DEVICE FOR DETECTING AN INTERRUPTION AND / OR ANOMALY OF A CONNECTION

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for detecting a cut and / or an anomaly in a connection between a charging station and an electric vehicle. STATE OF PRIOR ART

[0002] Vehicle charging stations are typically equipped with a standardized female socket, while vehicles are equipped with a male plug. The female socket of the charging station or terminal is attached either directly to the terminal or to the end of a flexible cable permanently attached to the terminal at the other end.

[0003] For example, the sockets comply with the IEC 62196 Type 2 standard.

[0004] IEC 62196 Type 2 compliant sockets have seven connection links: a proximity connection link (PP), a control connection link (CP), a protective earth connection link (PE), and four power pins depending on the operating mode. The PP connection link allows pre-insertion signaling and the CP connection link allows post-insertion signaling.

[0005] The sockets are circular in shape with a flattened top that acts as a safety catch. By design, the contacts cannot be touched by a standardized test finger. Since the second edition of the standard, additional protection against touching the contacts can be provided by optional shutters. When inserted into a vehicle socket, the socket is locked in place by a special mechanism. The same mechanism is used by the terminal base to lock the plug in place.

[0006] The maximum current intensity provided for by the IEC 62196-2 standard is 63 A for three-phase and 70 A for single-phase. This maximum intensity can, in the event of sudden disconnections from the socket, be dangerous for users.

[0007] Document US 2021 / 237607 A1 discloses a circuit for detecting the abnormality of a control pilot point of a charging pile when an electric vehicle is electrically connected thereto, and transmitting the detected control pilot signal to a control circuit.

[0008] The present invention aims to provide safety for users when disconnecting vehicle sockets from vehicle charging stations. STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0009] To this end, according to a first aspect, the invention proposes a device for detecting a cut and / or anomaly in a connection between a charging station and an electric vehicle, the connection comprising at least one control link, an earthing link, power supply pins, the control link allowing the signaling of a post-insertion, characterized in that the detection device comprises: a microcontroller configured to measure the voltage on the control link and to control the closing or opening of a first switch in order to authorize or not the supply of electrical energy by the power supply pins, an electronic circuit, separate from the microcontroller, to measure the voltage on the control link and control the closing or opening of a second switch in order to authorize or not the supply of electrical energy by the power supply pins, said first and second switches being mounted in series.

[0010] Thus, the present invention makes it possible to cut off the power supply to the electric vehicle even in the event of failure of the microcontroller and / or the first switch or when a voltage value present on the control link is abnormal.

[0011] By using an electronic circuit in addition to the microcontroller, minimal response latency can be achieved. This is particularly advantageous when the microcontroller is handling tasks other than monitoring the voltage on the control link.

[0012] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the connection between the charging station and the electric vehicle further comprises a proximity connection link allowing signaling of pre-insertion and: the microcontroller is configured to measure the voltage on the proximity connection link and to control the closing or opening of the first switch to authorize or not the supply of electrical energy by the power supply pins, the electronic circuit measures the voltage on the proximity connection link and controls the closing or opening of the second switch to authorize or not the supply of electrical energy by the power supply pins.

[0013] Thus, the present invention makes it possible to cut off the vehicle's power supply very quickly even if the microcontroller has too long a software execution time or a malfunction.

[0014] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, said first and second switches mounted in series control a third switch to authorize or not the supply of electrical energy by the power supply pins.

[0015] Thus, the present invention makes it possible to benefit from an increase in the level of security.

[0016] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the electronic circuit comprises a first comparator for comparing the signal from the control link to a first voltage, a second comparator for comparing the signal on the proximity connection link to a second voltage and a non-logical function or for combining the output signals of the first and second comparators.

[0017] Thus, the present invention makes it possible to take these two pieces of information into account automatically without using a digital component of the microcontroller type presenting a risk of software reliability or a significant processing delay.

