Charging system with a release system, a communication unit and a charging cable with a transponder

Abstract

The invention relates to a charging system (1) for a vehicle (20), wherein the charging system (1) comprises a charging cable (2) with a transponder (3), a communication unit (4), and an enabling system (5), wherein an authentication code (10) is stored in the transponder (3), and the transponder (3) and the communication unit (4) are designed and coordinated such that the authentication code (10) can be transmitted wirelessly and with limited range from the transponder (3) to the communication unit (4), and the communication unit (4) is configured to forward the authentication code (10) to the enabling system (5), and the enabling system (5) is configured to compare the authentication code (10) with a verification code (11) and to enable a charging current (6) via the charging cable (2) if the authentication code (10) is identical to the verification code (11).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a charging system for a vehicle and a method for operating a charging system for a vehicle.

[0002] It is known that charging cables for electric vehicles have locking devices that prevent them from being removed during charging. This provides theft protection for the charging cables.

[0003] A charging system for a vehicle is proposed. The vehicle is designed in the form of an electric vehicle. The charging system comprises a charging cable with a transponder, a communication unit, and an authorization system. An authentication code is stored in the transponder. The transponder and the communication unit are designed and coordinated with one another such that the authentication code can be transmitted wirelessly and within a limited range from the transponder to the communication unit. The communication unit is configured to forward the authentication code to the authorization system. The authorization system, for example, a first part of the authorization system, is configured to compare the authentication code with a verification code.Furthermore, the release system, for example a second part of the release system, is configured to release a charging current via the charging cable if the authentication code is identical to the verification code.

[0004] Because the transponder is located on the charging cable and the enabling system is configured to enable the charging current via the charging cable if the authentication code matches the verification code, the charging cable can only be used to charge the vehicle electrically if a comparison of the authentication code with the verification code shows that the authentication code is identical to the verification code. It goes without saying that the enabling system has access to the verification code. For example, the verification code can be stored in a memory of the enabling system.

[0005] Because the communication unit is configured to forward the authentication code to the release system, and the transponder and the communication unit are configured and coordinated in such a way that the authentication code can be transmitted wirelessly and within a limited range from the transponder to the communication unit, the charging cable can only be used to charge the vehicle if the charging cable and the communication unit are located at the same location. This same location can be understood as a radius of approximately 2 meters around the charging cable. Accordingly, a limited-range wireless transmission of the authentication code from the transponder to the communication unit is understood to mean a transmission that can only be carried out within a maximum distance of approximately 2 meters between the transponder and the communication unit.

[0006] The combination of the features described above results in an alternative theft protection for the charging cable, as the charging cable can only be used when the charging cable and the communication unit are in the possession of a person. This alternative theft protection also works if the locking device described above is released after charging. Such a release can occur, for example, if a vehicle's battery is fully charged.

[0007] The transponder is configured to modify the electromagnetic waves acting on it or to generate additional electromagnetic waves in response. For this purpose, the transponder may have an antenna.

[0008] The authentication code can be stored in the transponder, for example, in such a way that the authentication code, hereinafter referred to as the code, is permanently encoded in the transponder by means of hardware. In this case, the code is provided by a construction of this hardware. The hardware can be a chip, for example. The code can be stored on a storage medium of the transponder. In this case, the storage medium can reserve a memory location for storing the code, which can only be written to once. In this case, the transponder can, for example, be used in such a way that the code is written once to the designated memory location on the storage medium, whereby this memory location is write-protected after the code has been written to it. This means that the code can neither be overwritten nor deleted from the storage medium.

[0009] According to one variant, the code can be a vehicle identification number. Alternatively, the code can be in the form of an individual code for the transponder (Unique Identifier = UID). Worldwide, every transponder is identified with a unique code generated for that particular transponder. This UID is a unique identifier that is assigned to each transponder during production and is unique worldwide. The transponder's UID is written into a memory element of the transponder during production and cannot be changed. Therefore, the transponder's UID distinguishes the transponder from all other transponders. The UID can be thought of as a fixed serial number that is unique worldwide. The UID serves to identify the transponder, independent of the other information stored on the transponder. For example, the UID can be 4, 7, or 10 bytes long. The UID is usually not encrypted.

