motor vehicle via a charging cable, the method comprising the following steps:

[0030] - determining environmental information about the environment of the motor vehicle by means of vehicle-side environmental sensors;

[0031] - based on the environmental information, determining an environmental visualization of the vehicle environment using a visualization of the range of the charging cable; and

[0032] - The determined visualization of the surroundings is displayed on a display device.

[0033] The above-described embodiments of the positioning support system according to the first aspect of the invention also apply in a corresponding manner to the method according to the second aspect of the invention. Advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention in this case and not explicitly described in the claims correspond to the above-described advantageous embodiments of the positioning support system according to the invention or described in the claims.

[0034] A third aspect of the invention relates to software with program code for executing the method according to the second aspect of the invention when the software is run on one or more software-controlled devices. The software-controlled devices preferably include one or more programmable processors that process the program code of the software downloaded into a working memory.

[0035] Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer-readable (storage) medium comprising the software.

[0036] A further aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle-external data memory for providing charging station-specific charging cable length information which is correlated with the respective length of the charging cable, wherein the data memory is designed to:

[0037] - receiving position information relating to the position of the motor vehicle or the position of a charging station situated in the environment of the motor vehicle,

[0038] - determining charging cable length information related to the length of the charging cable using the position information, and

[0039] - outputting the ascertained charging cable length information in order to transmit it to the motor vehicle.

[0040] Advantageous embodiments of the data storage device are explained in conjunction with the first aspect of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, by means of embodiments.

[0042] Figure 1 An embodiment of a positioning support system according to the present invention is shown; and

[0043] Figure 2 An exemplary environment visualization shown on a screen is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Figure 1 An embodiment of a positioning support system according to the invention for a motor vehicle is shown. In the vehicle, a position determination function POS performs determination of the position of the own vehicle with the aid of a global navigation satellite system for position determination (e.g. GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou). The generated position information 10 related to the position of the motor vehicle is transmitted to a data memory DS in the backend, which contains the storage location of the charging station and the associated charging cable length. The data memory DS determines the closest storage location (to the position of the motor vehicle) of the charging station based on the position information 10, and the charging cable length information 20 associated with the storage location (related to the charging cable length of the charging station at the storage location). The determined charging cable length information is transmitted to the vehicle. In a conversion function UR, the charging cable length information 20 is converted into range information 30 related to the range of the charging cable according to vehicle-specific properties and, if necessary, properties of the charging station / charging cable (which are preferably transmitted from the backend to the vehicle). In the environment sensing function US, environment information 40 is acquired by means of a plurality of vehicle-side cameras pointing in different directions, for example, two exterior mirror cameras pointing to the left and right, a rear-view camera pointing backwards, and a front camera pointing forwards. In the presentation function RA, based on the range information 30 and the environment information 40, an environment visualization 50 is presented with a visualization of the range of the charging cable of the respective nearest charging station, which is shown on a screen B in the vehicle cockpit.

[0045] Figure 2An exemplary environment visualization 50 is shown on screen B. The environment visualization comprises a visual vehicle representation 100 of the motor vehicle and a marked environment area 110 in the environment visualization 50, the limits of which indicate the range of action of the charging cable of the charging station. Furthermore, the location of the charging station is visualized in the environment visualization, for example by showing a camera image of the charging station 120 in a positionally correct manner relative to the own vehicle position. For better recognizability for the driver, the charging station shown can also be particularly highlighted in the camera image by marking. Alternatively, the charging station can also be shown in the environment visualization purely schematically and in a positionally correct manner. Preferably, the charging interface 105 on the vehicle side is particularly highlighted in the vehicle representation 100 shown.

[0046] If the charging station 120 shown is located within the marked surrounding area 110 , the charging interface 105 of the vehicle is within the range of the charging cable and the vehicle can be charged.

Claims

1. A positioning support system for a motor vehicle with an electric drive, the positioning support system having an indication function for supporting the driver when positioning at a charging station, the charging station being suitable for charging the motor vehicle via a charging cable, wherein: The positioning support system is designed to: - determining environmental information (40) relating to the environment of the motor vehicle by means of vehicle-side environmental sensors, - based on the environmental information (40), determining an environmental visualization (50) of the vehicle environment using a visualization (110) of the range of the charging cable, and - the determined visualization of the surroundings (40) is displayed on a display device (B).

