Method for charging a traction battery of a motor vehicle using a motor vehicle charging station, corresponding motor vehicle charging station and computer program product

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for charging a traction battery of a motor vehicle (2) with electrical energy supplied by an external vehicle charging station (1), wherein the vehicle charging station (1) has its own temperature control device (5) by means of which a fluid flow is generated, at least temporarily, during charging to maintain the temperature of the traction battery. It is provided that, using a vehicle size (determined by means of an environmental sensing device (7) of the vehicle charging station (1) that describes the motor vehicle (2), a temperature control parameter data set is selected from several temperature control parameter data sets, and a fluid flow parameter of the fluid flow is set to a fluid flow parameter stored in the selected temperature control parameter data set. The invention further relates to a vehicle charging station (1) and a computer program product.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for charging a traction battery of a motor vehicle with electrical energy supplied by an external vehicle charging station, wherein the vehicle charging station has its own temperature control device by means of which a fluid flow is generated, at least temporarily, during charging to maintain the temperature of the traction battery. The invention further relates to a vehicle charging station for charging a traction battery of a motor vehicle with electrical energy and to a computer program product.

[0002] For example, the prior art includes German patent application DE 10 2022 117 584 A1. This describes a cooling module for a charging station for a vehicle that is at least partially electrically powered, comprising a fan for generating an airflow; and a control unit; wherein the control unit has a data interface configured to receive vehicle data and / or charging station data and / or environmental data; and wherein the control unit is configured to control the fan based on the received vehicle data and / or charging station data and / or environmental data in order to cool a vehicle cooling module of the vehicle.

[0003] Furthermore, the document DE 10 2016 117 074 A1 discloses a vehicle charging station comprising: a cooling system configured to direct a cooling airflow to a section of a thermal management system on board an electrified vehicle, wherein the cooling system comprises a fan and a cooling arrangement.

[0004] Furthermore, German patent application DE 10 2021 104 941 A1 discloses a spraying device for providing evaporative cooling for a heat transfer device of a motor vehicle, wherein the described device has a nozzle arrangement of at least one nozzle which can be coupled to a fluid reservoir external to the vehicle and which can be positioned in a predetermined proximity to the heat transfer device, so that the heat transfer device can be sprayed at least partially during a spraying process by a fluid from the fluid reservoir which can be sprayed from the at least one nozzle of the nozzle arrangement.It is provided that the nozzle arrangement can be attached to the motor vehicle at least temporarily during the spraying process in the predetermined proximity to the heat transfer device; and / or that the nozzle arrangement is designed in such a way that the heat transfer device can be sprayed from different spraying positions by means of the nozzle arrangement during the spraying process.

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide a method for charging a traction battery of a motor vehicle with electrical energy supplied by an external vehicle charging station, which has advantages over known methods, in particular enabling effective temperature control of the traction battery during charging with minimal design effort for the motor vehicle.

[0006] According to the invention, this is achieved by a method for charging a traction battery of a motor vehicle with electrical energy supplied by an external vehicle charging station, comprising the features of claim 1. It is provided that, using a vehicle size described by the motor vehicle and determined by means of an environmental sensing device of the vehicle charging station, a temperature parameter data set is selected from several temperature parameter data sets, and a fluid flow parameter of the fluid flow is set to a fluid flow parameter value stored in the selected temperature parameter data set.

[0007] Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. It should be noted that the exemplary embodiments described in the description are not limiting; rather, any variations of the features disclosed in the description, the claims, and the figures are possible.

[0008] The method is used to charge the traction battery of a motor vehicle. The traction battery is an integral part of the motor vehicle. It is designed and configured for the intermediate storage of electrical energy for the vehicle's drive system. The drive system serves to propel the motor vehicle, i.e., to provide drive torque for propelling the vehicle. To provide this drive torque, the drive system has at least one drive unit, which is designed as an electric traction motor and is electrically connected to the traction battery.

[0009] The electrical energy temporarily stored in the traction battery is used, at least temporarily, to power the vehicle, i.e., to provide the drive torque directed towards propelling the vehicle by means of the drive system or drive unit. Conversely, it may be provided that electrical energy supplied by the drive system is temporarily stored in the traction battery. The vehicle is a motor vehicle that drives electrically, at least temporarily, and in particular purely electrically.

