MOBILE CHARGING DEVICE FOR CHARGING AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR CHARGING AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mobile charging device (10) for charging an electric vehicle (12), comprising an AC charging input (16) that can be connected to a socket (18) for charging, a vehicle-side AC charging output (20) that can be connected to a corresponding charging input (22) of the electric vehicle (10) for charging, and a DC-AC converter (28) that can be connected to the AC charging output (20) and has a DC charging input (26) that is designed to convert current from another vehicle (30) connected to the DC charging input (26) for charging the electric vehicle (10). The invention further relates to a corresponding method for charging an electric vehicle (12) via a mobile charging device (10).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of vehicles, in particular electric vehicles, such as cars, vans, or trucks. More specifically, the present invention relates to a mobile charging device for charging an electric vehicle, more specifically a battery of the battery-powered electric vehicle, wherein the charging device is capable of providing alternating current at a charging output for connection to the vehicle. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a corresponding method for charging an electric vehicle. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0002] Currently, the electric vehicle charging cables included with the purchase of an electric vehicle are typically Level 1 AC and designed to connect to existing home electrical outlets. If a user needs to charge their vehicle's battery in a remote location, such as the mountains or a park, one option is to request a second vehicle and charge it using the other vehicle's battery. Therefore, the user will need a second, separate vehicle-to-vehicle charging cable for use in a remote location. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a mobile charging device and a corresponding method for charging an electric vehicle, which offers the possibility of charging the electric vehicle at home with power from a normal socket and in remote situations via vehicle-to-vehicle charging.

[0004] This object is achieved by a mobile charging device and a corresponding method according to the present invention. Advantageous embodiments and advantages are presented in the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings.

[0005] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a mobile charging device for charging an electric vehicle, comprising an AC charging input that can be connected to a socket for charging, further comprising a vehicle-side AC charging output that can be connected to a corresponding charging input of the electric vehicle for charging, and comprising an AC-AC circuit that is arranged between the AC charging input and the AC charging output and is designed to transmit power provided by the socket for the charging input of the electric vehicle or for charging the electric vehicle. The charging device comprises a DC-AC converter that can be connected or coupled to the AC charging output and includes a DC charging input that is designed to convert power from another vehicle connected to the DC charging input for the charging input of the electric vehicle or for charging the electric vehicle.

[0006] The mobile charging device is, in particular, a charging cable. The electric vehicle is, in particular, a battery-electric vehicle in the form of a car, van, or truck. The AC charging input is, in particular, a plug for a socket of a household power grid. The AC charging output can comprise a charging plug in the form of a J1772 type charging plug. The mobile charging device is configured such that a current that can be used to charge the vehicle is not provided directly; instead, a converter in the electric vehicle converts the alternating current output by the charging device into direct current, which is used to charge the battery. Therefore, the charging device can, for example, be very lightweight.

[0007] To enable car-to-car or vehicle-to-vehicle charging without a second charging device, a removable or detachable DC-AC converter is provided that can be connected to the AC charging output of the charging device, thus replacing, for example, the AC circuit, allowing charging from a DC source such as the battery of another vehicle.

[0008] In other words, an extended-capacity charging device is disclosed for use at home from an AC outlet and remotely for use with another electric vehicle's battery through the use of a removable DC-AC converter. For example, an existing Level 1 charging cable included with the electric vehicle purchase is extended with a DC-AC converter for use at a remote location. This may eliminate the need for an additional vehicle-to-vehicle charging solution. The removable DC-AC converter could be provided in multiple configurations for different DC inputs.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the mobile charging device is designed as a charger, in particular of type 1 or level 1, wherein the AC charging input is formed by a socket plug and the AC charging output by a vehicle plug and these are each connected to a piece of cable, one of which is connected to one end and the other to the other end of the AC-AC circuit or to its electrical connections on one side and the other side.

[0010] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the DC-AC converter is connected in series or parallel to the AC circuit in its coupled or connected state.

[0011] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the AC circuit is arranged in a housing, and the removable DC-DC converter can be accommodated in the housing in the coupled state or can be attached to the housing on the outside of the outer part of the housing.

