Method for obtaining vehicle information during slow charging of an electric vehicle charging device, method and system for charging an electric vehicle using the same

Abstract

In one embodiment, a method for obtaining vehicle information during AC charging, slow charging, of an electric vehicle charging device (EVSE) is provided, and a method and system for charging an electric vehicle (EV) using this method are provided.A method for obtaining vehicle information during slow charging of an electric vehicle charging device (EVSE) may include: transmitting a direct current method, DC method, as charging method information to the electric vehicle (EV) through power line communication, PLC, obtaining (S340) vehicle information from the electric vehicle (EV), terminating (S350) the PLC with the electric vehicle (EV) and performing AC charging (S360) of the electric vehicle based on pulse width modulation communication, PWM communication, terminating (S370) the PWM communication with terminating AC charging, and resuming (S380) the PLC to obtain vehicle information from the electric vehicle (EV).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present disclosure and invention relates to charging an electric vehicle. background

[0002] In contrast to fast charging, which requires direct current (DC) charging control and power transfer control, in the case of slow charging, an on-board charger (OBC) in a vehicle performs the charging control, and therefore conventional slow charging devices for electric vehicles only require low-level communication or simple communication using pulse width modulation (PWM) signals, which are defined in ISO 15118.

[0003] However, in recent years, numerous types of vehicle data have become necessary to improve the convenience of charging facilities. Since a power distribution function such as V2X (V2G and V2H - where "V2X" stands for "Vehicle-to-Everything," "V2G" for "Vehicle-to-Grid," and "V2H" for "Vehicle-to-Home") must be applied to charging facilities, the development of a slow charger that can support high-level communication or more complex communication using power line communication (PLC) is required.

[0004] As described above, most mass-produced electric vehicles or electric vehicles currently in mass production are designed not to support power line communication (PLC) for slow charging in an electric vehicle charging controller (EVCC), whereas electric vehicles currently under development are being designed to support PLC for slow charging.

[0005] Therefore, electric vehicles capable of power line communication during slow charging and electric vehicles not capable of power line communication will inevitably be mixed in the market in the future, and the development of a universal slow charging device that can acquire vehicle information and perform slow charging by applying it to both electric vehicles that support PLC and electric vehicles that do not support PLC is required.

[0006] The above background art represents technical information which the inventor had at his disposal to develop the present invention or which he acquired during the development of the present invention and which may not necessarily be considered as known prior art within the meaning of the patent law. Short explanation

[0007] The present disclosure or invention (hereinafter also simply: disclosure) relates to the charging of an electric vehicle and in particular to methods for obtaining vehicle information during slow charging of an electric vehicle charging device and to a method and system for charging an electric vehicle using the same.

[0008] Embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure have been developed in view of the above circumstances, and an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for acquiring vehicle information during slow charging of an electric vehicle charging facility, in which vehicle information can be acquired before slow charging of a vehicle is performed, even for a vehicle that does not support power line communication (PLC), and a method and system for charging an electric vehicle using this method.

[0009] In addition, an embodiment provides a method for obtaining vehicle information during slow charging of an electric vehicle charging device, in which vehicle information can be obtained before slow charging of a vehicle is performed, even in a situation in which it is not possible to determine whether a vehicle to be charged supports power line communication (PLC) or not, and a method and system for charging an electric vehicle using this method.

[0010] In addition, an embodiment provides a method for obtaining vehicle information during slow charging of an electric vehicle charging device, in which not only charging between the charging device and a vehicle but also authentication and payment can be performed automatically by power line communication (PLC), and a method and system for charging an electric vehicle using this method.

[0011] Furthermore, an embodiment provides a method for obtaining vehicle information during slow charging of an electric vehicle charging facility, in which customer demand information (e.g., information about a charging end time prediction, etc.) can be generated and provided based on additional information (e.g., state of charge (SoC), etc.) obtained through power line communication (PLC), thereby improving customer convenience and customer satisfaction, and a method and system for charging an electric vehicle using this method.

[0012] Embodiments of the present disclosure are not necessarily limited to the above points, and those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure relates can clearly understand other embodiments intended and covered by the present disclosure from the following description.

[0013] As technical possibilities for achieving the above-described features and advantages by an embodiment, a method for obtaining vehicle information during slow charging of an electric vehicle charging device and a method and system for charging an electric vehicle using the method may be provided.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the above and other features and advantages can be achieved by providing a method for acquiring vehicle information during slow charging of an electric vehicle charging device, the method comprising: (a) transmitting a direct current (DC) method as charging method information to an electric vehicle through power line communication (PLC), (b) acquiring vehicle information from the electric vehicle, (c) terminating the PLC with the electric vehicle and performing slow charging of the electric vehicle based on pulse width modulation (PWM) communication, (d) terminating the PWM communication after completion of the slow charging, and (e) resuming the PLC to acquire vehicle information from the electric vehicle.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the method may include determining whether AC-PLC support determination information (AC-PLC support determination information for short) related to the electric vehicle is input upon connection to the electric vehicle, transmitting the AC-PLC support determination information to a server when the AC-PLC support determination information has been input, and receiving a determination signal from the server. In such an embodiment, the electric vehicle charging device may perform steps (a) to (e) when the determination signal corresponds to a case of an AC-PLC non-supporting vehicle (e.g., the determination signal indicates a case of an AC-PLC non-supporting vehicle).

[0016] According to one embodiment, the method may include obtaining vehicle information from the electric vehicle by the PLC if the determination signal corresponds to an instance of an AC-PLC supporting vehicle (e.g., the determination signal indicates an instance of an AC-PLC supporting vehicle).