[0010] The vehicle's traction battery is charged using the vehicle's external charging station. Charging the traction battery primarily refers to recharging, i.e., supplying electrical energy to the battery. At least temporarily, charging therefore involves recharging. Additionally or alternatively, charging may also include discharging the traction battery. During discharging, electrical energy is extracted from the traction battery and supplied to the charging station. The term "charging" is thus a general term encompassing both charging and / or discharging.

[0011] Preferably, the vehicle charging station is designed and configured for fast charging of the traction battery. Since the vehicle charging station is not necessarily connected to a power grid that can provide sufficient electrical current at all times, it preferably has an electrical energy storage device. The vehicle is connected to the charging station either via a wired or wireless connection. In the former case, a fully conductive electrical connection between the vehicle and the charging station is preferably used. In the latter case, the connection is at least partially inductive.

[0012] The conductive connection is established, for example, via a charging cable that is electrically connected to the vehicle by means of a plug connector. The charging cable is preferably arranged on a movable charging arm that guides the cable so that it can pivot. Particularly preferably, the charging arm has an electric drive that moves the charging cable towards a charging port on the vehicle and / or in a direction specified by the vehicle user. This significantly simplifies establishing the electrical connection between the vehicle and the vehicle charging station.

[0013] During operation of the traction battery, particularly during charging, heat is generated within it, which must be dissipated, or heat must be supplied to reach a specific temperature. Accordingly, it is planned to temperature-control the traction battery at least temporarily during charging. Temperature control refers to cooling and / or heating. During temperature control, heat is at least temporarily removed from the traction battery, thus cooling it, and / or heat is at least temporarily supplied to the traction battery, thus heating it.

[0014] Temperature control is achieved, in particular, by maintaining the traction battery at a temperature at which charging can be carried out with the highest possible efficiency. This temperature control is performed using a temperature control unit. For example, the temperature control unit is integrated into the vehicle itself, meaning it is located on board the vehicle. To keep the traction battery within a desired temperature range, such as between 15 °C and 30 °C, regardless of ambient conditions, especially the ambient temperature, and regardless of the charging power used, a high temperature control capacity is necessary.

[0015] This means that the temperature control unit requires significant installation space. However, the traction battery is often charged with a comparatively low charging power, making high temperature control capacity unnecessary. Accordingly, for most charging cycles, it suffices to equip the vehicle's own temperature control unit with a relatively low capacity, allowing for a more compact design. However, if the traction battery needs to be charged with a high charging power and / or under unfavorable ambient conditions, the temperature control capacity is insufficient to reliably maintain the battery's temperature within the required range.

[0016] For this reason, the vehicle charging station is equipped with its own temperature control unit. This unit is located externally to the vehicle and is stationary. Since the temperature control unit is part of the charging station and not the vehicle itself, it is not subject to any restrictions regarding its installation space and / or weight. It can therefore be designed to ensure reliable temperature control of the traction battery even at high charging power and / or under adverse environmental conditions. It may be possible to control the traction battery exclusively using the charging station's own temperature control unit, or to operate the charging station's own temperature control unit in addition to the aforementioned vehicle-specific temperature control unit for controlling the traction battery.

[0017] The traction battery is temperature-controlled by the charging station's own temperature control unit by generating a fluid flow directed towards its temperature. This fluid flow consists of at least one fluid, preferably a gaseous fluid. Air, preferably ambient air from the vicinity of the vehicle charging station, is used as the gaseous fluid. The charging station's temperature control unit generates the fluid flow in such a way that the fluid flow controls the temperature of the traction battery or at least causes it to do so. For example, the fluid flow may flow directly towards and / or over the traction battery. In this case, the fluid flow directly controls the temperature of the traction battery.

[0018] However, the traction battery can also be cooled indirectly by the fluid flow, preferably by the flow towards, over, and / or through a heat exchanger that is connected to the traction battery for heat transfer. For example, the heat exchanger is cooled by a temperature control medium, which is tempered by the fluid flow. The temperature control medium circulates between the heat exchanger and the traction battery, so that the fluid flow is connected to the traction battery via the temperature control medium for heat transfer. However, simply generating the fluid flow is not sufficient to achieve reliable temperature control of the traction battery.

