Method and system for charging an electric vehicle

Abstract

Method for positioning an electric vehicle (103) with respect to a charging point (105), the method comprising: Receiving a signal from the global positioning system (GPS) at the vehicle (103); Receiving a correction signal (DGPS) from the global positioning system on the vehicle (103); Correcting the global positioning system (GPS) signal using the global positioning system correction signal (DGPS); and Positioning the vehicle (103) relative to the charging point (105) using the corrected signal of the global positioning system, so that the vehicle (103) can be charged from the charging point (105); characterized in that the procedure includes sending position data from the charging point (105) to the vehicle (103), and furthermore, receiving the position data regarding the position of the charging point (105) on the vehicle (103), so that the vehicle (103) can determine the position of the charging point (105).

Description

[0001] This disclosure relates to a method for positioning an electric vehicle with respect to a charging point and relates in particular, but not exclusively, to positioning an electric vehicle with respect to an inductive charging point using a corrected signal from the global positioning system. Introduction

[0002] Electric vehicles, such as plug-in electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, battery electric vehicles, and extended-range electric vehicles, use one or more batteries to power the vehicle's drivetrain. Typically, an electric vehicle's range can be limited by the capacity of its batteries.

[0003] An electric vehicle can be charged by connecting it to a charging point located at or near a parking space in a parking lot. The charging point can be designed to charge the battery using one or more physical and / or wireless connections. For example, the charging point may include a charging cable that plugs into the vehicle's battery system and / or an inductive charging system, in which energy is transferred inductively between a charging pad and a corresponding charging pad on the vehicle.

[0004] Document US 2005 / 0178632 A1 concerns a charging system for electric vehicles in which the electric vehicle is charged when it drives over or stops over a charging panel embedded in a street or parking area. The system can use GPS data from the electric vehicle to transmit it to a communication control and monitoring station, which uses the GPS data for fleet management, such as course and speed corrections. The electric vehicle also uses the GPS data for optimal positioning over the charging panel.

[0005] German patent application DE 10 2010 003 255 A1 discloses a method for processing correction data from a Differential Global Positioning System in a vehicle, in which this data is transmitted to the vehicle on demand, e.g., depending on a route, parking position, in a parking garage or similar, or on a time-dependent basis, in order to enable more precise vehicle navigation. This allows the vehicle to be controlled autonomously. The data can be provided situationally, for example, by a service provider, in particular the vehicle manufacturer.

[0006] US 2012 / 0206098 A1 discloses a wireless charging system for electric vehicles and a charging method for it. In the charging system, transmitting panels for energy transmission are arranged in the ground. When the driver of the electric vehicle selects receiving panels, these are aligned with the transmitting panels, enabling the wireless charging system to charge the electric vehicle within a short period of time. The positioning of the electric vehicle is achieved using a tire pressure monitoring device, a pressure sensor, or other sensors.

[0007] In some situations, it can be difficult for the driver to precisely position the vehicle in relation to the charging point. If precise alignment between the vehicle and the charging point is not achieved, the vehicle's batteries may not charge most efficiently or may not charge at all. Details of the invention

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for positioning an electric vehicle with respect to a charging point is provided, the method comprising: receiving a signal from the global positioning system at the vehicle; receiving a correction signal from the global positioning system at the vehicle; correcting the signal of the global positioning system using the correction signal of the global positioning system; and positioning the vehicle with respect to the charging point using the corrected signal of the global positioning system so that the vehicle can be charged from the charging point.

[0009] The correction signal can be received from a stationary reference transmitter. The correction signal can be received via a cellular network. The correction signal can be received via a wireless internet connection. The correction signal can be received via a digital audio broadcast signal.

[0010] The procedure may include verifying the accuracy of the correction signal by comparing a first correction signal and a second correction signal. The first correction signal may be received from the stationary reference transmitter and / or via the cellular network, wireless internet connection, and / or the digital audio broadcast signal. The second correction signal may also be received from the stationary reference transmitter and / or via the cellular network, wireless internet connection, and / or the digital audio broadcast signal.

[0011] The process can involve sending location data from the charging point to the vehicle. The vehicle can include a control unit designed to determine the charging point's location using this location data, for example, the charging point's position relative to the vehicle. The location data can include information about the charging point's location within a city. The location data can include information about the charging point's location within a single parking space. The location data can be used to guide the vehicle to the charging point.