[0010] According to a further variant, the code can be a code generated for communication between the release system and the communication unit. According to one possible application, the code can be in the form of an electronic key.

[0011] The range-limited transmission between the transponder and the communication unit can be realized, for example, by the transponder's antenna being designed to receive electromagnetic waves with a frequency in a range of approximately 10 to 50 megahertz, in particular 13.56 megahertz. For example, a natural frequency of a resonant circuit of the transponder can be within this frequency range or exactly equal to 13.56 megahertz.

[0012] The charging cable is suitable for charging an electric vehicle. This includes the charging cable being designed such that it can transmit voltages in the range from 230 volts to 400 volts. The charging cable can also be constructed such that it can transmit currents from 16 to 500 amps. Alternatively or additionally, the charging cable has one or more safety mechanisms such as temperature monitoring, insulation protection, and overvoltage protection. Furthermore, the charging cable can have lines for bidirectional communication between the vehicle and a charging station. The bidirectional communication can, for example, include negotiating charging parameters such as current, voltage, and temperature to ensure safe and efficient charging of the vehicle. In most cases, the charging cable has a plug at each end.The plug can, for example, be a Type 2 plug, which is specified by IEC standard 62196. According to this standard, the plugs can correspond to either Type 1, Type 2, or Type 3. The IEC standard 62196 or other standards can, among other things, specify charging modes that describe how the vehicle can be charged using the charging cable. One of the charging modes can be "Mode 1," in which the vehicle is slowly charged using the charging cable at household sockets with a protective contact. Accordingly, the charging cable can be designed as a so-called Mode 1 charging cable, with which the vehicle can be charged in "Mode 1" charging mode.

[0013] Another charging mode can be "Mode 2," in which the vehicle is charged in one to three phases using the charging cable via a hard-coded signal on the plug. The charging cable can be designed as a so-called Mode 2 charging cable, which allows the vehicle to be charged in "Mode 2" charging mode. In this case, the charging cable can have a control unit, also referred to as a control box.

[0014] According to one possible embodiment, the transponder can be designed in the form of an NFC tag. The NFC tag has an antenna, for example, a coil antenna integrated into the NFC tag. The coil antenna can be tuned to a frequency of 13.56 megahertz. The antenna can be configured to transmit as well as receive electromagnetic signals. In most applications, the antenna can serve to power the NFC tag. An electromagnetic field, which can be generated, for example, by the communication unit, can generate a current at the coil antenna, which can be used to power a circuit of the NFC tag.

[0015] The NFC tag can be configured to support data transfer rates of 106, 212, or 424 kilobits per second. If the NFC tag's antenna is tuned to a frequency of 13.56 megahertz, a very short range, such as 0 to 10 centimeters, results, within which communication between the transponder, in this case the NFC tag, and the communication unit is possible. This ensures that the communication unit and the transponder can be used simultaneously by only one person to wirelessly transmit the code from the transponder to the communication unit. Therefore, the transponder in the form of the NFC tag offers even greater theft protection for the charging cable.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment, the transponder is attached to the charging cable in a tamper-proof manner. The transponder, in particular the NFC tag, can be designed as a tamper-evident transponder, i.e., a tamper-proof transponder, or a tamper-evident NFC tag, i.e., a tamper-proof NFC tag. In this embodiment, the transponder is designed such that, once attached to the charging cable, it can no longer be removed without damage. This means that an attempt to remove the transponder from the charging cable leaves visible traces and / or destroys a function of the transponder, so that the code can no longer be transmitted from the transponder to the communication unit. For example, the transponder can be designed such that an attempt to remove the transponder from the charging cable damages a circuit and / or the antenna of the transponder.For this purpose, the transponder can have one or more predetermined breaking points and / or consist of fragile elements.

[0017] To make the transponder tamper-proof, the antenna can be made of a very fine material, such as metal foil or conductive ink. In this case, the antenna will be destroyed if the transponder is removed from the charging cable. Alternatively, or additionally, the transponder can be attached to the charging cable using a special adhesive. This special adhesive can create such a strong bond between the charging cable and the transponder that the transponder is damaged when removed from the charging cable.

