System and method for managing charging parameters between a vehicle and a charging station

Abstract

Vehicle charging system (100) comprising: a powerline communication module (204) of a vehicle (102) configured to transmit a power request signal over a communication network (106); a powerline communication evaluation module (206) configured to determine one or more communication parameters of the communication network (106); and an operator module (208) included in the vehicle (102) and configured to reduce a charging rate provided by a charging station (104) based on one or more communication parameters.

Description

INTRODUCTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle charging system that monitors communication signals between a charging station and a vehicle connected to the charging station, and more particularly to a system for managing charging parameters between the charging station and the vehicle based on powerline communication characteristics or parameters of the communication signals.

[0002] To ensure communication, and in particular the transmission of additional charging parameters, between a charging station and a vehicle, it is known, for example, from EP 2 443 721 A1, to interpose a type of communication adapter between the vehicle and the charging station. DE 11 2013 001 926 T5 also describes a charging and communication method between a charging station and a vehicle. In this method, the load characteristics of the signal line of the charging cable, which contains a power line in addition to the signal line, are changed so that additional information can be exchanged via the signal line.

[0003] With regard to the further state of the art, reference is made to the documents DE 10 2014 113 240 A1 and DE 11 2014 001 783 T5.

[0004] Electric vehicles can be charged relatively slowly using conventional power outlets or relatively quickly using dedicated charging stations. To receive energy from dedicated charging stations, the electric vehicle is physically connected to the charging station and a communication protocol is initiated. After the communication protocol is established, the electric vehicle is supplied with energy for charging. SUMMARY

[0005] According to the invention, a vehicle charging system is disclosed having the features of claim 1. The vehicle charging system includes a powerline communication module of a vehicle configured to transmit a power request signal over a communication network, and a powerline communication evaluation module configured to determine one or more communication characteristics of the communication network. The vehicle charging system also includes an operator module configured to reduce a charging speed provided by a charging station based on one or more communication characteristics.

[0006] In further functions, the operating module is further configured to cause a communication property of a set power request signal to be set based on the one or more communication properties. In further functions, the operating module is further configured to cause the communication property of the set power request signal to be set based on the one or more communication properties if the powerline communication evaluation module has determined that no confirmation signal has been received from a charging station.

[0007] In further functions, the control module is further configured to cause the adjustment of the communication characteristic of the set power request signal if the one or more communication characteristics exceed a predefined threshold for the communication connection. In further functions, the one or more communication characteristics are an amplitude characteristic, a frequency characteristic, or a phase shift characteristic. In further functions, the control module is further configured to reduce the charging speed provided by the charging station if the one or more communication characteristics exceed a predefined threshold for the communication connection.

[0008] In further features, the vehicle charging system includes a power determination module configured to determine the state of charge of a vehicle battery and compare the state of charge to a predefined power threshold. The powerline communication module transmits the power request signal to the charging station when the state of charge is below the predefined power threshold. In further features, the one or more communication characteristics include a signal-to-noise ratio, a power spectral density, or an error reporting rate.

[0009] In further functions, the powerline communication module is configured to encode the power request signal according to a powerline communication protocol. In further functions, the control module is further configured to reduce a DC charging rate provided by the charging station based on one or more communication properties.

[0010] In one example, a method is disclosed. The method includes transmitting a power request signal over a communications network, determining one or more communication characteristics of the communications network, and reducing a charging rate provided by a charging station to a vehicle based on the one or more communication characteristics.

[0011] In further functions, the method includes causing the communication property of an adjusted power request signal to be adjusted based on the one or more communication properties. In further functions, the method includes causing the communication property of an adjusted power request signal to be adjusted based on the one or more communication properties when it is determined that no acknowledgment signal has been received from a charging station.

[0012] In further functions, the method includes causing an adjustment of the communication characteristic of the adjusted power request signal if the one or more communication characteristics exceed a predefined threshold for the communication link. In further functions, the communication characteristics are an amplitude characteristic, a frequency characteristic, or a phase shift characteristic.