[0017] According to one embodiment, the method may include: transmitting an alternating current method (AC method for short) as charging method information to the electric vehicle by the PLC if the AC PLC support determination information has not been / will not be input, determining whether a response is received from the electric vehicle within a preset time, and obtaining vehicle information from the electric vehicle by the PLC if a response is received.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the method may comprise terminating the current PLC and performing steps (a) to (e) if no response is received.

[0019] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for acquiring vehicle information during slow charging of an electric vehicle charging device, the method comprising: determining whether AC-PLC support determination information regarding the electric vehicle is input, transmitting the AC-PLC support determination information to a server when the AC-PLC support determination information has been input, receiving a determination signal from the server, and acquiring vehicle information by executing one of a first sequence to a third sequence depending on whether or not the AC-PLC support determination information has been input and the determination signal from the server.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the method may comprise: performing the first sequence to obtain vehicle information if the determination signal from the server corresponds to an instance of an AC-PLC supporting vehicle (eg, the determination signal indicates an instance of an AC-PLC supporting vehicle).

[0021] According to one embodiment, the method may comprise: performing the second sequence to obtain vehicle information if the determination signal from the server corresponds to an AC-PLC non-supporting vehicle case (e.g., the determination signal indicates an AC-PLC non-supporting vehicle case).

[0022] According to one embodiment, the method may comprise: performing the third sequence to acquire vehicle information if the AC-PLC support determination information has not been / will not be input.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the first sequence may comprise obtaining vehicle information from the electric vehicle by the PLC.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the second sequence may include: transmitting a DC method as charging method information to the electric vehicle by PLC, obtaining vehicle information from the electric vehicle, terminating the PLC with the electric vehicle and performing slow charging of the electric vehicle based on PWM communication, terminating the PWM communication after completion of the slow charging, and resuming the PLC to obtain vehicle information from the electric vehicle.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the third sequence may include transmitting an AC method as charging method information to the electric vehicle by PLC, determining whether a response is received from the electric vehicle within a preset time, and obtaining vehicle information by performing the first sequence or the second sequence depending on whether a response is received or not.

[0026] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for charging an electric vehicle, the method comprising: determining, by the electric vehicle charging device, whether AC-PLC support determination information regarding the electric vehicle is input, transmitting the AC-PLC support determination information to a server when the AC-PLC support determination information is input, receiving a determination signal from the server, and charging the electric vehicle by performing one of a first sequence to a third sequence depending on whether the AC-PLC support determination information has been input and the determination signal from the server.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the method may comprise performing slow charging of the electric vehicle by performing the first sequence if the determination signal from the server corresponds to an instance of an AC-PLC supporting vehicle (e.g., the determination signal indicates an instance of an AC-PLC supporting vehicle).

[0028] According to one embodiment, the method may comprise performing slow charging of the electric vehicle by performing the sequence if the determination signal from the server corresponds to an AC-PLC non-supporting vehicle case (e.g., the determination signal indicates an AC-PLC non-supporting vehicle case).

[0029] According to one embodiment, the method may include performing slow charging of the electric vehicle by performing the third sequence if the AC-PLC support determination information has not been / will not be input.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the method may comprise obtaining vehicle information from the electric vehicle by the PLC and performing slow charging of the electric vehicle by the PLC.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the second sequence may include: transmitting a DC method as charging method information to the electric vehicle through PLC, obtaining vehicle information from the electric vehicle, and terminating the PLC with the electric vehicle and performing slow charging of the electric vehicle based on the PWM communication.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the third sequence may include transmitting an AC method as charging method information to the electric vehicle by PLC, determining whether or not a response is received from the electric vehicle within a preset time, and performing slow charging of the electric vehicle by performing the first sequence or the second sequence depending on whether or not a response is received.

[0033] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an electric vehicle charging system is provided which is implemented such that an electric vehicle charging device charges an electric vehicle by slow charging (AC charging).

[0034] According to one embodiment, the electric vehicle charging device may transmit AC-PLC support determination information concerning the electric vehicle to a server when the AC-PLC support determination information is input, receive a determination signal from the server, and perform slow charging of the electric vehicle by performing one of a first sequence to a third sequence depending on whether or not the AC-PLC support determination information has been input and the determination signal.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the electric vehicle charging device may acquire vehicle information from the electric vehicle through PLC according to the first sequence and perform slow charging of the electric vehicle through the PLC if the determination signal corresponds to a case of an AC-PLC supporting vehicle (eg, the determination signal indicates a case of an AC-PLC supporting vehicle).

[0036] According to one embodiment, the electric vehicle charging device may transmit a DC method as charging method information to the electric vehicle via the PLC according to the second sequence to acquire vehicle information from the electric vehicle, terminate the PLC with the electric vehicle, and perform the slow charging of the electric vehicle based on the PWM communication if the determination signal corresponds to a case of an AC-PLC non-supporting vehicle (eg, the determination signal indicates a case of an AC-PLC non-supporting vehicle).

[0037] According to one embodiment, the electric vehicle charging device may transmit an AC method as charging method information to the electric vehicle via PLC according to the third sequence, and then determine whether or not a response is received from the electric vehicle within a preset time if the AC-PLC support determination information has not been / will not be input, perform slow charging according to the first sequence if a response is received, and perform slow charging according to the second sequence if no response is received.

[0038] Specific details according to various examples and embodiments of the present disclosure, which differ from the ways of solving the above-mentioned problems, may be included in the following description and drawings. Short description of the drawings

[0039] The above and other features and other advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an electric vehicle charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the electric vehicle charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure at the time of performing a first sequence, Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the electric vehicle charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure at the time of performing a second sequence, Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the electric vehicle charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure at the time of performing a third sequence, Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an overall operation of the electric vehicle charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating a detailed, structured embodiment of the electric vehicle charging system of Fig. 1 shows. Detailed description of exemplary embodiments

[0040] Advantages and features of the present disclosure and ways of achieving them may become apparent by reference to the embodiments described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to the embodiments disclosed below and may be embodied in many different forms. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the full scope of the present disclosure is to be defined by the claims.

