SYSTEM FOR RECOGNIZING A CHARGING CABLE AND METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTING SUCH A SYSTEM

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for recognizing a charging cable (2) intended for charging an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, said system comprising a central computer unit and a compartment (1) adapted to receive the charging cable (2), said charging cable (2) having a data code, characterized in that said system comprises a means for reading said data code (4); a means for recognizing said charging cable (2) by the central computer unit; a means for opening said compartment (1); a means for weighing said charging cable (2); a means for authenticating said charging cable (2) by the central computer unit; and a means for closing said compartment (1). The invention also relates to a method for implementing said system. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: SYSTEM FOR RECOGNIZING A CHARGING CABLE AND METHOD IMPLEMENTING SUCH A SYSTEM

[0001] The invention relates to the field of electric motor vehicles, and more particularly to the means of recharging these vehicles.

[0002] Prior art patent application WO201259802 is known, describing a charging station for an electric motor vehicle in which a storage compartment, or locker, is located. The locker includes a charging socket into which a charging cable must be inserted to charge the vehicle. An automatic locking mechanism is present on the locker. To access the charging socket, a user must authenticate themselves by entering a unique identifier or a unique identifier for their vehicle. Authentication triggers the automatic opening of the locker and thus access to the charging socket contained within it. A central computer processing unit handles the information, at least the identifier entered by the user, and manages the opening and closing of the locker.The presence of this locker within the charging station provides added protection for the charging port without incurring the additional cost of manufacturing a separate cabinet housing the locker. User authentication reduces the risk of vandalism to the equipment stored in the locker. However, the charging cable is not included in the locker. Users must therefore have their own charging cable, which can be inconvenient if they forget it, for example. While alternative systems for providing or renting charging cables could be considered, these present a high risk of theft. Furthermore, user authentication does not allow for the authentication of the equipment provided, which could then be replaced with lower-value equipment, for example.

[0003] The objective of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a system allowing the reliable identification of a charging cable made available in order to prevent acts of theft.

[0004] To achieve this objective, the invention proposes a system for recognizing a charging cable intended for charging an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, said system comprising a central computer unit and a compartment adapted to receive the charging cable, said charging cable having a data code, said system comprising: - a means of reading said data code; - a means of recognition of said charging cable by the central computer unit; - a means of opening said locker; - a means of weighing said charging cable; - a means of authentication of said charging cable by the central computer unit; - a means of closing said locker.

[0005] Thanks to the invention, the risk of theft of said charging cable is reduced because the user's bank account continues to be debited until the system recognizes the charging cable as belonging to the specific locker. It is then impossible for the user to exchange a charging cable for any other item, such as another, less efficient or damaged charging cable, for example.

[0006] Advantageously, said authentication means for said charging cable implements a light signal intended to warn a user of the authentication of said charging cable.

[0007] The indicator light lets the user know that the charging cable has been recognized as belonging to the relevant locker. The bank transaction is then finalized and the user can retrieve their vehicle.

[0008] Advantageously, said authentication means for said charging cable implements an audible signal intended to notify a user of the authentication of said charging cable.

[0009] Just like a light signal, an audible signal lets the user know that the charging cable has been recognized as belonging to the relevant locker. The bank transaction is then finalized, and the user can use their vehicle again. Another advantage of using an audible signal, instead of or in addition to a light signal, is for a visually impaired user, for example, or for a colorblind user, if the color of the light signal conveys specific information, such as, for example, green when the charging cable is recognized and red when it is not.

[0010] Advantageously, said data code is a barcode.

[0011] Reading information contained in a barcode is very widespread among the population. The user is already familiar with this process. Indeed, the user knows that they must pass the barcode in front of the reading device 4 so that it is scanned and the information it contains is sent to the central computer unit.

[0012] Advantageously, said data code is a QR code.

[0013] Whereas a barcode can only be read horizontally, a QR code is readable regardless of the orientation in which it is presented by means of reading 4. The use of a QR code can therefore offer added convenience to the user, who does not have to worry about the orientation in which the QR code is presented. Furthermore, reading a QR code is faster than reading a barcode.

[0014] The invention also relates to a method for recognizing a charging cable intended for charging an electric or hybrid motor vehicle implementing said system described above, characterized in that said method comprises the following steps: - a step of reading said data code; - a step of recognition of said data code by the central computer unit; - a step involving the opening of said locker; - a step of depositing said charging cable in said locker; - a weighing step for said charging cable; - an authentication step of said charging cable by the central computer unit; - a step of closing said locker.

[0015] The invention will be further detailed by describing non-limiting embodiments, and based on the accompanying figures illustrating variants of the invention, in which: - [Fig.l] schematically illustrates a system for recognizing a charging cable intended for charging an electric or hybrid motor vehicle; - [Fig.2] schematically illustrates, in the form of a flowchart, a process recognition of a charging cable;

[0016] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a locker 1 containing a weighing device 3. The locker 1 can be housed in a cabinet designed for this purpose or directly in a charging station for an electric motor vehicle. The locker 1 is located near a reading device 4 capable of reading a data code present on a charging cable 2. When said charging cable 2 is not being used to charge an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, it is made available within the locker, on the weighing device 3 as shown in Figure 1. The locker 1 is closed. When a user, the owner of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, needs to access the charging cable 2, they must, as usual, present a means of payment to open said locker 1. They then take the charging cable 2 and charge their vehicle.When the vehicle charging is complete, the user must replace the charging cable. 2 in the locker so that the bank transaction ends. To prevent possible replacement of the charging cable 2 by another, a method for recognizing said charging cable 2 is implemented as described in [Fig.2].