[0013] In further features, the method includes reducing the charging speed by the charging station if the one or more communication characteristics exceed a predefined threshold for the communication link. In further features, the method includes determining the state of charge of a vehicle battery, comparing the state of charge to a predetermined power threshold, and sending the power request signal to the charging station if the state of charge is below the predetermined power threshold.

[0014] In further features, the communication characteristics include a signal-to-noise ratio, a power spectral density, or an error reporting rate. In further features, the method includes encoding the power request signal according to a powerline communication protocol. In further features, the method includes reducing a DC charging rate provided by the charging station based on the one or more communication characteristics. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The present disclosure will become more fully understood with reference to the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary vehicle charging system according to the principles of the present disclosure; Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary engine control module according to the principles of the present disclosure; Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for adjusting the amperage of a current supplied by a charging station based on the characteristics of power line communication in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for modulating a communication characteristic of a power request signal based on power line communication characteristics according to the principles of the present disclosure;

[0016] In the drawings, the same reference numerals may be used for similar and / or identical elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Communication between a vehicle, such as an electric vehicle, and a charging station is established via a power cable that connects the electric vehicle to the charging station in a charging facility. Charging stations and charging station components, such as power cables and / or plugs, have recommended settings to establish a powerline communication network between the electric vehicle and the charging station. However, using the power cable to exchange communication between the electric vehicle and the charging station can lead to communication losses due to noise within the system if the owner and / or seller use non-recommended components (i.e., longer power cables, etc.). Following a loss of connection, charging may be aborted. For example, if the connection is lost, the charging station may no longer supply power to the electric vehicle.

[0018] Typically, the electric vehicle establishes a connection to the charging station once it is physically connected to the charging station via a communication protocol. The electric vehicle sends a current demand request, for example, via a vehicle control module, to establish the connection to the charging station. After receiving the current demand request, the charging station sends an acknowledgment. This process continues until the electric vehicle is charged or the connection between the electric vehicle and the charging station is lost.

[0019] Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary vehicle charging system 100 according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure. As shown, the vehicle charging system 100 includes a vehicle 102 and a charging station 104, also referred to as an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). In various implementations, the vehicle 102 includes an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle connected to the charging station 104 (i.e., interfaces, connectors, etc.) so that the charging station 104 can supply electrical power to the vehicle 102 for charging. In various implementations, the charging station 104 supplies direct current (DC) to the vehicle 102 for charging the vehicle 102. In one or more implementations, a communications network 106 is established once the vehicle 102 is connected to the charging station 104 via a power cable 108.In some examples, the communication network 106 includes a wired communication network or a wireless communication network. The communication network 106, when implemented, includes a power line communication (PLC) network, such as the HomePlug® Green PHY specification. In some cases, the PLC network uses the IEEE 1901 power line communication standard.

[0020] As shown, the charging station 104 includes the power cable 108 with a plug 110 for connecting to the vehicle 102. The charging station 104 includes a communications module 112 and a control module 114. As described herein, when the charging station 104 is connected to the vehicle 102, the control module 114 receives requests from a vehicle 102. For example, the communications module 112 receives power request signals encoded according to a power line communications network protocol via the power cable 108. The communications module 112 provides the power request signal to the control module 114, and the control module 114, in turn, causes the charging station 104 to supply power to the vehicle 102 via the power cable 108.

[0021] The vehicle 102 includes an engine control module (ECM) 116 that makes control decisions for one or more systems within the vehicle 102. The ECM 116 communicates with an electric motor 118 and / or a battery 120 of the vehicle 102. The electric motor 118 may also function as a generator and be used to generate electrical energy for vehicle electrical systems and for storage in a battery.

