Procedure for reparking an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle and platform

Abstract

Method for moving an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle from a parking space with a charging device (4) to another parking space (5) using a platform (10), wherein users of electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles register on the platform (10) who generally agree to the moving of their vehicle (1), wherein a user with a charging request submits a request to the platform (10) as to whether a vehicle (1) occupying a charging device (4) may be moved, wherein the platform (10) checks the request and transmits the result of the check to the user with the charging request, who can then initiate the moving process, wherein the users enter criteria on the platform (10) on the compliance of which consent depends, wherein these criteria are checked by the platform (10) when processing the request, wherein these criteria include at least the criterion of a minimum charge level being reached.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for reparking an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle and a platform.

[0002] One problem for electromobility is the still insufficient charging infrastructure, especially in the public transport sector.

[0003] Therefore, there is a requirement to use the existing infrastructure as efficiently as possible.

[0004] US patent 2015 / 0363986 A1 discloses a method for biometric access recognition of a motor vehicle. This method may include the assignment of restrictions to individual users regarding their use of the vehicle.

[0005] DE 10 2015 013 318 A1 describes a method for removing a motor vehicle, which is at least partially parked and occupies a required target area, from the target area. The motor vehicle has a vehicle system designed for fully automatic vehicle control and a communication device. The invention also relates to a communication system, a motor vehicle, and a transmitting device.

[0006] DE 10 2014 221 754 A1 relates to a method for carrying out an automatic parking operation of a vehicle.

[0007] German patent application DE 10 2017 207 121 A1 describes a method for reparking a vehicle. The invention further relates to a control device, a vehicle, and a computer-readable medium.

[0008] In DE 10 2012 216 174 A1, a system and a method for controlling the movement of a motor vehicle from the outside is described, in particular by means of gesture control.

[0009] From DE 10 2016 211 183 A1 a method, a device and a system for carrying out an automated drive of a vehicle with the participation of at least one other vehicle is known, wherein the vehicle and the at least one other vehicle are suitable to be driven automatically by providing signals for a lateral control and a longitudinal control.

[0010] German patent application DE 10 2011 080 557 A1 proposes a method for the computer-aided operation of a vehicle rental system. In this system, a number of vehicles are made available to a defined group of users for temporary use.

[0011] The invention is based on the technical problem of providing a method for the efficient use of a charging infrastructure for electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles and creating a suitable platform for this purpose.

[0012] The solution to the technical problem is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and a platform having the features of claim 9. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0013] The process for moving an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle from one parking space with a charging station to another is handled via a platform. Users of electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles can register on the platform and generally consent to their vehicle being moved. The actual moving process takes place without the user's involvement. A user wishing to charge submits a request to the platform asking if a vehicle currently occupying a charging station may be moved. The platform then reviews the request. The result is then sent to the user requesting charging, who can then initiate the moving process if the request is approved. This allows for better utilization of the charging station. The platform may also request the user of the vehicle currently parked at the charging station to confirm their consent to the move.However, the user may also waive such consent if, for example, certain criteria are met, which will be explained later. The request may be intended to refer to a specific vehicle parked at a particular charging station. If, on the other hand, multiple charging stations are available, the request can be unspecific. In this case, the platform determines whether one or more vehicles parked at charging stations may be moved. The user is then shown these vehicles along with their charging request and can select one, or the platform may assign a specific vehicle to the user.

[0014] The actual parking process can be carried out in various ways, and depending on the equipment of the vehicles, the different methods can also be used in parallel.

[0015] In one embodiment, the user is provided with access data for the vehicle at the charging station when they request charging, allowing them to manually move the vehicle. For example, the user receives a unique digital access code when requesting charging, which is then also transmitted to the vehicle at the charging station. This access code then authorizes the user to unlock the other vehicle, enter it, and start it in order to move it. Usage can be restricted, for example, by limiting the distance and speed at which the vehicle may be moved. If the vehicle is still connected to the charging station via a charging cable, this must be disconnected beforehand. This can be done manually by the user requesting charging or by a charging robot.If the charging cable is locked in the vehicle, the vehicle unlocks the charging plug beforehand, allowing it to be unplugged. Access data can be transmitted to the user, for example, on a mobile device such as a smartphone. The system may also require the user to authenticate themselves. For this purpose, the user's biometric data is collected and compared with stored biometric data in the platform to prevent misuse. After the vehicle has been moved, its current position can be transmitted to the platform or directly to the owner of the moved vehicle. The user can then drive their vehicle to the charging station and start the charging process (via cable or inductively).

