MOBILE CHARGING SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract

A mobile charging system comprises: a charging station; a main charging device having a first energy storage device configured to store electrical energy or discharge the stored electrical energy, and a first drive unit that provides propulsion by means of the electrical energy stored in the first energy storage device; at least one auxiliary charging device having a second energy storage device configured to store electrical energy or discharge the stored electrical energy, and a second drive unit that provides propulsion by means of the electrical energy stored in the second energy storage device;and a control server communicatively connected to the main charging device and at least one auxiliary charging device and configured to transmit a charging command to the main charging device to move the main charging device to the device to be charged and charge the device to be charged. Further, a mobile charging method using the mobile charging system is provided.

Description

BACKGROUND(a) Technical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a charging system and a charging method, and more particularly to a mobile charging system and a charging method using a movable charging device. (b) Description of the prior art

[0002] In recent years, the use of environmentally friendly vehicles, including electric vehicles, has gradually increased. Instead of burning fuel, environmentally friendly vehicles use electrical energy stored in a battery to propel themselves. In other words, the larger the battery capacity, the longer the range of an environmentally friendly vehicle.

[0003] In eco-friendly vehicles, the installation space for the battery is usually limited, which also limits the battery capacity. As a result, the range of the eco-friendly vehicle is relatively short and the battery needs to be recharged relatively frequently. Furthermore, the battery charging time is relatively long, so users prefer to charge the battery in a parking lot where the eco-friendly vehicle will not be used for an extended period of time.

[0004] However, due to a lack of charging facilities, the vehicle has to wait a long time before it can be charged if the charging facilities are occupied by other environmentally friendly vehicles, and in certain circumstances the vehicle has to be used without charging.

[0005] To eliminate this inconvenience, it is proposed to provide a mobile charging device in a parking lot instead of a fixed charging facility. The mobile charging device moves to the vehicle parked in a parking area and charges the vehicle. However, since the vehicle needs to be charged using energy stored in an energy storage system (ESS), the ESS must have a large capacity, and the mobile charging device must be large to accommodate the large-capacity ESS. Therefore, the movement of the mobile charging device is restricted in a narrow parking space, and the movement of other vehicles is hindered. In addition, the number of mobile charging devices that can be placed in the narrow parking space is limited, and the mobile charging devices themselves may consume a lot of energy to move.Furthermore, the number of vehicles that can be charged simultaneously is limited by the number of mobile charging devices. Therefore, if the number of mobile charging devices is not sufficiently increased, it will not be sufficient to solve the inconveniences of typical charging facilities.

[0006] The matters described in the description of related art are intended to enhance the understanding of the background of the present disclosure and may include matters not yet known to those skilled in the art to which the present technology belongs. In other words, the information in this BACKGROUND section merely provides background information related to the present disclosure and may not necessarily constitute prior art. DEPICTION

[0007] The present disclosure provides a mobile charging system and a method for charging by means of this system, in which the device to be charged can not only be charged exclusively by means of the main charging device, but the device to be charged can also be charged together with the main charging device by means of at least one auxiliary charging device that is electrically connected to the main charging device.

[0008] The present disclosure also provides a mobile charging system and a charging method in which an autonomously movable main charging device alone can charge a device to be charged, and at least one auxiliary charging device, which is also autonomously movable and electrically connected to the main charging device, can be used together with the main charging device to charge the device to be charged.

[0009] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a mobile charging system. The mobile charging system includes: a charging station fixedly mounted at a predetermined location in a charging space in which a device to be charged can be charged (for example, at a predetermined location in a charging station that allows a device to be charged to be arranged therein for charging); and a main charging device including a first energy storage device capable of storing electrical energy or discharging the stored electrical energy, and a first drive unit that provides propulsion using the electrical energy stored in the first energy storage device.The main charging device can be connected to the charging station to store the electrical energy of the charging station in the first energy storage device, or connected to the device to be charged to charge the device to be charged with the electrical energy stored in the first energy storage device. The mobile charging system further comprises at least one auxiliary charging device with a second energy storage device capable of storing electrical energy or discharging the stored electrical energy, and a second drive unit that provides propulsion using the electrical energy stored in the second energy storage device.The at least one auxiliary charging device can be connected to the charging station to store the electrical energy of the charging station in the second energy storage device, or connected to the main charging device to charge the device to be charged with the electrical energy stored in the second energy storage device via the main charging device. The mobile charging system further comprises a control server communicatively connected to the main charging device and at least one auxiliary charging device. The mobile charging system is configured to send a charging command to the main charging device to move the main charging device to the device to be charged and to charge the device to be charged.

[0010] The control server may be further configured to: in response to receiving a state of the main charging device from the main charging device, determine whether the device to be charged is fully chargeable by the main charging device alone; and in response to determining that the device to be charged is not fully chargeable by the main charging device alone, transmit the charging command to the at least one auxiliary charging device to move the at least one auxiliary charging device to the main charging device and charge the device to be charged via the main charging device.

