WARNING: BATTERY CHANGE IN PROGRESS

Abstract

A method for warning of the change of an electric traction battery (2) in a vehicle comprising: - the traction battery (2) at the beginning and end of the battery change, - an electric powertrain (1), powered while driving by the traction battery (2), - a computer (4) comprising the means for data acquisition, processing by software instructions stored in memory, and the control means required for the implementation of the method, - a warning means (3) directed towards the environment outside the vehicle, said method performing an acquisition step of the start and end times of the same change of the traction battery (2), these two times defining the limits of a change duration during which the traction battery (2) is changed, characterized in that this method performs a control step of the warning means (3) throughout the entire change duration. Figure 2.

Description

Title of the invention: WARNING OF A BATTERY CHANGE IN PROGRESS

[0001] Motor vehicles comprising an electric powertrain include at least two electrical networks operating at two different voltages: - a first electrical network, known as very low voltage, powered by a so-called auxiliary battery, generally with a voltage of 12 to 24v, this first network powering, for example, one or more vehicle computers as well as accessories or audible or visual warning devices of the vehicle, - a second electrical network called low voltage, powered by a so-called traction battery, with a voltage generally between 350 and 800 V, this second network powering for example the electric powertrain, in particular an electric motive machine.

[0002] These two electrical networks are for example connected to each other through a direct current - direct current converter, the traction battery then being able to recharge the service battery via this converter.

[0003] This traction battery has a much greater energy storage capacity than the auxiliary battery and is regularly discharged while the vehicle is in operation when powered by this electric drive system. Therefore, not only is the charging time for this traction battery, for example via a charging station on a terrestrial power grid, much longer than that of the auxiliary battery, but this charging must also be carried out regularly. For this reason, it is known to those skilled in the art that some vehicles are configured so that this discharged traction battery can be replaced by a charged traction battery. These are referred to as swappable or interchangeable batteries.These vehicles include, for example, a means for changing or replacing the traction battery, and at least one means for electrically isolating the traction battery, controlled or supervised, for example, by the computer powered by the very low voltage network.

[0004] The traction battery thus isolated can be extracted from the vehicle, via the changing means, to be replaced by a new charged traction battery.

[0005] This change is, for example, automated: the vehicle is, for example, parked in an area of ​​an automatic traction battery changing station known to those skilled in the art. This change can be manual, for example, an operator or the driver himself replaces the traction battery using, for example, a trolley or any other manipulator. This change can be automated and manual: for example, a step of locking or unlocking the traction battery in the vehicle is a step performed by the operator.

[0006] In all cases, for this battery change, the vehicle must be secured and the low voltage network deactivated, for example vehicle parked and the traction battery electrically isolated, so that the computer is configured to implement a process or mode specific to this battery change, this specific mode being triggered automatically by the automatic traction battery change station, and / or manually by the driver.

[0007] When this specific battery change procedure is in progress, the handling, for example automatic, of the traction battery may present a risk of injury to people nearby who are unaware of the ongoing battery change. Furthermore, the driver may forget that they ordered or initiated this battery change and attempt to start the vehicle when it is not ready.

[0008] It is known that the automatic battery changing station warns of this specific mode of battery changing in progress by means of warning lights, but these warning lights are fallible (power failure) and the driver may in this case be tempted to take back his vehicle.

[0009] There is therefore a need to secure this specific mode with respect to people surrounding the vehicle and / or with respect to the driver and passengers of the vehicle.

[0010] The aim of the invention is to remedy this deficiency.

[0011] To this end, the invention relates to a method for warning of a change in the electric traction battery of a vehicle, comprising: - the traction battery at the beginning and end of the battery change, - an electric powertrain, powered while driving by the traction battery, - a computer including the means for data acquisition, processing via software instructions stored in memory, as well as the control means required for implementing the process, - a warning means directed towards the environment outside the vehicle, said method executing a step of acquiring a start and end instant of the same change of the traction battery, these two instants defining the limits of a change duration during which the traction battery is changed, this method executing a step of controlling the warning means during the entire change duration.

[0012] Thus, even if an automatic traction battery swapping station experiences a power outage, or even if the driver forgets that they have ordered a traction battery swap, activating the warning device during the swap will remind the driver and / or those nearby that a traction battery swap is in progress. Indeed, the vehicle has its own electrical autonomy and powers the warning system even in the event of a power failure at the automatic traction battery change station.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the control step activates the warning means intermittently throughout the changeover time.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the control step activates the warning means according to a predefined sequence throughout the change duration.