[0019] For this reason, the vehicle charging station is designed to first determine the vehicle size. This is done using the charging station's environmental sensing system. The charging station uses the environmental sensor to detect the surroundings in which the vehicle is located. The environmental sensing system includes at least one environmental sensor. In principle, the environmental sensor can be any type of sensor, such as an image sensor or camera. It is also possible for the environmental sensor to be a radar sensor, lidar sensor, or sonar sensor.

[0020] The radar sensor uses electromagnetic waves, the sonar sensor uses sound waves, and the lidar sensor uses light to detect the environment, particularly to identify vehicles within that environment. The sonar sensor, for example, is designed as an ultrasonic sensor, meaning it uses sound waves in the ultrasonic range. The radar sensor, sonar sensor, and lidar sensor are all reflectivity sensors, meaning they are active sensors that transmit an output signal into the environment and receive the reflected output signal as an input signal.

[0021] The vehicle size is chosen to describe the motor vehicle. For example, the vehicle size directly describes a vehicle class, make, and / or model. The vehicle size thus allows for the identification of the motor vehicle and, consequently, the precise adjustment of the fluid flow to the vehicle. Based on the vehicle size, the appropriate temperature control parameter set is selected from among several available sets. Each of these sets contains at least one fluid flow parameter value.

[0022] Wherever this description refers to temperature parameter datasets in the plural, it is understood that this does not imply any quantification. The temperature parameter datasets can contain any number of temperature parameter datasets, for example, just a single temperature parameter dataset or several temperature parameter datasets. The term "temperature parameter datasets" is therefore used synonymously with at least one temperature parameter dataset.

[0023] Preferably, the temperature control parameter data sets each contain the vehicle size or a value of the vehicle size, as well as the fluid flow parameter value. Accordingly, a suitable temperature control parameter data set can be selected for the vehicle based on the vehicle size determined using the environmental sensor, and the fluid flow can then be adjusted according to the fluid flow parameter value contained in the selected temperature control parameter data set. The fluid flow parameter is understood to be a parameter describing the fluid flow, for example, a fluid flow rate, a fluid temperature, or the like.

[0024] The temperature control parameter data sets are stored in a data storage device. This data storage device is, for example, part of the charging station's own temperature control unit or the vehicle charging station itself. However, it can also be located in an external computing unit that is separate from the vehicle charging station. The computing unit is connected to the vehicle charging station via a data transmission link. It can be configured that the vehicle charging station requests the temperature control parameter data set from the computing unit using the vehicle size, so that the selection of the temperature control parameter data set takes place in the computing unit and the selected data set is then provided to the vehicle charging station via the data transmission link.

[0025] However, it can also be provided that the computing unit transmits the temperature control parameter data sets to the vehicle charging station, preferably regularly or periodically, and that these are stored there in the data memory. In this case, the selection is made specifically from the temperature control parameter data sets stored in the data memory, i.e., in the vehicle charging station. Particularly preferably, the temperature control parameter data sets are made available by the computing unit to several vehicle charging stations. Each of the vehicle charging stations is designed analogously to the vehicle charging station described here, so reference is made to the corresponding details. The vehicle charging stations access the same temperature control parameter data sets to select the desired temperature control parameter set.This ensures efficient temperature control of the traction battery for all vehicle charging stations.

[0026] A further development of the invention provides that the motor vehicle has its own temperature control device, by means of which heat is exchanged, at least temporarily, between the traction battery and a heat exchanger to adjust the actual temperature of the traction battery towards a target temperature, wherein the traction battery is tempered by the fluid flow acting on the heat exchanger. The presence of the vehicle's own temperature control device has already been mentioned. This device is located on board the motor vehicle and is operated, at least temporarily, to temper the traction battery.

[0027] The temperature control unit includes a heat exchanger and is operated in such a way that heat is exchanged, at least intermittently, between the heat exchanger and the traction battery. For example, the temperature control medium circulates between the heat exchanger and the traction battery. The temperature control medium is, for example, a coolant. Preferably, the heat exchanger is a component of a chiller or a refrigeration unit. In this case, the temperature control medium can be a refrigerant. In any case, the traction battery is temperature-controlled by the fluid flow passing over the heat exchanger. This means that the fluid flow approaches, over, and / or through the heat exchanger, thereby exchanging heat between the fluid flow and the heat exchanger. This ensures efficient temperature control of the traction battery.

