Method for carrying out charging operations and system

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for carrying out charging operations, wherein the electric energy store of a vehicle (1) is charged via a charging station (2). The method according to the invention is characterised in that the vehicle (1), at the latest when arriving at the charging station (2), transmits state information to a charging hub (3) comprising the charging station (2), wherein the state information describes at least one state of at least one vehicle system, and wherein a hub system corresponding to the vehicle system, at the latest on establishment of the energy connection between the charging station (2) and the energy store, is configured and activated in accordance with the state described by the state information.

Description

[0001] Method for performing charging operations and system

[0002] The invention relates to a method for carrying out charging processes according to the type defined in more detail in the preamble of claim 1 and to a system according to the type defined in more detail in the preamble of claim 10.

[0003] The share of electric vehicles in road traffic, i.e., vehicles with at least partially electrified drivetrains, is steadily increasing. Typically, drive energy is stored in an electrical energy storage unit, usually referred to as a traction battery. While refueling with liquid fuel is comparatively quick, charging takes longer.

[0004] Charging can be carried out both in private and public spaces. Public charging stations are used for this purpose. These charging stations are usually operated by an energy supplier or a specialized company. The large number of operators of public charging stations can make it difficult for users to plan charging sessions. The various operators typically differ in the conditions for conducting charging sessions, such as pricing, charging parameters, charging interfaces, discounts, payment options, and the like.

[0005] Such a charging station is typically located "bare" in the surrounding area. To protect against the elements, the charging station may simply be covered. This compromises the comfort of the charging station user. To make the most of the waiting time while charging is complete, the user can visit a cafe, library, supermarket, or other public place. This may involve a detour on foot.

[0006] DE 102015211 642 B3 discloses a communication device, a control device, and a system for the vehicle sector. This document describes a charging infrastructure for vehicles. A charging station intended for carrying out charging processes is housed within a garage that can be closed by a garage door. Information describing the progress of the charging process and / or the parking status of the vehicle can be transmitted to a unit external to the garage. This unit is preferably a component integrated into the vehicle owner's smart home, such as smartly controllable lighting. This allows the end of the charging process to be conveniently displayed to the user in their home, even without the user having to look at their smartphone.

[0007] DE 102018203 942 A1 also discloses the sufficiently early reservation of charging stations and a corresponding charging system.

[0008] The present invention is based on the object of providing an improved method for carrying out charging processes.

[0009] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method for carrying out charging processes having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments as well as a system for carrying out the method emerge from the dependent claims.

[0010] A generic method for carrying out charging processes, wherein the electrical energy storage device of a vehicle is charged via a charging station, is further developed according to the invention in that the vehicle transmits status information to a charging hub comprising the charging station at the latest upon arrival at the charging station, wherein the status information describes at least one status of at least one vehicle system, and wherein a hub system corresponding to the vehicle system is configured and activated according to the status described by the status information at the latest upon establishment of the energy connection between the charging station and the energy storage device. With the aid of the method according to the invention, user interaction between the user of the vehicle and the charging station or the charging hub is improved when using the charging station for charging processes.

[0011] The charging hub is an infrastructure that is superior to the charging station.

[0012] The charging hub and the vehicle can exchange information directly with each other or indirectly via a central computing device. For example, the vehicle can transmit the status information to the central computing device via a mobile radio network using a telecommunications unit. The central computing device can be implemented as a cloud server. The cloud server can exchange information via the internet. Accordingly, the charging hub is in communication with the central computing device and can thus receive the status information. The charging hub and the vehicle can also have communication means that enable direct data exchange. This enables information to be exchanged between the charging hub and the vehicle when the vehicle approaches the charging hub. For example, the charging hub can have one or more Wi-Fi hotspots or 5G antennas.The vehicle may be equipped with appropriate communication devices. If the vehicle is within communication range of the charging hub, information can be transmitted, particularly using high data rates based on Wi-Fi or 5G.

[0013] The charging hub has at least one hub system that corresponds to a vehicle system. Numerous examples of suitable hub and vehicle systems are mentioned below. The vehicle's radio is mentioned as an example here. The status information then describes, for example, which radio station is currently tuned into in the vehicle and at what volume. If the vehicle user now wishes to carry out a charging process at a charging station of the charging hub, this information is shared with the charging hub. The user is then assigned a charging station to carry out the charging process. The charging hub has loudspeakers installed near the charging station. If the user then gets out of the vehicle to connect the charging station to a charging interface in their vehicle, the radio station tuned into the vehicle is played over the charging hub's own loudspeakers.This enables a seamless user experience when switching between the vehicle and the charging hub.

