Method for heating a charging unit for electrically charging a vehicle traction battery, computer program product and storage medium

Abstract

Method for heating a charging unit (10a, 10b, 10c) configured for electrically charging a traction battery (11) of a vehicle (12), with a heating device (13), comprising the steps: - Detecting a relative movement of the vehicle (12) to a charging station (14) at which the drive battery (11) can be electrically charged and, - depending on the detected relative movement of the vehicle (12) to the charging station, automatic generation of a heating instruction for a vehicle occupant to activate the heating device (13).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for heating a charging unit with a heating device, wherein the charging unit is configured for electrically charging a vehicle's traction battery. The invention further relates to a computer program for carrying out such a method and to a computer-readable storage medium on which such a computer program is stored.

[0002] Winter temperatures below freezing and snowfall can complicate the charging process of a vehicle's electric traction battery. Snow can quickly accumulate in the grooves and openings of the charging socket after the vehicle's charging port cover is opened, preventing or at least hindering the connection of a charging plug. The same problem applies analogously to charging plugs at charging stations. Frozen and / or freezing water can also impede the charging process. This can result in delays in what is already a relatively long charging process. Furthermore, it is possible that the charging process cannot even begin. To address these issues, heating devices have been developed to warm the charging units, as well as the contact plugs and sockets.Such a system can be found in German patent application DE 10 2017 112 390 A1. This application also describes different approaches to activating the heating device. Nevertheless, it has become clear that further optimization is needed to achieve an even more reliable, efficient, and / or user-friendly heating process.

[0003] Further heating methods of this type are described in DE 10 2016 122 009 A1, in US 2013 / 0 151 054 A1, in DE 10 2018 210 756 A1, in DE 10 2018 210 757 A1 and in DE 10 2011 119 495 A1.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to at least partially address the problem described above. In particular, it is the object of the present invention to improve the heating process for heating a charging unit for the electrical charging of a vehicle's traction battery.

[0005] The aforementioned problem is solved by the claims. In particular, the aforementioned problem is solved by the method according to claim 1, the computer program product according to claim 10, and the storage medium according to claim 11. Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the description, and the figures. Features described in connection with the method naturally also apply in connection with the computer program product and the storage medium according to the invention, and vice versa, so that the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention always makes, and / or can make, reciprocal references.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method for heating a charging unit with a heating device is provided, wherein the charging unit is configured for electrically charging a vehicle traction battery. The method comprises the following steps: - Detecting relative movement of the vehicle to a charging station where the drive battery can be electrically charged and, - Depending on the detected relative movement of the vehicle to the charging station, an automatic heating notification is generated for a vehicle occupant to activate the heating device.

[0007] Within the scope of the present invention, it was discovered that the relative movement of the vehicle to the charging station can be used as a means or parameter for a particularly effective and efficient automated operation of the heating device. The method can be easily implemented in the vehicle without requiring additional installation space and can also be integrated into existing vehicles.

[0008] The charging unit can encompass the components that the user primarily uses and / or operates for electrically charging the traction battery. Specifically, the charging unit includes a charging station-side charging plug, a vehicle-side charging socket, and a vehicle-side socket cover. These components can be heated separately or together by the heating device. That is, the heating device can have a heating element for heating the charging plug, a heating element for heating the charging socket, and / or a heating element for heating the socket cover. The heating device is preferably designed as an electric heating device and, in particular, comprises a resistance heating element, preferably a heating wire, which heats up when energized due to its electrical resistance and thus transfers the generated heat via heat conduction and heat transfer.The heating device transfers heat to the charging unit. It may include a heating wire, which is housed in a casing, in particular a plastic and / or metal casing, the charging socket, the charging plug and / or the socket cover of the vehicle.

[0009] The heating device is preferably operated at 12 volts. This reduces the effort required for any necessary touch protection. Furthermore, existing technology or associated power sources can be used, such as those used for heated exterior mirrors or seat heating in the vehicle. The term "traction battery" refers specifically to a traction battery and / or a high-voltage battery for accelerating the vehicle, particularly in the form of a car or truck.