[0022] As illustrated, the electric motor 118 is powered by the battery 120, which stores potential electrical energy. The battery 120 is an electrical energy storage device that includes a plurality of electrical cells, ultracapacitors, and other devices configured to store electrical energy within the vehicle. In one example, the battery 120 includes a plurality of lithium-ion cells. Parameters associated with the battery 120 include a state of charge (SOC), a temperature, an available voltage, and an available battery power, each of which is monitored by the ECM 116.

[0023] Fig. Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary ECM 116 according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure. The ECM 116 includes a power determination module 202, a power line communication module 204, a communication link evaluation module 206, and an operating module 208. In embodiments, the operating module 208 includes a charge balancing module 210 and a communication balancing module 212.

[0024] When the plug 110 of the charging station 104 is connected to an adapter 122 of the vehicle 102, the power determination module 202 determines whether the battery 120 is sufficiently charged. In one example, the power determination module 202 sends a current request signal to the battery 120 to obtain the current state of charge of the battery 120 when the power determination module 202 detects that the plug 110 is connected to the adapter 122. The battery 120 then provides the current state of charge to the power determination module 202.

[0025] The power determination module 202 compares a current power level with a predetermined power threshold to determine whether the power stored in the battery 120 is below the predetermined power threshold. If the current power level is below the predetermined power threshold, the power determination module 202 sends a power request signal to the powerline communication module 204. If the current power level is equal to or higher than the predetermined power threshold, the power determination module 202 sends a sufficient power level signal to the powerline communication module 204 indicating a request to avoid overcharges. The power determination module 202 may compare a current power level of one or more systems in the vehicle 102.For example, the power determination module 202 may compare a current power of an infotainment system with a predetermined power threshold for the infotainment system. In another example, the power determination module 202 may compare a current power of a power system with a predetermined power threshold for the power system, and so on.

[0026] When the powerline communication module 204 receives a message that the current power is below the specified threshold, the powerline communication module 204 sends a power request signal to the charging station 104 of the system to be charged. The powerline communication module 204 encrypts a power request signal, for example, according to a powerline communication protocol, which is then transmitted to the charging station 104 via the communication network 106 to establish a communication connection. In one example, the power request signal is transmitted to the charging station 104 via the power cable 108.

[0027] After receiving the power request signal, the control module 114 causes the communication module 112 to send an acknowledgment to the powerline communication module 204 over the communication network 106 to establish the communication connection. In one example, the acknowledgment is transmitted to the powerline communication module 204 over the power cable 108. In one or more implementations of the present disclosure, the ECM 116 establishes communication with the charging station 104 before removing charge from the charging station 104.

[0028] The powerline communication evaluation module 206 determines one or more communication characteristics. In one or more examples, the communication characteristics include the communication network characteristics associated with the communication network 106, such as a powerline communication network or the like. For example, the powerline communication evaluation module 206 monitors the powerline communication characteristics of the communication signals transmitted between the ECM 116 and the charging station 104. For example, the powerline communication evaluation module 206 calculates and / or measures a power spectral density, a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), an error report rate, a maximum frequency, a minimum frequency, and / or the time elapsed since receiving the communication from the charging station 104.The communication signals may be any communication signals transmitted between the ECM 116 and the charging station, such as power request signals and / or acknowledgment signals. In examples, the powerline communication module 204 provides the powerline communication evaluation module 206 with characteristic signals indicating whether an acknowledgment was received, the time elapsed (i.e., the time period) between sending the request and receiving the acknowledgment, data packet loss, and the like.

[0029] In some embodiments, the powerline communication evaluation module 206 measures a transfer function or response of the communication network 106. For example, the powerline communication evaluation module 206 measures the transfer function and / or response of the power cable 108. The powerline communication evaluation module 206 measures the transfer function and / or response of the circuit at predetermined frequency intervals so that the control module 208 enables adequate adaptation to one or more charging parameters.

[0030] The powerline communication evaluation module 206 can also initially determine one or more powerline communication properties when establishing a communication network 106 between the vehicle 102 and the charging station 104. For example, if the plug 110 of the charging station 104 is connected to an adapter 122 of the vehicle 102, the powerline communication evaluation module 206 determines one or more powerline communication properties of the powerline communication network.

