Methods for increasing safety during the charging of a traction battery

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for increasing safety during the charging of a traction battery of an AVP electric vehicle by a charging station located within a charging area of ​​a parking lot, comprising the following steps: Monitoring the surrounding area of ​​the AVP electric vehicle by an AVP infrastructure system of the parking lot while the AVP electric vehicle's drive battery is being charged by the charging station, in order to detect a safety-critical event, Upon detection of a safety-critical event, the AVP infrastructure system will implement at least one safety measure to stop the charging of the traction battery by the charging station. The invention relates to an AVP infrastructure system for a parking lot, a parking space, a computer program and a machine-readable storage medium.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for increasing safety during charging of a drive battery of an AVP electric vehicle, an AVP infrastructure system for a parking lot, a parking lot, a computer program and a machine-readable storage medium. State of the art

[0002] The patent specification DE 10 2015 200 018 B4 discloses a method for charging an energy storage device of a vehicle.

[0003] The published patent application DE 10 2014 000 747 A1 discloses a method for monitoring a gap between a charging plate of a stationary induction charging device and a charging plate of a parked vehicle.

[0004] The published patent application DE 10 2016 015 458 A1 discloses a method for inductively charging an electrical energy storage device of a vehicle.

[0005] The published patent application DE 10 2020 202 948 A1 discloses a method for the automatic repositioning of an at least partially autonomously operated vehicle at an inductive charging station. Disclosure of the invention

[0006] The object underlying the invention is to provide a concept for increasing safety during charging of a drive battery of an AVP electric vehicle by a charging station located within a charging area of ​​a parking lot.

[0007] This object is achieved by means of the respective subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the respective dependent subclaims.

[0008] According to a first aspect, a method for increasing safety during charging of a drive battery of an AVP electric vehicle by a charging station located within a charging area of ​​a parking lot is provided, comprising the following steps: Monitoring an area surrounding the AVP electric vehicle by an AVP infrastructure system of the parking space during charging of the drive battery of the AVP electric vehicle by the charging station in order to detect a safety-critical event; upon detection of a safety-critical event, carrying out at least one safety measure by the AVP infrastructure system to stop the charging of the drive battery by the charging station.

[0009] According to a second aspect, an AVP infrastructure system for a parking lot is provided, which is configured to carry out all the steps of the method according to the first aspect.

[0010] According to a third aspect, a parking space is provided, comprising a charging station and the AVP infrastructure system according to the second aspect.

[0011] According to a fourth aspect, a computer program is provided which comprises instructions which, when executed by the AVP infrastructure system according to the second aspect, cause the computer program to carry out a method according to the first aspect.

[0012] According to a fifth aspect, a machine-readable storage medium is provided on which the computer program according to the fourth aspect is stored.

[0013] The invention is based on and incorporates the finding that the above-mentioned object is achieved by monitoring the surrounding area of ​​the AVP electric vehicle during charging of its drive battery by the charging station by an AVP infrastructure system of the parking lot. This monitoring is carried out with the aim of detecting a safety-critical event. If such an event is detected by the AVP infrastructure system, at least one safety measure is implemented by the AVP infrastructure system with the aim of stopping the charging of the drive battery by the charging station.

[0014] This means that as soon as, for example, an object has moved into the surrounding area of ​​the AVP electric vehicle, at least one safety measure is implemented to stop the charging of the drive battery by the charging station. For example, the step of stopping the charging of the drive battery by the charging station is included in the method according to the first aspect.

[0015] This provides the technical advantage of efficiently increasing safety during charging of the AVP electric vehicle's drive battery. For example, it can provide the technical advantage of preventing disruption to the operation of a pacemaker if the object is a person wearing one.

[0016] In general, this provides the technical advantage of reducing or avoiding health hazards to living objects that enter the vicinity of the vehicle during charging. Living objects include, for example, animals or humans. Due to their size, animals can sometimes enter directly underneath the AVP electric vehicle, which can pose a health hazard to the animal. This is especially true when charging is done inductively.

