Device, system and method with acoustic information of a user during charging

Abstract

A device (1100) with acoustic information of a user about a state of the device (1100) during charging is equipped with a unit (1110) for wired and / or wireless reception of energy, a unit (1120) for controlling a charging process of the device (1100) based on information about the charging process and an acoustic warning system (1130) and / or a unit (1140) for generating acoustic signals for acoustically outputting a result of a diagnosis based on information about the charging process.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device, a system and a method with acoustic information of a user about a charging status. State of the art

[0002] Energy storage devices in a device or system typically require refueling or recharging to operate the device or system. Refueling and / or recharging can take place at public and / or private locations.

[0003] Compared to conventional fuel-powered devices, a refueling or charging process with an alternative, particularly electrically powered, device can take longer. It may be difficult and / or impossible for a user to detect the charge level of the device's energy storage device. For example, a user may not be able to immediately detect whether the charging process has started or whether the charging process is not working as expected, e.g., due to a defect, error, or incorrect handling.

[0004] With conventional devices, systems and methods, a user can be informed about a charging status in different ways and with different information, for example depending on a charging device, which may not be familiar to the user.

[0005] At charging stations, information about the charge level of a device being charged is generally only available via visual displays, if displays are provided at all. Furthermore, the displays are at least partially designed depending on the manufacturer and / or type of charging station. Devices being charged also vary in design, for example, with visual displays depending on the manufacturer and / or type of device being charged. In vehicles, displays in the interior typically take the form of visual symbols, although the information about the charge level is not immediately recognizable or understandable. For example, it may be necessary to consult a submenu of an application and / or a manual to correctly interpret the information about the charge level.

[0006] Applications from vehicle manufacturers and / or charging station manufacturers, for example, are also often designed differently and incomplete with regard to information that enables the user to monitor a reliable and error-free charging process and thus a rapid completion. Conventional devices, methods, and systems, for example, often lack active notification of a user about a charging interruption, along with additional information if necessary, to enable a user to quickly rectify an error and reduce the duration of a charging process if a correctable error has occurred. The information required for this is distributed across a system, so that, for example, a charging interruption or a charging error cannot be immediately perceived by a user and / or is not immediately recognizable to the user.

[0007] DE 10 2015 013 165 A1 discloses a method for monitoring the charging process of an electrical energy storage device arranged in a vehicle. The energy storage device is connected to an external power supply unit via a vehicle-mounted device for locking a charging cable. The charging process and the locking state are monitored, and if the connection is interrupted, at least one warning signal is issued via the vehicle.

[0008] DE 10 2015 226 318 A1 discloses a method for charging a traction energy storage device of an at least partially electrically powered vehicle. In the method, an interruption in a charging process can be detected and a parameter can be determined that represents the reason for the interruption. Depending on the determined parameter, one or more measures can be implemented, such as continuing the charging process in an unchanged or modified manner and / or implementing a specific signaling.

[0009] DE 10 2018 005 995 A1 discloses a method for monitoring a charging process of an energy storage device of a motor vehicle, in which energy is transferred between a primary coil device of an induction charging device and a secondary coil device of the energy storage device of the motor vehicle. A magnetic flux density is measured using at least one sensor unit. If the measured flux density exceeds a predeterminable target value, a warning signal can be issued, which can be issued acoustically, visually, and / or haptically.

[0010] DE 10 2020 209 266A1 relates to a device for preventive warning of a hazardous situation during the charging process of an electric vehicle. When a hazardous situation is detected, a control command can be transmitted to a charging station via a charging cable or a communication unit, causing a light to illuminate, thus emitting a warning signal. Disclosure of the invention

[0011] The invention provides a device, a system and a method with acoustic information about a charging state of the device with the features of independent claims 1, 7 and 8 respectively.

[0012] Preferred embodiments are the subject of the respective subclaims.

[0013] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a device with acoustic information of a user about a state of the device during charging, comprising a unit for wired and / or wireless reception of energy; a unit for controlling a charging process of the device based on information about the charging process; and an acoustic warning system and / or a unit for generating acoustic signals for acoustically outputting a result of a diagnosis based on information about the charging process.