[0031] In some cases, the control module 114 causes the communications module 112 to transmit charger parameters to the ECM 116. The power charger parameters include, but are not necessarily limited to: a length of the power cord 108, a resistance per unit (i.e., feet, inches, meters, etc.) of the power cord 108, a capacitance per unit of the power cord 108, and / or an inductance per unit of the power cord 108. The powerline communications evaluation module 206 may utilize the previously described powerline communications characteristics to evaluate the charger parameters. In conjunction with the charging station 104, the powerline communications module 206 monitors (i.e., measures and / or calculates) the various powerline communications characteristics and provides the powerline communications characteristics to the charging balancing module 210 and / or the communications balancing module 212.

[0032] The charging balancing module 210 determines whether one or more charging parameters (i.e., the charging rate) should be adjusted based on the monitored powerline communication characteristics. The charging balancing module 210 receives as input powerline communication characteristic signals indicative of the powerline communication characteristics measured and / or calculated by the communication evaluation module 206. The charging balancing module 210 compares the powerline communication characteristics to a predetermined communication link threshold indicating a potential communication loss. Thus, the charging balancing module 210 compares the signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the communication signals to a predetermined signal-to-noise error threshold.

[0033] The charging trim module 210 adjusts a charging parameter when the powerline communication characteristics exceed the predetermined communication link threshold. In one example, the charging trim module 210 sends a charging trim signal to the powerline communication module 204 when the predetermined communication link threshold is exceeded. In another example, the charging trim module 210 and / or the communication trim module 212 generates a trim signal to adjust the charging rate and / or the communication characteristics of a power request signal. For example, the charging trim module 210 may adjust the charging rate and / or the communication characteristics of a power request signal based on the length of the power cord 108, a resistance per unit (i.e., feet, inches, meters, etc.).) of the power cable 108, a capacitance per unit of the power cable 108, initially measured powerline communication characteristics, and / or an inductance per unit of the power cable 108.

[0034] The powerline communication module 204 encodes the charge balance signal according to a powerline communication protocol and transmits the encoded charge balance signal to the charging station 104. In response to receiving the encoded charge balance signal, the charging station 104, via the control module 114, adjusts a charging parameter. In one or more implementations, the charging parameter represents the amount of energy or amperage per unit time provided to the vehicle 102 by the charging station 104. For example, the control module 114 causes the charging station 104 to reduce an amount of energy supplied to the vehicle 102 per time step (i.e., change in an energy rate). In implementations, the change in energy rate is proportional to a magnitude of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), an error reporting rate, a maximum frequency, a minimum frequency, and the like.

[0035] In one implementation, the charging station 104 adjusts the charging rate (i.e., amount of current per unit of time, amperage per unit of time) provided by the charging station 104 to the vehicle 102 based on the charge trim signal provided by the ECM 114. In one example, the charging station 104 dynamically adjusts the charging rate to fixed value increments (i.e., amperes) (i.e., reduces the amperage per time increment (i.e., unit of time) by one milliampere (1 mA), one microampere (1 µA), etc.). In another example, the charging station 104 adjusts the charging rate in variable value increments. For example, the charging station 104 receives charge trim signals from the powerline communication module 204 and variably adjusts the amperage depending on the powerline communication characteristics.In this example, the charging balance signals are encoded with the powerline communication characteristic, and the charging station 104 varies the current according to the powerline communication characteristic.