[0017] The surrounding area of ​​the AVP electric vehicle refers, in particular, to the immediate vicinity of the electric vehicle. For example, the surrounding area is an area of ​​the surroundings or surroundings of the AVP electric vehicle with a maximum distance from the AVP electric vehicle of 2 m, in particular 1 m. This means, for example, that up to a maximum of 2 m, in particular up to 1 m, relative to the AVP electric vehicle, monitoring is carried out to determine whether, for example, an object is located in the surrounding area.

[0018] The terms "surroundings" and "environment" can be used synonymously. The surrounding area can therefore be referred to as the environmental area.

[0019] A parking space, as defined in this description, can also be referred to as a parking area and serves as a parking space for vehicles. The parking space thus forms, in particular, a contiguous area that includes several parking spaces (in the case of a parking space on private property) or parking bays (in the case of a parking space on public property). According to one embodiment, the parking space can be enclosed by a parking garage. In particular, the parking space is enclosed by a garage.

[0020] The abbreviation "AVP" stands for "Automated Valet Parking" and can be translated into German as "automatic parking service." An AVP process includes, for example, at least highly automated driving of the motor vehicle from a drop zone, also called a drop-off location, to a parking location and, for example, at least highly automated driving of the motor vehicle from a parking location to a pick-up location, also called a pickup zone. At the drop-off location, i.e. the drop zone, a driver of the motor vehicle drops off the motor vehicle for an AVP process. At a pick-up location, i.e. the pickup zone, the motor vehicle is picked up after the AVP process has ended. An AVP process therefore starts, in particular, at the drop zone. An AVP process therefore ends, in particular, at the pickup zone. The pickup zone can be the same as or different from the drop zone.

[0021] An AVP motor vehicle is therefore a motor vehicle that can participate in an AVP process. Whenever reference is made to a motor vehicle above and below, it should always be understood that this is an AVP motor vehicle, even if the term "AVP" is not explicitly used.

[0022] The AVP process is performed on the infrastructure side using or by the AVP infrastructure system according to the second aspect and is performed on the motor vehicle side using a motor vehicle AVP system.

[0023] The AVP infrastructure system can also be referred to as an infrastructure-side AVP system.

[0024] An AVP process can be an AVP process according to one of the following AVP types: AVP Type 1, AVP Type 2, and AVP Type 3. However, the AVP types can also change within an AVP process. This means, for example, that part of an AVP process is performed according to AVP Type 1, and another part of the AVP process is performed according to AVP Type 2 or AVP Type 3. This means, for example, that an AVP process can be divided into sub-AVP processes, each of which is performed according to one of the AVP types 1, 2, and 3.

[0025] AVP Type 1 designates a vehicle-centric AVP process. The primary responsibility for the AVP process lies with the vehicle, i.e., the vehicle-based AVP system.

[0026] AVP Type 2 characterizes an infrastructure-centric AVP process. The primary responsibility for the AVP process lies with the infrastructure, i.e., the infrastructure-side AVP system, i.e., the AVP infrastructure system.

[0027] AVP Type 3 designates a shared AVP process between the vehicle and infrastructure. Here, primary responsibility for the AVP process is shared between the motor vehicle, i.e., the vehicle-side AVP system, and the infrastructure-side AVP system, i.e., the AVP infrastructure system.

[0028] An AVP process includes the following operations or functions: 1. Determine a target position for the motor vehicle, which lies within the parking space. 2. Planning a route from a starting position, which is enclosed by the parking lot, to the destination position. 3. Detecting an object and / or an event and reacting accordingly to a detected object and / or a detected event. 4. Locate the vehicle within the parking space. 5. Calculate a target trajectory for the vehicle based on the planned route. 6. Control of the lateral and longitudinal guidance of the motor vehicle based on the calculated target trajectory.

