MOTOR VEHICLE INCLUDING A MOTORIZED CHARGING HATCH CONTROLLER, METHOD AND PROGRAM BASED ON SUCH A VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising: - a traction battery; - a charging connector connected to the traction battery, housed in a compartment, including a charging cable and movable between a position extended outside the compartment and a position folded inside the compartment; - a connector sensor detecting whether the charging connector is in the compartment; - a motorized hatch movable between a closed position of access to the compartment and an open position of access to the compartment; - a controller controlling the hatch, connected to the detection pin, the controller holding the hatch in the open position (OT) if it detects a charging connection on the charging connector via the detection pin. The invention also relates to a method and a program based on such a vehicle. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING A HATCH CONTROLLER MOTORIZED CHARGING METHOD AND PROGRAM BASED ON SUCH A VEHICLE

[0001] The invention relates to the field of charging hatch systems for traction battery-powered motor vehicles, as well as the closing mechanisms of these hatch systems.

[0002] Some manufacturers offer motorized charging port covers that close automatically after a delay. However, it can sometimes happen that starting a charge takes longer than expected (need to configure the charging application, enter bank details, etc.), and it would be a shame to close the cover automatically before charging has even started, rendering the automated closing pointless.

[0003] The various charging standards for electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles incorporate several electrical connectors. Some charging connectors, equipped with their cable, are removable from the vehicle to connect the battery and charge the vehicle. Therefore, in these charging connector configurations, it is important to avoid closing the charging port cover while the connector and cable are removed from their housing.

[0004] An objective of the invention is to implement an automation of the closing of the hatch while avoiding irrelevant closures.

[0005] To achieve this objective, the invention proposes a motor vehicle comprising: - a traction battery; - a charging connector connected to the traction battery, allowing the traction battery to be recharged, the charging connector being housed in a housing, the charging connector having a charging cable and being movable between an unfolded position in which the charging connector is out of the housing, and a folded position in which the charging connector is arranged in the housing; - a connector sensor detecting whether the charging connector is positioned in the housing; - a motorized hatch that moves between a closed position in which the hatch closes off access to the dwelling, and an open position in which the hatch opens access to the dwelling; - a controller controlling the hatch connected to the connector sensor; the controller opens the hatch or holds the hatch in the open position if it detects that the charging connector is located outside the housing; opening the hatch or holding the hatch in the open position if it detects that the charging connector is located in the housing.

[0006] In particular, the cable and the connector are both in the housing and movable together out of the housing.

[0007] Advantageously, the invention makes it possible to condition the automatic closing of the motorized hatch on the detection of the charging connector in the housing, so as to limit the irrelevant closures of prior art solutions.

[0008] Preferably, the motor vehicle also includes: - at least one vehicle door; - at least one seat belt; - at least one door closure detector detecting whether said door is closed or open and / or at least one seat belt attachment detector detecting whether said seat belt is fastened or unfastened, said detector being connected to the controller, and the controller closes the hatch if he detects that said door has been closed and / or that said seat belt has been fastened; and the controller keeps the hatch in the open position if it does not detect the closure of said door and / or the fastening of said seat belt.

[0009] This allows the hatch to be closed if the driver is ready to drive, or to keep the hatch open otherwise.

[0010] Preferably, the motor vehicle further comprises: - a navigation system including charging station positions and / or a home position, said navigation system being connected to the controller; The controller is connected to the battery to collect battery charge status information. and the controller closes the hatch if the battery has a state of charge above a first state of charge threshold, and the nearest charging station and / or home is more than a first distance threshold away; and the controller keeps the hatch in the open position if the battery has a state of charge above a second state of charge threshold, and the nearest charging station and / or home is more than a second distance threshold away.

[0011] This ensures that the charge is sufficient to reach another charging station or the driver's home.

[0012] Preferably, the first state of charge threshold is 50 to 70%, preferably 60%, and the second state of charge threshold is 70 to 90%, preferably 80%.

[0013] This allows for sufficient charge to continue the journey.

[0014] Preferably, the first and second distance thresholds are each 8 to 12m, preferably 10m.

[0015] This allows you to be within a short distance of another charging station or home.

[0016] Preferably, the charging connector includes a communication pin connected to the controller, characterized in that the controller closes the hatch if, in addition, the charging state or a signal from the communication pin has changed during a first time interval; and in that the controller keeps the hatch in the open position if, in addition, the charge state or a signal from the communication pin has not changed for a second time interval.

[0017] This allows for greater assurance that charging is complete before triggering the closing of the hatch.

[0018] Preferably, the first and second time intervals are each of 8 to 12 minutes, preferably 10 minutes.

[0019] This makes it possible to ensure even more that the charging is complete before triggering the closing of the hatch.

[0020] The invention further relates to a method of controlling a hatch of a motor vehicle according to the invention, comprising a step of opening the hatch in which the hatch is held in the open position if a load connection is detected via the detection pin.

[0021] Preferably, the control method further includes a hatch closing step in which the hatch is kept in the closed position if the battery has a state of charge above the first state of charge threshold, and the nearest charging station and / or home is more than a first distance threshold away; the opening step being maintained if the battery has a state of charge greater than a second state of charge threshold, and the nearest charging station and / or home is more than a second distance threshold away.

[0022] Another object of the invention relates to a computer program comprising program code instructions for executing the steps of the control process according to the invention, when said program is running on a computer.

