DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE CHARGING POWER WHEN CHARGING A DEVICE TO BE CHARGED USING A SMART CHARGING CABLE

Abstract

Intelligent charging cable for controlling the charging power of batteries of devices to be charged, in particular electric vehicles, in particular an intelligent electric vehicle charging cable comprising - at least a single-phase, grid-side charging cable connection (10), wherein this is configured as a coupling element of the charging cable (1) and a charging station (3), - a vehicle-side charging cable connection (11) that is at least single-phase, wherein it is configured as a coupling element between the charging cable (1) and a device (4) to be charged, - a housing (12) comprising electronics by which a charging power can be adjusted, characterized by the fact that the electronics are set up to monitor and / or adjust the charging current on at least one phase, and / or the electronics include a communication interface which is configured to include at least one signal transmission means by which the transmission of a data signal or a data sequence to at least one computing unit (2) is made possible, and the communication interface is designed in such a way that data communication with the computing unit (2) is enabled, whereby the charging power can be monitored and adjusted through the data communication with the computing unit and The housing (12) enclosed by the charging cable (1) provides a charging cable connection for at least one other charging cable.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the charging, control, and / or termination of a charging process of a device to be charged, in particular an electric vehicle, and especially the charging of an electric vehicle at a charging station with a three-phase, alternating current, or direct current connection. Furthermore, the invention relates to a suitable single-phase or multi-phase device, preferably a charging cable, which includes integrated electronics with at least one communication interface for connecting the charging cable to at least one processing unit, configured to make the charging process of the device to be charged, in particular the electric vehicle, controllable and / or terminable by the processing unit. State of the art

[0002] Charging cables for charging the batteries of devices, particularly electric vehicles, are well known in the prior art. Conventional charging cables are preferably single-phase or multi-phase and are designed to be mechanically and electrically connected to a charging station via a connector to enable charging with alternating current, direct current, or three-phase current. Charging cables with an integrated function for monitoring the charging process are also known. For example, charging cables (e.g., from Bosch) are available that include an "in-cable control box" or electronics integrated into the connector.

[0003] German patent application DE 20 2021 104997U1 discloses a mobile charging cable for controlling the charging of batteries and is characterized in that the charging cable has a communication interface configured to identify a mains connection device, in particular to distinguish between a mains connection cable (also: charging cable) and a mains connection station (also: charging station, charging column, charging device), as well as to identify the charging cable from the mains connection device. A charging control unit is mechanically and electrically connected to a mains connection station via a connector, the mains connection station being configured to be connectable to the electrical supply network.

[0004] Such a device serves to electrically connect a device comprising a battery, in particular an electric vehicle, to the power grid via a charging cable and mains connection station, wherein the charging cable and the mains connection station are mutually identifiable through the communication interface included in the charging cable. For example, charging at a mains connection station can be prohibited if it is not compatible with the mobile charging cable being used, or if charging the electric vehicle at this mains connection station is not permitted for other reasons (e.g., lack of authorization). The grounding of the electric vehicle via the mains connection cable and the mains connection station is also controlled by the Battery Management System (BMS) installed in the device being charged.

[0005] Furthermore, DE 20 2021 104997U1 discloses the use of a charging control unit comprising a housing, a mains-side connection, and a consumer-side connection, wherein it is designed to include the electronic components required for charging a battery, in particular an electric vehicle. Preferably, the charging control unit performs the necessary control and protection functions, such as limiting the charging current, monitoring the polarity of the connections, and ensuring the continuity of the protective earth to the device being charged.

[0006] However, no prior art exists for ensuring the regulation of the charging current when charging an electric vehicle with direct current at so-called fast charging stations. Furthermore, no method has been disclosed for limiting the charging process during direct current charging. The charging control unit disclosed in DE 20 2021 104997U1 has the function of providing alternating current for charging at the device level. The conversion of the alternating current only takes place on the side of the device being charged, preferably the electric vehicle.

[0007] Furthermore, the current state of the art does not reveal any way to remotely control and / or terminate the charging process. It is not possible for a user to monitor the charging process from a distance and adjust it to, for example, the current grid load, or to release the charging station, to which their device, in particular their electric vehicle, is connected, for other users after the charging process has ended.

[0008] WO 2019 / 007466A1 discloses a charging arrangement for an electric vehicle with a traction battery and a method for operating the charging arrangement. The charging arrangement comprises a power supply station connected to a power grid and a power supply cable with a charging plug. The charging plug is connected to the electric vehicle to perform a charging process. A key feature is that the charging plug incorporates a voltage converter for converting the supply voltage UV into a relatively lower charging voltage UL, as well as a method for operating the charging arrangement. Furthermore, a communication module is disclosed, which is arranged on the charging plug and can communicate with the voltage converter and also with an external receiver, in particular a server.