[0018] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the detection device comprises another switch, the opening and closing of the other switch being controlled by the microcontroller depending on whether the female socket of the charging terminal is fixed directly to the charging terminal or is at the end of a flexible cable permanently attached to the charging terminal by the other end. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The above-mentioned and other features of the invention will become more clearly apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment, said description being made in relation to the accompanying drawings, among which: [ Fig. 1 ] schematically illustrates the architecture of an electric vehicle charging system; [ Fig. 2a ] represents a block diagram of a first example embodiment of a device for detecting a break in a connection between a charging station and an electric vehicle; [ Fig. 2b ] represents a block diagram of a second exemplary embodiment of a device for detecting a break in a connection between a charging station and an electric vehicle; [ Fig. 3 ] represents an example of the implementation of a circuit for managing the presence or absence of a PP connection link allowing the signaling of a pre-insertion of a socket; [ Fig. 4 ] represents an example of an embodiment of a circuit for detecting a break in a connection between a charging station and an electric vehicle; [ Fig. 5 ] represents an example of electrical signals from the circuit for detecting a break in a connection between a charging station and an electric vehicle. DETAILED PRESENTATION OF IMPLEMENTATION METHODS

[0020] There Fig. 1 schematically illustrates the architecture of an electric vehicle charging system.

[0021] The EV vehicle is connected to the charging station or terminal 100, for example via a socket conforming to the IEC 62196 Type 2 standard.

[0022] In the Fig. 1 , the proximity connection link PP, the control link CP and the power supply connections PW are shown, the grounding link is not shown for simplification.

[0023] The charging station 100 comprises a device for detecting a break in a connection between a charging station and an electric vehicle according to the present invention.

[0024] The charging station is connected to an MPW electricity supply network.

[0025] When the female socket of the charging station is fixed directly on the terminal, the PP connection link is present, when the female socket of the charging station is at the end of a flexible cable permanently attached to the terminal by the other end, the PP connection link is not present.

[0026] There Fig. 2a represents a block diagram of a first example embodiment of a device for detecting a break in a connection between a charging station and an electric vehicle.

[0027] There Fig. 2a includes a CPU microcontroller, two resistors RP and RC, three level adapters LA1, LA2 and LA3, two comparators CMP1 and CMP2, an integrator INT, a logic function not or NOR and three switches SW1, SW2 and SW4.

[0028] The CP control link is connected to the output of the LA1 level adapter and to the input of the LA2 level adapter and to the CMP1 comparator.

[0029] The grounding link is not shown for simplification.

[0030] The input of the LA1 level adapter is connected to an output of the CPU microcontroller and the output of the LA2 level adapter is connected to an input of the CPU microcontroller.

[0031] The PP signal is connected to an input of the LA3 level adapter, the output of which is connected to an input of the CPU microcontroller and to the CMP2 comparator.

[0032] The PP signal is further connected to a first termination of the resistor denoted RP and to a first termination of the resistor RC.

[0033] A second termination of the RC resistor is connected to a first termination of the SW4 switch.

[0034] A second termination of the switch SW4 is connected to the ground of the device for detecting a break in a connection between a charging station and an electric vehicle and a second termination of the resistor RP is connected to the power supply of the device for detecting a break in a connection between a charging station and an electric vehicle.

[0035] Switch SW4 is controlled by the AC signal delivered by the CPU microcontroller.

[0036] The value of the AC signal depends on whether the charging station's socket is attached directly to the charging station or is at the end of a flexible cable permanently attached to the charging station at the other end. The CMP1 level comparator compares the signal voltage on the CP control link to a voltage of, for example, 10 volts.

[0037] When the signal voltage on the CP control link is greater than 10 Volts, the output signal of comparator CMP1 is at high level.

[0038] The output of comparator CMP1 is connected to integrator INT which integrates the signal delivered by comparator CMP1 with a time constant for example equal to 10 ms. The output of integrator INT is connected to an input of the logic function no or NOR.

[0039] The CMP2 level comparator compares the signal voltage PP to a reference voltage VREF. The reference voltage is defined based on the value of a resistor RP included in the socket or in the charging station and the resistor RC included in the charging cable. For example, if the resistor RC included in the charging cable has a value for example less than 4500 Ohm, the output of the comparator CMPT2 is at the high level. The value of the resistor RC is for example given in table B2 of the standard IEC61851-1.

[0040] The output of the CMP2 comparator is connected to an input of the logic function no or NOR.

[0041] The output of the logic function no or NOR controls relay SW2.

[0042] The CPU microcontroller controls the SW1 relay by the PC signal.

[0043] A first termination of relay SW1 is connected to the MPW electrical power supply network. A second termination of relay SW1 is connected to a first termination of relay SW2. The second termination of relay SW2 is connected to the PW power supply.