[0036] The powerline communication module 204 detects the change in the current (i.e., the charging rate) of the vehicle 102 and outputs an adjusted signal to the communication evaluation module 206. In turn, the powerline communication evaluation module 206 calculates or measures the powerline communication characteristics based on the change in current. The newly calculated or newly measured powerline communication characteristics are provided to the charging balancing module 210. In turn, the charging balancing module 210 compares the current provided to the vehicle 102 per unit of time that is less than a predetermined power threshold. The predetermined power threshold indicates, for example, how much power is provided per unit of time (i.e., by the charging station 104) to charge the vehicle 102 within a defined period of time.If the delivered amperage per unit time is less than the predefined power threshold, the charging balancing module 210 determines whether to initiate an increase in amperage per unit time to meet the charging requirements of the vehicle 102. The charging balancing module 210 generates a request to increase the amperage per unit time, and the powerline communication module 204 encodes and sends the request to the charging station 104. In return, the charging station 104 increases the amperage per unit time for the vehicle 102 by a defined increment.

[0037] In other implementations, the communication adjustment module 212 causes the powerline communication module 204 to adjust one or more characteristics of the power request signal. For example, if the powerline communication characteristics exceed a predetermined communication link threshold, the communication adjustment module 212 generates an adjustment signal that causes the powerline communication module 204 to modulate a communication characteristic of the power request signal. For example, the communication adjustment module 212 causes the powerline communication module 204 to modulate at least one amplitude, frequency, or phase shift characteristic of the power request signal. The powerline communication evaluation module 206 provides the newly calculated or remeasured powerline communication characteristics to the communication adjustment module 212.Based on the newly calculated and / or newly measured powerline communication characteristics, the communication tuning module 212 may further modulate the frequency of the powerline communication module 204, as explained in more detail below.

[0038] Fig. 3 illustrates an exemplary method 300 for adjusting a current supplied to a vehicle 102 from an electrical charger 104. The method is described in the context of the modules included in the exemplary implementation of the ECM 116 shown in Fig. 2. However, the specific modules that carry out the steps of the method may be other than those listed below and / or the method may be independent of the modules from Fig. 2. The method 300 begins at 302.

[0039] The method begins at 302. At 304, the power determination module 202 determines whether a connector 110 is connected to the vehicle 102. At 306, the power determination module 202 determines whether the current power is below the predetermined power threshold. For example, the power determination module 202 compares a current power of a battery, an infotainment system, a power system, or the like, with a respective predetermined power threshold. If the current power is not below the predetermined power threshold, the method 300 transitions to 304. If the current power is below the predetermined power threshold, the power determination module 202 sends a power request signal to the powerline communication module 204 at 308. The powerline communication module 204 encodes a power request signal according to a powerline communication protocol. At 310, the power determination module 202 determines (i.e.,calculates, measures) the powerline communication module 206 the powerline communication characteristics associated with the communication signals between the ECM 116 and the charging station 104 based on the current provided per unit of time.

[0040] At 312, the charging balance module 210 determines whether the power line communication characteristics exceed the predetermined communication link threshold. If the communication parameters do not exceed the predetermined communication link threshold, the current per unit time is maintained at 314. At 316, the power determination module 202 determines whether charging is complete. If charging of the vehicle 102 is complete, method 300 ends at 318. If charging is not yet complete, method 300 transitions to 310.

[0041] At 320, the charging adjustment module 210 transmits a charging adjustment signal to adjust a charge generated by the charging station 104 when the powerline communication characteristics exceed the predetermined communication link threshold. At 322, after receiving the charging adjustment signal from the charging adjustment module 210, the powerline communication module 204 transmits an encoded charging adjustment signal to the charging station 104.

[0042] The charge balancing module 210 determines at 324 whether the current per unit time is less than a predetermined power threshold. At 326, the charge balancing module 210 determines that an increase in the current per unit time should be initiated if the current per unit time is less than the predetermined threshold. The method 300 then proceeds to 310. If the charge balancing module 210 determines that the current per unit time is not less than a predetermined power threshold, the method proceeds to 314.

[0043] Fig. 4 illustrates an exemplary method 400 for setting a communication property of a power request signal transmitted from the powerline communication module 204 to the charging station 104. The method is described in the context of the modules included in the exemplary implementation of the ECM 116 shown in Fig. 2. However, the specific modules that carry out the steps of the method may be other than those listed below and / or the method may be independent of the modules from Fig. 2. The method 400 begins at 402.

