Charging station for electric vehicles

Abstract

The invention relates to a charging station for electric vehicles, wherein the charging station (1) has a connection point (2), in particular a permanently attached charging cable (3), for connecting to an electric vehicle for supplying electrical energy to the electric vehicle, wherein a sequence of actions is performed by a user to connect the electric vehicle, to enable the supply of electrical energy for a charging process and to end the charging process, wherein the sequence of actions comprises several actions by the user, for example connecting the charging cable (3) to the electric vehicle and providing payment information, The charging station (1) comprises at least one lighting element arrangement (4) comprising lighting elements, in particular LEDs, which display general status information of the charging station (1), in particular its readiness. It is proposed that the charging station (1) signals, during the action sequence, via selective control of the lighting elements, where on the charging station (1) the user is to perform an action.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging station for electric vehicles according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for controlling a lighting element arrangement according to claim 15.

[0002] The preferred application in this case concerns fast charging stations. Fast charging stations, also known as high-performance chargers, are direct current charging stations for electric vehicles, especially automobiles, but also trucks, ships, and the like.

[0003] A well-known fast-charging station (ABB Terra 360) features long LED strips that indicate the battery charge level of a connected electric vehicle. With the increasing use of electric vehicles, fast-charging parks, in particular, are more often fully occupied. The clearly visible display of the charge level of the charging electric vehicles makes it much easier for waiting drivers to estimate when a fast-charging station will become available.

[0004] Fast charging stations currently offer a wide range of operating concepts and options. Some can be authorized via apps and websites, while others have payment terminals for RFID charging cards and credit cards. Inexperienced operators are often unclear about when they are allowed to plug the charging plug into the electric vehicle and how exactly a charging session is authorized. Displays with instructions provide a solution, but these can be difficult to use depending on the situation. They can be difficult to read in bright sunlight, the wrong language may be set, and accessibility is not always guaranteed. Furthermore, depending on the fast charging station, different action sequences are possible for initiating a charging session, making it unclear which action is required.

[0005] It is a challenge to display more information about actions to be performed by the user at a charging station, especially a rapid charging station. This information should be as visible and accessible as possible.

[0006] The invention is based on the problem of designing and developing the known charging station in such a way that further optimization is achieved with regard to the aforementioned challenge.

[0007] The invention relates to a charging station for electric vehicles, wherein the charging station has a connection point, in particular a permanently attached charging cable, for connection to an electric vehicle for supplying electrical energy to the electric vehicle, wherein a sequence of actions is carried out by a user for connecting the electric vehicle, for enabling the supply of electrical energy for a charging process and for ending the charging process, wherein the sequence of actions comprises several actions of the user, for example connecting the charging cable to the electric vehicle and providing payment information, wherein the charging station has at least one lighting element arrangement which has lighting elements, in particular LEDs, wherein general status information of the charging station, in particular a readiness of the charging station, is displayed via the lighting elements.

[0008] The above problem is solved by the features of the characterising part of claim 1.

[0009] The fundamental consideration is that lighting elements of a charging station that display general status information of the charging station, such as occupancy status or charge level, can have a dual use in order to also display information for user guidance.

[0010] Specifically, it is proposed that the charging station signal, during the action sequence, through selective control of the lighting elements, where the user should perform an action on the charging station. This creates additional information for the user in a simple way using existing lighting elements. This can be kept very simple by simply lighting up, flashing, or similar, is significantly more accessible than the display, and is clearly visible from a distance from many different positions the user might be in.

[0011] According to claim 2, a charge level indicator is used for user guidance. While the user is performing actions, the electric vehicle is generally not yet charging, so the charge level indicator is not needed anyway.

[0012] In an embodiment according to claim 3, the user is guided through several actions. Claims 4 to 7 relate to various subgroups of the lighting elements and associated actions. Claims 8 and 9 relate to a waiting animation and an error animation, which can also be executed by the lighting elements.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment according to claim 10, it is provided that a charging process is possible without interaction of the user with the display, whereby this could theoretically even be dispensed with entirely or at least the rapid charging station can also be used without a recognizable / functional display and the user guidance via the lighting elements is of particular importance.

[0014] Claims 11 and 12 preferably specify existing lighting elements, which may in particular comprise lighting element strips for indicating the charging state and a plug indicator for a parking position of the charging cable.

