Method for analyzing a charging process of an electrical energy storage device using a charging device

Abstract

Method for analyzing a charging process of an electrical energy storage device (2) by means of a charging device (3) by means of which electrical energy can be provided to the energy storage device (2) via a charging connection (4), in which - a communication link (5) is provided between the energy storage device (2) and the charging device (3), via which information can be exchanged between the energy storage device (2) and the charging device (3) (V1), - an information transmission via the communication link (5) is evaluated by means of an electronic computing device (6) (V2), - by means of the electronic computing device (6) an evaluation of the charging process is created depending on the evaluation of the information transmission (V3), and - the evaluation of the charging process is output by means of an output device (9) (V4).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for analyzing a charging process of an electrical energy storage device by means of a charging device.

[0002] A power quality monitoring system for an electric vehicle charging station is disclosed in CN 107 117 058 A. This system is designed to monitor, analyze, evaluate, and predict the power quality of the entire charging station. Furthermore, it is designed to diagnose, analyze, compare, assess, and evaluate power quality problems caused by individual charging circuits and the charging station as a whole. To ensure data consistency and comparability across all measurement points, the system uses a uniform timing function. Power quality trends can be predicted based on current and historical power quality data.

[0003] German patent application DE 10 2012 214 006 A1 discloses a method for transmitting and receiving data during the charging of an electric vehicle. In this method, a first module calculates an estimated charging time based on an instantaneous state-of-charge value obtained through Controller Area Network (CAN) communication when the vehicle is connected for charging. Furthermore, a second module determines the amount of data that can be transmitted or received within the estimated charging time.

[0004] Furthermore, DE 10 2013 211 265 A1 discloses a method for controlling a charging process between a charging station and an electric vehicle. In this method, data about the state of charge of the electric vehicle's energy storage system is received from the charging station, parameters for controlling the charging process are calculated based on the received data about the state of charge of the electric vehicle's energy storage system, and the calculated parameters for controlling the charging process are transmitted to the charging station.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a solution which enables, on the one hand, a particularly reliable prediction of the course of a charging process of an electrical energy storage device and, on the other hand, a particularly safe analysis of a cause for a charging interruption.

[0006] This problem is solved according to the invention by a method for analyzing a charging process of an electrical energy storage device using a charging device with the features of the independent claim. Further embodiments with advantageous and non-trivial developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims, the following description, and the figures.

[0007] The invention relates to a method for analyzing the charging process of an electrical energy storage device using a charging device. The charging device provides electrical energy to the energy storage device via a charging connection. The energy storage device is, in particular, an energy storage device of a vehicle, especially a motor vehicle. Here, the energy storage device is specifically designed as a high-voltage battery. The method provides for a communication link between the energy storage device and the charging device, through which information can be exchanged between them. This communication link can be a connection between the energy storage device and the charging device provided by a cable.The communication link is provided primarily via a so-called control pilot line. Alternatively or additionally, the communication link can be wireless, for example via a radio link, between the energy storage device and the charging device. This communication link is specifically separate from the charging link. This means that the communication link is designed to transmit information between the energy storage device and the charging device, whereas the charging link is designed to transfer electrical energy from the charging device to the energy storage device for charging the energy storage device. The method also includes the use of an electronic computing device to evaluate the information transmitted via the communication link.Furthermore, the process involves the electronic computing device generating an evaluation of the charging process based on the analysis of the information transmission. Specifically, the electronic computing device can determine the quality and / or success or failure of the charging process based on this analysis. This evaluation of the charging process is then output via an output device. This output device can be, for example, a display device, particularly a screen, which visually displays and thus outputs the evaluation of the charging process. Alternatively or additionally, the output device can provide the evaluation of the charging process audibly and / or haptically.By outputting the charging process evaluation via the output device, the owner of the energy storage device and / or the charging device can be informed of the result of the charging process evaluation. Additionally, the charging process evaluation can be made available to a higher-level server system, such as a backend system, and / or to a mobile electronic device, through which the charging process evaluation can be displayed visually, audibly, and / or haptically.