[0029] The following table indicates which of these processes or functions are performed by the motor vehicle, i.e., the motor vehicle-side AVP system, or the infrastructure-side AVP system, depending on the AVP type, where "I" stands for "infrastructure", i.e., the infrastructure-side AVP system, and "K" for "motor vehicle", so that "I" indicates that the process is performed by the AVP system, and "K" indicates that the process is performed by the motor vehicle: Functions AVP type 1 AVP type 2 AVP type 3 Determining a target position for the motor vehicle, which lies within the parking space. I & K I I Planning a route from a starting position which is from the parking lot K I I is included, to the target position. Detecting an object and / or an event and reacting accordingly to a detected object and / or a detected event. K (& option al I) I I & K Locating the motor vehicle within the parking space. K I K Calculate a target trajectory for the vehicle based on the planned route. K I K Controlling the lateral and longitudinal guidance of the motor vehicle based on the calculated target trajectory. K K K

[0030] The table above indicates, for each function, whether the function is performed by the infrastructure (i.e., the infrastructure-side AVP system) or by the motor vehicle (i.e., the motor vehicle-side AVP system). In some cases, the function may be performed by both the infrastructure-side AVP system and the motor vehicle.

[0031] With regard to object and event detection for AVP type 1, it can optionally be provided that, in addition to the motor vehicle, the infrastructure-side AVP system also performs this function.

[0032] The AVP types 1, 2 and 3 described here are further described in detail in ISO standard 23374-1:2021(E).

[0033] The motor vehicle is at least a highly automated motor vehicle. Such a motor vehicle is equipped for at least highly automated driving. Highly automated driving corresponds to automation level 4 according to the definition of the Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt).

[0034] The fact that the motor vehicle is equipped for at least highly automated driving includes both the case of the motor vehicle being equipped for highly automated driving and the case of fully automated driving. Fully automated driving corresponds to automation level 5 according to the BASt definition.

[0035] Highly automated guidance means that for a certain period of time in a specific situation (for example: driving on a motorway, driving in a parking lot, overtaking an object, driving in a lane defined by lane markings), the longitudinal and lateral guidance of the motor vehicle are automatically controlled. The driver of the motor vehicle does not have to manually control the longitudinal and lateral guidance of the vehicle. The driver does not have to constantly monitor the automatic control of the longitudinal and lateral guidance in order to be able to intervene manually if necessary. If necessary, a takeover request is automatically issued to the driver to take over control of the longitudinal and lateral guidance, in particular with a sufficient time reserve. The driver must therefore potentially be able to take over control of the longitudinal and lateral guidance.Limits of the automatic control of lateral and longitudinal guidance are automatically detected. With highly automated guidance, it is not possible to automatically achieve a minimal-risk state in every initial situation.

[0036] The phrase “to take over control of the longitudinal and lateral guidance” can also be replaced by the phrase “to take over the longitudinal and lateral guidance”.

[0037] Fully automated guidance means that in a specific situation (e.g. driving on a motorway, driving within a parking lot, overtaking an object, driving within a lane defined by lane markings), the longitudinal and lateral guidance of the vehicle are automatically controlled. The driver of the vehicle does not have to manually control the longitudinal and lateral guidance of the vehicle. The driver does not have to monitor the automatic control of the longitudinal and lateral guidance in order to intervene manually if necessary. Before the automatic control of the lateral and longitudinal guidance is terminated, the driver is automatically prompted to take over the driving task (controlling the lateral and longitudinal guidance of the vehicle), particularly with a sufficient time reserve. If the driver does not take over the driving task, the vehicle is automatically returned to a state with minimal risk.Limits of the automatic control of lateral and longitudinal guidance are automatically detected. In all situations, it is possible to automatically return to a system state with minimal risk.

[0038] Above, AVP was described in connection with "motor vehicle." Since an electric vehicle is a motor vehicle, the above statements also apply analogously to an electric vehicle.

[0039] Whenever the term “electric vehicle” or “motor vehicle” is used in this description, it should always be understood that this refers to an AVP electric vehicle or an AVP motor vehicle.

[0040] A drive battery, as defined in this description, is, in particular, an accumulator primarily intended to supply electrical energy to the electric motor(s) providing propulsion in the AVP electric vehicle. A drive battery can also be referred to as a high-voltage storage battery, traction battery, or deep cycle battery.

[0041] The phrase "at least one" means "one or more." This means, for example, that multiple safety measures are implemented by the AVP infrastructure system. This provides the technical advantage that, if an implemented safety measure does not stop the charging of the traction battery by the charging station, there is still at least one other safety measure that can do so. This, in particular, provides the technical advantage of creating redundancy in this regard.