[0044] According to the invention, the microcontroller CPU monitors the voltage on the control link CP, detects a disconnection of the male plug with the charging station and interrupts the supply of electrical energy to the electric vehicle by opening the relay SW1. The comparator COMP1, the integrator INT monitor the voltage on the control link CP, detect a disconnection of the male plug from the charging station and interrupt the supply of electrical energy to the electric vehicle by opening the relay SW2.

[0045] The use of two relays in series, as well as the duplication of the detection of a disconnection of the male plug with the charging station, guarantees in all conditions, for example when the CPU microcontroller, due to other processing carried out, does not command an opening of the SW1 relay quickly or when a failure of the CPU microcontroller occurs, that a user can be in contact with the electrical energy supplied to the electric vehicle.

[0046] The PP connection link is further used by both the CPU microcontroller and the CMP2 comparator, the INT integrator and the logical function not or NOR to open the relays SW1 and SW2.

[0047] There Fig. 2b represents a block diagram of a second example embodiment of a device for detecting a break in a connection between a charging station and an electric vehicle.

[0048] There Fig. 2b includes a CPU microcontroller, three level adapters LA1, LA2 and LA3, two comparators CMP1 and CMP2, an integrator INT, a logic function not or NOR and four switches SW1, SW2, SW3 and SW4.

[0049] The CP control link is connected to the output of the LA1 level adapter and to the input of the LA2 level adapter and to the CMP1 comparator.

[0050] The grounding link is not shown for simplification.

[0051] The input of the LA1 level adapter is connected to an output of the CPU microcontroller and the output of the LA2 level adapter is connected to an input of the CPU microcontroller.

[0052] The PP signal is connected to an input of the LA3 level adapter, the output of which is connected to an input of the CPU microcontroller and to the CMP2 comparator.

[0053] The PP signal is further connected to a first termination of the resistor denoted RP and to a first termination of the resistor RC.

[0054] A second termination of the RC resistor is connected to a first termination of the SW4 switch.

[0055] A second termination of the switch SW4 is connected to the ground of the device for detecting a break in a connection between a charging station and an electric vehicle and a second termination of the resistor RP is connected to the power supply of the device for detecting a break in a connection between a charging station and an electric vehicle.

[0056] Switch SW4 is controlled by the AC signal delivered by the CPU microcontroller.

[0057] The AC signal value depends on whether the charging station's female plug is attached directly to the charging station or is at the end of a flexible cable permanently attached to the terminal at the other end.

[0058] The CMP1 level comparator compares the signal voltage on the CP control link to a voltage equal to, for example, 10 Volts.

[0059] When the signal voltage on the CP control link is greater than 10 Volts, the output signal of comparator CMP1 is at high level.

[0060] The output of comparator CMP1 is connected to integrator INT which integrates the signal delivered by comparator CMP1 with a time constant for example equal to 10 ms. The output of integrator INT is connected to an input of the logic function no or NOR.

[0061] The CMP2 level comparator compares the signal voltage PP to a reference voltage VREF. The reference voltage is defined based on the value of a resistor RP included in the socket or in the charging station and the resistor RC included in the charging cable. For example, if the resistor RC included in the charging cable has a value for example less than 4500 Ohm, the output of the comparator CMPT2 is at the high level. The value of the resistor RC is for example given in table B2 of the standard IEC61851-1.

[0062] The output of the CMP2 comparator is connected to an input of the logic function no or NOR.

[0063] The output of the logic function no or NOR controls relay SW2.

[0064] The CPU microcontroller controls the SW1 relay by the PC signal.

[0065] A first termination of relay SW1 is connected to the MPW power supply network and to a first termination of relay SW3. A second termination of relay SW1 is connected to a first termination of relay SW2. The second termination of relay SW2 controls switch SW3. A second termination of relay SW3 is connected to the PW power supply.

[0066] According to the invention, the microcontroller CPU monitors the voltage on the control link CP, detects a disconnection of the male plug with the charging station and interrupts the supply of electrical energy to the electric vehicle by opening the relay SW1. The comparator COMP1, the integrator INT monitor the voltage on the control link CP, detect a disconnection of the male plug from the charging station and interrupt the supply of electrical energy to the electric vehicle by opening the relay SW2.