[0010] In addition to detecting relative movement, further factors and / or parameters can be determined and / or considered, depending on which the heating signal can be generated. For example, it can be determined whether the charging station has been reserved for the vehicle, with the generation of the heating signal depending on the determined reservation. The heating signal can be generated, in particular, if it has been detected and / or determined that the vehicle is moving towards the charging station after the reservation and / or is taking a route towards the charging station. Similarly, it can be taken into account if a user interface in the vehicle and / or an application on a mobile computer is searching for a charging station.

[0011] The vehicle exhibits relative movement to the charging station, in particular, when the vehicle is driving or being driven to the charging station and / or is en route to the charging station. A charging station can be understood to be a charging column with a charging cable and a charging plug for the electrical charging of electric vehicles or vehicles with a traction battery. Activating the heating device can be understood to mean that the heating device is controlled and / or operated to generate heat for heating the charging unit and / or at least a part of the charging unit.

[0012] A suitable generation unit can be provided and / or installed to generate the heating indicator. The heating indicator can be generated in the form of a visual, acoustic, and / or haptic signal. For example, a visual heating indicator can be displayed to a vehicle occupant, especially the driver, in the form of a symbol on the dashboard and / or a head-up display. The indicator can also be displayed and / or communicated to the driver via an app and / or a program on a mobile device such as a smartphone, for example, in the form of a push notification. This visual heating indicator can be supplemented with an acoustic signal. Detecting the vehicle's relative movement to the charging station can be done using geo-information, in particular via a GPS unit in the vehicle's navigation system.To detect the vehicle's relative movement to the charging station, a motion detection unit may be provided and / or installed. This unit may include an accelerometer and / or a satellite-based positioning unit, in particular a GPS unit. An activation unit may be provided and / or installed to activate the heating device.

[0013] To activate the heating system and / or generate the heating indicator, the available heating power in the vehicle can also be taken into account. If the charge level of the traction battery, which may also be used or could be used for the heating process, is already low, the heating process can be omitted. More precisely, activating the heating system in the vehicle and / or generating the heating indicator can be prohibited and / or prevented. Heating the charging plug at the charging station, which can also be considered part of the charging unit, can of course still be used for a desired heating process in this case.

[0014] According to a further embodiment, a method can detect when a vehicle approaches the charging station and activate the heating device and / or generate a heating notification based on this detected approach. This provides a simple and effective measure for automatically starting the heating process. To detect when the vehicle approaches the charging station and / or a charging park containing the charging station, the distance between the vehicle and the charging station can be determined, in particular measured, at different times. The distance between the vehicle and the charging station can then be determined, and the activation of the heating device and / or the generation of a heating notification can be carried out based on this determined distance. The distance can be determined using a distance measurement unit.The distance can be determined optically, electromagnetically, via a satellite signal, and / or using geoinformation, particularly a GPS unit. As part of the proximity detection process, a comparison can be made between the detected and / or determined distance between the vehicle and the charging station and a predefined distance. The heating device can then be activated and / or a heating notification generated if the determined distance is less than the predefined distance or a corresponding reference distance, and / or if the comparison yields a corresponding result. In other words, if it is detected that the vehicle is within a predefined proximity of the charging station and / or is moving closer to it, the heating process and / or the generation of the heating notification can be automatically activated.To detect the distance between the vehicle and the charging station, distance sensors can be positioned and / or used on the vehicle and / or the charging station, either as an alternative or in addition to the distance detection units mentioned above. The approach and / or distance can be determined at different, predefined, and / or continuous time intervals. Furthermore, the vehicle's approach to the charging station can be used to determine the start time for activating the heating device and / or generating the heating indicator.