[0041] The shapes, sizes, ratios, angles, numbers, and the like illustrated in the drawings to describe various embodiments of the present disclosure are given only as examples, and therefore the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to the illustrations in the drawings. The same or very similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the specification. Furthermore, in the description of the present disclosure, a detailed description of related known technologies may be omitted if doing so might make the subject matter of the present disclosure rather unclear. When the terms "comprise," "comprising," "including," and the like are used in this specification, other elements may be added unless the term "only" or "exclusively" is used.An element described in the singular may include a plurality of elements unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0042] In interpreting components included in various embodiments of the present disclosure, the components may be interpreted to include a range of error or tolerance even if there is no explicit description thereof.

[0043] In the description of various embodiments of the present disclosure, when describing temporal relationships, e.g., when describing the temporal relationship between two actions with "after," "subsequent," "next," "before," or the like, the actions may not necessarily occur consecutively unless the term "directly" or "immediately" is used.

[0044] In describing various embodiments of the present disclosure, although terms such as "first" and "second" may be used to describe various elements, these terms are merely used to distinguish the same or similar elements. Therefore, in the present description, an element modified by "first" may be the same as an element modified by "second" within the technical scope of the present disclosure unless otherwise noted.

[0045] It should be understood that although the terms "first," "second," "A," "B," "(a)," "(b)," etc., may be used herein to describe various elements of the present disclosure, these terms may merely be used to distinguish one element from another, and the essence, order, or sequence of the corresponding elements are not necessarily limited by these terms. It should be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected to," "coupled to," or "connected to" another element, an element may be "connected to," "coupled to," or "connected to" another element via another element, although an element may also be directly connected to or directly connected to another element.

[0046] "At least one of" should be understood to include all combinations of one or more of the associated elements. For example, "at least one of the first, second, and third elements" means not only the first element, the second element, or the third element, but also all combinations of two or more of the first, second, and third elements.

[0047] The respective features of the various embodiments of the present disclosure may be partially or fully interconnected and combined, and numerous technical combinations and operations are possible. These various embodiments may be practiced independently of one another or in conjunction with one another.

[0048] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. Since the scales of the components shown in the drawings may have different scales than the actual ones for convenience of description, the scales are not necessarily limited to the scales shown in the drawings.

[0049] Hereinafter, a method for obtaining vehicle information during slow charging of an electric vehicle charging device and a method and system for charging an electric vehicle using the same according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0050] Fig. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an electric vehicle charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] With reference to Fig. 1, the electric vehicle charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a charging controller 100 provided in an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), a charging controller 200 provided in an electric vehicle (EV), and a server 300, but the configuration of the electric vehicle charging system is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0052] The charging control device 100 (hereinafter a first control device or a charger-side charging control device) installed in the EVSE (or the charging device) and the charging control device 200 (hereinafter a second control device or a vehicle-side charging control device) provided in the electric vehicle EV (or vehicle) may be connected by a charging cable C.

[0053] The charging cable C (or charging connector) may contain a control signal line (CP line, where CP stands for "Control Pilot"). The CP line may be a communication line for setting a charging level between the EVSE charging device and the EV vehicle or for exchanging other information.

[0054] The EVSE charging device according to the embodiment may be a charging device capable of performing slow charging (alternating current (AC) charging) of the electric vehicle EV. For example, the EVSE charging device may be a dedicated charging device for slow charging. For example, the EVSE charging device may be a universal charging device capable of both slow charging and fast charging (direct current (DC) charging), and may be a universal charging device in a state where it performs slow charging.

[0055] The electric vehicle EV according to one embodiment may be a motor vehicle that supplies power from a rechargeable storage device, such as a battery, as a power source for an electric motor, which is a drive unit.

[0056] However, the electric vehicle EV according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may also be a hybrid vehicle having both an electric motor and a general internal combustion engine, and may include not only automobiles but also motorcycles, (e.g., golf) carts, scooters, and electric bicycles.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the EVSE charging device may receive information used to determine whether power line communication (PLC) is supported during AC charging prior to charging the vehicle EV (such information is hereinafter referred to as AC PLC support determination information). According to one embodiment, the EVSE charging device may not be able to receive the AC PLC support determination information.

[0058] For example, the EVSE charging device may receive user information or vehicle information as the AC-PLC support detection information, but the AC-PLC support detection information is not limited to this. For example, the user information may be preset ID information, and the vehicle information may be vehicle model information.

[0059] For example, the EVSE charging device may receive the AC-PLC support detection information directly from a user. Alternatively, the EVSE charging device may receive the AC-PLC support detection information through an authentication means, such as a user authentication card, or through communication with the EV vehicle.

[0060] The charging device EVSE may transmit the received AC-PLC support determination information to the server 300 and receive a result of determination as to whether a vehicle to be charged is a vehicle that supports PLC during AC charging from the server 300.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the first charging control device 100 and the second charging control device 200 can exchange data (or information) via a CP line and perform charging control and the like when the charging device EVSE is connected to the vehicle EV via the charging cable C.

[0062] The server 300 may communicate with the charging device EVSE, determine whether the vehicle to be charged is a vehicle that supports PLC during AC charging based on the AC PLC support determination information transmitted from the charging device EVSE, and transmit a determination result to the charging device EVSE.

[0063] The server 300 may store information about vehicles that support PLC during AC charging (AC-PLC supporting vehicles) and information about vehicles that do not support PLC during AC charging (AC-PLC non-supporting vehicles).

[0064] For example, in a case where vehicle model information is used as the AC-PLC support determination information, the server 300 may classify and store an AC-PLC support vehicle and an AC-PLC non-support vehicle based on the vehicle model information.