[0067] The use of two relays in series as well as the duplication of the detection of a disconnection of the male plug with the charging station, guarantees in all conditions, for example when the CPU microcontroller, due to other processing in progress does not command an opening of the SW1 relay quickly or when a failure of the CPU microcontroller occurs, that a user can be in contact with the electrical energy supplied to the electric vehicle.

[0068] The PP connection link is further used by both the CPU microcontroller and the CMP2 comparator, the INT integrator and the logical function not or NOR to open the switches SW1 and SW2.

[0069] Switch SW3 is controlled by the simultaneous closing of switches SW1 and SW2. Switch SW3 can, for example, be an ICT40A contactor marketed by Schneider, or an ESC440 contactor marketed by Hager for a three-phase power supply.

[0070] There Fig. 3 represents an example of the implementation of a circuit for managing the presence or absence of a PP connection link allowing the signaling of pre-insertion of a socket.

[0071] There Fig. 3 consists of two transistors Q300 and Q301, six resistors marked R300, R301, R302, R303, R304 and R305, two capacitors C301 and C302, and a clipping circuit D300.

[0072] The PP connection link, when present, is connected to a first termination of resistor R300, to a first termination of resistor R301, to a first termination of resistor R302, to a first termination of resistor R303 and to a first termination of capacitor C302.

[0073] The CA signal is a signal delivered by the CPU microcontroller which indicates whether a PP connection link allowing the signaling of a pre-insertion of a socket is present or not.

[0074] The AC signal is connected to a first end of resistor R304. A second end of resistor R304 is connected to the base of NPN transistor Q301 and to a first end of resistor R305.

[0075] A second end of resistor R305 is connected to ground and the emitter of transistor Q301.

[0076] The collector of transistor Q301 is connected to the clipper circuit D300 and to a second termination of resistor R303.

[0077] A second end of capacitor C302 is connected to ground.

[0078] A second termination of resistor R302 is connected to a first termination of capacitor C302 whose second termination is connected to ground and delivers a CAN signal to the CPU microprocessor not shown in the Figs. 2a And 2b .

[0079] A second termination of resistor R301 is connected to the continuous power supply of the device for detecting a break in a connection between a charging station and an electric vehicle.

[0080] A second end of resistor R300 is connected to the base of PNP transistor Q300 and to a first end of capacitor C300, the second end of which is connected to ground. The emitter of transistor Q300 is connected to the DC power supply of the device for detecting a break in a connection between a charging station and an electric vehicle.

[0081] The collector Q300 delivers the signal PP' which is the output signal of the comparator CMP2.

[0082] There Fig. 4 represents an example of an embodiment of a circuit for detecting a break in a connection between a charging station and an electric vehicle. In the example of the Fig. 4 , the circuit for detecting a break in a connection between a charging station and an electric vehicle comprises three transistors Q400, Q401 and Q402, three diodes D400, D401 and D402, a clipping circuit D403, three resistors R400, R401 and R402, two capacitors C400 and C401 and two relays SW1 and SW2.

[0083] The control signal PC of relay SW1 delivered by the microcontroller CPU is applied to the base of transistor Q401. The emitter of transistor Q401 is connected to ground and the collector of transistor Q401 controls relay SW1 and is connected to the cathode of Zener diode D401. The anode of Zener diode D401 is connected to ground.

[0084] The avalanche voltage of diode D401 is for example 39 Volts.

[0085] The signal PP' is applied to a first termination of resistor R400. A second termination of resistor R400 is connected to the drain of MOSFET transistor Q402 and to the gate of digital transistor Q400.

[0086] The CP connection link is connected to the cathode of the Zener diode D402 whose avalanche voltage is, for example, 9.1 Volts.

[0087] The anode of Zener diode D402 is connected to a first end of resistor R401 and to a first end of resistor R402.

[0088] A second end of resistor R402 is connected to ground.

[0089] A second termination of resistor R401 is connected to a first termination of clipper circuit D403, to a first termination of capacitor C401 and to the gate of MOSFET transistor Q402.

[0090] A second termination of the clipper circuit D403, a second termination of the capacitor C401 and the source of the MOSFET transistor Q402 are connected to ground. The emitter of the transistor Q400 is connected to ground and the collector of the transistor Q400 is connected to the cathode of the Zener diode D400 and controls the relay SW2.

[0091] The anode of Zener diode D400 is connected to ground. The avalanche voltage of diode D400 is, for example, 39 volts.