[0011] The control server may be further configured to: detect an available auxiliary charging device prior to transmitting the charging command to the at least one auxiliary charging device; determine whether the device to be charged is fully chargeable with the available auxiliary charging device; and, in response to determining that the device to be charged is fully chargeable with the available auxiliary charging device, proceed with a simultaneous charging method in which the at least one available auxiliary charging device simultaneously participates in the charging.

[0012] The control server may be further configured to proceed with a circular charging method in which the at least one available auxiliary charging device is sequentially involved in the charging in response to determining that the device to be charged is not fully chargeable by the available auxiliary charging device.

[0013] The mobile charging system may further include a user interface communicatively coupled to the control server and configured to transmit a charging request to the control server and receive charging information from the control server.

[0014] The user interface may be further configured to display the recharge information received from the control server.

[0015] The main charging device may further include a first docking unit mounted on the main charging device and connectable to the charging station or the device to be charged. The first docking unit may extend from the main charging device. The main charging device may further include a first connection unit provided on the main charging device and spaced apart from the first docking unit to allow the at least one auxiliary charging device to be connected in a state in which the main charging device is connected to the device to be charged via the first docking unit.

[0016] The first docking unit may be connectable automatically or manually to the charging station or the device to be charged.

[0017] Each auxiliary charging device may further include a second docking unit mounted on the auxiliary charging device and connectable to the charging station, the main charging device, or another auxiliary charging device. The second docking unit may extend outward from the auxiliary charging device. Each auxiliary charging device may further include a second connection unit provided on the auxiliary charging device and spaced apart from the second docking unit to allow the other auxiliary charging device to be connected in a state where the auxiliary charging device is connected to the main charging device or another auxiliary charging device via the second docking unit.

[0018] The second docking unit may be automatically or manually connectable to the charging station, the main charging device or another auxiliary charging device.

[0019] The main charging device or at least one auxiliary charging device can drive autonomously.

[0020] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a mobile charging method. The mobile charging method includes: receiving, by a control server, a charging request containing location information and / or a charging amount requested by a device to be charged; moving and docking, by the control server, a main charging device to the device to be charged by transmitting a charging command containing the location information and / or the charging amount requested by the device to be charged; determining, by the main charging device or the control server, whether the main charging device alone is capable of fully charging the device to be charged; detecting, by the control server, an available auxiliary charging device in response to determining that the main charging device alone is not capable of fully charging the device to be charged;and charging the device to be charged with the available auxiliary charging device via the main charging device by transmitting the charging command containing location information of the main charging device to the available auxiliary charging device by the control server;

[0021] Charging the device to be charged with the available auxiliary charging device via the main charging device may include: determining whether the device to be charged is fully chargeable with the available auxiliary charging device; and in response to determining that the device to be charged is fully chargeable with the available auxiliary charging device, proceeding with a simultaneous charging method in which the at least one available auxiliary charging device is simultaneously involved in the charging.

[0022] Proceeding with a simultaneous charging method may include: selecting the available auxiliary charging device required to fully charge the device to be charged; and connecting the selected available auxiliary charging device to the main charging device or another selected available auxiliary charging device so that the main charging device and the selected available auxiliary charging device can simultaneously charge the device to be charged.

[0023] Charging the device to be charged with the available auxiliary charging device via the main charging device may further comprise, in response to determining that the device to be charged is not fully chargeable with the available auxiliary charging device, proceeding with a circular charging method in which the at least one available auxiliary charging device is charged sequentially.

[0024] Proceeding with a circular charging method may include: connecting the at least one available auxiliary charging device to the main charging device or another available auxiliary device connected to the main charging device to charge the device to be charged with the main charging device and the at least one available auxiliary charging device; disconnecting the at least one available auxiliary charging device from the main charging device or another available auxiliary device connected to the main charging device; and connecting at least one other available auxiliary charging device to the main charging device or another available auxiliary device connected to the main charging device to charge the device to be charged with the main charging device and the at least one other available auxiliary device.

[0025] The mobile charging method may further comprise: transmitting the charging request to the control server through a user interface communicatively connected to the control server; and receiving charging information from the control server through the user interface.

[0026] The mobile recharge method may further comprise displaying the recharge information received from the control server through the user interface.

[0027] The main charging device or at least one auxiliary charging device can drive autonomously.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to charge the charging device using only the main charging device, and it is also possible to charge the charging device together with the main charging device using at least one auxiliary charging device electrically connected to the main charging device. This eliminates the need to increase the capacity of the main charging device and the auxiliary charging device, reducing the size of the main charging device and the auxiliary charging device and improving mobility in narrow spaces such as parking lots where multiple vehicles are parked.

[0029] In addition, the main charging device and the auxiliary charging device are not large, so it is possible to increase the number of main charging devices and the auxiliary charging devices arranged even in a narrow space, thereby increasing the number of vehicles that can be charged simultaneously.

[0030] Furthermore, the main charging device and the auxiliary charging device are combined to charge the vehicles, which enables efficient operation of the charging system through different charging strategies.