[0014] Depending on the lifting system or the vehicle system, the configuration and activation of the lifting system is possible sooner or later, but at the latest when the energy connection is established between the charging station and the vehicle's energy storage unit.

[0015] An advantageous development of the method according to the invention provides that the charging hub transmits charging hub information to the vehicle before the vehicle arrives at the charging station, which describes the general availability of lifting systems available at the charging hub. Here, too, the data exchange between the vehicle and the charging hub can take place directly or indirectly via the central computing device. The advance transmission of the charging hub information to the vehicle enables the vehicle user to better plan their stay at the charging hub. Depending on the design of the charging hub, a different total number of lifting systems can be available at the various charging stations of the charging hub. For example, another vehicle or lifting system could be equipped with an air conditioning system. In this case, for example, only some of the charging stations of the charging hub orThe respective room surrounding or adjacent to the charging station must have an appropriate air conditioning function. The user can check this via a booking portal while driving to the charging hub and then select a charging station that has the vehicle or hub systems currently relevant to their needs. This further improves user interaction during charging.

[0016] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, at least a subset of the status information is formed from preconditioning information, wherein the vehicle transmits the preconditioning information to the charging hub before the vehicle arrives at the charging station. This enables a staged data transmission from the vehicle to the charging hub. A subset of the status information, namely said preconditioning information, is transmitted to the charging hub before the vehicle arrives at the charging station. The remaining status information can then be transmitted at a later time, for example, upon the vehicle's arrival at the charging station.

[0017] The preconditioning information can be transmitted directly from the vehicle to the charging hub upon arrival at the charging hub, or preferably indirectly via the central computing device if the vehicle is still relatively far away from the charging hub. If the preconditioning information is transmitted to the charging hub upon arrival at the charging hub, only a comparatively short period of time, such as a few seconds or minutes, is available until the vehicle has reached its assigned charging station. However, if the preconditioning information is transmitted to the charging hub early via the central computing device, a correspondingly longer period of time, such as 15, 30, or 45 minutes, or even fractions or multiples of an hour, is available.

[0018] Preferably, the charging hub preconditions at least one lifting system according to the configuration described by the preconditioning information in order to make the respective lifting system available in a target state described by the preconditioning information no later than upon the vehicle's arrival at the charging station. This further improves the user experience when using the charging station of the charging hub. As already mentioned above by way of example, a lifting system can be embodied by an air conditioning device. A certain period of time may be required to condition the area of ​​the charging hub around the charging station according to the climatic conditions set in the vehicle.If the preconditioning information is transmitted to the charging hub sufficiently early, the area around the charging station, such as a room or garage, can be set to a specific target temperature by the time the user arrives at the charging station. Depending on the temperature difference to the surroundings and the size of the space to be conditioned, this may take more or less time.

[0019] A further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention further provides that an in-vehicle computing unit determines a time for transmitting at least the preconditioning information to the charging hub, in particular taking into account a position comparison of the current vehicle position and the charging hub position in a digital road map. Advantageously, the in-vehicle computing unit determines the time by which the preconditioning information must be transmitted to the charging hub at the latest in order to enable conditioning of the hub system according to the target state upon the user's arrival at the charging station. For this purpose, the in-vehicle computing unit is provided with the data required to calculate the time.On the one hand, this is the travel time that the vehicle still has to cover to reach the charging hub, which results from the position of the vehicle and the charging hub. Furthermore, the time required to condition the lifting system depends on the type of lifting system and the specific design of the charging hub. For example, the charging station can be located in a locked room such as a garage. The garage can have a certain volume. Depending on the size of the garage and the performance of the installed air conditioning or heating system as well as the ambient conditions, more or less time is required to condition the lifting system. By automatically determining the time for transmitting the preconditioning information using the vehicle's internal processing unit, it can be reliably ensured that the charging hub orWhen the user arrives at the charging station, the lifting system is found to be in the condition he or she actually intended.

[0020] During the user's journey to the charging hub, the preconditioning information can be continuously updated. If the user makes changes to the vehicle system in the vehicle, these changes can be transferred to the charging hub to accommodate the changed vehicle settings. However, if the vehicle system settings are changed at very short notice, the charging system may not be sufficiently conditioned due to its inertia. The charging hub can have appropriate tools that allow the charging system to be configured on-site, allowing for subsequent changes to be made while the user is still at the charging hub.

