Method for operating a charging system for a motor vehicle that is at least partially electrically powered, computer program product and charging system

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and a method for operating a charging system (10) for a motor vehicle (12) that is at least partially electrically powered, comprising the steps of: detecting the motor vehicle (12) by means of a detection device (20) of the charging system (10); determining the vehicle type of the motor vehicle (10) depending on the detected motor vehicle (10) by means of an electronic computing device (20) of the charging system (10); and providing a vehicle-type-specific charging configuration (22) of a charging device (14) of the charging system (10) for the motor vehicle (12) by means of the charging device (14). The invention further relates to a computer program product and a system (10).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a charging system for a motor vehicle that is at least partially electrically powered, according to claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer program product and a charging system.

[0002] It is already known from current technology that charging stations are selected by customers based on their vehicle's specific plug type. This is primarily because, for example, plugs, pin configurations, charging parameters, and other settings are vehicle-specific. A universal charging system must automatically detect the manufacturer and vehicle type in order to adjust the parameters automatically.

[0003] EP 2 654 169 B1 discloses a charging device for charging an energy storage device with a measuring device for recording initial measurement data about a charging process, wherein the measuring device is configured to record the initial measurement data taking into account manufacturer- and type-specific command and data formats;and a control device configured to convert the first measurement data into second measurement data according to a specified measurement data format, wherein the measuring device is connected to the control device via a communication interface and a communication protocol, and wherein the control device is configured to provide the second measurement data independently of the communication interface and the communication protocol, wherein the control device comprises a non-volatile memory with a plurality of data records, each of which specifies a conversion rule for a measuring device, and wherein the control device is configured to convert the first measurement data into second measurement data according to a conversion rule specified in a data record.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to create a method, a computer program product and a charging system by means of which improved charging of a motor vehicle can be achieved.

[0005] This problem is solved by a method, a computer program product, and a charging system according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0006] One aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating a charging system for a motor vehicle that is at least partially electrically powered. The motor vehicle is detected by means of a detection device of the charging system. The vehicle type is determined based on the detected vehicle by means of an electronic computing unit of the charging system. A vehicle-type-specific charging configuration is then provided to the charging device of the charging system for the motor vehicle.

[0007] This allows the charging system to provide or adjust a charging configuration specific to the vehicle type. As a result, it is no longer necessary to drive the vehicle to a specific charging station. Thus, a universal charging system can be provided for a wide variety of vehicle types, and depending on which vehicle is detected, this universal charging system can provide the appropriate charging configuration.

[0008] In particular, the system is designed to recognize and register the vehicle, and, for example, to identify the manufacturer and vehicle type when transmitting object recognition data. This enables the charging system to automatically select, for example, the position of the charging port on the vehicle and corresponding parameters.

[0009] According to an advantageous embodiment, the charging system can provide vehicle-type-specific charging plugs. For example, not all vehicles have Type 2 or Type 3 charging plugs. Therefore, depending on the detected vehicle type, only those charging plugs that can be connected to the vehicle are provided. In particular, it can be provided that charging plugs that are not compatible with the vehicle are locked accordingly. Furthermore, it can be provided that only the appropriate charging plug is enabled by the charging system. For example, a corresponding opening on the charging device can be opened with the correct charging plug, so that the user can only remove the correct charging plug. Thus, the charging system can be operated in a highly individualized manner.

[0010] Another advantageous design option involves selecting a vehicle-specific charging setting for the charging process. For example, communication protocols or similar settings can be selected accordingly, thus enabling a universal charging system.

[0011] It is also advantageous if the charging voltage and / or current are selected to be vehicle-specific. In particular, each vehicle type has different voltage and / or current levels at which it can be charged. Depending on the vehicle type, the charging system can be designed to provide the appropriate voltage and / or current. This makes it possible to provide a universal charging system for different vehicle types.

[0012] It is also advantageous to use artificial intelligence to determine the vehicle type. For example, a neural network could be used to recognize the vehicle type. Alternatively, the vehicle type could be determined based on object recognition algorithms within the artificial intelligence. This allows for highly reliable vehicle type identification.