[0016] In an alternative embodiment, authentication data is transmitted to the user along with the charging request, enabling the user to move the vehicle at the charging station using gesture control. It is also possible for the authentication data to initially only grant the ability to communicate with the vehicle at the charging station. For example, the user can request permission from the vehicle to move it. The vehicle can then either query its owner or respond automatically. The moving process can, for instance, be permitted only if the vehicle is already sufficiently charged at the charging station. Once permission is granted, at least one camera on the vehicle to be moved captures the user's charging request. Once visual contact is established, the moving process is then carried out using the user's gesture control.The vehicle being moved uses its environmental sensors to ensure that safe distances to other objects and the user are maintained. Regarding the solution for a potentially plugged-in charging connector, please refer to the preceding explanations. The advantage is that the user does not need access to the other vehicle. Another advantage is that some communication can take place locally between the user and the vehicle, reducing the necessary data transfer.

[0017] In an alternative embodiment, the user, with the charging request, or the platform or a bollard manager transmits a position of a reserved parking space to the vehicle at the charging station, whereby the vehicle then drives fully automatically from the charging station to the reserved parking space.

[0018] In another alternative embodiment, the user is again first asked, after requesting charging, whether a vehicle can be moved at the charging station. Regarding the charging plug solution, reference is again made to the previously described procedures. The user requesting charging then establishes contact with the vehicle at the charging station via Car2X communication. The user requests charging and drives to an available parking space, and the vehicle at the charging station follows the user's vehicle fully automatically. The user's vehicle can then scan the available parking space and, if it is suitable for the following vehicle (the one previously parked at the charging station), notify the following vehicle (e.g., via confirmation on an HMI). The following vehicle then parks automatically, and the user's vehicle can drive to the charging station.It may be stipulated that the charging equipment remains reserved for the duration of the relocation process.

[0019] According to the invention, users enter criteria on the platform, compliance with which is a prerequisite for approval. These criteria are checked by the platform when processing the request. These criteria include at least the criterion of a minimum charge level being reached. Another criterion could be, for example, the age of the potential user. Furthermore, it is checked whether the potential user has a valid driver's license for the vehicle at the charging station. Another criterion could be a rating level of the potential user. For example, the potential user's past behavior could be evaluated, and a rating level determined from this. The user can then make their approval of the relocation process contingent on the potential user having a certain minimum rating level.

[0020] Furthermore, it may be possible for this evaluation of the criteria to take place in advance of the request. In this case, the user, when requesting charging on the platform, does not request a specific vehicle at a charging station, but rather the platform only displays vehicles at charging stations that have agreed to be moved and whose criteria are met.

[0021] In another embodiment, the parking maneuver is monitored by at least one camera, with the data from this camera being transmitted to the platform. There, it can be evaluated and archived. Particularly in embodiments where the user gains access to the other vehicle upon requesting charging, an interior monitoring camera can be used, for example, to detect unnecessary looking around the vehicle, searching the vehicle, moving objects inside the vehicle, soiling the vehicle, or similar actions. If necessary, countermeasures can then be taken promptly, or sanctions can be imposed subsequently. Alternatively or additionally, at least one camera on the vehicle itself can capture the surroundings, and / or an external camera can record, evaluate, and archive the vehicle's movements during the parking maneuver. Data from other sensors (e.g.,Data from parking sensors can be taken into account. This is primarily used to reconstruct damage that may occur during reparking. Artificial intelligence (AI) systems, for example, can be used to analyze the data.

[0022] In another embodiment, the re-parking process is reversed after charging is complete. This allows the re-parked vehicle to, for example, continue charging.

[0023] In another embodiment, the user can reserve a parking space with a local parking management system or via the platform when requesting charging, and the user will then be provided with access data for the parking space. It can be stipulated that a parking maneuver may only be carried out if a parking space has been reserved beforehand, into which the vehicle can then be moved at the charging station.

[0024] In another embodiment, the parking space is secured by an electrically controlled bollard, ensuring that it is not occupied by an unauthorized person.

[0025] Regarding the design of the platform, full reference is made to the preceding statements.

[0026] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to preferred embodiments. The single figure shows a schematic representation of an exemplary situation in a parking lot with isolated charging stations.

[0027] In the Fig.Figure 1 depicts an exemplary situation in a parking lot, showing vehicles 1 parked at charging stations 4, as well as other vehicles 2 parked in parking spaces without charging stations 4. A vehicle 3 is also shown, whose user wishes to charge their electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle. Available parking spaces 5 are shown with dashed lines, and at least one available parking space 5 is secured with an electrically controlled bollard 6. Furthermore, a vehicle 1 has cameras 7 for recording its external surroundings and at least one camera 8 for monitoring the interior of the vehicle 1. A platform 10 and a bollard manager 11 are also provided.On platform 10, users of vehicles 1-3 can register, generally consenting to their vehicle being moved by a third party. This consent may be subject to criteria or may require explicit confirmation in individual cases. Platform 10 can be located on a central server or in the cloud. The bollard manager 11 is used to control the bollards 6.

