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, allowing the traction battery to be recharged, the charging connector having an electrical detection pin, the charging connector being housed in a housing; - a motorized hatch movable between a closed position in which the hatch closes access to the housing, and an open position in which the hatch opens access to the housing; - 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. Generally, these sockets are equipped with one or three phases (L1, L2, and L3), an earth connection (also called "Ground" or "Protection Earth"), a neutral connection, and two controls called the proximity pilot (PP) and the control pilot (CP). This allows for several charging levels.

[0004] The PP proximity driver is used to detect a charging cable and limit the current. The main objective of this PP driver is to indicate that the vehicle is connected to a charging station in order to prevent it from starting (during electric charging, the probability that a user will start the vehicle and leave with the cable attached is much greater than with a combustion engine vehicle because people will not wait next to the car until the charging is complete).

[0005] The CP control pilot (or communication pilot) is used to establish communication between the vehicle and the charging station (via a supply equipment (called EVSE for "Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment" in English) throughout the charging process (start-up, stop, intensity, power sequences, etc.).

[0006] Regarding the detection of the charging cable, it is important that the electric vehicle collects information that it is connected to a charger or a terminal in order to control the charging sequences (start, stop, etc.).

[0007] The proximity driver in the charging socket serves this purpose by creating a circuit via a resistance to a PE (or Proximity Earth) pin. Thus, by applying a voltage to the proximity driver pin, a current flow (or voltage drop) will be detected when a socket is connected because this will create an electrical circuit.

[0008] In the case of a charging cable attached to the vehicle, it proves useful to take advantage of this detection for a control of the charging port.

[0009] One objective of the invention is to detect the connection status of the charging cable in order to automate the closing of the hatch while avoiding irrelevant closures.

[0010] 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 having an electrical detection pin, the charging connector being housed in a 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 detection pin, the controller holding the hatch in the open position if it detects a load connection on the load connector via the detection pin.

[0011] Advantageously, the invention makes it possible to condition the automatic closing of the motorized hatch on the disconnection of the charging connector, so as to limit the irrelevant closures of prior art solutions.

[0012] Preferably, the motor vehicle also comprises: - 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.

[0013] This allows the hatch to be closed if the driver is ready to drive, or to keep the hatch open otherwise.

[0014] 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.

[0015] This ensures that the charge is sufficient to reach another charging station or the driver's home.

[0016] 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%.

[0017] This allows for sufficient charge to continue the journey.

[0018] Preferably, the first and second distance thresholds are each from 8 to 12m, preferably from 10m.

[0019] This allows you to be within a short distance of another charging station or home.

[0020] Preferably, the charging connector has a communication pin connected to the controller, characterized in that the controller closes the hatch if, in addition, the charge 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.

[0021] This makes it possible to ensure more that the charging is complete before triggering the closing of the hatch.

[0022] Preferably, the first and second time intervals are each of 8 to 12 minutes, preferably 10 minutes.

[0023] This makes it possible to ensure even more that the charging is complete before triggering the closing of the hatch.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] The technical advantage is to automatically close the vehicle's charging hatch only when the situation is relevant and justified.

[0030] 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.

[0031] Step C is a step to verify the charging status in progress, with an open hatch.

[0032] When a charging connector is inserted into the socket (charging connector), the charging port door opens. This can be confirmed by testing the PP connection pins (reference TPP). If the test is successful, the controller keeps the port door open (reference OT).

[0033] In other cases, it is necessary to distinguish whether the vehicle is ready or not.

[0034] When the vehicle is ready to drive (reference R), and the driver is seated at If the driver is driving and their seatbelt B is fastened, then the controller closes the hatch. This can be confirmed by an access test (reference TA) in which the controller checks if the doors D are closed and seatbelt B is fastened.

[0035] When the vehicle is stationary and no connector is inserted into the socket, several tests are performed: - 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).

[0036] These tests will make it possible to know if the vehicle is about to start charging or if the charging has just finished.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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. Motor vehicle comprising: - a traction battery; - a charging connector connected to the traction battery, allowing the traction battery to be recharged, the charging connector having an electrical sensing pin, the charging connector being housed in a housing; - a motorized hatch movable between a closed position in which the hatch closes an access to the housing, and an open position in which the hatch opens access to the housing; - a controller controlling the hatch, connected to the sensing pin, the controller holding the hatch in the open (OT) position if it detects a charging connection on the charging connector via the sensing pin.

2. A motor vehicle according to claim 1, 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 fastening 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 charging port (FT) if the battery has a state of charge above a first state threshold. charge, 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 (OT) position 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 flap closing step (FT) in which the flap 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 the 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 station

10. the nearest charging point and / or the home is more than a second distance threshold away. 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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