Custom-made portable battery charging station

Abstract

Charging station for portable batteries characterized in that it comprises: at least one removable portable battery with predefined electrical and geometric properties, at least one charging port, each port being configured to be connected to one of said at least one portable battery, a photovoltaic panel configured to produce a quantity of electricity sufficient to ensure at least the recharging of said at least one portable battery, a storage battery, intended to store the surplus electrical production of said solar panel, and sized to make it possible to supplement or replace the electrical production of the latter by restoring at least part of the stored electricity, so that the charging station is self-sufficient in energy. Abstract figure: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Custom-made portable battery charging station Technical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of charging stations. Prior art

[0002] The use of wireless devices, designed to accompany their owners on the move, is ubiquitous these days. We no longer mention cell phones, laptops, PDAs or even touch tablets; the list is very long. However, all of these devices have a well-known limitation: their on-board energy storage device.

[0003] To remedy this, some users are obliged to accompany their equipment with their respective charger, which, in addition to cluttering them up when not in use, forces them to remain connected to an electrical outlet and limits their movement: since the user either wishes to stay with the equipment to use it, or not to move away from it in order to avoid its theft.

[0004] To deal with the second case, fixed charging stations are known, in the form of a set of lockable lockers (by code, key, etc.) and in each of which there is a charging cable, fixed and connected to the electrical network. The owner of the device can move away from it without risking theft, but then remains deprived of its use.

[0005] Other users therefore often choose to carry replacement batteries with them, to exchange the empty battery of a device for a full replacement one. However, many devices do not allow easy replacement of their battery; on the contrary, the most recent devices voluntarily limit this possibility.

[0006] A solution that has become popular is the so-called "external" battery: a portable battery equipped with a charging cable. It acts as a charger, which does not need to be connected to the electrical network. However, this external battery has the same disadvantage as all other devices: it can be drained of its energy. In particular, it is up to the user to remember to charge it and a simple oversight can lead back to the initial problem. For some of the most experienced users, external batteries with a very large capacity are a solution, to avoid having to recharge them too often, but such batteries are very bulky. In addition, these external batteries, whatever their size, remain too bulky when not in use, since they are of no use to the user.

[0007] It is therefore known that public stations, electrically connected to the public electricity network, offer for rental or loan external batteries of reasonable size, charged (full). Thus users can rent an external battery as needed, which only takes up space while their device is charging.

[0008] However, today more than ever, the climate consequences of the globalized use of such devices are a matter of concern. Indeed, the electricity constantly used to recharge devices or external batteries comes from the public electricity grid. The energy "bouquet" or "mix", that is to say the relative share of different energy sources, in the electricity grid is an important lever of global warming. For example, the production of electricity from coal or natural gas produces enormous greenhouse gases.

[0009] It is noted that in 2021, the share of renewable energies in gross final energy consumption is 19.3% in France and 21.8% in the entire 27-country European Union. (Source: Eurostat (extraction from February 9, 2023)).

[0010] Thus, on average, around 80% of the electricity used to charge portable devices is not of renewable origin.

[0011] Furthermore, in other countries where the electrical infrastructure is less developed, notwithstanding an even less favorable energy mix, access to the national electricity grid may be more difficult, or even impossible in certain places, and prior art solutions that require connection to it cannot be used. For example, in Senegal, it is noted that the electricity connection rate is 64% at the national level, and only 33% in rural areas. Summary

[0012] The present disclosure improves the situation by proposing a public solar charging station for portable batteries.

[0013] A battery charging station is proposed comprising: - at least one removable portable battery with predefined electrical and geometric properties, - at least one charging port, each port being configured to be connected to one of said at least one portable battery, - a photovoltaic panel configured to produce a sufficient quantity of electricity to ensure at least the recharging of said at least one portable battery, - a storage battery, intended to store the surplus electrical production of said solar panel, and sized to supplement or replace the electrical production of the latter by restoring at least part of the stored electricity, so that the charging station is self-sufficient in energy.

[0014] In one embodiment, the station further comprises a charge controller for prioritizing the charging of certain portable batteries from among a plurality of portable batteries connected to the charging ports, according to at least one predefined prioritization criterion.