[0015] Claim 13 relates to preferred control-technical embodiments for controlling the lighting elements. The more complex control of the lighting element strips is preferably performed by a dedicated control unit, while the control of the plug indicator can be performed by a connection point controller.

[0016] Claim 14 relates to a design that makes it easy to check whether the lighting elements are defective during maintenance. For this purpose, a service indicator for the lighting elements is triggered, which activates all of them. This makes dark lighting elements easily identifiable. The triggering can be done via a backend or a local maintenance access point such as a Wi-Fi connection.

[0017] According to a further teaching according to claim 15, which has independent significance, a method for controlling a lighting element arrangement of a charging station according to the proposal is claimed.

[0018] Reference may be made to all statements regarding the proposed charging station.

[0019] In the following, the invention is explained in more detail with reference to a drawing which merely illustrates exemplary embodiments. In the drawing, Fig. 1 a fast charging station from outside, Fig. 2 a front view of the fast charging station according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 different signals of the rapid charging station's lighting element arrangement for user guidance.

[0020] The embodiment shown in the figures and preferred in this respect relates to a charging station 1 for electric vehicles, here and preferably a rapid charging station. Fig. Figure 1 shows an exterior view of a fast-charging station for electric vehicles. It has at least one connection point 2 for an electric vehicle, in this case a permanently attached charging cable 3. Preferably, the fast-charging station has at least two connection points 2, specifically two in this case. A fast-charging station is used to charge an electric vehicle using direct current and a power output of usually at least 50 kW. Typically, the fast-charging station is connected to an alternating current network for this purpose.

[0021] In general, the charging station 1 has at least one connection point 2, in particular a permanently attached charging cable 3, for connection to an electric vehicle for supplying electrical energy to the electric vehicle.

[0022] To connect the electric vehicle, enable the delivery of electrical energy for a charging process, and terminate the charging process, a user performs a sequence of actions. This sequence of actions comprises several user actions, such as connecting the charging cable 3 to the electric vehicle and providing payment information. The actions can be combined into a sequence of actions in different orders. For example, a user can first authenticate and provide payment information and then connect the charging cable 3 to their electric vehicle, or first connect the charging cable 3 and then authenticate.

[0023] The charging station 1 has at least one lighting element arrangement 4. The lighting element arrangement 4 has lighting elements, in particular LEDs, which display general status information of the charging station 1, in particular a readiness of the charging station 1. Further general status information can be the charging status of the electric vehicle. Readiness includes, in particular, the usual states "error" (usually red), "ready" (usually green), and "charging" (usually blue). Fig. 2 shows a front view of the rapid charging station, on which a lighting element arrangement 4 consisting of two LED squares around the parking positions of the plugs and two LED strips for the charge level indicator 5 and for displaying general status information is attached.

[0024] It is now essential that the charging station 1 signals, during the action sequence, via selective control of the lighting elements, where on the charging station 1 an action by the user should take place. If an action by the user is expected to proceed with the action sequence, the charging station 1 signals, near the target of this action, that the action should take place. The signal can be, for example, a flashing, a sinusoidal activation, or similar of the lighting elements. The user's attention is thus drawn to the area of ​​the charging station 1 that they should operate. Illuminated animations are better and can be perceived from a greater distance than information on a central display 6. Fig. Figure 3 shows several displays and schematically illustrates the associated actions. These are explained in more detail below.

[0025] Here, and preferably, the lighting elements are LEDs, in particular RGB or RGBW LEDs. It is possible that partially different lighting elements are used to display general status information and for user guidance, but at least one lighting element is used twice. Here, and preferably, all lighting elements used for user guidance are also used for status information.

[0026] It is preferably provided here that at least one of the user's actions requires direct, physical interaction with the charging station 1. Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that the charging station 1 has a display 6, and preferably that the lighting elements are controlled during the action sequence depending on changes in a display on the display 6 of the charging station 1. Changes in the display views can therefore trigger changes in the control of the lighting elements, resulting in simple and consistent control of the displays of the charging station 1.

