A method for charging an electrically powered vehicle and charging system

Abstract

A method for charging an electrically powered vehicle, wherein it is queried 12a whether the vehicle should be charged, and a user response to the query is captured and transmitted to a charging syste

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of automobiles and more specifically to a method for charging an electrically powered vehicle according to claim 1. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a charging system, a corresponding computer program product and a corresponding non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0002] In the current state of art in user interface designs, there is no option for the owner of electrical vehicles to have the ability to select the type of energy source they prefer for charging.

[0003] The US 2021 118 070 AA discloses a method for managing charging services involving independent installers, utilities, electric charging customers, CO2 levels, and energy markets. The method includes electronically calculating service costs periodically based on dynamically changing influencing parameters, electronically determining installation capital costs, capturing customer zip codes to determine regional variations in installation costs. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The objective of the present invention is to provide a charging system and method that allows for a particularly energy-efficient driving mode to be selected and thereby enabled for automobiles.

[0005] This objective is solved by means of a method with the features of claim 1, as well as by means of a charging system according to the present invention. Further embodiments and developments of the invention may be found in the dependent claims and in the description.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention relates to a method for charging an electrically powered vehicle, which includes querying, for example via a display device coupled with an electric computing device of the vehicle, whether the vehicle should be charged. A user response to the query is captured and transmitted to a charging system of the electrically powered vehicle, which is also coupled with the electronic computing device, for charging an electric energy storage device of the vehicle. Depending on the response, activation of the charging process is carried out until a desired state of charge of the electric energy storage device is achieved. Additionally, the user is queried via the display device about which energy type the electric energy storage device should be charged with. Based on the response, the charging system generates at least one signal to obtain energy of this energy type for the charging process. In particular, it is envisaged that this signal is used to inform a charging station or a charging system or an energy provider about the user's selected decision and thus answers, whereby the system utilizes this selected energy source to charge the electric energy storage with the chosen energy type. In some embodiments, the electric vehicle is routed to charge at a particular charging station supplied by green energy, and the user may opt to charge at the particular station or revert navigation to a default charging station via a button such as a panic button in the user interface. For example, the panic button may be used in case of an emergency based on a low battery so that the user may charge at one charging station to a sufficient amount in order to relocate to a charging station with green energy sources.

[0007] It is especially important that the user decides which energy source to use, either green energy or conventional. In particular, users are provided with the option to select green energy for the charging process. This allows users to actively choose to reduce environmental impact and support sustainable energy sources. By integrating green energy into the vehicle charging process, not only is the environmental footprint improved, but it also contributes to the promotion of renewable energy sources.

[0008] Furthermore, a variety of different types of energy from various sources may be offered, allowing the user to decide which one to use for charging their vehicle. Some examples of renewable energy sources that may be used for charging electric vehicles include solar energy, wind energy, geothermal, and hydroelectric power. Alternatively, conventional energy sources such as grid electricity generated from fossil fuels like coal, natural gas, or nuclear power may also be utilized for charging electric vehicles. The user may choose between these sources and, for example, opt for the use of green energy sources.

[0009] This decision may be directly linked to a monetary system to pay for the energy amount based on its type. Additionally, it is possible to combine further parameters for charging with the selection to provide a particularly personalized configuration that supports as many user preferences as possible.

[0010] The present invention enables the integration of a notification in the user interface to indicate whether the energy source is renewable and allows for manual or automatic selection of the charging process according to the configuration settings. Furthermore, the vehicle may be manually or automatically switched to discharge if the energy source provided by the utility company is conventional. This feature provides an attractive incentive for customers advocating for reducing CO2 emissions and enhances the marketing benefits electric vehicles. For example, the incentives be rewarded based on the number of days charging with green energy and may include badges based on accumulated credits and / or discounts at locations such as restaurants, shopping, travel, or another activity. With respect to CO2 emissions, parameters such as weather forecast, temperature, and / or age of the battery may be considered to reduce the daily CO2 profile of the electric vehicle. As an extension of current EV charging solutions, this solution may be activated or deactivated according to demand and availability.

[0011] In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that at least one proportion between green energy and conventional energy is offered, through which the charging of the electric energy storage is conducted in that at least one proportion. Thus, it is possible to incorporate or utilize a portion of the green energy even when there is low availability, enabling partial utilization of green energy. Therefore, there is no need to completely forego charging when there is insufficient green energy available. For example, only the green portion may be charged, or the green portion may be charged first followed by the remaining portion with conventional energy.

[0012] In yet another advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that at least one time frame for charging with green energy is offered, through which the charging of the electric energy storage with green energy is conducted within this at least one time frame. This allows, for example, green energy to be supplied only when it is available, or only a portion of the total green energy supply to be utilized, avoiding the need to fully charge a vehicle with green energy. This is also possible when, for instance, green energy is only available during specific times.

[0013] In yet another advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that it is determined whether a peak time for charging electrically powered vehicles is currently occurring. This involves a determination to assess if many vehicles are charging simultaneously, thus delaying charging during peak times to avoid overloading the energy source.

[0014] In yet another advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that an averaging or a signal is generated when it is determined that no green energy is available for charging the vehicle. This allows the user to decide whether to charge despite the lack of green energy or not. Additionally, this information may be transmitted to the charging provider or station to ensure that only the desired energy is dispensed.