[0028] In the depicted situation, vehicle 3, whose user wishes to charge, drives into a parking space with charging stations 4, all of which are occupied by other vehicles 1. The user of vehicle 3 with the charging request can then send a request to platform 10 asking whether one of the vehicles 1 may be moved. For this purpose, platform 10 checks the registrations and whether stored criteria are met. One possible criterion is, for example, a sufficient charge level. Platform 10 then compiles a list of which vehicles 1 may be moved. It may be possible for platform 10 to first ask the users of the vehicles 1 whether they consent to the relocation. Consent can also be given in advance. The request to platform 10 is made, for example, via a mobile device.Platform 10 then transmits the list to the user of vehicle 3 with the charging request, who then selects a vehicle to be moved. Alternatively, platform 10 makes the selection according to specific criteria, with only one vehicle available for moving being transmitted back to the end device. It can also be stipulated that a move is generally only permitted if a free parking space 5 is available where the vehicle to be moved can be parked.

[0029] For example, the user of vehicle 3 can reserve a parking space for a certain period of time with the bollard manager 11 and receives access data to unlock bollard 6.

[0030] Once the user of vehicle 3 has confirmed the reservation of an available parking space 5 to platform 10 with their charging request, platform 10 transmits access data for the vehicle to be moved (for example, vehicle 1 in the upper left). Using this access data, the user of vehicle 3 can then gain access to vehicle 1, start it, and park it in the reserved parking space 5. They can then park their own vehicle 3 in the parking space with the charging station 4 and begin the charging process. Vehicle 3 can be charged using a charging cable or inductively. If charging with a cable, the cable must be removed from vehicle 1 before it is moved to the available parking space 5. This can be done either by a charging robot or manually by the user of vehicle 3.Access to vehicle 1 can be secured through various measures to prevent misuse. For example, the user's biometric data can be recorded and compared with biometric data stored on platform 10 before access is granted. Once the relocation process is complete, the new position of vehicle 1 is communicated to the user of the relocated vehicle 1.

[0031] Alternatively, the parking maneuver can also be fully automated. For this, the coordinates of the reserved parking space 5 are communicated to the vehicle to be moved (vehicle 1), and it then drives to this space fully automatically.

[0032] In a second alternative embodiment, the reparking is carried out using gesture control.

[0033] The parking process is monitored using camera 7 and / or camera 8, with camera 8 being used particularly when accessing vehicle 1, for example to document and / or prevent theft attempts.

[0034] The presented method allows the existing charging infrastructure to be used much more efficiently.

[0035] In some cases, the communication described above can be replaced by direct communication between vehicle 1 and vehicle 3. For example, vehicle 3 can be informed which vehicles 1 have generally agreed to a relocation. Vehicle 3 then contacts these vehicles 1, which then communicate whether or not they agree to a relocation at that time. Thus, for example, vehicles 1 do not need to report their charge status to platform 10. Instead, vehicles 1 check this when they receive a charging request from vehicle 3. Reference symbol list 1 vehicle 2 vehicles 3 vehicles 4 Charging device 5 free parking spaces 6 bollards 7 Camera 8 Camera 10 platforms 11 bollard managers

Claims

[1] Method for moving an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle from a parking space with a charging device (4) to another parking space (5) using a platform (10), wherein users of electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles register on the platform (10) who generally agree to the moving of their vehicle (1), wherein a user with a charging request submits a request to the platform (10) as to whether a vehicle (1) occupying a charging device (4) may be moved, wherein the platform (10) checks the request and transmits the result of the check to the user with the charging request, who can then initiate the moving process, wherein the users enter criteria on the platform (10) on the compliance of which consent depends, wherein these criteria are checked by the platform (10) when processing the request, wherein these criteria include at least the criterion of a minimum charge level being reached. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by , that the user is provided with access data for the vehicle (1) at the charging station (4) when requesting charging, so that he can manually repark the vehicle (1). [3] Method according to claim 1, characterized by , that authentication data is transmitted to the user with the charging request, by means of which the user can move the vehicle (1) at the charging device (4) by gesture control. [4] Method according to claim 1, characterized by , that the user with the charging request or the platform (10) transmits the position of a reserved parking space to the vehicle (1) at the charging device (4), whereby the vehicle (1) then drives fully automatically from the charging device (4) to the reserved parking space. [5] Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the parking process is monitored by at least one camera (7, 8), the data from the at least one camera (7, 8) being transmitted to the platform (10). [6] Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that after charging is complete, the parking maneuver is reversed. [7] Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the user can reserve a parking space with a local parking management system or via the platform (10) when requesting charging, and the user will then be provided with access data for the parking space. [8] Method according to claim 7, characterized by , that the parking space is secured by at least one electrically controlled bollard (6). [9] Platform (10), wherein the platform (10) is configured such that users of electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles can register who generally consent to the relocation of their vehicle, wherein the platform (10) is further configured to receive a request from a user with a charging request to relocate a vehicle (1) from a charging facility (4), wherein the platform (10) checks the request and transmits the result to the user with the charging request, wherein the users store criteria on the platform (10) on the compliance of which consent depends, wherein the platform (10) is further configured to check these criteria when processing the request, wherein these criteria include at least the criterion of a minimum charge level being reached.

Images