[0021] Therefore, it is preferable to automatically transfer the preconditioning information to the charging hub as late as possible. This can prevent any incorrect settings resulting from the inertia of the charging system. Furthermore, unnecessary conditioning of the charging system can be prevented if the driver of the vehicle decides not to perform the charging process at the charging hub. The optimal time for this is determined, as described above, by the vehicle's internal processing unit based on the boundary conditions resulting from the current situation.

[0022] The vehicle can determine its position, for example, with the help of a navigation system. Such a navigation system is capable of evaluating the signals transmitted by a global navigation satellite system and thus determining a geoposition. This geoposition can then be entered into the digital road map. In particular, a navigation route from the current vehicle position to the charging hub position can be calculated and output in the vehicle for use. Taking into account the traffic network and the respective speed limits, the time required to reach the charging hub can thus be estimated with particular reliability. Traffic information can also be taken into account, for example, to account for delays caused by traffic jams.

[0023] A further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention further provides that at least one lifting system is formed by:

[0024] - an air conditioning system;

[0025] - a lighting device;

[0026] - a scenting device;

[0027] - a sound device for playing audio content;

[0028] - a telephony device for conducting telephone calls and / or video conferences;

[0029] - a beverage establishment;

[0030] - an entertainment system; or

[0031] - a massage facility.

[0032] The lifting system(s) or vehicle system(s) therefore preferably provide comfort functions that have no connection to a charging function for the vehicle battery or the charging station. The air conditioning system makes it possible to control the temperature of the space in the charging hub intended for the user. This can, in particular, be an air conditioning system and / or a heater. In hot ambient temperatures, the living area can thus be cooled and in cold ambient temperatures, the living area can be heated. The target temperature to be set then corresponds to the temperature set in the user's vehicle. A ventilation level of the ventilation system installed in the vehicle can also be taken into account, so that a correspondingly higher or lower air mass flow is supplied to the living area.

[0033] A hub system can also include a lighting device. The vehicle can have various lighting devices, such as ambient lighting. The light pattern reproduced by the vehicle's ambient lighting can be transferred analogously to the reproduction in the charging hub. This means that the brightness, light temperature, light color and / or a dynamic or animation imprinted on the corresponding light pattern can be reproduced in the charging hub accordingly. With the help of a live-controllable lighting device, the charging station intended for the charging process can also be more easily located. For example, the user in the vehicle can alternately switch their high beams on and off, which analogously switches the stationary lighting of the charging station at the charging hub alternately bright and dark.

[0034] Another lifting system can be a scenting device. Such scenting devices are also known for vehicles. They can reproduce various scents in the vehicle. The scents selected in the vehicle are then also emitted in the charging hub to create a scent in the user's living area that correlates with the vehicle. Depending on the design of the scenting device, it may be necessary for the user to manually inform the vehicle which scent or odor is currently selected.

[0035] Another hub system can be configured with a sound system. Audio content such as radio, streaming music, podcasts, audiobooks, CDs, MP3s, and the like can be played via the sound system. The status information describes which audio content is being played in the vehicle. When the user arrives at the charging station, the same audio content is seamlessly played at the charging hub, allowing the user to simply "continue listening" when leaving their vehicle.

[0036] Another hub system can be configured with a telephony device. In the vehicle, phone calls can be made via a hands-free system. Video conferences can also be conducted. Appropriate communication devices can be installed on the charging hub. This allows the user to seamlessly continue the phone call or video conference when leaving their vehicle.

[0037] A lifting system could also be implemented by a beverage device. This could be a beverage dispenser, a fully automatic coffee machine, or something similar. This allows the user to store in their vehicle a corresponding profile specifying which beverages they would like to consume under which conditions, for example, depending on the season, ambient temperature, and / or time of day. The corresponding beverages can be prepared before the user arrives at the charging station. This allows a coffee or tea to be brewed, or a cold drink to be dispensed, in sufficient time. When the user gets out of their vehicle, they can consume the beverage directly without having to wait until it has been prepared. The vehicle system corresponding to the lifting system does not necessarily have to be implemented by a beverage device integrated into the vehicle.In this case, it is sufficient that, for example, appropriate information is stored in a memory of the vehicle's internal processing unit as to when which drinks should be prepared.

