Charging station for electric vehicles

Abstract

The invention relates to a charging station for charging an electric vehicle in an assigned parking space (1). The charging station comprises at least one coupling device for transmitting electrical power for charging an electric vehicle in an assigned parking space (1), and a processing device (200) for controlling and / or regulating a charging process. A communication unit (210) for communication with a communication network (15) is associated with the processing device (200). A detection device for detecting a vehicle parked in an assigned parking space (1) is also associated with the processing device (200).The processing unit (200) is configured to check, within a predetermined time period after the initial detection of a vehicle, whether an electric vehicle is connected to the charging device and, if no connection is detected, to send a signal via the communication unit (210) indicating an illegally parked vehicle. The invention further relates to a method for operating a charging station.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a charging station for electric vehicles, in particular for public parking spaces, and to a method for operating a charging station.

[0002] Electromobility is seen as a building block for achieving climate and energy policy goals, which were agreed upon, among other things, within the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Although electric vehicles (EVs) are increasingly appearing on the roads, the number of new registrations sometimes lags behind transport and climate policy goals. Besides the relatively limited range of purely battery-powered electric vehicles (BEVs) without a fossil fuel-powered range extender, the still sparsely developed charging infrastructure represents another reason for the limited acceptance of electromobility, particularly when it comes to purchasing decisions. Expanding the public charging infrastructure is therefore a measure to promote electromobility.Parking spaces in public traffic areas that are equipped with an EV charging station can be reserved exclusively for electric vehicles as part of traffic law accompanying measures.

[0003] Public parking spaces with charging infrastructure for electric vehicles are unfortunately often occupied by illegally parked vehicles, i.e., vehicles with combustion engines that do not need charging. This leads to dissatisfaction among electric vehicle drivers and lost revenue for EV charging station operators.

[0004] German patent DE 10 2016 220 821 A1 discloses a device and a method for monitoring a parking lot. Authentication data of a motor vehicle parked in the parking lot and detected by means of occupancy status recognition is queried from the vehicle via wireless communication and verified using a database. If no valid authentication data is received from the vehicle, a signal is sent via a second communication device, indicating that the vehicle is parked illegally.

[0005] While it is generally possible to identify illegally parked combustion engine vehicles in a parking space reserved for charging electric vehicles using the method described above, this requires that each authorized electric vehicle must have a transponder with valid authentication data.

[0006] WO 2012 / 004191 A1 describes a parking management system with a central payment terminal for a number of assigned parking spaces. Each parking space is equipped with a charging station and a vehicle detector. Parking time for any type of vehicle can be booked and paid for at one of the parking spaces via the central payment terminal. A central control system can reserve individual parking spaces exclusively for electric vehicles, depending on the current parking space occupancy, by means of a light signal at a charging station. A reservation signal is cleared when an authorized electric vehicle is identified in the reserved parking space, either via an existing charging connection or by the user at the central payment terminal.If someone attempts to book a parking time for an unauthorized vehicle in a reserved space, the system may send a signal to an attendant. A vehicle not identified as authorized may be flagged by an uncleared reservation signal, allowing a parking attendant to detect a parking violation.

[0007] Against this background, the invention aims to provide the simplest possible identification of non-electric vehicles in an EV parking space reserved for charging.

[0008] Accordingly, a charging station for electric vehicles according to the main claim and a method according to the dependent claim are proposed. Further embodiments are the subject of the respective dependent claims.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the invention, the problem is solved by a charging station for charging an electric vehicle in an assigned parking space. The charging station comprises a housing with at least one coupling device for transmitting electrical power suitable for charging an electric vehicle in an assigned parking space, and a processing unit for controlling and / or regulating a charging process. A communication unit for communicating with a communication network is associated with the processing unit. Furthermore, a parking space occupancy sensor for detecting a vehicle parked in an assigned parking space is arranged on the housing of the processing unit. The processing unit has a timer with a predefined expiry time and a number of input / output interfaces.The input / output interfaces must be able to receive at least one parking space occupancy signal and one signal for coupling with an electric vehicle. The processing unit is configured to start the timer with the specified start time of a received parking space occupancy signal. Furthermore, the processing unit is configured to send a signal to indicate an illegally parked vehicle via the communication network using the communication unit as soon as the timer expires and provided no signal for coupling with an electric vehicle is present.

[0010] The parking space occupancy sensor comprises a camera and an image processing unit. The image processing unit is configured to detect a vehicle parked in an assigned parking space using object recognition. The image processing unit is further configured to capture the license plate number of a vehicle parked in an assigned parking space using text recognition, so that the signal used to indicate an illegally parked vehicle includes a message with the captured license plate number. Identification of an illegally parked vehicle in a parking space reserved for charging electric vehicles is based on a plausibility check, according to the assumption that a vehicle authorized to charge and parked in the space must be initiating a charging process.A vehicle with an internal combustion engine that is parked without authorization in a reserved parking space at a charging station usually does not have an interface for connecting to the charging station.