[0042] In one embodiment of the method, it is provided that the charging area is monitored by the AVP infrastructure system before the AVP electric vehicle enters the charging area in order to detect when an object, which is not the AVP electric vehicle, moves into the charging area and / or when an object is located within the charging area which would be endangered by the entering AVP electric vehicle and / or which could be a danger to the AVP electric vehicle.

[0043] This provides, for example, the technical advantage that the charging area can be efficiently monitored. In particular, it provides the technical advantage that it can be efficiently detected when an object other than the AVP electric vehicle moves into the charging area, or when such an object is located within the charging area, which would be endangered by the AVP electric vehicle or which could pose a danger to the AVP electric vehicle. Accordingly, efficient countermeasures can be advantageously implemented to avert such a potential danger. This provides, for example, the technical advantage that the AVP electric vehicle can safely enter the charging area.

[0044] In one embodiment of the method, it is provided that the charging area is monitored by the AVP infrastructure system during entry of the AVP electric vehicle into the charging area and / or during travel of the AVP electric vehicle having entered the charging area to the charging station and / or wherein the surrounding area is monitored after arrival of the AVP electric vehicle at the charging station and already before the drive battery is charged by the charging station in order to detect when an object which is not the AVP electric vehicle moves into the corresponding area and / or when an object is located within the corresponding area which would be endangered by the AVP electric vehicle entering and / or which could be a danger to the AVP electric vehicle.

[0045] This provides, for example, the technical advantage that the charging area can be efficiently monitored during entry or during the journey, as well as the surrounding area after the AVP electric vehicle arrives at the charging station and even before the drive battery is charged. In particular, this provides the technical advantage that potential collision objects that could pose a danger to the AVP electric vehicle or that would be endangered by the AVP electric vehicle can be efficiently detected. In such a case, efficient countermeasures can be taken, for example, to reduce the danger and, for example, protect the object or the AVP electric vehicle.

[0046] In one embodiment of the method, it is provided that the charging of the drive battery by the charging station is released by the AVP infrastructure system based on the corresponding monitoring.

[0047] This provides the technical advantage, for example, that charging can be released efficiently.

[0048] For example, the charging of the traction battery by the charging station is only authorized by the AVP infrastructure system if no corresponding object has been detected according to the corresponding monitoring.

[0049] No detection of a corresponding object means in particular that the corresponding area, i.e. the surrounding area or the charging area, is free of such an object.

[0050] In one embodiment of the method, it is provided that the AVP electric vehicle is monitored by the AVP infrastructure system in order to detect an opening of a door of the AVP electric vehicle.

[0051] This provides the technical advantage, for example, that the opening of a door of the AVP electric vehicle can be efficiently detected.

[0052] The opening of a door of an AVP electric vehicle indicates that there is at least one person inside the AVP electric vehicle who wishes to exit the vehicle. This person may disrupt the charging process or the operation of the AVP electric vehicle by exiting the vehicle. In particular, the person exiting the vehicle or the person subsequently exiting the vehicle may be at risk from the charging process, especially if the charging process involves inductive charging. This is the case, for example, if the person wears a pacemaker.

[0053] It is therefore particularly advantageous to monitor the AVP electric vehicle for such a door opening in order to implement one or more safety measures in a timely manner or to prevent charging of the drive battery.

[0054] In one embodiment of the method, it is provided that when the AVP infrastructure system detects the opening of a door of the AVP electric vehicle during charging, it is determined that this is a safety-critical event.

[0055] This provides the technical advantage, for example, of efficiently detecting a safety-critical event. As already explained above, a person getting out of the vehicle or a person who has subsequently exited the vehicle may be endangered by the charging process or by the AVP electric vehicle. Therefore, if the door opening is detected while the drive battery is being charged, it is particularly advantageous to stop the charging of the drive battery. This is especially true if inductive charging is involved. Accordingly, it is advantageous to implement one or more safety measures.

[0056] In one embodiment of the method, it is provided that the charging of the drive battery by the charging station is enabled by the AVP infrastructure system based on the monitoring concerning a detection of an opening of a door of the AVP electric vehicle.

[0057] This provides the technical advantage, for example, that the charging of the traction battery is efficiently released by the AVP infrastructure system.