[0038] Another hub system could be formed by an entertainment system. Such an entertainment system could, for example, allow video games to be played or media content such as series, films, TV shows, and the like to be played. This already makes it possible to provide corresponding media content, particularly on screens that are not visible to the vehicle driver.

[0039] For example, video games can be played in the rear of the vehicle, or the passenger can watch a movie while driving. Information about the current entertainment program can then be transmitted to the charging hub to load the corresponding TV channel, video-on-demand (VOD), or video game before the vehicle arrives at the charging station. Similar to the previous beverage example, the corresponding information can also be stored in a dedicated memory, manually configured by the user. This also allows the user of a vehicle without a corresponding entertainment system to quickly access videos or video games upon arrival at the charging station.

[0040] Another lifting system could also be configured with a massage device. Vehicle seats with massage functions are known, for example. Various massage programs can be set. The active massage program can then be transferred from the vehicle to the charging hub. The charging hub can be equipped with appropriate massage seats or chairs. The user can leave their vehicle, start the charging process, and then sit down on the appropriate massage chair and seamlessly continue enjoying their massage program.

[0041] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the vehicle user is greeted with a personal greeting message upon arrival at the charging hub, in particular by means of a message projected into the vehicle's surroundings. By greeting the user, the user experience and thus user interaction are further improved. In particular, this can increase customer loyalty. Projectors can be installed at appropriate entrances to the charging hub or in the area of ​​the respective charging stations, by means of which corresponding messages can be projected into the surroundings. The messages can, for example, be projected onto the ground in front of the vehicle. Such a message can contain text and / or images or pictograms, for example. A message projected into the surroundings can be static, i.e. have a fixed display content, or it can be animated.For example, a corresponding welcome message could include the following text: "Hi Ola, your Charge Garage is here." Information can also be included in a welcome message, such as a direction indicator to guide the user to their assigned charging station, the current time, the weather forecast, the charging hub's capacity, and the like.

[0042] A further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention further provides that the charging hub only authorizes access to the charging hub, to the charging station and / or the establishment of the energy connection between the charging station and the electrical energy storage device after user authentication. This prevents use of the charging hub infrastructure by unauthorized third parties. Various methods for user authentication and verification are possible. Appropriate authentication terminals can be installed at an access point to the charging hub or the charging station. The user can identify themselves, for example, using a personal user account and password. Biometric characteristics can also be recorded; for example, an iris scan can be carried out, a voice analysis can be performed, or the user's face can be identified based on characteristic facial features or characteristics.The vehicle can also carry a unique identifier. This allows the user or the vehicle to be identified, for example, using the Bluetooth address or MAC address of a mobile device. It is also conceivable to permanently install dedicated devices in the vehicle. For example, a unique identifier can be exchanged wirelessly between the vehicle and the charging hub. Such identification methods are known, for example, for billing automated tolls. This increases customer loyalty, especially for frequent users of the charging hub.

[0043] A particularly convenient way for users to authenticate indirectly via their vehicle is to log in locally in the vehicle using their username and password, or corresponding biometric features. Successful login is then forwarded indirectly to the charging hub via the central computer. If the vehicle then detects entry into the charging hub, the charging hub immediately registers the user as authenticated.

[0044] The corresponding user account can, for example, be linked to a vehicle identification number or the vehicle's license plate number. The corresponding link information can then be transmitted from the central computing device to the charging hub. The charging hub can be equipped with suitable optical reading devices such as cameras at the corresponding access points or in the area in front of a charging station. This enables the vehicle identification number or the vehicle's license plate number to be visually recorded. The vehicle can also be located at the charging hub using triangulation, for example, by detecting an internal vehicle transponder signal using several stationary antennas. This also allows the correct location of the vehicle in front of its assigned charging station or within the garage assigned to the vehicle to be determined fully automatically.

[0045] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, at least a subset of the charging hub information and / or costs incurred when using the charging hub are displayed in a booking portal for booking a charging process at a charging station of the charging hub. The vehicle user is thus able to plan charging processes and book them via the booking portal. Charging stations can be pre-reserved accordingly. In order to better plan charging processes, various information can be displayed to the user via the booking portal. This includes the availability of the various hub systems as well as the costs incurred when using the charging hub. A respective charging hub can have differently configured charging stations. This means that a different total number of hub systems is available at different charging stations.The more hub systems available, the higher the costs for charging can be. Depending on the situation, users can then choose the charging station that makes sense to them. This further improves user interaction.

