Electrical power supply device for a vehicle.

Abstract

Title of the invention: Electrical power supply device for a vehicle. The present invention relates to an electrical power supply device (2) for at least one vehicle, the power supply device (2) comprising at least one power unit (4) comprising a plurality of power modules (6), an intermediate unit (8) and a plurality of charging units (10, 10a, 10b), the power supply device (2) comprising a number of charging units (10, 10a, 10b) greater than the number of power modules (6), the intermediate unit (8) being configured to give the power supply device (2) a plurality of configurations in which each power module (6) is linked to a single charging unit (10, 10a, 10b), said single charging unit (10, 10a, 10b) being connected to a single power module (6) (Figure 4).

Description

Title of the invention: Electrical power supply device for a vehicle.

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of installations for charging a vehicle battery. More particularly, the present invention relates to a power supply device for such an installation capable of charging a plurality of vehicles.

[0002] Contemporary electromobility emphasizes the efficient deployment of charging infrastructure for electric and hybrid vehicles. As the adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles increases, the need for robust and well-distributed charging networks becomes paramount. Therefore, a major challenge is managing the simultaneous supply of electrical power to multiple electric and hybrid vehicles.

[0003] Charging stations are typically equipped with a charging point designed to connect electrically to an electric or hybrid vehicle to recharge its batteries. However, the charging points in such charging stations are generally designed to power only one vehicle at a time. This design imposes limitations in terms of capacity and flexibility, especially in contexts where charging demand is high.

[0004] Some charging facilities provide designated waiting areas where users can wait to connect to a charging station when none is available. These areas offer a solution for managing peak periods by serving as waiting zones for electric or hybrid vehicle owners seeking charging. However, the need for owners of these vehicles to remain alert to the future availability of a charging station can cause stress and wasted time for those waiting.

[0005] Other charging facilities are equipped with multiple charging points, allowing several users to connect their vehicles to the same charging point within the facility. However, such charging facilities divide the electrical power delivered between each charging point, significantly increasing the charging time of connected vehicles.

[0006] The present invention falls within this context and aims to overcome at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art. More particularly, the present The invention aims to provide an electrical power supply device enabling a user to connect their vehicle to a charging station even when no charging station is available, without significantly increasing the installation costs of the power supply device and without altering the experience of customers already connected.

[0007] Thus, the present invention relates to an electrical power supply device for at least one vehicle, the power supply device comprising at least one power unit comprising a plurality of power modules, an intermediate unit electrically connected to each power module, and a plurality of charging units, each charging unit being electrically connected to the intermediate unit and configured to connect electrically to a vehicle, the power supply device comprising a number of charging units greater than the number of power modules, the intermediate unit being configured to give the power supply device a plurality of configurations in which each power module is linked to a single charging unit and in which at least one charging unit is disconnected from the power modules,said single charging unit being connected to a single power module.

[0008] The power supply unit forms an installation for recharging an electrical energy storage device, such as a battery, of an electric or hybrid vehicle. This electrical energy storage device forms part of the vehicle's equipment for storing electrical energy used to power the vehicle.

[0009] The power unit forms a housing within which the power modules are housed. The power unit is electrically connected to an electrical network and is configured to supply each power module with electrical energy drawn from the electrical network.

[0010] The power modules are configured to supply electrical energy to an electric or hybrid vehicle via a charging unit. To this end, each power module includes equipment, such as a converter or transformer, to deliver electrical energy with the characteristics required by said vehicle.

[0011] Each charging unit, which is connected to an electric or hybrid vehicle, is connected to a single power module. Furthermore, at least one charging unit is not electrically connected to any power module. This is because the number of charging units is greater than the number of power modules, and each power module can only be electrically connected to one power module. charging unit at the same time, there is at least one charging unit that is not connected to a power module.

[0012] Thus, regardless of the number of vehicles connected to the power supply, the electrical power delivered by a power module is equal to the electrical power received by the associated charging unit. A user of the power supply according to the invention will therefore not see their vehicle charging time increase because the electrical power delivered by a power module is divided among several charging units.

[0013] The intermediate unit forms the element of the power supply device that controls the configurations adopted by the power supply device. Each configuration corresponds to a combination of a charging unit and a single power module. It is understood that the number of configurations that the power supply device can adopt depends on the number of power modules and the number of charging units. It is understood that each charging unit is either disconnected or electrically connected to one or the other of the power modules depending on the power supply device configuration. Indeed, all power modules are linked to a single charging unit; that is, no power module can be linked to two charging units at the same time. Furthermore, each connected charging unit is connected to a different power module.