[0065] For example, when user information is used as the AC-PLC support determination information, the server 300 may classify and store an AC-PLC support vehicle and an AC-PLC non-support vehicle based on the user information.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the server 300 may determine whether the vehicle to be charged supports AC-PLC based on the AC-PLC support determination information and transmit the determination result (or a determination signal) to the charging device EVSE.

[0067] For example, the server 300 may output a first determination signal when the vehicle to be charged is an AC-PLC supporting vehicle and transmit a second determination signal when the vehicle to be charged is an AC-PLC non-supporting vehicle.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the charging device EVSE may perform a different sequence depending on whether the AC-PLC support determination information is input and depending on the determination result of the server 300.

[0069] For example, the charging device EVSE may perform a first sequence (Sequence A) upon receiving the first detection signal from the server 300, a second sequence (Sequence B) upon receiving the second detection signal from the server 300, and a third sequence (Sequence C) if the AC-PLC support detection information is not received.

[0070] Fig. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation (S200) of the electric vehicle charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure at the time of performing the first sequence (Sequence A).

[0071] With reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the first charging controller 100 of the EVSE charging device may perform power line communication (PLC) with the second charging controller 200 of the EV vehicle through the CP line to obtain vehicle information and payment information, vehicle state of charge information (also information about the vehicle's state of charge), and the like, and to control AC charging. For example, the first charging controller 100 may perform AC charging of the EV vehicle while communicating with the second charging controller 200 according to an AC-PLC communication protocol (ISO 15118).

[0072] According to one embodiment, the electric vehicle charging system may be implemented such that the electric vehicle is charged using a plug-and-charge (PnC) charging method. The PnC charging method may be a method in which authentication and billing of the charging process are performed automatically between the charging device (EVSE) and the vehicle (EV).

[0073] In a case where the electric vehicle charging system is implemented to charge the vehicle EV using the PnC charging method in this way, the first charging controller 100 and the second charging controller 200 may perform authentication and automatic billing while performing power line communication (PLC) via the CP line.

[0074] A certificate authentication process, a billing method setting process, and an automatic billing and invoicing process can be performed between the first charging control device 100 and the second charging control device 200.

[0075] In particular, the first charging control device 100 may perform a communication establishment procedure (eg, also communication establishment procedure) for establishing a power line communication (PLC) network in connection with the second charging control device 200 (process S210).

[0076] According to the communication establishment procedure, the first charging controller 100 may send a PWM signal with a fixed duty ratio (e.g., a fixed duty ratio) to the second charging controller 200 to notify that charging is performed by AC charging.

[0077] Then, the second charging controller 200 may check whether the voltage of the CP line is a normal voltage (e.g., 9V) and whether the PWM signal from the first charging controller 100 is a signal for operating in an AC charging mode, and may prepare to operate in a PLC charging mode.

[0078] After completing the communication establishment procedure, the first charging controller 100 may transmit information about the AC method (or information about the input voltage type) (e.g., single-phase charging or three-phase charging) to the second charging controller 100 (process S220), so that the second charging controller 200 may charge the electric vehicle according to the AC charging method.

[0079] According to one embodiment, the transmission of the AC charging method information (operation S220) may be included in the communication establishment procedure (operation S210).

[0080] After the process S220, the first charging control device 100 may perform the member authentication and the billing method setting for providing a PnC charging service in conjunction with the second charging control device 200 (process S230).

[0081] Operation S230 may be performed in a case where the electric vehicle charging system is implemented to charge the electric vehicle using the PnC charging method, and operation S230 may be omitted depending on the embodiment.

[0082] After operation S230, the first charging control device 100 may receive and acquire vehicle information (vehicle state of charge information) for charging from the second charging control device 200 through PLC (operation S240) and perform the AC charging of the electric vehicle through PLC based on the vehicle state of charge information (operation S250).

[0083] The first charging controller 100 may receive and acquire the vehicle state of charge information from the second charging controller 200 while performing the AC charging.

[0084] The vehicle state of charge information may include, for example, information about the maximum voltage, information about the maximum current, information about the expected energy reserve when the vehicle is fully charged (full SoC), information about the expected energy reserve at a requested end of charge time (bulk SoC), and the like, but the vehicle state of charge information is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0085] After operation S250, the first charging controller 100 may terminate communication with the second charging controller 200 after completion of the AC charging (operation S260).

[0086] Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process (S300) of the electric vehicle charging system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure at the time of performing the second sequence (Sequence B).

[0087] With reference to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, the first charging controller 100 of the EVSE charging device may transmit charging method information as a DC method to the second charging controller 200 of the electric vehicle EV via the CP line, and acquire vehicle information, payment information, vehicle charge state information, and the like while performing PLC with the second charging controller 200.

[0088] Furthermore, after obtaining the information, the first charging controller 100 may terminate the PLC with the second charging controller 200 and perform pulse width modulation (PWM) communication with the second controller 200 to perform AC charging of the vehicle EV.

[0089] After completing the AC charging of the vehicle EV, the first charging controller 100 may terminate the PWM communication, resume the PLC communication with the second charging controller 200 to obtain vehicle information (including vehicle state of charge information), and then terminate the communication with the second charging controller 200.

[0090] According to one embodiment, the electric vehicle charging system may be implemented such that the electric vehicle is charged using a plug-and-charge (PnC) charging method.

[0091] In a case where the electric vehicle charging system is implemented to charge the electric vehicle using a PnC charging method, the first charging controller 100 and the second charging controller 200 may perform authentication and automatic billing while executing PLC through the CP line.

[0092] Specifically, the first charging control device 100 may perform a communication establishment procedure for establishing a network for PLC in connection with the second charging control device 200 (process S310).