[0015] Furthermore, it is possible to determine the vehicle's route and activate the heating system and / or generate a heating notification based on this route. For example, the heating system and / or the heating notification can be activated if the route and / or corresponding route information indicates that the vehicle is moving towards the charging station and / or is heading towards the charging station. This provides a simple yet effective way to automatically start the heating process and / or generate the heating notification. The route can be determined from a route entered by the driver into the vehicle's navigation system, or such a route can be used as the route to be considered.Furthermore, it is possible to statistically determine a route based on the vehicle's recurring journeys, particularly when linked to a specific time. For example, if a driver commutes to work every day and regularly charges the vehicle's battery, this can be detected and / or taken into account to automatically activate the heating system and / or generate a heating notification. The vehicle's route can also be used to determine the start time for activating the heating system and / or generating the heating notification.

[0016] Furthermore, one method allows for the detection of the vehicle's relative movement to the charging station using near-field communication. A Car2X, RFID, and / or NFC unit can be positioned in and / or on the charging station, as well as in and / or on the vehicle, enabling simple, reliable, and energy-efficient detection of the vehicle's approach to the charging station. The time it takes for the vehicle to reach its final parking position at the charging station and for the driver to arrive to charge the traction battery can be sufficient to clear any snow and / or ice from the charging plug and / or socket, and / or to bring these areas to a sufficiently high operating temperature to prevent snow and / or ice buildup during the charging process.

[0017] According to another implementation variant, a planned arrival time of the vehicle at the charging station can be determined, and the activation of the heating device and / or the generation of the heating notification can be carried out depending on this determined arrival time. The planned arrival time can be used, in particular, to set the precise start or trigger time for activating the heating device and / or generating the heating notification. The planned arrival time can be determined based on a calculated route of the vehicle, a continuously measured distance between the vehicle and the charging station, and / or by detecting a prior reservation of the charging station for the vehicle.

[0018] In one method, it is also possible to determine the ambient temperature, humidity, and / or weather conditions around the vehicle and then activate the heating device and / or generate the heating indicator based on these determined temperatures, humidity levels, and / or weather conditions. Particularly when combined with consideration of relative motion, this allows for especially effective and efficient automatic activation of the heating device and / or automatic generation of the heating indicator. For example, the activation of the heating device and / or the generation of the heating indicator can be based on or take into account the following conditions or determined states. - The vehicle approaches the charging station and the ambient temperature is below a predefined temperature, for example below 4°C. - The vehicle approaches the charging station and it is snowing. - The determined route of the vehicle leads to the charging station and the ambient temperature is below a predefined temperature, for example below 4°C.

[0019] Furthermore, it is possible that a process determines the ambient temperature, humidity, and / or weather conditions around the vehicle and sets a start time for activating the heating device and / or generating the heating indicator, depending on the determined temperature, humidity, and / or weather conditions. The start time for activating the heating device and / or generating the heating indicator can be set, for example, as follows. - The vehicle is approaching the charging station, the ambient temperature is 0°C, and the scheduled arrival time is 5 PM. The start time for activating the heating device and / or generating the heating notification is now set to 4:55 PM or to a predefined time before the scheduled arrival. - The vehicle is approaching the charging station, the ambient temperature is -10°C, and the planned arrival time is 5 PM. The start time for activating the heating device and / or generating the heating notification is now set to 4:50 PM.

[0020] Various sensor elements can be used to determine different environmental influences. These elements can be located on the vehicle, at the charging station, and / or provided decentrally. For example, a temperature sensor can detect extreme weather conditions by measuring the outside temperature. The risk of ice formation can be detected by humidity sensors located inside the charging socket. Furthermore, mechanical sensors are conceivable that can directly or indirectly detect blockages in the charging socket and / or mechanical obstructions caused by ice, for example, by measuring electrical resistance to detect ice formation. The use of sensor elements can therefore improve the heating process and thus the control and / or regulation of the heating device.

[0021] Furthermore, one method allows for the determination of the component temperature of at least one functional component of the charging unit, and the activation of the heating device and / or the generation of the heating indicator to be carried out depending on the determined component temperature. For example, if it is determined that the temperature at the charging plug and / or the charging socket is below a predefined and / or predefinable value, the heating device can be activated and / or the heating indicator generated. If the temperature is above the predefined value, the heating device is not activated and the heating indicator is not generated.