[0046] The booking portal can be accessed directly from the vehicle, particularly via the vehicle's infotainment system. For this purpose, the vehicle preferably has suitable input and output devices, such as a touch-sensitive display. Additionally or alternatively, the booking portal can be accessed via an app running on a mobile device or via a web browser, for example, on a desktop computer.

[0047] In a system comprising at least one vehicle with an electrical energy storage device, a charging hub with at least one charging station, and a central computing device for mediating between the vehicle and the charging hub, according to the invention the vehicle, the charging hub, and the central computing device are configured to carry out a method as described above. The vehicle can be any road vehicle such as a car, truck, van, bus, mobile home, or the like. It is a battery-electric vehicle. The electrical energy storage device is therefore formed by a traction battery. The vehicle, the charging hub, and the central computing device form the system and are thus each individually also a component of the invention.

[0048] An advantageous development of the system according to the invention provides that the charging hub has at least one garage compartment and at least one charging station is installed in the garage compartment. The user experience can be further enhanced by arranging charging stations in garage compartments. Thus, by providing a garage compartment, a space is provided that is exclusively usable by the person carrying out the charging process. This increases privacy when using the charging hub. Furthermore, garage compartments can be sealed off from the surroundings, which particularly improves user comfort in adverse weather conditions.

[0049] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the system according to the invention, the charging hub is divided into an individually usable area and a jointly usable area. For example, the garage boxes can each be individually usable areas. A communal area can be connected to this. The communal area can, for example, contain restrooms, a kitchen, a TV room, a cinema, a bakery, a bar, or the like. Only the vehicle occupants have access to each individually usable area, in particular in the form of a garage box. This prevents disturbances by third parties while in the charging hub. The garage boxes can also be designed differently. In the simplest case, a garage box only comprises one charging station.In the most comfortable case, a garage unit is designed like an apartment and includes its own amenities such as access to a private toilet, shower, and the like. The garage unit also has its own kitchen, a sofa with a widescreen TV, a hi-fi system, and the like. The charging hub can have several garage units equipped with varying levels of comfort. Optionally, multiple "bare" charging stations arranged one behind the other can be provided to enable "simple" charging processes.

[0050] Further advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention for carrying out charging processes and of the system according to the invention also emerge from the exemplary embodiments which are described in more detail below with reference to the figures.

[0051] Showing:

[0052] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a charging hub according to the invention; and Fig. 2 is a schematic sequence of a method according to the invention for carrying out charging processes on the charging hub shown in Fig. 1.

[0053] Figure 1 shows a highly schematic representation of a vehicle 1 according to the invention, which is en route to a charging hub 3 according to the invention. The vehicle 1 and the charging hub 3 are indirectly connected via a central computing device 4, in particular embodied as a cloud server.

[0054] To maintain clarity, only a few similar features are provided with reference symbols in Figure 1.

[0055] The vehicle 1 has an at least partially electrified drive train. Electrical drive energy is stored in an electrical energy storage device, in particular a vehicle or traction battery. The vehicle 1 has a wide variety of vehicle systems, such as an infotainment system, an air conditioning system, a fragrance system, massage chairs, and the like, which preferably therefore form comfort functions. The vehicle 1 transmits status information to the charging hub 3 at the latest upon arrival at a charging station 2 of the charging hub 3, wherein the status information describes at least one status of at least one vehicle system. However, the vehicle 1 preferably transmits at least a subset of the status information before the vehicle 1 even reaches the charging hub 3. The charging hub 3 has at least one lifting system corresponding to a vehicle system.It is thus possible to illuminate parts of the charging hub 3 in accordance with the ambient lighting of the vehicle 1, to output audio content played in the vehicle 1 on the charging hub 3, to set a temperature set in the vehicle interior analogously on the charging hub 3, to continue a telephone call made in the vehicle after exiting the vehicle 1 while staying in the charging hub 3, and the like. To this end, the respective hub system is configured and activated according to the status described by the status information at the latest when the energy connection is established between the charging station 2 and the energy storage device of the vehicle 1, preferably at the latest when the person driving the vehicle exits their vehicle 1.

