DEVICE FOR ELECTRICALLY CHARGING AN ELECTRICAL OR HYBRID VEHICLE, THE DEVICE INCLUDING AN AUTHORIZATION MEANS AND A METHOD IMPLEMENTING THE DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for electrically charging an electric or hybrid vehicle, the device comprising an electrical cable (10) electrically connected to a power supply (20), characterized in that the electrical cable (10) comprises: - a switch (30) configured to be in an open or closed state, the switch being in the open state by default; - a signal receiver (40) configured to receive a signal including a code; - an authentication means (50) configured to switch the switch (30) from the open state to the closed state when the code received by the signal receiver (40) corresponds to a predetermined code. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: DEVICE FOR ELECTRICALLY CHARGING AN ELECTRIC OR HYBRID VEHICLE, THE DEVICE COMPRISING AN AUTHORIZATION MEANS AND METHOD IMPLEMENTING THE DEVICE

[0001] The invention relates to charging means for electric vehicles, that is, those equipped with at least one battery for storing electrical energy for their propulsion. This includes vehicles with a single means of electric propulsion, as well as hybrid vehicles incorporating at least one mode of electric propulsion. More specifically, the invention relates to charging means comprising means for authenticating such vehicles.

[0002] Patent application KR1020170138741A describes a device for electrically charging a vehicle. The device includes an authentication means configured to authorize the supply of an electric current to the vehicle when biometric information from a user received by a monitoring means matches predetermined biometric information.

[0003] However, if another user of the same vehicle wishes to charge the vehicle, the device does not supply a charging current because the other user's biometric information does not match the predetermined biometric information, thus limiting access to charging to a given number of pre-registered users. Furthermore, such an authentication method limits the reliability of the authentication, for example, in the event of alterations to the physical characteristics of a user whose biometric information has already been registered, or due to environmental conditions such as humidity, dust, or temperature.

[0004] The objective of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks and to offer a simple and secure vehicle charging method.

[0005] To achieve this objective, the invention proposes a device for electrically recharging an electric or hybrid vehicle, the device comprising an electrical cable electrically connected to an electrical power source, the device being remarkable in that the electrical cable comprises: - a switch configured to be in an open state or in a closed state, the switch being in the open state by default; - a signal receiver configured to receive a signal including a code; - an authentication method configured to switch the switch to the closed state when the code received by the signal receiver matches a predetermined code.

[0006] This improves security and access control during the charging of an electric or hybrid vehicle. By requiring a predetermined code to close the switch, the device prevents unauthorized use of the power supply. This reduces the risks of fraud, electricity theft, or unwanted access to the charging system, while ensuring that the charging process only initiates with a predetermined code. Thus, the device ensures secure and efficient power management for vehicles.

[0007] Advantageously, the authentication means includes a radio frequency receiver.

[0008] By integrating a radio frequency receiver into the authentication means, the device enables fast and reliable wireless communication with an authorization source, such as an RFID badge or a smart key. This notably simplifies access to the charging system.

[0009] Advantageously, the predetermined code is expressed by symbols arranged according to a predetermined sequence, each of said symbols being included in a predetermined set of symbols.

[0010] Such a sequence offers a wide variety of possible combinations, thus reducing the risks of circumvention or falsification, while allowing easy adaptation to different security levels depending on the number of symbols chosen in the sequence.

[0011] The invention also relates to an electric or hybrid vehicle comprising: - a battery; - an electrical receiver configured to receive electrical power from an electrical cable, the receiver being electrically connected to the battery; - a signal transmitter configured to emit a signal including a code.

[0012] Advantageously, the vehicle includes a terminal comprising input means for manually entering the code and transmission means for transmitting the entered code to the signal transmitter.

[0013] Advantageously, the vehicle includes means for storing the code in a memory.

[0014] Such a storage method allows the code to be kept securely, thus eliminating the need for repeated entry at each reload, while ensuring fast and reliable authentication during reload processes.

[0015] Furthermore, such a memory is configured to store several codes to allow charging on different charging devices. This allows the vehicle to adapt to several charging devices, each of which may require a code. different. For example, the memory includes a list of codes allowing it access to different devices installed at various sites.