[0009] DE 10 2021 203 362 A1 discloses a charging cable for electrically charging an energy storage device of a hybrid or electric vehicle. The charging cable has a connection device for a detachable connection to the vehicle and a connection device for connecting to a power supply unit. This charging cable also has a control unit and a communication unit. An independent authorization mechanism is described for identification. Furthermore, D2 discloses a switching unit for interrupting the charging current.

[0010] German patent DE 10 2015 208 786 A1 discloses a communication module for charging a vehicle at a charging station via a charging cable. The special feature is the use of two communication protocols in such a way that even with limited communication capabilities of the vehicle, the implementation of smart charging or plug & charge is possible. However, communication pins are disclosed here which can also be used for transmitting a pilot signal.

[0011] German patent DE 10 2017 222 968 A1 discloses a charging cable for charging a vehicle's electrical energy storage system. The vehicle-side connector includes a control unit that functions as an in-cable control box. This control unit can determine various charging parameters during the charging process. Data communication via a screen or communication module is also disclosed.

[0012] German patent DE 20 2021 104 997 U1 discloses a mobile charging cable for controlling the charging of electric vehicle batteries and a grid connection station. The charging cable includes a charging control unit and a communication interface with identification means for identifying a grid connection device via the charging cable. Task

[0013] The present invention therefore addresses the technical problem of providing a device that enables a user to control and / or terminate the charging process of a device being charged from a distance. The device is designed to monitor the charging power transmitted by a charging station, to adjust the charging power according to the user's wishes and / or taking into account the current grid load, and to make the charging station available to other users after the charging process has ended.

[0014] Furthermore, the present invention aims to provide a device that is functional regardless of the type of charging used, i.e., regardless of whether charging is done with direct current, alternating current or three-phase current. Solution

[0015] The technical problem is solved by providing an intelligent charging cable (1) which enables the monitoring and control of the charging of a device (4), in particular an electric vehicle, wherein the charging cable has control and protection functions. These include charging current limiting, polarity control of the connections, and ensuring the continuity of the protective earth to the device (4) being charged, wherein the charging cable (1) according to the invention is suitable for controlling the charging process via at least one data communication interface via a spatially remote, in particular mobile, computing unit (2) using a computer program, preferably an application (also: app).

[0016] According to the invention, this problem is solved by an intelligent charging cable (1) according to claim 1, which is configured to monitor and control the charging of a device (4) to be charged, wherein the charging cable includes at least one communication interface configured to enable communication with a computing unit (2) by means of which the charging power can be monitored and adjusted. Furthermore, the housing encompassed by the charging cable provides a charging cable connection for at least one further charging cable.

[0017] Further advantageous embodiments can be found in the dependent claims, the description and the exemplary embodiments. General advantages

[0018] Advantageously, the device according to the invention enables the user of the device (4) being charged to adjust and control the charging process of their device, even if they are physically separated from the device being charged. This allows the charging process to be adapted to the grid load, the status of the battery of the device (4) being charged, and external environmental conditions (e.g., temperature). For example, if the grid load is high at a given time, the user can interrupt the charging process and resume it at a later time. It is also advantageous to be able to adapt the charging process to the current supply situation. Due to fluctuating grid feed-ins from renewable energies that depend on the time of day and weather, the electricity price varies throughout the day. The device (1) according to the invention enables the user to adjust the charging process so that they can charge at a favorable rate.

[0019] The intelligent charging cable (1) enables the control and adjustment of charging processes for multiple devices (4)(41) to be charged, which are connected to one or more charging stations (3) via one or more charging cables according to the invention. For example, if one device (4) to be charged is to complete the charging process earlier than another, the charging process can be adjusted accordingly using the device according to the invention.

[0020] Further advantages can be found in the description and the examples of implementation. Detailed description of the invention

[0021] The device according to the invention is essentially an intelligent charging cable (1) for controlling the charging power of devices (4) to be charged, preferably electric vehicles, in particular an intelligent charging cable for charging electric vehicles (also: electric vehicle charging cable). The device comprises a single- or multi-phase, mains-side charging cable connection (10) for mechanically and electrically coupling the charging cable according to the invention with a charging station (also: charging column, charging device, mains connection station). The mains-side charging cable connection (10) is configured such that it has signal contacts and contacts for energy transmission.The signal contacts comprise a proximity pilot contact (also: or plug-present contact) (PP), hereinafter referred to as the charging cable detection contact (102), which can detect the presence of a charging station plug / connection, and a control pilot contact (CP), hereinafter referred to as the control / data line (101), which serves to exchange control signals between the device (4) to be charged and the charging station (3). The energy transmission contacts are preferably configured to include phase conductors, hereinafter referred to as phases, as well as a neutral conductor (107) and a protective conductor (105). The protective conductor (105) is preferably configured to ensure grounding and personal protection. The neutral conductor (107) is preferably configured to compensate for phase shifts of the currents in the phases.In a preferred embodiment, the mains-side charging cable connection (10) is a plug conforming to standard EN 62196 Type 2, but an embodiment with a plug conforming to standard SAE J 1772 Type 1 is also possible. Such a design advantageously allows the device (4) to be charged via up to three phases (103)(104)(106), thereby achieving a shorter charging time by using the additional phases. Furthermore, the grounding of the device (4) to be charged is ensured throughout the entire charging process via the protective conductor (105).