[0031] Other effects that can be achieved or expected by the embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed directly or implicitly in the detailed description of the present disclosure. In other words, various effects predicted according to the embodiments of the present disclosure have been disclosed in the detailed description below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] For a better understanding of the present disclosure, reference is made to the following description, which refers to the same or functionally similar elements with like reference numerals. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a mobile charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a mobile charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure with respect to a main charging device. Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a mobile charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure with respect to an auxiliary charging device. Fig. 4 schematically shows a communication state between components of a mobile charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 5 is a flowchart of a mobile charging method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating a simultaneous charging method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a circular charging method according to an embodiment of the present document.

[0033] It should be noted that the above drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and that they only provide a brief overview of various features that illustrate the basic principle of the present disclosure. For example, the specific design features of the present disclosure, including a particular dimension, direction, location, and shape, may be determined in part by a particular intended application and usage environment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments and are not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. When used herein, singular terms include plural terms unless they have clearly opposite meanings. The terms "comprise" and / or "comprising" indicate the presence of the noted features, integers, steps, operations, ingredients, and / or components when used in the present description, but it is noted that this does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, ingredients, components, and / or groups. When used herein, the term "and / or" includes any or all combinations of the related and listed elements.

[0035] As used herein, the term "vehicle" or other similar terms encompasses typical vehicles, including passenger cars, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, and various commercial vehicles, as well as hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles, and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., fuel from sources other than petroleum). When mentioned in this specification, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle with two or more power sources, such as a gasoline-powered vehicle and an electric-powered vehicle. A vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes both a manually powered vehicle and a vehicle that is more or less autonomously and / or automatically powered.

[0036] It is noted that one or more of the following methods or aspects may be performed by at least one or more controllers. The term "controller" may refer to a hardware device having a memory and a processor. The memory is configured to store program instructions, and the processor is specifically programmed to execute program instructions to perform one or more processes described in more detail below. The controller may control the operation of units, modules, components, devices, or the like as described herein. It is noted that the following methods may be performed by a device including a controller along with one or more other components, as will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0037] Furthermore, the controller of one embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented as a non-transitory, computer-readable recording medium having program instructions executable by a processor. Examples of a computer-readable recording medium include, but are not limited to, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), compact disc (CD) ROM, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, flash drives, smart cards, and optical data storage devices. The computer-readable recording medium may also be distributed across the computer network to store and execute program instructions through a distributed method, such as a telematics server or a controller area network (CAN).

[0038] When a component, unit, controller, server, device, element, apparatus, or the like of the present disclosure is described as having a purpose or performing an operation, function, or the like, the component, unit, controller, server, device, element, apparatus, or the like should be considered "configured" herein to fulfill that purpose or perform that operation or function. Each component, unit, controller, server, device, element, apparatus, and the like may separately include or be included as part of a processor and memory, such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium.

[0039] In the present disclosure, each of the terms "A or B", "A and / or B", "A and / or B and / or C", "A and / or B and / or C or a combination thereof" may include any or all possible combinations of the elements listed together in the corresponding sentence.

[0040] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a mobile charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a mobile charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure with respect to a main charging device, Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a mobile charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure with respect to an auxiliary charging device, and Fig. 4 schematically illustrates a communication state between components of a mobile charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] As in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 4, a mobile charging system 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a charging station 20, a main charging device 30, at least one auxiliary charging device 50, a user interface 80, and a control server 90. The mobile charging system 10 is configured to receive a charging request and charge a device 70 to be charged using the main charging device 30 alone or a combination of the main charging device 30 and at least one auxiliary charging device 50.

[0043] Hereinafter, the term "main charging device" refers to a charging device directly connected to the device to be charged, and an "auxiliary charging device" refers to a charging device connected to the device to be charged via the main charging device or another auxiliary charging device. The main charging device and the auxiliary charging devices may be the same type of charging device and may be referred to differently depending on the object to which the charging device is connected. In other words, when a charging device is directly connected to the device to be charged, that one charging device may be referred to as a main charging device, and when the charging device is connected to another charging device, the charging device may be referred to as an auxiliary charging device.

[0044] The charging station 20 is a stationary charging device mounted at a predetermined location in a charging space, such as a parking lot, where the device to be charged can be charged. The charging station 20 may have one or more charging ports or charging devices for simultaneously charging the devices connected thereto. The main charging device 30, the at least one auxiliary charging device 50, or the device to be charged 70 may be connected to the charging station 20 and charged via the charging port or a charging socket mounted on the charging station 20. The main charging device 30 and the at least one auxiliary charging device 50 may be automatically connected to the charging station 20.In other words, when charging is required, the main charging device 30 or the at least one auxiliary charging device 50 can be automatically connected to the charging port or socket fixedly mounted on the charging station 20 through autonomous driving. When charging is complete, the main charging device 30 or the at least one auxiliary charging device 50 can be disconnected from the charging station 20 and moved to a preset waiting location or the like. A plurality of charging stations 20 can be fixedly mounted in the chargeable space.

[0045] The main charging device 30 may communicate with the control server 90 to receive charging commands and / or movement commands from the control server 90 and transmit a state of the main charging device 30 (e.g., a location, a remaining amount of energy or a state of charge (SOC) of the main charging device 30, a state of connection with other devices, or charging information) to the control server 90. In response to receiving the charging command and / or the movement command, the main charging device 30 may move to the device 70 to be charged, connect to the device 70 to be charged, and charge the device 70 to be charged.