[0018] According to one possible embodiment, the transponder can have a tamper sensor configured to detect whether the transponder has been tampered with. In this case, the transponder can remain functional after tampering, but can provide information about a tampering attempt in the form of stored tamper information. In this case, the communication unit can be configured to query the tamper information and forward it to the release system. In this case, the release system can be configured to enable the charging current via the charging cable only if a check of the tamper information shows that the transponder has not been tampered with.

[0019] In a further embodiment, the transponder is integrated into a housing of the control unit of the charging cable. In this case, the theft protection of the charging cable can be further increased, since the housing must be broken open to steal the transponder. The embodiment described above, in which the transponder is attached to the charging cable in a tamper-proof manner, has the advantage over the variant in which the transponder is integrated into the housing of the control unit that the proposed charging system can be easily used as a retrofit variant for an existing charging cable that does not have a transponder. For example, to retrofit the charging cable, the transponder, for example in the form of an NFC tag, can simply be glued to the charging cable.

[0020] According to one possible embodiment, at least part of the release system is integrated into the control unit of the charging cable. This has the advantage that no or fewer modifications need to be made to the vehicle to protect the charging cable from theft. In this embodiment, the communication unit can be designed, for example, in the form of part of a mobile device or in the form of the mobile device itself, and communication software can be installed on the mobile device, enabling communication between the mobile device and the release system. The communication unit can have an NFC interface, for example an active NFC interface, which enables the wireless and range-limited transmission of the code from the transponder to the communication unit. Communication between the mobile device and the release system can, in most cases, be implemented wirelessly, for example via radio.For example, a Bluetooth connection can be provided between the release system and the communication unit.

[0021] In an alternative embodiment, the release system can be integrated into the vehicle. This has the advantage that checking whether the code matches the verification code can be performed in the vehicle and does not have to be done, for example, in the control unit of the charging cable or in the mobile device or in a cloud that can be connected to the mobile device. This could reduce the risk of a hacker attack in which the verification code is read by unauthorized persons.

[0022] In a further embodiment, the communication unit can be integrated into the vehicle. The communication unit can be configured, for example, in the form of an active NFC interface that can read the transponder, for example in the form of an NFC tag, when the transponder is brought close to the communication unit, for example, within a range of less than 10 centimeters. In this case, a mobile device can be dispensed with. The communication unit can be arranged near a charging socket of the vehicle, into which a vehicle-side end of the charging cable can be plugged.

[0023] In a further embodiment, it can be provided that the communication unit is configured to write the authentication code in encrypted form onto the transponder. Conveniently, in this embodiment, the communication unit is configured to write the code in encrypted, write-protected form onto the transponder. The encrypted form of the code could increase security when transmitting the code from the transponder to the communication unit. In general, writing the authentication code to the transponder can be understood as "pairing" the charging cable with the communication unit or with the vehicle. If the release system or at least part of the release system is arranged in the vehicle, writing the authentication code to the transponder can be understood as "pairing" the charging cable with the vehicle.

[0024] Furthermore, a method for electrically charging a vehicle using a charging system is proposed. The charging system has a charging cable, an enabling system, and a communication unit, and can be designed according to one of the variants described above. The method comprises bringing the communication unit closer to a transponder of the charging cable. The method further comprises wirelessly transmitting, within a limited range, an authentication code stored on the transponder from the transponder to the communication unit. The method further comprises forwarding the authentication code to the enabling system. The method further comprises comparing the authentication code with a verification code. The method further comprises enabling a charging current via the charging cable if the authentication code is identical to the verification code.

[0025] Preferred embodiments are explained in more detail with reference to the following figures. The dependent claims describe further advantageous embodiments of the invention. Here, schematically Fig. 1 a variant of a charging system with a charging cable with a transponder, a communication unit and a release system; Fig. 2 a sub-variant of the Fig. 1 shows a variant of the charging system in which the communication unit is integrated into a vehicle; Fig. 3 a sub-variant of the Fig. 1 shown variant of the charging system, in which the release system is integrated in a control unit of the charging cable; Fig. 4 a sub-variant of the Fig. 1 shown variant of the charging system, in which the communication unit is designed in the form of a mobile device; Fig. 5 a variant of a charging system with a charging cable with a transponder, a communication unit and an enabling system integrated in a vehicle; Fig. 6 a sub-variant of the Fig. 5 shown variant of the charging system, in which the communication unit is integrated in the vehicle.