[0022] Hereinafter, the device (4) to be charged will be referred to as an electric vehicle. However, it is also possible to use the method disclosed herein for a different device comprising a rechargeable battery. Such a device could be, for example, a laptop, a tablet, or a smartphone. The following designation of the device (4) to be charged as an electric vehicle is not to be understood as restrictive.

[0023] For the purposes of the invention, a charging station (3) is understood to be a device that provides electrical energy for charging an electric vehicle (4). Such a device can be, for example, an AC, DC, or three-phase charging station. In particular, it can be a charging column, wallbox, or even a standard electrical outlet.

[0024] Furthermore, the intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention comprises a single- or multi-phase device-side charging cable connection (11) (hereinafter referred to as vehicle-side charging cable connection or vehicle connection) for connecting the intelligent charging cable to a device (4) to be charged, in particular an electric vehicle. The vehicle-side charging cable connection (11) is preferably designed to be structurally identical to the grid-side charging cable connection (10). This advantageously eliminates the need for electronics to convert between different connection principles and the need for an adapter.

[0025] For the purposes of the invention, an "intelligent charging cable" is a charging cable comprising functions that enable a user to control and / or terminate the charging process of an electric vehicle (4) via at least one processing unit (2). For this purpose, the charging cable (1) according to the invention also comprises a housing (12) designed to include electronics. The electronics are preferably configured to enable monitoring and / or adjustment of the charging power of the electric vehicle (4) by monitoring and / or adjusting the charging current on at least one phase. Monitoring and / or adjusting the charging power is preferably achieved by connecting a shunt (also known as a shunt resistor). A shunt, as understood by those skilled in the art, is a resistor that, in this case, is connected in parallel to the phase to be monitored in order to prevent current flow from the charging station (3) to the electric vehicle.to prevent current flow to the battery of the device being charged. The shunt is preferably designed such that it can be electronically and / or electromechanically controlled by the electronics installed in the housing (12). Thus, the charging power can be controlled during the charging process by the intelligent charging cable (1) by interrupting or enabling the current flow through the individual phases to the electric vehicle (4) by switching a shunt on or off.

[0026] In one embodiment, the housing (12) containing the electronics is configured such that it is located downstream of the vehicle-side charging cable connection (11) and / or a mains-side charging cable connection (10) of the charging cable (1) according to the invention. Preferably, the housing (12) is integrated into a connector head of the charging cable (1) according to the invention. This advantageously allows for a space-saving design, eliminating the need for an in-cable control box.

[0027] In a further embodiment, the housing (12) containing the electronics is designed as an in-cable control box. This design advantageously ensures that the electronics enclosed by the housing (12) are easily accessible, replaceable, and serviceable. Such a design is also easily retrofitted should the user require additional functions.

[0028] Furthermore, an embodiment is possible in which the housing (12) is integrated into a wiring system. A wiring system (also called a control cabinet) is understood by those skilled in the art to be a system consisting of wiring, which serves to electrically connect individual electrically functional components, and a support system, in particular a rail system, e.g., a system comprising DIN rails, comb profiles, and / or brackets. Preferably, the wiring system comprising the housing (12) is integrated into the charging station (3). Thus, the control and / or termination of the charging process can be carried out directly via the charging station (3).

[0029] The charging cable (1) according to the invention also comprises at least one communication interface integrated into the housing (12). The communication interface is preferably configured to include at least one signal transmission means for enabling data transmission via, for example, Bluetooth and / or WLAN and / or mobile communications, e.g., LTE, and / or LoRaWAN, which is configured to transmit a data signal or a data sequence to at least one computing unit (2), preferably to a spatially remote, external computing unit, i.e., one not associated with the electric vehicle (4). The communication interface is configured to enable communication with the computing unit (2) so that the charging power can be advantageously monitored and / or adjusted via the electronics integrated in the housing (12).

[0030] For the purposes of the invention, the term "computing unit" refers to a computing system comprising a processor unit, a communication interface for sending and receiving data, and a computer-readable storage medium, wherein the storage medium contains a computer program product, also known as a software product, which includes instructions for controlling and / or terminating the charging process by the charging cable (1) according to the invention. Such a computing unit could be, for example, an external, mobile computing unit such as a smartphone or a tablet, or a stationary computing unit such as a PC, or a distributed computing unit, in particular a cloud. However, computing units integrated into the electric vehicle (4), i.e., internal units, such as those included in the BMS, are also conceivable.

