Charging station for a motorized means of transport

Abstract

Charging station (1) for transferring energy in the form of direct current to an electrically powered means of transport (2) comprising - a first calibrated energy measuring device (3) for determining the energy (P~) transferred from the supplier to the charging station (1), - a variety of electrical consumers (5, 6, 7, 9) for operating the charging station (1), and - a second calibrated energy measuring device (4) for determining the electrical energy (Pv) consumed by the multitude of electrical consumers (5, 6, 7, 9), - wherein the charging station (1) is set up to determine the energy (P=) supplied to the electrically powered means of transport (2) as the difference between the energy (P-) transferred to the charging station by the supplier and the electrical energy (Pv) absorbed by the multitude of electrical consumers (5, 6, 7, 9).

Description

State of the art

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging station for transmitting energy to a drivable means of transport in the form of direct current. In particular, the present invention relates to a charging station by means of which energy transmitted in the form of direct current can be commercially distributed to users of means of transport.

[0002] Calibrated energy measuring devices ("electricity meters") are required for the distribution of electrical energy at publicly accessible charging stations in Germany and other countries. However, calibrated or calibrated electricity meters are currently only available for alternating current. Therefore, the distribution of electricity at direct current (DC) charging stations based on the amount of energy delivered is currently not possible, as calibrated DC electricity meters are not available. Accordingly, the delivery of electrical energy at such commercially operated charging stations is based on the charging time. However, since the amount of energy delivered depends on various factors, in particular the charging current, the state of charge, and the capacity of an electrical energy storage device being charged, a so-called mixed calculation must always be used for time-based billing in order to quantify the added value generated for the customer with a price.For example, the implementation of commercial DC charging stations would require the development of calibratable DC electricity meters, which would result in very high unit prices due to the current low demand. Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a commercially operable DC charging station that allows billing based on the amount of energy delivered.

[0003] WO 2010 / 074644 A2 discloses a charging arrangement comprising a first supplier-side energy meter and a vehicle-side energy meter, so that manipulation, theft of electrical energy and fault currents can be detected. Disclosure of the invention

[0004] The above-mentioned object is achieved according to the invention by a charging station having the features according to claim 1. Accordingly, a charging station for transmitting energy to an electrically driven means of transport in the form of direct current is proposed. The charging station comprises a first calibratable energy measuring device for determining the energy transmitted to the charging station by the supplier. Since electrical energy provided by the supplier is usually provided as alternating voltage, energy measuring devices for AC applications intended for billing purposes are also available in large quantities as calibratable variants and are therefore inexpensive to obtain. In the context of the present invention, a "calibratable energy measuring device" is understood to mean a calibratable energy measuring device whose design is suitable with regard to the requirements of a calibration office.In addition, the charging station includes a plurality of electrical consumers for operating the charging station. These electrical consumers can be, for example, a human-machine interface, a heater, a cooling device, a communications module, etc. The charging station also includes a second calibratable energy measuring device for determining the electrical energy consumed by the plurality of electrical consumers. The electrical consumers provided within the charging station are also typically supplied with electrical energy via alternating current, which can be quantified using inexpensive, calibrated energy measuring devices for alternating current.The charging station according to the invention is configured to determine the electrical power delivered to the electrically powered means of transport from the difference between the energy transferred to the charging station by the supplier and the electrical energy consumed by the plurality of electrical consumers within the charging station. For example, a processing device comprising a processor can be provided within the charging station, which calculates the difference, determines a final price for the customer based on predefined prices, and then invoices the customer. This enables a cost-effective charging of an electrically powered means of transport using direct current.It is irrelevant whether the charging station according to the invention itself or a vehicle connected to it converts the electrical AC voltage provided by the utility into DC voltage, since the resulting losses for the customer arise both during conversion within a vehicle and within the charging station according to the invention (e.g., after the second calibratable energy measuring device). The invention thus enables the use of cost-effective, calibratable AC meters in the construction of a performance-based, fee-based charging station for end customers.

[0005] The subclaims show preferred developments of the invention.

[0006] Preferably, the charging station itself further comprises a rectifier configured to convert the electrical energy delivered to the electrically powered vehicle into direct current. In this way, a high-quality rectifier can provide a protected DC output voltage, which is generated from the AC voltage provided by the utility with minimal losses.

