AUTOMATIC LOCKING DEVICE FOR ELECTRIC OR HYBRID VEHICLE CHARGING CABLES

Abstract

An automatic cable deposit device (16) for connecting a charging station supplying electrical power to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle equipped with a traction battery, comprising a compartment (20) for depositing the cable (16) after use, and a camera (24) for viewing the deposited cable (16) implementing a pattern recognition system to verify the conformity of this cable (16). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: AUTOMATIC DEVICE FOR STORING CHARGING CABLES FOR ELECTRIC OR HYBRID VEHICLE

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic deposit device for connection cables between a charging station delivering electrical energy and an electric or hybrid motor vehicle equipped with a traction battery, as well as a method for implementing this deposit device.

[0002] Electric motor vehicles and certain hybrid vehicles include a battery supplying a traction motor of the vehicle which can be recharged on an electricity distribution network via a charging station.

[0003] A known type of charging terminal, presented in particular by document EP-Al-3471992, comprises a cable permanently connected to the terminal, and a rounded upper support receiving loops of this cable for storing it after use.

[0004] In order to check that the cable is correctly replaced after use, a surveillance camera fixed above the support analyses the images of the cable loops in order to check its condition and storage. This ensures that the cable is correctly replaced and detects any failure, error or malicious tampering with the cable.

[0005] Furthermore, the charging stations are classified according to a first category called mode 2, delivering a maximum power of 3.7 kW in alternating current, generally using the vehicle's own cable equipped with an electronic charging box which is connected to a standard domestic socket.

[0006] A second category called mode 3, delivering a maximum power of 43 kW in alternating current, uses a specific charging terminal capable of delivering this power, including control, safety, regulation and charging programming functions. In this case, the vehicle also generally has its own cable which is connected to the specific terminal.

[0007] A third category called mode 4, delivering a maximum power greater than 43 kW in direct current, uses a charging station with the cable remaining attached.

[0008] For charging modes 2 and 3 the cables do not usually remain on the terminal in order to avoid risks of incidents, damage, vandalism or theft. The driver must keep his own cable present in the vehicle, which poses problems of occupying space in this vehicle and adding additional weight. mentary, to the detriment of load volume and energy savings.

[0009] The present invention aims in particular to avoid these problems of the prior art.

[0010] To this end, it proposes a device for automatically depositing connection cables between a charging station delivering electrical energy and an electric or hybrid motor vehicle equipped with a traction battery, this device being remarkable in that it comprises a compartment for depositing the cable after its use, and a camera for viewing the deposited cable implementing a shape recognition system to verify the conformity of this cable.

[0011] An advantage of this deposit device is that after using a cable previously delivered by the same device to connect a charging station located nearby to the vehicle in order to recharge its traction battery, the operator returns the cable to the receiving compartment of the device. This operation immediately triggers the automatic implementation of the camera's shape recognition system, which checks the conformity of the cable type according to a defined type and its condition in order to ensure that the correct cable has been returned and that it has not been damaged.

[0012] The deposit device can then store the cable in the space provided for the defined type of cable in order to allow a new distribution of a suitable cable for the next user. The automatic deposit device allows a suitable cable available on site to be used at a charging station in a simple, efficient and safe manner, which avoids cluttering the vehicle with a permanently on-board cable.

[0013] The deposit device according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following characteristics, which may be combined with each other.

[0014] Advantageously, the deposit device comprises a system for turning the cable wound into loops and laid flat.

[0015] In particular, the deposit device may comprise a system for automatically moving the cable placed in the compartment towards the position of the camera.

[0016] Advantageously, the deposit device includes an external surveillance camera.

[0017] Advantageously, the deposit device comprises a scanner for reading a code indicated on the cable.

[0018] Advantageously, the deposit device comprises a screen for communication with the user comprising control keys.

[0019] Advantageously, the deposit device comprises recorded data used by the shape recognition system, comprising digital characteristics of cables recorded beforehand or acquired by the use of its camera.

[0020] In this case, the control device may include recorded data regarding several different types of cables.

[0021] The invention also relates to a method of using a deposit device comprising any one of the preceding characteristics, remarkable in that it comprises a step of reading a code of a cable to identify its type, then by the camera a step of recognizing shapes of this cable deposited in the compartment, then a step of comparing the recognized shapes with recorded data concerning the type of cable concerned.

[0022] In this case, advantageously after the code reading step it comprises a step comprising the opening of the compartment, the depositing of the cable in this compartment then the closing and locking of a door of this compartment, before the shape recognition step.

[0023] The invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will appear more clearly on reading the description below given by way of example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0024] [Fig-1] shows an automatic cable deposit device according to the invention; and

[0025] [Fig.2] is a diagram showing the different stages of operation of this deposit device.

[0026] [Fig.l] shows an automatic deposit device forming a cabinet comprising a right communication part 2, a central part for returning a charging and control cable 4, and a left cable delivery part 6.

[0027] The automatic deposit device is installed near charging stations for electric or hybrid vehicles, which can have different modes, each using a particular type of cable.

[0028] The right communication part 2 comprises a screen 10 comprising a keyboard allowing all communications between the user and the deposit device, including for example his identification, his request, the status of his account or the costs of a top-up operation.

[0029] The communication part 2 also includes a code reading scanner 12, of the barcode type, or two-dimensional code with rapid response called “QR code” for “quick response” in English, allowing the user to scan a badge or a code marked on the cable 16 for its restitution.