[0015] This intermittent or sequencing pattern makes it possible to create a signature of a signal emitted by the warning device, this signature indicating that the traction battery is being changed. It also makes it possible to use, for the purposes of the invention, a pre-existing warning device on the vehicle, for example, hazard lights, turn signals, parking lights, high beams, or even an audible signal of the type used to indicate that the vehicle is reversing.

[0016] It should be noted that this signature can, according to the invention, be a light indicator whose emitted light has a specific colorimetry, for example green, or be an audible indicator with a specific frequency, whether activated continuously or intermittently. In this case, it will be a warning means specific to the invention.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the start time and / or the end time are generated by an automatic traction battery changing station and / or by an action of an operator and / or by a traction battery changing means if the vehicle is equipped with one.

[0018] These start and end points are in fact the beginning and end of a vehicle battery change mode, or the beginning and end of a hazardous phase of this change mode, for example, precisely the moment when the battery is handled, this mode being executed, for example, wholly or partly by the computer. This battery change mode is known to those skilled in the art and is not the subject of the present invention. This battery change mode includes, for example: - a step to identify the vehicle and / or the applicant, - a step to identify the battery to be replaced, and the battery to be replaced and its state of charge, - a financial transaction step, - a step to put all computers not needed for the battery change into sleep mode, if they are not already in sleep mode, - a step to electrically isolate the traction battery to be replaced from the vehicle, - a mechanical unlocking step for the battery to be replaced if the vehicle is equipped with a means of unlocking and locking the battery to be replaced, - a step to detect the presence or absence of the batteries concerned, this list of steps is not exhaustive.

[0019] The invention further relates to a computer comprising the means for acquisition, processing by software instructions stored in a memory as well as the control means configured to implement the process as previously described.

[0020] The invention further relates to a vehicle comprising: - the traction battery, - the electric powertrain, powered by the traction battery, - the warning means directed towards the environment outside the vehicle, - a computer as previously described.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, this vehicle includes a means for changing the traction battery.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, this vehicle includes an electric auxiliary battery electrically coupled to the computer and to the warning means for their electrical supply.

[0023] Throughout this document, the term "battery" shall be understood to mean an assembly comprising at least one electrochemical cell. When there are several electrochemical cells, they are grouped into one or more modules. This battery may include electrical or electronic means for managing the electrical energy of this at least one module. When there are several modules, they are grouped in a casing or housing and thus form a battery pack, this battery pack being often referred to by the English expression "battery pack," this housing generally containing a mounting interface and connection terminals. This battery pack may, for example, be divided into several independent battery sub-assemblies, each comprising its own housing containing at least one module.These battery sub-assemblies are called modular batteries, and some or all of the modular batteries are removable and interchangeable to avoid downtime for recharging, for example, removable from a housing in an electric vehicle.

[0024] This battery pack, and this or these modular batteries, will also be referred to as the battery throughout the text of this document.

[0025] Furthermore, the term electrochemical cell throughout the text of this document shall be understood to mean cells generating current by chemical reaction, for example of the lithium-ion (or Li-ion) type, of the Ni-Mh type, or Ni-Cd or lead type or even fuel cells.

[0026] Other features and advantages will become apparent from the following description of a particular, non-limiting embodiment of the invention, made with reference to Figures 1 and 2 in which:

[0027] [Fig. 1]: represents a logic diagram of the process according to the invention,

[0028] [Fig.2]: represents a partial electrical diagram of a vehicle according to the invention.

[0029] Figure 2 discloses an example of the electrical architecture of a vehicle according to The invention. This vehicle presented is a motor vehicle comprising: - an electric powertrain 1, - a first and a second electrical network 7, 8 operating under two different voltages, - a traction battery 2, with a voltage generally between 350 and 800 V, - a means of electrically isolating the traction battery 2 6, for example controlled switches, - a so-called service battery 9, generally with a voltage of 12 to 24v, - a calculator 4, - a means of warning 3, - a DC-DC converter 5.

[0030] The first electrical network 7, referred to as very low voltage, is supplied by the so-called auxiliary battery 9, this first network 7 supplying the computer 4 and for example one or more secondary computers of the vehicle as well as accessories and the warning means 3. This first electrical network 7 also supplies the communication networks between the computers of the vehicle, sensors or probes, control actuators such as relays or micromotors operating under the voltage of this first electrical network 7.

[0031] The second electrical network 8, called low voltage, is supplied by the traction battery 2, and is configured to supply, for example, the electric powertrain 1, in particular an electric motive machine.