[0026] Fig. 1 shows a charging system 1 for a Fig. 2. The charging system 1 has a charging cable 2 with a transponder 3, a communication unit 4, and an authorization system 5. An authentication code 10, hereinafter referred to as code 10, is stored in the transponder 3. The transponder 3 and the communication unit 4 are designed and coordinated with one another in such a way that the code 10 can be transmitted wirelessly and within a limited range from the transponder 3 to the communication unit 4. The communication unit 4 is configured to forward the code 10 to the authorization system 5. The authorization system 5 is configured to compare the code 10 with a verification code 11 and to enable a charging current 6 if the code 10 is identical to the verification code 11. It goes without saying that the charging current 6 can flow via the charging cable 2 if the charging current 6 is enabled. The charging cable 2 has a vehicle-side connection 2.1 and a charging station-side connection 2.2, between which the charging current 6 can flow. To enable the charging current 6, the release system 5 can have a switch, such as a relay.

[0027] At the Fig. In the variant of the charging system 1 shown in Figure 1, the release system 5 is arranged on the charging cable 2. In this variant, the release system 5 can be designed in the form of a control unit of the charging cable 2 or can be integrated into the control unit of the charging cable 2.

[0028] Fig. 2 shows how the Fig. The variant of the charging system 1 shown in Figure 1 can be used for charging the vehicle 20. The charging station-side connection 2.2 is connected to a charging station 23, and the vehicle-side connection 2.1 is connected to a charging connection 21 of the vehicle 20. Fig. 2 shows a sub-variant of the Fig. 1 shown variant of the charging system 1, in which the communication unit 4 is integrated in the vehicle 20.

[0029] For example, as in Fig. 2, the communication unit 4 can be mounted in the vicinity of the charging port 21. According to one possible embodiment, the communication unit 4 can be integrated into the vehicle 20 such that the communication unit 4 is at a distance of less than 5 centimeters from the vehicle-side port 2.1 when the vehicle-side port 2.1 is connected to the charging port 21. The communication unit 4 can be designed, for example, in the form of an active NFC interface. In this case, the communication unit 4 can be configured to generate an electromagnetic field, for example in the form of emitted electromagnetic waves in the range of 13.56 megahertz, which corresponds to the NFC standard. Furthermore, the communication unit 4 can have a receiver for generating received signals.

[0030] The received signals can be generated by an interaction between a further electromagnetic field and one or more antennas of the receiver. The further electromagnetic field can be generated by an interaction of the emitted magnetic-electric field with the transponder 3. The received signals contain information that specifies the code 10. In other words, the code 10 can be detected based on the received signals. The transponder 3 can be configured to generate the further electromagnetic field depending on the emitted electromagnetic field and the code 10. This results in the received signals comprising information for reproducing the code 10. The emitted electromagnetic field comprises, for example, signals with a transmission frequency that can be, for example, 13.56 megahertz, wherein amplitude modulation of the transmission signal can be provided.

[0031] The further electromagnetic field can differ in amplitude modulation from the emitted electromagnetic field. A difference in amplitude modulation can be generated, for example, by an interaction of the emitted electromagnetic field with the transponder 3. For this purpose, the transponder 3 is brought into a close environment 25 of the communication unit 4. The close environment 25 can, for example, have a range of 10 centimeters. Outside of the close environment 25, no interaction between the emitted electromagnetic field and the transponder 3 that can still be detected by the receiver of the communication unit 4 is possible. The communication unit 4 can, according to the Fig. 2, the communication unit 4 can be configured to send the received signals to a charging control unit 22 of the vehicle 20. Furthermore, the charging control unit 22 can be configured to send the received signals to the release system 5 via communication lines of the charging cable 2 (not shown in the figures). In this variant, the communication unit 4 can send the code 10 indirectly via the charging control unit 22 to the release system 5.

[0032] The verification code 11 can be stored in a memory of the release system 5. The release system 5 preferably has a computing unit, such as a microchip, which is configured to perform a comparison between the code 10 and the verification code 11. Furthermore, the computing unit can be configured to control the switch such that the charging current 6 is enabled. The computing unit can be configured to switch the switch such that it enables the charging current 6 if the comparison between the code 10 and the verification code 11 shows that the code 10 is identical to the verification code 11. Furthermore, the computing unit can be programmed such that the computing unit switches the switch such that the switch blocks the charging current 6 if the code 10 is not identical to the verification code 11.