[0030] The user arriving at the communication part 2 to recharge the battery of his vehicle begins by identifying himself and expressing his request to obtain a cable 16 using the scanner 12 or the keyboard of the screen 10.

[0031] The cable delivery part 6 comprises different superimposed drawers 14 each comprising a cable 16 wound and arranged flat, equipped with connectors at its ends 18, which may have different types each adapted to a mode of the charging terminal and to a particular standard.

[0032] In response to the user's request on the communication part 2, a drawer 14 opens, the user grasps the cable 16 to connect it both to the appropriate terminal and to his vehicle in order to recharge.

[0033] At the end of the recharge, the user disconnects the cable 16 from the terminal and the vehicle, and winds it into loops as he had found it to form a tidy and space-saving assembly.

[0034] The user then presents himself in front of the communication part 2 to identify his cable 16, and carry out other communication operations if necessary, then in front of the central restitution part 4 to deposit the cable. The restitution part 4 has at the top a surveillance camera 26 making it possible to verify the operations carried out by the user in front of the deposit device.

[0035] [Fig.2] shows a first step of restoring the cable 30 comprising the reading of a code of this cable 16 using the scanner 12 which makes it possible to verify the reference and the type of cables.

[0036] Optionally in a second restitution step 32 it can use the screen and the keyboard 10 to give or receive other information during this restitution.

[0037] The central cable restitution part 4 comprises a compartment 20 having an automatically lockable door 22, which in a third operation 34 opens to receive the cable 16 in loops laid flat by the operator in this compartment.

[0038] In a fourth restitution step 36 the deposit device then locks the door of the locker 22 to carry out movements inside in complete safety.

[0039] In a fifth pattern recognition operation 38 a camera 24 arranged in an upper part of the compartment 20 takes images of the upper face of the cable 16 with its connectors 18.

[0040] Optionally in a sixth operation 40 an automatic movement system turns over all the loops of the cable 16 to take images of the other side of this winding in order to obtain additional data.

[0041] Alternatively, the camera 24 can be installed in another reading part of the deposit device, for the fifth operation 38 and the sixth operation 40 the cable 16 is in this case first moved into this reading part in order to carry out these operations.

[0042] The deposit device comprises a system for recognizing the shapes of the cable 16 which uses the images delivered by the camera 24 to compare them with recorded data relating to the types of cables, in order to verify the correspondence with these data of the shapes of the deposited cable 16 including its connectors 18.

[0043] The recorded data of the recognition system may come from digital characteristics of the cable 16 coming from the outside, which have been recorded beforehand. Alternatively, this data may come from a preliminary view of the cable 16 using the housing 20 and its camera 24 to carry out a first visualization on both sides of the cable loops, in order to construct the recorded data using the shape recognition system.

[0044] In a seventh operation 42 the shape recognition system performs a comparison of the shapes of the deposited cable 16 delivered by the camera 24 with the recorded data to first verify the conformity of the cable with the declared type, and then its integrity including in particular the state of the connectors of the ends 18, its length, its color or the identification of marks of damage or cuts.

[0045] In the event of a positive analysis result in an eighth operation 44, the deposit device issues a validation which allows the complete operation of restoring the cable 16 to be completed.

[0046] In the event of a negative analysis result, the lockout device communicates with the user to notify him of the fault. In particular, it can emit an audible or visual signal, give indications on the screen 10, or deliver a message by any other means of remote communication.

[0047] In the case of a negative result with a user having returned another type of cable 16, as an option, this non-compliant cable can be returned via a drawer 14 of the delivery part 6, then a return 46 can be made in order to return to the first step 30 of reading another cable presented by the user, which could be the correct one.

[0048] This automatically ensures, with a minimum of maneuvers required from the user, the control of the returned cable 16, which allows it to be made available to a subsequent user.

Claims

Claims

1. Device for automatically depositing cables (16) for connection between a charging station delivering electrical energy and an electric or hybrid motor vehicle equipped with a traction battery, characterized in that it comprises a compartment (20) for depositing the cable (16) after its use, and a camera (24) for viewing the deposited cable (16) implementing a shape recognition system to verify the conformity of this cable (16).

2. Deposit device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a system for turning over the deposited cable (16) wound in loops and deposited flat.

3. Deposit device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a system for automatically moving the cable (16) placed in the compartment (20) towards the position of the camera (24).

4. Deposit device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an external surveillance camera (26).

5. Deposit device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a scanner (12) for reading a code indicated on the cable (16).

6. Deposit device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a screen for communication with the user (10) comprising control keys.

7. A deposit device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises recorded data used by the shape recognition system, comprising digital characteristics of cables (16) recorded beforehand or acquired by the use of its camera (24).

8. A deposit device according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises recorded data relating to several different types of cables (16).

9. Method of using a deposit device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a step of reading (30) a code of a cable (16) to identify its type, then by the camera (24) a step of recognizing shapes (38) of this cable (16) deposited in the compartment (20), then a step of comparing the recognized shapes (42) with recorded data concerning the type of cable (16) concerned.

10. Method of use according to claim 9, characterized in that after the code reading step (30) it comprises a step (34) comprising the opening of the compartment (20), the depositing of the cable (16) in this compartment then the closing and locking of a door (22) of this compartment (20), before the shape recognition step (38).

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