[0032] These two electrical networks 7, 8 are for example connected to each other through the DC-DC converter 5, the traction battery 2 being able to recharge the service battery 9 via this converter 5. But this connection and this converter are not mandatory, the service battery 9 being able to be recharged by other means, such as for example an alternator of a combustion engine if this vehicle is equipped with one, this combustion engine being able to participate or not in the vehicle's propulsion.

[0033] This computer 4 includes the means of acquisition, processing by software instructions stored in a memory as well as the control means required to implement the process according to the invention.

[0034] The warning means 3 is for example a means pre-existing to the invention, for example an audible or visual warning device of the vehicle, such as signal lights, turn signals, high beams.

[0035] The electric drive unit 1 comprises the electric drive machine, and for example a speed reducer coupled to the drive machine and to a wheel of the motor vehicle. If the electric drive unit has sufficient torque, it can be directly coupled to a wheel of the vehicle. The speed reducer can have several reduction ratios. The electric drive unit 1 may also include an inverter, for example, to convert the direct current from the traction battery 2 into a current suitable for the drive unit, such as alternating current. However, this is not mandatory; the inverter can also be integrated into the cells of the traction battery 2.

[0036] In addition to this control unit 4, also called the main or supervisory control unit, the vehicle may include several secondary control units. For example, the traction battery 2 may include a battery management control unit. This management control unit manages the balancing between the cells and determines information on the state of charge or the health status of this traction battery 2. When the state of charge is too low, or the health status is poor, this management control unit may query the main control unit to request a replacement of the traction battery 2 or simply a recharge from a charging station on the terrestrial electrical grid. This request will then be authorized or denied by the driver.

[0037] It should be noted, of course, that this vehicle may include an on-board charger, connected to the second electrical network 8 or directly connected to the traction battery 2. As with the inverter, this charger may also be integrated into the traction battery 2, for example, and may also include a charging computer for managing the on-board charger according to different charging modes known to those skilled in the art, classically referred to as mode 1, mode 2, mode 3 or mode 4. In general, the vehicle includes an external socket through which the terrestrial electrical network can be connected to the on-board charger or directly to the traction battery 2 via a removable charging cable.

[0038] This traction battery 2 has a much greater energy storage capacity than the service battery 9, and is regularly discharged during the operation of the vehicle driven by this electric powertrain 1.

[0039] This traction battery 2 is here a battery designed to be replaced. Although all batteries are by design removable and therefore replaceable, this operation is more or less facilitated depending on whether the vehicle and the battery are designed for this purpose. In particular, throughout this document, "designed to be replaced" means that one of the vehicle's control units is configured to implement a specific process or mode for this battery change, this specific mode being triggered automatically by an automatic traction battery changing station, and / or manually by the driver.

[0040] This vehicle further includes, for example, a means of changing or removing placement of traction battery 2, and at least the means of electrical isolation 6 of traction battery 2 controlled or supervised for example by the main computer 4.

[0041] The traction battery thus isolated can be extracted from the vehicle, via the changing means, to be replaced by a new charged traction battery.

[0042] This changeover is, for example, automated: the vehicle is parked, for example, in the area of ​​an automatic traction battery swapping station known to those skilled in the art. This changeover can be manual, for example, an operator or the driver himself replaces the traction battery using, for example, a trolley or some other manipulator. This changeover can be both automated and manual: for example, a locking or unlocking step of the traction battery in the vehicle is a step performed by the operator.

[0043] This means of change includes, for example: - means of quick connections, for the heat transfer fluid for cooling the traction battery 2, and / or for the electrical connection with the second electrical network 8, - a guidance system, for example on rails, suitable for extracting traction battery 2 from the vehicle, - a means of locking and unlocking the guidance system, immobilizing the traction battery 2 in the service position in the vehicle.

[0044] This means of change is for example controlled by the main computer 4, or one of the secondary computers, or operated manually by an operator, and is suitable for informing these computers of its state, for example of its locked or unlocked state.

[0045] This change means can further integrate a manual manipulator or one controlled by the main computer 4; in fact, this change means can be more or less complex depending on the degree of automation or assistance required.

[0046] This battery change operation is known to those skilled in the art, and as previously explained, these start and end times are in fact the start and end of a vehicle battery change mode, or the start and end of a dangerous phase of this change mode, for example precisely the moment when the battery is handled, this mode being executed for example totally or in part by the main computer 4.