[0058] As already explained above, a person getting out of the vehicle or a person who has subsequently gotten out can be endangered by the charging process. Therefore, it is advantageous to only authorize charging if no such opening of a door of the AVP electric vehicle has been detected. This means, in particular, that, for example, the AVP infrastructure system only authorizes charging of the traction battery via the charging station if no opening of a door of the AVP electric vehicle has been detected.

[0059] In one embodiment of the method, it is provided that the at least one safety measure is an element selected from the following group of safety measures: sending a stop command to stop the charging of the drive battery to the charging station, interrupting a power supply to the charging station.

[0060] This provides the technical advantage, for example, that particularly suitable security measures can be implemented.

[0061] Sending within the meaning of the description is, for example, sending via a communication network, for example via a wireless communication network or via a wired communication network.

[0062] In one embodiment of the method, it is provided that the surrounding area of ​​the AVP electric vehicle runs continuously around the AVP electric vehicle.

[0063] This provides the technical advantage, for example, of efficiently monitoring a charging process, thus effectively increasing safety during charging. The enclosed environmental area thus defines a boundary, and crossing it toward the AVP electric vehicle can be detected by the AVP infrastructure system, enabling one or more safety measures to be implemented.

[0064] In one embodiment of the method, it is provided that the charging station has a primary coil and wherein the AVP electric vehicle has a secondary coil, wherein the charging comprises inductive charging using the primary coil and the secondary coil, wherein the surrounding area of ​​the AVP electric vehicle extends in a closed manner around the AVP electric vehicle.

[0065] This provides the technical advantage, for example, of efficiently monitoring inductive charging, thus effectively increasing safety during inductive charging. The enclosed surrounding area thus defines a boundary, the crossing of which, in the direction of the AVP electric vehicle, can be detected by the AVP infrastructure system, enabling one or more safety measures to be implemented.

[0066] In one embodiment, it is provided that the AVP infrastructure system is programmatically configured to execute the computer program according to the fourth aspect.

[0067] The method according to the first aspect is, for example, a computer-implemented method.

[0068] Statements made in connection with the procedure apply analogously to the AVP infrastructure system and vice versa. This means that the technical functionalities of the procedure result analogously from the corresponding technical functionalities of the AVP infrastructure system and vice versa.

[0069] The AVP infrastructure system includes, for example, one or more environmental sensors that are spatially distributed within the parking lot.

[0070] Such environmental sensors can, for example, be referred to as infrastructure environmental sensors.

[0071] An environmental sensor within the meaning of the description is, for example, one of the following environmental sensors: radar sensor, lidar sensor, image sensor, in particular image sensor of a video camera, ultrasonic sensor, magnetic field sensor, infrared sensor.

[0072] For example, different environmental sensors can be used for monitoring, ensuring a correspondingly diverse monitoring environment. Potential disadvantages of one sensor technology can thus be compensated for by the advantages of another. For example, an infrared camera can detect living beings even in the dark, whereas a video camera without additional lighting could not detect such a living being.

[0073] For example, multiple environmental sensors are provided for monitoring, advantageously providing redundancy. Should one of the environmental sensors fail, for example, there is at least one additional environmental sensor that can monitor.

[0074] The infrastructure environment sensor(s) monitor, for example, the loading area and / or the surrounding area and output environment sensor data based on the monitoring. Based on the environment sensor data, for example, it is determined whether or not an object is located within the corresponding area. This means, for example, that the environment sensor data is processed to detect a corresponding object.

[0075] For example, the AVP infrastructure system comprises a processing device configured to process the environmental sensor data to detect a corresponding object.

[0076] A charging station within the meaning of the description is, for example, an inductive charging station.

[0077] The procedure is carried out, for example, as part of an AVP process.

[0078] The embodiments and forms of embodiment described here can be combined with each other in any way, even if this is not explicitly described.

[0079] The invention is explained in more detail below using preferred embodiments. These show: Fig. 1 a flowchart of a method according to the first aspect, Fig. 2 an AVP infrastructure system according to the second aspect, Fig. 3 a parking space according to the third aspect, Fig. 4 a machine-readable storage medium according to the fifth aspect, and Fig. 5 to 11 each have a parking space.