[0028] A further development of the invention provides that the fluid flow parameter value is adjusted based on a vehicle state variable describing a state of the vehicle and / or an environmental state variable describing the vehicle's surroundings and / or a charging variable describing the charging of the traction battery, in particular in a controlling and / or regulating manner, and / or that the selection of the temperature control parameter data set is carried out using the vehicle state variable and / or the environmental state variable and / or the charging variable. Thus, in addition to the vehicle size, the vehicle charging station also determines the vehicle state variable and / or the environmental state variable and / or the charging variable.

[0029] The vehicle state variable describes the state of the vehicle, specifically the state of the traction battery. Accordingly, a battery state variable can be used instead of the vehicle state variable, or the vehicle state variable can correspond to one. The environmental state variable describes the environment of the vehicle or the vehicle charging station. For example, ambient temperature is used as an environmental state variable. The charging variable, on the other hand, describes the charging of the traction battery. It therefore does not specifically concern the state of the traction battery, but rather the charging process itself. For example, the instantaneous charging power is used as a charging variable.

[0030] In a first variant of the method, the fluid flow parameter value is adjusted based on at least one of the aforementioned variables, i.e., depending on the vehicle state variable, the ambient state variable, and / or the load quantity. This adjustment is based, in particular, on the fluid flow parameter value stored in the selected temperature control parameter data set, which serves as a starting value. From this starting value, the fluid flow parameter value is further adapted to the vehicle, thus optimizing the fluid flow parameter value. The adjustment of the fluid flow parameter value is carried out, for example, in a controlling and / or regulating manner. In the latter case, the fluid flow parameter value is specifically adjusted so that the vehicle state variable, the ambient state variable, and / or the load quantity change towards a (respective) target value.

[0031] In a second variant, it is additionally or alternatively provided that the selection of the temperature control parameter data set is not solely dependent on the vehicle size, but also takes into account at least one of the aforementioned parameters: the vehicle state parameter, the environmental state parameter, and / or the load parameter. With this approach, the fluid flow parameter value is already adapted to the state of the vehicle, the traction battery, and / or the environment simply by selecting the temperature control parameter data set. In this variant as well, the fluid flow parameter value contained in the selected temperature control parameter data set can be used as a starting value, with the fluid flow parameter value being adjusted from this starting value based on at least one of the aforementioned parameters.This approach achieves a particularly effective optimization of the traction battery's temperature control.

[0032] A further development of the invention provides that at least one of the following parameters is used as a vehicle state parameter: battery charge level and battery temperature; and / or that at least one of the following parameters is used as an ambient state parameter: ambient temperature, humidity, and air pressure; and / or that at least one of the following parameters is used as a charging parameter: charging voltage, charging current, and charging power. It is possible that only one of the aforementioned parameters is used in each case. Preferably, however, the vehicle state parameter, the ambient state parameter, and the charging parameter each contain several of the aforementioned parameters, in particular all of the respective parameters. This results in a particularly effective adaptation of the fluid flow parameter value.

[0033] A further development of the invention provides that at least one of the following dimensions is used as the vehicle size: vehicle class, vehicle make, vehicle model, vehicle geometry, and vehicle owner-specific dimensions. The vehicle class is, for example, a class according to the EU vehicle categories. The vehicle make specifies, in particular, the manufacturer of the motor vehicle, and the vehicle model indicates a series and / or a year of manufacture of the motor vehicle. The vehicle geometry refers, in particular, to the shape and / or size of the motor vehicle.

[0034] The vehicle-owner-specific parameter only indirectly relates to the motor vehicle and additionally identifies the vehicle's owner. A vehicle-owner-specific parameter is, for example, a license plate affixed to the vehicle, which identifies both the vehicle and its owner. Using the vehicle-owner-specific parameter allows for particularly precise individualization of the fluid flow.

[0035] A further development of the invention provides that one of the following parameters is used as a fluid flow parameter: flow direction, flow division, flow temperature, flow velocity, flow rate, and flow composition. Again, it is possible that only one of the aforementioned parameters is used as a fluid flow parameter. Preferably, however, several or even all of the parameters are used as fluid flow parameters. The flow direction describes the orientation of the fluid flow, particularly relative to the vehicle charging station and / or the vehicle. By adjusting the flow direction through appropriate selection of the fluid flow parameter value, the fluid flow can, for example, be directed towards a fluid inlet of the vehicle.

