RESERVATION OF A RECHARGEABLE BUFFER BATTERY CHARGING STATION, TO RECHARGE A VEHICLE BATTERY

Abstract

A method for reserving the charging of a vehicle battery includes a step (10-40) in which the vehicle user transmits a charging request to a reservation server in a chosen geographical area, for a chosen quantity of electrical energy, and to begin within a chosen time interval. The reservation server then determines a suitable charging station to meet this charging request, including at least one buffer battery that can be recharged with electrical energy before this chosen time interval. If the user accepts this charging station, the reservation server reserves the charging station for the user with a charging start date within the chosen time interval and instructs the charging station to store at least part of the chosen quantity of electrical energy in its buffer battery before this charging start date. Figure 5

Description

Title of the invention: RESERVATION OF A RECHARGEABLE BUFFER BATTERY CHARGING STATION FOR CHARGING A VEHICLE BATTERY Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to vehicles comprising at least one rechargeable battery, and more specifically to the reservation of a charging station for recharging such a battery. State of the art

[0002] Some vehicles, possibly of the motor vehicle type, include at least one rechargeable battery which must be recharged from time to time at a charging station.

[0003] Generally, this type of rechargeable battery is specifically responsible for powering at least one electric drive unit of the vehicle's powertrain (or powertrain), and therefore constitutes a power (or main or traction) battery.

[0004] Currently, when the user of a vehicle (with rechargeable battery(ies)) wants to book a charging station, he transmits to a booking server, by means of a communication equipment (which he carries or which is part of the vehicle), a charging request specifying a geographical area for the charging and a time interval during which he intends to start this charging, as well as possibly the amount of electrical energy he wants the charging station to supply.

[0005] This type of reservation yields good results when the total amount of electrical energy that a charging station is able to supply at any given time is greater than or equal to the needs of the various vehicles charging simultaneously at its different charging points. However, this is not always the case, particularly during peak hours and during major holiday or weekend getaways.

[0006] Consequently, it frequently happens that the charging time is significantly longer than that initially indicated by the charging station or desired by the vehicle user, particularly in the case of fast DC charging. With this type of increase in charging times, waiting times at charging stations continually increase, and the time slots reserved by users can no longer be respected. This not only lengthens vehicle journey times but can also force users to change charging stations, and therefore can cause a user dissatisfaction, or even annoyance detrimental to the proper operation of the vehicle.

[0007] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention

[0008] In particular, it proposes for this purpose a reservation method intended to reserve a charging of a vehicle battery, and comprising a step in which a user of this vehicle transmits to a reservation server, by means of a communication equipment, a request for charging in a chosen geographical area, of a chosen quantity of electrical energy, and to start in a chosen time interval.

[0009] This reservation process is characterized by the fact that in its stage:

[0010] - the reservation server determines a charging station that is specific to satisfy the charging demand and include at least one buffer battery capable of being recharged with electrical energy before the chosen time interval, then offer this charging station to the user, and

[0011] - if the user accepts this charging station, the reservation server reserves the charging station for the user with a start of charging contained within the chosen time interval and orders the charging station to store in its buffer battery at least part of this chosen quantity of electrical energy before this start of charging.

[0012] Thus, the invention makes it easier to reduce and respect the charging slots reserved for users, and therefore to significantly reduce the probability that the journey times of vehicles are increased due to the need to leave from congested charging station(s), and consequently to reduce the probability that a user is dissatisfied and / or annoyed.

[0013] The reservation method according to the invention may include other features which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0014] - in its step, the reservation server can order the charging station to prioritize storing renewable electrical energy in its buffer battery;

[0015] - in its step, the booking server can determine a charging station which is suitable for ensuring rapid charging with direct current;

[0016] - in its step, the booking server can determine the charging station in a lookup table establishing a correspondence between charging station identifiers including at least one rechargeable buffer battery and geographical locations.

[0017] The invention also proposes a computer program product comprising a set of instructions which, when executed by processing means, is proper to implement a reservation process of the type presented above to reserve a charging of a vehicle battery at a charging station.