[0015] In yet another advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that charging only commences when green energy is available. Here, a restriction is imposed to charge solely with green energy. Alternatively, the restriction may be modified to use only the desired proportion of chosen or green energy.

[0016] Further advantages, features, and details of the present invention derive from the following description of preferred embodiments as well as from the drawing. The features and feature combinations previously mentioned in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned in the following description of the figure and / or shown in the figures alone may be employed not only in the respectively indicated combination but also in any other combination or taken alone without leaving the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0017] The novel features and characteristic of the present disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system and / or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described below, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0018] The drawing shows in:

[0019] Fig. 1 shows an architecture 1 to visualize a possible implementation of a method for charging an electrically powered vehicle or an autonomous automobile with green energy.

[0020] In the figure the same elements or elements having the same function are indicated by the same reference signs. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration". Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

[0022] While the present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawing and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.

[0023] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion so that a setup, device or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus preceded by “comprises” or “comprise” does not or do not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or method.

[0024] In the following detailed description of the embodiment of the present disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawing that forms part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration a specific embodiment in which the disclosure may be practiced. This embodiment is described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0025] Fig. 1 shows an architecture 1 to visualize a possible implementation of a method for charging an electrically powered vehicle or an autonomous automobile with green energy. Green energy, also termed as renewable energy, refers to energy sources that exploit natural processes and have the ability to replenish themselves quickly including biomass and biogas. Unlike finite fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas, which contribute to environmental degradation, renewable energy sources typically impose lesser environmental burdens and make smaller contributions to climate change.

[0026] This architecture 1 describes a detailed process for managing the charging operation of an electric vehicle, dependent on various conditions. In some embodiments, the schedule for the charging operation may be based on the percentage of renewable energy sources. For example, charging may be delayed in order to access renewable energy sources for the charging. However, this architecture 1 is merely exemplary and by no means binding, the steps may vary in their chronological sequence, and additional intervening steps can be added at any time to enhance the complexity of the example presented here for the benefit of better execution.

[0027] The charging operation is initiated with the "START" 10. A first step 12 is shown as the isPeakTime?-Query, where a check is performed to determine if it is peak time. If not, the queries proceed. If yes Y, a subsequent intermediate step 12a checks if the charging is confirmed. If no N, nothing is done at "Do Nothing" which is step 13; if yes Y, it moves to the next step.

[0028] A second step 14 is shown as the isGreenEnergyEnabled?-Query, where a check is made to see if the option for using green energy is enabled. If yes Y, the process continues. If no N, nothing is done at "Do Nothing" at step 13.

[0029] A third step 16 is shown as the SysAutoMode Enabled?-Query, where a check is made to see if the system automatic mode is enabled. If yes Y, the process continues. If no N, nothing is done at "Do Nothing" at step 13.

[0030] A fourth step 18 is shown as the isGreenEnergyAvailable?-Query, where a check is made to see if green energy is available. If yes Y, the process continues. If no N, nothing is done at "Do Nothing" at step 13.

[0031] A fifth step 20 is shown as the isMinSOCLimit <= MaxSOCLimit?-Comparison, where a check is made to see if the current State of Charge (SOC) of the vehicle is lower or equal to the maximum SOC limit. If yes Y, "START Charging" at step 22 initiates the charging of the vehicle. This is repeated in a loop 24 until the answer to this question is no N. This leads to "STOP Charging" at step 26 to stop the charging.

[0032] Subsequently, the system is stopped, and the procedure ends with "STOP" at step 28.

[0033] This architecture ensures that the electric vehicle is automatically charged under certain conditions to maintain the SOC within a defined range. Additionally, green energy is preferred when available and configured accordingly.

[0034] In summary, the invention proposes a Green Energy Indicator. In certain embodiments, the green energy indicator may be utilized to adapt the control of the loads such as the air conditioner in the electric vehicle. Signs architecture START first step intermediate step Do Nothing second step third step fourth step fifth step START Charging loop STOP Charging STOP Yes No

Claims

1. A method for charging an electrically powered vehicle, wherein it is queried whether the vehicle should be charged, and a user response to the query is captured and transmitted to a charging system of the electrically powered vehicle for charging an electric energy storage device of the electrically powered vehicle, wherein depending on the response, activation of the charging process is carried out until a desired state of charge of the electric energy storage device of the vehicle is achieved, wherein it is additionally queried with which energy type the electric energy storage device should be charged, and based on the response, at least one signal for obtaining energy of this energy type for the charging process is generated by the charging system.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in thatat least one proportion between green energy and conventional energy is offered, through which the charging of the electric energy storage is conducted in that at least one proportion.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in thatat least one time frame for charging with green energy are provided, through which the charging of the electric energy storage with green energy is conducted within this at least one time frame.

4. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in thatit is determined whether a peak time for charging electrically powered vehicles is currently occurring.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatan averaging or a signal is generated when it is determined that no green energy is available for charging the vehicle.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatcharging only is started when green energy is available.

7. A computer program product comprising program code means for performing a method according to claim 1 to 6.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising at least the computer program product according to claim 7.

9. A charging system for electric vehicles that offers multiple energy sources with different energy types to charge the respective electric energy storage units of the vehicles, wherein the charging system is designed to select an energy source based on a signal containing information about the energy type selected by the vehicle user, which is transmitted from the vehicle to the charging system, and apply it to charge the electric energy storage unit of the vehicle.

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