[0008] This method is based on the understanding that the charging process of an energy storage device can be interrupted. Such an interruption can occur due to a communication problem or other faults in the charging device or the energy storage device. The communication problem could, for example, be related to pulse width modulation, power line communication, controller area network communication, or other communication protocols. By using various input variables, particularly by evaluating the information transmitted over the communication link, it is possible to make a statement about the presumed quality of the charging process at the charging device and to perform an automatic analysis in the event of a charging fault.Analyzing the communication between the energy storage device and the charging device via the communication link allows for a particularly advantageous evaluation of the charging process. The insights gained can be directly output to a user via the output device and / or stored as an error log in the electronic computer. By incorporating geocoordinates, faulty charging points can be identified. This method thus enables a particularly effective analysis of the charging process.

[0009] In a further development of the invention, it is provided that the electronic computing device is used to determine analysis data of the communication link for evaluating the information transmission, to evaluate the transmission quality of the communication link based on this analysis data, and to assess the charging process based on this evaluation of the transmission quality of the communication link. The evaluation of the transmission quality of the communication link specifically assesses the quality of signal transmission, particularly of analog and / or digital signals, and / or the quality of information transmission, especially with regard to information corruption.This means that the electronic computing unit uses the analysis data from the communication link to determine how well signals and / or information are transmitted between the energy storage device and the charging device. Since faulty signal or information transmission can lead to a charging interruption, the analysis of the information transmission, based on the communication link's analysis data, allows for a particularly reliable assessment of whether the communication link could cause a charging interruption and, if so, the probability of such an interruption occurring.

[0010] In a further development, it is envisaged that, depending on the evaluation of the transmission quality of the communication link, the electronic computing unit generates a prediction regarding the course of the charging process and / or the transmission quality of the communication link. This prediction is then output via the output device. For example, the prediction can determine the probability that the charging process will be interrupted by an error caused by the communication link. The transmission quality of the communication link predicted in the prediction can be visually displayed via a light signal with a shape that correlates with the respective predicted quality of the information transmission of the communication link.The light signal can be displayed, for example, as a bar whose fill level correlates with the predicted quality of the information transmission over the communication link, or as a number of bars corresponding to the predicted quality of the information transmission over the communication link. This allows, on the one hand, for a prediction of the likely charging process and, on the other hand, for a user to be particularly well informed about the likely progress of the charging process. It thus enables a particularly reliable prediction of the charging process, including communication over the communication link.

[0011] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least one actual charging parameter of the electrical energy transmitted via the charging connection is determined, and that, by means of the electronic computing device for evaluating the information transmission, at least one target charging parameter provided via the communication connection by the energy storage device or the charging device is compared with the determined actual charging parameter, and the charging process is evaluated depending on the comparison. This means that a target charging parameter, transmitted via the communication connection between the energy storage device and the charging device and characterizing the electrical energy to be transmitted, is compared with an actual charging parameter of the electrical energy transmission resulting in the charging connection.This comparison of the actual charging parameter with the target charging parameter allows us to determine whether the information characterizing the target charging parameter, transmitted via the communication link, has been correctly transferred from the energy storage device to the charging device and vice versa, and whether, as a result of this correct information transfer, the transfer of electrical energy via the charging link has been adjusted according to the target charging parameter. If a deviation between the target and actual charging parameters is detected during the comparison, then an error in the charging process can be determined during the evaluation of the charging process. This error could be caused, for example, by the charging device, the energy storage device, the charging link, and / or the communication link.Comparing the actual charging parameter with the target charging parameter makes it particularly easy to verify correct information transmission via the communication link between the energy storage device and the charging device.

[0012] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least one power line communication signal provided via the charging connection is determined, and the evaluation of the charging process is additionally carried out depending on the at least one determined power line communication signal. Power line communication can also be referred to as power line communication. At least one piece of information can be exchanged between the charging device and the energy storage device via the power line communication signal, with the at least one piece of information being transmitted via the charging connection. Thus, in addition to the evaluation of the information transmission via the communication link, the power line communication occurring via the charging connection can also be included in the evaluation of the charging process.Including the communication via the charging connection in the evaluation of the charging process enables a particularly comprehensive assessment. This involves considering a particularly large portion of the communication between the energy storage device and the charging device, specifically the entire communication between them. This allows for a particularly reliable evaluation of the charging process.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the electronic computing device detects a charging interruption and, by evaluating the charging process based on the information transmitted via the communication link, determines the cause of the charging interruption. This means that the electronic computing device initiates a search for the cause of the charging interruption as soon as the interruption has been detected. The cause of the charging interruption can be determined by comparing the target charging parameter with the actual charging parameter.Depending on the specific type of actual or target charging parameter used for comparison, and depending on any deviation determined between the compared actual and target charging parameters, the cause of the charging interruption can be determined. The cause of the charging interruption could be, for example, a faulty charging device, a faulty energy storage device, a faulty communication link, or a faulty charging connection. This method thus enables the identification of the cause of a charging interruption, which advantageously allows for a particularly rapid resolution of the issue.The procedure enables a particularly secure analysis of the cause of a charging interruption, including communication via the communication link.

