Method for displaying the current battery status of an electric vehicle battery

Abstract

Method for displaying the current battery status of an electric vehicle battery (80), comprising the steps: - Acquisition (100) of data to determine the current battery status using a sensor unit (20), - Determining (200) the current battery state using a processing unit (22), - Controlling (300) a display device (4) to indicate the specific battery status of the battery of the electric vehicle (80) by means of a control unit (24), - Display (400) of the specific battery status of the battery of the electric vehicle (80) by means of the display means (4), characterized in that the display means (4) is designed in the form of at least one windshield wiper (6) of the electric vehicle (80), wherein the current battery status of the battery is indicated via the position of the windshield wiper (6).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method and a system for displaying the current battery status of an electric vehicle battery. Furthermore, the invention relates to an electric vehicle equipped with such a system.

[0002] The current battery status, such as the current charge level of an electric vehicle, can usually be read at any time via the display in today's electric vehicles.

[0003] In some cases, however, it may be desirable to determine the current battery status of an electric vehicle battery from outside the vehicle, without having to get into the vehicle and start it.

[0004] While systems that attempt to at least partially solve the aforementioned problems are known from the prior art, e.g., from DE 10 2014 218 778 A1, US 2014 / 0 188 367 A1, or US 2 799 887 A, these systems are structurally complex and prone to maintenance issues, and, disadvantageously, require additional electronic components. Furthermore, even with these additional components, reading the current battery status of an electric vehicle battery is only possible in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to at least partially overcome the aforementioned disadvantages known from the prior art. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and a system for displaying the current battery status of an electric vehicle battery, which enables the current battery status of an electric vehicle battery to be read in a simple and cost-effective manner from outside the electric vehicle, preferably even from a distance.

[0006] The foregoing problem is solved by a method with the features of claim 1, a system according to claim 6, and a motor vehicle with the features of claim 11. Further features and details of the invention will become apparent from the respective dependent claims, the description, and the drawings. Features and details described in connection with the method according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the system and the motor vehicle according to the invention, and vice versa, so that the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention always includes, or allows for, reciprocal reference.

[0007] According to the invention, a method for displaying the current battery status of an electric vehicle battery is provided. The method according to the invention comprises the steps of acquiring data to determine the current battery status by means of a sensor unit, determining the current battery status by means of a processing unit, controlling a display device to show the determined battery status of the electric vehicle battery by means of a control unit, and displaying the determined battery status of the electric vehicle battery by means of the display device. The method according to the invention is characterized in that the display device is designed in the form of at least one windshield wiper of the electric vehicle, wherein the current battery status of the battery is indicated by the position of the windshield wiper.

[0008] According to the invention, the present method, in particular through the inventive steps of displaying a certain battery state of the battery of an electric vehicle by means of a display means in the form of at least one windshield wiper, is designed to enable, in a simple and cost-effective manner, the reading of the current battery state of a battery of an electric vehicle from outside an electric vehicle, even from some distance to the electric vehicle.

[0009] By using at least one windshield wiper as an indicator, it is possible to determine the battery status of an electric vehicle without additional electronic equipment. Furthermore, by displaying the battery status via the wiper's position, it is also possible to remotely detect the battery status of an electric vehicle. In this way, the current battery status of electric vehicles awaiting delivery in parking lots or factories can be read quickly and easily, even remotely.

[0010] Within the scope of the invention, an electric vehicle can also be understood to be a vehicle that is only partially electrically powered, such as a hybrid vehicle. It is understood that the sensor unit and processing unit of the invention can also be integrated together in a single computing unit of an electric vehicle. According to the invention, the position of a windshield wiper can be understood to mean, in particular, the position of the windshield wiper, i.e., the angle of inclination relative to a longitudinal axis of a front or rear windshield.

[0011] With a view to providing the simplest and quickest possible indication of the potential usability of an electric vehicle, the invention advantageously provides that the current battery status is a state of charge and / or a battery health status. A current state of charge and / or a current battery health status thus provide particularly useful information regarding the usability of an electric vehicle. A state of charge can preferably be understood as the "State of Charge (SoC)," which indicates how much energy is still stored in the battery, preferably as a percentage of the maximum capacity. A battery health status can preferably be understood as the "State of Health (SoH)," which indicates how much capacity the battery has lost compared to its original capacity.Alternatively or cumulatively to a current state of charge and / or a current state of health of a battery, a current battery state can also be a current temperature, a charging and discharging current, charging and discharging cycles or a remaining range.

[0012] To enable the simplest and most unambiguous display of the current battery status, the invention advantageously provides that the current battery status is a state of charge, wherein the state of charge is displayed as a percentage via the tilt angle of the display element, wherein a position of the display element perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a front or rear window of the electric vehicle preferably indicates a state of charge of 100%, whereas a position of the display element parallel to the longitudinal axis of the front or rear window of the electric vehicle indicates a state of charge of 0%. Thus, the display element, in the form of at least one windshield wiper, can practically serve as an analog display instrument for the current state of charge of an electric vehicle battery.