[0080] In the following, the same reference symbols may be used for the same features.

[0081] Fig.1 shows a flowchart of a method for increasing safety during charging of a drive battery of an AVP electric vehicle by a charging station located within a charging area of ​​a parking lot, comprising the following steps: Monitoring 101 an area surrounding the AVP electric vehicle by an AVP infrastructure system of the parking lot during charging of the drive battery of the AVP electric vehicle by the charging station in order to detect a safety-critical event, upon detection of a safety-critical event, implementation 103 of at least one safety measure by the AVP infrastructure system to stop the charging of the traction battery by the charging station.

[0082] Monitoring 101 includes, for example, detecting the surrounding area using one or more infrastructure environment sensors that are spatially distributed within the parking lot. Based on the respective detection, a safety-critical event is detected, for example. This means, in particular, that based on the respective detection, it is determined whether an object is located within the surrounding area.

[0083] An object within the meaning of the description is, for example, a living object, such as an animal or a human. An object within the meaning of the description is, for example, an inanimate object, such as [something]. Statements made in connection with monitoring the surrounding area apply analogously to monitoring the charging area, and vice versa.

[0084] Metallic objects, i.e., inanimate objects, can interfere with charging or cause damage. Any (solid) objects could damage the AVP electric vehicle when driving over them.

[0085] Fig. 2 shows an AVP infrastructure system 201 for a parking lot, wherein the AVP infrastructure system 201 is configured to execute all steps of the method according to the first aspect. For example, the AVP infrastructure system 201 comprises one or more environmental sensors that are spatially distributed within the parking lot. For example, the AVP infrastructure system 201 comprises a processing device configured to detect a safety-critical event based on corresponding environmental sensor data from the infrastructure environmental sensors.

[0086] A processing device within the meaning of the description comprises, for example, one or more processors.

[0087] A processing device within the meaning of the description is, for example, implemented in a cloud infrastructure.

[0088] Fig. 3 shows a parking lot 301. The parking lot 301 includes the AVP infrastructure system 201 of the Fig. 2 and a charging station 303.

[0089] The charging station 303, for example, is an inductive charging station.

[0090] The charging station 303 thus comprises, for example, a primary coil or primary plate.

[0091] Fig. 4 shows a machine-readable storage medium 401 on which a computer program 403 is stored. The computer program 403 comprises instructions that are executed upon execution of the computer program 403 by the AVP infrastructure system 201 of the Fig. 2 cause it to carry out a method according to the first aspect.

[0092] Fig.5 shows a parking space 501 within which an AVP electric vehicle 503 is located. The AVP electric vehicle 503 includes a drive battery 505 for an electric motor (not shown) of the AVP electric vehicle 503.

[0093] The AVP electric vehicle 503 includes a secondary coil 507 or secondary plate, which, in conjunction with a primary coil or primary plate of a charging station, can generate an electric current to charge the drive battery 505. This means that the drive battery 505 is electrically connectable or can be connected or is connected to the secondary coil 507.

[0094] A charging area 509 is defined within the parking space 501. A charging station 511 is located within the charging area 509. In this case, it is an inductive charging station, which has a primary coil 513 or primary plate. The primary coil 513 is located in the floor of a roadway of the parking space 501. The secondary coil 507 is located on the underside of the AVP electric vehicle 503.

[0095] It is noted that for the sake of clarity, further elements of the charging station 511 are not shown. For example, the charging station 511 comprises a charging controller configured to control the charging of a drive battery of an electric vehicle, in this case, in particular, to control the charging of the drive battery 505 of the AVP electric vehicle 503.

[0096] The loading area 509 is monitored by several video cameras 515, each comprising an image sensor 517. The corresponding video images from the video cameras 515 are evaluated or analyzed, for example, to detect a safety-critical event. In particular, these video cameras are used for the monitoring steps described above and / or below.

[0097] The video images or the corresponding video data are processed or analyzed, for example, by a processing device not shown, in order to detect a safety-critical event or to detect a corresponding object, as described above and / or below.