[0023] The invention will be further detailed by the description of non-limiting embodiments, and on the basis of [Fig.1] which schematically illustrates the operation of the vehicle controller according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0024] The applicant's solution is to automatically close the charging port of an electric vehicle (when it is motorized) according to several pieces of information associated with the vehicle's state: - Is it in working order or not: ready R (or "ready" in English); in standby S (or "standby" in English)? - Is it located on the point of being put into operation (or "geofencing" in English)? - Has it been recharged recently? - etc.

[0025] The technical advantage is to automatically close the vehicle's charging hatch only when the situation is relevant and justified.

[0026] Figure 1 illustrates the operating logic of the automatic charging port closing system. New software code can be added to the vehicle controller (eVCU or CMM for Engine Controller) to integrate this new function.

[0027] Step C is a step to verify the charging status in progress, with an open hatch.

[0028] When the vehicle's integrated charging cable is removed from its storage compartment (for example, in the case of a coiled cable), the charging port is opened. This can be confirmed by a sensor or other cable detection means (reference CC). If so, the controller keeps the port open (reference OT).

[0029] In other cases, it is necessary to distinguish whether the vehicle is ready or not.

[0030] The sensor can be based on an attached cable storage detection device. This device includes, for example, a switch connected to a resistor and an electronic detection means. The switch follows the cable's movement into or out of its housing.

[0031] Another solution would be a pressure sensor or a ball spring type switch, installed at the bottom of the housing; or even an NFC type proximity sensor, or others.

[0032] When the vehicle is ready to drive (reference R), the driver is seated at the wheel, and their seat belt B is fastened, the controller closes the hatch. This can be confirmed by an access test (reference TA) in which the controller checks whether the doors D are closed and the seat belt B is fastened.

[0033] When the vehicle is stationary, and the cable is still in its housing, several tests are then carried out: - Is the vehicle located near a charging station or home (navigation settings - TN navigation test)? - Has the battery charge level changed recently, and what is the state of charge (SOC)? (This could be referred to as a TB battery test).

[0034] These tests will make it possible to know if the vehicle is about to start charging or if the charging has just finished.

[0035] Regarding the navigation test, for example, if the nearest charging station is less than 10m away, and the battery has a state of charge below 80% with no change in state of charge or communication via the CP pin for the last 10 minutes, then the controller keeps the hatch open. If the nearest charging station is more than 10m away, and the battery has a state of charge above 60% with a change in state of charge or communication via the CP pin for the last 10 minutes, then the controller closes the hatch.

[0036] The invention further relates to a control program implementing the process steps described above. The program can be loaded into the memory of a motor vehicle controller to implement the invention.

Claims

Demands

1. A motor vehicle comprising: - a traction battery; - a charging connector connected to the traction battery, allowing the traction battery to be recharged, the charging connector being housed in a compartment, the charging connector having a charging cable and being movable between an extended position in which the charging connector is outside the compartment, and a folded position in which the charging connector is positioned within the compartment; - a connector sensor detecting whether the charging connector is positioned within the compartment; - a motorized hatch movable between a closed position in which the hatch closes an access to the compartment, and an open position in which the hatch opens an access to the compartment;- a controller controlling the hatch connected to the connector sensor, the controller opening the hatch or holding the hatch in the open position (OT) if it detects that the charging connector is positioned outside the housing; opening the hatch or holding the hatch in the open position if it detects that the charging connector is positioned inside the housing.

2. A motor vehicle according to the preceding claim, further comprising: - at least one vehicle door; - at least one seat belt; - at least one door closure detector detecting whether said door (D) is closed or open and / or at least one seat belt attachment detector (B) detecting whether said seat belt (B) is fastened or unfastened, said detector being connected to the controller, characterized in that the controller closes the hatch (FT) if it detects a closure of said door (D) and / or a fastening of said seat belt (B); and in that the controller keeps the hatch in the open position (OT) if it does not detect a closure of said door (D) and / or a fastening of said seat belt (B).

3. A motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 2, further comprising: - a navigation system (N) including charging station positions and / or a home position, said navigation system (N) being connected to the controller; the controller being connected to the battery to collect battery state of charge (SOC) information, characterized in that the controller closes the hatch (FT) if the battery has a state of charge greater than a first state of charge threshold, and the nearest charging station and / or home is more than a first distance threshold; and in that the controller keeps the hatch in the open position (OT) if the battery has a state of charge greater than a second state of charge threshold, and the nearest charging station and / or home is more than a second distance threshold.

4. Motor vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the first state of charge threshold is 50 to 70%, preferably 60%, and the second state of charge threshold is 70 to 90%, preferably 80%.

5. Motor vehicle according to any one of claims 3 to 4, wherein the first and second distance thresholds are each from 8 to 12m, preferably 10m.

6. Motor vehicle according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the charging connector has a communication pin connected to the controller, characterized in that the controller closes the hatch if furthermore the charging state or a signal from the communication pin has changed during a first time interval; and in that the controller keeps the hatch in the open position if furthermore the charging state or a signal from the communication pin has not changed during a second time interval.

7. Motor vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the first and second time intervals are each of 8 to 12 minutes, preferably 10 minutes.

8. Method of controlling a hatch of a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a hatch opening step (OT) in which the hatch is held in the open position if a load connection is detected via the detection pin.

9. A control method according to claim 8, further comprising a hatch closing step (FT) in which the hatch is held in the closed position if the battery has a state of charge above the first state of charge threshold, and the nearest charging station and / or home is more than a first distance threshold away; the opening step (OT) being held if the battery has a state of charge above a second state of charge threshold, and the nearest charging station and / or home is more than a second distance threshold away.

10. Computer program comprising program code instructions for performing the steps of the control process according to any one of claims 8 to 9, when said program is running on a computer.

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