[0031] Preferably, the charging cable (1) according to the invention enables coupling with at least one spatially remote computing unit (2) via the included communication interface, the distance being able to range from a few meters, e.g., to the smartphone of a user standing next to the electric vehicle (4), to any number of kilometers, e.g., to a cloud server in a company headquarters. The user can thus control and / or terminate the charging process of the electric vehicle via the computing unit (2), particularly from a distance, but also from the immediate vicinity of the electric vehicle and the charging station.

[0032] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the housing (12) is designed as an in-cable control box, the housing comprising a plurality of connections. The connections are arranged such that they enable a user to connect the housing (12) to a charging device, in particular a wallbox, by means of a cable provided for this purpose. The connection is made according to a plug-in principle, the cable connections being designed analogously to the connections of the device (1) according to the invention described above.

[0033] Furthermore, the housing (12) is designed according to the invention such that the plurality of connections it comprises provides at least one connection for connecting a charging cable for charging an electric vehicle (4), as well as a connection for connecting a further housing, which is identical in design to the first housing (12). Thus, by simply connecting several of the housings (12) comprised of the intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention, the user can set up a charging device for several electric vehicles (4, 41). Thanks to the easily implemented plug connections, after the initial setup of a charging station, such as a wallbox, by a person skilled in the art, it is therefore unnecessary to involve such a person for setting up further charging connections.

[0034] Each of the plurality of housings (12) is designed to have all essential protective functions to protect the user, the electric vehicle (4), and its battery during the charging process. In particular, the housing (12) ensures protective grounding throughout the entire charging process. The housing (12) also includes electronics that control and / or terminate the charging process of the electric vehicle (1) connected to the housing via a charging cable. Furthermore, the electronics of each housing (12) include a communication interface configured to enable data communication between the housing and a computing unit (2), preferably a spatially remote, external computing unit. Thus, the user can control and / or terminate the charging processes of several electric vehicles, particularly remotely, via the housings (12) encompassed by the charging cable (1) according to the invention.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the electronics integrated into the charging cable (1) according to the invention include an electricity meter. The electricity meter is preferably configured to monitor the electrical power supplied to the electric vehicle (4) by the charging station (3). This allows the electrical power supplied to the electric vehicle (4) by the charging station (3) to be monitored advantageously without having to access data from the BMS. An additional on-board diagnostic system and / or connection, as well as a processing unit for evaluating the BMS data, are advantageously not required to access the charging data.

[0036] Furthermore, the electronics of the intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention, in one embodiment, comprise at least one optical display (13) (hereinafter referred to as the display), which is configured to serve as a user interface. This advantageously allows the user to easily read, for example, the status of the charging process, the power transferred and / or to be transferred, and the charging capacities used by the charging cable. Preferably, the display is configured such that a control command entered by the user via the display (13) can be executed. This has the advantage that direct control of the charging process when connecting the electric vehicle (4) and the charging station (3) is possible without the use of a processing unit.

[0037] The charging cable (1) according to the invention comprises, as described above, at least one control / data line (101) which serves to transmit control signals between the charging station (3) and the BMS permanently installed in the electric vehicle (4). In a preferred embodiment, an interface to the control / data line (101) is provided by the electronics included in the charging cable (1) according to the invention. This has the advantage that control signals between the BMS, the charging station (3), and the intelligent charging cable (1) can be read out. By means of the communication interface integrated into the electronics included in the charging cable (1) according to the invention, these control signals can be transmitted in the form of data to a processing unit (2), preferably a spatially remote, external processing unit. Thus, it is advantageously ensured that the user can read the status of the charging process even from a distance.

[0038] Furthermore, the provided and described interface to the control / data line (101) of the charging cable serves to transmit control commands to the charging station (3) and / or the electric vehicle (4). By means of the communication interface integrated into the electronics comprised of the charging cable (1) according to the invention, control signals from at least one processing unit (2), preferably a spatially remote processing unit, can be transmitted through the charging cable to the interface to the control / data line (101) of the charging cable (1) according to the invention. Thus, it is advantageously ensured that the user can control and / or terminate the charging process even remotely.

[0039] In a further embodiment, the intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention comprises a charging cable detection contact (102) which is configured such that it can preferably be interrupted by the electronics. If the electronics send a signal to interrupt the charging cable detection contact (102), the charging process can be interrupted because the charging station (3) does not supply current if it does not detect a connected electric vehicle (4) via this connection. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the signal to interrupt the charging cable detection contact (102) can be transmitted remotely by the user via the communication interface included in the electronics of the charging cable (1) according to the invention, i.e., from a spatial distance, so that the charging process can also be interrupted remotely, since the current flow is interrupted by the charging station (3) when an interrupted connection of the charging cable detection contact (102) is detected.

[0040] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the charging cable (1) according to the invention comprises a mechanism for ejecting the mains-side and / or vehicle-side connector (10), which is configured such that it can be remotely controlled via the communication interface by a computing unit (2), preferably a spatially remote, external computing unit. Preferably, the mechanism includes a mechanical ejection component, for example, a spring or a switch. Thus, the intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention can be ejected on the side of the charging station (3) and / or the electric vehicle (4), while remaining locked on the vehicle side and / or the side of the charging station. Therefore, the charging station (1) can advantageously be remotely released for another electric vehicle (4) as soon as the charging process is complete.

