System for charging electric vehicles and method for charging electric vehicles

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (300) for charging electric vehicles (150, 250), comprising at least one first device (100) and at least one second device (200), wherein the at least one first device (100) has at least one central control unit (310), wherein the at least one central control unit (310) is configured to control the charging of at least one first electric vehicle (150) by means of the at least one first device (100) and the charging of at least one second electric vehicle (250) by means of the at least one second device (200), in that the at least one central control unit (310) communicates with at least one first charge controller (110) of the at least one first device (100) and with at least one second charge controller (210) of the at least one second device (200) such that a charging power for charging the respective electric vehicle (150, 250) is determined by the respective charge controllers (110, 2 ...210), as well as a procedure for charging electric vehicles (150, 250).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a system for charging electric vehicles and a method for charging electric vehicles.

[0002] Charging stations are frequently used in public and private charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. At a single location, such as a rest area, company premises, or parking garage, several charging stations are typically provided side by side. Each charging station usually includes components such as a terminal that allow for individual initiation and payment of a charging process. While this increases customer convenience, as customers can initiate and pay for the charging process at their respective charging station, it also leads to higher product costs, since the components must be installed in each charging station.

[0003] The technical problem is to create a system and a process for charging electric vehicles that can be operated with lower product costs.

[0004] The solution to the technical problem is provided by the articles with the features of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0005] A system for charging electric vehicles is proposed, comprising at least one first device and at least one second device, wherein the at least one first device has at least one central control unit, wherein the at least one central control unit is configured to control the charging of at least one first electric vehicle by means of the at least one first device and the charging of at least one second electric vehicle by means of the at least one second device, by communicating with at least one first charge controller of the at least one first device and with at least one second charge controller of the at least one second device in such a way that a charging power for the charging of the respective electric vehicle is regulated by the respective charge controllers.

[0006] Furthermore, a procedure for charging electric vehicles is proposed, comprising the following steps: - Charging at least one first electric vehicle using at least one first device and - Charging at least one second electric vehicle using at least one second device, wherein the method is carried out by a system according to an embodiment described in this disclosure. The method can, for example, be executed as a control program on which at least one central control unit is executed.

[0007] The features, technical effects and advantages explained in this disclosure for the plant naturally also apply to the process and vice versa.

[0008] The system has the advantage that not every device in the system requires a separate control unit for managing electric vehicle charging; instead, a central control unit handles this task. Ideally, only one central control unit is needed to manage charging processes across all devices in the system. This reduces product costs. Furthermore, the central control unit does not need to manage loads, as the charging power is determined independently by the respective charge controller in each device. In particular, the system can be modularly expanded to include numerous additional devices, with charging still controlled by the central control unit.

[0009] The first device can be called the primary device, since it contains the central control unit. The at least one second device can be called the secondary device, since it does not contain a central control unit. The system can, in particular, comprise a plurality of secondary devices. These plurality of secondary devices can, for example, be arranged in a star-shaped configuration around the first device.

[0010] Each of the devices – i.e., both the first device and at least one second device – can have its own power supply connection and / or its own voltage source to provide the charging power for the respective electric vehicle. Each device can, for example, be configured as a charging station. Each device can have at least one charging point. The charging point can be, for example, a charging socket and / or a charging plug. The charging point can also be referred to as a charging point. For example, the first and / or second electric vehicle is connected to the respective device via the charging point. In particular, each device can have at least one current measuring device, such as a DC meter, to determine the amount of current supplied.