[0007] Further preferably, the first calibratable energy measuring device and, alternatively or additionally, the second calibratable energy measuring device are configured to measure electrical energy provided in the form of an alternating voltage and are each arranged upstream of the rectifier with respect to energy flow. This arrangement enables a precise and officially verifiable charging station, which is suitable and approved for the distribution of electrical energy in the form of direct voltage in many countries.

[0008] For example, the plurality of electrical consumers for operating the charging station comprises a human-machine interface with a display device, which can be configured, for example, as a pressure-sensitive display. Alternatively or additionally, the plurality of electrical consumers comprises a cooling device to dissipate heat present within the charging station. Alternatively or additionally, the electrical consumers comprise a heater, which enables the use of non-automotive components, particularly in Nordic countries, since a predefined temperature range is not exceeded within the charging station by means of the heater. Alternatively or additionally, the electrical consumers can comprise a communication module, by means of which the charging station according to the invention can, for example, transmit determined energy output quantities and / or corresponding prices.According to the invention, the amount of energy consumed by these consumers during operation is determined by a second calibratable energy measuring device and taken into account when billing the electrical direct voltage or electrical energy provided.

[0009] Further preferably, the charging station according to the invention is configured to be used with a billing unit, by means of which an amount of energy transferred to an electrically powered means of transport can be billed depending on the amount of energy transferred. In practice, the billing unit can be arranged, for example, in a retail store of an energy distribution company (known in connection with fossil fuels as a "gas station"), where the cash register (point of sale) is located. It is possible both for only the transferred amount of energy to be sent to the billing unit, within which the final user price is determined based on an underlying kilowatt-hour price, and for fully determined final prices for an energy transfer process to be transmitted from the charging station to the billing unit.In other words, the billing unit represents a technical facility within which a final price is determined or invoiced for the amount of energy transmitted. An external arrangement of the billing unit enables a flexible arrangement of charging stations within an energy distribution company, whereby the billing unit can handle billing for a large number of charging stations within the company's area.

[0010] Alternatively, the charging station itself can comprise a billing unit configured to bill the amount of energy transferred to an electrically powered means of transport based on the amount of energy transferred. In other words, the final price is determined within the charging station and additionally billed to the user. Integrating the billing unit into the charging station enables a decentralized implementation of the billing process, eliminating the need for customers to travel between the charging station and an external billing unit and extending the operating hours of the charging station according to the invention.

[0011] Preferably, the charging station according to the invention can be used as a public charging station, which is generally accessible to an unlimited customer base. In other words, the charging station according to the invention can be made available to any road user who meets predefined basic requirements, similar to a petrol pump for fossil fuels. In this way, the largest possible potential customer base can be supplied with electrical energy in direct current form for commercial purposes.

[0012] The charging station according to the invention further preferably comprises a payment module, by means of which it is configured to process payment transactions for paid energy supplies. In other words, energy supplied by the charging station can be assigned a final price by a billing unit, which can be paid by the customer through the payment module. The payment module can comprise, for example, a coin / banknote acceptance unit, a credit card reader, an EC card reader, a prepaid card reader, or the like, thus eliminating the need to visit a central retail store with a central payment module ("cash register"). This also enables direct payment in the area of ​​the charging station, thereby saving personnel costs and eliminating travel for the user. Both of these factors increase the possibility of operating a charging station according to the invention economically and increase customer acceptance.

[0013] Further preferably, the first calibratable energy measuring device and, alternatively or additionally, the second calibratable energy measuring device are configured to be repeatedly calibrated. In other words, the charging station according to the invention can be easily brought into a configuration in which it can be officially calibrated. This can mean, for example, easy accessibility of the first energy measuring device and / or the second energy measuring device. In addition, the energy measuring devices can be configured to be subjected to a calibrated test signal, for which purpose they can, for example, have specially provided electrical connections. Particularly preferably, the charging station according to the invention can also comprise a generator configured to generate a calibration signal for the first energy measuring device and the second energy measuring device. In this way, the costs associated with calibration can be reduced.

