Method and system for controlling an access panel to a recharging device of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (20) for controlling an access panel to a recharging device of a motor vehicle powered by an electric and / or heat engine and comprising at least a sensor for detecting the external environment of the vehicle, a system for detecting a badge worn by the user and a sensor configured to detect whether the engine of the motor vehicle is switched off, in which method: - data are recovered from at least the sensor for detecting the external environment of the vehicle, the system for detecting a badge worn by the user and the sensor configured to detect whether the engine of the motor vehicle is switched off; - when the vehicle is stationary and the badge is detected by the badge detection system, the sensor for detecting the external environment of the vehicle and a system for recognising a charging means (4) of the recharging device are activated, and - when a charging means is detected by the system for recognising a charging means (4), the panel is automatically opened in a position allowing access to the recharging device.

Description

Description Title of the invention: Method and control system for an access hatch to a charging device of a motor vehicle

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of motor vehicles and in particular to access hatches for a vehicle's electric or fossil fuel charging device.

[0002] It is known to provide an access hatch to an opening in a bodywork element of a motor vehicle to access a vehicle charging device.

[0003] Modern motor vehicles are equipped with propulsion systems powered by electricity and / or fossil fuels. Energy resources are stored in an electrical energy storage device, such as one or more electric batteries, and / or in fuel tanks.

[0004] In so-called "electric" vehicles, the access panel provides access to an electrical connector configured to recharge an electrical energy storage device, such as one or more electric batteries. Once the access panel is in the open position, the electrical energy storage device can be recharged via a power cable connected to the vehicle's external electrical grid.

[0005] In so-called "thermal" or "hybrid" motor vehicles, the access hatch allows access to a fuel tank.

[0006] Generally, the access hatch to a charging device is mounted pivotally relative to an opening in a vehicle bodywork element between a closed position in which the hatch completely blocks the opening and an open position in which the opening is clear.

[0007] An intermediate flap may be present to seal the charging device even when the hatch is in the open position.

[0008] Reference can be made to documents FR2925458 and FR2731391 which describe examples of access hatch structures for a motor vehicle charging device.

[0009] However, opening and closing such access hatches requires the intervention of the vehicle user to open the hatch and then the intermediate flap, which increases charging time, and can soil the user's hands, and also requires the user to have both hands available.

[0010] Thus, there is a need to simplify the opening and closing of access hatches to the charging device of a motor vehicle.

[0011] The aim of the invention is therefore to overcome these drawbacks and simplify the opening and closing of access hatches to the charging device of a motor vehicle.

[0012] The present invention relates to a method for controlling the opening and / or closing of an access hatch to a charging device of an electric and / or thermal powered motor vehicle comprising at least a sensor for detecting the external environment of the vehicle, a system for detecting a badge worn by the user and a sensor configured to detect that the motor vehicle's engine is off, i.e. vehicle stopped.

[0013] The sensor configured to detect that the motor vehicle's engine is off can be, for example, a speed sensor capable of detecting zero speed, or a handbrake sensor capable of detecting that the handbrake is engaged.

[0014] According to the process, - we retrieve data from at least the external environment detection sensor of the vehicle, the detection system of a badge worn by the user and the speed sensor of the motor vehicle; - when the vehicle is stopped, i.e. engine off, and the badge is detected by the badge detection system, the activation of the sensor detecting the external environment of the vehicle and the activation of a system for recognizing a means of charging the charging device are commanded.

[0015] When a charging device is detected by the charging device recognition system, the automatic opening of the hatch is commanded to provide access to the charging device.

[0016] Advantageously, during the step of commanding the automatic opening of the hatch into an access position for the charging device, an actuator configured to open said hatch is commanded.

[0017] For example, the automatic closing of the hatch is commanded when the charging device is removed from the opening of the vehicle's charging device after a predetermined delay, for example between 30 seconds and 2 minutes.

[0018] Alternatively, the automatic closing of the hatch could be ordered when the charging device is removed from the opening of the vehicle's charging device and when the user moves away from said hatch by a distance greater than or equal to 80cm.

[0019] The charging method can be chosen from an electrical charging socket or a fuel or hydrogen supply gun.

[0020] For example, the system for recognizing a charging method includes a database provided by the car manufacturer containing all existing charging methods.

[0021] The load-bearing device can be identified by detecting its shape. said charging means and / or a visual means present on the charging means, such as a logo, a barcode or a quick response code with the acronym “QR code”.

[0022] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a control system for an access hatch to a charging device of an electric and / or thermal powered motor vehicle comprising at least a sensor for detecting the external environment of the vehicle, a system for detecting a badge worn by the user and a sensor configured to detect that the motor vehicle's engine is off, i.e. vehicle stopped.