[0027] As can be seen in the figures, it is preferably provided that the lighting element arrangement 4 has a charge level indicator 5, which has several of the lighting elements. This is formed here by a portion of the long LED strips on the front of the rapid charging station shown. Generally, it is preferred that the charge level indicator 5 has a length of at least 1 m, preferably at least 1.5 m. This allows the charge level indicator 5 to be clearly visible. By means of the charge level indicator 5, the charging station 1 displays the charge level of a battery of an electric vehicle connected to the connection point 2, in particular by the charging station 1 activating a number of the lighting elements of the charge level indicator 5 proportional to the charge level. Fig. 3, an electric vehicle (not shown) is connected to the right charging cable 3. The Fig. 3a), b) and c) each show different charge states of the battery of this electric vehicle during an action sequence at the left connection point 2. The change in the charge state at the right charging cable 3 is greatly exaggerated compared to the usual time for connecting an electric vehicle to the left charging cable 3 for better visibility.

[0028] It is preferably provided here that the charging station 1 signals during the action sequence where the user should perform an action on the charging station 1 by selectively controlling only a portion, i.e., not all, of the light elements of the charge level indicator 5. It would be conceivable to use additional light elements, for example, the plug indicator 7. However, it is interesting that only a portion of the charge level indicator 5 is used per action. Thus, a charge level indicator 5 can be used to guide the user to various positions on the charging station 1. Fig. Figure 3 shows three such use cases, which are explained below.

[0029] Accordingly, it is preferably provided here that the charging station 1 signals during the action sequence for different actions of the user by means of different lighting elements, in particular different lighting elements of the charge level display 5, where on the charging station 1 the respective action of the user should take place.

[0030] In detail, the charge level indicator 5 can comprise several, particularly partially overlapping, subgroups of light elements that the charging station 1 controls to signal different actions. The subgroups can comprise a plug subgroup 8 and / or a display subgroup 9 and / or a payment terminal subgroup 10. Fig.Figure 3 shows (a) an activated display subgroup 9, (b) an activated payment terminal subgroup 10, and (c) an activated plug subgroup 8. This overview clearly shows how a single LED strip of the charge level indicator 5 can be used to guide multiple user actions. It is also particularly interesting to note that, depending on whether a connection point 2 is occupied, one or both LED strips can be used for user guidance.

[0031] Preferably, the plug subgroup 8 of the charge level indicator 5 is assigned to a plug receptacle 11 of the charging station 1, and during the action sequence, the charging station 1 signals via the plug subgroup 8 that the user should interact with the charging cable 3, in particular, connect it to their electric vehicle. Preferably, in response to successful user authentication, the charging station 1 signals that the user should interact with the charging cable 3. An exemplary action sequence begins with the user holding their RFID charging card to the payment terminal 12. The user is then informed that they can connect the charging cable 3 to the electric vehicle, and the charging process begins.

[0032] Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that the display subgroup 9 is assigned to a display 6 of the charging station 1, and that the charging station 1 signals during the action sequence via the display subgroup 9 that a summary of the charging process is displayed on the display 6. This represents the end of an exemplary action sequence after the charging process.

[0033] It is also preferred that the payment terminal subgroup 10 of the charge level indicator 5 is assigned to a payment terminal 12 of the charging station 1, and that the charging station 1 signals, via the payment terminal subgroup 10, during the action sequence that the user should interact with the payment terminal 12. Another exemplary action sequence begins with the user connecting the charging cable 3 to the electric vehicle. Preferably, the charging station 1 then signals, in response to a connection of the charging cable 3 to the electric vehicle, that the user should interact with the payment terminal 12.

[0034] Authentication then takes place in the backend. The user must wait during this time. It can therefore be provided that the action sequence includes a waiting phase in which the user must wait for an action by the charging station 1, in particular for the release of payment information, and that the charging station 1 displays a waiting animation, in particular a Larson scan, during the waiting phase by selectively controlling the light elements, in particular the, preferably all, light elements of the charge level indicator 5. Here, and preferably, the Larson scan is displayed over the full length of the LED strips or the full length of the charge level indicator 5, which only represents a portion of the LED strips.

[0035] Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that in the event of an error, the charging station 1 displays an error animation, in particular a red flashing, via a selective control of the lighting elements, in particular the, preferably all, lighting elements of the charge level indicator 5.

[0036] Preferably, a charging process can be initiated by the user without the user interacting with the display 6. Preferably, a charging process authenticated via the payment terminal 12, in particular using RFID or a bank card, can be initiated by the user without the user interacting with the display 6. Bank cards here include credit cards and debit cards.