[0093] Since the communication establishment procedure in operation S310 can be the same as the communication establishment procedure in operation S210 of Fig. 2, a detailed description of it is omitted.

[0094] After completing the communication establishment procedure, the first charging control device 100 may transmit a DC method as charging method information to the second charging control device 200 (process S320).

[0095] After operation S320, the first charging control device 100 may perform the member authentication and the billing method setting for providing a PnC charging service in conjunction with the second charging control device 200 (operation S330).

[0096] The process S330 may be performed in a case where the electric vehicle charging system is implemented to charge the electric vehicle using a PnC charging method, and the process S330 may be omitted depending on the embodiment.

[0097] After operation S330, the first charging control device 100 may receive and acquire vehicle information (vehicle charging state information) for charging from the second charging control device 200 through PLC (operation S340).

[0098] After operation S340, the first charging controller 100 may terminate the PLC with the second charging controller 200 after receiving the vehicle state of charge information (operation S350) and perform PWM communication with the second charging controller 200 based on the vehicle state of charge information to perform AC charging (operation S360).

[0099] After operation S360, the first charging controller 100 may terminate the PWM communication with the second charging controller 200 after completion of the AC charging (operation S370), resume the PLC with the second charging controller 200 to obtain vehicle state of charge information (operation S380), and then terminate the communication with the second charging controller 200 (operation S390).

[0100] According to one embodiment, operation S380 may be performed by repeating the operation of a second subsequence (S_Sequence B) with operations S310 to S340.

[0101] Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process (S400) of the electric vehicle charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure at the time of performing the third sequence (Sequence C).

[0102] With reference to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 4, the first charging controller 100 of the charging device EVSE may transmit an AC method as charging method information to the second charging controller 200 of the electric vehicle EV via the CP line and determine whether a response is received from the second charging controller 200 within a preset time.

[0103] Upon receiving a response within the preset time, the first charging controller 100 may perform PLC communication with the second charging controller 200 of the vehicle EV via the CP line to obtain vehicle information, payment information, and vehicle state of charge information and control AC charging.

[0104] If no response is received within the preset time, the first charging controller 100 may terminate communication with the second charging controller 200 and perform a communication establishment procedure to reconnect with the second charging controller 200.

[0105] Thereafter, the first charging controller 100 may transmit the charging method to the second charging controller 200 as DC (i.e., direct current charging) and perform the PLC with the second charging controller 200 to obtain vehicle information, payment information, vehicle charge state information, and the like.

[0106] After receiving the information, the first charging controller 100 may terminate the PLC with the second charging controller 200 and perform PWM communication with the second charging controller 200 to perform AC charging of the vehicle EV.

[0107] After completion of the AC charging of the vehicle EV, the first charging controller 100 may terminate the PWM communication, resume the PLC communication with the second charging controller 200 to obtain vehicle information (including vehicle state of charge information), and then terminate the communication with the second charging controller 200.

[0108] According to one embodiment, the electric vehicle charging system may be implemented such that the electric vehicle is charged using a PnC charging method.

[0109] In a case where the electric vehicle charging system is implemented to charge the electric vehicle using a PnC charging method in this way, the first charging controller 100 and the second charging controller 200 can perform authentication and automatic billing while performing the PLC via the CP line.

[0110] Specifically, the first charging control device 100 may perform a communication establishment procedure for establishing a network for PLC in connection with the second charging control device 200 (process S410).

[0111] Since the communication establishment procedure performed in operation S410 may be the same as the communication establishment procedure in operation S210 of Fig. 2, a detailed description of it is omitted.

[0112] After completing the communication establishment procedure, the first charging control device 100 may transmit an AC method (including phase information) as charging method information to the second charging control device 200 (process S420).

[0113] After operation S420, the first charging controller 100 may determine whether a response is received from the second charging controller 200 within a preset time (operation S430).

[0114] If a response is received as a result of the determination in operation S430 (Yes in operation S430), the first charging control device 100 may execute a first subsequence (S_Sequence A) comprising operations S230 to S260 (see Fig. 2) (operation S440 in Fig. 4). According to one embodiment, the first charging control device 100 may omit operation S230.

[0115] Accordingly, the first charging controller 100 may acquire vehicle state of charge information while performing PLC with the second charging controller 200, and perform AC charging of the vehicle EV based on the acquired vehicle state of charge information.

[0116] Furthermore, the first charging controller 100 may terminate communication with the second charging controller 200 after completion of AC charging. The first charging controller 100 may receive and acquire vehicle state of charge information from the second charging controller 200 during AC charging.

[0117] If no response is received as a result of the determination in operation S430 (No in operation S430), the first charging control device 100 may terminate the power line communication (PLC) (operation S450) and execute the second sequence (sequence B) (see Fig. 3) carry out (operation S460 in Fig. 4).

[0118] Accordingly, the first charging controller 100 may transmit the charging method as DC to the second charging controller 200, perform PLC with the second charging controller 200 to acquire vehicle information, payment information, vehicle state of charge information, and the like, terminate the PLC with the second charging controller 200, and perform AC charging of the vehicle EV while performing PWM communication with the second charging controller 200.

[0119] In addition, the first charging controller 100 may terminate the PWM communication after completion of the AC charging of the vehicle EV, resume the PLC with the second charging controller 200 to obtain vehicle information (including vehicle state of charge information), and then terminate the communication with the second charging controller 200.

[0120] Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating overall operation of the electric vehicle charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0121] The Fig. The step-by-step procedure shown in Figure 5 can be different from the one shown in Fig. 1 and may comprise the first sequence to third sequence (sequence A, sequence B and sequence C) described with reference to the Fig. 2 to 4. Detailed descriptions referring again to the first to third sequences (Sequence A, Sequence B and Sequence C) are omitted below.