[0013] Another advantageous design involves using a camera as a detection device to capture the vehicle. For example, the camera can be positioned on the charging station and capture the vehicle as it starts moving. Through image analysis, the vehicle type and, for example, a specific vehicle can be identified via license plate recognition or similar methods. It can then be implemented that, for example, if a specific vehicle has been identified, an invoice for the charging process can be automatically generated from an account linked to that vehicle.

[0014] It is also advantageous to record a vehicle identification number (VIN) in addition to the vehicle type. The VIN can be captured optically. Alternatively, the vehicle can transmit the VIN to the charging system, for example, via Car-to-X communication. This allows specific vehicle data to be read, enabling highly targeted charging.

[0015] It is also advantageous if the detection device is provided separately from the charging station. For example, the detection device can be integrated into a parking garage with a charging station. As the vehicle approaches, it can indicate a charging request and be assigned a specific charging path to the station. The detection device can then be positioned at specific locations within the parking garage and identify the vehicle type early on. The specific charging process is then initiated when the vehicle approaches the charging station.

[0016] The presented method is, in particular, a computer-implemented method. Therefore, a further aspect of the invention relates to a computer program product with program code means which cause an electronic computing unit to execute a method according to the preceding aspect.

[0017] Furthermore, the invention also relates to a computer-readable storage medium containing the computer program product.

[0018] A further aspect of the invention relates to a charging system for a motor vehicle that is at least partially electrically powered, comprising at least one detection device, an electronic computing device, and a charging device, wherein the charging system is configured to carry out a method according to the preceding aspect. In particular, the method is carried out by means of the charging system.

[0019] Advantageous embodiments of the process are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the computer program product, the computer-readable storage medium, and the loading system. The loading system, in particular, possesses tangible features to enable the execution of the corresponding process steps.

[0020] Here and in the following, an artificial neural network can be understood as software code stored on a computer-readable storage medium that represents one or more interconnected artificial neurons or can replicate their function. The software code can also contain multiple software code components, which may, for example, have different functions. In particular, an artificial neural network can implement a nonlinear model or a nonlinear algorithm that maps an input to an output, where the input is given by an input feature vector or an input sequence, and the output may, for example, include a category for a classification task, one or more predicted values, or a predicted sequence.

[0021] Within the scope of this disclosure, an object recognition algorithm can be understood as a computer algorithm capable of identifying and locating one or more objects within a provided input data set, such as an input image, for example, by defining appropriate bounding boxes or regions of interest (ROIs) and, in particular, assigning a corresponding object class to each of the bounding boxes, where the object classes can be selected from a predefined set of object classes. The assignment of an object class to a bounding box can be understood as providing a corresponding confidence value or probability that the object identified within the bounding box belongs to the corresponding object class.For example, the algorithm can provide a confidence value or probability for each object class given a given boundary box. The object class assignment might involve selecting or providing the object class with the highest confidence value or probability. Alternatively, the algorithm can simply define the boundary boxes without assigning a corresponding object class.

[0022] A computing unit / electronic computing device can be understood, in particular, as a data processing device containing a processing circuit. The computing unit can therefore process data to perform arithmetic operations. This may also include operations to perform indexed access to a data structure, such as a lookup table (LUT).

[0023] The computing unit may, in particular, contain one or more computers, one or more microcontrollers, and / or one or more integrated circuits, for example, one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and / or one or more systems on a chip (SoCs). The computing unit may also contain one or more processors, for example, one or more microprocessors, one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more graphics processing units (GPUs), and / or one or more signal processors, in particular one or more digital signal processors (DSPs). The computing unit may also include a physical or virtual array of computers or other units of the aforementioned type.

[0024] In various embodiments, the computing unit includes one or more hardware and / or software interfaces and / or one or more storage units.

[0025] A storage unit can be volatile data storage, for example as dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or static random access memory (SRAM), or as non-volatile data storage, for example as read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or flash EEPROM, ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM), or magnetoresistive random access memory.It can be designed as MRAM (magnetoresistive random access memory) or as phase-change random access memory, PCRAM (phase-change random access memory).