[0012] The method may involve positioning the vehicle using the vehicle's automatic parking assistance system. The automatic parking assistance system may be designed to maneuver the vehicle relative to the charging point and / or provide instructions to the driver. The method may involve positioning the vehicle relative to the charging point using the automatic parking assistance system so that the charging point and the vehicle can be functionally connected for charging. The electric vehicle may be positioned within a range of approximately 0 to 10 cm relative to a charging section of the charging point. The vehicle may be positioned to allow inductive coupling for charging.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an electric vehicle is provided which comprises: a receiver system designed to receive a signal from the global positioning system and a correction signal from the global positioning system; and a control unit designed to correct the signal from the global positioning system using the correction signal from the global positioning system, the corrected signal from the global positioning system being used to position the vehicle relative to an electric vehicle charging point so that the vehicle can be charged from the charging point.

[0014] The receiver system can include a first receiver designed to receive a signal from the global positioning system. The receiver system can include a second receiver designed to receive a correction signal from the global positioning system. The receiver system can include a single receiver designed to receive both the signal from the global positioning system and the correction signal from the global positioning system.

[0015] The electric vehicle can be designed to receive the correction signal from the charging point's global positioning system. The electric vehicle can be designed to receive position data from the charging point, enabling the vehicle to determine the charging point's location. The electric vehicle can include an automatic parking assistance system designed to position the vehicle relative to the charging point using the corrected signal from the global positioning system.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an electric vehicle charging system is provided, comprising: a receiver system provided on an electric vehicle, wherein the receiver system is designed to receive a signal from the global positioning system and a correction signal from the global positioning system; a charging point designed to charge the electric vehicle; and a control unit designed to correct the signal from the global positioning system using the correction signal from the global positioning system, wherein the corrected signal from the global positioning system is used to position the electric vehicle relative to an electric vehicle charging point so that the vehicle can be charged from the charging point.

[0017] The electric vehicle charging system may include a stationary reference transmitter. The stationary reference transmitter may be designed to send the correction signal of the global positioning system. The charging point may include the stationary reference transmitter.

[0018] The disclosure also provides software, such as a computer program or a computer program product, for carrying out any of the procedures described herein, and a computer-readable medium on which a program for carrying out any of the procedures described herein is stored. A computer program embodying the disclosure may be stored on a computer-readable medium, or it may, for example, be in the form of a signal, such as a downloadable data signal provided by an internet website, or it may be in any other form.

[0019] To avoid unnecessary duplication and repetition in the description, certain features are described only in relation to one or more aspects or arrangements of the revelation. However, it is understood that, where technically possible, features described in relation to any aspect or arrangement of the revelation may also be used with any other aspect or arrangement of the revelation. Brief description of the drawings

[0020] To better understand the present revelation, and to more clearly demonstrate how it can be realized, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings as examples, whereby: Fig. 1 represents a method for positioning an electric vehicle with respect to a charging point; Fig. 2 shows a system for charging an electric vehicle; and Fig. Figure 3 shows another system for charging an electric vehicle. Detailed description

[0021] A navigation device based on the Global Positioning System (GPS) can be used to guide a driver to one or more locations. Since a vehicle's range is limited by the amount of fuel it can carry, drivers commonly use GPS to locate a gas station. In particular, the electric range of an electric vehicle is limited by the capacity of the batteries used to power the vehicle's electric drive system. Therefore, the ability to accurately locate electric charging stations is becoming increasingly important. However, the positional accuracy of a standard GPS navigation system is typically limited to a range of approximately 10 to 15 meters.

[0022] A differential global positioning system (DGPS) is an improvement on a standard GPS system and can improve the positional accuracy of navigation instructions to within approximately 10 cm, or to a range of 2-3 cm, depending on the DGPS system configuration. The DGPS system uses a network of fixed, ground-based reference stations that broadcast the difference between the positions indicated by the GPS satellite and the known fixed positions of the reference station. In this way, the DGPS reference station is able to broadcast a correction signal that can be used to improve the positional accuracy of the standard GPS signal.

