Method for protecting an electrically operated vehicle during charging at a charging device

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for protecting an electrically operated vehicle during a charging process at a charging device, at least comprising monitoring the vehicle by means of sensors present in the vehicle; and initiating measures upon detection of at least one predetermined event by the sensors.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for protecting an electrically operated vehicle during a charging process at a charging device.

[0002] Charging an electric vehicle at a charging station takes a certain amount of time due to the limited charging capacity of both the charging device and the vehicle's high-voltage battery. Charging stations are often located in quieter areas. Occupants of the vehicle, especially in remote locations, often remain in the vehicle during charging.

[0003] An object of the invention is to provide an improved method for protecting an electrically operated vehicle during the carrying out of a charging process at a charging device.

[0004] The above-mentioned problem is solved by the features of the independent claim.

[0005] Advantageous embodiments and advantages of the invention emerge from the further claims, the description and the drawing.

[0006] According to one aspect of the invention, a method for protecting an electrically operated vehicle during a charging process at a charging device is proposed, at least comprising monitoring the vehicle by means of sensors present in the vehicle; and initiating measures upon detection of at least one predetermined event by the sensors.

[0007] The proposed method enables monitoring of the vehicle during the charging process at the charging station. This can increase the safety of the vehicle's occupants and improve their sense of security. To monitor the surroundings of the vehicle while it is parked at the charging station, it is proposed to use the sensors already present in the vehicle, for example, those of the driver assistance systems.

[0008] Based on the detection of certain events, such as a person approaching the vehicle, specific measures can be initiated and, in particular, the vehicle's safety functions can be activated. For example, the vehicle's cameras can be activated and the approaching person can be visualized in the vehicle's cockpit. Images and video recordings from the cameras can be saved in the event of an emergency. Windows and doors can be closed automatically, and visual and acoustic warnings can be issued both internally and externally. Automated emergency calls can be initiated.

[0009] This advantageously makes the extended stop time due to the charging process as enjoyable and safe as possible for the vehicle's occupants. The proposed method, with the vehicle's existing sensors and equipment, offers greater safety for vehicle occupants during the charging process.

[0010] This allows the charging process to be experienced as an event rather than a tedious chore. Passengers can relax and feel safer in the vehicle.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment of the method, at least one sensor system from a driver assistance system can be used as the sensor system. In particular, the sensor system can comprise at least one of the following systems: camera, ultrasonic sensor, radar sensor, lidar sensor, or microphone. Using the already present sensor systems, unusual events outside the vehicle can be detected and reported to the vehicle occupants. Any necessary countermeasures can be initiated.

[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment of the method, if at least one predetermined event is detected by the sensor system, safety functions of the vehicle can be activated. In particular, if at least one predetermined event is detected by the sensor system, at least one of the following measures can be initiated: activating at least one camera, visualizing the detected event, saving images and / or video recordings, closing the vehicle's windows and doors, issuing visual and / or acoustic warnings to the interior and / or exterior of the vehicle, and issuing an automated emergency call. This advantageously allows monitoring to be enhanced and preventative safety measures to be initiated.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment of the method, an exterior of the vehicle and / or an interior of the vehicle can be monitored using sensors installed in the vehicle. The interior of the vehicle can be monitored, for example, by a driver observation camera. The vehicle's surroundings as well as the interior of the vehicle can thus be advantageously monitored for unusual events and processes.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the method, an activated monitoring mode of the vehicle can be signaled outside the vehicle, particularly visually and / or acoustically. A light animation or visualization, for example, underbody lighting, around the vehicle can signal to the outside that the vehicle is being actively monitored. Cyclical external announcements can also be made. An acoustic warning can be provided via loudspeaker and intercom system. This can potentially avert potentially dangerous situations in advance by deterring potential danger.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the method, if an emergency situation is detected, the charging process can be aborted and / or a charging cable can be ejected. The charging plug can be unlocked, for example, via an existing crash interface of the vehicle. This can also potentially override the vehicle's drive-off protection during a charging process in an emergency situation.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the method, the activated monitoring mode and / or the detected emergency situation can be communicated to a vehicle network and / or to a central data processing system. A so-called Car-2-X warning or information can thus be initiated and distributed to other vehicles. The central data processing system can be located in a so-called backend, from where the warning and further information can be further distributed.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the method, voice recognition can be used for commands, particularly emergency commands, from people in the vehicle to detect the event. In this way, emergency commands to the vehicle can be evaluated via the voice recognition system, and possible measures can be initiated. For example, an emergency call can be made.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the method, a person approaching the vehicle can be visualized on a central display device. This allows vehicle occupants to be alerted to a potentially dangerous situation at an early stage.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the method, the approaching person can be detected using a light beam. This allows the approaching person to be more clearly identified and potentially deterred.

