Method for charging a vehicle at a fast charging station and corresponding vehicle

Abstract

Method for charging a vehicle (10) with high-voltage components (11) at a fast charging station (20), characterized by the following features: - a noise level prevailing around the vehicle (10) is determined, whereby the operating noise (21) generated by the vehicle (10) itself during charging is ignored, - a volume of operating noise (21) that is acceptable to the driver (22) and bystanders (23) is determined depending on the noise level and a measured distance of a vehicle key (24) from the vehicle (10) and - the high-voltage components (11) of the vehicle (10) that are heated by charging are cooled in such a way that the operating noise (21) caused by the cooling is limited to an acceptable volume.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for charging a vehicle at a fast charging station. The present invention further relates to a corresponding vehicle, a corresponding computer program, and a corresponding storage medium. State of the art

[0002] Electric vehicles have become widespread in the last decade due to their environmentally friendly features and improved technologies. A key problem, well-known in the industry and a recurring issue with electric vehicle use, is charging time. Despite significant improvements in battery technology, charging electric vehicles remains time-consuming, especially compared to refueling gasoline or diesel vehicles.

[0003] To solve this problem, fast-charging systems were developed. These systems increase charging speed by using high charging currents. They can charge an electric vehicle's battery in a shorter time, thereby increasing customer acceptance of electric vehicles. However, providing high charging currents generates a significant energy loss in the form of heat. This heat can raise the vehicle's high-voltage components to a temperature that necessitates derating their output power to prevent further overheating and potential damage.

[0004] To prevent this thermal derating and accelerate the charging process, cooling systems are typically used. These usually consist of a coolant circuit that thermally connects the vehicle's high-voltage components to a heat dissipation device, such as a radiator or condenser, and a cooling fan. By increasing the speed of the cooling fan, heat dissipation can be increased, thus accelerating the charging process.

[0005] Furthermore, modern vehicles are often equipped with a variety of sensors, including cameras for driver assistance systems and microphones for voice-controlled systems, and feature keyless entry systems where a key fob or remote control communicates with the vehicle. This communication allows the vehicle to determine whether the key is nearby and whether to lock or unlock it.

[0006] DE102018206812A1 discloses a method for controlling the noise level during the charging process of a battery-electric vehicle, wherein vehicle sensors register traffic and / or ambient noise levels. Based on the registered levels, the noise emission from the charging process can be reduced by means of active noise cancellation. The sensors are implemented as cameras. By means of noise suppression, the ambient noise level can be isolated from the noise level of the charging process. In one embodiment, the noise level is adjusted based on the distance of people from the vehicle.

[0007] DE102016202807A1 discloses a method for controlling the noise level during a charging process of a battery electric vehicle, wherein, based on the maximum loads in the environment (using noise emission position data), the noise emission of the charging process can be adjusted by reducing the fan and / or air conditioning of the vehicle.

[0008] DE102019102248A1 discloses a method for controlling the noise level during the charging process of a battery-electric vehicle, wherein ambient noise levels are registered by means of sensors in a sound recording device. Based on the registered noise levels, noise emission can be adjusted by eliminating charging noise using anti-noise. The sensors are designed as microphones and are arranged (externally) on the vehicle.

[0009] DE102021205697B3 discloses a method for controlling the noise level during the charging process of a battery-electric vehicle, wherein noise sensors are used to register the ambient noise level caused by fan noise. Based on the registered noise levels, the fan speed during the charging process can be adjusted. The sensors are designed as microphones.

[0010] DE102021200997A1 discloses a method for controlling the charging noise level during the charging process of a battery-electric vehicle, wherein ambient noise is registered by means of sensors. Based on the registered noise levels, the noise emission of the charging process can be adjusted by reducing the speed of the vehicle's own fan and / or refrigerant compressor. The sensors are designed as microphones.

[0011] DE102021205554A1 discloses a method for controlling noise emissions during the charging process of a battery-electric vehicle, wherein the ambient noise level is registered by means of vehicle sensors. Based on the registered levels, the noise emission of the charging process can be adjusted by reducing the charging current and thus the fan power. The sensors are designed as microphones.