[0037] With regard to the details of the lighting element arrangement 4, it is preferably provided here that the lighting element arrangement 4 has at least one, preferably two, lighting element strips 13, in particular LED strips. The lighting element strips 13 are partially assigned to the charge level indicator 5 and preferably partially indicate a general status of the charging station 1, in particular of the respective connection point 2. Here and preferably, the lighting element strip 13 has or have a status subgroup 14. It is preferably provided here that the status subgroup 14 also indicates a readiness, in this case an occupied status, of the charging station 1 during the charge level indicator 5. Therefore, not the entire lighting element strip 13 is used for the charge level indicator 5.

[0038] Here, and preferably, one light element strip 13 is assigned to each connection point 2, and the charging station 1 controls one or both light element strips 13 depending on the occupancy of the assigned connection point 2. The display of one and the same action during the action sequence therefore depends on whether a connection point 2 is occupied. In this case, preferably only the light element strip 13 assigned to the other connection point 2 is used, while otherwise both are used.

[0039] Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that the lighting element arrangement 4 has a plug indicator 7, which is arranged on a plug receptacle 11 for receiving an end of the charging cable 3 to be connected to the electric vehicle. Preferably, the plug indicator 7 indicates the general status of the charging station 1, in particular of the respective connection point 2. The status subgroup 14 of the respective lighting element strip 13 and the plug indicator 7 preferably, in particular always, display the same general status information of the respective connection point 2.

[0040] For control purposes, it is preferably envisaged that the charging station 1 has a control unit, in particular a microcontroller, for each connection point 2, which generates control signals, in particular telegrams, for the plug indicator 7 of the respective connection point 2 and thus controls the plug indicator 7. This control unit is preferably a control unit of the connection point 2, which also implements at least part of the communication with the respective electric vehicle and other control functions of the connection point 2.

[0041] Additionally or alternatively, it is provided that the charging station 1 has a control unit, in particular a microcontroller, for the light-emitting element strips 13, which generates control signals, in particular telegrams, for the light-emitting element strips 13 and thus controls the light-emitting element strips 13. This control unit controls both light-emitting element strips 13. Preferably, the control unit for the plug display 7 and the control unit for the light-emitting element strips 13 are connected to one another via a bus, in particular a CAN bus, and / or are synchronized with one another in terms of content to display the general status of the charging station 1, in particular by a central computer of the charging station 1.

[0042] It is therefore here and preferably the case that the light-emitting elements of the light-emitting element strips 13 can be addressed individually, in particular by telegrams that are read out and forwarded by the individual light-emitting elements.

[0043] It is also preferred that a service display of the, in particular all, lighting elements of the lighting element strips 13 or the lighting element arrangement 4 can be activated via a service access, in particular a backend service access, which allows a visual inspection of the, in particular all, lighting elements for defects. For this purpose, the lighting elements are preferably activated with a brightness of at least 50%. A command for the service display can be sent from the backend or via a LAN or WLAN of the charging station 1 to a communication unit of the charging station 1, which can be part of the central computer or is connected to it. The central computer can then control the control unit or control units via the bus. A service technician can thus see at a glance whether one of the lighting elements is defective.

[0044] According to a further teaching, a method for controlling a lighting element arrangement 4 of a proposed charging station 1 is proposed.

[0045] Reference may be made to all statements relating to the proposed charging station 1.