[0018] The invention also proposes a reservation device allowing a battery recharge of a vehicle to be reserved.

[0019] This reservation device is characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one processor and at least one memory arranged to perform the operations consisting, in the presence of a charging request in a chosen geographical area, of a chosen quantity of electrical energy, and to begin within a chosen time interval, transmitted to a reservation server by a vehicle user by means of a communication device:

[0020] - to determine a charging station that is suitable for meeting this demand charging and including at least one buffer battery that can be recharged with electrical energy before this chosen time interval, then

[0021] - to instruct this booking server to offer this charging station to the user, and

[0022] - if the user accepts this charging station, to trigger a reservation by the reservation server for this charging station for the user with a start of charging contained within the chosen time interval and storage by the charging station, in its buffer battery, of at least part of the quantity of electrical energy chosen before this start of charging.

[0023] For example, this reservation device may include a first part which is suitable for installation in a user's communication equipment or a vehicle computer suitable for communicating with the latter's communication equipment, and a second part which is suitable for installation in the reservation server.

[0024] The invention also proposes a communication equipment suitable for communicating by means of waves, and comprising a first part of a reservation device of the type presented above.

[0025] For example, this communication equipment may be a smart mobile phone or an electronic tablet. Brief description of the figures

[0026] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] [Fig. 1] schematically and functionally illustrates an example of an embodiment of a vehicle comprising an electric powertrain associated with a rechargeable power battery, a charger control unit, a first part of a reservation device according to the invention, and its own communication equipment to communicate with a reservation server comprising a management computer including a second part of a reservation device according to the invention,

[0028] [Fig.2] schematically and functionally illustrates an example of an embodiment of a charger computer comprising an example of an embodiment of a first part of a reservation device according to the invention,

[0029] [Fig.3] schematically and functionally illustrates an example of an embodiment of a reservation calculator comprising an example of an embodiment of a second part of a reservation device according to the invention,

[0030] [Fig.4] schematically and functionally illustrates an example of the embodiment of mobile communication equipment comprising a computer including a first part of a reservation device according to the invention, and

[0031] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates an example of an algorithm implementing a reservation process according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0032] The invention aims in particular to provide a reservation method, and an associated reservation device DR, intended to allow the reservation, via a charging server SR, (of a charging station) of a charging station with rechargeable buffer battery(ies), to recharge at least one rechargeable battery BP of a vehicle V.

[0033] In what follows, vehicle V is considered, by way of non-limiting example, to be of the automobile type. For example, it is a car, as illustrated in [Fig. 1]. However, the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. It relates to any type of vehicle comprising a powertrain with an electric drive unit associated with a rechargeable battery (at least via a charging connector). Thus, it relates to land vehicles (commercial vehicles, motorhomes, minibuses, coaches, trucks, motorcycles, road maintenance vehicles, construction equipment, agricultural vehicles, recreational vehicles (snowmobiles, go-karts), tracked vehicles, trains and trams, for example), aircraft, and boats.

[0034] Furthermore, in what follows, by way of non-limiting example, vehicle V is considered to comprise a powertrain (or PWM) of the all-electric type (and therefore whose propulsion is provided exclusively by at least one electric motor). However, the PWM could be of the hybrid type (thermal and electric).

[0035] A reservation device DR according to the invention, a reservation server SR, and a vehicle V (here land-based) comprising a purely electric GMP transmission chain (and therefore comprising (here) a single electric motive machine MME) are schematically represented in [Fig.1], by way of illustrative example. an on-board network RB, a service battery BS, a rechargeable power (or main or traction) battery BP, a CV converter, a CS supervisory computer, and EC' communication equipment.

[0036] The CV converter allows DC / DC (“Direct Current / Direct Current” (direct current / direct current)) and / or AC / DC (“Alternating Current / Direct Current” (alternating current / direct current)) charging. It is therefore responsible for converting a direct or alternating current from a first voltage to a second voltage.

[0037] The RB on-board network is an electrical power supply network to which electrical (or electronic) equipment (or components) that consume electrical energy are coupled.

