Installation for charging electric vehicles

Abstract

Installation for charging electric vehicles. The installation (1) comprises: - vehicle charging stations (2), mounted in parallel; - a power supply cable (3) for the stations, intended to be connected to a power supply network (120), and connected to each station by a first branch conductor (4); - a separate power cable (7) from the power supply cable (3), intended to be connected on one side to the power supply network and on the other side to an internet connection box (105) via an upstream PLC box (106); - for each station (2), a first downstream PLC box (11) which is connected: -- to said power cable by a second branch conductor (8); -- and to said station by a data connection cable (9) such as an Ethernet cable; said power cable forming a PLC communication cable (7). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Installation for recharging electric vehicles

[0001] The invention relates to an installation for recharging electric vehicles and to a building comprising such an installation.

[0002] An installation for recharging electric vehicles comprises vehicle recharging terminals which are connected to an electrical power cable itself intended to be connected to an electricity supply network. The installation can be installed in a residential or office building, in a hotel, in a supermarket, or any other building, typically in an underground car park.

[0003] Companies managing this type of installation need to be able to exchange information with each charging station, in particular to be able to bill each user the amount corresponding to their consumption during recharges carried out over a given period of time.

[0004] Communication with charging stations requires Internet access. However, in areas located below ground level of a building, such as underground parking lots, there is no Internet access, or very poor access, even when the building has a good Internet connection.

[0005] To enable Internet access near charging stations, the solution of using Wifi or 4G repeaters is expensive and inefficient, or even ineffective depending on the size of the area to be covered and its layout (presence of walls or baffles for example).

[0006] The invention aims to provide Internet access in the vicinity of charging stations while enabling quality communication.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to an installation for recharging electric vehicles, comprising: - a plurality of vehicle charging stations; - an electrical power supply cable for the terminals, intended to be connected to an electricity supply network, and connected to each of the terminals by a first branch conductor, the terminals being mounted in parallel;

[0008] and which further comprises: - an electrical cable separate from the power cable, intended to be connected on the one hand to the electricity supply network and on the other hand to an Internet connection box via an upstream PLC (powerline communication) box; - for each terminal, a first downstream PLC box which is:

[0009] — on the one hand connected to said electric cable by a second branch conductor distinct from the first branch conductor;

[0010] — and on the other hand connected to said terminal by a computer connection cable such as a Ethernet cable;

[0011] said electrical cable forming a PLC communication cable.

[0012] In other words, the invention makes it possible to transmit data from / to each charging station, on the Internet network, via PLC technology, on a dedicated electrical cable. The communication established in this way is of very good quality. This is due to PLC technology, but also to the fact that the data transmission is carried out via an electrical cable which is only used for this transmission. In particular, this cable is not additionally used to transmit electrical power, this function being carried out by the power cable. As a result, the presence of interference that would harm the quality of data transmission is avoided or considerably limited. This significant advantage largely compensates for the disadvantage linked to the need to provide an additional cable dedicated to communication.

[0013] The installation according to the invention is also particularly interesting in that it has a simplified implementation, requiring few operations. In addition, these operations can be carried out by an electrician who does not have expertise in the field of radio communications, which is generally the case for operators who work on installations for recharging electric vehicles. Indeed, as far as communication, that is to say the transmission of data, is concerned, the connection of a terminal is a simple electrical connection operation by derivation, as is the case for the connection of the terminal to the power cable.

[0014] The installation also has the advantage of being robust and durable, with easy maintenance. It is scalable, since, to add a new charging station to the installation, it is sufficient to make a branch for the power connection and another branch for the communication connection, without it being necessary to provide a new electrical communication cable.

[0015] It follows from the above-mentioned advantages that the costs of initial implementation, maintenance and development of the installation are reduced.

[0016] Furthermore, the installation according to the invention has the considerable advantage of being compatible with any telecommunications operator and any service operator linked to the management of charging stations.

[0017] The installation may further comprise at least one wireless connection device, capable of allowing a user to connect to the Internet, wirelessly and via a mobile device. The wireless connection device is connected to or includes a second downstream PLC box which is distinct from each of the first downstream PLC boxes and which is connected to the PLC communication cable.

[0018] In other words, the wireless connection device is connected to the communication cable- PLC communication via the second PLC box.