[0011] A charging station according to the invention requires only a detection device with which the presence of any vehicle can be recorded. After a vehicle is detected in the parking space, a sufficient period of time is allowed for the electric vehicle to connect to the charging station.

[0012] The signal indicating an illegally parked vehicle can be transmitted to the operator of the charging station or to a regulatory authority so that appropriate measures can be taken.

[0013] Charging stations for electric vehicles installed in public spaces are often designed as charging columns or so-called wallboxes. A corresponding housing contains a processing unit with a communication module, enabling communication with a billing server via a network, for example, for billing purposes. Access to the network can be provided via a radio or mobile network connection, power line communication, or another type of connection.

[0014] The processing unit can also communicate with a connected electric vehicle via a communication channel to control and regulate a charging process. A parking space occupancy sensor is defined as any near-field sensor that can be integrated into a charging station or wallbox and aimed at an assigned parking space to detect the presence of a vehicle in that space.

[0015] Camera-based license plate recognition and transmission of a recorded license plate provide a technically simple way to, for example, impound illegally parked vehicles for a regulatory offense and charge them a fee.

[0016] According to a further embodiment of at least one of the two aspects described above, an image storage device can be assigned to the processing device, so that when a vehicle is detected, an image taken by means of the camera can be stored in the image storage device.

[0017] Storing at least one image captured by the camera allows for the preservation of evidence to prove the fact of illegal parking.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the aforementioned aspects, one of the at least one coupling device can be designed as a charging cable. A coupling for charging an electric vehicle is thus established as soon as an electric vehicle is electrically connected to the charging station via the charging cable.

[0019] Alternatively or additionally, one of the at least one coupling device can be a ground coil with a control unit for inductive charging, so that a coupling for charging an electric vehicle can be established as soon as communication for inductive charging is established between the control unit and an electric vehicle.

[0020] According to a further embodiment of the above aspect, the control unit, in conjunction with the ground coil, can be designed to provide an inductive detection device for detecting a vehicle.

[0021] This design has the advantage that, instead of a parking space occupancy sensor requiring an additional module, only the functionality of a coupling device needs to be extended. For a charging station where only inductive charging is intended, a housing such as a charging column or wallbox would also be unnecessary.

[0022] The ground coil can be positioned on or below the surface of an assigned parking space.

[0023] According to a second aspect of the invention, the problem is solved by a method for operating a charging station (2) for charging an electric vehicle in an associated parking space (1) according to the first aspect of the invention. The parking space (1) is continuously monitored by means of a parking space occupancy sensor (25) with a camera (251) and an image processing unit (252) for detecting a vehicle. The following steps are performed with a processing unit (200) of the charging station (2): a) Starting (110) a timer with a predetermined expiry time as soon as a parking space occupancy signal is received from the parking space occupancy sensor (25), b) Check (120) whether a signal is received within the timer's expiry time indicating an existing coupling with an electric vehicle, c) Sending (140) a signal indicating an illegally parked vehicle via a communication unit (210) over a communication network, provided that in step b) no signal indicating a coupling between an electric vehicle and the charging station (2) was received during the execution time, wherein the signal indicating an illegally parked vehicle is supplemented with a message containing the license plate number of a vehicle located in an assigned parking space (1), which is captured by means of text recognition image processing device (252).

[0024] According to further training, the timer can be reset as soon as the detection device no longer receives a parking space occupancy signal, e.g. when a vehicle leaves or has left the parking space.

[0025] Further features and details are described below, in which – possibly with reference to the drawing – at least one embodiment is described in detail. Identical, similar, and / or functionally equivalent parts are marked with the same reference numerals. These include: Fig. 1. A parking space with a charging station for charging an electric vehicle; Fig. 2 a block diagram of the charging station; Fig. 3. A flowchart of a procedure for operating a charging station.

[0026] Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a parking space 1 with a charging station 2 for charging an electric vehicle (not shown). The parking space 1 is marked, for example on an asphalt road surface, by a left boundary line 11 and a right boundary line 12 and is bordered on one side by a curb 13. Parking space 1 is designated as such by a traffic sign 14, with an additional sign restricting parking to electric vehicles during charging.

[0027] Charging station 2 is located in front of parking space 1 on a foundation (not explicitly shown). An electrical supply line (also not shown) runs through the foundation into the interior of the charging station. Charging station 2 includes an operating terminal 21 for the driver of an electric vehicle charging at charging station 2. A charging cable 22 with a charging plug is attached to charging station 2 and can be plugged into an electric vehicle. Electric current can flow from charging station 1 to charge the battery of an electric vehicle via the charging cable 22. The charging cable 22 has communication lines for communication between a processing unit 200 in charging station 2 and a charging or battery management system of an electric vehicle.