[0014] The charging station according to the invention can be designed as a stationary facility. In other words, the charging station is geographically fixed, such as the pumps at a fossil fuel gas station. Short description of the drawing

[0015] Embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing. The drawing schematically shows an embodiment of a charging station according to the invention along with peripherals. Embodiment of the invention

[0016] The figure shows an electrically powered vehicle 2 as a means of transport, which is electrically connected to a charging station 1 via a cable 12. On the input side, the charging station 1 is connected to an energy supplier 20 via another electrical cable 12. For illustrative purposes, the electrical signal provided by the energy supplier 20 is shown as an alternating voltage signal P~. Within the charging station 1, a first calibratable energy measuring device 3 is configured to measure the energy transferred from the supplier side to the charging station 1. On the output side, the first energy measuring device 3 is electrically connected to a rectifier 8, which provides a direct voltage P= at the output of the charging station 1 for charging the vehicle 2. Within the charging station 1, a heater 5, a cooling device 6, a display 7 as a display device, and a transceiver unit 9 as a communication module are contained.They are controlled by an electrical alternating voltage signal P. v supplied with electrical energy. In order to calculate the electrical power P used for the electrical consumers 5, 6, 7, 9 v not to be charged to the user of the vehicle 2, a second calibratable energy measuring device 4 is provided between the first calibratable energy measuring device 3 and the rectifier 8, which measures the electrical power P vof the electrical consumers 5, 6, 7, 8. To determine the invoice amount to be charged to the user, the transceiver unit 9 determines a difference between the energy flows determined by the first energy measuring device 3 and the second energy measuring device 4 and sends this difference wirelessly to a cash register 10 as the billing unit. In other words, the cash register 10 is provided with data on the basis of which it can invoice the amount of energy consumed by the vehicle 2. To settle the invoice amount, the cash register 10 has a card reader 11 as a payment module, by means of which the user can settle the invoice amount.As mentioned above, the cash register 10 as the billing unit and the card reader 11 as the payment module could also be located within the charging station 1, with both being connected as additional consumers via the second calibratable energy measuring device 4 in order to avoid charging the user for the amount of energy required for their operation. This alternative is illustrated in the figure with the charging station 1'.

[0017] Even if the aspects and advantageous embodiments of the invention have been described in detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments explained in conjunction with the attached drawing figures, modifications and combinations of features of the illustrated exemplary embodiments are possible for those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention, the scope of protection of which is defined by the attached claims. List of reference symbols 1 charging station 1' charging station 2 vehicles 3 first verifiable energy measuring device 4 second calibratable energy measuring device 5 Heating 6 Cooling device 7 Display 8 rectifiers 9 Transceiver unit 10 Cash register 11 card readers 12 cables 20 energy suppliers P= DC voltage P~ AC voltage signal P V AC voltage signal

Claims

[1] Charging station (1) for transmitting energy in the form of a direct current to an electrically driven means of transport (2) comprising - a first calibratable energy measuring device (3) for determining the energy (P~) transferred by the supplier to the charging station (1), - a plurality of electrical consumers (5, 6, 7, 9) for operating the charging station (1), and - a second calibratable energy measuring device (4) for determining the electrical energy (Pv) consumed by the plurality of electrical consumers (5, 6, 7, 9), - wherein the charging station (1) is configured to determine the energy (P=) delivered to the electrically driven means of transport (2) as the difference between the energy (P-) transferred into the charging station by the supplier and the electrical energy (Pv) consumed by the plurality of electrical consumers (5, 6, 7, 9). [2] Charging station according to claim 1, wherein the charging station (1) further comprises a rectifier (8) which is arranged to convert the electrical energy (P=) to be delivered to the electrically driven means of transport (2) into a direct current. [3] Charging station according to claim 2, wherein the first calibratable energy measuring device (3) and / or the second calibratable energy measuring device (4) are arranged to measure an alternating voltage and are arranged upstream of the rectifier (8) with regard to an energy flow. [4] Charging station according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of electrical consumers (5, 6, 7, 9) for operating the charging station (1) - a display device (7), and / or - a cooling device (6), and / or - a heater (5), and / or - comprises a communication module (9). [5] Charging station according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the charging station comprises a billing unit (10) which is configured to bill an amount of energy transmitted to an electrically driven means of transport (1) as a function of the amount of energy transmitted. [6] Charging station according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the charging station (1) is a public charging station which is generally accessible to an unrestricted circle of customers. [7] Charging station according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the charging station (1) comprises a payment module (11) by means of which it is configured to process payment transactions for energy charges. [8] Charging station according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first calibrated energy measuring device (3) and / or the second calibrated energy measuring device (4) are arranged to be calibrated repeatedly. [9] Charging station according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the charging station (1) is a stationary device.

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