[0014] It is specifically intended that, upon detection of a charging interruption, the electronic computing device, based on the identified cause of the interruption, will determine at least one action for rectifying the cause using a predefined assignment rule, which is stored within the electronic computing device. The output device will then issue a recommendation for action representing this action. The electronic computing device can provide the output device with the action selected for the identified cause via the assignment rule, enabling the output device to issue the recommendation for action.Outputting the recommended action via the output device allows the user to trigger the action characterized by the recommendation, thereby enabling the user to quickly resolve the cause of the charging interruption. This allows for a particularly rapid resumption of the charging process. Furthermore, by executing the action characterized by the recommendation, the user can prevent charging interruptions in subsequent charging processes, especially those involving the same energy storage device and / or charging station, or at least minimize the risk of such interruptions.

[0015] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the charging device connected to the energy storage device via the charging connection and the communication connection is identified, and the evaluation of the charging process is assigned to the charging device. When a communication connection is established between the energy storage device and the charging device, a so-called handshake can take place, in which a unique identifier can be provided by the charging device to the energy storage device. The unique identification of the charging device, for example, by providing the unique identifier to the energy storage device via the communication connection, enables the determined evaluation of the charging process to be assigned to the charging device.When assigning the assessment to the charging process, it is determined that the charging process for which the assessment was carried out, or for which the assessment is being carried out, is performed by the clearly identified charging device in conjunction with the energy storage device. In particular, if, during the investigation into the cause of a charging interruption, it is determined that the charging device is at least partially responsible for the interruption, then it can be determined that the clearly identified charging device involved in the charging process is faulty. Consequently, to address the cause of the charging interruption, the clearly identified charging device can undergo a repair process. This allows for a particularly rapid repair of the charging device identified as faulty in the event of a detected charging interruption.

[0016] It is specifically intended that the charging device will be identified by the electronic computing unit using signal strength-based localization and / or localization via a global navigation satellite system. Signal strength-based localization is also known as a Signal Level Attenuation Characterization (SLAC) mechanism. Localization of the charging device via the global navigation satellite system can be performed, for example, using GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and / or BeiDou. In other words, the charging device can be identified by the electronic computing unit based on its position determined through localization. This, in turn, allows the location of the charging device responsible for the charging interruption, which requires repair, to be determined.As a result, repair capacities can be dispatched particularly quickly to the location of the identified charging equipment responsible for the charging interruption, in order to repair the charging equipment as quickly as possible.

[0017] In a further development of the invention, it is provided that the analysis data of the communication link includes interference flux, such as in particular noise and / or ripple, and / or exceeding a predetermined limit of an analog signal and / or exceeding a timeout of a digital signal and / or the number of repetitions of a request message until a response to the request message is received via the communication link and / or signal attenuation and / or transmit power and / or synchronization duration of a first power line communication chip of the energy storage device with a second power line communication chip of the charging device and / or a signal parameter of a pulse width modulation of the communication link.Signal parameters of the pulse-width modulation (PWM) communication link, such as voltage level, rise time of a PWM pulse, and / or duty cycle, can be determined and analyzed. This allows for a particularly comprehensive analysis of the communication link's transmission quality and, consequently, a highly reliable prediction of the charging process's progress or a particularly precise analysis of the cause of a charging interruption.

[0018] Further features of the invention may become apparent from the following description of the figures and from the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features shown below in the description of the figures and / or in the figures themselves, can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0019] The drawing shows in: Fig. 1. A schematic side view of a motor vehicle comprising an energy storage device, the energy storage device being connected to a charging device via a charging connection and a communication connection, wherein information can be exchanged between the energy storage device and the charging device via the communication connection and electrical energy can be supplied from the charging device to the energy storage device via the charging connection, wherein the motor vehicle has an electronic computing device by means of which, depending on an evaluation of an information transmission via the communication connection, a charging process of the energy storage device using electrical energy from the charging device can be evaluated; and Fig. 2 a procedure scheme for a method for analyzing the charging process, in which the charging process is evaluated depending on the evaluation of the information transmission via the communication link and the evaluation of the charging process is output by means of an output device.