[0041] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the communication interface encompassed by the electronics of the charging cable (1) according to the invention is designed in such a way that it enables data transmission to a mobile terminal and / or a stationary computing unit and / or to a cloud-based computing system.

[0042] For the purposes of the invention, a cloud means a remote, distributed computing environment and / or at least a remote computing unit, comprising at least one storage medium which contains a computer program product that includes instructions for storing and / or evaluating received data.

[0043] For the purposes of the invention, a mobile terminal device is a user-portable, operable computing unit comprising a storage medium which contains a computer program product, also a software product, which contains instructions for storing and / or evaluating received data.

[0044] For the purposes of the invention, a stationary computing unit means a stationary computing system, in particular a PC, comprising a storage medium which contains a computer program product, also a software product, which contains instructions for storing and / or evaluating received data.

[0045] A communication interface set up in this way makes it advantageous to transmit data and evaluate charging processes of several electric vehicles (4)(41) by means of a mobile terminal and / or a stationary computing unit and / or a cloud-based computing system.

[0046] Data communication is particularly preferably carried out via the communication interface comprised of the electronics of the intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention, using at least one form of contactless data transmission. Contactless data transmission is achieved, for example, via a transmission format known from the prior art or a data transmission standard such as Bluetooth and / or WLAN and / or mobile communications (e.g., LTE or 5G) and / or LoRaWAN. Providing different transmission formats enables compatibility with different computing systems and data formats. The contactless data transmission, orThe contactless connection of a computing unit (2), preferably a spatially remote, external computing unit, using the transmission formats mentioned above enables the user to control and / or terminate the charging process remotely, as already described, and also establishes a secure, non-readable coupling between the charging cable (1) according to the invention and the computing unit (2).

[0047] Preferably, the data communication interface of the intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention is configured such that it can be operated by a user and / or an algorithm and / or an artificial intelligence by means of a computer program product, in particular an application (also: app). For the purposes of the invention, an algorithm is defined as an instruction or a sequence of instructions that are included in a computer program product. For the purposes of the invention, an app is understood to be a computer program product that serves the purpose of enabling a function to be performed by a computing unit, in particular a mobile computing unit (e.g., a smartphone or a tablet).

[0048] Such a function includes, for example, sending a command to regulate the charging current to the electronics included in the charging cable (1) according to the invention. Such a command can implement both the control of a shunt included in the electronics and the interruption of the charging cable control contact (102).

[0049] In a further embodiment, a function implemented by a computer program product includes informing the user about time-of-day-dependent electricity tariffs. In this embodiment, the computing unit (2) containing and implementing the computer program product is designed such that it receives information regarding the current electricity tariffs via a communication interface. The computer program product is designed such that it forwards this information to the user, enabling the user to optimize the charging process of an electric vehicle (4) based on the available tariffs by pausing the charging process or continuing it with a higher or lower charging power. Particularly preferred, the computer program product is designed such that it allows a user to enter a maximum electricity price and automatically pauses the charging process by sending control signals to the electronics enclosed by the charging cable.The charging process continues if the set price is exceeded or falls below the set price. Thus, automated and / or manual cost-optimized charging of an electric vehicle (4) is possible using the intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention.

[0050] Furthermore, it is advantageous to implement automated and / or manual control of the charging process using the intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention.

[0051] Advantageously, the communication interface integrated into the charging cable (1) according to the invention, as described above, also enables the user and / or an algorithm and / or artificial intelligence to control the charging process over time. For example, by entering a time window, the user can design the charging process so that, with optimal use of the charging capacity of the charging station (3) (e.g., depending on the number of electric vehicles (4)(41) charging at it) and / or taking the grid load into account, the charging process is completed at a selected time. In another embodiment, a deployment plan for a company vehicle, wherein the company vehicle is an electric vehicle (4), is stored on the storage medium of a computing unit (2), preferably a spatially remote, external computing unit.By means of a computer program product, which is also stored on the storage medium of the computing unit (2), preferably a spatially remote, external computing unit, the deployment plan of the electric vehicle (4) can be retrieved, and the charging process of the electric vehicle can be controlled and / or interrupted via the intelligent charging cable (1) according to the times.

[0052] In a further embodiment, the charging cable (1) according to the invention can be coupled with a device that monitors the grid load, e.g., a smart meter. A smart meter is known to those skilled in the art as an instrument for reading and allocating the capacities of an electrical supply network. It has a data communication unit for transmitting current consumption data of a load to a user and / or a processing unit. The coupling of the intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention and the smart meter preferably takes place via a data exchange between the data communication interface of the intelligent charging cable and a processing unit (2), preferably a spatially remote, external processing unit, which is configured to receive data from the smart meter.Thus, the charging process of the electric vehicle (4) connected to a charging station (3) via the intelligent charging cable (1) can be advantageously controlled and / or interrupted depending on the network load of the supply network.