[0098] Thus, an AVP infrastructure system is implemented within the parking space 501, whereby for the sake of clarity, no separate reference symbol is used for the AVP infrastructure system and no processing device is shown, but rather only several video cameras as an example.

[0099] The following figures show four video cameras 515 monitoring the loading area 509. It is noted that in embodiments not shown, it is contemplated to use more or fewer video cameras or to use other environmental sensors for monitoring in addition to or instead of the video cameras.

[0100] Fig. 6 shows a plan view of the charging area 509 without the electric vehicle 503, which is located according to Fig. 5 is still outside the loading area 509 and is guided towards the loading area 509 at least highly automated within the framework of an AVP process.

[0101] Fig.6 shows, according to the top view, four video cameras 515 which are positioned or arranged in the region of the corners of the loading area 509 and monitor the loading area 509 from above.

[0102] Fig. Figure 7 shows a side view of the AVP electric vehicle 503 after arriving at the charging station 511, i.e., in the charging position. This means that the secondary coil 507 is located above the primary coil 513, enabling efficient inductive charging.

[0103] Fig. 8 shows a plan view of the Fig. The situation shown in Figure 7.

[0104] Fig. 9 shows in addition to the Fig.8, a surrounding area 901 is shown, which is shown in hatched form. This surrounding area 901 extends completely around the AVP electric vehicle 503 and is monitored by the four video cameras 515. Thus, it can be efficiently detected when an object approaches the two coils 507, 513. The surrounding area 901 thus defines a boundary, whereby a crossing of the boundary in the direction of the coils 509, 513, for example by an animal or a person, can be efficiently detected by the surveillance cameras 515. Accordingly, security measures or a security measure can then be implemented by the AVP infrastructure system.

[0105] Fig. 10 shows the situation according to Fig. 9 in a side view. For clarity, the hatched surrounding area 901 is drawn raised above the road surface.

[0106] Fig.11 shows the situation according to Fig. 10 with additional objects within the surrounding area 901. For example, a person 1101 is located in the surrounding area 901 behind the AVP electric vehicle 503. For example, an animal 1103, for example a dog or a cat, is located in the surrounding area 901 in front of the AVP electric vehicle 503. This can represent a danger to the person 1101 or the animal 1103, wherein this danger is symbolically represented by two lightning symbols with the reference numeral 1105.

[0107] The fact that a person 1101 or an animal 1103 is located within the environmental area 901 is detected by the video cameras 515, so that one or more safety measures can be carried out accordingly to stop the inductive charging of the drive battery 505 by the charging station 511.

[0108] The concept described here specifically involves monitoring the charging of the AVP electric vehicle by the infrastructure, i.e., the AVP infrastructure system, to detect when something is near the AVP electric vehicle, or is between the charging stations, or moving toward it. Monitoring is performed, for example, using infrastructure environment sensors. Monitoring is therefore, for example, a sensor-based monitoring of the surroundings of the AVP electric vehicle.

[0109] For example, the same AVP infrastructure system is used for this, which also carries out an AVP driving / parking process for the AVP electric vehicle.

[0110] Monitoring of the charging area, which can also be referred to as a parking induction zone in the case of inductive charging, begins, for example, even before the AVP electric vehicle is guided into the charging area, at least in a highly automated manner as part of an AVP process through the AVP infrastructure system. This ensures, in particular, that nothing is left on the floor within the charging area.

[0111] In the next step, the AVP infrastructure system monitors, for example, that when the AVP electric vehicle enters the charging area, nothing additional to the AVP electric vehicle moves into the charging area.

[0112] As a rule, no one gets out of the AVP electric vehicle during the AVP process, as the AVP electric vehicle is driven without a driver. This means that nothing can leave the interior of the AVP electric vehicle and thus enter the charging area.

[0113] For example, to further increase safety, the AVP infrastructure system monitors the AVP electric vehicle for any door opening. If someone is inside the AVP electric vehicle and wants to exit, they will typically open a door. Such an opening is therefore a sign that someone intends to exit the AVP electric vehicle.

[0114] For example, if it is ensured that there is nothing under or in a defined area around the AVP electric vehicle, the AVP infrastructure system releases the charging process, in particular the induction charging process, i.e. charging, in particular inductive charging.