[0122] With reference to Fig. 1 to 5, the first charging controller 100 of the charging device EVSE may determine whether AC-PLC support determination information has been input before charging the vehicle EV (process S510).

[0123] For example, in a case where the charging cable (or connector) C has been connected to the vehicle EV (process S500), the first charging control device 100 may determine whether AC-PLC support determination information has been input.

[0124] After determining that the AC-PLC support determination information has been input (Yes in operation S510), the first charging control device 100 may transmit the AC-PLC support determination information to the server 300 (operation S520) and receive a determination signal from the server 300 (operation S530).

[0125] Then, the first charging control device 100 may determine whether the received detection signal is the first detection signal or the second detection signal (operation S540).

[0126] The first determination signal may be a signal output from the server 300 in a case where the vehicle to be charged is an AC-PLC supporting vehicle, and the second determination signal may be a signal output from the server 300 in a case where the vehicle to be charged is an AC-PLC non-supporting vehicle.

[0127] The first charging control device 100 may perform the first sequence (sequence A) (operation S550) when the detection signal is the first detection signal, and may perform the second sequence (sequence B) (operation S560) when the detection signal is the second detection signal.

[0128] On the other hand, the first charging control device 100 may perform the third sequence (sequence C) (operation S570) when it is determined that the AC-PLC support determination information has not been input (No in operation S510) as a result of the determination in operation S510.

[0129] According to the operation of an electric vehicle charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, vehicle information can be acquired before AC charging of the vehicle is performed, even for a vehicle that does not support PLC during AC charging.

[0130] Furthermore, according to the operation of an electric vehicle charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, even in a situation where it is impossible to determine whether a vehicle supports PLC or not during AC charging, vehicle information can be acquired before AC charging of the vehicle is performed.

[0131] Furthermore, since an electric vehicle charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can perform charging using the PnC charging method, not only charging between the charging device and the vehicle but also authentication and payment can be performed automatically via power line communication (PLC).

[0132] Furthermore, an electric vehicle charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can generate and provide customer demand information (e.g., information about a charging end time prediction, etc.) based on vehicle information (e.g., information about the maximum voltage, the maximum current, information about the full SoC, information about the partial SoC, etc.) obtained through the power line communication (PLC), thereby improving customer convenience and customer satisfaction.

[0133] Fig. Figure 6 is a diagram showing a detailed structure of the electric vehicle charging system of Fig. 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0134] With reference to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 6, the first charging control device 100 of the charging device EVSE may include a first communication control unit 110, a charging device control unit 120, and a communication modem 130 for communicating with the server 300, but the configuration of the first charging control device 100 is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0135] For example, the first communication control unit 110 may be represented as a PLC communication control unit, a PLC modem, a power supply side (or charger side) communication control unit (Supply Equipment Communication Controller, SECC for short), and the like.

[0136] The first communication control unit 110 may be connected to the second charging control device 200 on the EV side via a CP line to perform communication. According to one embodiment, the first communication control unit 110 may communicate with a second electric vehicle communication control unit (EVCC) 210 and an on-board charger (OBC) 220.

[0137] The first communication control unit 110 can establish a network with the second charging control device 200 through a communication establishment procedure. During communication with the second charging control device 200 via the established network, the first communication control unit 110 can obtain information about the vehicle EV and control the charging of the vehicle EV.

[0138] The first communication control unit 110 may perform a preset operation according to a detection signal from the charging device control unit 120.

[0139] According to the settings (e.g., according to the first detection signal), the first communication control unit 110 may communicate with a second charging controller 200 that supports PLC for AC charging. For example, the first communication control unit 110 may communicate with the second charging controller 200 according to the AC-PLC communication protocol (ISO 15118) to obtain information about the vehicle EV and perform AC charging (or control).

[0140] According to the settings (e.g., according to the second detection signal), the first communication control unit 110 may acquire vehicle information while communicating with a second charging controller 200 that does not support power line communication (PLC) during AC charging, and perform AC charging. In this case, the first communication control unit 110 may acquire vehicle information (including vehicle state of charge information) via PLC after transmitting DC as the charging method information to the second charging controller 200.

[0141] In addition, the first communication control unit 110 may terminate the PLC after acquiring the vehicle information and then perform the AC charging based on or together with the use of PWM communication.

[0142] The first communication control unit 110 may terminate the PWM communication after completion of AC charging and then resume the PLC to acquire vehicle information (including vehicle state of charge information).

[0143] According to the settings (e.g., according to the third detection signal), the first communication control unit 110 may communicate with a second charging controller 200 for which it is not possible to determine whether or not power line communication is supported during AC charging to acquire vehicle information and perform AC charging. In this case, the first communication control unit 110 may transmit AC as the charging method information to the second charging controller 200, communicate with the second charging controller 200 according to the AC-PLC communication protocol (ISO 15118) to acquire information about the vehicle EV when there is a response from the second charging controller 200 within a preset time, and perform AC charging.

[0144] The first communication control unit 110 may terminate the AC power line (PLC) communication if no response is received from the second charging controller 200 within the preset time after AC is transmitted as the charging method information to the second charging controller 200. Then, the first communication control unit 110 may terminate the power line (PLC) communication, transmit DC as the charging method information to the second charging controller 200, and then acquire vehicle information (including vehicle state of charge information) through the PLC.

[0145] In addition, the first communication control unit 110 may terminate the PLC after acquiring the vehicle information and then perform the AC charging based on or together with the use of the PWM communication.

[0146] The first communication control unit 110 may terminate the PWM communication after completion of AC charging and then resume the PLC to acquire vehicle information (including vehicle state of charge information).

[0147] The first communication control unit 110 may provide the acquired vehicle information to the charging device control unit 120.

