A charging gun with lighting function and method

Abstract

This invention discloses a charging gun and method with lighting function, relating to the field of charging gun technology. It includes a light strip control module electrically connected to a charging pile and a pulse electronic lock controller. The light strip control module is also connected to a light sensor and a sensor for detecting the lock status of the electronic lock. The sensor is an infrared sensor, a light switch sensor, or a current sensor, and is installed at the lock body of the electronic lock. Both the light sensor and the light strip control module are mounted on the charging gun. An LED light strip installed inside the socket emits different colors of light based on signals sent from the charging pile, light sensors, and locking / unlocking feedback signals from the charging gun. This serves to alert the user, prevent accidental operation, and improve the user experience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of charging gun technology, specifically to a charging gun and method with lighting function. Background Technology

[0002] Electric vehicles (EVs) are new energy vehicles powered by onboard power supplies. They offer advantages such as low pollution, low noise, and energy conservation, making them a viable alternative to traditional vehicles and helping to address energy shortages and environmental pollution. As the number of EVs increases, so too does the development of charging infrastructure. To charge, EVs are parked at charging stations, the charging gun is plugged into the car's charging port, and then plugged back in after charging. However, EV charging guns draw a significant current during operation, and human error can lead to electric shock. This is especially true at night in low-light conditions. The dim lighting makes it difficult to accurately insert the charging plug into the EV's charging port, requiring the driver to use a mobile phone or other light source, which is inconvenient. Furthermore, it's difficult to promptly check and remove foreign objects from the charging gun or socket, increasing the risk of electric shock and compromising both user experience and overall vehicle safety. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of the above-mentioned shortcomings of the existing technology, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a charging gun and method with lighting function, which realizes the lighting and prompting functions by controlling the LED light strip installed on the charging gun and having lighting and prompting functions, thereby solving the above problems.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a charging gun with lighting function, including a light strip control module electrically connected to a charging pile and a pulse electronic lock controller, wherein the light strip control module is also connected to a light sensor.

[0005] Preferably, the light strip control module is also connected to a sensor for detecting the lock status of the electronic lock.

[0006] Preferably, the sensor is an infrared sensor, a light switch sensor, or a current sensor, and the sensor is installed at the lock body of the electronic lock.

[0007] Preferably, both the light sensor and the light strip control module are mounted on the charging gun.

[0008] The present invention also provides another technical solution: a method for a charging gun with lighting function, wherein a color-changing LED light strip connected to a pulse electronic lock controller is installed on the inner wall of the socket of the charging gun, and a light sensor is installed on the housing of the charging gun.

[0009] The control method includes: acquiring the pulse signal and charging signal sent by the charging pile, the light sensing signal collected by the light sensor, and the feedback signal of the electronic lock execution command; analyzing the pulse signal, charging signal, light sensing signal and feedback signal to generate a lamp control command and sending it to the pulse electronic lock controller; and controlling the LED light strip by controlling the current through the LED light strip according to the lamp control command.

[0010] Preferably, the pulse signal includes a pulse signal with a pulse width of 0.05s and a pulse signal with a pulse width greater than 0.05s. The electronic lock controller controls the electronic lock to lock or unlock based on the pulse signal with a pulse width of 0.05s.

[0011] Preferably, the pulse electronic lock controller that generates a lighting command based on the received locking pulse signal and light sensing signal controls the current passing through the LED light strip to be the lighting current, so that the LED light strip lights up in white.

[0012] Preferably, the step of generating a pulse electronic lock controller for sending a charging reminder command based on the received charging signal and the locking feedback signal executed by the electronic lock, wherein the pulse electronic lock controls the current passing through the LED light strip to be the charging reminder current, so that the LED light strip lights up in red.

[0013] Preferably, the step of generating a pulse electronic lock controller to send a charging reminder instruction based on the received charging signal and unlocking pulse signal, wherein the pulse electronic lock controls the current passing through the LED light strip to be the charging reminder current, so that the LED light strip lights up in yellow.