[0026] Further features of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the figures, and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown in the figures alone, are not only usable in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own.

[0027] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a preferred embodiment and the drawings.

[0028] The single figure shown depicts a schematic side view of an embodiment of a loading system.

[0029] In the figure, identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0030] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of an embodiment of a charging system 10. The charging system 10 is designed for charging a motor vehicle 12 that is at least partially electrically powered. The motor vehicle 12 can also be fully electric.

[0031] The charging system 10 includes at least one charging device 14, for example in the form of a charging station with a corresponding charging plug 16. Furthermore, the charging system 10 includes at least one electronic computing device 18 and a detection device 20, for example in the form of a camera.

[0032] In particular, it is provided that the vehicle 12 is detected by means of the detection device 20. The vehicle type of the vehicle 12 is determined based on the detected vehicle 12 by means of the electronic computing device 18. A vehicle-type-specific charging configuration 22 of the charging device 14 for the vehicle 12 is provided by means of the charging device 14.

[0033] In particular, it may be provided, for example, that a vehicle-specific charging plug 16 of the charging system 10 is supplied. Furthermore, a vehicle-specific charging setting can be selected for the charging process. For example, a voltage and / or a current for the charging process can be selected in a vehicle-specific manner.

[0034] Furthermore, it may be provided that the electronic computing device 18, for example, has an artificial intelligence 24 and that the motor vehicle type is determined by means of the artificial intelligence 24.

[0035] Furthermore, it may be provided that, in addition to the vehicle type, a vehicle identification number 26 is also recorded and the charging configuration 22 is selected depending on the recorded vehicle identification number 26.

[0036] Fig. Figure 1 shows that the detection device 20 can be designed as part of the charging device 14. Alternatively or additionally, the detection device 20 can also be designed separately from the charging device 14, for example on infrastructure such as a parking garage.

[0037] In particular, this shows that Fig.1. The detection device 20, in particular in the form of a camera, detects the motor vehicle 12, and the artificial intelligence 24, for example in the form of a neural network, evaluates the image and uses object recognition methods to identify the manufacturer and type. This allows the charging system 10 to automatically select, for example, the position of a charging socket 28 on the motor vehicle 12 and corresponding charging parameters, such as plug type, pin configuration, current or voltage, communication protocol, or the like. Reference symbol list 10 charging system 12 Motor vehicle 14 Charging equipment 16 charging plugs 18 Electronic computing equipment 20 Recording device 22 Charging configuration 24 Artificial Intelligence 26 Vehicle Identification Number 28 plug positions 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] EP 2 654 169 B1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Method for operating a charging system (10) for an at least partially electrically operated motor vehicle (12), comprising the steps: - detecting the motor vehicle (12) by means of a detection device (20) of the charging system (10); - Determining a motor vehicle type of the motor vehicle (10) as a function of the detected motor vehicle (10) by means of an electronic computing device (20) of the charging system (10); and - Providing a motor vehicle type-specific charging configuration (22) of a charging device (14) of the charging system (10) for the motor vehicle (12) by means of the charging device (14). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that a motor vehicle type-specific charging plug (16) of the charging system (10) is provided. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that a vehicle type-specific charging setting is selected for the charging process. [4] Method according to claim 3, characterized by that a voltage for the charging process and / or a current for the charging process is selected specifically for the vehicle. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the type of motor vehicle is determined by means of artificial intelligence (24). [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the motor vehicle (12) is detected by means of a camera as the detection device (20). [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that in addition to the vehicle type, a vehicle identification number (26) is recorded. [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the detection device (20) is provided separately from the charging device (14). [9] Computer program product with program code means which cause an electronic computing device (18) to carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 8 when the program code means are processed by the electronic computing device (18). [10] Charging system (10) for an at least partially electrically operated motor vehicle (12), with at least one detection device (20), an electronic computing device (18) and a charging device (14), wherein the charging system (10) is designed to carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 8.

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