[0053] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises an intelligent charging system, comprising an intelligent charging cable (1) according to one of the above-mentioned embodiments, a charging station (3), a device to be charged (4), preferably an electric vehicle, and at least one computing unit (2) connected contactlessly to the intelligent charging cable, preferably a spatially remote, external computing unit, for controlling and / or terminating the charging process.

[0054] The present invention further comprises a method for controlling the charging power between a device (4) to be charged, preferably an electric vehicle, and a charging station (3). The method according to the invention first comprises providing an electric vehicle (4). The method further comprises providing a charging station (3). The charging station (3) and the device (4) to be charged are configured such that they are compatible with charging the device. A further step comprises connecting the device (4) to be charged, in particular the electric vehicle, to the charging station (3) by means of a smart charging cable (1) as described above.

[0055] In one embodiment, the coupled charging cable (1) according to the invention enables the user to monitor and / or control and / or terminate the charging process of the device (4) to be charged, preferably the electric vehicle, via a display (13) encompassed by the intelligent charging cable (1), which serves as an operating console.

[0056] The inventive method for controlling the charging power comprises, in a further step, coupling the intelligent charging cable (3) with at least one computing unit (2), preferably a spatially remote, external computing unit. The coupling preferably takes place via contactless data transmission using a communication interface included in the intelligent charging cable (1). The computing unit (2) is preferably a spatially remote computing unit, in particular a distributed computing environment or a mobile device.

[0057] In a further step, the inventive method for controlling the charging power comprises monitoring and / or controlling the charging power by means of a computer program product, also software product, which can be controlled by a user and / or an algorithm, and / or by electronics which are set up in such a way that they monitor and / or adjust the charging power at the charging station (3) and the device to be charged (4) by monitoring and / or adjusting the charging current on at least one phase.

[0058] Such a method offers the advantage that the user can adjust and / or interrupt the charging process of a device (4) to be charged remotely and / or adapted to current consumption data and time sequences.

[0059] The invention also relates to the use of the intelligent charging cable defined herein for connecting and charging a device (4), in particular an electric vehicle, at charging stations with or without charging power control. Since the intelligent charging cable (1) has the necessary electronics for monitoring the charging power as well as all essential protective functions to protect the user, the device (4) to be charged, and the battery of the device to be charged during the charging process, the intelligent charging cable can also be used in conjunction with older generation charging stations that are not designed to monitor the current grid power. Furthermore, the charging cable (1) according to the invention can, for example, be used to charge electric vehicles (4)(41) from a company's fleet in order to coordinate the charging process of several electric vehicles. Examples of implementation

[0060] The present invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures and embodiments, without limiting the invention to these.

[0061] This shows Fig. 1 a schematic view of a mains-side charging cable connection (10) of the device according to the invention, wherein existing charging cable connection contacts (101-107) are shown Fig. 2 a schematic view of the device according to the invention, wherein the charging cable connections (10)(11) are shown in their entirety Fig. 3 a schematic view of the use of the device according to the invention for coupling an electric vehicle (4) with a charging station (3), wherein the charging process of the electric vehicle can be monitored by coupling the charging cable (1) according to the invention with a remote computing unit (2), designed in such a way that the coupling of the charging cable with the computing unit takes place via WLAN via a communication interface integrated into the mains-side plug head of the charging cable and enclosed by a housing (13). Fig. 4 a schematic view of the use of the device according to the invention for coupling several electric vehicles (4), (41) wherein the charging process of the electric vehicles can be monitored by coupling the charging cable (1) according to the invention with a computing unit (2), in particular a cloud, is designed such that the coupling of the charging cable with the computing unit takes place via a communication interface encompassed by a housing (13) via LTE.

[0062] This reveals Fig. In a first embodiment, a charging cable connection (10)(11) of a charging cable (1) according to the invention is shown for connecting a device (4) to be charged, in particular an electric vehicle, to a charging station (3). The illustrated mains-side charging cable connection (10) of the charging cable according to the invention is a three-phase charging cable connection with a plug conforming to standard EN 62196 type 2, comprising two signal contacts, wherein the signal contacts are configured such that they are a charging cable detection contact (102) and a control / data line (101). Furthermore, the charging cable connection comprises five contacts for energy transmission, wherein the contacts are configured such that they include a neutral conductor (107), a protective conductor (105), and three live conductors (103)(104)(106), hereinafter referred to as phases.The phases (103)(104)(106) are configured to allow current flow from the charging station (3) to the device (4) being charged. The protective conductor (105) is designed to ensure grounding and personal protection during charging. The neutral conductor (107) is designed to compensate for phase shifts of the currents in the phases. Preferably, the device-side charging cable connection (11) is designed to be identical in construction to the mains-side charging cable connection (10).