[0023] The sensor configured to detect that the motor vehicle's engine is off can be, for example, a speed sensor capable of detecting zero speed, or a handbrake sensor capable of detecting that the handbrake is engaged.

[0024] The control system includes a data retrieval module from at least the vehicle's external environment detection sensor, the user-worn badge detection system, and the vehicle speed sensor, i.e. detecting that the engine is off, and an activation module for the vehicle's external environment detection sensor and a system for recognizing a charging device when the vehicle is stopped.

[0025] The control system further includes a control module for the automatic opening of the hatch into an access position for the charging device when a charging means is detected by the charging means recognition system.

[0026] For example, the control system includes a control module for the automatic closing of the hatch when the charging device is removed from the opening of the vehicle's charging device after a predetermined delay, for example between 30 seconds and 2 minutes.

[0027] Alternatively, the automatic closing of the hatch could be ordered when the charging device is removed from the opening of the vehicle's charging device and when the user moves away from said hatch by a distance greater than or equal to 80cm.

[0028] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one sensor for detecting the external environment of the vehicle, a system for detecting a badge worn by the user, a speed sensor of the motor vehicle configured to detect that the motor vehicle engine is off, i.e. vehicle stopped, at least one access hatch to a charging device and a control system for said hatch as described above.

[0029] Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made in reference to the attached drawings on which:

[0030] [Fig.1] is a schematic view of a motor vehicle comprising an access hatch to a motor vehicle charging device and a control system for said access hatch according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0031] [Fig.2] shows in detail the control system of [Fig.1]; and

[0032] [Fig.3] illustrates a flowchart of a method for controlling an access hatch to a charging device of a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention implemented by the control system of [Fig.2].

[0033] Figure 1 shows a very schematic representation of a motor vehicle 1 comprising a hatch 2 for accessing a vehicle charging device and a control system 10 for opening and / or closing said hatch 2.

[0034] The motor vehicle 1 further includes one or more exteroceptive sensors C, such as for example here two front cameras Cl, C2, a rear camera C3 and two side cameras C4, C5.

[0035] In general, the motor vehicle 1 also includes one or more cameras delimiting a detection field Z, here of 360°.

[0036] Exteroceptive sensors are sensors capable of collecting information about the external environment close to the vehicle.

[0037] As illustrated in detail in [Fig. 2], the control system 10 of hatch 2 includes a module 12 for retrieving data from exteroceptive sensors C, a system for detecting a badge 3 worn by the user, and speed data from the motor vehicle. The badge can be, for example, a specific key or a smartphone application.

[0038] The control system 10 of the hatch 2 further includes a module 14 for determining the stopping of the motor vehicle.

[0039] If the vehicle's speed (V) is zero, module 14 determines that the vehicle is stationary, i.e., the engine is off. Module 14 could also detect that the vehicle is stationary if the parking brake is engaged.

[0040] The control system 10 of hatch 2 further includes a module 16 for controlling the activation of the exteroceptive sensors C when the vehicle is stationary and the badge 3 is detected outside the vehicle.

[0041] It could be predicted that the control module 16 activates only the exteroceptive sensor C located near badge 3.

[0042] Simultaneously with the activation of the exteroceptive sensor(s) C, the control module 16 commands the activation of a recognition system S for a charging means 4, for example, an electric charging socket or a fuel or hydrogen dispensing nozzle. The recognition system S for a charging means includes a database provided by the vehicle manufacturer comprising all existing charging methods.

[0043] The recognition of the charging means 4 can be done by the shape of said charging means but also by a visual means, such as a logo, a barcode or a quick response code of acronym “QR code” or any other suitable visual means.

[0044] The control system 10 of hatch 2 further includes a module 18 for controlling the automatic opening of hatch 2 when a loading means is detected by the loading means recognition system S.

[0045] The hatch 2 opening control module 18 is configured to control an actuator (not shown) allowing the opening of said hatch 2.

[0046] Thus, the user can directly engage the charging device in the opening of the vehicle's charging port.

[0047] The control system 10 of the hatch 2 may also include a module 19 for controlling the automatic closure of the hatch 2 when the charging means 4 is removed from the opening of the vehicle charging device, in particular after a predetermined delay, for example between 30 seconds and 2 minutes.

[0048] As illustrated in [Fig. 3], the method 20 for controlling the hatch 2 includes a step 22 for retrieving data from exteroceptive sensors C, a detection system (not shown) for a badge 3 worn by the user, and speed data from the motor vehicle. The badge 3 can be, for example, a specific key or a smartphone application.