[0036] The flow splitting describes, in particular, how many partial flows the fluid flow is to be divided into. These partial flows are understood to be separate flows that are individually adjustable, and in particular, individually directional. For example, the flow splitting is selected such that each fluid inlet of the vehicle is supplied with a separate partial flow. In this respect, the flow splitting specifies, for example, the number of partial flows, which preferably corresponds to the number of fluid inlets of the vehicle. The flow temperature describes the temperature of the fluid flow, and the flow velocity describes its velocity, preferably for each of the partial flows (if any) separately.The flow rate is a mass flow and / or a volume flow of the fluid flow, thus indicating the quantity of fluid per unit of time that is dispensed in the form of fluid flow towards the vehicle by the charging station's own temperature control unit.

[0037] The flow composition describes the chemical and / or physical composition of the fluid flow. For example, the flow composition specifies the proportion of a liquid in the fluid flow. Preferably, at least one other fluid is added to the fluid flow. The fluid in question is, in particular, a gaseous fluid, while the other fluid is a liquid. Adding the liquid fluid results in particularly effective temperature control. Specifically, the enthalpy of vaporization of the other fluid is used for temperature control. Preferably, the other fluid has a higher specific heat capacity than the fluid in question. Overall, using one or more of the aforementioned parameters as fluid flow parameters achieves particularly efficient temperature control of the traction battery.

[0038] A further development of the invention provides that the vehicle state variable is transmitted via a communication link established between the vehicle charging station and the vehicle. This communication link can be either wired or wireless. Unidirectional or bidirectional data transmission between the vehicle and the vehicle charging station is possible via this link. The vehicle state variable is transmitted from the vehicle to the vehicle charging station in this way and used there to adjust the fluid flow parameter value. This also achieves the advantages already mentioned.

[0039] A further development of the invention provides that a control command stored in the temperature control parameter data set is transmitted from the vehicle charging station to the vehicle via the communication link and executed by the vehicle. The control command is used to adjust at least one of the following parameters: flap position, fluid inlet cross-section, and temperature control capacity of the vehicle's own temperature control unit. The vehicle charging station generates the control command and transmits it to the vehicle. The generation of the control command depends on one of the following parameters: vehicle size, vehicle state parameter, ambient state parameter, and charge size.

[0040] The control command contains an instruction to operate the motor vehicle, in particular to operate an actuator of the motor vehicle. When the motor vehicle executes the control command, at least one of the aforementioned parameters is adjusted: the flap position, the fluid inlet cross-section, and / or the temperature control capacity. The flap position refers, for example, to the position of a flap located upstream of the heat exchanger. The flap is specifically located at a fluid inlet of the motor vehicle and, depending on its position, obscures the fluid inlet to varying degrees. The fluid inlet cross-section refers to the cross-section or cross-sectional area present between the vehicle charging station and the traction battery or the heat exchanger on the motor vehicle side.The fluid inlet cross-section therefore describes, for example, the size of the vehicle's fluid inlet and / or its shape. It may also be possible for the flap position to define the fluid inlet cross-section.

[0041] Both the flap position and the fluid inlet cross-section are set to a first value during charging and to a second value after charging, which differs from the first. The first value is chosen so that the vehicle exerts the lowest possible drag on the fluid flow. The second value, on the other hand, is chosen so that the vehicle exhibits the lowest possible drag while driving, i.e., its drag coefficient (Cd) is as low as possible. In this respect, the vehicle is optimized for temperature control of the traction battery using the fluid flow, via the control command. Additionally or alternatively, the control command affects the temperature control capacity of the vehicle's own temperature control system. The temperature control capacity is specifically set so that the fluid flow cools the traction battery particularly effectively.In any case, a particularly high efficiency is achieved for temperature control of the traction battery, since not only is the fluid flow generated by the vehicle charging station adjusted, but the vehicle is also adjusted to the fluid flow.

[0042] A further development of the invention provides that the adjusted fluid flow parameter value, together with the vehicle size, is stored in an additional temperature control parameter data set, which is added to the existing temperature control parameter data sets. Thus, if the fluid flow parameter value is changed or adjusted from the initial value, the adjusted fluid flow parameter value is saved in the temperature control parameter data set, or the fluid flow parameter value present there is updated. The updated temperature control parameter data set forms the additional temperature control parameter data set, which is assigned to the existing temperature control parameter data sets. Preferably, the additional temperature control parameter data set is also transmitted to the computing unit. Particularly preferably, it is also made available by the computing unit to other vehicle charging stations.This results in a gradual optimization of the temperature control parameter data sets or a gradual adaptation to different motor vehicles.