[0148] When the charging cable C is connected to the vehicle EV, the charging device control unit 120 may determine whether AC-PLC support determination information is input.

[0149] If the AC-PLC support determination information is / has not been input, the charger control unit 120 may transmit the third determination signal to the first communication control unit 110 so that the first communication control unit 110 performs the operation according to the third sequence (sequence C).

[0150] If the AC-PLC support determination information is / has been input, the charger control unit 120 may transmit the AC-PLC support determination information to the server 300 and receive the first determination signal or the second determination signal from the server 300.

[0151] The charger control unit 120 may transmit the first determination signal to the first communication control unit 110 so that the first communication control unit 110 performs the operation according to the first sequence (sequence A), and may transmit the second determination signal to the first communication control unit 110 so that the first communication control unit 110 performs the operation according to the second sequence (sequence B).

[0152] The second charging control device 200 of the electric vehicle may include the second communication control unit 210, the on-board charging device (OBC) 220, and a battery management system (BMS) 230, but the configuration of the second charging control device 200 is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0153] The second communication control unit 210, the OBC 220, and the BMS 230 may be connected to each other via CAN (Controller Area Network) communication, but the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0154] The second communication control unit 210 may transmit vehicle information to the first communication control unit 110 while performing power line communication (PLC) with the first charging controller 100 via the CP line, and perform (or control) AC charging of the battery of the vehicle EV.

[0155] The second communication control unit 210 may be represented as a vehicle charging management system (VCMS).

[0156] The OBC 220 may perform AC charging of the battery of the vehicle EV while performing PWM communication with the first charging controller 100 via the CP line.

[0157] The BMS 230 may be a general battery management system and charge the battery of the electric vehicle while communicating with the second communication control unit 210 and the OBC 220.

[0158] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a method for obtaining vehicle information during slow charging of an electric vehicle charging device, and a method and system for charging an electric vehicle using the same.

[0159] According to an operation of the electric vehicle charging system according to embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to acquire vehicle information before performing AC charging of a vehicle, even for a vehicle that does not support power line communication (PLC).

[0160] Furthermore, according to an operation of the electric vehicle charging system according to embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to acquire vehicle information before performing AC charging of a vehicle, even in a situation where it is not possible to determine whether or not a vehicle supports power line communication (PLC) during AC charging.

[0161] Furthermore, the electric vehicle charging device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can perform charging according to a PnC charging method, and thus not only charging between a charging device and a vehicle but also authentication and payment can be performed automatically via power line communication (PLC).

[0162] In addition, an electric vehicle charging system according to embodiments of the present disclosure can generate and provide customer demand information (e.g., charging end time prediction information, etc.) based on vehicle information (e.g., maximum voltage information, maximum current information, full SoC information, partial SoC information, etc.) acquired via power line communication (PLC), thereby improving customer convenience and customer satisfaction.

[0163] The effects of embodiments of the present disclosure are not necessarily limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

[0164] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to these embodiments and can be modified and implemented in various ways without departing from the technical essence of the present disclosure. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are not necessarily intended to limit the technical essence of the present disclosure, but to illustrate it, and the scope of the technical essence of the present disclosure is not necessarily limited by these embodiments. It should therefore be understood that the embodiments described above are exemplary in all respects and not necessarily restrictive.The scope of the present disclosure is to be construed in accordance with the claims, and all technical ideas within the range of equivalence are to be considered as included within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