[0019] Such an installation thus allows the transmission of data between each charging terminal and a user present in the vicinity of the terminal or even further away in the parking lot, as well as between each charging terminal and the vehicle connected to said terminal. This transmitted data may include information (for example on the state of charge of the vehicle, the remaining charging time, etc.) and / or commands (for example to trigger charging, whether immediate or delayed).

[0020] Depending on the environment around the charging stations, a single wireless connection device may be sufficient to cover the entire parking area. If there are walls or other structures that interfere with wireless transmissions, several wireless connection devices may be provided.

[0021] Thus, thanks to the invention, radio communication, via 4G and / or wifi, is possible at each parking space.

[0022] The wireless connection device comprises, for example, a WiFi module or a femtocell box.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the installation comprises, for each terminal, an electrical panel which comprises a box and, housed in the box, the first downstream PLC box as well as at least one of the following devices: a fuse circuit breaker, a meter, a circuit breaker.

[0024] The first downstream PLC box can be housed in a PLC module itself housed in the box, the PLC box also containing a differential and / or a circuit breaker.

[0025] At least one terminal may be located outside the corresponding electrical panel. At least one terminal may be located inside the corresponding electrical panel.

[0026] The second downstream PLC box can be connected to the PLC communication cable via a third branch conductor.

[0027] According to a first embodiment, the second and third branch conductors have:

[0028] - a common upstream portion which is located outside the electrical panel and which is at least partially housed in a protective sheath, preferably with a portion of the first branch conductor;

[0029] - and separate downstream portions located inside the electrical panel.

[0030] Such an implementation is advantageous because it involves a single main branch, and a large part of the electrical connection can be made in the factory. On site, the operator thus has a very simple and quick electrical panel to connect to the power supply and PLC communication cables as well as to the terminal if it is not included in the electrical panel.

[0031] According to a second embodiment, the third branch conductor is located outside the electrical panel.

[0032] The power cable may include three phase wires and one neutral wire. The PLC communication cable may include a single phase wire and one neutral wire and, optionally, a ground wire.

[0033] The installation may include a cable tray type support through which both the power cable and the PLC communication cable pass. In other words, the power cable and the PLC communication cable pass through a single cable tray. This is legally possible because the PLC communication cable is at the same voltage of 230 V as the power cable.

[0034] The invention also relates to a building comprising an installation as previously described, the building including a first zone and a second zone. The building comprises: - in the first zone, an Internet connection box and an upstream PLC box connected to said Internet connection box, said upstream PLC box also being electrically connected to the PLC communication cable; - in the second zone, which is distinct from the first zone and out of range of the signal from the Internet connection box, for example a basement, the plurality of charging stations and the first downstream PLC boxes.

[0035] When the installation includes one or more wireless connection devices, these may be located in the second zone of the building.

[0036] Several possible embodiments of the invention are now described, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended figures:

[0037] [Fig. 1] is a schematic view of a building comprising an installation for recharging electric vehicles according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0038] [Fig.2] is a schematic view of part of the installation of [Fig.l];

[0039] [Fig. 3] is a schematic view of an electrical panel belonging to the installation, and its connection according to a first embodiment;

[0040] [Fig.4] is a view similar to [Fig.4], showing a second embodiment.

[0041] [Fig.l] represents a building 100 equipped with an electrical power supply system 110. By “building” is meant any construction (residential or tertiary building, factory, etc.), whether for private or public use.

[0042] The electrical power supply system 110 is electrically connected to an electricity supply network 120, via a general cut-off device 125 which is for example located at the edge of the property and may further comprise a protection device.

[0043] The building 100 comprises a first zone 101 which may typically comprise the living and / or working spaces and be located above the ground. The rooms or electrical equipment located in this first zone 101 are supplied by a main power supply cable 103 which belongs to the power supply system 110 and which is connected to the electricity supply network 120 via the general cut-off device 125.

[0044] In the first zone 101 is also located an Internet connection box 105 which is connected to the main power supply cable 103.

[0045] The electrical power supply system 110 further comprises an upstream PLC box 106 which is connected on the one hand to the main cable 103 and on the other hand to the Internet connection box 105. The upstream PLC box 106 is preferably located in the first zone 101 of the building 100.