[0038] The auxiliary battery BS is responsible for supplying electrical power to the vehicle's electrical system RB, supplementing, in this case, that supplied by the converter CV, which is powered by the main battery BP via a power supply network, and sometimes replacing, in this case, the converter CV. For example, this auxiliary battery BS can be configured as a very low voltage battery (typically 12 V, 24 V, or 48 V). It is rechargeable at least by the converter (current) CV. In the following, for the sake of non-limiting example, the auxiliary battery BS is considered to be a 12 V lithium-ion type.

[0039] The transmission chain has a GMP which is, here, purely electric and therefore includes, in particular, an electric drive machine MME, a drive shaft AM, and a transmission shaft AT.

[0040] Here, "electric drive machine" means an electric machine arranged to provide a motor torque, defined by a torque setpoint, to move the vehicle V when it is supplied with electrical energy by the power battery BP, and possibly to recover regenerative braking torque to decelerate the vehicle V.

[0041] The operation of the powertrain is supervised by a supervisory computer CS (or an equivalent device). The control of the electric motor MME is ensured by a machine computer CM, in particular according to a setpoint provided by the supervisory computer CS and defining the motor torque that the latter (CS) wants the electric motor MME to provide.

[0042] The electric drive machine MME is coupled to the motor shaft AM to provide it with motor torque by rotational drive when it is supplied with electrical energy from the power battery BP via the power grid. This motor shaft AM is coupled to a reduction gear RD, which is also coupled to the transmission shaft AT, itself coupled to a first set Tl of driving wheels via a differential DV.

[0043] It should be noted that the first axle Tl (here, the motor axle) is located in the front PVV section of the vehicle V, and is therefore referred to hereafter as the front axle. However, in one variant, this first axle Tl could be the second axle T2, which is located in the rear PRV section of the vehicle V, and in another four-wheel-drive variant, the engine torque could be transmitted to both the first Tl and second T2 axles.

[0044] The BP power battery may, for example, comprise electrical energy storage cells, possibly electrochemical (e.g., lithium-ion (or Li-ion) or Ni-MH or Ni-Cd type). Also, for example, the BP power battery may be of the low-voltage type (typically 450 V or 600 V, by way of illustration). But it could also be of the medium-voltage or high-voltage type.

[0045] Furthermore, the BP power battery is associated with a BB battery housing which includes, in particular, measuring means (not shown), for example for voltage, current and internal temperature, and a CB battery calculator. This CB battery calculator centralizes the current measurements, voltage measurements and temperature measurements, and estimates parameters of the BP power battery based on these measurements.

[0046] The CV converter can also be charged, here, during the driving phases of the vehicle V, with converting part of the electrical current stored in the power battery BP to supply converted electrical current to the on-board network RB and the auxiliary battery BS (to recharge it).

[0047] It will be noted, as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig.1], that the CV converter can be part of a CH charger responsible for controlling the charging of the BP power battery and comprising a DC charger computer responsible for managing the charging of the BP power battery when it is temporarily coupled to an electrical power supply source.

[0048] The electrical power supply source can be a mains socket or a charging terminal at a charging station.

[0049] The communication equipment EC' of vehicle V is arranged to communicate by means of waves with at least one wireless communication network allowing access, in particular, to at least one reservation server SR comprising a reservation computer CR.

[0050] It should also be noted that in the example illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig. 1], the vehicle V also includes a distribution box BD to which the auxiliary battery BS, the converter CV, and the on-board network RB are coupled. This distribution box BD is responsible for distributing the electrical energy stored in the auxiliary battery BS or produced by the converter CV into the on-board network RB to power the electrical components (or equipment) connected to the on-board network. RB depending on power requests received (notably from the CS supervision computer of the GMP).

[0051] As mentioned above, the invention proposes in particular a reservation method intended to allow the reservation, via a charging server SR, (of a charging station) of a charging station with rechargeable buffer battery(ies), to recharge the (rechargeable) power battery BP of the vehicle V.