[0012] DE102018209072A1 discloses a method for controlling the noise level during the charging process of a battery-electric vehicle, wherein the noise emission of the charging process can be adjusted by reducing the fan speed or the compressor power of the cooling system. The noise level of the charging process can be recorded by means of sensors. The sensors are designed as microphones. Disclosure of the invention

[0013] One problem is that fast charging electric vehicles generates significant heat, which must be managed by activating cooling systems of the types described above. However, these cooling systems produce operating noise that can be perceived as disruptive, especially at high fan speeds. This is particularly true in quiet environments, where the vehicle's operating noise can significantly exceed the surrounding noise level.

[0014] This problem is further exacerbated by the fact that acoustic comfort has become a crucial aspect of the user experience in the automotive industry. With the increasing number of electric vehicles and the growing need for fast-charging stations in urban and quiet areas, the operating noise of vehicles during charging is becoming a more relevant issue.

[0015] Another problem is that conventional approaches to reducing operating noise during charging, such as throttling the cooling system, often come at the expense of charging speed. Such throttling can lead to insufficient cooling of the vehicle components, which in turn necessitates a reduction in charging power and an increase in charging time.

[0016] It is therefore a constant challenge to find a compromise between fast charging and low noise levels.

[0017] The described problem is solved by a method for charging a vehicle at a fast charging station, a corresponding vehicle, a corresponding computer program and a corresponding storage medium according to the independent claims.

[0018] This approach offers the advantage that the intelligent combination and use of sensors and systems already present in modern vehicles enables an optimized interaction between the charging process and operating noise emissions. This is facilitated by the fact that the ambient noise level can be determined in various ways, for example, using cameras to record traffic volume or microphones to directly measure ambient noise.

[0019] Furthermore, this approach goes beyond conventional noise control by considering not only the ambient noise level but also the distance of the vehicle key from the vehicle when determining the permissible noise level. This enables personalized and situation-adapted noise control, offering significant added value for the driver. For example, if the vehicle key is far away from the vehicle, the vehicle can emit a higher noise level without disturbing the driver, thus potentially accelerating the charging process.

[0020] Furthermore, this approach enables an efficient cooling solution that ensures adequate cooling of the high-voltage components without exceeding permissible operating noise levels. This protects the vehicle's high-voltage components from overheating without unnecessarily increasing charging time.

[0021] Thus, the proposed approach combines the advantages of fast charging with improved acoustic comfort for both the driver and bystanders, while efficiently utilizing the resources already present in the vehicle. This significantly contributes to an improved user experience and could further increase the acceptance of electric vehicles.

[0022] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent patent claims.

[0023] Brief description of the drawings Fig. Image 1 shows a battery electric vehicle charging at a fast charging station. Fig. Figure 2 shows the vehicle's cooling system. Embodiments of the invention

[0024] Fig. Figure 1 illustrates the application of a method according to the invention using a battery-electric vehicle (10) being charged at a fast-charging station (20). The vehicle (10) has a high-voltage battery that heats up during the charging process. The high-voltage battery and other high-voltage components (11) are designed for a specific operating temperature (12), above which the charging power must be reduced to prevent overheating. This would increase the charging time and is therefore undesirable.

[0025] For the purpose of heat dissipation, the vehicle (10) is equipped with a Fig.The vehicle is equipped with a coolant circuit (14) as shown in Figure 2, in which the coolant (13) is circulated by a coolant pump (15) or a compressor in the case of a refrigerant circuit. The coolant circuit (14) connects the high-voltage components (11) to the radiator fan (17) in the conventional manner via a heat exchanger (16). Additionally, another refrigerant cooling circuit can be connected to the coolant circuit via a heat exchanger. When the coolant pump (15) and the radiator fan (17) operate at higher speeds, the thermal dissipation rate increases, enabling faster charging. However, this also leads to increased operating noise (21), which can be perceived as disturbing by both the driver (22) and other bystanders (23).