[1] A method for obtaining vehicle information during alternating current charging, or AC charging for short, of an electric vehicle (EV) by an electric vehicle charging device (EVSE), the method comprising: Determine whether AC power line communication, or AC-PLC for short, is supported, If AC-PLC is not supported, transmitting a direct current method, or DC method for short, as charging method information to the electric vehicle (EV) via power line communication, or PLC for short, Obtaining (S340) vehicle information from the electric vehicle (EV), Terminating (S350) the PLC with the electric vehicle (EV) and performing AC charging (S360) of the electric vehicle based on pulse width modulation communication, or PWM communication for short, Stop AC charging, Terminate (S370) the PWM communication, and Resume (S380) the PLC to obtain vehicle information from the electric vehicle (EV). [2] The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the AC-PLC is supported comprises: Determining (S510) whether electric vehicle (EV)-related AC-PLC support detection information is input when connecting to the electric vehicle (EV), Transmitting (S520) the AC-PLC support determination information to a server (300) when the AC-PLC support determination information has been input, and Receiving (S530) a detection signal from the server (300). [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: If AC-PLC is supported, obtaining vehicle information from the electric vehicle (EV) through the PLC. [4] Method according to claim 2 or 3, comprising: Transmitting (S420) an alternating current method, or AC method for short, as charging method information to the electric vehicle (EV) by PLC if the AC-PLC support determination information has not been entered, Determining (S430) whether a response is received from the electric vehicle (EV) within a preset time, and Obtaining vehicle information from the electric vehicle (EV) by PLC if a response is received, and If no response is received, terminate the current PLC and perform the steps of transmitting the DC method, obtaining the vehicle information, terminate the PLC, perform AC charging, terminate AC charging, terminate PWM communication, and resume the PLC. [5] A method for obtaining vehicle information during alternating current charging, or AC charging for short, of an electric vehicle (EV) by an electric vehicle charging device (EVSE), the method comprising: Determining (S510) whether AC power line communication support detection information, or AC-PLC support detection information for short, is inputted regarding the electric vehicle (EV), Transmitting (S520) the AC-PLC support determination information to a server (300) when the AC-PLC support determination information has been input, Receiving (S530) a detection signal from the server (300), and Obtaining vehicle information by executing one of a first sequence (A) to a third sequence (C) depending on whether the AC-PLC support determination information has been input or not and depending on the determination signal from the server (300). [6] Method according to claim 5, comprising: Performing the first sequence (A) to obtain vehicle information if the detection signal from the server (300) corresponds to a case of an AC-PLC supporting vehicle, and Performing the second sequence (B) to obtain vehicle information if the detection signal from the server (300) corresponds to an AC-PLC non-supporting vehicle case. [7] The method according to claim 5 or 6, comprising: performing the third sequence (C) to acquire vehicle information if the AC-PLC support determination information has not been input. [8] The method of any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the first sequence (A) comprises obtaining vehicle information from the electric vehicle (EV) by the PLC. [9] Method according to one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the second sequence (B) comprises: Transmitting (S320) a DC method as charging method information to the electric vehicle (EV) by PLC, Obtaining (S340) vehicle information from the electric vehicle (EV), Terminating (S350) the PLC with the electric vehicle (EV) and performing (S360) an AC charging of the electric vehicle (EV) based on pulse width modulation communication, PWM communication for short, Stop AC charging and stop PWM communication (S370), and Resume (S380) the PLC to obtain vehicle information from the electric vehicle (EV). [10] The method according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the third sequence (C) comprises: Transmitting (S420) an AC method as charging method information to the electric vehicle (EV) by PLC, Determining (S430) whether a response is received from the electric vehicle (EV) within a preset time, and Obtaining vehicle information by performing the first sequence (A) or the second sequence (B) depending on whether a response is received or not. [11] A method of charging an electric vehicle (EV) by an electric vehicle charging device (EVSE) using alternating current charging, or AC charging for short, the method comprising: Determining (S510) by the electric vehicle charging equipment (EVSE) whether AC-PLC support detection information is input regarding the electric vehicle (EV), Transmitting (S520) the AC-PLC support determination information to a server (300) when the AC-PLC support determination information has been input, Receiving (S530) a detection signal from the server (300), and Charging the electric vehicle (EV) by performing one of a first sequence (A) to a third sequence (C) depending on whether the AC-PLC support determination information has been input and depending on the determination signal from the server (300). [12] Method according to claim 11, comprising: Performing AC charging of the electric vehicle (EV) by performing the first sequence (A) in response to the determination signal from the server (300) corresponding to an instance of an AC-PLC supporting vehicle, and Performing AC charging of the electric vehicle (EV) by performing the second sequence (B) in response to the determination signal from the server (300) corresponding to an AC-PLC non-supporting vehicle case. [13] The method of claim 11 or 12, comprising performing AC charging of the electric vehicle (EV) by performing the third sequence (C) in response to the AC-PLC support determination information not being input. [14] Method according to one of claims 11 to 13, comprising: Obtaining (S240) vehicle information from the electric vehicle (EV) by the PLC, and Performing (S250) a slow charge of the electric vehicle (EV) by the PLC. [15] Method according to one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the second sequence (B) comprises: Transmitting (S320) a DC method as charging method information to the electric vehicle (EV) by PLC, Obtaining (S340) vehicle information from the electric vehicle (EV), and Terminating (S350) the PLC with the electric vehicle (EV) and performing (S360) an AC charging of the electric vehicle (EV) based on pulse width modulation communication, or PWM communication for short. [16] A method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the third sequence (C) comprises: Transmitting (S420) an AC method as charging method information to the electric vehicle (EV) by PLC, Determining (S430) whether or not a response is received from the electric vehicle (EV) within a preset time, and Performing AC charging of the electric vehicle (EV) by performing the first sequence (A) or the second sequence (B) depending on whether a response is received or not. [17] Electric vehicle charging system for an electric vehicle (EV), comprising an electric vehicle charging device (EVSE) configured to charge the electric vehicle (EV) by alternating current charging, or AC charging for short, wherein the electric vehicle charging device (EVSE) is further configured to transmit AC power line communication support determination information, abbreviated to AC-PLC support determination information, relating to the electric vehicle (EV) to a server (300) when the AC-PLC support determination information is input, wherein the electric vehicle charging device (EVSE) is further configured to receive a detection signal from the server (300), and wherein the electric vehicle charging device (EVSE) is further configured to perform AC charging of the electric vehicle (EV) by performing one of a first sequence (A) to a third sequence (C) depending on whether or not the AC-PLC support determination information has been input and depending on the determination signal. [18] The system of claim 17, wherein the electric vehicle charging device (EVSE) is further configured to acquire vehicle information from the electric vehicle (EV) through PLC according to the first sequence (A), and wherein the electric vehicle charging device (EVSE) is further configured to perform slow charging of the electric vehicle (EV) through the PLC if the detection signal corresponds to an AC-PLC assisted vehicle case. [19] The system of claim 17 or 18, wherein the electric vehicle charging device (EVSE) is further configured to transmit a DC method as charging method information to the electric vehicle (EV) via the PLC according to the second sequence (B) to obtain vehicle information from the electric vehicle (EV), wherein the electric vehicle charging device (EVSE) is further configured to terminate the PLC with the electric vehicle (EV), and wherein the electric vehicle charging device (EVSE) is further configured to perform the AC charging of the electric vehicle (EV) based on pulse width modulation (PWM) communication if the detection signal corresponds to a case of an AC-PLC non-supporting vehicle. [20] The system of claim 19, wherein the electric vehicle charging device (EVSE) is further configured to transmit an AC method as charging method information to the electric vehicle (EV) via PLC according to the third sequence (C), wherein the electric vehicle charging device (EVSE) is further configured to determine whether or not a response is received from the electric vehicle (EV) within a preset time if the AC-PLC support determination information has not been input, wherein the electric vehicle charging device (EVSE) is further configured to perform AC charging according to the first sequence (A) if a response is received, and wherein the electric vehicle charging device (EVSE) is further configured to perform AC charging according to the second sequence (B) if no response is received.

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