[0014] The invention makes it possible to provide devices, systems, and methods that enable improved monitoring and / or improved information to a user regarding a charging state. In particular, rapid completion of a charging process should be enabled if an event occurs during charging that delays the charging process precisely when the user is not actively informed of the event and / or the user is not informed in detail about the event and / or possible measures.

[0015] According to a further development, the acoustic output of the result of the diagnosis comprises a voice output in order to inform the user outside the device about the result of the diagnosis.

[0016] According to a further development, the acoustic output of the result of the diagnosis comprises a confirmation that the charging process is taking place as desired, in particular without errors and / or that a charging level of the energy storage device is increasing.

[0017] According to a further development, the acoustic output of the diagnosis result takes place at a time interval in order to continuously inform the user about the charging process

[0018] According to a further development, the result of the diagnosis is output acoustically in order to inform the user about an error during the charging process and / or to inform the user about measures in response to the error during the charging process.

[0019] According to a further development, the acoustic output of the result of the diagnosis takes place via a mobile device of the user which is wirelessly coupled to the device and / or via a charging device which is wired and / or wirelessly coupled to the device.

[0020] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a system with acoustic information of a user about a state of a device during charging as described above, wherein optionally the system comprises an interface for communicatively coupling the device with an external server for creating the diagnosis using an external artificial intelligence.

[0021] According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a method with acoustic information of a user about a state of the device during charging as described above, comprising the steps of: detecting, by the unit for controlling the charging process of the device, information about the charging process; acoustically outputting a result of a diagnosis based on information about the charging process.

[0022] According to a further development, the method may comprise processing the acquired information and creating the diagnosis based at least in part on the information about the charging process acquired by the unit for controlling the charging process of the device.

[0023] According to a further development, the acoustic output of the result of the diagnosis can be carried out together with a visual output of the result of the diagnosis. Short description of the drawing

[0024] It shows: Fig. 1 shows a system and a device with acoustic information of a user about a state of a device during charging according to an embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 2 shows a method with acoustic information of a user about a state of a device during charging according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0025] In all figures, identical or functionally identical elements and devices are provided with the same reference numerals. The numbering of process steps is for clarity and is generally not intended to imply a specific chronological order. In particular, several process steps can be performed simultaneously. Description of the embodiments

[0026] Fig. 1 shows a system 1000 with acoustic information to a user about a status of a device during charging according to an embodiment of the invention. The system 1000 comprises the device 1100 with acoustic information to the user about the status of the device during charging and a charging device 1200. The system 1000 may further comprise one or more mobile devices 1300. The system 1000 may comprise or be connectable to a wired and / or wireless communication network 1400. For wireless communication, for example, cellular communication, Bluetooth, WLAN, NFC, etc., or any combination thereof, may be used. The system 1000, or components thereof, may also be coupled to a satellite-based system (not shown) to determine, for example, a geographical position of the device 1100 and / or the mobile devices 1300.

[0027] The device 1100 with acoustic information of the user about the state of the device during charging can be, for example, a fully electrically powered vehicle (Electric Vehicle, EV), an at least partially electrically powered vehicle such as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), or a separate device for installation in another device, for example for retrofitting an older generation vehicle.

[0028] The device 1100 comprises a unit 1110 for wired and / or wireless energy reception, such as a plug and / or a coil. The plug is configured to connect the device 1100 to the charging device 1200 for transmitting energy, in particular to an energy storage device of the device 1100, e.g., a battery (not shown).

[0029] The device 1100 may comprise a unit 1120 for controlling a charging process of the device 1100, in particular of a vehicle (Vehicle Charge Control Unit, VCCU). The functions of the unit 1120 for controlling the charging process are described below with reference to Fig. 2 described in detail.