[0011] The central control unit can be designed as or comprise a microcontroller. The central control unit can also be referred to as the main control unit or "main controller". The central control unit can communicate with the respective charge controller, for example, via at least one communication device. This will be explained in more detail below. Charging can be controlled by means of the at least one first device and / or charging by means of the at least one second device by communicating to the respective charge controller that a device, in particular a charging point, is enabled, a charging process is started, and / or a charging process is stopped. The central control unit can be configured to generate at least one control signal and output it to the respective charge controller, for example, via the communication device. The control signal can be, for example,The control unit can receive a release signal to enable the respective device, a start signal to initiate a charging process, and / or a stop signal to halt a charging process. Furthermore, the control unit can be configured to receive at least one status signal from the respective charge controller, for example, via the communication device. The status signal can include one or more parameters of the respective charge controller. A parameter could be, for example, the occupancy status of the charging points of the respective device, the progress of the charging process of the respective electric vehicle, and / or the amount of current supplied.

[0012] The respective charge controller can, for example, be designed as or incorporate a microcontroller. The respective charge controller can also be referred to as a "charge controller." For instance, the charge controller of the respective device can control a voltage converter in such a way that, for example, the current for charging is provided at a voltage level suitable for the respective electric vehicle. The charging power for the respective electric vehicle is regulated by the respective charge controller by, for example, adjusting the current and voltage according to the charging requirements of the electric vehicle.

[0013] When an electric vehicle is connected to a device in the system, it can communicate with the respective charge controller via standardized protocols. The status signal from the charge controller can be sent to the central control unit based on the communication with the connected electric vehicle. Furthermore, a charging request can be defined through communication with the electric vehicle. For example, the charging request can specify the maximum charging power the electric vehicle can accept. The respective charge controller can then regulate the charging power according to this request. If the charge controller receives a control signal from the central control unit, such as a start signal, it can, for example,The charging controller activates an electrical switch between the device and the respective electric vehicle, thus establishing an electrical connection between the device and the respective electric vehicle. To end the charging process, the charging controller can activate the electrical switch again to disconnect the electrical connection between the device and the respective electric vehicle.

[0014] Communication between the central control unit and the respective charge controller can be wired, e.g., via Ethernet, and / or wireless, e.g., via Bluetooth, 4G, and / or 5G. The first device and at least one second device can each have at least one communication interface for this purpose.

[0015] In one embodiment, each device has at least one battery for providing charging power. This allows the system to operate independently of a connection to the power grid. In particular, each device has at least one voltage converter, especially a DC / DC converter and / or AC / DC converter. Using the charge controller, the current from the battery can be regulated in the voltage converter to a voltage level suitable for the respective electric vehicle. The battery can have a capacity of 10 kWh to 500 kWh, preferably a capacity of 100 kWh to 250 kWh. These capacities have proven particularly suitable for charging electric vehicles. The battery can be charged, for example, via the power grid connection when needed. Alternatively or cumulatively, the battery can also be charged via an electric vehicle in bidirectional operation and / or from a renewable energy source, e.g.,a solar panel.

[0016] In one embodiment, each device of the system is mobile. This allows the devices to be positioned and arranged at a freely selectable location as needed. In particular, the devices can be transported as required to move them from one location to another. "Mobile" specifically means that the devices are not permanently installed. "Mobile" can also mean that the devices are independent of a power grid – for example, through the battery described earlier.

[0017] In one embodiment, the at least one first device has at least one central human-machine interface, wherein the at least one central human-machine interface is configured to communicate at least one first input for charging the at least one first electric vehicle and at least one second input for charging the at least one second electric vehicle to the at least one central control unit, wherein the at least one central control unit generates at least one control signal depending on the respective input and outputs it to the respective charging controller. In this way, inputs relating to charging by means of a specific device can be made centrally at the first device. In particular, the at least one second device does not have a human-machine interface. The central human-machine interface can, for example, be a touchscreen.The central human-machine interface can be located, for example, on the outside of the housing of the first device. This interface can be a user interface through which a user can enter the first and second inputs. For example, a first user can enter the first input to charge at least one electric vehicle, and a second user can enter the second input to charge at least one other electric vehicle, with both inputs being communicated to the central control unit. Each input can represent, for example, the selection of a specific device and / or the initiation of a charging process. Furthermore, each input can represent, for example, the starting and / or stopping of a charging process. Each input can be entered, for example, by pressing a button on the central human-machine interface.The generated control signal can be, for example, a start signal if the input represents the start of the charging process. The generated control signal can also be, for example, a stop signal if the input represents the stop of the charging process. In particular, the central control unit can communicate one or more parameters of a received status signal to the human-machine interface (HMI) to display the parameters, for example, on the HMI user interface. For instance, the HMI can display the current occupancy status of the charging points of the respective device, the progress of the charging process of the respective electric vehicle, and / or the amount of current supplied.