[0026] To limit the noise level, the vehicle (10) uses various sensors. A camera (18) mounted on the vehicle (10) to assist the driver (22) when parking can, for example, be used to detect the traffic volume (25) – symbolized in the illustration by a passing motor vehicle – in the vicinity of the vehicle (10). Factors such as the number of traffic sources, their density and speed, as well as the distance from the vehicle (10), are taken into account. Based on this assessment, the noise level in the vicinity of the vehicle (10) is estimated, and the permissible operating noise (21) of the vehicle (10) is limited so that it exceeds the ambient noise level only by a certain amount.

[0027] Additionally, the vehicle (10) can be equipped with an external microphone (19) that directly measures the noise level in the vicinity of the vehicle (10). The operating noise (21) generated by the vehicle (10) itself can be "calculated out" from this measurement using acoustic noise reduction techniques and thus effectively filtered out, as it is to be disregarded when determining the noise level.

[0028] The distance of the vehicle key (24) from the vehicle (10) can also be used to determine the permissible noise levels. If the vehicle key (24) is located beyond a certain distance from the vehicle (10), the permissible operating noise (21) can be increased, as it is assumed that the driver (22) and other bystanders (23) are less likely to be disturbed.

[0029] This regulation is achieved by adjusting the speed of the coolant pump (15) and the radiator fan (17). Both the coolant pump (15) and the radiator fan (17) can be throttled if necessary to limit the operating noise (21) to an acceptable level. This may be the case, for example, if the ambient noise level is low and / or the vehicle key (24) is located close to the vehicle (10). Reference symbol list 10 vehicles 11 high-voltage components 12 Operating temperature 13 Coolant 14 Coolant circuit 15 Coolant pump 16 heat exchangers 17 cooling fans 18 Camera 19 external microphone 20 fast charging stations 21 Operating noise 22 drivers 23 other bystanders 24 vehicle keys 25 Traffic volume QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 102018206812A1

[0006] DE 102016202807A1

[0007] DE 102019102248A1

[0008] DE 102021205697B3

[0009] DE 102021200997A1

[0010] DE 102021205554A1

[0011] DE 102018209072A1

[0012]

Claims

[1] Method for charging a vehicle (10) with high-voltage components (11) at a rapid charging station (20), characterized by following features: - a noise level prevailing around the vehicle (10) is determined, whereby the operating noise (21) generated by the vehicle (10) itself during charging is suppressed, - a volume of the operating noise (21) that is acceptable to the driver (22) and bystanders (23) is determined depending on the noise level and a measured distance of a vehicle key (24) from the vehicle (10), and - the high-voltage components (11) of the vehicle (10) heated by charging are cooled in such a way that the operating noise (21) caused by the cooling is limited to a reasonable volume. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by following features: - cooling is effected by conveying coolant (13) in a circuit (14) by a coolant pump (15), and - the operating noise (21) is limited by throttling the coolant pump (15). [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by following features: - cooling is carried out by means of a heat exchanger (16) by a cooling fan (17) and - the operating noise (21) is limited by throttling the cooling fan (17). [4] Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by following features: - the noise level is determined based on the traffic volume (25) near the vehicle (10) and - the traffic volume (25) is estimated by means of a camera (18) of the vehicle (10). [5] Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by following features: - the noise level is determined by means of an external microphone (19) of the vehicle (10) and - the operating noise (21) is suppressed acoustically at the external microphone (19). [6] Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by following features: - the vehicle key (24) sends out radio signals and - the distance is measured using the radio signals received on the vehicle (10). [7] Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by at least one of the following characteristics: - the volume is set in such a way that it exceeds the noise level by a certain amount, and - if the distance of the vehicle key (24) from the vehicle (10) exceeds a certain amount, the volume is increased. [8] Vehicle (10), characterized by following features: - the vehicle (10) comprises high-voltage components (11) which are designed for a specific charging temperature (12), and - the vehicle (10) is designed to carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 7. [9] Computer program which is designed to carry out all the steps of a method according to one of claims 1 to 6. [10] A machine-readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program according to claim 9.

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