[0046] As in Fig. 2, the main charging device 30 comprises a first docking unit 32, a first connection unit 33, a first charging / discharging unit 34, a first energy storage device 36, a first drive unit 38, a first processor 40, a first motion / docking control unit 42, and a first communication unit 44.

[0047] The first docking unit 32 is mounted on the main charging device 30 and may extend from the main charging device 30. The main charging device 30 may be connected to other devices, such as the charging station 20, the device to be charged 70, another main charging device 30, and the auxiliary charging device 50, via the first docking unit 32, to charge the other devices or to receive electrical power from the other devices via the first docking unit 32. The first docking unit 32 may be manually or automatically connected to other devices, such as the charging station 20, the device to be charged 70, another main charging device 30, and the auxiliary charging device 50. In one example, the main charging device 30 may connect the first docking unit 32 to another device automatically through autonomous driving.In another example, the main charging device 30 is moved to a location near another device, and a user may pull the first docking unit 32 off the main charging device 30 to extend the first docking unit 32 and then connect the first docking unit 32 to the other device.

[0048] The first connection unit 33 is provided on the main charging device 30, and the first connection unit 33 may be provided at a location spaced from the first docking unit 32 by a predetermined distance so that another device, such as another main charging device 30 or the auxiliary charging device 50, can be connected to the first connection unit 33 while the main charging device 30 is connected to the charging device 70 via the first docking unit 32. The main charging device 30 can receive electrical power from another device, such as another main charging device 30 or the auxiliary charging device 50, via the first connection unit 33 and transmit the received electrical power to the charging device 70 via the first docking unit 32.Optionally, the main charging device 30 can receive electrical energy from the charging station 20 via the first docking unit 32 to charge the main charging device 30 itself and simultaneously charge other devices connected to the first connection unit 33. In this way, a limited number of charging stations 20 can be used to charge multiple main charging devices 30 and auxiliary charging devices 50 during off-peak hours when the mobile charging system 10 is not heavily utilized, in preparation for the case where multiple charging devices 70 need to be charged simultaneously.

[0049] The first charging / discharging unit 34 is configured to control the charging or discharging of the first energy storage device 36. When the main charging device 30 is connected to the charging station 20 via the first docking unit 32, the first charging / discharging unit 34 receives electrical energy from the charging station 20 via the first docking unit 32 to charge the first energy storage device 36. In this example, when another device, such as another main charging device 30 or the auxiliary charging device 50, is connected to the first terminal unit 33, the first charging / discharging unit 34 can transfer electrical energy to another device via the first terminal unit 33.When the main charging device 30 is connected to the device to be charged 70 via the first docking unit 32, the first charging / discharging unit 34 can control the first energy storage device 36 for discharging, thereby charging the device to be charged 70 via the first docking unit 32.

[0050] The first energy storage device 36 is mounted within the main charging device 30. The first energy storage device 36 is configured to receive electrical energy from the charging station 20 to store the electrical energy under the control of the first charging / discharging unit 34, or to discharge electrical energy to charge the charging device 70.

[0051] The first drive unit 38 is mounted on the main charging device 30 and receives power from the first energy storage device 36 to cause the main charging device 30 to move. The first drive unit 38 may include, among other things, at least one wheel and at least one drive motor connected to the at least one wheel to rotate the at least one wheel. The first drive unit 38 may further include a steering device for steering the main charging device 30.

[0052] The first processor 40 is provided in the main charging device 30 and controls overall operation of the main charging device 30. In response to receiving the charging command and / or the movement command from the control server 90, the first processor 40, for example, causes the first movement / docking control unit 42 to control the first drive unit 38 and / or the first docking unit 32, and causes the first charging / discharging unit 34 to control the charging or discharging of the first energy storage device 36. In one example, the movement command may include information about the location of the charging station 20 or the device 70 to be charged, and the first processor 40 may plan a route to the charging station 20 or the device 70 to be charged to control the first movement / docking control unit 42 to move the main charging device 30 along the planned route.In another example, the movement command may include information about the route to the charging station 20 or to the device 70 to be charged, and the first processor 40 may control the first movement / docking controller 42 to move the main charging device 30 along the route.

[0053] The first movement / docking control unit 42 may control the first drive unit 38 to move the main charging device 30 to a target device (e.g., the charging station 20 or the device 70 to be charged) and to control the first docking unit 32 to connect it to the target device (e.g., the charging station 20 or the device 70 to be charged).

[0054] The first communication section 44 communicatively connects the main charging device 30 with the control server 90. Accordingly, the main charging device 30 can receive the charging command and / or the movement command from the control server 90 and transmit to the control server 90 the state of the main charging device 30 (for example, the location, the remaining power amount or the SOC of the main charging device 30, the connection state with other devices, or the charging information).