[0014] According to the invention, the number of charging units is greater than the number of power modules. This feature allows a user to connect their vehicle to the power supply even when each power module is already associated with a charging unit. Thus, a user can connect their vehicle to the power supply and wait for a power module to become available and connect to the charging unit to which the user is connected, without fear of losing their charging slot and without needing to remain vigilant regarding the availability of a power module. Indeed, once the user has electrically connected their vehicle to a charging unit, the connection between the charging unit and a power module is established automatically by the power supply.Thus, the stress on the user is reduced, allowing them to freely go about their business and have an estimate of the time remaining before charging. Furthermore, such a power supply system limits installation costs by allowing for a number of power modules lower than the number of charging units, without having to consider a multiplier between the number of charging units and the number of power modules.

[0015] According to one feature of the invention, the intermediate unit is configured to allow each charging unit to connect electrically to each of the power modules. Thus, regardless of the charging unit to which a user has connected their vehicle, said vehicle can connect to any power module, depending on their availability.

[0016] According to one feature of the invention, the power supply device comprises a control unit configured to selectively control the electrical connection of a charging unit to a power module. The control unit thus enables the intermediate unit to be controlled, without requiring user intervention, to connect a charging unit to a power module.

[0017] According to one feature of the invention, the control unit is configured to detect the electrical connection of a vehicle to a charging unit and to authorize or prohibit the electrical connection of said charging unit to one of said power modules depending on the availability of said power modules. The user therefore does not have to worry about the number of vehicles being charged but only needs to connect their vehicle to a charging unit; the control unit then adapts the connection between said charging unit and a power module according to the availability of the latter.

[0018] According to one feature of the invention, the control unit is configured to define a connection order for charging units to be placed on power modules. This connection order allows the user who has connected their vehicle to a charging unit to know in advance how long it will take to charge their vehicle. Indeed, the control unit can adapt the connection of a vehicle to a power module based on a plurality of predefined parameters. For example, these parameters can be defined according to the battery charge level of each vehicle or a specific plan subscribed to by a user.

[0019] According to one feature of the invention, the control unit is configured to establish the connection order based on the timing of the electrical connection of the charging unit to the vehicle. This timing allows the connection order to be adapted according to the so-called "first come, first served" principle. Thus, a user of the power supply device is able to know the charging time of their vehicle by taking into account the waiting time for the charging unit, to which their vehicle is connected, to connect to a power module.

[0020] It should be noted that this timing of the electrical connection of the charging unit to the vehicle can be adapted depending on the vehicle connecting to the charging unit. Indeed, some vehicles, such as emergency vehicles or backup systems may be given priority for charging. Therefore, the connection order established by the control unit may be modified to prioritize charging the electrical energy storage system of these vehicles.

[0021] According to one feature of the invention, the control unit is capable of defining information relating to the electrical connection between a power module and a charging unit connected to a vehicle and of communicating said information to said vehicle via a defined communication protocol. This information allows the vehicle to freely enter a reduced consumption mode while awaiting recharging.

[0022] According to one feature of the invention, the intermediate unit comprises a plurality of electrical lines connecting each power module to each charging unit, each electrical line comprising a switch configured to assume an open position and a closed position, said power configurations being obtained by controlling said switches via the control unit. By means of these switches, the control unit can selectively control the electrical connection between each charging unit and each power module.

[0023] The invention also relates to a method for managing a power supply device, the management method implementing at least: - a connection step during which a vehicle is connected to a charging unit, - an analysis step during which the availability of power modules is analyzed, - a piloting stage during which the charging unit is electrically connected to a power module, - a charging stage during which the power module supplies electrical energy to the vehicle as soon as the charging unit is electrically connected to a power module.

[0024] It should be noted that "available" means that the power module in question does not deliver electrical energy for the recharging of a vehicle.

[0025] According to one feature of the invention, the management method implements a standby step occurring before the piloting step during which the electrical connection between said charging unit and a power module is suspended until a power module is available.

[0026] According to a feature of the invention, during the standby step, information relating to the duration of the suspension of said electrical connection between said charging unit and a power module is communicated to the user.

[0027] According to a feature of the invention, during the standby stage the vehicle is put into standby for at least part of the duration of the suspension, information enabling the vehicle to come out of standby being transmitted to said vehicle before or at the time of the connection between the charging unit and a power module.