[0052] This (reservation) method can be implemented at least partially by the DR reservation device (illustrated at least partially in Figures 1 to 3).

[0053] In the example illustrated, but not limited to, and at least partially illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the DR reservation device comprises first PI and second P2 parts. The first PI part is part of the DC charger computer, while the second P2 part is part of the CR reservation computer of the SR reservation server. However, this is not mandatory. Indeed, the first PI part of the DR reservation device could comprise its own dedicated computer, which could then be coupled to the DC charger computer, or it could be part of a CE computer equipping a mobile EC communication device used by a user of the vehicle V, as illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig. 4], for example.It will be understood that in practice the DR reservation system includes at least a second part P2 and a multiplicity of first parts PI installed in a multiplicity of vehicles or in a multiplicity of mobile EC communication equipment and used by vehicle users.

[0054] The user's mobile EC communication equipment may, for example, be a smart mobile phone (or "smartphone") or an electronic tablet. In both cases, the EC communication equipment includes a display screen EA2 (preferably touchscreen).

[0055] As illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig. 2], the first PI part of the DR reservation device may comprise at least one processor PR1, for example of the microprocessor type, and at least one memory MD1. This first PI part may therefore be implemented as a combination of electrical or electronic circuits or components (or "hardware") and software modules (or "software"). For example, it may be a microcontroller.

[0056] The MD1 memory is random access memory (RAM) to store instructions for the implementation by the PR1 processor of at least part of the reservation process. The PR1 processor may comprise integrated (or printed) circuits, or several integrated (or printed) circuits connected by wired or wireless connections. An integrated (or printed) circuit is defined as any type of device capable of performing at least one electrical or electronic operation.

[0057] As illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig. 3], the second part P2 of the reservation device DR may comprise at least one processor PR3, for example, of the microprocessor type, and at least one memory MD2. This second part P2 may therefore be implemented as a combination of electrical or electronic circuits or components (or hardware) and software modules. For example, it may be a microcontroller.

[0058] The MD2 memory is random access memory (RAM) to store instructions for the implementation by the PR3 processor of at least part of the reservation process. The PR3 processor may comprise integrated (or printed) circuits, or several integrated (or printed) circuits connected by wired or wireless connections. An integrated (or printed) circuit is defined as any type of device capable of performing at least one electrical or electronic operation.

[0059] As illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig.5], the (reservation) method according to the invention includes a step 10-40 which is implemented each time a user of a vehicle V wishes to make a reservation, via a charging server SR, of a charging terminal of a charging station with rechargeable buffer battery(ies), to recharge the power battery BP of his vehicle V.

[0060] Step 10-40 of the method includes a substep 10 in which a user of vehicle V uses communication equipment EC or EC' to transmit to the booking server SR a charging request specifying a chosen geographical area zgc for the charging of his vehicle V, a chosen time interval it (during which he intends to start this charging), and the amount of electrical energy qee that he wishes the charging station (to be determined in this chosen geographical area zgc) to supply.

[0061] To this end, the first PI part of the DR reservation device (fitting the DC charger control unit ([Fig. 1]) or the EC communication equipment ([Fig. 4])) can, for example, make a reservation application available to the user. This reservation application can be controlled by the user via a display screen EA1 of the vehicle V (for example, a central instrument cluster) or the display screen EA2 of their EC communication equipment.

[0062] It will be understood that this booking application can, for example, be configured to retrieve the current geographical position of the vehicle V or the communication equipment EC, as well as, preferably, the current state of charge of the power battery BP (from which the amount of electrical energy required for its complete recharge can be determined). The current state of charge can, for example, be determined from the battery computer CB. The selected geographical area zgc is provided by the user or, for example, determined by the booking application based on a programmed current route of the vehicle V. The desired amount of electrical energy qee for charging vehicle V can, for example, be provided by the user (as a percentage) or determined by the booking application based on the current state of charge (it could, for example, be the amount of electrical energy required for a full charge). The chosen time interval it can, for example, be provided by the user or determined by the booking application based on the planned route, the current geographical location, and the current state of charge.