[0047] This method of changing the battery is known to those skilled in the art and is not the subject of the present invention. This method of changing the battery includes, for example: - a step to identify the vehicle and / or the applicant, - a step to identify the battery to be changed, and the battery to be replaced and its state of charge, - a financial transaction step, - a sleep stage for all computers not required for the battery change, if they are not already asleep, including, for example, all secondary computers in a predetermined order, - a step electrically isolating the traction battery 2 to be changed from the vehicle, - a step of mechanically unlocking the battery to be changed if the vehicle is equipped with the means of unlocking and locking the battery to be changed, - a step of detecting the presence or absence of the batteries concerned, this list of steps is not exhaustive.

[0048] A main computer 4 and secondary computers have been presented. This configuration is not mandatory.

[0049] The invention proposes, in particular, to implement within the vehicle a method for warning of an ongoing change in the electric traction battery. This implementation can be carried out using the main control unit 4. However, this is not mandatory. Indeed, it could be implemented in another secondary control unit, while being coupled to the main control unit 4, and be considered as a simple control device. In this latter case, this control device could be a dedicated control unit including a possible dedicated program, for example. Consequently, a control unit or device, according to the invention, can be implemented in the form of software modules (or computer modules), or electronic circuits (or hardware), or a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

[0050] Figure 1 discloses a flowchart of the steps of the process according to the invention.

[0051] The invention thus relates to a method for warning of battery replacement electric traction 2 of the vehicle previously described and comprising: - traction battery 2 at the beginning and end of the battery change, - the electric powertrain 1, powered while driving by the traction battery 2, - the computer 4 comprising the means for acquisition, processing by software instructions stored in memory, as well as the control means required for the implementation of the process, - the warning means 3 directed towards the environment outside the vehicle, said executing method: - an acquisition step 10, 30 of the start and end times of the same change of traction battery 2, these two times defining the limits of the change duration during which traction battery 2 is changed, - a command step 20 of the warning means 3 for the entire duration of change.

[0052] This control step 20 can order continuous actuation of the warning means for the entire duration of the change, but for energy saving reasons, for example, the control step 20 actuates the warning means 3 intermittently for the entire duration of the change.

[0053] For the same reason, for example, the control step 20 activates the warning means 3 according to a predefined sequence for the entire duration of the change.

[0054] This sequencing is for example a succession of two actuations in the form of pulses spaced 500 milliseconds apart, every 2 seconds.

[0055] This sequencing is for example a succession of two one-second actuations spaced one second apart, every 4 seconds.

[0056] But many other sequencing methods are possible, as long as they differ from sequencing methods already known, such as that of hazard lights.

[0057] Two sequencing sequences can also be interlaced.

[0058] If the warning means includes several lights or indicators, each light or indicator can be activated according to a different sequence or alternately.

[0059] Thus, this sequencing is a signature signifying that the traction battery 2 is being changed.

[0060] The start time and / or the end time are generated, for example, by the automatic traction battery change station 2 and / or by an action of an operator.

[0061] For example, the start time and / or the end time are generated by the traction battery switching means. For example, the start time could be the detection of the change in position of the locking (and unlocking) means from the locked position to the unlocked position, and vice versa for the end time.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for warning of a change of electric traction battery (2) of a vehicle comprising: - the traction battery (2) at the start and at the end of the battery change, - an electric powertrain (1), powered while driving by the traction battery (2), - a computer (4) comprising the means of acquisition, processing by software instructions stored in a memory as well as the control means required for implementing the method, - a warning means (3) in the direction of the environment outside the vehicle, said method executing a step of acquisition (10, 30) of a start and end time of the same change of the traction battery (2), these two times defining the limits of a change duration during which the traction battery (2) is changed, characterized in that this method executes a step of control (20) of the warning means (3) throughout the change duration.

2. A method according to claim 1, the control step (20) actuating the warning means (3) intermittently throughout the changeover period.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, the control step (20) actuating the warning means (3) according to a predefined sequencing throughout the changeover period.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, the start time and / or the end time being generated by an automatic traction battery changing station (2) and / or by an action of an operator.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, the vehicle comprising traction battery changing means, the start time and / or the end time being generated by the traction battery changing means.

6. Calculator (4) comprising the means of acquisition, of processing by software instructions stored in a memory as well as the control means configured to implement the method according to one of the preceding claims.

7. Vehicle comprising: - a traction battery (2), - an electric powertrain (1), supplied with current by the traction battery (2), - a warning means (3) towards the environment outside the vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a computer (4) according to claim 6.

8. A vehicle according to claim 7, comprising traction battery changing means.

9. Vehicle according to claim 7 or 8, comprising a service electric battery (9) electrically coupled to the computer (4) and to the warning means (3) for their electrical supply.

Images