[0030] The device 1100 can further comprise an acoustic warning system 1130, in particular for a vehicle (Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System, AVAS), and / or a separate unit 1140 for generating acoustic signals, such as one or more loudspeakers. The unit 1110 and the unit 1130 can be arranged adjacent to the device 1100. The one or more loudspeakers can be arranged on a periphery of the device 1100 in order to acoustically inform a user of the device 1100 outside the device 1100 about a charging state, in particular an error when charging the device 1100, and / or to acoustically inform the user about an event and / or measures in response to the error and / or the event, for example by means of a voice output via the unit 1120 and / or another control system of the device 1100, such as an infotainment system with, for example,Capability for V2X communication according to a standard such as 3GPP.

[0031] Unit 1120 may be wired and / or wirelessly connected and / or connectable to unit 1110, unit 1130, and / or unit 1140. Unit 1120 may further be wired and / or wirelessly connected or connectable to charging device 1200 and / or wirelessly connected to mobile device 1300 and / or communication network 1400.

[0032] The charging device 1200 comprises a unit 1210 for wired and / or wireless transmission of energy to the device 1100, e.g., a charging cable and / or a coil. The charging device 1200 may further comprise a unit 1220 for generating acoustic signals, such as one or more loudspeakers. The one or more loudspeakers may be arranged on a periphery of the charging device 1200 in order to acoustically inform a user of the device 1100, who is using the charging device 1200 to charge the device 1100, outside the charging device 1200, of a charging state, in particular an error during charging of the device 1100, and / or to acoustically inform the user of an event and / or measures in response to the error and / or the event, for example, by means of a voice output via the unit 1220.

[0033] The charging device 1200 can be connected or connectable directly or indirectly to the unit 1120 and / or an infotainment system of the device 1100. The charging device 1200 can also be connected or connectable directly or indirectly to the mobile device 1300 in order to acoustically inform the user of the device 1100, who uses the charging device 1200 to charge the device 1100, outside the charging device 1200 about a charging state, in particular an error when charging the device 1100, and / or to acoustically inform the user about an event and / or measures in response to the error and / or the event, for example by means of a voice output via the mobile device 1300.The mobile device may be a smartphone, a tablet, a smartwatch, a key, or any other device that can be coupled to the system 1000 or components thereof and is configurable to acoustically output information about the charging process for charging an energy storage device of the device 1100.

[0034] Fig.2 shows a method 2000 with acoustic information of a user about a state of a device 1100 during charging according to another embodiment of the invention. A first step comprises acquiring 2100 information about the charging process from the unit 1120 for controlling the charging process. The unit 1120 can acquire the information from the unit 1110, the charging device 1200, and / or any other component of the system 1000 that can provide information relevant to the charging process for charging the energy storage device of the device 1100. Temperature, pressure, voltage, current flow sensors, etc. are examples of such components of the system 1000.

[0035] A second step may include processing 2200 the acquired information to create 2300 a diagnosis in a third step. The unit 1120 may be configured to process 2200 and create 2300 the diagnosis based on the information about the charging process, in particular using machine learning. The processing 2300 and / or creating 2400 a diagnosis may also be performed via a server (not shown) by an external artificial intelligence, in particular using information about the charging process for charging the energy storage of the device 1100, which information is not directly accessible to the system 1000 or is only indirectly accessible, for example via the server.

[0036] A fourth step may include acoustically outputting 2400 a result of the diagnosis to a user using the acoustic warning system 1130 and / or the unit 1140 and / or the unit 1220 for generating acoustic signals.

[0037] The acoustic output 2400 of the diagnostic result may include an acoustic output of a confirmation that the charging process is proceeding as desired, in particular without errors, and / or that a charge level of the energy storage device is increasing. The acoustic output 2400 of this diagnostic result may occur at a time interval, for example, at an interval of 30 seconds, one minute, two minutes, or an adjustable time interval, in order to continuously inform a user about the charging process, in particular to inform them that the charging process is proceeding as desired.