[0016] The invention relates to a method for electrically recharging a vehicle defined as above, implementing a device defined as above, the method comprising the following steps: - a step of emitting a signal containing a code by the signal transmitter; - a stage of receiving the emitted signal containing the code by the signal receiver; - an authentication step, the authentication method switching the switch from the open state to the closed state when the received code matches the predetermined code; - a vehicle charging stage, with electrical power being transmitted to the electrical receiver via the electrical cable.

[0017] Advantageously, the method includes, before the emission step, a step of manually entering a code, the vehicle comprising having means for manually entering the code and means for transmitting the entered code to the signal transmitter.

[0018] Advantageously, the method further includes, after the charging step, a deactivation step, the switch flipping into the open state.

[0019] This step ensures the safe stopping of the energy transmission once the charging is complete, preventing another, unauthenticated vehicle from being able to electrically recharge with the device.

[0020] Advantageously, the method includes, after the reloading step, a step of replacing the predetermined code with a new predetermined code.

[0021] Such a step ensures that each recharge session requires specific and unique authentication, thereby increasing protection against unsecured access.

[0022] The invention will be further detailed by describing non-limiting embodiments, and based on the accompanying figure in which: - [Fig. 1] schematically represents a device for electrically recharging an electric or hybrid vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; - [Fig.2] illustrates a flowchart representing the steps of a process for the charging of an electric or hybrid vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] As illustrated in [Fig. 1], a device for electrically recharging an electric or hybrid vehicle includes an electrical cable 10 electrically connected to an electrical power supply 20.

[0024] The device is in practice an electric charging station designed for supplying electricity to electric or hybrid vehicles.

[0025] Such a device is intended to be installed in public or private places, such as car parks, service stations, residences or workplaces in order to provide reliable and secure electric charging for electric or hybrid vehicles.

[0026] The electrical cable 10 includes a switch 30 configured to be in an open or closed state. By default, the switch 30 is in the open state.

[0027] When switch 30 is in the open state, the electric current flowing in the electrical cable 10 is zero. The open state is the default position of switch 30. This provides protection against unauthenticated or unintentional recharging attempts.

[0028] When the switch 30 is in the closed state, the switch 30 allows the passage of electric current in the electric cable 10.

[0029] The electrical cable 10 also includes a signal receiver 40 configured to receive a signal including a code.

[0030] The code is advantageously expressed by symbols arranged according to a predetermined sequence, each of said symbols being included in a set of predetermined symbols.

[0031] For example, the set of predetermined symbols includes at least one of the following types of symbols: letters, numbers, or special characters.

[0032] In a common case, the set of predetermined symbols includes digits between 0 and 9 and / or letters of the Roman alphabet.

[0033] The predetermined sequence refers to the precise order in which the symbols are arranged. Thus, a first code "A3B7" is different from a second code "B7A3", although the same symbols are used in the first and second codes.

[0034] The electrical cable 10 further includes an authentication means 50 configured to switch the switch 30 to the closed state when the authentication means 50 receives a predetermined code.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the authentication means 50 includes a predetermined code register storing the predetermined code.

[0036] The code log is advantageously configured to record each access attempt and the results of authentication.

[0037] This allows the history of top-ups to be tracked and any unauthorized access attempts to be identified, adding an extra layer of security to the device.

[0038] Even more advantageously, the register includes a first predetermined code and a second predetermined code.

[0039] Thus, when the vehicle's signal transmitter emits a signal including a code and when the code corresponds to the first predetermined code or the second code predetermined, switch 30 of the first device is switched to the closed state, thus allowing the vehicle to be recharged.

[0040] The signal receiver 40 is advantageously a radio frequency receiver. For example, the signal receiver 40 is an RFID reader.

[0041] According to the invention, an electric or hybrid vehicle comprises a battery and an electrical power receiver configured to receive electrical power from an electrical cable 10. Furthermore, the receiver is electrically connected to the battery. Thus, when electrical power is transmitted to the receiver, the vehicle's battery is recharged.

[0042] The vehicle further includes a signal transmitter configured to emit a signal including a code.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the signal receiver 40 is an RFID reader and the signal transmitter is an RFID chip. Thus, when the electrical cable 10 is brought within a predetermined distance, typically a few centimeters, of the signal transmitter, the authentication means 50 receives a signal containing a code associated with the RFID chip.

[0044] The vehicle advantageously includes a terminal comprising input means for manually entering the code and transmission means for transmitting the entered code to the sender.