[0020] Identical or functionally equivalent elements are marked with the same reference symbols in the figures.

[0021] In Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an electrically powered motor vehicle 1, in this case an electrically powered car. The motor vehicle 1 has an energy storage device 2, which is configured to store electrical energy and to provide electrical energy for an electric drivetrain of the motor vehicle 1. Thus, the motor vehicle 1 can be powered by electrical energy from the energy storage device 2. The energy storage device 2 is, in particular, a high-voltage battery. Furthermore, in Fig. Figure 1 shows a charging device 3, by means of which electrical energy can be provided for charging the energy storage device 2. To charge the energy storage device 2 with electrical energy from the charging device 3, the energy storage device 2 and the charging device 3 can be connected via a charging connection 4. This charging connection 4 can be conductive or contactless, and in particular inductive. To enable communication between the energy storage device 2 and the charging device 3, a communication connection 5 is provided between the energy storage device 2 and the charging device 3 in addition to the charging connection 4. This communication connection 5 can be provided via a physical connection, in particular via at least one cable, between the energy storage device 2 and the charging device 3.Alternatively or additionally, the communication link 5 can be provided via a contactless connection, in particular a radio link, between the energy storage device 2 and the charging device 3.

[0022] It has been shown that the quality or success of a charging process depends significantly on communication between the vehicle 1 or the energy storage device 2 and the charging device 3. Therefore, in order to evaluate a charging process of the energy storage device 2 with electrical energy from the charging device 3, it is advantageous to monitor communication between the energy storage device 2 and the charging device 3. For this purpose, an electronic computing device 6 is provided. Analysis data 7 from the communication link 5 can be received and evaluated by means of the electronic computing device 6. Furthermore, the electronic computing device 6 is configured to receive measurement data 8 that characterize power line communication of the charging connection 4 and / or at least one charging parameter of an electrical energy transfer via the charging connection 4.The electronic computing device 6 is designed to evaluate the transmission of information between the energy storage device 2 and the charging device 3 via the communication link 5 and to assess the charging process, at least depending on the evaluation.

[0023] As in Fig. As can be further identified, the motor vehicle 1 in this case comprises an output device 9. The electronic computing device 6 is configured to provide the determined assessment of the charging process to the output device 9, by means of which the assessment of the charging process can in turn be displayed. The output device 9 is designed as a screen device by means of which the assessment of the charging process can be visually displayed and thus shown by providing a light signal characterizing the assessment. Alternatively, the output device 9 can be part of a mobile electronic device, such as a smartphone, tablet PC, or other portable computer. The electronic computing device 6 can also be configured to provide the assessment of the charging process to a higher-level server.By evaluating the charging process, a user can be given an estimate of the quality of communication between the energy storage device 2 and the charging device 3 at the beginning of the charging process.

[0024] In Fig.Figure 2 shows a process diagram for analyzing the charging process. In the first process step V1, the communication link 5 between the energy storage device 2 and the charging device 3 is established. Furthermore, in a second process step V2, the information transmitted via the communication link 5 is evaluated using the electronic computing device 6. During communication between the energy storage device 2 and the charging device 3, the energy storage device 2 can, for example, request electrical energy from the charging device 3 with predefined parameters such as current and / or voltage. The information transmission can be analyzed and evaluated based on the analysis data 7.As analysis data 7, noise and / or residual ripple, which can also be referred to as ripple, on the lines of the communication link 5 used for data transmission can be considered as interference. Alternatively or additionally, as analysis data 7, deviations and / or exceedances of limits defined by standards for analog signals, in particular for a control pilot signal, can be determined and made available to the electronic computing device 6. The control pilot signal can, in particular, characterize a maximum possible charging current that can be received by the energy storage device 2 and / or a maximum possible charging current that can be provided by the charging device 3.Alternatively or additionally, the following analysis data (7) can be used: a timeout of a digital signal, referred to as a timing violation, in messages from the respective charging partner connected via communication link 5, in this case the energy storage device 2 or the charging device 3, when using digital communication, and made available to the electronic computing device 6. A timeout, also referred to as a timing violation, can be determined depending on the quality and / or decodeability and / or adherence to a sequence of digital signals via communication link 5. Furthermore, the timeout can be determined depending on whether a time window for an expected response to a request via communication link 5 has been observed.As analysis data 7, alternatively or additionally, the number of repetitions of request messages that were sent until a response signal characterizing a reply to the respective request messages was received from the device providing the request messages, such as the energy storage device 2 or the charging device 3, can be determined. Alternatively or additionally, a signal attenuation measurement can also be performed to determine analysis data 7, and the result of this signal attenuation measurement can be provided to the electronic computing device 6 as analysis data 7. Furthermore, alternatively or additionally, the transmission power of signals exchanged via the communication link 5 can be recorded and provided to the electronic computing device 6 as analysis data 7.Alternatively or additionally, the synchronization duration of a power line communication chip of the energy storage device 2 or the vehicle 1 with a power line communication chip of the charging device 3 can be determined as analysis data 7 and made available to the electronic computing device 6. Pulse width modulation can be used for information transmission between the energy storage device 2 and the charging device 3 via the control pilot line, whereby at least one signal parameter of the pulse width modulation can be determined as analysis data 7, such as a voltage level and / or the slope of a pulse width modulation pulse and / or a duty cycle. The analysis data 7 can be continuously monitored by the electronic computing device 6.Using the electronic computing device 6, the transmission quality of the communication link 5 can be evaluated depending on the received analysis data 7.