[0028] Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become clearer upon reading the following description on the one hand, and the illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0029] [Fig.1] schematically represents a power supply device according to the present invention comprising a plurality of power modules and charging units connected to an intermediate unit;

[0030] [Fig.2] schematically represents an electrical network within the unit intermediary allowing each charging unit to be electrically connected to each power module;

[0031] [Fig.3] schematically represents electrical lines of the electrical network equipped with switches and attaching a power module to each charging unit;

[0032] [Fig.4] schematically represents the operation of the power supply device during which three vehicles are being loaded, one vehicle is fully loaded and two vehicles are waiting to be loaded.

[0033] The features, variants, and different embodiments of the invention can be combined in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of features, described hereafter in isolation from the other described features, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0034] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0035] Figure 1 illustrates an electrical power supply device 2 for at least one vehicle according to the present invention. The power supply device 2 comprises at least one power unit 4 comprising a plurality of power modules 6. The power supply device 2 also comprises an intermediate unit 8 and a plurality of charging units 10.

[0036] The power unit 4 forms an infrastructure for housing the plurality of power modules 6, protecting them in particular from external aggressions and by physically and electrically isolating the power modules 6. This limits the risk of damage to the power modules 6 and the risk of electrocution of a person or animal. Furthermore, the power unit 4 can be positioned at a distance from the charging units 10 so that the noise generated by the operation of the power unit 4 does not disturb users of the power supply device 2.

[0037] The power modules 6 are electrically connected to an electrical network that supplies them with electrical energy. More specifically, the power modules 6 are supplied with electrical energy by a medium-voltage or high-voltage power source. Within the power modules 6, a transformer to lower the voltage received from the electrical network and an AC-DC converter are implemented to make the electrical energy delivered by the charging units 10 compatible with the demand of electric or hybrid vehicles 12, hereinafter referred to as vehicle 12, connected to the charging units 10.

[0038] In addition, each power module 6 and each charging unit 10 is electrically connected to the intermediate unit 8. Furthermore, each charging unit 10 is configured to connect electrically to a single vehicle 12.

[0039] The charging units 10 form charging stations equipped with a charging socket compatible with a receiving socket made in the vehicle 12 to allow the charging of the battery of said vehicle 12. In addition, as will be detailed in the description below, the charging socket allows information to be communicated with the vehicle 12 by means of a defined communication protocol.

[0040] The intermediate unit 8 ensures in particular a function of transferring electrical power from the power modules 6 to the charging units 10. Also, by means of the intermediate unit 8, each charging unit 10 can connect electrically to each power module 6.

[0041] According to the invention, the power supply device 2 comprises a number of charging units 10 greater than the number of power modules 6. In the embodiment shown, the power supply device 2 comprises six charging units 10 and three power modules 6. Of course, other combinations can be implemented in accordance with the present invention; for example, the power supply device 2 can comprise five power modules 6 and nine charging units 10, or four power modules 6 and eleven charging units 10. It is understood that there is no multiplier governing the number of charging units 10 relative to the number of power modules 6.

[0042] This freedom between the number of charging units 10 and the number of power modules 6 is made possible by the intermediate unit 8, which is capable of giving the power supply device 2 a plurality of configurations in which each power module 6 is linked to a single charging unit 10. Also, this plurality of configurations makes it possible to adapt the power supply device 2 by implementing a freely chosen number of charging units 10.

[0043] Figure 2 highlights this plurality of configurations. Indeed, to allow the power supply device 2 to take on a plurality of configurations, each power module 6 can be electrically connected to each charging unit 10.

[0044] For this purpose, the intermediate unit 8 comprises an electrical network 14 formed of a plurality of electrical lines 16, each electrical line 16 electrically connecting a single charging unit 10 to a single power module 6. The electrical connections made by the electrical lines 16 within the intermediate unit 8 are such that each charging unit 10 is able to connect electrically to each power module 6.

[0045] It should be noted that to facilitate reading of [Fig.2], the electrical lines 16 connecting a single power module 6 to the charging units 10 are represented in the same style of line.

[0046] Also, to allow each charging unit 10 to connect selectively to a single power module 6, the power supply device 2 includes a control unit configured to selectively drive an electrical connection from a charging unit 10 to a power module 6.

[0047] Fig. 3 illustrates the intermediate unit 8 in which a single power module 6 is represented and it should be noted that the description relating to this power means 6 applies mutatis mutandis to the other power modules 6 electrically connected to the intermediate unit 8. The control of the electrical connections carried out by the control unit is operated by means of control means.

[0048] Each electrical line 16 is provided with a control means which, in the embodiment shown, takes the form of a switch 18. Here, the switches 18 are of the on / off type, that is to say that the switches 18 are capable of taking a closed position in which an electrical connection between a charging unit 10 and a power module 6 is permitted and an open position in which an electrical connection between a charging unit 10 and a power module 6 is prohibited.

