Charging cable device and method for operating a charging cable device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a charging cable device (10) with vehicle to load (V2L) or vehicle to vehicle (V2V) capability designed to prevent discharging of the source battery below a certain ca

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of automobiles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a charging cable device for a power transmission. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for operating a charging cable device for a power transmission. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0002] Electric vehicles that may be low on charge may need an emergency energy source to charge a battery of the electric vehicle up to a certain state of charge to reach a conventional energy source.

[0003] Electric vehicles providing bidirectional charging functions like Vehicle-to-load (V2L) comprise a built-in bidirectional charging system and standard AC power outlets or a charging plug for electric vehicles, which can be used to plug in any regular household AC appliances or electric vehicles. Therefore, said electric vehicles may be used as the emergency energy source. However, in the case of emergency charging, it is desirable to provide only a limited amount of energy by a donor electric vehicle to avoid overdischarging the battery of the donor vehicle. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a charging cable device for a power transmission and a corresponding method to operate a charging cable device for a power transmission, by which compliance with a predefined power transmission condition is ensured.

[0005] This object is solved by a charging cable device for a power transmission as well as a corresponding method to operate a charging cable device for a power transmission according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are presented in the dependent claims.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention relates to a charging cable device for a power transmission. The charging cable device comprises a source vehicle connector, configured for connecting the charging cable device to a source vehicle charging system of a source vehicle. The source vehicle connector may comply with J1772, Mennekes (type 2), GB / T AC connector and / or with another comparable AC charging connector.

[0007] The charging cable device comprises a target connector, configured for connecting the charging cable device to a target charging system. Combined Charging System (CCS) is a standard for charging electric vehicles. The target connector may comply with J1772, Mennekes (type 2), GB / T AC connector and / or with another comparable AC charging connector. The target vehicle connector may also comply with standard household systems. The charging cable device is configured to receive power from the source vehicle charging system at the source vehicle connector and to provide the power to the target charging system at the target connector. The charging cable device may be configured to communicate with the source vehicle charging system to allow a provision of power by the source vehicle charging system.

[0008] The charging cable device comprises a control device, configured to receive a current state of charge of the source vehicle charging system. In other words, the control device is configured to request the current state of charge from the source vehicle charging system. The state of charge may give a relative and / or an absolute level of charge of a battery of the source electric vehicle.

[0009] The control device is configured to determine whether a predefined power transmission condition is satisfied by the current state of charge of the source vehicle charging system. In other words, the predefined power transmission condition is given to the control device. The predefined power transmission condition may be related to a state of charge of the battery of the source vehicle charging system. The predefined power transmission condition may be related to a threshold value related to the charge of the battery of the source vehicle charging system.

[0010] The control device is configured to release a power transmission between the source vehicle charging system and the target charging system when the predefined power transmission condition is satisfied. In other words, the control unit is configured to evaluate, whether the predefined power transmission condition is satisfied. The control unit may evaluate whether a current state of charge of the battery of the source vehicle charging system is within a predefined state of charge range, necessary for power transmission. The predefined state of charge range may cover a state of charge between 100 % and 30 % of a total state of charge for example. The control unit is configured to allow the power transmission when the predefined power transmission condition is satisfied. The control unit may initiate the power transmission from the charge of a battery of the source electric vehicle.

[0011] The control device is configured to disable the power transmission between the source vehicle charging system and the target charging system when the predefined power transmission condition is not satisfied. In other words, the control unit blocks the power transmission when the predefined power transmission condition is not satisfied. The control unit may refuse requests to initiate the power transmission. The predefined power transmission condition may not be satisfied, when the current state of charge of the battery of the source vehicle charging system is not within the predefined state of charge range.

[0012] The invention has the advantage that the charging cable device may enable power transmission taking into account the predefined power transmission condition. In particular, the charging cable device may prevent excessive discharge of the battery.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the predefined power transmission condition requires that the current state of charge is above a specified minimum state of charge.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the charging cable device comprises a user interface device, configured to set the specified minimum state of charge as a function of a user input value received by the user interface device.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the user input value is a minimum range of the vehicle of the source vehicle charging system.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the user input value is a relative value of a total state of charge of the source vehicle charging system.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the target connector is configured for connecting the charging cable device to a target charging system of a target vehicle.

[0018] A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for operating a charging cable device according to the preceding aspect. The method comprises the following steps. Receiving, by a control device of the charging cable device, a current state of charge of a source vehicle charging system of a source vehicle connected to the charging cable device via a source vehicle connector. Determining, by the control device whether a predefined power transmission condition is satisfied by the current state of charge of the source vehicle charging system. Releasing, by the control device a power transmission between the source vehicle charging system and a target charging system connected to the charging cable device via a target connector when the predefined power transmission condition is satisfied. Disabling the power transmission between the source vehicle charging system and the target charging system when the predefined power transmission condition is not satisfied.

[0019] Advantageous embodiments of the charging cable device are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the method.

[0020] Further advantages, features, and details of the present invention derive from the following description of preferred embodiments as well as from the drawings. 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 figures and / or shown in the figures alone can 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 DRAWINGS

[0021] 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.