[0018] In one embodiment, the at least one first device has at least one central payment device, wherein the at least one central control device is configured to bill the electricity supplied to the respective charging device via the at least one central payment device. In this way, payment for the supplied electricity can be made centrally. The at least one central payment device can, for example, be a card reader terminal. Billing via the central control device can, for example, include the respective charge controller communicating the amount of supplied electricity as a status signal to the at least one central control device. The charge controller and / or the central control device can convert the amount of supplied electricity, e.g., from kWh, into a payable amount using a known electricity tariff. The payable amount can then be entered at the central payment device.Payment will be made by the user via credit card.

[0019] In one embodiment, the at least one first device has at least one central communication device, wherein the at least one central communication device is configured to provide both internal communication between the at least one central control device and at least one component of the at least one first device, and external communication between the at least one central control device and at least one component of the at least one second device. In this way, internal and external communication can be handled via the central communication device. The central communication device can, for example, be an Ethernet switch. The central control device can be connected to the central communication device via a cable, for example, an Ethernet cable.The components of the first device and / or the second device can also be connected to the central communication unit via a cable, for example, another Ethernet cable. The component could be, for example, the charge controller of the respective device. However, the component could also be a central unit, such as the previously described central human-machine interface and / or the central payment terminal. The central communication unit can act as the master, with at least one second device being integrated into the system as a slave. In particular, a large number of second devices can be connected to the central control unit via the central communication unit. This increases the scalability of the system.

[0020] In one embodiment, the system comprises a plurality of second devices, wherein communication between the at least one first device and the plurality of second devices is serial. In this way, it is not necessary to connect every second device directly to the central device. For example, the plurality of second devices can be arranged in a row along a street or in a parking lot, so that, due to the serial communication, the first device does not need to be directly connected to every second device, but rather the communication can be relayed from device to device. This allows, for example, long communication paths between the central control unit and the plurality of second devices to be bridged. In particular, one or more of the second devices in the serial arrangement can serve as signal amplifiers, for example, to amplify the signal.to facilitate communication with the central control unit. This is particularly advantageous for wireless communication between the devices.

[0021] In one embodiment, the at least one second device has at least one signaling device that indicates the occupancy status of the at least one second device as a function of at least one control signal from the at least one central control unit. In this way, for example, the availability of the second device can be quickly indicated without requiring, for example, a control unit and / or a human-machine interface in the second device. The signaling device can, for example, be arranged on the outside of a housing of the second device. The occupancy status can, for example, be the current availability or unavailability of the second device. The signaling device can be an LED that indicates the occupancy status by, for example, light. For instance, green light can indicate current availability and red light can indicate current unavailability.In particular, the second device can have at least one signaling device for each charging point of the second device. The at least one central control unit can be configured to communicate at least one control signal to the at least one signaling device, which indicates the occupancy status to be displayed. For example, the control signal is generated in response to a received status signal from the respective charge controller. Naturally, the first device can also have the at least one signaling device, mutatis mutandis.

[0022] In one embodiment, the at least one central control unit is configured to communicate with at least one external device, wherein the at least one external device communicates at least one first input for charging the at least one first electric vehicle and / or at least one second input for charging the at least one second electric vehicle to the at least one central control unit, wherein the at least one central control unit generates at least one control signal depending on the respective input and outputs it to the respective charge controller. In this way, users can, for example, start and stop charging processes via the external device. This makes controlling the charging process independent of the previously described human-machine interface. The external device can, for example,A server communicates with users' mobile devices to receive input from the user on the device and forward it to the central control unit. In particular, the input can include reserving a charging point at a specific device. This allows users, for example, to reserve a charging point before arriving at the device to ensure its availability. The central communication unit can receive the input via a central receiver unit. The first unit can be the central receiver unit. Naturally, the central receiver unit can also be configured to send signals, for example, to confirm a reservation using a transmission signal.