[0049] Also, the different configurations that can be taken by the power supply device 2 are obtained according to the open or closed position of each switch 18.

[0050] Furthermore, at any given moment, a power module 6 can only be connected to a single charging unit 10. Thus, at that given moment, only one electrical line 16 can electrically connect a charging unit 10 to a power module 6. It is understood that at that given moment and among all the electrical lines 16 connected to a power module 6, only one electrical line 16 can include a switch 18 in the closed position, the other switches 18 being in their open position.

[0051] Also, when a vehicle 12 connects to a charging unit 10, the control unit is configured to detect this connection and to allow or prohibit the electrical connection of said charging unit 10 to one of the power modules 6 depending on the availability of the power modules 6. In other words, if a connection module is not connected to any charging unit 10, i.e. that all the switches 18 are in their open position, then the control unit allows the connection between said charging unit 10 to which the vehicle 12 has connected and said power module 6 by driving the associated switch 18 so that the latter is in its closed position.On the other hand, if said power module 6 is already electrically connected with another charging unit 10 then the control unit prohibits the connection of the charging unit 10 to which the vehicle 12 has connected with said power module 6.

[0052] The access of the charging units 10 to the power modules 6 is controlled by the control unit which drives the intermediate unit so that, according to the invention, a single charging unit 10 can only be electrically connected with a power module 6 at any given time.

[0053] Fig. 4 illustrates more specifically the control operated by the control unit to authorize or prohibit an electrical connection between a charging unit 10 and a power module 6.

[0054] As shown in [Fig. 4], all charging units 10 are electrically connected to a vehicle 12. When a vehicle 12 is connected to a charging unit 10, the charging socket of the charging unit 10 becomes electrically connected to a vehicle 12. This charging socket includes at least one connector for exchanging information between the charging unit 10 and the vehicle 12. This connector of the charging socket allows the charging unit 10 to detect the connection of the vehicle to the charging socket and to collect information relating to the charge level of the battery of the vehicle 12.

[0055] In the embodiment shown in [Fig. 4], the power supply device 2 comprises three power modules 6, each of these power modules 6 being connected to a single charging unit 10a. Also, as can be seen in [Fig. 4], the vehicles 12 electrically connected to said charging units 10a are their batteries are being recharged. The control unit is capable of collecting a variety of information regarding the charge level of the batteries of each vehicle 12 so that the control unit can determine the charging time required to fully recharge the battery of said vehicles 12, as well as the remaining charging time while the battery of said vehicles 12 is being charged.

[0056] When all the power modules 6 of the power unit 4 are connected to a charging unit 10, no other charging unit 10 can be connected to a power module 6. Therefore, as shown in [Fig. 4], charging units 10b connected to a vehicle 12 must wait until a power module 6 is available.

[0057] To enable the charging units 10b waiting to connect with a power module 6 to coordinate, the control unit is configured to define a connection order for the charging units 10 to the connection modules 6. This connection order allows the electrical connections between the waiting charging units 10b and the power modules 6 to be organized according to a timing of the electrical connection of the charging unit 10 to the vehicle 12, i.e. according to the time of connection of the vehicle 12 to the charging unit 10.

[0058] In the embodiment shown, the connection order is established according to the time the vehicles 12 connect to the charging units 10; that is, the first vehicle 12 connected to a charging unit 10 will be the first to be able to be electrically connected to a power unit 6 via said charging unit. Alternatively, the control unit can determine connection priorities, for example, based on the battery charge level of each vehicle 12, a specific subscription plan purchased by a user, or the needs of priority vehicles.

[0059] The control unit is capable of communicating with the vehicle 12, here via a previously mentioned connector, information relating to the electrical connection between a power module 6 and a charging unit 10 via a defined communication protocol. This information allows the vehicle 12 to receive information about the waiting time. Also, depending on this waiting time, the vehicle 12 can switch to a reduced consumption mode or "standby mode." Then, when the electrical connection between the charging unit 10 and a power module is imminent or close to being established, a signal to exit this "standby mode" can be transmitted by the control unit to the vehicle 12.

[0060] It is understood from the foregoing that a method for managing the power supply device 2 is involved, and a plurality of steps are implemented in this management method. According to the invention, this management method implements at least A connection step during which a vehicle 12 is connected to a charging unit 10. When the control unit receives information about the connection of said vehicle 12 to the charging unit, an analysis step is implemented during which the availability of the power modules 6 is analyzed. Depending on the availability of the power modules 6, either the charging unit 10 and the vehicle 12 are put on standby, or the management process implements a piloting step during which the charging unit 10 is electrically connected to a power module 6. Once said charging unit 10 is electrically connected to a power module 6, the management process can implement a charging step during which the power module 6 supplies electrical energy to the vehicle.