[0038] The acoustic output 2400 of the diagnosis result may include acoustically outputting a warning and / or a notification to notify the user of a charging error and / or to inform the user of measures to be taken in response to the charging error. For example, one notification may be that the charging device 1200 is defective and / or that no workshop visit is required. Another notification may be that the device 1100 is defective and / or a workshop visit is required.

[0039] An action in response to the charging error might be, for example, "Connection could not be established. Unplugging and replugging the device may resolve the error."

[0040] It is also possible to issue warnings to increase safety and / or reduce the risk of injury, such as “Caution, the plug is hot” or “Caution, touching the plug may cause electric shock.”

[0041] The acoustic output 2400 of the result of the diagnosis can also be carried out together with a visual output of the result of the diagnosis, for example, using a visual indication of the fill level of the energy storage device of the device 1100. For example, the fill level of the energy storage device can be displayed by means of an LED bar on a flasher of the device 1100, or on a mobile device of the user of the device 1100. To inform the user of an error during the charging process, a flasher of the device 1100 can, for example, flash continuously.

[0042] The acoustic output 2400 can, in particular, take the form of a voice output. The voice output can be adapted to a user, for example, and among other things, by means of a connection to an external translation tool that uses machine learning, such as DeepL. In particular, the voice output can be adapted to a profile of a user of the device 1100 or a profile of a user of the mobile device 1300. The voice output can also be adapted to a geographical region in which the device 1100 primarily moves. The functions described above can be at least partially integrated into the infotainment system of the device 1100. The voice output can be adapted to a user's dialect and / or other individual preferences regarding the manner of communication.

[0043] The acoustic output 2400 of the result of the diagnosis can be carried out together with a visual output of the result of the diagnosis, for example using a visual indication of a fill level of the energy storage device of the device 1100. For example, the fill level of the energy storage device can be displayed by means of an LED bar on a turn signal of the device 1100, or on a mobile device of the user of the device 1100. 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 013 165 A1

[0007] DE 10 2015 226 318 A1

[0008] DE 10 2018 005 995 A1

[0009] DE 10 2020 209 266A1

[0010]

Claims

[1] Device (1100) with acoustic information of a user about a state of the device (1100) during charging, comprising: a unit (1110) for wired and / or wireless energy reception; a unit (1120) for controlling a charging process of the device (1100) based on information about the charging process; and an acoustic warning system (1130) and / or a unit (1140) for generating acoustic signals for acoustically outputting a result of a diagnosis based on information about the charging process. [2] The device (1100) of claim 1, wherein the acoustic output of the result of the diagnosis comprises a voice output to inform the user outside the device (1100) of the result of the diagnosis. [3] Device (1100) according to claim 2, wherein the acoustic output of the result of the diagnosis comprises a confirmation that the charging process is carried out as desired, in particular without errors and / or a charge level of the energy storage device is increasing. [4] Device (1100) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the acoustic output of the result of the diagnosis occurs at a time interval in order to continuously inform the user about the charging process [5] The device (1100) of claim 2, wherein the acoustic output of the result of the diagnosis is performed to notify the user of a charging error and / or to inform the user of measures in response to the charging error. [6] Device (1100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the acoustic output of the result of the diagnosis is effected via a mobile device (1300) of the user which is wirelessly coupled to the device (1100) and / or via a charging device (1200) which is wired and / or wirelessly coupled to the device (1100). [7] System (1000) with acoustic information of a user about a state of a device (1100) during charging with the device (1100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6; and optionally an interface for communicatively coupling the device (1100) with an external server for creating the diagnosis using an external artificial intelligence. [8] A method for acoustically informing a user about a state of the device (1100) during charging according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising the steps of: detecting (2100), by the unit (1120) for controlling the charging process of the device (1100), information about the charging process; acoustic output (2400) of a diagnostic result based on information about the charging process. [9] The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of: Processing (2200) the acquired information and creating (2300) the diagnosis based at least in part on the information about the charging process acquired by the unit (1120) for controlling the charging process of the device (1100). [10] Method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the acoustic output (2400) of the result of the diagnosis occurs together with a visual output of the result of the diagnosis.

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