[0043] The invention further relates to a vehicle charging station for charging a traction battery of a motor vehicle with electrical energy, in particular for carrying out the method according to the explanations in this description, wherein the vehicle charging station has an integrated temperature control device which is designed and configured to generate a fluid flow that regulates the temperature of the traction battery, at least temporarily, during charging. The vehicle charging station is designed and configured to select a temperature control parameter data set from several temperature control parameter data sets using a vehicle size described by an environmental sensing device of the vehicle charging station, and to adjust a fluid flow parameter of the fluid flow to a fluid flow parameter value stored in the selected temperature control parameter data set.

[0044] The advantages of such a design for the vehicle charging station and the associated procedure have already been mentioned. Both the vehicle charging station and the procedure for its operation can be further developed as explained in this description, and reference is made to these explanations where relevant.

[0045] Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer program product comprising commands that cause the vehicle charging station to execute the described method as outlined in this description. For the advantages and possible advantageous embodiments, reference is made to the description in its entirety.

[0046] The features and combinations of features described in the description, in particular the features and combinations of features described in the following figure description and / or shown in the figures, can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without leaving the scope of the invention, in particular the scope of the claims.

[0047] Therefore, embodiments which are not explicitly shown or explained in the description and / or the figures, but which emerge from or can be derived from the explained embodiments, in particular within the scope of the claims, are also to be considered as being covered by the invention.

[0048] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing, without limiting the invention. The only embodiment shown is... Fig. 1 A schematic representation of a motor vehicle charging station which provides electrical energy for charging a traction battery of a motor vehicle.

[0049] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle charging station 1 and a vehicle 2 parked next to the charging station 1. The charging station 1 is used to charge the traction battery of the vehicle 2, which is not shown in detail. The vehicle 2 is conductively connected to the charging station 1 via a charging cable 3. Electrical energy is supplied to the vehicle 2, and thus also to its traction battery, via the charging cable 3 and temporarily stored in the traction battery.

[0050] The vehicle 2 has two fluid inlets 4 through which it draws in ambient air during operation. This ambient air is fed to a heat exchanger, which is thermally coupled to the traction battery 2. Heat can be dissipated from the traction battery via the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger, and the fluid inlets 4, are part of a vehicle-integrated temperature control system designed to regulate the temperature of the traction battery. However, since the temperature control capacity of this system is sometimes insufficient when the vehicle 2 is stationary to raise the actual temperature of the traction battery to a target temperature that allows for particularly efficient charging, the vehicle charging station 1 also has a temperature control system 5. This is also referred to as the charging station's own temperature control system 5.

[0051] The temperature control unit 5 has at least one fluid outlet 6, and in the embodiment shown here, several fluid outlets 6. Where the description refers to the fluid outlet 6 in the singular, the descriptions naturally apply to each of the multiple fluid outlets 6, if present. The vehicle charging station 1 discharges a fluid flow towards the vehicle 2 via the fluid outlet 6. In particular, the fluid flow is directed such that it enters the fluid inlet 4. Preferably, each of the fluid outlets 6 is directed such that a partial flow exiting it flows directly towards the respective fluid inlet 4. The fluid flow, or each of the partial flows, is directed by adjusting the fluid outlet 6 accordingly so that it flows towards the respective fluid inlet 4.

[0052] The vehicle charging station 1 also has an environmental sensing device 7. This device has at least one environmental sensor by means of which the environment of the vehicle charging station 1 is detected. Using the environmental sensing device 7, a vehicle size is determined, which describes the vehicle 2. For example, the vehicle size is a vehicle class, a vehicle make, a vehicle model, a vehicle geometry, or a vehicle owner-specific dimension. After the vehicle size has been determined using the environmental sensing device 7, a temperature parameter data set is selected from several temperature parameter data sets based on the vehicle size. The several temperature parameter data sets are preferably stored in a data memory 8 of the vehicle charging station 1.

[0053] Each temperature control parameter data set contains a value for a fluid flow parameter, which describes the fluid flow generated by the temperature control unit 5. The fluid flow is generated according to the fluid flow parameter value. Examples of fluid flow parameters include the direction of the fluid flow, the division of the fluid flow into several sub-flows, the temperature of the fluid flow, the velocity of the fluid flow, the throughput of the fluid flow, or the composition of the fluid flow.