[0013] To avoid compromising driving safety, it can also be advantageous if the procedure is only carried out when the electric vehicle is switched off, preferably with some residual battery capacity remaining available for the procedure. In this way, for example, when several vehicles are available but switched off, it is possible to quickly and conveniently select the most suitable vehicle for a trip, because, for example, that vehicle has a sufficient current charge for the planned journey. The procedure can, for example, only be started when the engine is switched off.

[0014] To provide continuously updated information regarding the current battery status of an electric vehicle, the method can advantageously be performed cyclically, with the determination of the current battery status and the display of the determined battery status preferably being continuously synchronized, particularly at least every 180 seconds, and especially preferably at least every 120 seconds. This takes into account, in particular, rapidly changing battery charge levels during charging or rapid discharge of an electric vehicle at lower temperatures. For example, a command can be sent to the windshield wiper motor every 120 or 180 seconds, thus enabling a timely display. The driver signal can preferably be set to varying intervals to allow for battery-saving display.It is understood that individual, several, or all mandatory and / or optional steps of the method according to the invention can be carried out in the proposed sequence, but also in a different sequence. In particular, individual, several, or all mandatory and / or optional steps of the method according to the invention can be carried out repeatedly, e.g., cyclically. It is further understood that individual, several, or all of the mandatory and optional steps of the method according to the invention can also be carried out at least partially automatically or in a self-learning manner, in particular by a computer, preferably by computer-implemented simulation methods.

[0015] The invention also relates to a system for displaying the current battery status of an electric vehicle battery, preferably for carrying out a method described above. The system according to the invention comprises a sensor unit for acquiring data to determine the current battery status, a processing unit for determining the current battery status, a control unit for controlling a display device for showing the determined battery status of the electric vehicle battery, and a display device for showing the determined battery status of the electric vehicle battery, wherein the display device is designed in the form of at least one windshield wiper of the electric vehicle, and wherein the current battery status of the battery can be displayed via the position of the windshield wiper.The system according to the invention thus has the same advantages as those already described in detail with regard to the method according to the invention.

[0016] Within the framework of a design that is as simple and space-saving as possible, it can also be advantageous if the control unit is designed in the form of a windshield wiper motor. Designing the control unit as a windshield wiper motor also eliminates manufacturing and maintenance costs for additional devices. For example, the current charge level of an electric vehicle's battery can be available via the vehicle's central computer and, using a conversion factor, sent as a driver signal to the windshield wiper motor, which then adjusts the windshield wipers accordingly.

[0017] With a view to a design of the system in question that is as simple as possible to establish and saves space, it can also be provided that the sensor unit and the processing unit are arranged together in a central computing unit of the electric vehicle.

[0018] To enable the clearest and most easily recognizable indication of the current battery status, the invention advantageously provides that the indicator is designed in the form of at least two windshield wipers, preferably three, with the wipers being arranged particularly on the front and rear windshields. Besides improved and clearer visibility, the design of the indicator according to the invention in the form of multiple windshield wipers allows for a certain degree of reliability and a more comprehensive indication of the current battery status. For example, the current charge level can be displayed via the front windshield wipers, while the current battery health can be displayed via a rear windshield wiper.

[0019] To ensure good visibility of the position of a display element even in poor lighting conditions, the invention advantageously provides that the display element includes additional light sources for indicating the current battery status of the electric vehicle's battery in darkness. The arrangement of light sources can also be used to display additional warning messages, such as warnings about a malfunctioning display element due to freezing or similar issues at low temperatures.

[0020] The invention also relates to an electric vehicle comprising a system as described above. The electric vehicle according to the invention thus has the same advantages as those already described in detail with regard to the method and system according to the invention.

[0021] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description can each be essential to the invention individually or in any combination.

[0022] They show schematically: Fig. 1: the individual steps of a method according to the invention for displaying a current battery status of a battery of an electric vehicle, Fig. 2: a system according to the invention for displaying the current battery status of a battery of an electric vehicle according to a first embodiment, Fig. 3: Three exemplary displays of the current battery status of an electric vehicle battery according to a first embodiment.

[0023] In the following description of some embodiments of the invention, the same reference numerals are used for the same technical features even in different embodiments.

[0024] Fig. Figure 1 shows the individual steps of a method according to the invention for displaying a current battery status of a battery of an electric vehicle 80.

[0025] As in Fig. As can be seen from Figure 1, the method according to the invention comprises the steps of acquiring 100 data to determine the current battery state by means of a sensor unit 20, determining 200 the current battery state by means of a processing unit 22, controlling 300 a display means 4 to display the determined battery state of the battery of the electric vehicle 80 by means of a control unit 24, and displaying 400 the determined battery state of the battery of the electric vehicle 80 by means of the display means 4, wherein the display means 4 is designed in the form of at least one windshield wiper 6 of the electric vehicle 80, wherein the current battery state of the battery is indicated by the position of the windshield wiper 6.

[0026] The current battery status can be a charge level and / or a battery health status.

[0027] Advantageously, the present method is only carried out in a switched-off state of the electric vehicle 80, preferably keeping a residual capacity free in the battery for carrying out the method.