2. The positioning support system according to claim 1, wherein: The surroundings visualization (40) is configured to visualize the range relative to a charging interface on the motor vehicle.

3. A positioning support system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The positioning support system is designed to: - determining environmental information (40) relating to a charging station in the environment of the motor vehicle by means of the environmental sensor, and - Based on the environmental information (40) relating to the charging station, a visualization of the location of the charging station is provided in the environmental visualization.

4. A positioning support system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The environment visualization is configured such that - the range of the charging cable is visualized by means of a marked surrounding area (110) in the surroundings visualization (50), The motor vehicle is located within the range of action of the charging cable when the visualized position of the charging station is located in the marked surrounding area (110).

5. The positioning support system according to claim 4, wherein: - the environment visualization (50) comprises a visual vehicle representation (110) of the motor vehicle or a part of the motor vehicle, and - the marked environment area (110) marks at least one area next to the visual vehicle representation (110).

6. The positioning support system according to claim 2 or claims 3 to 5 depending on claim 2, wherein: The surroundings visualization (50) is configured such that the range of action shown differs for different directions from the charging interface, in particular for directions orthogonal to the vehicle longitudinal axis than for directions parallel to the vehicle longitudinal axis.

7. A positioning support system according to claim 2 or claims 3 to 6 depending on claim 2, wherein: The motor vehicle has a plurality of charging interfaces, and the surroundings visualization has a plurality of marked surrounding areas, wherein each of the marked surrounding areas indicates a range associated with one of the charging interfaces.

8. A positioning support system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The positioning support system is designed to: - receiving charging cable length information (20) related to the length of the charging cable, - based on the charging cable length information (20), determining the range information (30) related to the range of the charging cable, namely determining the range by taking into account the following: one or more characteristics of the motor vehicle, in particular the vehicle height, the vehicle width, the height of the vehicle-side charging interface and / or the orientation of the vehicle-side charging interface, One or more characteristics of the charging station, in particular the height of the charging interface on the charging station side, and / or • One or more further characteristics of the charging cable.

9. A positioning support system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The positioning support system is designed to: - determining position information (10) relating to the position of the motor vehicle or to the position of a charging station located in the vicinity of the motor vehicle, - providing the position information (10) to a vehicle-external or vehicle-internal data memory (DS) in order to determine charging cable length information (20) related to the length of the charging cable using the position information (10), - receiving the requested charging cable length information (20), and - Determining a visualization of the range of the charging cable based on the charging cable length information (20).

10. The positioning support system according to claim 9, wherein: The positioning support system is designed to: - determining that the position information (10) can be determined or that no charging cable length information (20) is available based on the position information, In the case of the determination, a visualization of the range of the charging cable is ascertained as a function of the standard charging cable length information.

11. A positioning support system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The charging cable is a charging cable belonging to a charging station.

12. A method for supporting the positioning of a motor vehicle having an electric drive when positioning the motor vehicle at a charging station for charging the motor vehicle via a charging cable, the method comprising the following steps: - determining environmental information (40) relating to the environment of the motor vehicle by means of vehicle-side environmental sensors; - based on the environmental information (40), determining an environmental visualization (50) of the vehicle environment using a visualization (110) of the range of action of the charging cable; and The determined visualization of the surroundings ( 50 ) is displayed on a display device (B).

13. Software having a program code for executing the method according to claim 12 when the software is run on one or more software-controlled devices.

14. A data storage device (DS) for providing charging station-specific charging cable length information (20) associated with the respective length of the charging cable to a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle each having a positioning support system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein: The data storage (DS) is designed to: - receiving position information (10) relating to the position of the motor vehicle or to the position of a charging station located in the environment of the motor vehicle, - using the position information (10) to determine charging cable length information (20) related to the length of the charging cable, and - outputting the ascertained charging cable length information (20) in order to transmit the charging cable length information to the motor vehicle.

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