[0054] Preferably, the vehicle charging station 1 is connected to a computer 9 via a data transmission connection. The temperature control parameter data sets stored in the data memory 8 are periodically transmitted from the computer 9 to the vehicle charging station 1. Additionally or alternatively, the vehicle charging station 1 transmits the temperature control parameter data sets stored in the data memory 8 to the computer 9 at least once, preferably also periodically. The computer 9 then makes the temperature control parameter data sets available to other vehicle charging stations 1 or transmits them to these stations.

[0055] The described design of the vehicle charging station 1 achieves a particularly effective and efficient charging of the traction battery. Specifically, the traction battery is externally temperature-controlled, namely by means of the fluid flow generated by the vehicle charging station 1. The fluid flow is adapted to the vehicle 2 and preferably also to the ambient conditions of the vehicle 2. REFERENCE MARK LIST: 1 vehicle charging station 2 motor vehicles 3 charging cables 4 Fluid inlet 5 Temperature control unit 6 Fluid outlet 7 Environmental sensing device 8 Data storage 9 Computer equipment QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2022 117 584 A1

[0002] DE 10 2016 117 074 A1

[0003] DE 10 2021 104 941 A1

[0004]

Claims

Method for charging a traction battery of a motor vehicle (2) with electrical energy provided by an external motor vehicle charging station (1), wherein the motor vehicle charging station (1) has a charging station-specific temperature control device (5) by means of which a fluid flow temperature control of the traction battery is generated at least temporarily during charging, characterized in that, using a vehicle size describing the motor vehicle (2) determined by means of an environment detection device (7) of the motor vehicle charging station (1), a temperature control parameter data set is selected from several temperature control parameter data sets and a fluid flow parameter of the fluid flow is set to a fluid flow parameter stored in the selected temperature control parameter data set. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the motor vehicle (2) has a vehicle-integrated temperature control device by means of which heat is exchanged at least temporarily between the traction battery and a heat exchanger to adjust an actual temperature of the traction battery towards a target temperature, wherein the traction battery is tempered by applying the fluid flow to the heat exchanger. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid flow parameter value is adapted based on a vehicle state variable describing a state of the motor vehicle (2) and / or an environment state variable describing an environment of the motor vehicle (2) and / or an environment state variable describing an environment of the motor vehicle (2) and / or a charge variable describing the charging of the traction battery, and / or that the selection of the temperature control parameter data set is carried out using the additional vehicle state variable and / or the environment state variable and / or the charge variable. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the following parameters is used as a vehicle state parameter: battery charge level and battery temperature; and / or that at least one of the following parameters is used as an ambient state parameter: ambient temperature, humidity and air pressure; and / or that at least one of the following parameters is used as a charging parameter: charging voltage, charging current and charging power. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the following sizes is used as the vehicle size: vehicle class, vehicle make, vehicle model, vehicle geometry and vehicle owner-specific size. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the following parameters is used as the fluid flow parameter: flow orientation, flow division, flow temperature, flow velocity, flow rate and flow composition. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vehicle state variable is transmitted via a communication link established between the vehicle charging station (1) and the vehicle (2). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a control command stored in the temperature control parameter data set is transmitted via the communication link from the vehicle charging station (1) to the vehicle (2) and is executed by the vehicle (2), wherein the control command is a command to adjust at least one of the following parameters: flap position, fluid inlet cross-section and temperature control performance of the vehicle's own temperature control unit. A vehicle charging station (1) for charging a traction battery of a motor vehicle (2) with electrical energy, in particular for carrying out the method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle charging station (1) has a charging station-specific temperature control device (5) which is provided and configured to generate a fluid flow that tempers the traction battery at least temporarily during charging, characterized in that the vehicle charging station (1) is provided and configured to select a temperature control parameter data set from several temperature control parameter data sets using a vehicle size described by means of an environment detection device (7) of the vehicle charging station (1) and to set a fluid flow parameter of the fluid flow to a fluid flow parameter value stored in the selected temperature control parameter data set. Computer program product comprising commands that cause the motor vehicle charging station (1) according to claim 9 to execute the method according to one or more of claims 1 to 8.

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