[0014] Preferably, the step of generating a gun-removable command based on the unlocking feedback signal received from the electronic lock and sending it to the pulse electronic lock controller, wherein the pulse electronic lock controls the current passing through the LED light strip to be the gun-removable current, so that the LED light strip illuminates in green.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0016] This invention uses an LED light strip installed inside the socket to emit different colors of light based on signals sent by the charging pile, light sensing signals, and charging gun lock / unlock feedback signals. This serves to alert the user, prevent accidental operation, and improve the user experience. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a structural block diagram of the control device of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Please refer to Figure 1 The present invention provides a technical solution:

[0019] Example 1:

[0020] A charging gun with lighting function includes a light strip control module electrically connected to a charging pile and a pulse electronic lock controller. The light strip control module is also connected to a light sensor and a sensor for detecting the lock status of the electronic lock. The sensor is an infrared sensor, a light switch sensor, or a current sensor, and the sensor is installed at the lock body of the electronic lock. Both the light sensor and the light strip control module are installed on the charging gun.

[0021] The light strip control module is used to execute a method for a charging gun with lighting function according to Embodiment 2. It includes an information processing unit composed of a microcontroller and an interface connected to the microcontroller for receiving and sending signals. The interface specifically includes a signal interface connected to the charging pile and an information interface connected to the pulse electronic lock controller. The microcontroller is also connected to a light sensor and a sensor for detecting the lock status of the electronic lock. The light sensor is installed on the charging gun housing, and the sensor is installed at the electronic lock body. The microcontroller and the interface are soldered on a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board has printed lines connecting the microcontroller and the interface. The interface is connected to the charging gun and the charging pile through wiring.

[0022] In this embodiment, the printed circuit board of the light strip control module is installed inside the housing of the charging gun, without changing the structure of the charging pile.

[0023] Example 2:

[0024] A method for a charging gun with lighting function, wherein a color-changing LED light strip connected to a pulse electronic lock controller is installed on the inner wall of the charging gun's socket, and a light sensor is installed on the housing of the charging gun.

[0025] The control method includes: acquiring pulse signals and charging signals sent by the charging pile, light sensing signals collected by the light sensor, and feedback signals from the electronic lock execution command; analyzing the pulse signals, charging signals, light sensing signals, and feedback signals to generate a lamp control command, which is then sent to the pulse electronic lock controller. The pulse electronic lock controller controls the current through the LED light strip according to the lamp control command to control the LED light strip. The pulse signals include pulse signals with a pulse width of 0.05s and pulse signals with a pulse width greater than 0.05s. Based on the 0.05s pulse signal, the pulse electronic lock controller controls whether the electronic lock is locked or unlocked. Based on the received locking pulse signal and light sensing signal, a lighting command is generated and sent to the pulse electronic lock controller. The pulse electronic lock controls the current through the LED light strip to be the lighting current, so that the LED light strip lights up in white.

[0026] Based on the received charging signal and the locking feedback signal executed by the electronic lock, a charging prompt command is generated and sent to the pulse electronic lock controller. The pulse electronic lock controls the current passing through the LED strip as the charging prompt current, making the LED strip light up red. Based on the received charging signal and unlocking pulse signal, a charging completion prompt command is generated and sent to the pulse electronic lock controller. The pulse electronic lock controls the current passing through the LED strip as the charging completion prompt current, making the LED strip light up yellow. Based on the received unlocking feedback signal executed by the electronic lock, a gun-removal command is generated and sent to the pulse electronic lock controller. The pulse electronic lock controls the current passing through the LED strip as the gun-removal current, making the LED strip light up green.

[0027] To prevent the charging gun from detaching when the user needs to charge the electric vehicle's battery, an electromagnetic lock controlled by pulse signals is installed on the charging gun. The electromagnetic lock is locked and unlocked via pulse signals. After charging is complete, the pulse electronic lock needs to be unlocked before the charging gun can be removed.

[0028] This method utilizes existing charging piles to send pulse signals, charging signals, and light-sensing signals (day or night) to the charging gun to control the brightness and color of the LED light strip installed on it. It can be used not only for lighting but also to indicate the user's current charging status and whether the gun can be unplugged, and can also prevent the gun from locking.