[0033] Fig. 3 shows another sub-variant of the Fig. 1, in which the transponder 3 is arranged on a housing 7 of the release system 5 or the control unit of the charging cable 2. In the latter case, the release system 5 is integrated into the control unit of the charging cable 2. In the event that a first part of the cable, on which the vehicle-side connection 2.1 is arranged, can be separated from the housing 7 by loosening a mechanical connection, such as a screw connection, and / or a second part of the charging cable, on which the charging station-side connection 2.2 is arranged, can be separated from the housing 7 by loosening a further mechanical connection, such as a further screw connection, theft protection for the release system 5 can be provided.

[0034] Fig. 4 shows another sub-variant of the Fig. 1, in which the communication unit 4 is designed in the form of a communication interface of a mobile device 40. The mobile device 40 can be, for example, a smartphone. The communication interface can be designed in the form of an active NFC interface. To transmit the code 10 from the transponder 3 to the communication unit 4, the communication interface is brought into close proximity of the transponder 3. The close proximity can, for example, be limited by a distance of approximately 10 centimeters from the transponder 3. According to one possible embodiment, the mobile device 40 can be configured to transmit the code 10, which can be read using the communication interface, via radio to the release system 5.

[0035] An application program can be installed on a processor of the mobile device 40, which can access an association between the code 10 and a user registered for the charging cable 2. According to one possible embodiment, this association can be stored in a memory of the mobile device 40 provided for the application program or in a cloud. In the latter case, the mobile device 40 can be configured to establish a connection to the cloud in order to query and process the association. The association between the code 10 and the registered user can, for example, be in the form of an association of the code 10 with an identification number of the mobile device 40.In this case, by executing the application program, the processor of the mobile device 40 can read the identification number of the mobile device 40 permanently stored in the mobile device 40 and compare it with the identification number of the mobile device 40 specified by the read-out assignment. If the two identification numbers are identical, the application program can control the mobile device 40 such that the mobile device 40 transmits the code 10 wirelessly to the release system 5.

[0036] The Fig. 4 shown sub-variant of the Fig. The variant of the charging system 1 shown in Figure 1 has the advantage that theft protection of the charging cable 2 can be provided without having to make any changes to the vehicle 20. The assignment stored in the communication unit 4 or in the cloud can be encrypted with a private key of a certification authority. This can prevent manipulation of the assignment between the identification number of the mobile device 40 and the code 10. In this case, a public key of the certification authority can be stored in the mobile device 40 in order to decrypt the assignment. Conveniently, the application program includes the public key or can access it. It goes without saying that in this sub-variant, the transponder 3 can alternatively be mounted on the housing 7, as shown in Fig. 3 is shown.

[0037] Fig. 5 shows another variant of the Fig. 1, in which the release system 5 is not arranged on the charging cable 2, but a first part 5.1 of the release system 5 is integrated into the vehicle 20. In this variant, the communication unit 4 can, for example, be designed in the form of the communication interface of the mobile device 40 or be integrated into the vehicle 20.

[0038] In the following, a sub-variant of the Fig. 5, in which the communication unit 4 is designed as the communication interface of the mobile device 40. To start the charging process of the vehicle 20, the communication interface is held in the immediate vicinity of the transponder 3 in order to read the code 10 using the communication unit 4.

[0039] According to one possible embodiment, the mobile device 40 can be configured to transmit the scanned code 10 wirelessly to the first part 5.1 of the release system. In this embodiment, the release system 5 can comprise only the first part 5.1. The first part 5.1 can be configured to compare the code 10 with the verification code 11 and to enable the charging current 6 if the verification code 11 is identical to the code 10.

[0040] Alternatively, for example, by executing the above-described application program installed on the mobile device 40 or another application program, a summarized information comprising the code 10 read from the transponder 3 and the identification number of the mobile device 40 can be compared with verification information stored in the cloud, which comprises the code 10 and the identification number of the mobile device 40. If the comparison shows that the summarized information is equal to the verification information stored in the cloud, the communication unit 4 can send an enable signal to the first part 5.1 of the enable system 5.