[0046] The terms “upstream” and “downstream” are used with reference to the direction of the downlink from the Internet network to the Internet connection box 105 and then to the user, it being specified that the communication can also take place in the upstream direction, that is to say in the reverse direction.

[0047] The building 100 also includes a second zone 102 which is distinct from the first zone 101 and which is out of range of the signal from the Internet connection box 105. The second zone 102 is typically located underground and includes parking spaces 108.

[0048] The first and second zones 101, 102 may be separated by a wall, such as here a horizontal wall 107 located at ground level, in general.

[0049] The electrical power supply system 110 comprises an installation 1 for recharging electric vehicles.

[0050] The installation 1 comprises a plurality of terminals 2 for recharging a vehicle. Each terminal 2 is provided with a socket (not shown) to which a vehicle recharging cable can be connected. Each terminal 2 may further comprise a system for managing access to the terminal and / or for managing consumption.

[0051] The installation 1 further comprises an electrical power supply cable for the terminals, also called a power supply cable 3, which is connected to the electricity supply network 120 and connected to each of the terminals 2 by a first branch conductor 4. The terminals 2 are thus mounted in parallel, and connected to the power supply cable 3 by a plurality of first branch conductors 4.

[0052] According to one embodiment, as seen in [Fig. 2], the power cable 3 comprises a neutral wire 3a and three phase wires 3b, 3c, 3d, these wires preferably being housed in an insulating sheath 3e. In Figures 3 and 4, for the sake of simplification, only the neutral wire 3a and one phase wire 3b are shown. Each first branch conductor 4 is single-phase, that is to say it comprises a wire connected to the neutral wire 3a and a wire connected to one of the phase wires 3b-d.

[0053] Concretely, the power cable 3 can be connected to the electricity supply network 120 via the general cut-off device 125 and via a device cut-off 5, generally located in the second zone 102 of building 100.

[0054] In addition, the installation 1 comprises an electrical cable 7 separate from the power cable 3, also called the PLC communication cable.

[0055] The PLC communication cable 7 is connected on the one hand to the electricity supply network, for example to the main cable 103, and on the other hand to the Internet connection box 105 via the upstream PLC box 106. In other words, the PLC communication cable 7 is connected to the upstream PLC box 106, itself connected to the Internet connection box 105.

[0056] According to one embodiment, as seen in [Fig. 2], the PLC communication cable 7 comprises a neutral wire 7a and a single phase wire 7b as well as, possibly, an earth wire (not shown). These wires are preferably housed in an insulating sheath 7e. In Figures 3 and 4, for the sake of simplification, only the neutral wire 7a and a phase wire 7b are shown.

[0057] Furthermore, for each terminal 2, the installation 1 comprises a first downstream PLC box 11 which is connected to the PLC communication cable 7 by a second branch conductor 8 which is separate from the first branch conductor 4. The first downstream PLC boxes 11 are thus mounted in parallel, and connected to the PLC communication cable 7 by a plurality of second branch conductors 8. Each second branch conductor 8 is single-phase, that is to say it comprises a wire connected to the neutral wire 7a and a wire connected to one of the phase wires 7b-d of the PLC communication cable 7.

[0058] The first downstream PLC box 11 is furthermore connected to the corresponding terminal 2 by a computer connection cable 9 such as an Ethernet cable. Each of the first downstream PLC boxes 11 is located in the second zone 102 of the building 100, preferably close to the corresponding terminal 2.

[0059] Thus, each terminal 2 receives the electrical power necessary for charging a vehicle via the power supply cable 3 and, in addition, can receive and send data via the Internet network, via the upstream PLC box 106, the PLC communication cable 7 and the first downstream PLC box 11. This data transmission is therefore carried out on an electrical cable which is dedicated to this function, and which does not also fulfill the function of supplying electrical power.

[0060] The power cable 3 and the PLC communication cable 7, although distinct, can both pass through the same cable tray 10, or other support, which simplifies the structure and maintenance of the installation 1.

[0061] The installation 1 may further comprise at least one wireless connection device 15, capable of allowing a user to connect to the Internet, wirelessly and via a mobile device 50. The wireless connection device 15 is connected to a second downstream PLC box 12 (the wireless connection device 15 may then comprise a wifi module) or includes such a second downstream PLC box 12 (the wireless connection device 15 can then include a femtocell box). The second downstream PLC box 12 is distinct from each of the first downstream PLC boxes 11; it is connected to the PLC communication cable 7. Concretely, each of the second downstream PLC boxes 12 is connected to the PLC communication cable 7 via a third branch conductor 6.