[0023] The invention is explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments. The figures show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a system for charging electric vehicles, Fig. 2 a schematic representation of another embodiment of a system for charging electric vehicles and Fig. 3 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a method for charging electric vehicles.

[0024] In the following, identical reference symbols denote elements with the same technical characteristics.

[0025] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a system 300 for charging several electric vehicles designed as passenger cars 150, 151, 250, 251.

[0026] The illustrated embodiment of system 300 comprises a first device 100 configured as a charging station and a second device 200, also configured as a charging station. Devices 100 and 200 each comprise several charging points 160, 161, 260, 261 configured as charging bays, to which electric vehicles 150, 150, 250, 251 can be connected. The first device 100 can be referred to as the primary charging station, since it has a central control unit 310 configured as a microcontroller. The second device 200, on the other hand, can be referred to as the secondary charging station, since charging processes at the second device 200 are controlled by the central control unit 310.

[0027] The central control unit 310 is designed to control the charging of a first electric vehicle 150 and / or a second first electric vehicle 151, as well as the charging of a second electric vehicle 250 and / or a second second electric vehicle 251. For this purpose, the central control unit 310 communicates with a first charge controller 110 and a second charge controller 210.

[0028] The first device 100 comprises the first charge controller 110, which is configured to regulate the charging power for charging the first electric vehicle 150 and / or the second first electric vehicle 151. The second device 200 comprises the second charge controller 210, which is configured to regulate the charging power for charging the second electric vehicle 250 and / or the second second electric vehicle 251. The charge controllers 110 and 210 can regulate the charging power by means of control signals R1 and R2, which, for example, specify a voltage conversion at a voltage converter 125 or 225 configured as a DC / DC converter in the respective device 100 or 200.

[0029] The first device 100 further comprises a battery 120 designed as a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of two hundred kWh. The battery 120 is configured to provide the charging power for charging the first electric vehicle 150 and / or the second first electric vehicle 151. The second device 200 also comprises a battery 220 designed as a lithium-ion battery, which is configured to provide the charging power for charging the respective second electric vehicle 250, 251. The current flow to the electric vehicles 150, 151, 250, 251 is in Fig. 1 represented by dashed lines.

[0030] The devices 100, 200 each further comprise a current determination device 140, 240 designed as a DC meter, which is designed to determine the amount of current that is provided for charging the respective electric vehicle 150, 151, 250, 251 via, for example, the batteries 120, 220.

[0031] The first device 100 and the second device 200 are designed to be mobile. This allows the system 300 to be used at different locations and the devices 100 and 200 to be arranged at one location as needed.

[0032] The system 300 further comprises a central human-machine interface 320 designed as a touchscreen, which is configured to communicate user inputs E1 and E2 to the central control unit 310. For example, the central human-machine interface 320 can communicate a first input E1 to charge the first electric vehicle 150 and a second input E2 to charge the second electric vehicle 250 to the central control unit 310. The inputs E1 and E2 can, for example, represent the start of a charging process for the respective electric vehicles 150 and 250.

[0033] The system 300 further includes a central payment device 330, which is designed to bill for the electricity supplied at the respective device 100, 200, or for charging the respective electric vehicle 151, 150, 250, 251. For this purpose, the central control unit 310 can convert the amount payable, e.g., from the quantity of electricity in kWh via a pre-defined electricity tariff, into a payable amount B1, B2. A first amount B1 can, for example, relate to the charging process of the first electric vehicle 150, and a second amount B2 can, for example, relate to the charging process of the second electric vehicle 151, 250, or 251.