[0041] The first part 5.1 of the enabling system 5 can be configured, in response to receiving the enabling signal, to switch a switch of the charging port 21 such that the charging current 6 is enabled for charging the vehicle 20. Once the charging current 6 is enabled, the charging current 6 can flow from the charging station 23 via the charging cable 2 to a battery of the vehicle 20 and charge the battery.

[0042] According to one possible variant, the mobile device 40 can be configured to perform the comparison between the summarized information and the verification information. In this case, the part of the hardware of the mobile device 40 that can perform this comparison can be considered a second part of the approval system 5.

[0043] According to a further variant, a cloud server of the cloud can be configured to perform the comparison between the summarized information and the verification information. The verification information can be stored on the cloud server. In this case, the cloud server can be understood as a second part 5.2 of the approval system 5. According to a variant, the mobile device 40 can communicate with the cloud server and send the summarized information to the cloud server. In this case, the mobile device 40 can send the approval signal to the first part 5.1 of the approval system 5 if the cloud server confirms that the summarized information is identical to the verification information. Conveniently, the verification information is encrypted with the private key of the certification authority. However, it is also possible for a communication connection to be provided between the cloud server and the first part 5.1 of the approval system 5.In this variant, the cloud server can send the release signal to the vehicle 20, in particular to the first part 5.1 of the release system 5. In this variant, at least one control unit of the vehicle 20 can establish a communication connection to the cloud server in order to receive the release signal and forward it to the first part 5.1.

[0044] Fig. 6 shows another sub-variant of the Fig. 5, in which the release system 5 and the communication unit 4 are integrated in the vehicle 20. To start the charging process, in this sub-variant, the transponder 3 is brought into close proximity of the communication unit 4 integrated in the vehicle 20. The close proximity of the communication unit 4 can, for example, be limited by a maximum distance of 10 centimeters from the communication unit 4. In this sub-variant, the communication unit 4 can have an active NFC interface. If the transponder 3 is brought into close proximity of the communication unit 4, the communication unit 4 can read the code 10 from the transponder 3 and transmit it to the release system 5. Analogous to the Fig. In the sub-variant of the charging system 1 described in Figure 5, the release system 5 can release the charging current 6 if the code 10 is identical to the verification code 11.

Claims

[1] Charging system (1) for a vehicle (20), wherein the charging system (1) has a charging cable (2) with a transponder (3), a communication unit (4) and an enabling system (5), wherein an authentication code (10) is stored in the transponder (3) and the transponder (3) and the communication unit (4) are designed and coordinated with one another in such a way that the authentication code (10) can be transmitted wirelessly and within a limited range from the transponder (3) to the communication unit (4), and the communication unit (4) is configured to forward the authentication code (10) to the enabling system (5), and the enabling system (5) is configured to compare the authentication code (10) with a verification code (11) and to enable a charging current (6) via the charging cable (2) if the authentication code (10) is identical to the verification code (11). [2] Charging system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the transponder (3) is designed in the form of an NFC chip. [3] Charging system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transponder (3) is attached to the charging cable (2) in a tamper-proof manner. [4] Charging system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transponder (3) is integrated in a housing (7) of a control unit of the charging cable (2). [5] Charging system (1) according to claim 4, wherein at least part of the release system (5) is integrated in the control unit of the charging cable (2). [6] Charging system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the communication unit (4) is part of a mobile device (40). [7] Charging system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the release system (5) is integrated in the vehicle (20). [8] Charging system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the communication unit (4) is integrated in the vehicle (20). [9] Charging system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the communication unit (4) is arranged to write the authentication code (10) in encrypted form to the transponder (3). [10] Method for electrically charging a vehicle (20) using a charging system (1) with a charging cable (2), a release system (5) and a communication unit (4), the method comprising: - Approaching the communication unit (4) to a transponder (3) of the charging cable (2), - Wireless and range-limited transmission of an authentication code (10) stored on the transponder (3) from the transponder (3) to the communication unit (4); - forwarding the authentication code (10) to the release system (5); - comparing the authentication code (10) with a verification code (11) and - Activation of a charging current (6) via the charging cable (2) if the authentication code (10) is identical to the verification code (11).

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