[0055] The auxiliary charging device 50 may be in communication with the control server 90 to receive the charging command and / or the movement command from the control server 90 and transmit the status of the auxiliary charging device 50 to the control server 90 (e.g., the location, remaining energy amount, or state of charge (SOC) of the auxiliary charging device 50, or the status of connection with other devices). In response to receiving the charging command and / or the movement command, the auxiliary charging device 50 may move to the main charging device 30, connect to the main charging device 30, and charge the device 70 to be charged in communication with the main charging device 30.

[0056] As in Fig. 3, the auxiliary charging device 50 comprises a second docking unit 52, a second connection unit 53, a second charging / discharging device 54, a second energy storage device 56, a second drive unit 58, a second processor 60, a second movement / docking control unit 62, and a second communication unit 64.

[0057] The second docking unit 52 is mounted on the auxiliary charging device 50 and can extend out from the auxiliary charging device 50. The auxiliary charging device 50 can be connected to other devices such as the charging station 20, the main charging device 30, the device to be charged 70, and another auxiliary charging device 50 via the second docking unit 52 in order to transmit electrical energy to the other devices or to receive electrical energy from the other devices, to charge the auxiliary charging device 50 itself, or to transmit electrical energy to another device via the second docking unit 52. The second docking unit 52 can be connected manually or automatically to other devices such as the charging station 20, the device to be charged 70, the main charging device 30, and another auxiliary charging device 50.In one example, the auxiliary charging device 50 may be automatically connected to the second docking unit 52 with another device through autonomous driving. In another example, the auxiliary charging device 50 may be brought into proximity with another device, and the user may pull the second docking unit 52 from the auxiliary charging device 50 to extend the second docking unit 52 and then connect the second docking unit 52 to the other device.

[0058] The second connection unit 53 is provided on the auxiliary charging device 50. The second connection unit 53 may be provided at a location spaced from the second docking unit 52 by a predetermined distance, so that another auxiliary charging device 50 can be connected to the second connection unit 53, while the auxiliary charging device 50 is connected to the main charging device 30 via the second docking unit 52. The auxiliary charging device 50 can receive electrical power from another auxiliary charging device 50 via the second connection unit 53 and transmit the electrical power to the main charging device 30 via the second docking unit 52.Optionally, the auxiliary charging device 50 can receive electrical energy from the main charging device 30 or another auxiliary charging device 50 via the second docking unit 52 to charge the auxiliary charging device 50 itself and simultaneously charge another auxiliary charging device 50 connected to the second connection unit 53. In this way, a limited number of charging stations 20 can be used to charge multiple main charging devices 30 and auxiliary charging devices 50 during off-peak hours when the mobile charging system 10 is not heavily utilized, in preparation for the case where multiple charging devices 70 need to be charged simultaneously.

[0059] The second charging / discharging device 54 is configured to control the charging or discharging of the second energy storage device 56. When the auxiliary charging device 50 is connected to the charging station 20 via the second docking unit 52, the second charging / discharging unit 54 receives electrical energy from the charging station 20 via the second docking unit 52 to charge the second energy storage device 56. In this example, when another auxiliary charging device 50 is connected to the second connection unit 53, the second charging / discharging unit 54 can transfer electrical energy to the other auxiliary charging device 50 via the second connection unit 53.When the auxiliary charging device 50 is connected to the main charging device 30 via the second docking unit 52, the second charging / discharging unit 54 can control the second energy storage device 56 for discharging, thereby transmitting electrical energy to the main charging device 30 via the second docking unit 52.

[0060] The second energy storage device 56 is mounted in the auxiliary charging device 50. The second energy storage device 56 is configured to receive electrical energy from the charging station 20 to store the received electrical energy, or is configured to discharge electrical energy to transfer the electrical energy to the main charging device 30 or another auxiliary charging device 50 under the control of the second charging / discharging unit 54.

[0061] The second drive unit 58 is mounted on the auxiliary charging device 50 and receives power from the second energy storage device 56 to cause the auxiliary charging device 50 to move. The second drive unit 58 may include, among other things, at least one wheel and at least one drive motor connected to the at least one wheel to rotate the at least one wheel. The second drive unit 58 may further include a steering device for steering the main charging device 30.

[0062] The second processor 60 is provided in the auxiliary charging device 50 and controls the overall operation of the auxiliary charging device 50. In response to receiving the charging command or the movement command from the control server 90, the second processor 60, for example, causes the second movement / docking control unit 62 to control the second drive unit 58 or the second docking unit 52, and causes the second charging / discharging unit 54 to control the charging or discharging of the second energy storage device 56. In one example, the movement command may include information about the location of the charging station 20, the main charging device 30, or the other auxiliary charging device 50, and the second processor 60 may plan a route to the charging station 20, the main charging device 30, or the other auxiliary charging device 50 to control the second movement / docking control unit 62 to move the auxiliary charging device 50 along the planned route.In another example, the movement command may include information about the route to the charging station 20, to the main charging device 30, or to the other auxiliary charging device 50, and the second processor 60 may control the second movement / docking controller 62 to move the auxiliary charging device 50 along the route.

[0063] The second movement / docking control unit 62 may control the second drive unit 58 to move the auxiliary charging device 50 to the target device (e.g., the charging station 20, the main charging device 30, or another auxiliary charging device 50) and to control the second docking unit 52 to connect it to the target device (e.g., the charging station 20, the main charging device 30, or another auxiliary charging device 50).