[0028] The procedure can be carried out cyclically, wherein the determination 200 of the current battery state and the display 400 of the determined battery state are preferably continuously synchronized, in particular at least every 180 seconds, more preferably at least every 120 seconds.

[0029] Fig. Figure 2 shows a system 2 according to the invention for displaying the current battery status of a battery of an electric vehicle 80 according to a first embodiment.

[0030] As in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, the system 2 arranged within the electric vehicle 80 comprises a sensor unit 20 for acquiring 100 data to determine the current battery state, a processing unit 22 for determining 200 the current battery state, a control unit 24 for controlling 300 a display means 4 for displaying the determined battery state of the battery of the electric vehicle 80, and a display means 4 for displaying 400 the determined battery state of the battery of the electric vehicle 80, wherein the display means 4 is designed in the form of at least one windshield wiper 6 of the electric vehicle 80, wherein the current battery state of the battery can be displayed via the position of the windshield wiper 6.

[0031] The control unit 24 is in the form of a windshield wiper motor and is connected via a communication link 26 (wireless or wired) to the sensor unit 20 and the processing unit 22, which are jointly arranged in a central computing unit 28 of the electric vehicle 80.

[0032] The display means 4 is in the form of two windscreen wipers 6, which are arranged on the windscreen 10.

[0033] Fig. Figure 3 shows three exemplary displays of a current battery status of a battery of an electric vehicle 80 according to a first embodiment.

[0034] According to Fig.Figure 3 shows the current battery status in the form of a charge level, indicated by the position of a display element 4 in the form of two windshield wipers 6. The charge level is displayed as a percentage via the tilt angle of the display element 4. A position of the display element 4 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LA of a front or rear window 10 of the electric vehicle 80 indicates a charge level of 100% (top image), whereas a position of the display element 4 parallel to the longitudinal axis LA of the front or rear window 10 of the electric vehicle 80 indicates a charge level of 0% (bottom image). The middle image accordingly shows a charge level of 50%. Reference symbol list 2. System for displaying the current battery status 4 Display devices 6 windshield wipers 8 Windscreen wiper motor 10 Front or rear window 20 sensor units 22 processing units 24 control unit 26 Communication link 28 Central Computing Unit 80 electric vehicles 100 Collecting data to determine the current battery status 200 Determining the current battery status 300 Controlling a display device to indicate the specific battery status 400 indications of the specific battery status using the indicator device LA Longitudinal axis

Claims

[1] Method for displaying the current battery status of an electric vehicle battery (80), comprising the steps: - Acquisition (100) of data to determine the current battery status using a sensor unit (20), - Determining (200) the current battery state using a processing unit (22), - Controlling (300) a display device (4) to indicate the specific battery status of the battery of the electric vehicle (80) by means of a control unit (24), - Display (400) of the specific battery status of the battery of the electric vehicle (80) by means of the display device (4), characterized by , that the display means (4) is designed in the form of at least one windscreen wiper (6) of the electric vehicle (80), wherein the current battery status of the battery is indicated via the position of the windscreen wiper (6). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized bythat the current battery status is a state of charge and / or a state of health of the battery. [3] Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the current battery state is a state of charge of the battery, wherein the state of charge is displayed as a percentage via an inclination angle of the display means (4), wherein a position of the display means (4) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (LA) of a front or rear window (10) of the electric vehicle (80) preferably indicates a state of charge of 100%, whereas a position of the display means (4) parallel to the longitudinal axis (LA) of the front or rear window (10) of the electric vehicle (80) indicates a state of charge of 0%. [4] Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the method is carried out only in a switched-off state of the electric vehicle (80), preferably keeping a residual capacity available in the battery for carrying out the method. [5] Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the procedure is carried out cyclically, wherein the determination (200) of the current battery state and the display (400) of the determined battery state are preferably continuously synchronized, in particular at least every 180 seconds, more preferably at least every 120 seconds. [6] System (2) for displaying the current battery status of a battery of an electric vehicle (80), preferably for carrying out a method according to one of claims 1 to 5, comprising: - a sensor unit (20) for recording (100) data to determine the current battery status, - a processing unit (22) for determining (200) the current battery status, - a control unit (24) for controlling (300) a display device (4) for displaying the specific battery status of the battery of the electric vehicle (80), - a display means (4) for displaying (400) the specific battery status of the battery of the electric vehicle (80), characterized by , that the display means (4) is designed in the form of at least one windscreen wiper (6) of the electric vehicle (80), wherein the current battery state of the battery can be indicated via the position of the windscreen wiper (6). [7] System (2) according to claim 6, characterized by , that the control unit (24) is designed in the form of a windshield wiper motor (8). [8] System (2) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by , that the sensor unit (20) and the processing unit (22) are arranged together in a central computing unit (28) of the electric vehicle (80). [9] System (2) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized by, that the indicator means (4) is designed in the form of at least two windscreen wipers (6), preferably in the form of three windscreen wipers (6), wherein the windscreen wipers (6) are arranged in particular on the front and rear windscreen. [10] System (2) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized by , that the display means (4) has additional light sources for displaying the current battery status of the battery of the electric vehicle (80) in darkness. [11] Electric vehicle (80) comprising a system (2) according to any one of claims 6 to 10.

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