[0015] In a variant: - the station further comprises, for each of the plurality of charging ports, a charging sensor intended to measure the charging rate of a portable battery connected to the charging port in question, and - the charge controller includes: • a communication device, wireless or preferably wired, communicating with said load sensors, and • a prioritization criterion defined according to the charge rate measured by the charge sensor of the respective portable battery considered, for example the prioritization criterion is a charge rate of the respective portable battery considered less than 80%, preferably 50% or even better 20%.

[0016] Alternatively, the station further comprises a fairing defining a plurality of open housings, each of which is intended to receive through the opening a portable battery with predefined dimensions, and in which one of said plurality of charging ports is located, so that a portable battery inserted into the housing can be connected to the charging port.

[0017] In a variant, the fairing forms a body sealed to at least one of: - fluids, and in particular water, - electric fields, - electromagnetic fields.

[0018] In one variant, the station further comprises cooling means for maintaining the interior of the station at a nominal operating temperature.

[0019] In one embodiment, the station further comprises: - for each charging port, a locking mechanism intended to retain a portable battery connected to the charging port in question, and - a Human-Machine Interface allowing a locking mechanism to be unlocked according to a pre-defined unlocking criterion.

[0020] In a variant, the Human-Machine Interface further comprises a payment interface, and the unlocking criterion is the payment of an amount via the payment interface.

[0021] In one embodiment of the station, the photovoltaic panel is mounted on a rotating head 109 to ensure its orientation relative to the path of the sun.

[0022] In another embodiment, the station further comprises a set of monitoring sensors, making it possible to monitor the state of the station, and in particular: - its electrical consumption - its electricity production, and - its production of greenhouse gases through its use, and optionally: - its temperature, and - its geolocation.

[0023] According to another aspect, there is provided a set of stations comprising a data server and each of said stations further comprises a communication device, preferably wireless, and in that the data for monitoring the state of each of said stations are transmitted and centralized to a data server, by the communication device.

[0024] Alternatively, the server includes means for calculating predictive maintenance on said stations. Brief description of the drawings

[0025] Other characteristics, details and advantages will appear on reading the detailed description below, and on analyzing the attached drawings, in which: Fig.l

[0026] [Fig.l] schematically shows a public station for recharging nomadic batteries according to one embodiment of the claim and its main components. Description of the embodiments

[0027] The invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a tailor-made station which allows a user to borrow a portable battery charged with electricity from renewable sources, for example in an area which is not covered by an electricity network.

[0028] Such an invention thus makes available to the public a set of portable batteries. In an area where electrical coverage is limited, it advantageously allows the public to recharge their portable equipment without limiting their movements.

[0029] Reference is now made to [Fig.l] which schematically illustrates such a public station for recharging nomadic batteries and its main components.

[0030] The station firstly includes a plurality of mobile batteries. The number of batteries that the station incorporates is advantageously predefined according to the user needs of the area for which the station will be deployed. For example, the station can incorporate a number of batteries proportional to the traffic of the area in which it will be installed.

[0031] Similarly, in one variant, the battery type is advantageously adapted to user needs. In addition, the electrical characteristics (i.e., capacity, voltage, C-rate ratio, etc.) are also predefined to advantageously correspond to user needs. For example, the station may include batteries suitable for recharging mobile phones.

[0032] In one variant, the station comprises different types of portable batteries, corresponding to different user needs.

[0033] In order to be able to recharge the various portable batteries, the station comprises an interface for connecting to the portable batteries: a set of charging ports 101, each of which can be connected to a portable battery. Advantageously, the charging ports allow a wired connection to the portable batteries, to ensure high charging efficiency. For example, the charging port 101 may comprise a direct current power connector, or a power and data connector such as USB, Dupont, Molex, JST, JTAG, etc., or even a custom connector.

[0034] Alternatively, the charging ports can be wireless to advantageously facilitate the connection of a battery to the station. By electromagnetic induction, it is then possible to ensure the charging of portable batteries compatible with such a charging means, without requiring a wired connection.