[0064] The second communication section 64 communicatively connects the auxiliary charging device 50 with the control server 90. Accordingly, the auxiliary charging device 50 can receive the charging command or the movement command from the control server 90 and transmit the state of the auxiliary charging device 50 (for example, the location, the remaining power amount or the SOC of the auxiliary charging device 50, or the connection state with other devices) to the control server 90.

[0065] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the user interface 80 may be mounted on the device 70 to be charged or implemented in the form of an application on a user's mobile device (e.g., a smartphone, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or an electronic notebook). The user interface 80 may be communicatively coupled to the control server 90 such that the user interface 80 sends a charging request to the control server 90 and receives charging information from the control server 90. The charging request may include location information of the device 70 to be charged and / or the requested charging amount and / or an estimated stopping time. Further, the charging information may include the current SOC of the device 70 to be charged, a charging amount per hour, an estimated time to full charge, or the like.The user interface 80 may include a display and display the charging information on the display.

[0066] The control server 90 is communicatively connected to the main charging device 30, the auxiliary charging device 50 and the user interface 80.

[0067] The control server 90 may transmit the charging command and / or the moving command to the main charging device 30 and receive the status of the main charging device 30 from the main charging device 30. The charging command may include the requested charging amount, the estimated stopping time, or the like. The moving command may include the location information of the device 70 to be charged, the route to the device 70 to be charged, or the like. Further, the status of the main charging device 30 may include the location, the remaining energy amount, and the state of charge (SOC) of the main charging device 30, the connection status with other devices such as the charging station 20, the device 70 to be charged, another main charging device 30, and the auxiliary charging device 50, the charging information, or the like.Based on the state of the main loading device 30, the control server 90 determines whether the loading command and / or the movement command should be transmitted to the auxiliary loading device 50. The loading command and the movement command are described as separate commands, but one of the loading commands and the movement command may include the other.

[0068] If the control server 90 determines, based on the state of the main charging device 30, that the charging command and / or the movement command needs to be transmitted to the auxiliary charging device 50, the control server 90 may transmit the charging command and / or the movement command to the auxiliary charging device 50 and receive the state of the auxiliary charging device 50 from the auxiliary charging device 50. The charging command may include the requested charging amount, the estimated stopping time, the device to which the auxiliary charging device 50 is connected (the main charging device 30 or another auxiliary charging device 50), and the like. The movement command may include the location information of the main charging device 30 or another auxiliary charging device 50, or the route to the main charging device 30 or another auxiliary charging device 50.Furthermore, the status of the auxiliary charging device 50 may include the location, remaining energy amount, and state of charge (SOC) of the auxiliary charging device 50, the status of the connection with other devices such as the charging station 20, the main charging device 30, another auxiliary charging device 50, the charging information, and the like. Based on the status of the auxiliary charging device 50, the control server 90 determines whether to transmit the charging command and / or the movement command to another auxiliary charging device 50.

[0069] Hereinafter, a mobile charging method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 5 described in detail.

[0070] Fig. 5 is a flowchart of a mobile charging method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a simultaneous charging method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating a circular charging method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0071] As in Fig. 5, a mobile charging method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure begins with a user sending the charging request to the control server 90 via the user interface 80. The control server 90 receives the charging request including location information of the device 70 to be charged and / or the requested charging amount and / or the estimated stopping time in step S100, and sends a charging command and / or a moving command to the main charging device 30 in step S110 to move the main charging device 30 and dock it with the device 70 to be charged. The charging command may include the requested charging amount, the estimated stopping time, or the like. The moving command may include the location information of the device 70 to be charged or the route to the device 70 to be charged, or the like.If the mobile charging system 10 includes a plurality of main charging devices 30, the mobile charging system 10 may receive the status of the main charging devices 30 before step S110 and select the main charging device 30 to charge the charging device 70 based on the status of the main charging devices 30. However, receiving the status of the main charging device 30 and selecting the main charging device 30 to charge the charging device 70 is not a required step, but merely an optional step.

[0072] When the main charging device 30 has docked with the charging device 70, the first processor 40 detects the remaining energy amount and / or the state of charge (SOC) of the main charging device 30 and / or the charging device 70 in step S120. The first processor 40 determines whether the charging device can be fully charged by the main charging device 30 alone based on the remaining energy amount and / or the SOC of the main charging device 30 and / or the charging device 70 and / or the amount of requested charge included in the charge command in step S130. For example, the first processor 40 may compare the remaining energy amount of the main charging device 30 with the requested charge amount to determine whether the charging device 70 can be fully charged using the main charging device 30 alone.

[0073] In step S130, when it is determined that the charging device 70 to be charged can be fully charged with the main charging device 30 alone, the first processor 40 controls the first charging / discharging unit 34 to charge the charging device 70 with the main charging device 30 alone in step S190.