[0022] Based on the determined component temperature of at least one functional component of the charging unit, a start time for activating the heating device and / or generating the heating signal can also be determined in one method, depending on the determined component temperature. As described above, this can be done particularly in combination with other environmental influences and / or parameters.

[0023] According to another aspect of the present invention, a computer program product is provided which includes instructions which, when the computer program product is executed by a computer, cause it to execute the method according to one of the preceding claims.

[0024] The computer program product can be implemented as computer-readable instruction code in any suitable programming language and / or machine language, such as Java, C++, C#, and / or Python. The computer program product can be stored on a computer-readable storage medium such as a data disk, removable drive, volatile or non-volatile memory, or built-in memory / processor. The instruction code can program a computer or other programmable devices, such as a vehicle's control unit, to execute the desired functions. Furthermore, the computer program product can be made available on a network, such as the internet, from which it can be downloaded by a user as needed. The computer program product can be implemented using software or by means of one or more specialized electronic circuits.The software can be implemented in hardware or in any hybrid form, i.e., using both software and hardware components. The computer program can be quickly and easily integrated into existing systems, particularly in a vehicle and / or charging station.

[0025] Furthermore, the invention provides a computer-readable storage medium on which a computer program product, as described in detail above, is stored. The storage medium is preferably in the form of a non-volatile storage medium. The computer program product and the storage medium thus offer the same advantages as described in detail with reference to the method according to the invention.

[0026] Further measures improving the invention will become apparent from the following description of various embodiments of the invention, which are schematically illustrated in the figures. All features and / or advantages arising from the claims, the description, or the figures, including design details and spatial arrangements, can be essential to the invention, both individually and in various combinations.

[0027] They each show schematically: Fig. 1 a vehicle approaching a charging station, Fig. 2 a flowchart to explain a method according to the invention, Fig. 3 a storage medium containing a computer program product stored on it, Fig. 4 a charging socket of a charging unit, Fig. 5 a charging socket with socket flap of a charging unit, and Fig. 6 a charging plug of a charging unit.

[0028] Elements with the same function and mode of operation are each provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

[0029] Fig. Figure 1 shows a vehicle 12 with a traction battery 11 approaching a charging station 14 for electrical charging of the traction battery 11. A charging unit is provided for the charging process, comprising a charging plug 10a on the charging station 14 and a charging socket 10b as well as a socket cover 10c on the vehicle 12.

[0030] With reference to Fig. 2. A method for heating a [unclear] in [unclear] will then be described. Fig. Figure 1 shows a charging unit 10a, 10b, 10c, which is configured for electrically charging a traction battery 11 of a vehicle 12. The charging unit 10a, 10b, 10c has components such as the socket cover 10c, which are useful for the function of the charging socket 10b, but are not directly required for the charging process. Within the scope of the present invention, the charging unit 10a, 10b, 10c can therefore always be understood to be at least one of the three components mentioned, i.e., charging plug 10a, charging socket 10b and / or socket cover 10c. To heat the charging unit 10a, 10b, 10c, a [missing word] is first required in the Fig. The heating device 13 shown in Figures 4 to 6 is required. In step S1, a relative movement of the vehicle 12 to the charging station 14, where the traction battery 11 is to be electrically charged, is first detected. Subsequently, depending on the detected relative movement of the vehicle 12 to the charging station, a heating instruction is automatically generated for a vehicle occupant to activate the heating device 13, for example in the form of an acoustic and / or visual signal, in particular in the form of at least one LED on the charging unit 10a, 10b, 10c and / or in the vehicle 12.

[0031] As part of the relative motion detection, the vehicle 12's approach to the charging station 14 is detected, and the generation of the heating signal can be triggered depending on the detected approach. Furthermore, the route of the vehicle 12 can be determined, and the generation of the heating signal can also be triggered based on this determined route.