[0063] Alternatively, the charging cable (1) according to the invention can be a single-phase charging cable. The device-side charging cable connection (11) of the intelligent charging cable (1) is designed to include two signal contacts, analogous to the first embodiment described above, and three contacts for energy transmission, wherein the contacts are designed to include a neutral conductor (107), a protective conductor (105), and a phase (103). The functions realized by the energy transmission contacts correspond to those of the first embodiment. Preferably, the device-side charging cable connection (11) of the charging cable (1) is designed to include two dummy contacts to ensure compatibility with other connection systems.

[0064] In Fig. Figure 2 discloses the mains-side (10) and device-side (11) charging cable connections. The mains-side charging cable connection (10) is designed to include a housing (12), the housing comprising electronics designed to control and / or terminate the charging process of a device (4) to be charged, which is connected to a charging station (3) via the charging cable (1) according to the invention. In this embodiment, the housing (12) includes an optical display (13) designed such that user input via the display can be processed by the electronics, thereby controlling and / or terminating the charging process. Furthermore, information about the charging process can be read on the display (13).

[0065] Fig. Figure 3 discloses in one embodiment the use of the intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention for controlling and / or terminating the charging process of a device to be charged, here an electric vehicle (4), at a charging station (3). The charging station (3), to which the charging cable (1) according to the invention is connected, is a charging station that does not include charging power control. The charging power cannot be regulated via the charging station (3) and cannot be adapted to the grid load.

[0066] In this embodiment, the intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention is, in this example, a three-phase charging cable. The charging cable has a vehicle-side (11) and mains-side (10) charging cable connection with a plug that conforms to standard EN 62196 type 2, as shown in Fig. 1 revealed.

[0067] Furthermore, the intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention has a housing (12) which is located directly downstream of the mains-side charging cable connection (10). In particular, in this embodiment, the housing (12) is integrated into the plug head of the mains-side charging cable connection (10).

[0068] In this embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises electronics enclosed by the housing (12). The electronics are designed to provide a communication interface for connecting the intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention to a computing unit (2) via a contactless data transmission format. In this exemplary embodiment, the communication interface is designed to enable data transmission via WLAN.

[0069] Furthermore, the electronics comprise a module for controlling the three phases (103)(104)(106) of the intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention, which is designed such that each phase can be controlled individually and the current flow along each phase can be interrupted individually. The module is characterized in that it can be controlled by a signal received from the communication interface.

[0070] In this configuration, the module comprises controllable resistors, in particular shunts, which are connected in parallel to the three phases (103)(104)(106). By connecting the shunts in parallel, the current flow through at least one phase is interrupted. Thus, the charging power can be controlled via the module.

[0071] Fig. Figure 3 further shows the coupling of the device according to the invention with a computing unit (2), in particular a remote computing unit. The coupling is achieved via the communication interface included in the electronics of the intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention and a communication interface integrated in the computing unit (2). Thus, the exchange of data between the intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention and the computing unit (2) is possible. The charging process can therefore be controlled and / or terminated by a user and / or a computer program stored on a storage medium included in the computing unit (2).

[0072] Additionally, the electronics comprised of the intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention can be designed such that they include a module which increases and / or decreases the resistance of the individual phases by means of series-connected resistor elements. Thus, the charging power at each individual phase can be regulated individually. In this embodiment, the electronics comprise an electronic potentiometer.

[0073] Furthermore, it would be conceivable that the computing unit (2) is designed such that it receives information from a device monitoring the grid load. In this embodiment, the device monitoring the grid load is a smart meter. The intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention is designed such that, via the communication interface it includes, the coupled computing unit (2) controls and / or terminates the charging process of the coupled electric vehicle (4) based on the information provided by the smart meter.

[0074] Fig. Figure 4 shows a further embodiment of an intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention, which comprises a housing (12) that is located downstream of the mains-side charging cable connection (10). Here, the housing and the electronics it contains are housed separately from the plug heads of the vehicle-side (11) and mains-side (10) charging cable connections in an in-cable control box.

[0075] The in-cable control box is designed to provide multiple charging cable connections.

[0076] Furthermore, the in-cable control box includes electronics that enable the separate control of the connected charging cables. Thus, the charging processes of several electric vehicles (4)(41) connected via the charging cables can be controlled by the device (1) according to the invention.

[0077] In this embodiment, the electronics further include a communication interface. The communication interface is designed to enable connection to a computing unit (2), in particular a remote, distributed computing environment, also known as a cloud, via mobile network (e.g., LTE). Thus, the charging process can be controlled and / or terminated via the cloud using a computer program.

[0078] Another conceivable embodiment is one in which the intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention comprises a mechanism at the mains-side charging cable connection (10) which is designed such that the mains-side charging cable connection (10) of the charging cable (1) according to the invention can be ejected after the charging process has ended. After the charging process has ended, the charging station (3) is thus advantageously recognizable as available to other users and can be used immediately.