[0074] If it is determined in step S130 that the charging device 70 cannot be fully charged with the main charging device 30 alone, the control server 90 detects the available auxiliary charging devices 50 in step S140. For example, the control server 90 may detect the auxiliary charging devices 50 that are not connected to other devices, such as the charging station 20, the main charging device 30, and other auxiliary charging devices 50, based on the status of the corresponding auxiliary charging device 50 received from the corresponding auxiliary charging device 50. In this example, the first processor 40 may additionally or alternatively control the first charging / discharging unit 34 to initiate the charging process of the charging device 70 with the main charging device 30.

[0075] Once the control server 90 has detected the available auxiliary charging devices 50, the control server 90 detects the remaining energy amount and / or the SOC of the available auxiliary charging devices 50 in step S150. For example, the second processors 60 of the available auxiliary charging devices 50 may detect the remaining energy amount and / or the SOC of the corresponding auxiliary charging device 50 and transmit the remaining energy amount and / or the SOC of the auxiliary charging devices 50 to the control server 90, and the control server 90 may detect the remaining energy amount and / or the SOCs of the available auxiliary charging devices 50.

[0076] In step S160, the control server 90 determines whether the charging device 70 can be fully charged with the available auxiliary charging devices 50 based on the remaining energy amount or the SOC of the available auxiliary charging devices 50. For example, the control server 90 may compare the remaining energy amount of the main charging device 30 with the requested charging amount to detect an insufficient charging amount, and compare the remaining energy amount of the available auxiliary charging devices 50 with the insufficient charging amount to determine whether the charging device 70 can be fully charged with the available auxiliary charging devices 50.

[0077] If it is determined in step S160 that the charging device 70 can be fully charged with the available auxiliary charging devices 50, the control server 90 proceeds to charge the charging device 70 in a simultaneous charging process in step S170. The simultaneous charging process means that the main charging device 30 and the required auxiliary charging device 50 are connected to each other to charge the charging device 70 simultaneously. For example, as shown in Fig. 6, the control server 90 detects the available auxiliary charging devices 50 required to fully charge the charging device 70, transmits the charging command and / or the movement command to the detected auxiliary charging devices 50, connects the auxiliary charging devices 50 to the main charging device 30 and / or other auxiliary charging devices 50 in series or in parallel, and simultaneously charges the charging device 70 using the connected main charging device 30 and the auxiliary charging devices 50. Accordingly, the time required to charge the charging device 70 can be shortened.

[0078] If it is determined in step S160 that the charging device 70 cannot be fully charged with the available auxiliary charging devices 50, the control server 90 proceeds to charge the charging device 70 in a circular charging process in step S180. The circular charging process means, as shown in Fig.7 illustrates that, in the state where the main charging device 30 is connected to the charging device 70 to continue charging, one auxiliary charging device 50 is connected to the main charging device 30 to collectively charge the charging device 70, and then one auxiliary charging device 50 is disconnected from the main charging device 30, and the other auxiliary charging device 50 is connected to the main charging device 30 to collectively charge the charging device 70. In other words, when it is determined that the charging device 70 cannot be charged simultaneously with the available auxiliary charging devices 50, the mobile charging system 10 connects some of the auxiliary charging devices 50 to the main charging device 30 to continue charging the charging device 70, while other auxiliary charging devices 50 are moved to the charging station 20 to charge other auxiliary charging devices 50.Thereafter, the mobile charging system 10 disconnects some of the auxiliary charging devices 50 from the main charging device 30 and moves the disconnected auxiliary charging devices 50 to the charging station 20, and connects other auxiliary charging devices 50 to the main charging device 30 to continue charging the charging device 70. The auxiliary charging devices 50 alternately participate in charging the charging devices 70, so that the time required to charge the charging devices 70 is somewhat increased, but the charging devices 70 can be fully charged with the limited number of main charging devices 30 and auxiliary charging devices 50, even if multiple charging devices 70 request charging at the same time.

[0079] Although this disclosure has been described in connection with the embodiments presently contemplated as practical, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Rather, it is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