[0035] Advantageously, the station comprises a guide for each of the charging ports 101, so as to guide the insertion of a battery and ensure efficient connection of the latter to a charging port 101. For example, such a guide may be a rail or a housing in the station, with the dimensions of the battery.

[0036] Thus, in a preferred variant, the station comprises a fairing 104 which delimits a set of open housings serving as guides, each being configured to receive a portable battery. Such a fairing 104 may comprise housings of different dimensions adapted to different types of batteries. For example, a station which comprises different types of batteries (which may also differ in their dimensions) provides as many housings adapted for each of the batteries.

[0037] Advantageously, the fairing 104 may be waterproof, resistant to water and liquids and other solid pollutants (such as sand and dust) to protect the electrical and electronic components of the station. In addition, the fairing 104 may constitute a Faraday cage, advantageously protecting the components from electrical and electromagnetic variations.

[0038] In addition, in a variant, the shroud 104 may be made of a material with a low coefficient of thermal expansion in order to dissipate heat more easily and facilitate maintaining the components at a nominal operating temperature, so as to advantageously extend their service life. Alternatively, the station may include a cooling device for controlling the internal temperature. This device may be, for example, a fan, a vent whose opening is controllable or not, a passive cooling system sized to maintain the internal temperature within a predefined range, etc. and / or combinations of these elements.

[0039] Furthermore, such a guide, by its shape and construction, can advantageously prevent the hazardous insertion into the station of objects other than the expected portable batteries (of a different shape).

[0040] In a variant, the housings each comprise a door advantageously making it possible to limit their pollution, for example by dust or sand particles. These doors can keep the housing sealed, waterproof and other liquid-proof in order to advantageously protect the connectors and the charging ports 101.

[0041] In a variant, these doors can be hinged, that is to say that they systematically open under the pressure linked to the insertion of a portable battery. For example, hinges equipped with springs make it possible to keep the door closed in a default state, and the springs define the pressure necessary to be able to insert a portable battery. Optionally, the door remains open when a portable battery is inserted, and this battery ensures the sealing of the housing.

[0042] The doors can, alternatively, be locked and equipped with a proximity sensor capable of recognizing a portable battery, and only unlocking if a battery is near the door.

[0043] To be able to recharge portable batteries, the charging station comprises a photovoltaic panel 103 (or solar panel 103), advantageously making it possible to supply the station with electricity from renewable sources without requiring any connection to an external electrical network.

[0044] Such a solar panel 103 is thus electrically connected to the charging ports, to power and recharge the connected portable batteries. This connection can advantageously include energy conversion devices making it possible to ensure electrical compatibility between the components on the one hand and to improve the quality of the connection on the other hand, for example by smoothing the supply voltage.

[0045] Advantageously, the photovoltaic panel 103 is sized proportionally to the portable batteries that the station incorporates. Ideally, the photovoltaic panel 103 is sized to provide an electrical charge capable of recharging all of the portable batteries to a predefined threshold in a predetermined time, under fixed weather conditions.

[0046] The photovoltaic panel 103 advantageously allows the station to operate without being connected to an electrical distribution network. In a variant, the station may provide a connection to an electrical network, so that it can also be used in a connected manner. Advantageously, a connected station of the invention allows autonomous operation to be ensured in the event of a failure of the electrical network.

[0047] In a variant, the photovoltaic panel 103 is mounted on a rotating head 109 allowing it to be oriented in an optimal position relative to the path of the sun in the sky from the place where the station will be deployed and the hours of sunshine of the place (certain bodies can hide the sun on its path, it is advantageous to take this into account in the orientation of the solar panel).

[0048] Alternatively, the rotating head 109 allows orientation of the solar panel on the station according to a pivot connection around the vertical axis of the station and the solar panel is inclined at a predefined angle.

[0049] Alternatively, the rotating head 109 allows the solar panel to be oriented on the station using a ball-and-socket joint, i.e. by a first rotation around the vertical axis of the station and a second rotation around an axis orthogonal to the vertical axis of the station, allowing the photovoltaic panel 103 to be tilted.

[0050] Generally, the rotating head 109 is manually manipulated to orient the solar panel in a preferred or optimal position. Such manipulation advantageously makes it possible to save the energy of the station for such an orientation.