[0034] The system 300 further comprises a central communication device 340 configured as an Ethernet switch, which is designed to provide both internal communication between the central control unit 310 and the first charge controller 110, and external communication between the central control unit 310 and the second charge controller 210. For this purpose, the communication device 340 has several central communication interfaces 341 to 344 to which the charge controllers 110, 210, as well as other components of the respective device 100, 200, can be connected. The connection between the components and the central communication device 340 can be established, for example, via an Ethernet cable. The Ethernet cable can be plugged, for example, into an input interface 270 of the second device 200.

[0035] The second device 200 further comprises a signaling device 230 designed as an LED, which indicates the occupancy status of the second device 200 depending on at least one control signal from the central control unit 310. This allows the availability of the second device 200 to be quickly displayed to a user.

[0036] The system 300 further comprises an external device 400 configured as a server, which is configured to communicate a first input E1 for charging the first electric vehicle 150 and / or at least a second input E2 for charging the second electric vehicle 250 to the central control unit 310. This allows users to start and stop charging processes via the external device 400, for example, without having to operate the central human-machine interface 320. Reservations for charging points 160, 161, 260, and 262 can also be made via the external device 400. For wireless communication between the central control unit 310 and the external device 400, the first device 100 comprises a central receiver 350. The receiver 350 can also be used, in particular, for sending signals.For example, by sending the signals, payment transactions can be processed via the external device 400 (not shown) without having to operate the central payment device 330.

[0037] The central control unit 310 can generate charging point-specific control signals C1, C2 to control the charging processes.

[0038] The control signal C1 is generated by the central control unit 310, for example, when a user provides an input E1 to charge the first electric vehicle 150 via the external device 400 or the central human-machine interface 320. The control signal C1 is then sent to the first charge controller 110, which then regulates the charging power for charging the first electric vehicle 150.

[0039] The control signal C2 is generated by the central control unit 310 when a user provides an input E2 to charge the second electric vehicle 250 via the external device 400 or the central human-machine interface 320. The control signal C2 is then sent to the second charge controller 210, which then regulates the charging power for charging the second electric vehicle 250.

[0040] For example, the previously explained control signals R1, R2 can only be generated when the respective control signals C1, C2 enable this.

[0041] Status signals A1 and A2 are generated by charge controllers 110 and 210, for example, when a charging process is completed at charging points 160, 161, 260, and 262. Status signal A1 is sent to the central control unit 310 when the charging process at the first device 100 is completed. Status signal A2 is sent to the central control unit 310 when the charging process at the second device 200 is completed.

[0042] The central control unit 310 can monitor the charging progress of the electric vehicles 150, 151 and 250, 251, in particular based on the status signals A1 and A2.

[0043] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of a system 300 for charging several electric vehicles designed as passenger cars 150, 151, 250, 251.

[0044] The in Fig. The plant shown in section 2, number 300, in contrast to the one shown in Fig. In the system shown in Figure 1, a plurality of second devices 200 are provided, wherein communication between the first device 100 and the plurality of second devices 200 is serial. This eliminates the need to directly connect the first device 100 to each second device 200. For this purpose, each second device 200 has an input interface 270 and an output interface 271 to enable serial communication from the first device 100 to the second devices 200.

[0045] For the sake of clarity, in Fig. Figure 2 shows the charging of electric vehicles 250, 251 only for one of the two second devices 200. Of course, the charging of second electric vehicles 250, 251 at all second devices 200 can be controlled using serial communication. Furthermore, for clarity, the communication between the first device 100 and the second devices 200 is shown only for one second device 200 of the plurality of second devices 200, and the remaining arrows are not fully extended.

[0046] Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a method for charging electric vehicles 150, 250. The method is carried out by an embodiment of an installation 300 (see Figure 3). Fig. 1 and Fig. 2).

[0047] In step S1 of the procedure, several first electric vehicles 150, 151 are charged by means of a first device 100 of the plant 300.

[0048] In step S2, several second electric vehicles 250, 251 are charged using a second device 100 of the system 300.