[0023] The Fig. Figures 1 to 3 illustrate a method 100 and a system 101 for positioning an electric vehicle 103 with respect to a charging point 105. In the context of this disclosure, the term "electric vehicle" is to be understood as meaning any vehicle that includes one or more electrical systems. For example, the electric vehicle may be a plug-in electric vehicle (PEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), a battery electric vehicle (BEV), a range-extended electric vehicle (REV), or any other vehicle that includes a battery-powered electrical system.The electrical system can be the vehicle's propulsion system; for example, it can include one or more batteries designed to power the vehicle's electric motor. However, the electrical system can also refer to one or more auxiliary systems of the vehicle, such as an electric motor / generator.

[0024] The procedure 100 comprises a step 110 of receiving a GPS signal using a first receiver of the vehicle 103. In the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. The GPS signal is sent from a satellite 107 to the receiver of the electric vehicle 103. However, the GPS signal can be sent using any suitable transmission means, for example, using a GPS transmitter positioned at ground level (rather than in Earth orbit), a cellular network, a wireless internet connection, and / or a digital audio broadcasting (DAB) signal.

[0025] Method 100 comprises step 120 of receiving a GPS correction signal using a second receiver of the electric vehicle 103. However, the GPS signal and the GPS correction signal can also be received by the same receiver. In the Fig. 2 and Fig. In the arrangement shown in Figure 3, the GPS correction signal is received from a stationary reference transmitter 109. In addition to receiving the GPS correction signal from the stationary reference transmitter 109, or alternatively, the GPS correction signal can also be received via a cellular network, a wireless internet connection, and / or a DAB signal. For example, the electric vehicle 103 may be designed to connect to a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and / or may be a connected vehicle equipped with a wireless local network. In this way, the electric vehicle 103 is able to share internet access with one or more other devices, such as another vehicle and / or a central server, for the purpose of obtaining the GPS correction signal.

[0026] If the electric vehicle 103 is equipped with a DAB system, the DAB system can be designed to transmit DAB data on any channel suitable for carrying DGPS data. The DGPS data can be transmitted on a channel that also carries data related to music, for example. This allows for flexible use of the vehicle's existing DAB system.

[0027] Procedure 100 comprises step 130 of correcting the GPS signal using the GPS correction signal. The GPS signal correction can be performed by a control unit of the electric vehicle 103, for example, by one or more existing electronic control units (ECUs) of the electric vehicle 103. Additionally or alternatively, the control unit can be an aftermarket control unit installed in the vehicle 103 for the purpose of correcting the GPS signal using the GPS correction signal. In this way, the position of the electric vehicle 103 can be determined with an accuracy of approximately 10 cm.

[0028] At the in Fig. In the arrangement shown in Figure 2, the stationary GPS reference transmitter 109 is located away from the vehicle 103 and the charging point 105. For example, the stationary reference transmitter 109 can be positioned up to approximately 500 km away from the electric vehicle and / or the charging point.

[0029] To ensure the accuracy of the corrected GPS signal, the procedure 100 may further include a step of verifying the accuracy of the correction signal to ensure that errors in the transmission of differential corrections calculated by the stationary reference transmitter 109 are minimized. For example, the procedure may include a step of comparing a first correction signal received from the stationary reference transmitter 109 with a second correction signal received from another stationary reference transmitter and / or via the cellular network, wireless internet connection, and / or DAB signal. In this way, the electric vehicle charging system 101 can determine whether any discrepancy exists between the first and second correction signals.If a discrepancy is detected between the first and the second correction signal, a control unit of the electric vehicle charging system 101 may be designed to request one or more further correction signals from another stationary reference transmitter and / or via the cellular network, wireless internet connection and / or DAB signal.

[0030] Once the GPS signal has been corrected using the GPS correction signal, the electric vehicle 103 can be positioned relative to the charging point using the corrected GPS signal so that it can be charged by charging point 105. When performing step 140 of positioning the electric vehicle 103 relative to charging point 105, it is important to use a corrected GPS signal, as misalignment between the respective sections of the electric vehicle 103 and the charging point 105 could result in reduced energy transfer efficiency or prevent the electric vehicle 103 and the charging point 105 from being electrically connected at all.While positional accuracy, for example within 10 cm, may not be so important if an operator manually connects a cable from the charging point to the electric vehicle 103, the positional accuracy of the electric vehicle 103 with respect to the charging point 105 is important for modern charging systems.