Claims

[1] Charging station for electric vehicles, wherein the charging station (1) has a connection point (2), in particular a permanently attached charging cable (3), for connection to an electric vehicle for supplying electrical energy to the electric vehicle, wherein a sequence of actions is carried out by a user to connect the electric vehicle, to enable the supply of electrical energy for a charging process and to terminate the charging process, wherein the sequence of actions comprises several actions of the user, for example connecting the charging cable (3) to the electric vehicle and providing payment information, wherein the charging station (1) has at least one lighting element arrangement (4) which has lighting elements, in particular LEDs, wherein general status information of the charging station (1), in particular a readiness of the charging station (1), is displayed via the lighting elements, characterized by , that the charging station (1) signals during the action sequence via selective control of the lighting elements where on the charging station (1) an action by the user should take place. [2] Charging station according to claim 1, characterized by that the lighting element arrangement (4) has a charge level indicator (5) which has a plurality of the lighting elements, that the charging station (1) uses the charge level indicator (5) to indicate a charge level of a battery of an electric vehicle connected to the connection point (2), in particular by the charging station (1) activating a number of the lighting elements of the charge level indicator (5) proportional to the charge level, that the charging station (1) signals where an action by the user should take place at the charging station (1) during the course of the action by selectively controlling only some of the lighting elements of the charge level indicator (5). [3] Charging station according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the charging station (1) signals during the action sequence for different actions of the user by means of different lighting elements, in particular different lighting elements of the charge level display (5), where on the charging station (1) the respective action of the user should take place. [4] Charging station according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by that the charge level indicator (5) has a plurality of, in particular partially overlapping, subgroups of light elements which the charging station (1) controls to signal different actions, preferably that the subgroups have a plug subgroup (8) and / or a display subgroup (9) and / or a payment terminal subgroup (10). [5] Charging station according to claim 4, characterized bythat the plug subgroup (8) of the charge level indicator (5) is assigned to a plug receptacle (11) of the charging station (1) and that the charging station (1) signals via the plug subgroup (8) during the action sequence that the user should interact with the charging cable (3), preferably that the charging station (1) signals in response to successful authentication of the user that the user should interact with the charging cable (3). [6] Charging station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the display subgroup (9) is assigned to a display (6) of the charging station (1) and that the charging station (1) signals via the display subgroup (9) during the action sequence that a summary of the charging process is shown on the display (6). [7] Charging station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the payment terminal subgroup (10) of the charge level indicator (5) is assigned to a payment terminal (12) of the charging station (1) and that the charging station (1) signals during the action sequence via the payment terminal subgroup (10) that the user should interact with the payment terminal (12), preferably that the charging station (1) signals in response to a connection of the charging cable (3) to the electric vehicle that the user should interact with the payment terminal (12). [8] Charging station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the action sequence comprises a waiting phase in which the user has to wait for an action of the charging station (1), in particular a release of the payment information, that the charging station (1) displays a waiting animation, in particular a Larson scan, during the waiting phase via a selective control of the lighting elements, in particular the, preferably all, lighting elements of the charge level display (5). [9] Charging station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that in the event of a fault, the charging station (1) displays an error animation, in particular a red flashing, via a selective control of the lighting elements, in particular the, preferably all, lighting elements of the charge level indicator (5). [10] Charging station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a charging process can be started by the user without interaction of the user with the display (6), preferably that a charging process authenticated via the payment terminal (12), in particular by means of RFID or bank card, can be started by the user without interaction of the user with the display (6). [11] Charging station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the lighting element arrangement (4) has at least one, preferably two, lighting element strips (13), in particular LED strips, that the lighting element strips (13) are partially assigned to the charge level indicator (5) and preferably partially display a general status of the charging station (1), preferably that one lighting element strip (13) is assigned to each connection point (2), that the charging station (1) controls one or both lighting element strips (13) depending on the occupancy of the assigned connection point (2). [12] Charging station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the lighting element arrangement (4) has a plug indicator (7) which is arranged on a plug receptacle (11) for receiving an end of the charging cable (3) to be connected to the electric vehicle, preferably that the plug indicator (7) shows the general status of the charging station (1). [13] Charging station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the charging station (1) has a control unit, in particular a microcontroller, for each connection point (2), which in each case generates control signals, in particular telegrams, for the plug display (7) of the respective connection point (2) and thus controls the plug display (7), and / or that the charging station (1) has a control unit, in particular a microcontroller, for the light-emitting element strips (13), which generates control signals, in particular telegrams, for the light-emitting element strips (13) and thus controls the light-emitting element strips (13), preferably that the control unit for the plug display (7) and the control unit for the light-emitting element strips (13) are connected to one another via a bus, in particular a CAN bus, and / or are synchronized with one another in terms of content in order to display the general status of the charging station (1). [14] Charging station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a service display of the, in particular all, lighting elements of the lighting element strips (13) or the lighting element arrangement (4) can be activated via a service access, in particular a backend service access, which allows a visual inspection of the, in particular all, lighting elements for defects, preferably that the lighting elements are activated with a brightness of at least 50%. [15] Method for controlling a lighting element arrangement (4) of a charging station (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

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