[0092] Comparator CMP1 and 10V voltage consist of resistors R401 and R402, voltage limiter D402, capacitor C401.

[0093] The integrator INT consists of transistor Q402, resistor R400 and capacitor C400.

[0094] The NOR logic function consists of transistor Q400.

[0095] There Fig. 5 represents an example of electrical signals from the circuit for detecting a break in a connection between a charging station and an electric vehicle.

[0096] The voltages on the control link CP, on the base of transistor Q402, across capacitor C400, on the collector of transistor CQ440 and the voltage delivered by the power supply PW are shown in the Fig. 5 . In the example of the Fig. 5 , the 230V AC MPW power supply is replaced by a 12VDC DC power supply.

[0097] The x-axes represent time in milliseconds and the y-axes represent voltage in Volts.

[0098] The signal delivered by the CP control link is a periodic signal which, in normal operation, takes the value of 6 volts and -12 volts.

[0099] The period of time corresponding to normal operation is noted TN in Fig. 5 .

[0100] The signal on the base of transistor Q402, which is a component of the integrator INT, takes the value of 0 volts and -12 volts during the time period TN.

[0101] The voltage across capacitor C400 corresponding to the output of integrator INT is constant and equal to 1.6V and the voltage on the collector of transistor Q400 is equal to 8 volts, a voltage enabling relay SW2 to close and electrical energy to be supplied to the electric vehicle.

[0102] From time TI, a disconnection of the PE link between the electric vehicle and the charging station is simulated. The voltage on the CP control link takes a value higher than the voltage value corresponding to normal operation.

[0103] This voltage increase results in transistor Q402 switching, which short-circuits the signal on the base of digital transistor Q400; thus the voltage across capacitor C400 drops to 0V. This causes transistor Q400 to open and therefore interrupts the flow of current in the control coil of switch SW2. The interruption of the current in the coil of relay SW2 generates an overvoltage on the collector of transistor Q400, which is clipped by diode D400 to a voltage of, for example, 39V in order to protect transistor Q400. Switch SW2 remains on until the energy stored in its control coil is dissipated. Once sufficient energy to maintain control of relay SW2 has been evacuated, switch SW2 opens and consequently the MPW power supply is interrupted. The voltage at the collector of Q400 becomes lower than the avalanche voltage of diode D400 and diode D400 no longer conducts.When diode D400 no longer conducts, an oscillating RLC circuit, composed of the coil of switch SW2, its series resistance and the parasitic capacitance of diode D400, dissipates the remaining energy present in the coil of relay SW2, hence the oscillation present on signal CQ400.

Claims

1. Device for detecting a break and / or an anomaly in a connection between a charging terminal and an electric vehicle, the connection comprising at least a control link (CP), an earthing link and power supply pins, the control link making it possible to signal a post-insertion, the detection device comprising: - a microcontroller (CPU) configured to measure the voltage on the control link and to control the closing or opening of a first switch (SW1) in order to authorize or not authorize the supply of electrical energy by the power supply pins, characterized in that the detection device comprises: - an electronic circuit (CMP1, CMP2, INT, NOR) which is distinct from the microcontroller, for measuring the voltage on the control link and to control the closing or opening of a second switch (SW2) in order to authorize or not authorize the supply of electrical energy by the power supply pins, said first switch and second switch being connected in series.

2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the connection between the charging terminal and the electric vehicle further comprises a proximity connection link making it possible to signal a pre-insertion and in that: - the microcontroller is configured to measure the voltage on the proximity connection link and to control the closing or opening of the first switch in order to authorize or not authorize the supply of electrical energy by the power supply pins, - the electronic circuit measures the voltage on the proximity connection link and controls the closing or opening of the second switch in order to authorize or not authorize the supply of electrical energy by the power supply pins.

3. Device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said first switch and second switch connected in series control a third switch in order to authorize or not authorize the supply of electrical energy by the power supply pins.

4. Device according to either one of Claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the electronic circuit comprises a first comparator for comparing the signal of the control link with a first voltage, a second comparator for comparing the signal on the proximity connection link with a second voltage and a NOR logic function for combining the output signals of the first comparator and second comparator.

5. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the detection device comprises another switch, the opening and closing of the other switch being controlled by the microcontroller depending on whether the socket of the charging terminal is attached directly to the charging terminal or is at the end of a flexible cable permanently attached to the charging terminal by the other end.