[0012] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the DC charging input is connected to the DC-AC converter via a detachable cable, which can be detached in particular via a plug on the housing of the AC-AC circuit or the DC-AC converter.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the DC charging input for coupling to the further vehicle comprises jump start clamps and / or a bidirectional vehicle plug.

[0014] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a method for charging an electric vehicle via a charging device according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0015] Advantageous embodiments and advantages of the first aspect of the present invention are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments and advantages of the second aspect of the present invention and vice versa.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the DC-AC converter is switched off. An AC charging input is connected to a power outlet, an AC charging output is connected to the electric vehicle, and the electric vehicle is thus charged via the power outlet or by the power supplied from the power outlet.

[0017] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the DC-AC converter is coupled to the AC charging output, the DC charging input is connected to the additional vehicle, and the AC charging output is connected to the electric vehicle. Thus, the electric vehicle is charged by the additional vehicle, in particular by electrical current provided by a traction battery of the additional vehicle.

[0018] Further advantages, features, and details of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned in the following description of the figure and / or illustrated alone in the figure, can be used not only in the respective combination specified, but also in any other combination or alone, without departing from the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0019] The novel features and characteristics of the present disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles. Some embodiments of systems and / or methods according to embodiments of the present subject matter are described below, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0020] The drawings show in: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a mobile charging device for charging an electric vehicle with the electric vehicle, another vehicle and a housing.

[0021] In the figure, the same reference numerals indicate the same elements or elements with the same function. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Throughout this document, the word "exemplary" is used to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

[0023] While the present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however, that the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular forms, but on the contrary, it will cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.

[0024] The terms "comprises," "including," or other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a facility, device, or method comprising a list of components or steps not only includes those components or steps, but may also include other components or steps not expressly listed or included in such facility, device, or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or device preceded by the phrase "comprises" or "comprising" do not preclude, without further limitation, the presence of other elements or additional elements in the system or method.

[0025] In the following detailed description of the embodiment of the present disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this disclosure, and in which is shown by way of illustration a specific embodiment in which the disclosure may be practiced. This embodiment is described in sufficient detail to enable one skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0026] Fig. 1 shows a mobile charging device 10 for charging an electric vehicle 12, or in particular its battery 14, using electrical energy. The mobile charging device 10 includes an AC charging input 16, which can be connected to a power outlet 18 for charging, and a vehicle-side AC charging output 20, which can be connected to a corresponding charging input 22 of the electric vehicle 12 for charging. The mobile charging device 10 further includes an AC-AC circuit 24, which is arranged between the AC charging input 16 and the AC charging output 20 and is configured to transmit the current provided by the power outlet 18 to the charging input of the electric vehicle 12. The mobile charging device 10 further includes a DC-AC converter 28 that is removable from the AC charging output 20 and has a DC charging input 26 configured to convert power from another vehicle 30 connected to the DC charging input 26 for charging the electric vehicle 12.

[0027] The mobile charging device 10 is configured in particular as a charger and designed as a Type 1 charger, wherein the AC charging input 16 is formed by or comprises a socket plug 32. The socket plug 32 is connected to a cable 48. The AC charging output 20 is formed by or comprises a car plug 34, and these are each connected to cables 36 that are connected to one end and the other end of the AC charging output 20, which is connected to the AC-AC circuit 24 and the DC-AC converter 28. The DC-AC converter 28 can be connected in series with the AC-AC circuit 24 or in parallel with the AC-AC circuit 24 when coupled. This means that part of the AC-AC circuit 24 can be used to provide the current for the charging input 22 of the electric vehicle 12.

[0028] The AC-AC circuit 24 may be arranged in a housing 38 and the removable DC-AC converter 28 may be housed in the coupled state in the housing 38 or alternatively, as in Fig. 1 not shown, to be attached to the outside of the housing.