[1] Mobile charging system comprising: a charging station fixedly mounted at a predetermined location in a charging space allowing a device to be charged to be placed therein for charging; a main charging device comprising: a first energy storage device configured to store electrical energy or discharge the stored electrical energy, and a first drive unit that provides propulsion by means of the electrical energy stored in the first energy storage device, wherein the main charging device is configured to be connected to the charging station in order to store electrical energy of the charging station in the first energy storage device, or to be connected to the device to be charged in order to charge the device to be charged with the electrical energy stored in the first energy storage device; at least one auxiliary charging device comprising: a second energy storage device configured to store electrical energy or discharge the stored electrical energy, and a second drive unit that provides propulsion by means of the electrical energy stored in the second energy storage device, wherein the at least one auxiliary charging device is configured to be connected to the charging station in order to store the electrical energy of the charging station in the second energy storage device, or to be connected to the main charging device in order to charge the device to be charged with the electrical energy stored in the second energy storage device via the main charging device; and a control server communicatively connected to the main charging device and the at least one auxiliary charging device and configured to transmit a charging command to the main charging device to move the main charging device to the device to be charged and to charge the device to be charged. [2] The mobile charging system of claim 1, wherein the control server is further configured to: in response to receiving a state of the main charging device from the main charging device, determines whether the device to be charged is fully chargeable by the main charging device alone; and, in response to determining that the device to be charged cannot be fully charged by the main charging device alone, transmits the charging command to the at least one auxiliary charging device to move the at least one auxiliary charging device to the main charging device and charge the device to be charged via the main charging device. [3] The mobile charging system of claim 2, wherein the control server is further configured to: detecting an available auxiliary charging device before transmitting the charging command to the at least one auxiliary charging device; to determine whether the device to be charged can be fully charged with the available auxiliary charging device; and in response to determining that the device to be charged is fully chargeable with the available auxiliary charging device, proceed with a simultaneous charging method in which the at least one available auxiliary charging device is simultaneously involved in the charging. [4] The mobile charging system of claim 3, wherein the control server is further configured to proceed with a circular charging method in which the at least one available auxiliary charging device is sequentially involved in charging in response to determining that the device to be charged is not fully chargeable by the available auxiliary charging device. [5] Mobile charging system according to claim 1, further comprising: a user interface communicatively coupled to the control server to be configured to transmit a charging request to the control server and to receive charging information from the control server. [6] The mobile recharge system of claim 5, wherein the user interface is further configured to display the recharge information received from the control server. [7] The mobile charging system according to claim 1, wherein the main charging device further comprises: a first docking unit mounted on the main charging device and connectable to the charging station or the device to be charged, the first docking unit being configured to extend out of the main charging device; and a first connection unit provided on the main charging device and spaced apart from the first docking unit so that the at least one auxiliary charging device can be connected in a state in which the main charging device is connected to the device to be charged via the first docking unit. [8] Mobile charging system according to claim 7, wherein the first docking unit is connectable automatically or manually to the charging station or the device to be charged. [9] A mobile charging system according to claim 1, wherein each auxiliary charging device further comprises: a second docking unit mounted on an auxiliary charging device and connectable to the charging station, the main charging device, or another auxiliary charging device, the second docking unit being configured to extend out from the auxiliary charging device; and a second connection unit provided on the auxiliary charging device and spaced apart from the second docking unit for allowing another auxiliary charging device to be connected in a state where the auxiliary charging device is connected to the main charging device or another auxiliary charging device via the second docking unit. [10] Mobile charging system according to claim 9, wherein the second docking unit is connectable automatically or manually to the charging station, the main charging device or another auxiliary charging device. [11] The mobile charging system of claim 1, wherein the main charging device or the at least one auxiliary charging device is configured for autonomous driving. [12] Mobile charging method, which includes: Receiving, by a control server, a charging request containing location information and / or a charging amount requested by a device to be charged; Moving and docking a main charging device to the device to be charged by transmitting a charging command by the control server containing location information and / or the charging amount requested by the device to be charged; Determining, by the main charging device or the control server, whether the main charging device alone is capable of fully charging the device to be charged; detecting an available auxiliary charging device by the control server in response to determining that the main charging device alone is unable to fully charge the device to be charged; and Charging the device to be charged with the available auxiliary charging device via the main charging device by transmitting the charging command containing location information of the main charging device to the available auxiliary charging device by the control server. [13] A mobile charging method according to claim 12, wherein charging the device to be charged with the available auxiliary charging device via the main charging device comprises: Determining whether the device to be charged can be fully charged with the available auxiliary charging device; and in response to determining that the device to be charged is fully chargeable with the available auxiliary charging device, proceeding with a simultaneous charging method in which the at least one available auxiliary charging device is simultaneously involved in the charging. [14] The mobile charging method of claim 13, wherein continuing with a simultaneous charging process comprises: Selecting the available auxiliary charging device required to fully charge the device to be charged; and Connecting the selected available auxiliary charging device to the main charging device or another selected available auxiliary charging device so that the main charging device and the selected available auxiliary charging device can charge the device to be charged simultaneously. [15] The mobile charging method of claim 13, wherein charging the device to be charged with the available auxiliary charging device via the main charging device further comprises, in response to determining that the device to be charged is not fully chargeable with the available auxiliary charging device, proceeding with a circular charging method in which the at least one available auxiliary charging device is sequentially involved in the charging. [16] The mobile charging method of claim 15, wherein proceeding with a circular charging method comprises: Connecting the at least one available auxiliary charging device to the main charging device or another available auxiliary device connected to the main charging device to charge the device to be charged with the main charging device and the at least one available auxiliary charging device; Disconnecting the at least one available auxiliary charging device from the main charging device or the other available auxiliary device connected to the main charging device; and Connecting at least one other available auxiliary charging device to the main charging device or the other available auxiliary charging device connected to the main charging device to charge the device to be charged with the main charging device and the at least one other available auxiliary charging device. [17] A mobile charging method according to claim 12, further comprising: Transmitting the loading request to the control server through a user interface communicatively connected to the control server; and Receiving top-up information from the control server through the user interface. [18] A mobile charging method according to claim 17, further comprising: Displaying, through the user interface, the top-up information received from the control server. [19] The mobile charging method according to claim 12, wherein the main charging device or the at least one auxiliary charging device is configured to drive autonomously.

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