[0032] The relative movement of vehicle 12 to charging station 14 can be controlled via near-field communication. For this purpose, a corresponding communication unit can be implemented in the vicinity of charging station 14 and / or in vehicle 12. Furthermore, it is possible to determine the planned arrival time of vehicle 12 at charging station 14 and to generate the heating signal based on this determined arrival time. The process can be particularly effective and / or efficient if the ambient temperature, humidity, and / or weather conditions around vehicle 12 are determined, and the heating signal is then generated based on these values.Furthermore, it is possible to determine the component temperature of at least one functional component of the charging unit 10a, 10b, 10c and to generate the heating signal based on this determined component temperature. Additionally, the ambient temperature, humidity, and / or weather conditions of the vehicle 12 can be determined, with the start time for generating the heating signal being determined based on these temperatures, humidity, and / or weather conditions. The start time for generating the heating signal can also be determined based on the component temperature of at least one functional component of the charging unit 10a, 10b, 10c.

[0033] Fig. Figure 3 shows a computer-readable storage medium 16 with a computer program product 15 stored on it. The computer program product 15 comprises instructions which, when the computer program product 15 is executed by a computer, for example a control unit of the vehicle 12 and / or a control unit of the charging station 14, cause it to execute the procedure described above.

[0034] Fig. Figure 4 shows the charging socket 10b of the vehicle 12 with an electric heating device 13 with a heating wire positioned there. Fig. Figure 5 shows the charging socket 10b and the socket flap 10c of the vehicle 12 with an electric heating device 13 with a heating wire positioned on the socket flap 10c. Fig. Figure 6 shows the charging plug 10a of the charging station 14 with an electric heating device 13 with a heating wire positioned there.

[0035] The invention allows for further design principles in addition to those illustrated. That is, the invention should not be considered limited to the embodiments explained with reference to the figures. Reference symbol list 10a charging plug (charging unit) 10b Charging socket (charging unit) 10c socket flap (charging unit) 11 Drive battery 12 vehicles 13 Heating device 14 charging stations 15 Computer program product 16 Storage devices

Claims

[1] Method for heating a charging unit (10a, 10b, 10c) configured for electrically charging a traction battery (11) of a vehicle (12) with a heating device (13) comprising the steps: - Detecting a relative movement of the vehicle (12) to a charging station (14) at which the drive battery (11) can be electrically charged and, - depending on the detected relative movement of the vehicle (12) to the charging station, automatic generation of a heating instruction for a vehicle occupant to activate the heating device (13). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by , that an approach of the vehicle (12) to the charging station (14) is detected and the generation of the heating instruction is carried out depending on the detected approach. [3] Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that a route of the vehicle (12) is determined, the generation of the heating instruction is carried out depending on the determined route. [4] Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the detection of the relative movement of the vehicle (12) to the charging station (14) is carried out by means of near field communication. [5] Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a planned arrival time of the vehicle (12) at the charging station (14) is determined and the generation of the heating instruction is carried out depending on the determined arrival time. [6] Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that a temperature in the vicinity of the vehicle (12), a humidity in the vicinity of the vehicle (12) and / or a weather condition in the vicinity of the vehicle (12) are determined and the generation of the heating instruction is carried out depending on the determined temperature, the determined humidity and / or the determined weather condition. [7] Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a component temperature of at least one functional component of the charging unit (10a, 10b, 10c) is determined and the generation of the heating instruction is carried out depending on the determined component temperature. [8] Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that a temperature in the vicinity of the vehicle (12), a humidity in the vicinity of the vehicle (12) and / or a weather condition in the vicinity of the vehicle (12) are determined and a start time for generating the heating instruction is set depending on the determined temperature, the determined humidity and / or the determined weather condition. [9] Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a component temperature of at least one functional component of the charging unit (10a, 10b, 10c) is determined and a start time for generating the heating instruction is set depending on the determined component temperature. [10] Computer program product (15), comprising instructions which, when the computer program product (15) is executed by a computer, cause it to execute the method according to any of the preceding claims. [11] Computer-readable storage medium (16) with a computer program product (15) stored thereon according to claim 10.

Images