[0115] During charging, for example, the AVP infrastructure system continuously monitors the defined area, i.e. the surrounding area, around the AVP electric vehicle.

[0116] For example, if the AVP infrastructure system detects an intrusion into the defined area, i.e. the area surrounding the AVP electric vehicle, the AVP infrastructure system sends a stop or emergency signal to the charging station or stops charging automatically.

[0117] For example, the AVP infrastructure system documents the loading process, particularly by filming it, in order to have evidence data for possible future problems. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] DE 10 2015 200 018 B4

[0002] DE 10 2014 000 747 A1

[0003] DE 10 2016 015 458 A1

[0004] DE 10 2020 202 948 A1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Method for increasing safety during charging of a drive battery (505) of an AVP electric vehicle (503) by a charging station (303, 511) located within a charging area (509) of a parking space (301, 501), comprising the following steps: Monitoring (101) an environmental area (901) of the AVP electric vehicle (503) by an AVP infrastructure system (201) of the parking space (301, 501) during charging of the drive battery (505) of the AVP electric vehicle (503) by the charging station (303, 511) in order to detect a safety-critical event, upon detection of a safety-critical event, implementation (103) of at least one safety measure by the AVP infrastructure system (201), to stop the charging of the drive battery (505) by the charging station (303, 511). [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the charging area (509) is already monitored by the AVP infrastructure system (201) before the AVP electric vehicle (503) enters the charging area (509) in order to detect when an object (1101, 1103) which is not the AVP electric vehicle (503) moves into the charging area (509) and / or when an object (1101, 1103) is located within the charging area (509) which would be endangered by the entering AVP electric vehicle (503) and / or which could be a danger (1105) for the AVP electric vehicle (503). [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the charging area (509) is monitored during a drive of the AVP electric vehicle (503) into the charging area (509) and / or during a drive of the AVP electric vehicle (503) driven into the charging area (509) to the charging station (303, 511) and / or wherein the surrounding area (901) is monitored after the arrival of the AVP electric vehicle (503) at the charging station (303, 511) and already before the charging of the drive battery (505) by the charging station (303, 511) by the AVP infrastructure system (201) in order to detect when an object (1101, 1103), which is not the AVP electric vehicle (503), moves into the corresponding area and / or when an object (1101, 1103) is within the corresponding area which would be endangered by the incoming AVP electric vehicle (503) and / or which could be a danger (1105) for the AVP electric vehicle (503). [4] Method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the charging of the drive battery (505) by the charging station (303, 511) is enabled by the AVP infrastructure system (201) based on the corresponding monitoring. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the AVP electric vehicle (503) is monitored by the AVP infrastructure system (201) to detect an opening of a door of the AVP electric vehicle (503). [6] Method according to claim 5, wherein upon detection of an opening of a door of the AVP electric vehicle (503) during charging by the AVP infrastructure system (201), it is determined that this is a safety-critical event. [7] Method according to claim 5 or 6 as dependent on claim 4, wherein the charging of the drive battery (505) by the charging station (303, 511) is enabled by the AVP infrastructure system (201) based on the monitoring relating to a detection of an opening of a door of the AVP electric vehicle (503). [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one safety measure is an element selected from the following group of safety measures: sending a stop command to stop the charging of the drive battery (505) to the charging station (303, 511), interrupting a power supply to the charging station (303, 511). [9] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the surrounding area (901) of the AVP electric vehicle (503) extends closed around the AVP electric vehicle (503). [10] The method of claim 9, wherein the charging station (303, 511) comprises a primary coil (513) and wherein the AVP electric vehicle (503) comprises a secondary coil (507), wherein charging comprises inductive charging using the primary coil (513) and the secondary coil (507). [11] AVP infrastructure system (201) for a parking lot (301, 501), which is arranged to carry out all the steps of the method according to one of the preceding claims. [12] Parking space (301, 501) comprising a charging station (303, 511) and the AVP infrastructure system (201) according to claim 11. [13] Computer program (403) comprising instructions which, when the computer program (403) is executed by the AVP infrastructure system (201) according to claim 11, cause the latter to carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 10. [14] Machine-readable storage medium (401) on which the computer program (403) according to claim 13 is stored.

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