[0044] At 404, the power determination module 202 determines whether a power plug 110 is connected to the vehicle 102. At 406, the power determination module 202 determines whether the power stored in the vehicle 102 is below the predetermined power threshold. If the current power is not below the predetermined power threshold, the method 400 transitions to 404.

[0045] If the current power is below the predetermined power threshold, the power determination module 202 sends a power request signal to the powerline communication module 204 at 408. At 410, the powerline communication module 206 determines the powerline communication characteristics associated with the communication signals between the ECM 116 and the charging station 104 based on the current supplied per unit time.

[0046] At 412, the communication matching module 212 determines whether the powerline communication characteristics exceed the predetermined communication link threshold. If the communication parameters do not exceed the predetermined communication link threshold, the communication characteristics of the power request signals are not modulated at 414. At 416, the power determination module 202 determines whether the charging process is complete. If charging of the vehicle 102 is complete, the method 400 ends at 418. If the charging process is not yet complete, the method 400 transitions to 420. At 420, the communication matching module 212 transmits a communication matching signal (i.e., a communication modulation signal) to modulate a characteristic of the power request signal if the powerline communication characteristics exceed the predetermined communication link threshold.

[0047] At 422, the communication matching module 212 determines whether a modulated communication characteristic of the power request signal is within a predefined range of communication characteristics. The predefined range of communication characteristics is calculated by the communication matching module 212 based on the charger parameters and / or the current provided per unit of time. For example, the charging matching module 210 determines whether a modulated amplitude characteristic of the power request signal is within a defined range of amplitude values. In another example, the communication matching module 212 determines whether a modulated frequency characteristic of the power request signal is within a defined range of frequency values.In yet another example, the communication adjustment module 212 determines whether a modulated phase shift characteristic of the power request signal is within a defined range of phase shift values.

[0048] At 424, the powerline communication module 204 modulates the communication characteristic of the power request signal to a communication characteristic within the predefined range of communication characteristics if the modulated communication characteristic is not within the defined range of the corresponding characteristics based on the one or more characteristics described above. Method 400 proceeds to 410. If the modulated communication characteristic is within the defined range of the corresponding communication characteristics, method 400 proceeds to 414.

Claims

[1] Vehicle charging system (100) comprising: a powerline communication module (204) of a vehicle (102) configured to transmit a power request signal over a communication network (106); a powerline communication evaluation module (206) configured to determine one or more communication parameters of the communication network (106); and an operator module (208) included in the vehicle (102) and configured to reduce a charging rate provided by a charging station (104) based on one or more communication parameters. [2] The vehicle charging system of claim 1, wherein the operator module (208) is further configured to cause the adjustment of at least one communication parameter of an adjusted power request signal based on the one or more communication parameters. [3] The vehicle charging system of claim 2, wherein the operator module (208) is further configured to cause an adjustment of the at least one communication parameter of the adjusted power request signal when the one or more communication parameters exceed a predetermined communication link threshold. [4] The vehicle charging system of claim 1, wherein the operator module (208) is further configured to reduce the charging rate provided by the charging station (104) when the one or more communication parameters exceed a predetermined communication link threshold. [5] The vehicle charging system of claim 1, further comprising a power determination module (202) configured to determine a state of charge of a battery (120) of the vehicle (102) and compare the state of charge to a predetermined power threshold, wherein the power line communication module sends the power request signal to the charging station (104) when the state of charge is below the predetermined power threshold. [6] The vehicle charging system of claim 1, wherein the one or more communication parameters comprise at least one of a signal-to-noise ratio, a power spectral density, and an error reporting rate. [7] The vehicle charging system of claim 1, wherein the powerline communication module (204) is configured to encode the power request signal according to a powerline communication protocol. [8] The vehicle charging system of claim 1, wherein the operator module (208) is further configured to reduce a DC charging rate provided by the charging station (104) based on the one or more communication parameters.

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