[0028] Charging station 2 is equipped with a ground coil 24 located under the asphalt surface of parking space 1 for the inductive charging of a suitably equipped electric vehicle. A connecting cable 23 for the ground coil 24 is laid under parking space 1 and under the curb 13, which leads through the foundation into charging station 2.

[0029] According to the invention, a parking space occupancy sensor 25 is arranged on the side of the charging station 2 facing parking space 1, which is oriented towards parking space 1 to detect vehicles.

[0030] With the Fig. 2 A charging station according to the invention for charging an electric vehicle is shown in a block diagram derived from the Fig. The charging station 2 is described using a known charging station 2 as an example. The charging station 2 comprises a housing, indicated by a semicolon line. The charging station 2 includes a processing unit 200, which serves to control and / or regulate a charging process. The processing unit 200 comprises a microprocessor system with memory and control software, as well as a number of input / output ports for controlling other electrical and / or electronic components of the charging station. In addition to monitoring each charging process, the processing unit 200 can also bill the energy delivered. A control terminal 21 and a communication unit 210 are assigned to the processing unit 200, which, among other things, enable electronic processing of payment and billing transactions. Data can be exchanged with a server, for example, via a communication network 15.Electrical power or energy for charging an electric vehicle and for supplying the electrical or electronic components of the charging station 2 is provided from an electrical power supply network 16. A first and a second control unit 220 and 230, respectively, can control or regulate a cable-based or inductive charging process for an electric vehicle, with the control units 220 and 230 each being configured to establish or provide a communication channel with the vehicle electronics of an electric vehicle connected for charging.

[0031] The parking space occupancy sensor 25 is connected to a signal input of the processing unit 200. The control units 220 and 230 for cable-based and inductive charging, respectively, are each connected to an I / O port of the processing unit 200 and are configured at least to signal an existing connection to an electric vehicle.

[0032] The processing unit 200 is equipped with internal control software, a feature integrated into the Fig. 3. To execute the procedure shown in section 100.

[0033] The parking space occupancy sensor 25 continuously monitors the area of ​​parking space 1 reserved for charging an electric vehicle. As soon as the parking space occupancy sensor 25 detects any vehicle in parking space 1, a parking space occupancy signal is sent to the processing unit 200.

[0034] As a first step, 110 according to the Fig. 3 The processing unit 200 receives the parking space occupancy signal from the parking space occupancy sensor 25, so that a timer with an expiry time of, for example, three minutes is started.

[0035] In a second step 120, the processing unit 200 checks whether the control unit 220 or the control unit 230 is signaling an existing connection to an electric vehicle. If a signal for connection to an electric vehicle is detected, the procedure 100 is terminated. The timer is reset.

[0036] If no signal for coupling to or in the processing unit 200 is present, a third step 130 checks whether the timer has expired. If the timer has not yet expired, step 120 is executed again. As soon as the timer has expired and no signal for coupling with an electric vehicle is present, a fourth step 140 sends a signal from the processing unit 200 via the communication unit 210, indicating an illegally parked vehicle.

[0037] The parking space occupancy sensor 25 can be a presence sensor based on an ultrasonic, infrared, and / or radar measurement principle. Alternatively, the ground coil 24 can be operated, at least temporarily, as an induction loop with a suitable circuit device, so that it can be used as a detection device to detect a vehicle parked in one of the parking spaces 1 assigned to the charging station 2 and to provide a parking space occupancy signal. A charging station that is also equipped for inductive charging does not necessarily require a parking space occupancy sensor 25.

[0038] In the Fig.Figure 2 shows a preferred embodiment with a parking space occupancy sensor 25, which includes a camera 251 and an image processing unit 252. The camera 251 continuously scans the parking space 1 in conjunction with the image processing unit 252. As soon as a vehicle is detected in the parking space 1 by object recognition in the image processing unit 252, the parking space occupancy signal is sent from the image processing unit 252 in the parking space occupancy sensor 25 to the processing unit 200.

[0039] Image processing unit 252 can be equipped with text recognition for reading the license plate of a vehicle detected in parking space 1, so that the parking space occupancy signal can be extended to include a text message with the read license plate number. In step 140, the read license plate number can be sent together with the signal indicating an illegally parked vehicle.

[0040] In step 140, the processing unit 200 can control the camera 251 and cause it to save a photographic evidence of a previously identified illegally parked vehicle on an image storage device 253. The processing unit 200 can be configured to communicate with the image storage device 253, so that images or photographic evidence can be retrieved from the image storage device 253 via the communication network 15.