[0031] If charging point 105 includes an inductive charging system, it is difficult for the driver of vehicle 103 to maneuver the vehicle 103 precisely and position it over an inductive charging coil, especially since charging coils are typically located on the ground and consequently under vehicle 103 as the vehicle approaches the charging coil. If precise alignment between the charging coil of charging point 105 and the corresponding coil on the electric vehicle 103 is not achieved, significant energy losses can occur during energy transfer between the two inductive coils, for example, due to a large air gap. Such energy losses can lead to increased charging costs for the battery system of electric vehicle 103 and / or a longer charging time due to reduced charging efficiency.

[0032] Additionally or alternatively, the charging point 105 can include a robotic system designed to position a section of the charging point relative to the electric vehicle 103. For example, the charging point 105 can include a robotic arm extending from the charging point 105 to connect a charging cable to a connector on the electric vehicle 103. Any misalignment between the electrical connector on the electric vehicle 103 and the robotic arm of the charging point 105 can therefore result in the cable of the charging point 105 not being connected to the electrical connector of the electric vehicle 103. It is therefore advantageous to provide a system 101 and a method 100 for precisely positioning the electric vehicle 103 relative to the charging point 105, for example within a range of approximately 2 to 10 cm, so that the electric vehicle 103 can be charged from the charging point 105 in the most efficient way.

[0033] Typically, data relating to the position of charging point 105 is uploaded to the GPS navigation system of the electric vehicle 103, allowing the position of the electric vehicle 103 to be compared with that of charging point 105. However, the position of charging point 105 may not have been uploaded to the GPS navigation system of the electric vehicle 103. Even if the position of charging point 105 has been uploaded to the navigation system of the electric vehicle 103, its position may have changed since the position data was uploaded. Furthermore, the method 100 may include a step of sending position data from charging point 105 to the electric vehicle 103, enabling the vehicle 103 to determine the position of charging point 105.For example, charging point 105 can send a set of coordinates that locate charging point 105 on a map relative to electric vehicle 103. This eliminates the need to update the navigation system of electric vehicle 103 every time a new charging point is provided and / or an existing charging point 105 is moved. Sending position data from the charging point can be particularly advantageous if charging point 105 is a mobile charging point.

[0034] As explained above, it can be difficult for a driver to accurately position vehicle 103 relative to charging point 105, especially if the driver's view of charging point 105 is obstructed. Method 100 can involve positioning the electric vehicle 103 using an automated parking system. For example, the corrected GPS signal from the automated parking system can be used to position vehicle 103 relative to charging point 105. In this way, vehicle 103 can be positioned automatically, or at least partially automatically, to achieve precise alignment between the electric vehicle's charging connector and charging point 105.

[0035] It will be on Fig. 2. Referenced; the stationary reference transmitter 109 is designed to receive a GPS signal from satellite 107. The stationary reference transmitter 109 then performs differential calculations over a period of time, for example 20 minutes or longer, to calculate the differential corrections for its own location and time. The stationary reference transmitter 109 is then able to send a GPS correction signal to the electric vehicle 103, one or more other vehicles, and / or a central server. When the stationary reference transmitter 109 sends the corrected GPS signal to a central server, the central server can be designed to transmit the corrected signal to the electric vehicle 103 via the cellular network, a wireless internet connection, and / or a DAB signal.In this way, the electric vehicle 103 does not need to be designed to receive the corrected signal directly from the stationary reference transmitter 109, and instead receives the corrected GPS signal via an intermediate transmission.

[0036] The central server can be located near charging point 105 and / or can be integrated into charging point 105. In this way, the GPS navigation system of the electric vehicle 103 can be used to guide the vehicle close to charging point 105, for example, to a distance of no more than 10 m. The corrected GPS signal can then be used to precisely position the electric vehicle 103 relative to a section of charging point 105, for example, at a distance of 2 to 10 cm from that section. Such a setup can be particularly advantageous in a parking lot with multiple charging points. For example, as the electric vehicle 103 approaches the parking lot, it can receive the corrected GPS signal, and the automated parking system can then be used to position the vehicle 103 relative to a section of charging point 105.