[0056] However, it is particularly preferred that the hub system is already configured and activated when vehicle 1 enters the charging hub 3. Different hub systems can also be activated or configured at different times. For example, an air conditioning system can be started 10 minutes before vehicle 1 arrives at the charging hub 3, but the lighting in the area around the charging station 2 assigned to vehicle 1 can only be activated when vehicle 1 arrives at the charging hub 3 or even immediately upon arrival at the charging station 2.

[0057] Figure 1 shows a possible embodiment of the charging hub 3. The charging hub 3 is preferably divided into one or more individually usable areas 6.1 and one or more jointly usable areas 6.2. Thus, corresponding charging stations 2 can be arranged in garage boxes 5. Access to each garage box 5 is blocked or opened by a garage door 7. The user of the vehicle 1 can generally authenticate themselves at the charging hub 3 at various times. After successful authentication, access to the charging hub 3 or directly to each garage box 5 can be opened. In the lower area of ​​Figure 1, there are simple garage boxes 5. These only have one charging station 2 and a small number of lifting systems. For example, the garage boxes 5 shown below in Figure 1 may only have a sound system and an air conditioning or heating system.The garage bays 5 are connected to a corridor 8. User identification can be performed at the doors to corridor 8 to prevent third parties from accessing the vehicle parked in the respective garage bay 5. A common area 9 can be accessed via corridor 8. A vendor such as a kiosk, bartender, baker, or the like can be located in the common area 9. A comfortable stay during charging is possible in the common area 9. Sufficient seating, such as sofas or tables and chairs, is available. Hygiene facilities such as a restroom can also be provided. One or more televisions can also be provided for entertainment.

[0058] Furthermore, the charging hub 3 can have particularly comfortable garage boxes 5, as shown on the left in Figure 1. These garage boxes 5 can be designed like an apartment. Thus, while staying in such a garage box 5, the vehicle occupants of the respective vehicles 1 can play video games, watch movies, prepare and consume drinks, shower, go to the toilet, and the like without being disturbed by third parties. This ensures a particularly high level of user comfort and thus a greatly enhanced user experience.

[0059] Optionally, the charging hub 3 can also have easily accessible charging stations 2. These charging stations 2 can, for example, be arranged in a row under a roof 10. Some of these charging stations 2 can have loudspeakers for playing music, for example, or lighting elements for emitting a light characteristic corresponding to the light characteristic of the vehicle 1, such as ambient lighting. Components such as loudspeakers and lighting elements can also be installed in the vicinity of said charging stations 2, for example, integrated into the wall, floor, or ceiling. However, all or some of these charging stations 2 can also be "classic" or "bare" charging stations 2. The use of the method according to the invention is not available at such a classic charging station 2. The correspondingly configured vehicle systems or hub systems cannot therefore be used there.Charging at such a “bare” charging station 2 can be particularly cost-effective.

[0060] An operator of the charging hub 3 can charge different fees for the use of the various charging stations 2. A low fee can be charged for the charging stations 2 located under the roof 10. A medium fee can be charged for the charging stations 2 located in the lower garage boxes 5 in Figure 1. The highest fee in comparison can be charged for the particularly comfortably designed garage boxes 5 shown on the left in Figure 1. The charging hub 3 shown in Figure 1 has a purely exemplary structure. Garage boxes 5 can be available in various levels of comfort. The comfort levels differ in the total number of lifting systems available. Any number of garage boxes 5 with a wide variety of comfort levels can be available. In the simplest case, there is a single charging station 2 with a single lifting system.This charging station 2 does not necessarily have to be located in a garage 5, but it can be. The charging hub 3 can be as complex as desired and even multi-level. Ramps can connect the floors for vehicles.

[0061] Figure 2 illustrates the sequence of the method according to the invention in a highly schematic manner. In a method step 201, the user of the vehicle 1 books a charging station 2 of the charging hub 3 to carry out a charging process. A suitable booking portal can be used for this purpose. The booking portal can be accessible, for example, from the vehicle 1 itself, via a mobile device such as a smartphone, or via a desktop computer, for example via a web browser. Relevant information about the charging hub 3 is displayed in the booking portal. In particular, the charging stations 2 currently available or available at the desired time, as well as the respective hub systems, are shown. In addition, the costs incurred for carrying out charging processes at the respective charging stations 2 can be displayed.