[0061] It is understood from the foregoing that the management process may implement a standby step prior to the control step, depending on the availability of the power modules 6. During this standby step, the connection between the charging unit 10 and a power module 6 is suspended until a power module 6 becomes available. This standby step may include sending information regarding the duration of the suspension of said electrical connection to the vehicle 12. Thus, during this standby step, the vehicle 12 may be put into standby mode for at least part of the suspension period, and information enabling the vehicle 12 to exit standby mode is transmitted to the vehicle 12 before or at the time of the connection between the charging unit and a power module 6.

[0062] The present invention achieves its objective by proposing a power supply device that allows for the electrical charging of several vehicles by organizing a system for managing the connections between power modules of the power supply device and charging units, allowing a user to electrically connect their vehicle to the power supply device even when no power module is available without significantly increasing the installation cost of the power supply device by increasing the number of power modules.

[0063] The present invention is not limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated herein and also extends to any equivalent means and configuration as well as to any technically operative combination of such means.

Claims

Demands

1. A power supply device (2) for at least one vehicle, the power supply device (2) comprising at least one power unit (4) comprising a plurality of power modules (6), an intermediate unit (8) electrically connected to each power module (6), and a plurality of charging units (10, 10a, 10b), each charging unit (10, 10a, 10b) being electrically connected to the intermediate unit (8) and configured to connect electrically to a vehicle (12), the power supply device (2) comprising a number of charging units (10, 10a, 10b) greater than the number of power modules (6), the intermediate unit (8) being configured to give the power supply device (2) a plurality of configurations in which each power module (6) is linked to a single charging unit (10, 10a, 10b) and in which at least one unit of reloading (10, 10a,10b) is disconnected from the power modules (6), said single charging unit (10, 10a, 10b) being connected to a single power module (6).

2. Power supply device (2) according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate unit (8) is configured to allow each charging unit (10, 10a, 10b) to connect electrically to each of the power modules (6).

3. Power supply device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, comprising a control unit configured to selectively drive the electrical connection of a charging unit (10, 10a, 10b) to a power module (6).

4. Power supply device (2) according to claim 3, wherein the control unit is configured to detect the electrical connection of a vehicle (12) to a charging unit (10, 10a, 10b) and to permit or prohibit the electrical connection of said charging unit (10, 10a, 10b) to one of said power modules (6) depending on the availability of said power modules (6).

5. Power supply device (2) according to any one of claims 3 and 4, wherein the control unit is configured to define a connection order of the charging units (10, 10a, 10b) to the power modules (6).

6. Power supply device (2) according to claim 5, wherein the control unit is configured to establish the connection order as a function of a timing of the electrical connection of the charging unit (10, 10a, 10b) to the vehicle (12).

7. Power supply device (2) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the control unit is capable of defining information relating to the electrical connection between a power module (6) and a charging unit (10, 10a, 10b) connected to a vehicle (12) and of communicating said information to said vehicle (12) via a defined communication protocol.

8. Power supply device (2) according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the intermediate unit (8) comprises a plurality of power lines (16) connecting each power module (6) to each charging unit (10, 10a, 10b), each power line (16) comprising a switch (18) configured to take an open position and a closed position, said configurations of the power supply device (2) being obtained by driving said switches (18) via the control unit.

9. Method of managing a power supply device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the management method implementing at least: - a connection step during which a vehicle (12) is connected to a charging unit (10, 10a, 10b), - an analysis step during which the availability of the power modules (6) is analyzed, - a control step during which the charging unit (10, 10a, 10b) is electrically connected to a power module (6), - a charging step during which the power module (6) supplies electrical energy to the vehicle (12) as soon as the charging unit (10, 10a, 10b) is electrically connected to a power module (6).

10. A management method according to claim 9, implementing a standby step occurring before the piloting step during which the electrical connection between said charging unit (10, 10a, 10b) and a power module (6) is suspended until a power module (6) is available.

11. Management method according to claim 10, wherein during the standby step, information relating to the duration of the suspension of said electrical connection between said charging unit (10, 10a, 10b) and a power module (6) is communicated to the user.

12. A management method according to any one of claims 10 and 11, wherein during the standby step the vehicle (12) is put into standby mode for at least part of the standby time, information enabling the vehicle to come out of standby mode being transmitted to said vehicle (12) before or at the time of the connection between the charging unit (10, 10a, 10b) and a power module (6).

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