[0049] Steps S1 and S2 are controlled by a central control unit 310 of the system 300, which is installed in the first device 100. Steps S1 and S2 can be executed in parallel. Reference symbol list 100 first device 110 first charge controller 120 Battery of the first device 125 first voltage converter 140 first current determining device 150 first electric vehicle 151 more first electric vehicle 160 first charging point 161 more first charging points 200 second device 210 second charge controller 220 Battery of the second device 225 second voltage converter 230 Signaling device 240 second current determining device 250 second electric vehicle 251 additional second electric vehicle 260 second charging point 261 additional second charging points 270 Input interface 271 Output interface 300 charging stations for electric vehicles 310 central control unit 320 central human-machine interface 330 central payment facility 340 central communication facility 341 to 344 central communication interface 350 central receiver unit 400 external facilities A1 first status signal A2 second status signal B1 first amount B2 second amount C1 first control signal C2 second control signal E1 first entry E2 second input R1 first control signal R2 second control signal S1 step S2 step

Claims

[1] A device (300) for charging electric vehicles (150, 250), comprising at least one first device (100) and at least one second device (200), wherein the at least one first device (100) has at least one central control unit (310), wherein the at least one central control unit (310) is configured to control the charging of at least one first electric vehicle (150) by means of the at least one first device (100) and the charging of at least one second electric vehicle (250) by means of the at least one second device (200), by communicating with at least one first charge controller (110) of the at least one first device (100) and with at least one second charge controller (210) of the at least one second device (200) in such a way that a charging power for charging the respective electric vehicle (150, 250) is regulated by the respective charge controllers (110, 210). [2] Plant (300) according to claim 1, characterized by , that each device (100, 200) has at least one battery (120, 220) to provide the charging power for charging the respective electric vehicle (150, 250). [3] Plant (300) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that each device (100, 200) of the plant (300) is designed to be mobile. [4] Annex (300) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the at least one first device (100) has at least one central human-machine interface (320), wherein the at least one central human-machine interface (320) is configured to communicate at least one first input (E1) for charging the at least one first electric vehicle (150) and at least one second input (E2) for charging the at least one second electric vehicle (250) to the at least one central control unit (310), wherein the at least one central control unit (310) generates at least one control signal (C1, C2) depending on the respective input (E1, E2) and outputs it to the respective charge controller (110, 210). [5] Plant (300) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the at least one first device (100) has at least one central payment device (330), wherein the at least one central control device (310) is designed to settle an electricity provided for charging at the respective device (100, 200) via the at least one central payment device (330). [6] Annex (300) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the at least one first device (100) has at least one central communication device (340), wherein the at least one central communication device (340) is configured to provide both internal communication between the at least one central control device (310) and at least one component (110) of the at least one first device (100) and external communication between the at least one central control device (310) and at least one component (210) of the at least one second device (200). [7] Annex (300) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the system (300) comprises a plurality of second devices (200), wherein communication between the at least one first device (100) and the plurality of second devices (200) is serial. [8] Annex (300) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the at least one second device (200) has at least one signaling device (230) which indicates an occupancy state of the at least one second device (200) depending on at least one control signal (C1, C2) of the at least one central control device (310). [9] Plant (300) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the at least one central control unit (310) is configured to communicate with at least one external unit (400), wherein the at least one external unit (400) communicates at least one first input (E1) for charging the at least one first electric vehicle (150) and / or at least one second input (E2) for charging the at least one second electric vehicle (250) to the at least one central control unit (310), wherein the at least one central control unit (310) generates at least one control signal (C1, C2) depending on the respective input (E1, E2) and outputs it to the respective charge controller (110, 210). [10] Method for charging electric vehicles (150, 250), comprising the steps: - Charging (S1) of at least one first electric vehicle (150) using at least one first device (100) and - Charging (S2) at least one second electric vehicle (250) by means of at least one second device (200), wherein the method is carried out by a system according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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