[0029] In other words, a cable 36, 44, 48, along with other components, is shown for charging the battery 14 at home from an AC outlet and remotely by another electric vehicle. In this context, the housing 38 of the mobile charging device 10 comprises, for example, a Level 1 charger, which is provided in particular by the AC-AC circuit 24 and the detachable DC-AC converter 28. The electric vehicle 12 receiving the power or electrical energy can be connected to the home via a power cable 48 or to the donor vehicle 30 via jump start clamps 40 or a bidirectional charging vehicle port 42. Both the jump start clamps 40 and the bidirectional charging vehicle port 42 can be embodied as a DC charging input 26 or can be connected to the DC-AC converter 28 via a detachable cable 44. For example, the bidirectional charging vehicle port 42 can be connected to the donor vehicle 30.In addition, the donor vehicle 30 can be connected to the DC charging input 26 via the DC output 46 and the cable 44. The DC output 46 can transmit direct current via a charging plug.

[0030] The mobile charging device 10 can provide a method for charging the electric vehicle 12. In one embodiment of the method, the electric vehicle 12 is charged while the DC-AC converter 28 is disconnected or not in use, the AC charging input 16 is connected to the outlet 18, and the AC charging output 20 is connected to the electric vehicle 12. Thus, the electric vehicle 12 is charged with the power provided via the outlet 18.

[0031] Alternatively, in a second embodiment of the method, the DC-AC converter 28 is coupled or connected to the AC charging output 20, and the DC charging input 26 is connected to the corresponding DC output 46 of the further vehicle 30 and the AC charging output 20 is connected to the electric vehicle 12 and the electric vehicle 12 is thus charged by the further vehicle 30.

[0032] The mobile charging device 10 shown can provide a reusable charger and cable for electric vehicles.

[0033] Reference symbol 10 Mobile charging device 12 electric vehicles 14 Battery 16 AC charging input 18 socket 20 AC charging output 22 Charging input 24 AC-AC circuit 26 DC charging input 28 DC-AC converters 30 additional vehicles 32 socket connectors 34 car plugs 36 cables 38 housings 40 jump start clamp 42 Charging vehicle connection 44 cables 46 DC output 48 cables

Claims

[1] A mobile charging device (10) for charging an electric vehicle (12), comprising an AC charging input (16) connectable to a socket (18) for charging, a vehicle-side AC charging output (20) connectable to a corresponding charging input (22) of the electric vehicle (10) for charging, and an AC-AC circuit (24) arranged between the AC charging input (16) and the AC charging output (20) and configured to transmit power provided by the socket (18) for charging the electric vehicle (10), wherein the mobile charging device (10) comprises a DC-AC converter (28) connectable to the AC charging output (20) and a DC charging input (26) configured to convert power from another vehicle (30) connected to the DC charging input (26) for charging the electric vehicle (10). [2] Mobile charging device (10) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the mobile charging device (10) is designed as a type 1 charger (10), wherein the AC charging input (16) is formed by a socket plug (32) and the AC charging output (20) is formed by a car plug (34), and these are each connected to a cable (36), one of which is connected to one end and the other to the other end of the AC circuit (24). [3] Mobile charging device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the DC-AC converter (28) is connected in series or parallel with the AC-AC circuit (24) in the coupled state. [4] Mobile charging device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the AC-AC circuit (24) is arranged in a housing (38) and the removable DC-AC converter (28) can be in the housing (38) in the coupled state or can be attached to the outside of the housing (38). [5] Mobile charging device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the DC charging input (26) is connected to the DC-AC converter (28) via a removable cable (44). [6] Mobile charging device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the DC charging input (26) for coupling to the further vehicle (30) comprises at least one jump start terminal (40) or a bidirectional vehicle charging connection (42). [7] Method for charging an electric vehicle (12) via a mobile charging device (10) according to one of the preceding claims. [8] Method according to claim 7, characterized by that a DC-AC converter (28) is disconnected and an AC charging input (16) is connected to a socket (18) and an AC charging output (20) is connected to the electric vehicle (12) and the electric vehicle (12) is thus charged via the socket (18). [9] Method according to claim 7, characterized bythat the DC-AC converter (28) is coupled to the AC charging output (20) and a DC charging input (26) is connected to the further vehicle (30), the AC charging output (20) is connected to the electric vehicle (12) and the electric vehicle (12) is thus charged by the further vehicle (30).

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