[0063] Moreover, it is for example the first PI part of the DR reservation device (equipping the CC charger computer ([Fig.1]) or the EC communication equipment ([Fig.4])) which can trigger (or control) the transmission of the charging request to the SR reservation server by the EC or EC' communication equipment.

[0064] Step 10-40 of the process also includes a substep 20 in which the SR reservation server determines a charging station suitable for satisfying the charging request transmitted by the user, and which includes at least one buffer battery capable of being recharged with electrical energy before the chosen time interval it. It will be understood that it is the second part P2 of the DR reservation device (installed in the SR reservation server) that performs (or controls) this determination of the charging station.

[0065] It should be noted that a charging station may include (or be associated with) several (at least two) rechargeable buffer batteries (constituting "auxiliary electrical energy reservoirs"). It should also be noted that when a charging station includes several charging points usable in parallel, each of these charging points may be associated with one or more dedicated rechargeable buffer batteries, or these charging points may be associated with one or more common rechargeable buffer batteries that they can all use.

[0066] For example, once at least one charging station has been determined to be present in the chosen geographical area zgc, it is then possible to determine in a reservation database, which determined charging station satisfies the rest of the reservation request (availability in the chosen time interval it and possibility of storing electrical energy before the arrival of the vehicle V in the chosen time interval it).

[0067] Step 10-40 of the process also includes a substep 30 in which the SR reservation server proposes this specific charging station to the user. This proposal is made by the SR reservation server transmitting a message to the communication equipment EC' of vehicle V or the user's communication equipment EC, containing information representative of the proposed charging station and possibly its geographical location. It will be understood that It is the second part P2 of the DR reservation device (installed in the SR reservation server) that triggers (or controls) this transmission.

[0068] The proposed charging station can advantageously be displayed by the booking application (controlled by the first PI part of the DR booking device equipping the DC charger computer ([Fig. 1]) or the EC communication equipment ([Fig. 4])) on the EA1 display screen of vehicle V or the EA2 display screen of the user's EC communication equipment. This display can optionally be shown within a road map illustrating the programmed route and the current geographical position of vehicle V (possibly accompanied by comments).

[0069] Step 10-40 of the process also includes a substep 40 in which, if the user accepts the proposed charging station, the SR reservation server reserves this charging station for the user with a start of charging which is contained within the chosen time interval it, and orders this charging station to store in its buffer battery(ies) at least a part of the chosen quantity of electrical energy qee before this start of charging.

[0070] It should be noted that acceptance of the proposed charging station can occur by default in the absence of a response from the user via the booking application, or by transmitting an acceptance message to the booking server SR using the communication equipment EC or EC' in a sub-step 30 of step 10-40. In this latter alternative, the user can signal their acceptance to the booking application, and then the first PI part of the booking device DR (equipping the charger computer CC ([Fig.1]) or the communication equipment EC ([Fig.4])) can trigger (or control) the transmission of the acceptance message in sub-step 30.

[0071] It should also be noted that the user may optionally refuse the charging station offered via the booking application. In this case, in substep 30, the first part PI of the DR booking device (installed in the CC charger computer ([Fig. 1]) or the EC communication equipment ([Fig. 4])) can trigger (or control) the transmission of a refusal message to the SR booking server via the EC or EC' communication equipment. The second part P2 of the DR booking device (installed in the SR booking server) can then optionally be configured to identify at least one other charging station for the user.

[0072] Thanks to the invention, the total amount of electrical energy that a charging station is capable of supplying at any given time is now equal to the amount of electrical energy from the grid plus the amount of electrical energy stored in its buffer battery(ies), which can constitute a significant increase likely to The invention aims to better satisfy users charging simultaneously and to reduce charging times and waiting times before charging, particularly during peak hours and major holiday or weekend getaways. Furthermore, when a user with a pre-booked reservation arrives at the charging station reserved for their vehicle (V), they know that at least some of the electrical energy stored in the buffer battery(ies) is reserved for charging their vehicle (V), which reassures them and prevents charging from taking significantly longer than expected. Moreover, the invention can also enable charging stations to store electrical energy in advance (independently of any charging reservation requests they may receive), particularly in anticipation of an expected peak in charging activity (for example, during peak hours or major holiday or weekend getaways).