[0025] In a third process step V3, the electronic computing device 6 is used to evaluate the charging process based on the analysis of the information transmission. Here, the electronic computing device 6 can predict the likely course of the charging process based on the analysis of the transmission quality of the communication link 5. In addition to the analysis data 7, the evaluation of the charging process by the electronic computing device 6 in the third process step V3 can also be based on the received measurement data 8 of the power line communication. The measurement data 8 characterize at least one power line communication signal provided via the charging connection 4 using power line communication.

[0026] In a fourth process step V4 of the procedure, the evaluation of the charging process is output via output device 9. Here, output device 9 can output a light signal characterizing the determined prediction of the expected course of the charging process, thus informing the user particularly easily and clearly about the generated prediction for the determined expected course of the charging process.

[0027] The charging process, or rather the transmission quality of the communication link 5, can alternatively or additionally be evaluated by comparing a target charging parameter with an actual charging parameter. Here, the electronic computing unit 6, used to evaluate the information transmission, determines the target charging parameter, characterized by a signal and transmitted via the communication link 5, and compares it with the actual charging parameter. The actual charging parameter characterizes the electrical energy transmitted via the charging link 4 and can be determined using a measuring device. Depending on any deviation determined between the target charging parameter and the actual charging parameter, the quality of the charging process can be assessed. For example, the assessment of the charging process quality can determine whether the charging process is proceeding without errors or whether an error has occurred during the charging process.

[0028] In particular, when detecting a charging interruption, the cause of the interruption can be determined by comparing the target charging parameter with the actual charging parameter. Thus, when a charging interruption occurs, the available data, such as the analysis data 7 and / or the measurement data 8 and / or the comparison between at least one actual charging parameter and at least one assigned target charging parameter, can be linked and evaluated. Here, deviations in the compared message content can be used to directly determine whether the charging process was terminated by energy storage device 2 or charging device 3.In particular, data from the communication link 5 and, if applicable, additional data measured in the motor vehicle 1 and / or data measured in the charging device 3 can be used to evaluate the charging process.

[0029] In the third process step V3, the electronic computing unit 6 can detect a charging interruption and, depending on the evaluation of the information transmitted via the communication link 5, determine the cause of the charging interruption. To enable particularly rapid resolution of the identified cause of the charging interruption, the electronic computing unit 6 can, via an assignment rule stored within it, determine at least one action to rectify the cause. This means that the stored assignment rule assigns specific actions to be performed to rectify each cause of a charging interruption.To prompt a user to perform the action specified in the assignment rule for the identified cause, an action recommendation representing the action can be issued using output device 9. This action recommendation can, for example, be displayed visually as a text message and / or audibly as a voice message.