[0079] Another embodiment relates to a charging cable (1) comprising a housing (12), wherein the housing (12) is configured as an in-cable control box. In this embodiment, the mains-side charging cable connection (10) is permanently connected to a charging station (3). In this embodiment, the charging station (3) is a wallbox. The housing (12) encompassed by the charging cable according to the invention is configured to provide at least one connection for another charging cable, also comprising a housing (12). In this embodiment, two further charging cables, each comprising a housing (12), are connected to the first housing (12). Another charging cable, also comprising a housing (12), is connected to one of the housings (12). Each housing (12) is configured to include a cable with a vehicle-side charging cable connection (11).Thus, the setup implemented in this embodiment provides four connections for charging an electric vehicle (4).

[0080] Furthermore, it should be noted that the person skilled in the art will undoubtedly recognize that the individual features described in the above specific embodiments can be combined appropriately, provided there is no contradiction, and to avoid unnecessary repetition, a separate description of various possible combinations is omitted. Reference symbol list 1 Smart charging cable 2 Computing unit 3 charging stations 4 Device to be loaded 10 Mains-side charging cable connection 11 Device-side charging cable connection 12 cases 13 Display 41 Another electric vehicle 101 Control / Data Line 102 Charging cable detection contact 103 First Phase 104 Second Phase 105 Protective conductor 106 Third Phase 107 Neutral conductor

Claims

[1] Intelligent charging cable for controlling the charging power of batteries of devices to be charged, in particular electric vehicles, in particular an intelligent electric vehicle charging cable comprising - at least a single-phase, grid-side charging cable connection (10), wherein this is configured as a coupling element of the charging cable (1) and a charging station (3), - a vehicle-side charging cable connection (11) that is at least single-phase, wherein it is configured as a coupling element between the charging cable (1) and a device (4) to be charged, - a housing (12) comprising electronics by which a charging power can be adjusted, characterized by , that the electronics are set up to monitor and / or adjust the charging current on at least one phase, and / or the electronics include a communication interface which is configured to include at least one signal transmission means by which the transmission of a data signal or a data sequence to at least one computing unit (2) is made possible, and the communication interface is designed in such a way that data communication with the computing unit (2) is enabled, whereby the charging power can be monitored and adjusted through the data communication with the computing unit and The housing (12) enclosed by the charging cable (1) provides a charging cable connection for at least one other charging cable. [2] Intelligent charging cable according to claim 1, wherein the electronics comprise an electricity meter configured to monitor the power supplied by the charging station (3) to the device (4) to be charged. [3] Intelligent charging cable according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electronics further comprise a display (13) wherein the display serves as a user interface. [4] Intelligent charging cable according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the charging cable (1) comprises a control / data line (101) and the electronics are configured to provide an interface to the control / data line. [5] Intelligent charging cable according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the charging cable (1) comprises a charging cable detection contact (102) which is configured such that it can be interrupted via the electronics. [6] Intelligent charging cable according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the communication interface is configured to enable data transmission to a mobile terminal and / or a stationary computing unit and / or a cloud-based storage medium. [7] Intelligent charging cable according to claim 6, wherein the communication interface enables contactless transmission of data communication signals. [8] Intelligent charging cable according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the charging cable (1) is configured to be operable by a user and / or an algorithm via the communication interface with a computer program product, in particular an app. [9] Intelligent charging cable according to claim 8, wherein the charging process via the computer program product is adjustable in time and / or interruptible by a user and / or the algorithm and / or an artificial intelligence. [10] Intelligent charging cable according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the charging cable (1) can be coupled via the computing unit (2) to a device monitoring the network load. [11] Intelligent charging cable according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the charging cable (1) comprises a mechanism for ejecting the mains-side charging cable connector (10). [12] Intelligent charging cable according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the housing (12) encompassed by the charging cable (1) is configured such that it can be coupled by a user to a charging device and at least one further intelligent charging cable according to one of the preceding claims, so that at least one charging option for a device (4) to be charged is provided on each coupled intelligent charging cable. [13] Intelligent charging system comprising an intelligent charging cable according to any of the preceding claims as well as a charging station and / or an electric vehicle (4). [14] Method for controlling the charging power between a device to be charged (4) and a charging station (3), comprising the following steps: a) Providing (S01) a device to be loaded (4), b) Provision (S02) of a charging station (3), c) Coupling (S03) the charging station (3) and the device to be charged (4) with a charging cable (1) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 12, d) Coupling (S04) the charging cable (1) with at least one computing unit (2), e) Monitoring (S05) and / or controlling (S06) the charging power by a user and / or an algorithm and / or an artificial intelligence and / or a computer program product and / or by electronics comprised of an intelligent charging cable (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the electronics are configured to monitor and / or adjust the charging power at the charging station (3) and the device to be charged (4) by monitoring and / or adjusting the charging current on at least one phase. [15] Use of the intelligent charging cable (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 for coupling and charging a device (4) to be charged at charging stations with or without charging power control.

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