[0073] In general, the invention makes it easier to reduce and respect the charging slots (start and end) reserved for users, and therefore to significantly reduce the probability that the journey times of vehicles are increased due to the need to leave from congested charging station(s), and consequently the probability that a user is dissatisfied and / or annoyed (which is likely to improve road safety).

[0074] It should be noted that at least one of the rechargeable buffer batteries (or auxiliary electrical energy storage units) of a charging station may be recycled, for example from at least one old vehicle power battery, which advantageously gives a "second life" to used power batteries and thus contributes to the reduction of industrial waste and pollution. However, this is not mandatory. Indeed, the rechargeable buffer batteries (or auxiliary electrical energy storage units) could be specifically designed for charging stations, and therefore be initially new.

[0075] For example, in substep 40 of step 10-40, the SR reservation server can instruct the designated charging station to prioritize the storage of renewable electrical energy in the associated buffer battery(ies). For instance, it is the second part P2 of the DR reservation device that triggers the transmission by the SR reservation server of the instruction to prioritize the storage of renewable electrical energy in the associated buffer battery(ies). It should be noted that this renewable electrical energy can come from the grid (by contract and possibly via a dedicated auxiliary power supply) or from a local renewable energy production facility associated with the charging station. This local facility can be of any type (solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass, or geothermal), or even of several types.

[0076] Also, for example, in substep 20 of step 10-40, the SR reservation server (for example, the first PI part of the DR reservation device equipping the DC charger computer ([Fig. 1]) or the EC communication equipment ([Fig. 4])) can determine a charging station suitable for (ultra) fast direct current (DC / DC) charging. This option is intended to reduce charging times and therefore vehicle travel times and waiting times before charging, but it requires a much higher charging current than that used for slower alternating current or direct current charging, and therefore a larger quantity of electrical energy to be stored in the buffer battery(ies) associated with the reserved charging station.But the invention also relates to charging that is not fast, because it makes it possible to guarantee, through buffer storage, that the user will be able to carry out their charging smoothly and normally in the event of high demand (because the charging station might not be able to handle this charging normally without buffer storage).

[0077] Also, for example, in substep 20 of step 10-40, the SR reservation server (for example, the first PI part of the DR reservation device equipping the CC charger computer ([Fig. 1]) or the EC communication equipment ([Fig. 4])) can determine the charging station in a lookup table that establishes a correspondence between charging station identifiers comprising at least one rechargeable buffer battery and geographical locations. Thus, knowing the chosen geographical area zgc, it is easy to determine in the lookup table at least one charging station present in this chosen geographical area zgc.We can then determine in the aforementioned reservation database which specific charging station satisfies the remainder of the reservation request (availability in the chosen time interval it and possibility of storing electrical energy before the arrival of vehicle V in the chosen time interval it).

[0078] It should also be noted, as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 2], that the DC charger computer (or the computer of a first PI part of the DR reservation device) may also include a first mass memory MM1, in particular for storing each current position of the vehicle V, the programmed route of the vehicle V and the possible quantity of electrical energy qee requested by the user, as well as any intermediate data involved in all its calculations and processing. Furthermore, this DC charger computer (or the computer of a first PI part of the DR reservation device) may also include a first input interface IE1 for receiving at least each current position of the vehicle V, the programmed route of the vehicle V and the possible quantity of energy electrical qee requested by the user for use in calculations or processing, possibly after having been shaped and / or demodulated and / or amplified, in a manner known per se, by means of a first digital signal processor PR2. In addition, this DC charger calculator (or the calculator of a first PI part of the DR reservation device) may also include a first output interface IS1, in particular to deliver a message (or command) containing a charging request, and a possible message of acceptance or refusal of the proposed charging station.