[0030] In order to output via output device 9 which charging device 3 the action is to be performed on, charging device 3, which is connected to energy storage device 2 via charging connection 4 and communication connection 5, must be identified. Furthermore, charging device 3, which is connected to energy storage device 2 via charging connection 4 and communication connection 5, must be identified in order to send repair resources, such as a person to perform the repair, to charging device 3. Charging device 3, which is connected to energy storage device 2 via communication connection 5, can be identified by a unique identifier provided via communication connection 5. This identifier can be provided to energy storage device 2 by charging device 3 during a so-called handshake between charging device 3 and energy storage device 2.Alternatively or additionally, the charging device 3 can be identified using signal strength-based localization and / or localization via a global navigation satellite system. The position of the charging device 3 can be determined using the respective localization method. This determined position of the charging device 3 can be provided by the charging device 3 to the energy storage device 2 via the communication link 5. The electronic computing device 6 can be configured to provide the unique identification of the charging device 3, together with a determined cause for the charging interruption, to a higher-level server, thereby triggering a repair of the identified charging device 3.

[0031] The described method thus enables the automated detection of a fault cause or fault originator in the event of a charging interruption during the charging process of the energy storage device 2 of the electrically powered or electrically assisted vehicle 1 at the charging device 3, whereby situational user information is possible through the combination of different databases. Furthermore, the method enables a predictive quality assessment of charging communication via the communication link 5 at the very beginning of the charging process. In addition, the method enables situation-specific assistance with recommendations for the user.

[0032] The following is an example of determining the predictive quality of information transmission over communication link 5. During charging, in the combined charging system (also known as the Combined Charging System), communication between the vehicle 1 and the charging device 3 occurs via pulse wave modulation and power line communication. To ensure that network data is correctly transmitted between the power line communication chip of the vehicle 1 and the power line communication chip of the charging device 3, a signal level attenuation characterization (SLAC) mechanism can be implemented.In this SLAC mechanism, after synchronization of the power line communication chip of vehicle 1 with the power line communication chip of charging device 3, the charging device 3, which is directly connected to vehicle 1 or the energy storage device 2 of vehicle 1, is uniquely identified by measuring a signal strength. This synchronization of the power line communication chips can be part of the so-called handshake. In this case, this SLAC mechanism can be implemented via a conductive connection between charging device 3 and energy storage device 2.

[0033] During the charging process, information about the transmission power and / or synchronization duration and / or the number of request message repetitions can be available and used to evaluate the charging process. Alternatively or additionally, a pulse-width modulation signal can be analyzed and continuously evaluated with regard to deviations in the duty cycle and / or voltage level and / or the slope of a respective pulse-width modulation pulse. The result of this evaluation can be displayed to a user, for example, as a transmission power bar, via the output device 9, particularly in the vehicle 1 and / or externally on the charging device 3 and / or via a display system linked to the vehicle 1 and / or the charging device 3, such as a smartphone, for example, via a wireless connection.

[0034] To provide the communication link 5, the energy storage device 2 and the charging device 3 are connected, in particular, via a control pilot line, especially for communication on which pulse width modulation can take place, and via a protective earth conductor, which can also be referred to as a protective earth conductor and serves to close the circuit. The charging connection 4 can be provided by a DC line.

[0035] The following describes an automated analysis of the charging process in the event of a charging interruption. An emergency shutdown of charging device 3, which may be characterized by the status code EVSE Emergency Shutdown, can usually be attributed to an internal problem with charging device 3 and a charging interruption initiated by charging device 3. More complex relationships can be analyzed by comparing several data points. In the following example, the values ​​a) "maximum charging current determined by charging device 3", b) "requested charging current of the energy storage device 2 of the vehicle 1", and c) "actual charging current delivered by charging device 3" are compared. If value a) equals value b), and both values ​​a) and b) are greater than value c), it can be concluded that charging device 3 is delivering a lower charging current than specified.This assessment of the charging process can be displayed to the user. Additionally, the determined information that charging device 3 is delivering a lower charging current than specified can be stored in the vehicle's memory (vehicle 1) along with position data for identifying charging device 3. If value a) is greater than value b) and value c) is greater than value b), then it can be concluded that charging device 3 is not adhering to a charging current specification set by the vehicle's energy storage device 2 (vehicle 1), and therefore a safety risk exists at the charging point.

[0036] The charging interruption may be caused in particular by a fault in the power area, especially with regard to a current and / or a voltage of the charging current and / or by a fault in the communication between the energy storage device 2 and the charging device 3, especially via the communication link 5.

[0037] The output device 9 can be configured, in particular, as a combination instrument, which can be set up to indicate to the driver whether the detected charging interruption was caused by the vehicle 1 or the charging device 3. The output device 9 can, in particular, issue a recommendation to the driver, outlining which measures can be taken after the detected charging interruption, such as replacing the charging device 3 and / or contacting the vehicle manufacturer of the vehicle 1 and / or contacting the operator of the charging device 3. The output device 9 provides the user with a solution to the problem.