[0062] In method step 202, the vehicle 1 transmits status information to the charging hub 3. In particular, the status information is sent indirectly via the central computing device 4. Particularly preferably, the status information contains preconditioning information. In method step 202, the charging hub 3 preconditions at least some of the hub systems provided in the area of ​​the charging station 2. For example, a respective garage box 5 can be specifically temperature-controlled using an air conditioning device, for example with the same air conditioning settings as in the vehicle, a preferred radio station or one currently being played in the vehicle 1 can be tuned in, the light corresponding to the vehicle lighting, in particular vehicle interior lighting, such as ambient lighting, can be switched on, and / or scenting can take place.In method step 203, vehicle 1 enters the loading hub 3 via an access 11, also shown in Figure 1. Access control can already be performed, as indicated by method step 204. In method step 203, the user of vehicle 1 is greeted. For this purpose, a welcome message can be projected into the surroundings of vehicle 1.

[0063] User authentication occurs no later than in process step 204. This may also be required only upon entering a garage compartment 5 or to release the power connection. The user can identify themselves with a unique ID or user name and password, or by capturing a biometric feature.

[0064] Identifiers assigned to the user and carried on the device can also be recorded by the charging hub 3. For example, a characteristic Bluetooth address or MAC address of a mobile device can be recorded. Dedicated control units that store a corresponding identifier can also be carried in the vehicle 1.

[0065] Finally, in method step 205, the charging process is performed and the user experience is implemented. For example, the user can surf the internet, consume videos or audio content, make phone calls, hold a video conference, grab a snack, use the restroom, take a shower, experience a massage, and the like.

[0066] In method step 206, the charging process was completed, and the user can leave the charging hub 3 with their vehicle 1. Optionally, the user can also provide feedback on customer satisfaction, for example, in the form of a star rating. This feedback can optionally include a text description of the user experience and / or photos or video recordings of the user experience.

[0067] With the help of the inventive method and the inventive system described above, it is possible to provide a unique user experience. This enables an operator of the charging hub 3 to improve customer loyalty.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Method for carrying out charging processes, wherein the electrical energy storage device of a vehicle (1) is charged via a charging station (2), characterized in that the vehicle (1) transmits status information to a charging hub (3) comprising the charging station (2) at the latest upon arrival at the charging station (2), wherein the status information describes at least one status of at least one vehicle system, and wherein a hub system corresponding to the vehicle system is configured and activated according to the status described by the status information at the latest upon establishment of the energy connection between the charging station (2) and the energy storage device.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the charging hub (3) transmits charging hub information to the vehicle before the vehicle (1) arrives at the charging station (2), which information describes the general availability of lifting systems present at the charging hub (3).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least a subset of the status information is formed from preconditioning information, and the vehicle (1) transmits the preconditioning information to the charging hub (3) before the vehicle (1) arrives at the charging station (2).

4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the loading hub (3) preconditions at least one lifting system according to the configuration described by the preconditioning information in order to to make the respective lifting system available in a target state described by the preconditioning information at the latest when the vehicle (1) arrives at the charging station (2).

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that an internal vehicle computing unit determines a time for transmitting at least the preconditioning information to the charging hub (3), in particular taking into account a position comparison of the current vehicle position and the charging hub position in a digital road map.

6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one lifting system is formed by: - an air conditioning system; - a lighting device; - a scenting device; - a sound device for playing audio content; - a telephony device for conducting telephone calls and / or video conferences; - a beverage establishment; - an entertainment system; or - a massage facility.

7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the user of the vehicle (1) is received with a personal greeting message upon arrival at the charging hub (3), in particular by means of a message projected into the surroundings of the vehicle (1).

8. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the charging hub (3) allows access to the charging hub (3) or to the charging station (2) and / or the establishment of the energy connection only after user authentication releases.

9. Method according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that in a booking portal for booking a charging process at a charging station (2) of the charging hub (3), at least a subset of the charging hub information and / or costs incurred when using the charging hub (3) are displayed.

10. System comprising at least one vehicle (1) with an electrical energy storage device, a charging hub (3) with at least one charging station (2), and a central computing device (4) for mediating between the vehicle (1) and the charging hub (3), characterized in that the vehicle (1), the charging hub (3) and the central computing device (4) are set up to carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 9.

11. System according to claim 10, characterized in that the charging hub (3) has at least one garage box (5) and at least one charging station (2) is installed in the garage box (5).

12. System according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the loading hub (3) is divided into an individually usable area (6.1) and a jointly usable area (6.2).

Images