[0062] The wireless connection device(s) 15, located in the second zone 102 of the building 100, therefore allows a user to have access to the Internet in this second zone 102 which is out of range of the signal from the Internet connection box 105.

[0063] The installation 1 may comprise a single wireless connection device 15 common to several terminals 2 when these terminals are not far from each other and there is no obstacle to the transmission of the radio signal. Thus, in [Fig.l], a single wireless connection device 15 is provided for all three terminals located on the right. However, when the space to be covered is larger or includes obstacles to transmission, such as walls or baffles, a greater number of wireless connection devices 15 may be necessary. For example, in the case where a parking space 108 is located in a box 109, a user present in the box 109 can neither receive nor transmit data via a wireless connection device 15 located outside the box 19. It is then necessary to provide a wireless connection device 15 specific to the box 109, as illustrated for the terminal 2 located furthest to the left in [Fig.l].

[0064] The installation may also comprise an electrical panel 20 for each terminal 2. The electrical panel 20 comprises a box 21 which can be closed by a door (not shown). According to a possible embodiment, the terminal 2 may be located outside the box 21, as illustrated in Figures 1, 3 and 4, and in [Fig. 2] for the right terminal. Alternatively, the terminal 2 may be housed in the box 21, as illustrated in [Fig. 2] for the left terminal, in which case the socket must be accessible from outside the box 21.

[0065] As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the electrical panel 20 may include different electrical devices housed in the box 21 among: a fuse switch 22, a meter 23, a circuit breaker 24. These devices are connected in series between the power cable 3 and the terminal 2, preferably in the order in which they are listed.

[0066] Furthermore, the first downstream PLC box 11 can be housed in a PLC module 25 itself housed in the box 21. The PLC module 25 can also contain a differential and / or a circuit breaker (not shown).

[0067] The wireless connection device 15, if present, can be fixed on the box 21, outside of it.

[0068] Figures 3 and 4 illustrate two embodiments with regard to the connection between the PLC communication cable 7 and the downstream PLC boxes 11, 12. More precisely, this concerns: - the second branch conductor 8, which connects the PLC communication cable 7 and the first downstream PLC box 11; - and the third branch conductor 6, which connects the PLC communication cable 7 and the second downstream PLC box 12.

[0069] According to a first embodiment, illustrated in [Fig. 3], the second branch conductor 8 and the third branch conductor 6 have a common upstream portion 31 which is located outside the electrical panel 20 and separate downstream portions, respectively 32 and 33, located inside the electrical panel 20.

[0070] Concretely, for terminal 2, a single branch is made from the PLC communication cable 7, and forms the upstream portion 31 common to the second and third branch conductors 8, 6. This upstream portion 31 is at least partially housed in a protective sheath 34. The protective sheath 34 may also contain a portion of the first branch conductor 4 connected to the power cable 3. The protective sheath 34 has an upstream end 35 which may be sealed against the conductors, here the first and second branch conductors 4, 8, for example by means of an adhesive tape 36. The protective sheath 34 also has a downstream end 37 which may be adjacent to or inserted into an orifice 38 of the box 21 through which the conductors enter the box 21.

[0071] Inside the box 21, the first branch conductor 4 is connected to the first electrical device, here the fuse circuit breaker 22. As regards the data transmission, in the vicinity of the orifice 38 or at a certain distance from it, a branch is made so that the upstream portion 31 is divided into a downstream portion 32 connected to the first downstream CPL box 11 and a downstream portion 33 connected to the second downstream CPL box 12.

[0072] According to a second embodiment, illustrated in [Fig.4], the third branch conductor 6 is located outside the electrical panel 20.

[0073] Concretely, for terminal 2, a branch is made from the PLC communication cable 7 to form the second branch conductor 8, which can be housed in a protective sheath 34, if necessary with the first branch conductor 4, and enter the box 21 through the opening 38. Inside the box 21, the first branch conductor 4 is connected to the first electrical device, here the fuse circuit breaker 22, and the second branch conductor 8 is connected to the first downstream PLC box 11.