[0038] This described evaluation of different databases can be integrated into a central computer, such as the overarching server system, and thus be accessible to a large number of users. The charging process evaluation generated by this method can be used to analyze the quality of multiple charging stations. Providing this charging process evaluation enables charging station operators and / or manufacturers to take countermeasures against charging interruptions.

[0039] The charging process can be evaluated, in particular, by means of the electronic computing unit 6 in the vehicle 1. Alternatively, the electronic computing unit 6, which performs the evaluation of the charging process, can be part of the charging device 3. If, during the evaluation of the charging process, the electronic computing unit 6 detects an error in the charging process, such as an interruption of the charging process, then the electronic computing unit 6 can provide the determined evaluation of the charging process to the higher-level server, which is a so-called backend. Alternatively or additionally, if the electronic computing unit 6 is part of the vehicle 1, it can provide the determined evaluation of the charging process to the charging device 3.Alternatively, the electronic computing device 6, if it is part of the charging device 3, can provide the determined evaluation of the charging process for the motor vehicle 1 or for the energy storage device 2.

[0040] In particular, the invention shows how predictive quality of charging communication and automated analysis of charging processes can be enabled. Reference symbol list 1 motor vehicle 2 Energy storage device 3 Charging device 4 charging connection 5 Communication link 6 electronic computing equipment 7 Analysis data 8 Measurement data 9 Output device V1-V4 Process steps

Claims

Method for analyzing a charging process of an electrical energy storage device (2) by means of a charging device (3) by means of which electrical energy can be provided to the energy storage device (2) via a charging connection (4), in which - a communication connection (5) is provided between the energy storage device (2) and the charging device (3), via which information can be exchanged between the energy storage device (2) and the charging device (3) (V1), - an information transmission via the communication connection (5) is evaluated by means of an electronic computing device (6) (V2), - an evaluation of the charging process is created by means of the electronic computing device (6) depending on the evaluation of the information transmission (V3), and - the evaluation of the charging process is output by means of an output device (9) (V4). Method according to claim 1, wherein analysis data (7) of the communication link (5) are determined by means of the electronic computing device (6) for the evaluation of the information transmission, a transmission quality of the communication link (5) is evaluated depending on the analysis data (7) and the charging process is evaluated depending on the evaluation of the transmission quality of the communication link (5). Method according to claim 2, wherein, by means of the electronic computing device (6), a prediction about the course of the charging process is created depending on the evaluation of the transmission quality of the communication connection (5), and the prediction is output by means of the output device (9). Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one actual charging parameter of the electrical energy transmitted via the charging connection (4) is determined and at least one target charging parameter provided via the communication connection (5) by the energy storage device (2) or the charging device (3) is compared with the determined actual charging parameter by means of the electronic computing device (6) for the evaluation of the information transmission and the charging process is evaluated depending on the comparison. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one power line communication signal provided via the charging connection (4) by means of a power line communication is determined and the evaluation of the charging process is additionally carried out depending on the at least one determined power line communication signal. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a charging interruption is determined by means of the electronic computing device (6) and a cause for the charging interruption is determined in the evaluation of the charging process depending on the evaluation of the information transmission via the communication link (5). Method according to claim 6, wherein, by means of the electronic computing device (6), when determining the charging interruption, at least one action for remedying the cause is determined via a predetermined assignment rule depending on the determined cause for the charging interruption, and a recommendation for action representing the action is issued by means of the output device (9). Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the charging device (3) connected to the energy storage device (2) via the charging connection (4) and via the communication connection (5) is identified and the evaluation of the charging process is assigned to the charging device (3). Method according to claim 8, wherein the charging device (3) is identified by means of the electronic computing device (6) by means of signal strength-based localization and / or localization via a global navigation satellite system. Method according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the analysis data (7) are: - an interference, in particular noise and / or ripple, and / or - an exceedance of a predetermined limit of an analog signal, and / or - a timeout of a digital signal, and / or - a number of repetitions of a request message until a response to the request message is received, and / or - a signal attenuation, and / or - a transmission power level, and / or - a synchronization duration of a first power line communication chip of the energy storage device (2) with a second power line communication chip of the charging device (3), and / or - a signal parameter of a pulse width modulation of the communication link (5), such as voltage level, slope of a pulse width modulation pulse, or duty cycle.

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