[0017] Figure 2 schematically illustrates a flowchart showing the successive steps of a method for recognizing a charging cable intended for charging an electric or hybrid motor vehicle. Compartment 1 is intended for storing said charging cable 2. Each charging cable 2 corresponds to a unique charging cable 2. Charging an electric or hybrid vehicle can be carried out using different charging methods. Mode 2 allows for slow charging of the vehicle using alternating current via a standard household electrical outlet. Mode 3, which is faster than mode 2, charges the vehicle via a charging cable 2 designed to be plugged into a type 2 charging outlet. The charging cable 2 is connected to an electric charging station that supplies alternating current.Unlike a standard household electrical outlet, a charging station incorporates features for controlling, ensuring safety, regulating, and programming the vehicle's charging. A Mode 4 charging station can deliver direct current at a very high power level, enabling very rapid vehicle charging. For Mode 4 charging, the vehicle must have a charging port compatible with a Type 2 charging cable equipped with special connectors. The Type 2 charging port is currently the most widespread and is expected to become the standard in the coming years, particularly in Europe. Within the scope of this invention, the Type 2 charging cable is therefore a Type 2 or Type 3 charging cable. This charging cable carries a data code.A data code is a representation containing numeric or alphanumeric information. Since a data code cannot be interpreted by the human eye, a reading device (4) is required to read it. This reading device (4) can be, in particular, an electronic reader. Preferably, the data code is a barcode. A barcode is a representation consisting of numerous bars and spaces of varying thicknesses. Alternatively, the data code can be represented as a QR code. A QR code is a code that allows information to be transmitted by reading it with a suitable reading device (4). The suitable reading device (4) can be a specific electronic reader similar to those used for reading barcodes, or a mobile phone equipped with computer and internet browsing functions, for example.This representation in the form of a QR code allows for the delivery of compact information, i.e. in a smaller size, than a barcode which requires a larger one. space. The barcode or QR code can be affixed to a charging cable by laser printing or thermal transfer. During a read step E1, the data code reader 4 is present on locker 1. After the vehicle is recharged, the user presents the data code on the charging cable to the reader 4 located outside locker 1. During a recognition step E2, the information contained in the data code is transmitted to a central computer unit. The central computer unit processes the information to determine if the read code matches the code on the charging cable uniquely designated for locker 1. When the central computer unit recognizes the charging cable as the one corresponding to locker 1, locker 1 opens automatically during an opening step E3. During a deposit step E4, the user deposits the charging cable inside locker 1. Locker 1 includes a weighing device 3, preferably a scale.During weighing step E5, the charging cable is placed on the weighing unit 3. The weight of the charging cable is then measured by the weighing unit 3, and this measurement is transferred to the central processing unit. During authentication step E6, the central processing unit processes the information from the weighing of the charging cable and compares it to a reference value. The reference value corresponds to the previously measured weight of the charging cable corresponding to locker 1. Thus, if the user replaces the charging cable with another charging cable, a weight difference between the reference value and the measured weight will be detected. If such a weight difference is detected, locker 1 remains open, and the transaction will not be completed. In this way, the transaction amount will continue to increase until the correct charging cable is placed on the weighing unit 3.When the measured weight equals the reference value, locker 1 closes during a closing step E7. To notify the user that the charging cable has been identified as the correct one for locker 1, a light signal may appear. This signal alerts the user to the imminent closure of locker 1 and the end of the transaction. Alternatively, this light signal may be replaced or supplemented by an audible signal, which will be particularly useful for alerting individuals with visual impairments, for example. The closing of locker 1 completes the transaction.

Claims

Claims

1. System for recognizing a charging cable (2) intended for recharging an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, said system comprising a central computer unit and a locker (1) capable of receiving the charging cable (2), said charging cable (2) having a data code, characterized in that said system comprises: - a means for reading (4) said data code; - a means for recognizing said charging cable (2) by the central computer unit; - a means for opening said locker (1); - a means for weighing (3) said charging cable (2); - a means for authenticating said charging cable (2) by the central computer unit; - a means for closing said locker (1).

2. System according to claim 1 characterized in that said means for authenticating said charging cable (2) implements a light signal intended to warn a user of the authentication of said charging cable (2).

3. System according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that said means for authenticating said charging cable (2) implements an audible signal intended to warn a user of the authentication of said charging cable (2).

4. System according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that said data code is a bar code.

5. System according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that said data code is a QR code.

6. Method for recognizing a charging cable (2) intended for recharging an electric or hybrid motor vehicle implementing said system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said method comprises the following steps: - a step of reading (El) said data code; - a step of recognizing (E2) said data code by the central computer unit; - a step of opening (E3) said locker (1); - a step of depositing (E4) said charging cable (2) in said locker (1); - a weighing step (E5) of said recharging cable (2); - a step of authentication (E6) of said recharging cable (2) by the central computer unit; - a step of closing (E7) said locker (1).

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