[0037] The electric vehicle charging system 101 can be designed such that the corrected GPS signal is not continuously received by the electric vehicle 103 and is instead only received when the electric vehicle 103 is near the charging point 105. Fig. Figure 3 shows a different arrangement of the electric vehicle charging system 101, in which the charging point 105 includes the stationary reference transmitter 109. In the Fig.In the arrangement shown in Figure 3, both the electric vehicle 103 and the charging point 105 are designed to receive the signal of the global positioning system from satellite 107. The charging point 105 is designed to transmit the GPS correction signal calculated by the stationary reference transmitter 109. The charging point 105 can also be designed to transmit data relating to its own position, for example, its position relative to the vehicle 103 and / or in relation to the road infrastructure. The electric vehicle 103 is designed to receive the GPS correction signal from the charging point 105 and to use the GPS correction signal to correct the GPS signal received from satellite 107. The present disclosure therefore provides an electric vehicle charging system 101 designed to correct a GPS signal and to position the vehicle 103 relative to the charging point 105 using the corrected GPS signal.

Claims

[1] Method for positioning an electric vehicle (103) with respect to a charging point (105), the method comprising: Receiving a signal from the global positioning system (GPS) at the vehicle (103); Receiving a correction signal (DGPS) from the global positioning system on the vehicle (103); Correcting the global positioning system (GPS) signal using the global positioning system correction signal (DGPS); and Positioning the vehicle (103) with respect to the charging point (105) using the corrected signal of the global positioning system, so that the vehicle (103) can be charged from the charging point (105); characterized by , that the procedure includes sending position data from the charging point (105) to the vehicle (103), and furthermore, receiving the position data regarding the position of the charging point (105) on the vehicle (103), so that the vehicle (103) can determine the position of the charging point (105). [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the correction signal (DGPS) is received from a stationary reference transmitter (109) and / or via a cellular network, a wireless internet connection and / or a digital audio broadcast signal. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the method further comprises confirming the accuracy of the correction signal (DGPS) by comparing a first correction signal and a second correction signal. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the position data includes information regarding the position of the charging point (105) within a single parking space. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method further comprises positioning the vehicle (103) using an automatic parking assistance system of the vehicle (103). [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electric vehicle (103) is positioned within the range of approximately 0 to 10 cm relative to the charging point (105). [7] Electric vehicle (103) which includes: a receiver system designed to receive a global positioning system (GPS) signal and a global positioning system correction signal (DGPS); and a control unit designed to correct the global positioning system (GPS) signal using the global positioning system correction signal (DGPS), wherein the corrected global positioning system signal is used to position the vehicle (103) with respect to an electric vehicle charging point (105) so that the vehicle (103) can be charged from the charging point (105); characterized by , that the electric vehicle (103) is designed to receive position data from the charging point (105) so that the vehicle (103) can determine the position of the charging point (105). [8] Electric vehicle (103) according to claim 7, wherein the electric vehicle (103) is designed to receive the correction signal (DGPS) of the global positioning system from the charging point (105). [9] Electric vehicle (103) according to one of claims 7 to 8, wherein the vehicle (103) comprises an automatic parking assistance system designed to position the vehicle (103) with respect to the charging point (105) using the corrected signal of the global positioning system. [10] Electric vehicle charging system which includes: a receiver system provided on an electric vehicle (103), wherein the receiver system is designed to receive a signal from the global to receive a positioning system (GPS) and a correction signal (DGPS) from the global positioning system; a charging point (105) designed to charge the electric vehicle (103); and a control unit designed to correct the global positioning system (GPS) signal using the global positioning system correction signal (DGPS), wherein the corrected global positioning system signal is used to position the electric vehicle (103) with respect to an electric vehicle charging point (105) so that the vehicle (103) can be charged from the charging point (105), characterized by , that The charging point (105) is designed to send data relating to its own position. [11] Electric vehicle charging system according to claim 10, wherein the electric vehicle charging system further comprises a stationary reference transmitter (109) designed to transmit the correction signal (DGPS) of the global positioning system. [12] Electric vehicle charging system according to claim 11, wherein the charging point (105) comprises the stationary reference transmitter (109).

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