[0051] In one variant, the rotating head 109 is motorized and the panel is oriented to an optimal position in a substantially periodic manner. The frequency at which the panel updates its orientation is predefined so as to have maximum efficiency in relation to the cost of such an update.

[0052] Indeed, updating the orientation of the photovoltaic panel is an operation that is costly in electrical energy since it requires the activation of motors; carrying out this operation too frequently can, in the long term, cost more energy than the energy reported by this optimization.

[0053] In this way, the frequency of updating the orientation of the photovoltaic panel is from once a week to four times a year, preferably once a month, allowing the photovoltaic panel 103 to advantageously orient itself in an optimal position by following the variations in the path of the sun in the sky (during the seasons of the year).

[0054] Advantageously, the updating of the orientation of the photovoltaic panel 103 is carried out only if the portable batteries are sufficiently recharged, for example if all the batteries are charged to more than 80%, ideally charged to saturation. Otherwise, the update can be postponed to a time when the portable batteries are sufficiently recharged, so as to advantageously prioritize the charging of the portable batteries over the orientation of the photovoltaic panel.

[0055] In one embodiment, the station comprises a computer comprising a calculation unit such as a processor, a memory. Alternatively, it can be equipped with a clock. In a preferred variant, the computer is integrated into the station, but alternatively, the station can comprise a communication device, in communication with a remote computer.

[0056] In a variant of this embodiment, the updating of the orientation can be ordered by the station computer. Advantageously, the memory, in addition to containing the code instructions necessary for the update, contains almanac data of the path of the sun in the sky from the position of the station. From the clock and almanac data, the computer calculates the optimal orientation until the next update and orders the motors to orient themselves in the calculated orientation.

[0057] Advantageously, the charging station also comprises a storage battery 102 connected to the solar panel 103 and to the charging ports 101. This connection can also further comprise energy conversion devices making it possible to ensure compatibility between the components thus connected, and to improve the quality of the connection.

[0058] This storage battery 102 makes it possible to store the surplus electricity generated by the photovoltaic panel 103. For example, when the electricity production of the photovoltaic panel 103 exceeds the electricity consumption of the station linked to the charging of the portable batteries, the surplus electricity is stored in the storage battery 102. This can happen in particular when the solar panel 103 is very sunny and / or when the portable batteries are almost entirely or completely recharged.

[0059] The storage battery 102 also makes it possible to supplement the energy produced by the photovoltaic panel when it is insufficient. For example, if the weather is not sunny enough (or it is dark) or if the energy demand is too high (too many batteries to be recharged simultaneously), the storage battery 102 ensures the recharging of the portable batteries by restoring the previously stored electrical energy.

[0060] Thus, the storage battery 102 is advantageously sized (for its electrical properties, such as its storage capacity or its voltage) proportionally to the portable batteries that the station incorporates. Ideally, the storage battery 102 is sized so that, when it is full, it provides an electrical charge capable of recharging all of the portable batteries to a threshold predefined in a predetermined time. Alternatively, it can be sized to have a predetermined number of days of autonomy for the operation of the station.

[0061] While in variants, the storage battery 102 is directly connected to the charging ports, it may, in other variants, be connected by comprising energy conversion devices, in particular voltage converters. This in particular makes it possible to advantageously facilitate the electrical dimensioning of the storage battery 102. For example, a battery with a higher voltage may have a greater storage capacity and / or a smaller footprint.

[0062] In one embodiment, the charging station further comprises a charge controller advantageously making it possible to control the charging of the portable batteries and / or the storage battery 102.

[0063] This controller allows the charging between the different components of the station to be regulated. In particular, it can set up a predefined process for charging portable batteries.

[0064] In one variant, the station comprises a charge sensor for each charging port 101, which makes it possible to measure the charge rate of the portable battery connected to the respective charging port 101. The information acquired by the charge sensors is transmitted to the charge controller.

[0065] Alternatively, the charge sensors are incorporated into the portable batteries, which transmit the charge data via the charging port 101 (which is then necessarily a power and data port).