[0074] Furthermore, upstream of the protective sheath 34, a bypass is made from the second branch conductor 8, to form the third branch conductor 6 which is connected to the second downstream PLC box 12. Alternatively, this branch could be made from the PLC communication cable 7.

[0075] Thus, the invention provides a decisive improvement to the prior art, thanks to the implementation of an electrical cable which is separate from the electrical power supply cable and which forms a PLC communication cable. This makes it possible to create a communication channel between each terminal and the Internet and, optionally, to create for users a wireless Internet access point in an area with very disturbed or even non-existent Internet access. These functionalities are obtained in a simple, qualitative (i.e. with little or no interference), scalable manner, independent of the operators of services linked to the terminal and telecommunications.

[0076] It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above as examples but that it includes all technical equivalents and variants of the means described as well as their combinations.

Claims

Claims

1. Installation (1) for recharging electric vehicles, comprising: - a plurality of terminals (2) for recharging a vehicle; - an electrical power supply cable (3) for the terminals (2), intended to be connected to an electricity supply network (120), and connected to each of the terminals (2) by a first branch conductor (4), the terminals (2) being mounted in parallel; characterized in that it further comprises: - an electrical cable (7) separate from the power supply cable (3), intended to be connected on the one hand to the electricity supply network (120) and on the other hand to an Internet connection box (105) via an upstream PLC (power line communication) box (106); - for each terminal (2), a first downstream PLC box (11) which is: - on the one hand connected to said electrical cable (7) by a second branch conductor (8) separate from the first branch conductor (4);— and on the other hand connected to said terminal (2) by a computer connection cable (9) such as an Ethernet cable; said electrical cable forming a PLC communication cable (7).;

2. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises at least one wireless connection device (15), capable of allowing a user to connect to the Internet, wirelessly and via a mobile device (50), said wireless connection device (15) being connected to or including a second downstream PLC box (12) which is distinct from each of the first downstream PLC boxes (11) and which is connected to the PLC communication cable (7).

3. Installation according to claim 2, characterized in that the wireless connection device (15) comprises a wifi module or a femtocell box.

4. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises, for each terminal (2), an electrical panel (20) which comprises a box (21) and, housed in the box (21), the first downstream PLC box (11) as well as at least one of the following devices: a fuse circuit breaker (22), a meter (23), a circuit breaker (24).

5. Installation according to claim 4, characterized in that the first downstream PLC box (11) is housed in a PLC module (25) itself housed in the box (21), the PLC box (25) further containing a differential and / or a circuit breaker.

6. Installation according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that at least one terminal (2) is located outside the corresponding electrical panel (20).

7. Installation according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that at least one terminal (2) is located inside the corresponding electrical panel (20).

8. Installation according to claim 2 and one of claims 4 to 7, in which the second downstream PLC box (12) is connected to the PLC communication cable (7) via a third branch conductor (6), characterized in that the second and third branch conductors (8, 6) have: - a common upstream portion (31) which is located outside the electrical panel (20) and which is at least partially housed in a protective sheath (34), preferably with a portion of the first branch conductor (4); - and separate downstream portions (32, 33) located inside the electrical panel (20).

9. Installation according to claim 2 and one of claims 4 to 7, in which the second downstream PLC box (12) is connected to the PLC communication cable (7) via a third branch conductor (6), characterized in that the third branch conductor (6) is located outside the electrical panel (20).

10. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the power cable (3) comprises three phase wires (3b, 3c, 3d) and a neutral wire (3a), and in that the PLC communication cable (7) comprises a single phase wire (7b) and a neutral wire (7a).

11. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises a cable tray type support (10) in which both the power cable (3) and the PLC communication cable (7) pass.

12. Building comprising an installation according to one of the preceding claims, the building (100) including a first zone (101) and a second zone (102), the building (100) comprising: - in the first zone (101), an Internet connection box (105) and an upstream PLC box (106) connected to said Internet connection box (105), said upstream PLC box (106) being further electrically connected to the PLC communication cable (7); - in the second zone (102), which is distinct from the first zone (101) and out of range of the signal from the Internet connection box (105), for example a basement, the plurality of charging stations (2) and the first downstream PLC boxes (11).

13. Building according to claim 12, wherein the installation (1) is according to claim 2, characterized in that the wireless connection device(s) (15) is / are located in the second area (102) of the building (100).

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