[0045] In practice, the terminal is in an accessible location, such as the dashboard or the center console of the vehicle.

[0046] Input means may include, in one embodiment, a physical keyboard, such as a numeric or alphanumeric keypad, or, in another embodiment, an interactive touchscreen.

[0047] The vehicle advantageously includes a means of storing the code in a memory.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the memory stores a list of codes, thus allowing the vehicle to authenticate itself on several devices.

[0049] For example, the code list includes a first code and a second code, a first predetermined code being associated with a first device, a second predetermined code being associated with a second device.

[0050] Thus, when the vehicle's signal transmitter emits a first signal including the first code in the code list and when the first code corresponds to the first predetermined code, the switch 30 of the first device is switched to the closed state, thus allowing the vehicle to be recharged.

[0051] Similarly, when the vehicle's signal transmitter emits a second signal including the second code in the code list and when the second code corresponding to the second predetermined code, switch 30 of the second device is switched to the closed state, thus allowing the vehicle to be recharged.

[0052] A flowchart of a method for recharging an electric or hybrid vehicle illustrates in [Fig.2], according to an embodiment of the present invention, the steps of the method described below.

[0053] The method advantageously includes, in an input step E0, a code is entered manually, the vehicle having input means for manually entering the code and means for transmitting the entered code to the sender.

[0054] In an emission step El, a signal including the code is emitted by the transmitter.

[0055] In a reception step E2, a signal including the code is received by the signal receiver 40.

[0056] In an authentication step E3, the authentication means 50 switches the switch 30 from the open state to the closed state when the received code matches the predetermined code.

[0057] In a charging step E4, the vehicle is recharged, with electrical power being transmitted to the electrical receiver via the electrical cable 10.

[0058] The method advantageously includes a deactivation step E5, the switch 30 switching to the open state after the recharging step E4.

[0059] The method advantageously includes a substitution step E6, the predetermined code being substituted by a new predetermined code.

[0060] For example, a predetermined code is associated with the authentication means 50.

[0061] Thus, when the vehicle's signal transmitter emits a signal including a code and when the code matches the predetermined code, the authentication means 50 switches the switch 30 to the closed state, thereby allowing the vehicle to be recharged.

[0062] After the E4 recharge step, the predetermined code is replaced by a new predetermined code associated with the authentication means 50.

[0063] Thus, when the vehicle's signal transmitter emits a new signal including a new code and when the new code matches the new predetermined code, the authentication means 50 switches the switch 30 to the closed state, thereby allowing the vehicle to be recharged.

Claims

Demands

1. Device for electrically charging an electric or hybrid vehicle, the device comprising an electrical cable (10) electrically connected to an electrical power supply (20), the device being characterized in that the electrical cable (10) comprises: - a switch (30) configured to be in an open state or in a closed state, the switch (30) being in the open state by default; - a signal receiver (40) configured to receive a signal comprising a code; - an authentication means (50) configured to switch the switch (30) to the closed state when the code received by the signal receiver (40) corresponds to a predetermined code.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the signal receiver (40) is a radio frequency receiver.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the predetermined code is expressed by symbols arranged according to a predetermined sequence, each of said symbols being included in a predetermined set of symbols.

4. A method for electrically recharging an electric or hybrid vehicle comprising: - a battery; - an electrical receiver configured to receive electrical power from an electrical cable (10), the receiver being electrically connected to the battery; - a signal transmitter configured to emit a signal comprising a code, the method implementing a device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the method comprising the following steps: - a step of emitting (E1) a signal comprising a code by the signal transmitter; - a step of receiving (E2) the emitted signal comprising the code by the signal receiver (40); - an authentication step (E3), the authentication means (50) switching the switch (30) from the open state to the closed state when the received code matches the predetermined code; - a charging stage (E4) of the vehicle, electrical power being transmitted to the electrical receiver by the electrical cable (10).

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the method comprises, before the emission step (El), a manual entry step (E0) of a code, the vehicle comprising having entry means for manually entering the code and means for transmitting the entered code to the signal transmitter.

6. Method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the method further comprises, after the charging step, a deactivation step (E5), the switch (30) switching to the open state.

7. A method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the method comprises, after the reloading step, a substitution step (E6) of the predetermined code with a new predetermined code.