[0049] The method 20 for controlling the hatch 2 further includes a step 24 for determining when the motor vehicle has stopped.

[0050] If the vehicle's speed V is zero, the vehicle is considered to be at rest.

[0051] The method 20 for controlling the hatch 2 further includes a step 26 for controlling the activation of the exteroceptive sensors C when the vehicle is stationary and the badge 3 is detected outside the vehicle.

[0052] It could be predicted that the activation, in step 26, would only be of the exteroceptive sensor C located near badge 3.

[0053] Simultaneously with the activation of the exteroceptive sensor(s) C, a recognition system S of a charging means 4, for example an electric charging socket or a fuel or hydrogen supply gun, is activated in step 27. The recognition system S of a charging means includes a database provided by the vehicle manufacturer comprising all existing charging means.

[0054] The recognition of the charging means 4 can be done by the shape of said charging means but also by a visual means, such as a logo, a barcode or a quick response code of acronym “QR code” or any other suitable visual means.

[0055] Next, in step 28, the automatic opening of hatch 2 is commanded in a access position to the charging device when a charging means is detected by the S recognition system of a charging means 4.

[0056] In step 28, an actuator (not shown) is ordered to open said hatch 2.

[0057] Thus, when the vehicle is stopped, upon approaching a user wearing a badge and a means of charging, the charging hatch is automatically switched to the open position providing access to the vehicle's charging device.

[0058] The control method 10 of the hatch 2 may also include a step 29 of controlling the automatic closure of the hatch 2 when the charging means 4 is removed from the opening of the vehicle charging device, in particular after a predetermined delay, for example between 30 seconds and 2 minutes.

[0059] Thanks to the invention, the vehicle's power supply is simplified and improved.

Claims

Claims

1. Method (20) for controlling an access hatch (2) to a charging device of a motor vehicle (1) with electric and / or thermal propulsion comprising at least one sensor (C) for detecting the environment outside the vehicle, a system for detecting a badge (3) worn by the user and a sensor configured to detect that the engine of the motor vehicle is off, in which: - data are recovered from at least the sensor (C) for detecting the external environment of the vehicle, the system for detecting a badge (3) worn by the user and the sensor configured to detect that the engine of the motor vehicle is off; - when the vehicle is stationary and the badge (3) is detected by the badge detection system (3), the activation of the sensor (C) for detecting the external environment of the vehicle and the activation of a system for recognizing a charging means (4) of the charging device are controlled, and - when a charging means is detected by the charging means recognition system (4), the automatic opening of the hatch (2) is controlled in a position for access to the charging device.

2. Control method (20) according to claim 1, wherein during the step (28) of controlling the automatic opening of the hatch (2) in a position for access to the recharging device, an actuator configured to open said hatch (2) is controlled.

3. Control method (20) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the automatic closing of the hatch (2) is controlled when the charging means (4) is removed from the opening of the vehicle charging device after a predetermined time.

4. Control method (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the charging means (4) is chosen from an electric charging socket or a fuel or hydrogen supply nozzle.

5. Control method (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the recognition system (S) of a charging means comprises a database provided by the automobile manufacturer comprising all existing charging means.

6. Control method (20) according to any one of the claims previous, in which the recognition of the charging means (4) is carried out by the detection of the shape of said charging means and / or of a visual means present on the charging means.

7. System (10) for controlling an access hatch (2) to a charging device of a motor vehicle (1) with electric and / or thermal propulsion comprising at least one sensor (C) for detecting the environment outside the vehicle, a system for detecting a badge (3) worn by the user and a sensor configured to detect that the engine of the motor vehicle is off, comprising: - a module (12) for recovering data coming at least from the sensor (C) for detecting the external environment of the vehicle, from the system for detecting a badge (3) worn by the user and from the sensor configured to detect that the engine of the motor vehicle is off; - a module (14) for activating the sensor (C) for detecting the external environment of the vehicle and a system for recognizing a charging means (4) of the charging device when the vehicle is stationary, and - a module (18) for controlling the automatic opening of the hatch (2) in a position for accessing the charging device when a charging means is detected by the charging means recognition system (4).

8. Control system (10) according to claim 7, comprising a module (19) for controlling the automatic closing of the hatch (2) when the charging means (4) is removed from the opening of the vehicle charging device after a predetermined time.

9. Motor vehicle (1) comprising at least one sensor (C) for detecting the environment outside the vehicle, a system for detecting a badge (3) worn by the user, a sensor configured to detect that the engine of the motor vehicle is off, at least one access hatch (2) to a charging device and a control system (10) for said hatch (2) according to claim 7 or 8.

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