[0029] The inner wall of the charging gun socket is equipped with a color-changing LED light strip connected to a pulse electronic lock controller, and a light sensor is installed on the charging gun. The light tube sensor is used to collect light tube signals to determine whether it is day or night.

[0030] The method for providing a charging gun with lighting function in this second embodiment includes the following steps:

[0031] (1) Acquire the pulse signal and charging signal sent by the charging pile, the light sensor collected by the light sensor, and the feedback signal of the electronic lock execution command.

[0032] The pulse signals include pulse signals with a pulse width greater than 0.05s and pulse signals with a pulse width of 0.05s. Pulse signals with a pulse width greater than 0.05s are used to ensure communication between the charging pile and the charging gun; these pulse signals do not generate any actual commands. Pulse signals with a pulse width of 0.05s are used to generate lock or unlock commands. The width of this pulse signal is industry standard, but the pulse width can be changed by customizing the charging pile's program. Therefore, the pulse width in this embodiment can be changed accordingly. This embodiment defaults to the following: during a single charging operation, the first pulse signal with a pulse width of 0.05s generates a lock command, and the second pulse signal with a pulse width of 0.05s generates an unlock command. The charging pile sending two pulse signals with a pulse width of 0.05s signifies the end of a single charging operation. This embodiment acquires pulse signals and analyzes them to generate corresponding lock or unlock control commands. In this embodiment, a lock pulse signal is represented as "1", an unlock pulse signal as "-1", and a pulse signal greater than 0.05s is represented as "0".

[0033] The charging signal is used to provide power to the charging gun and can be used for charging and disconnecting the charging ring to end the charging unit. In this embodiment, the charging signal is represented by "1" and the end charging signal is represented by "0".

[0034] The light sensing signal is collected by a light sensor installed on the charging gun housing to detect whether it is day or night. In this embodiment, the light sensing signal is represented as "0" during the day and "1" at night.

[0035] Feedback signals are used to indicate whether the electronic lock has executed lock or unlock commands, preventing losses caused by failure to lock or unlock. Specifically, the controller can detect the current signal of the electronic lock to determine whether to execute the command, or it can be implemented through sensors, such as current sensors, infrared sensors, and optical switch sensors. Current sensors detect whether the electromagnetic lock is locked or unlocked by detecting whether current is flowing through it. Generally, the electromagnetic lock locks when powered on and unlocks when powered off. Infrared sensors detect the distance between the two lock bodies. When locked, the lock bodies are in contact without any distance, while when unlocked, there will be a certain gap. This can be determined by the time it takes for the infrared emitted by the infrared sensor to be received. The detection principle of the optical switch sensor is similar to that of the infrared sensor. The sensor is installed on the charging gun and the electromagnetic lock body. In this embodiment, the feedback signal includes "1" indicating that the lock or unlock command has been executed and "0" indicating that the command has not been executed. When a "0" signal is received, the lock or unlock command is sent again. If it is not executed after sending N (N is greater than 2) times, an alarm is triggered, notifying the user to promptly inform maintenance personnel for repair.

[0036] (2) Analyze the pulse signal, charging signal, light sensing signal and feedback signal to generate lamp control command and send it to the pulse electronic lock controller. The pulse electronic lock controller controls the current through the LED light strip according to the lamp control command to control the LED light strip.

[0037] The specific LED strip control is as follows:

[0038] The electronic lock controller generates a pulse for sending lighting commands based on the received locking pulse signal 1 and light sensor signal 1. The pulse electronic lock controls the current flowing through the LED strip to provide lighting current, making the LED strip illuminate white. When the locking pulse signal 1 is received and the light sensor signal is 0, or when there is no pulse signal and the light sensor signal is 1, the LED strip does not light up. This control process ensures that the lighting is only turned on when a user is using the charging device and the current environment is nighttime, helping the user accurately view and align the charging gun, and avoiding errors caused by nighttime conditions.