[0079] It should also be noted, as illustrated but not limited to [Fig. 3], that the booking calculator CR (or the calculator of a second part P2 of the booking device DR) may also include a second mass storage MM2, in particular for storing each booking request transmitted (and received), as well as any intermediate data involved in all its calculations and processing. Furthermore, this booking calculator CR (or the calculator of a second part P2 of the booking device DR) may also include a second input interface IE2 for receiving at least each booking request transmitted (and received) in order to use the information it contains in calculations or processing, possibly after having formatted and / or demodulated and / or amplified it, in a manner known per se, by means of a second digital signal processor PR4.Furthermore, this CR reservation calculator (or the calculator of a second part P2 of the DR reservation device) can also include a second IS2 output interface, notably to deliver a message containing representative information of the proposed charging station, a reservation message (or order) by the charging station accepted by a user of a charging slot starting in a chosen time interval it with storage in its buffer battery(ies) of at least part of the chosen quantity of electrical energy qee before the start of this charging slot and possibly renewable.

[0080] It will also be noted that the invention also proposes a computer program product (or computer program) comprising a set of instructions which, when executed by processing means of the type of electronic circuits (or hardware), such as for example the PR1 processor, is suitable for implementing the reservation process described above to reserve a recharge of the power battery BP of the vehicle V at a charging station with rechargeable buffer battery(ies).

Claims

Demands

1. A method for reserving a charging station for a battery (BP) of a vehicle (V), said method comprising a step (10-40) in which a user of said vehicle (V) transmits to a reservation server (SR), by means of communication equipment (EC, EC'), a request for charging in a chosen geographical area, of a chosen quantity of electrical energy, and to begin within a chosen time interval, characterized in that in said step (10-40) said reservation server (SR) determines a charging station suitable for satisfying said charging request and comprising at least one buffer battery suitable for being recharged with electrical energy before said chosen time interval, and then proposes this charging station to said user, and, if said user accepts it,said reservation server (RS) reserves said charging station for said user with a charging start date contained within said chosen time interval and instructs said charging station to store in said buffer battery at least a portion of said chosen quantity of electrical energy before this charging start date.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that in said step (10-40) said reservation server (SR) orders said charging station to prioritize storage in said buffer battery of renewable electrical energy.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in said step (10-40) said reservation server (SR) determines a charging station suitable for ensuring fast DC charging.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in said step (10-40) said reservation server (SR) determines said charging station in a lookup table establishing a correspondence between charging station identifiers comprising at least one rechargeable buffer battery and geographical positions.

5. Product computer program comprising a set of instructions which, when executed by processing means, is suitable for implementing the reservation method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 for reserving a charge of a battery (BP) of a vehicle (V) at a charging station.

6. A reservation device (RD) for reserving a charge for a battery (BP) of a vehicle (V), characterized in that it comprises at least one processor (PR1) and at least one memory (MD1) arranged to perform the operations of, in the presence of a demand for charging in a chosen geographical area, of a chosen quantity of electrical energy, and to begin within a chosen time interval, transmitted to a reservation server (SR) by a user of said vehicle (V) by means of communication equipment (EC, EC'), determining a charging station suitable for satisfying said charging demand and comprising at least one buffer battery suitable for being recharged with electrical energy before said chosen time interval, then instructing said reservation server (SR) to offer this charging station to said user, and, if said user accepts it,to trigger a reservation by said reservation server (SR) of said charging station for said user with a charging start contained within said chosen time interval and storage by said charging station, in said buffer battery, of at least a part of said chosen quantity of electrical energy before this charging start.

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a first part (PI) suitable for installation in a communication equipment (EC) of said user or a computer (CC) of said vehicle (V) suitable for communicating with a communication equipment (EC') of the latter (V), and a second part (P2) suitable for installation in said reservation server (SR).

8. Communication equipment (CE) suitable for communicating by means of waves, characterized in that it comprises a first part (PI) of a reservation device (DR) according to claim 7.

9. Communication equipment according to claim 8, characterized in that it constitutes a smart mobile phone or an electronic tablet.

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