[0066] In one embodiment, the charging process comprises simultaneously charging all of the portable batteries until saturation (i.e., recharged to 100%).

[0067] Alternatively, the different batteries are grouped by charging group (each group comprising at least one battery) and the charging process comprises charging one or more charging groups up to a predefined threshold which may be 100%.

[0068] For example, the electrical architecture includes that several charging ports are connected in parallel and their charging is controlled by a single output of the charge controller. Thus, the batteries associated with these charging ports are part of the same charging group and the controller, by means of the single output connected to the charging group, controls the charging of the group as a whole.

[0069] Such an architecture makes it possible to advantageously reduce its complexity inside the station, for a saving of space and costs, but also to reduce the calculations and the size of the charge controller.

[0070] Thus, the load groups can be loaded successively, in a predefined order, which can correspond for example to their arrangement in the station.

[0071] Alternatively, the order can be defined according to the charge rate of the portable batteries (or the average, median, minimum or maximum charge rate of the batteries in the charging group). For example, the charging group with the lowest average charge rate is charged first.

[0072] The charging process may also include priority charging of the charging group with the highest charging rate in the case where no portable battery has a charging rate higher than a predefined threshold, called sufficient. Indeed, such priority charging advantageously makes it possible to increase the availability of at least one sufficiently charged battery to the public: a user who uses the station thus almost always has at least one sufficiently charged battery available.

[0073] Generally speaking, the charging of a load group can be done in two distinct phases: a charging phase up to a sufficient charge rate threshold, then a second phase up to saturation. It is known that the last 20% of charging (from 80% to 100%) is very costly in terms of energy and time. A sufficient charge rate threshold can therefore advantageously be 80%.

[0074] In a variant, in order to advantageously optimize the charging time and the electrical consumption, charging up to a sufficient threshold of the charging groups takes priority over charging up to saturation. The charging groups are then charged to saturation only once all the charging groups have reached a sufficient charging rate.

[0075] Furthermore, it is also known that using a battery with a charge rate of less than 20% can reduce its lifespan. In a variant embodiment, the charge controller also prioritizes charging batteries that have a charge rate of less than 20% until they reach at least such a rate.

[0076] Alternatively, portable batteries may include a safety element preventing discharge below 20% to advantageously preserve their lifespan. Thus, if a user uses a portable battery, the charge provided by the portable battery will systematically stop if the portable battery reaches a charge rate less than or equal to 20%.

[0077] In another variant, the storage battery 102 further comprises a charge rate sensor, the data of which is transmitted to the charge controller. When the storage battery 102 reaches a critical charge rate, for example less than 5%, the controller limits the charging of the portable batteries, in order to preserve a minimum quantity of electrical energy for the internal operation of the station and in particular for the operation of the charge controller. For example, the charging of the portable batteries is carried out only by the energy supplied by the panel photovoltaic, so as not to further consume the remaining energy in the storage battery 102.

[0078] In one embodiment, the station further comprises a Human-Machine Interface, or HMI, which allows a user to request the borrowing of a portable battery.

[0079] The HMI 105 is advantageously implemented by the station computer, the memory of which contains the code instructions for implementing the HMI 105. In one variant, it comprises a graphical interface for communicating with the user. Alternatively, the graphical interface provides a standby mode to advantageously save electrical energy.

[0080] Alternatively, the HMI 105 advantageously comprises, preferably, mechanical or electrical components 106 requiring little or no electrical energy; for example, the HMI 105 does not have a screen for a graphical interface and is composed mainly of mechanical buttons and LEDs. The HMI 105 can thus be sized so that its electrical consumption is lower than a predefined threshold.

[0081] Advantageously, the buttons of the HMI can be piezoelectric buttons making it possible to convert the energy from pressing the button into electrical energy used to weakly power the station or to provide a signal to the computer. This characteristic is not limited to the buttons: any element involving a mechanical movement of the user can advantageously comprise an energy recovery device such as a piezoelectric device to participate in the power supply of the station and advantageously reduce its electrical consumption.