[0020] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. The drawings illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The drawings, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. Those skilled in the art will also expediently consider the features individually and combine them into useful further combinations.

[0021] It shows: Fig. 1 is a flowchart of the method for protecting an electrically operated vehicle during the execution of a charging process at a charging device according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0022] The figure shows only an example and is not to be understood as limiting.

[0023] Fig. 1 shows a flowchart of the method for protecting an electrically operated vehicle during the execution of a charging process at a charging device according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0024] The charging process after parking the vehicle at the charging device is started in step S100.

[0025] Subsequently, in step S102, the monitoring of the vehicle is started using the sensors present in the vehicle.

[0026] For example, sensors from driver assistance systems can be used. These can include, in particular, vehicle systems such as cameras, ultrasonic sensors, radar sensors, lidar sensors, and microphones.

[0027] An exterior space of the vehicle and / or an interior space of the vehicle can be monitored using the sensors present in the vehicle.

[0028] The activated monitoring mode of the vehicle can also be signaled outside the vehicle, in particular visually and / or acoustically.

[0029] The monitoring of the vehicle is carried out in a loop in steps S104 and S106.

[0030] In step S106, it is continuously checked whether an event specified in the monitoring system occurs.

[0031] If a predefined event is detected by the sensors, the event can first be classified in step S108, and then appropriate measures can be initiated. Voice recognition for commands, particularly emergency commands, from people in the vehicle can be used to detect the event.

[0032] In step S110, the vehicle's safety functions can be activated. For example, at least one camera can be activated. Images and / or video recordings from the camera can be stored and / or transmitted to a control center in the event of an emergency situation.

[0033] The detected event can be visualized on the vehicle's display devices.

[0034] The vehicle's windows and doors can be closed.

[0035] Visual and / or audible warnings can be delivered both to the interior and exterior of the vehicle.

[0036] Depending on the type of event, an automated emergency call can also be made.

[0037] If an emergency situation is detected, the charging process can be aborted and / or the charging cable can be discarded in step S112.

[0038] In step S114, the activated monitoring mode and / or the detected emergency situation can be communicated to a vehicle network and / or to a central data processing system.

[0039] In step S116, a person approaching the vehicle can be visualized on a central display device. The approaching person can be detected using a light beam, for example, a so-called spotlight on the vehicle.

[0040] The measures defined in steps S110, S112, S114, and S116 can be initiated individually as measures upon detection of an unusual event. However, it is also conceivable that measures from several of the steps S110, S112, S114, and S116 are initiated in parallel. List of reference symbols S100 Start charging S102 Start monitoring process S104 Perform monitoring process S106 Check for event S108 Detecting and Classifying Events S110 Activate security functions S112 Cancel charging process S114 Communicate emergency situation to vehicle network and / or central data processing system S116 Visualizing an approaching person and detecting it using a light beam

Claims

[1] Method for protecting an electrically operated vehicle during the performance of a charging process at a charging device, comprising at least Monitoring the vehicle using sensors present in the vehicle; Initiation of measures when at least one specified event is detected by the sensors. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein at least one sensor system of driver assistance systems is used as the sensor system, in particular wherein the sensor system comprises at least one of the systems: Camera, Ultrasonic sensor, radar sensor, Lidar sensor, Microphone. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein upon detection of at least one predetermined event by the sensor system, safety functions of the vehicle are activated, in particular wherein upon detection of at least one predetermined event by the sensor system, at least one of the following measures is initiated: Activating at least one camera, Visualize the detected event, Saving images and / or video recordings, Closing the vehicle’s windows and doors, Providing visual and / or audible warnings to the interior and / or exterior of the vehicle, Making an automated emergency call. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an exterior space of the vehicle and / or an interior space of the vehicle is monitored by means of sensors present in the vehicle. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an activated monitoring mode of the vehicle is signalled outside the vehicle, in particular optically and / or acoustically. [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein upon detection of an emergency situation the charging process is aborted and / or a charging cable is discarded. [7] Method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the activated monitoring mode and / or the detected emergency situation is communicated to a vehicle network and / or to a central data processing system. [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a voice recognition for commands, in particular emergency commands, from persons in the vehicle is used to recognize the event. [9] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a person approaching the vehicle is visualized on a central display device. [10] Method according to claim 9, wherein the approaching person is detected by means of a light beam.

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