[0022] The drawings show in:

[0023] Fig. 1 a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a charging cable device for power transmission; and

[0024] Fig. 2 a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a method for operating a charging cable device for power transmission.

[0025] In the figures the same elements or elements having the same function are indicated by the same reference signs. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] Fig 1 shows a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a charging cable device 10.

[0031] The charging cable device 10 may be configured for a power transmission. The power transmission may be performed between a source electric vehicle 12 and a target electric vehicle 14. The power transmission may comprise a discharging of a battery of the source vehicle and a charging of a battery of the target electric vehicle 14. To electrically connect the charging cable device 10 to the source electric vehicle 12, the charging cable device 10 may comprise a source vehicle connector 20. The source vehicle connector 20 may comprise a plug according to a common standard, that may be plugged into a plug receiver 24 of the source vehicle charging system 26 of the source electric vehicle 12 comprising the battery 16 of the source electric vehicle 12.

[0032] To electrically connect the charging cable device 10 to the target electric vehicle 14, the charging cable device 10 may comprise a target connector 22. The target connector 22 may comprise a plug according to a common standard that may be plugged into a plug receiver 28 of the target vehicle charging system 30 of the target electric vehicle 14 comprising the battery of the target electric vehicle 18. The target connector 22 may also be used to charge another device and is therefore not limited to a target electric vehicle 14.

[0033] As power transmission may require communication between, the charging cable device 10 may comprise a control device 32. The control device 32 may be configured to exchange data with the source vehicle charging system 26 and the target vehicle charging system 30. The control device 32 may be configured to receive a current state of charge of the source vehicle charging system 26 and a current state of charge of the target vehicle charging system 30.

[0034] During the power transmission, the battery of the target vehicle charging system may be charged to reach a minimum state of charge. As the battery of the source electric vehicle 12 is discharged during power transmission, the control device 32 is configured to survey the transmission procedure. Survey may be related to a predefined power transmission condition. The predefined power transmission condition may comprise that power transmission is only allowed, when a current state of charge of the source vehicle charging system 26 is within a predefined state of charge range. The predefined power transmission condition may further comprise that an amount of energy provided by the source vehicle charging system 26 does not exceed a predefined threshold.

[0035] The control device 32 may be configured to release the power transmission between the source vehicle charging system 26 and the target charging system 30 when the predefined power transmission condition is satisfied. The control device 32 may initiate the power transmission by sending a signal to the source vehicle connector 20 and / or the target connector 22 to release the power transmission. The vehicle charging systems 26, 30 may also initiate the power transmission. The control device 32 may disable the power transmission between the source vehicle charging system 26 and the target charging system 30 when the predefined power transmission condition is not satisfied. The control device 32 may, for example, refuse to send a release signal to the source vehicle charging system 26 and the target charging system 30, refuse to initiate the power transmission, send a signal to block the power transmission to the source vehicle charging system 26 and the target charging system 30, and / or physically disconnect the electric connection between the source vehicle charging system 26 and the target charging system 30.

[0036] The predefined power transmission condition may be pre-set by default or may be set as a function of a user input value received by a user interface device 34 of the charging cable device 10. The user interface device 34 may comprise buttons and / or a touch screen. Thus, the interface device 34 allows a user to set the predefined power transmission condition. The user may, for example, set a minimum range of the vehicle of the source vehicle charging system 26 and / or a relative value of a total state of charge of the source vehicle charging system 26.

[0037] Fig. 2 shows a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a method for operating a charging cable device 10.

[0038] The method may be performed by the charging cable device 10 shown in Fig. 1.

[0039] In a first step S1, the control device 32 of the charging cable device 10 may receive a current state of charge of a source vehicle charging system 26 of a source vehicle 12 connected to the charging cable device 10 via a source vehicle connector 20.

[0040] In a second step S2, the control device 32 of the charging cable device 10 may determine whether a predefined power transmission condition is satisfied by the current state of charge of the source vehicle charging system 26.

[0041] In a next step, the control device 32 of the charging cable device 10 may, as a function of the current state of charge of the source vehicle charging system 26, may release a power transmission between the source vehicle charging system 26 and the target charging system 30 connected to the charging cable device 10 via a target connector 22 when the predefined power transmission condition is satisfied in a step S3.

[0042] The control device 32 of the charging cable device 10 may disable the power transmission between the source vehicle charging system 26 and the target charging system 30 when the predefined power transmission condition is not satisfied in a step S4.

[0043] The charging cable device 10 may be configured as a vehicle-to-load charging system which may comprise a cable along with a customer interface device 34. The interface device 34 may be within cable. The interface device 34 may be used to limit the output energy, so that the battery of the source electric vehicle 12 is not drained too much. The power transmission may be limited such that only a predefined percentage of the state of charge like 5% or 10% may be provided, which may be considered as a power transmission condition. The power transmission may also be set to an unlimited amount of energy to be provided. A user may also enter a desired minimum range or charge needed for the source electric vehicle 12 and battery 16 of the source electric vehicle 12 may not be drained below that level. Signs charging cable device source electric vehicle target electric vehicle battery of source electric vehicle battery of target electric vehicle source vehicle connector target vehicle connector plug receiver of source electric vehicle source vehicle charging system plug receiver of target electric vehicle target vehicle charging system control device interface device steps

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