[0082] In this embodiment, the charging ports comprise a locking mechanism 108 for keeping the portable battery connected to the charging port 101. Alternatively, the locking mechanism 108 may be located elsewhere in the housing. For example, the locking mechanism 108 may be a single-acting electric cylinder (extended and locking in a neutral state and retracted when powered).

[0083] The locking mechanism 108 can be unlocked following a user action with the HMI 105.

[0084] In a variant, the battery released by unlocking a mechanism is advantageously the most charged battery.

[0085] The HMI 105 may further comprise a payment interface, allowing the user to pay a deposit and / or payment for the use of a portable battery. The HMI 105 may thus restrict the release of a battery according to a payment condition.

[0086] In one embodiment, the station's computer performs a periodic diagnosis of the portable batteries, so as to identify defective batteries. Advantageously, such defective batteries are then not loaned to users.

[0087] In another embodiment, the station comprises sensors for measuring electricity consumption and production, the quantity of pollution emitted (in CO2 equivalent or eqCO2), the temperature of the station or even geolocation.

[0088] In one variant, the station comprises a communication device and the various information measured is centralized in a remote server.

[0089] This centralization can allow efficient monitoring of the station, and in a variant where several stations of the invention are deployed, of the entire network.

[0090] Such centralization on a network of stations allows in particular the implementation of automatic learning algorithms and in particular maintenance prediction, in order to be able to program in advance the necessary maintenance of the stations before they break down, in order to advantageously ensure continuous operation.

Claims

Claims

1. Charging station for portable batteries, characterized in that it comprises: - at least one removable portable battery with predefined electrical properties, - at least one charging port, each port being configured to be connected to one of said at least one portable battery to recharge the latter, - a photovoltaic panel configured to produce a quantity of electricity sufficient to ensure at least the recharging of said at least one portable battery, a storage battery for storing the surplus electrical production of said solar panel, and sized to make it possible to supplement or replace the electrical production of this solar panel by restoring at least part of the stored electricity so that the charging station is self-sufficient in energy.

2. Station according to claim 1 characterized in that it further comprises a charge controller making it possible to prioritize the charging of certain portable batteries among a plurality of portable batteries connected to the charging ports, according to at least one predefined prioritization criterion.

3. Station according to the preceding claim, in which: - the station further comprises for each of the plurality of charging ports a charging sensor intended to measure the charging rate of a portable battery connected to the charging port in question, and - the charging controller comprises: • a communication device, wireless or preferably wired, communicating with said charging sensors, and • a prioritization criterion defined according to the charging rate measured by the charging sensor of the portable battery respectively in question, for example the prioritization criterion is a charging rate of the portable battery respectively considered less than 80%, preferably 50% or even better 20%.

4. Station according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a fairing defining a plurality of open housings, each of which is intended to receive through the opening a portable battery with predefined dimensions, and in which one of said plurality of charging ports is located, so that a portable battery inserted into the housing can be connected to the charging port.

5. Station according to the preceding claim in which the fairing forms a body impervious to at least one of: - fluids, and in particular water, - electric fields, - electromagnetic fields.

6. A station according to any one of the claims, further comprising cooling means for maintaining the interior of the station at a nominal operating temperature.

7. Station according to any one of the claims, further comprising: - for each charging port, a locking mechanism intended to retain a portable battery connected to the charging port in question, and - a Human-Machine Interface making it possible to unlock a locking mechanism according to a pre-defined unlocking criterion.

8. Station according to the preceding claim, in which the Human-Machine Interface further comprises a payment interface, and the unlocking criterion is the payment of an amount via the payment interface.

9. Station according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the photovoltaic panel is mounted on a rotating head 109 to ensure its orientation relative to the path of the sun.

10. Station according to any one of the preferred claims, characterized in that it further comprises a set of tracking sensors, making it possible to obtain tracking of the state of the station, and in particular: - its electricity consumption - its electricity production, and - its greenhouse gas production through its use, and optionally: - its temperature, and - its geolocation.

11. Set of stations according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a data server and in that each of said stations further comprises a communication device, preferably wireless, and in that the data monitoring the state of each of said stations are transmitted and centralized to a data server, by the communication device.

12. Set of stations according to the preceding claim, in which the server comprises means for calculating predictive maintenance on said stations.

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