[0039] Based on the received charging signal 1 and the locking feedback signal 1 executed by the electronic lock, a pulse electronic lock controller is generated to send a charging reminder command. The pulse electronic lock controls the current passing through the LED strip as the charging reminder current, making the LED strip light red. The charging signal can only be sent to the charging gun's charging mechanism after the electronic lock has locked. This is to prevent injury from high current caused by not locking. The LED strip must be red when the electronic lock has executed the locking feedback signal 1 and the charging signal is 1, to remind the user that it is currently charging and not to remove the gun.

[0040] Based on the received charging signal 0 and unlocking pulse signal -1, a pulse electronic lock controller is generated to send a charging completion prompt instruction. The pulse electronic lock controls the current passing through the LED light strip to provide the charging completion prompt current, causing the LED light strip to light up in yellow. Yellow is also used to remind the user not to pull out the gun, to avoid locking the gun if it is pulled out forcefully before unlocking.

[0041] Based on the unlocking feedback signal 1 received from the electronic lock, a gun-removal command is generated and sent to the pulse electronic lock controller. The pulse electronic lock controls the current through the LED strip to be the gun-removal current, making the LED strip light green. After the charging gun is unlocked, it is removed and placed back on the charging station. The green light lasts for 15 seconds and then turns off or turns white. The white light turns off after 60 seconds. Whether the LED strip turns white after turning green can be determined by the light sensor signal. If the light sensor signal is 1, it turns white; if the light sensor signal is 0, the LED strip is turned off directly.

Claims

1. A charging gun with a lighting function, characterized in that: The system includes a light strip control module that is electrically connected to a charging pile and a pulse electronic lock controller, and the light strip control module is also connected to a light sensor.

2. The charging gun with a lighting function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light strip control module is also connected to a sensor for detecting the electronic lock status.

3. The charging gun with a lighting function according to claim 2, characterized in that: The sensor is an infrared sensor, a light switch sensor, or a current sensor, and the sensor is installed at the lock body of the electronic lock.

4. The charging gun with a lighting function according to claim 2, characterized in that: Both the light sensor and the light strip control module are mounted on the charging gun.

5. A method of a charging gun with a lighting function, characterized in that: The charging gun has a color-changing LED light strip connected to a pulse electronic lock controller installed on the inner wall of the socket, and a light sensor installed on the housing of the charging gun. The control method includes acquiring pulse signals and charging signals sent by the charging pile, light sensing signals collected by the light sensor, and feedback signals of the electronic lock execution command. The pulse signals, charging signals, light sensing signals, and feedback signals are analyzed to generate lamp control commands, which are then sent to the pulse electronic lock controller. The pulse electronic lock controller controls the current through the LED light strip according to the lamp control commands to control the LED light strip.

6. The method for a charging gun with lighting function according to claim 5, characterized in that: The pulse signal includes a pulse signal with a pulse width of 0.05s and a pulse signal with a pulse width greater than 0.05s. The pulse electronic lock controller controls the electronic lock to lock or unlock based on the pulse signal with a pulse width of 0.05s.

7. The method for a charging gun with lighting function according to claim 6, characterized in that: The electronic lock controller generates a pulse for sending lighting commands based on the received locking pulse signal and light sensor signal. The pulse electronic lock controls the current passing through the LED light strip to be the lighting current, so that the LED light strip lights up in white.

8. The method for a charging gun with lighting function according to claim 6, characterized in that: The electronic lock controller generates a pulse to send a charging reminder command based on the received charging signal and the locking feedback signal executed by the electronic lock. The pulse electronic lock controls the current passing through the LED strip to be the charging reminder current, so that the LED strip lights up in red.

9. The method for a charging gun with lighting function according to claim 6, characterized in that: The electronic lock controller generates a pulse to send a charging reminder command based on the received charging signal and unlocking pulse signal. The pulse electronic lock controls the current through the LED strip to be the charging reminder current, so that the LED strip lights up in yellow.

10. The method for a charging gun with lighting function according to claim 6, characterized in that: The process involves generating a gun-removable command based on the unlocking feedback signal received from the electronic lock and sending it to the pulse electronic lock controller. The pulse electronic lock controls the current passing through the LED light strip to be the gun-removable current, causing the LED light strip to illuminate in green.

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