[0041] Although the subject matter has been illustrated and explained in detail by means of exemplary embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variations can be derived from them by a person skilled in the art. It is therefore clear that a multitude of possible variations exist. It is also clear that the exemplary embodiments mentioned are merely examples and are not to be interpreted in any way as limiting, for example, the scope of protection, the possible applications, or the configuration of the invention.Rather, the preceding description and the description of the figures enable the person skilled in the art to implement the exemplary embodiments in concrete terms, whereby the person skilled in the art, with knowledge of the disclosed inventive concept, can make various changes, for example with regard to the function or the arrangement of individual elements mentioned in an exemplary embodiment, without leaving the scope of protection defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanations in the description. Reference sign 1 parking space 2 charging stations 11 left boundary line 12 right boundary line 13 Curb 14 traffic signs 21 Operator terminal 22 charging cables 23 Connection cable 24 floor coil 25 parking space occupancy sensors 100 procedures 110 First step: Start timer 120 Second step: Check coupling with an EV 130 Third step: Check timer expiry 140 Fourth step: Sending a signal 200 processing facilities 210 Communication unit 15 Communication network 16 Energy supply network 252 Image processing unit 251 Camera 253 Image storage device 230 Control unit for inductive charging 220 Control unit Charging cable

Claims

[1] Charging station for charging an electric vehicle in an assigned parking space (1), comprising a housing with at least one coupling device for transmitting electrical power for charging an electric vehicle in an assigned parking space (1), a processing unit (200) for controlling and / or regulating a charging process, wherein the processing unit (200) is associated with a communication unit (210) for communication with a communication network (15), wherein the processing unit (200) is further associated with a parking space occupancy sensor (25) arranged on the housing for detecting a vehicle standing in an assigned parking space (1), wherein the processing unit (200) has a timer with a predetermined expiry time and a number of input / output interfaces,wherein at least one parking space occupancy signal from the parking space occupancy sensor (25) and a signal for coupling with an electric vehicle are to be received via the input / output interfaces, wherein the processing unit (200) is configured to start the timer with the specified expiry time depending on a received parking space occupancy signal and to send a signal to signal an illegally parked vehicle via the communication unit (210) via the communication network as soon as the timer has expired and if no signal for coupling with an electric vehicle is present, characterized by, that the parking space occupancy sensor (25) comprises a camera (251) and an image processing device (252), wherein the image processing device (252) is configured to recognize a vehicle standing in an assigned parking space (1) by means of object recognition and to capture a license plate of a vehicle standing in an assigned parking space (1) by means of text recognition, so that the signal, for signaling an illegally parked vehicle, contains a message with the captured license plate. [2] Charging station according to the preceding claim, wherein the processing unit (200) is associated with an image storage unit (253) so that when a vehicle is detected, an image taken by means of the camera (251) can be stored in the image storage unit (253). [3] Charging station according to one of the preceding claims wherein one of the at least one coupling device is a charging cable (22) such that a coupling for charging an electric vehicle can be detected as soon as an electric vehicle is electrically connected to the charging station via the charging cable (22). [4] Charging station according to one of the preceding claims, wherein one of the at least one coupling device comprises a ground coil with a control unit for inductive charging, such that a coupling for charging an electric vehicle can be established as soon as communication for inductive charging is established between the control unit and an electric vehicle. [5] Charging station according to the preceding claim 4, wherein the control unit is designed in conjunction with the ground coil to provide an inductive detection device for detecting a vehicle. [6] Charging station according to one of the preceding claims 4 or 5, wherein the ground coil can be arranged on or under a surface of an associated parking space. [7] Method for operating a charging station for charging an electric vehicle in an assigned parking space, according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, wherein the parking space (1) is continuously monitored by means of a parking space occupancy sensor (25) with a camera (251) and an image processing device (252) for detecting a vehicle, and wherein the following steps are performed with a processing device (200) of the charging station: a) Starting (110) a timer with a predetermined expiry time as soon as a parking space occupancy signal is received from the detection device, b) Check (120) whether a signal is received within the timer's expiry time indicating an existing coupling with an electric vehicle, c) Sending (140) a signal indicating an illegally parked vehicle via a communication unit (210) over a communication network, provided that in step b) no signal indicating a coupling between an electric vehicle and the charging station (2) was received during the execution time, wherein the signal indicating an illegally parked vehicle is supplemented with a message containing the license plate number of a vehicle located in an assigned parking space (1), which is captured by text recognition. [8] Method for operating a charging station according to the preceding claim 7, wherein the timer is reset as soon as no parking occupancy signal is received from the parking space occupancy sensor (25).

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