System Comprising At Least One Electrically Propulsion Capable Vehicle

Abstract

a charging device control means for controlling the charging devices and a charging signal output from the charging device control means to transmit a charging signal to the charging device control means; a charging signal output from the charging device control means to the charging device control means; and a charging signal output from the charging device control means to the charging device control means. The charging signal is indicative of a desired charging current. The charging signal is indicative of a desired charging current. The charging signal is indicative of a desired charging current. The charging signal is indicative of a desired charging current. The charging signal is indicative of a desired charging current. The charging signal is indicative of a desired charging current. The charging signal is indicative of a desired charging current. The charging signal is indicative of a desired charging current. The charging signal is indicative of a desired charging current. The charging signal is indicative of a desired charging current. The charging signal is indicative of a desired charging current. The charging signal is indicative of a desired charging current. The charging signal is indicative of a desired charging current. The charging signal is indicative of a desired charging current. The charging signal is indicative of a desired charging current. The charging signal is indicative of a desired charging current. The charging signal is indicative of a desired charging current. The charging signal is indicative of a desired charging current. The charging signal is indicative of a desired charging current. The charging signal is indicative of a desired charging current.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of providing electrical power for charging and optionally propulsion of electrically propulsable vehicles. [Background technology]

[0002] Concerns about the environmental impact of burning fossil fuels have led to increased interest in electric vehicles, which offer several potential advantages over vehicles with traditional internal combustion engines: significantly reduced urban air pollution due to electric vehicles not emitting harmful tailpipe pollutants from their on-board power sources during operation; reduced greenhouse gas emissions from the fuel and on-board power sources due to the technology used to generate electricity and / or charge the batteries; and reduced reliance on fossil fuels, which are subject to increasingly variable supplies and fluctuating prices.

[0003] Currently, electric vehicles are typically charged at stationary charging stations located in parking lots (public or at the vehicle owner's home) or at rest areas along highways. Although the latest generation of electric vehicles are provided with high-voltage fast charging technology, charging a vehicle still takes significantly longer than refueling a fossil-fueled vehicle. Long charging times also often result in queues at charging stations during peak hours, thereby further adding to the overall time required to charge a vehicle.

[0004] WO 2011 / 123049 proposes supplementing the batteries of electric vehicles by powering the vehicles while they are in motion. A system for electric propulsion of vehicles along roads is disclosed, comprising rail elements / structures with grooves containing electrical conductors that can be placed under voltage and positioned within the longitudinal track or channel of the road. The vehicles are equipped with current collectors that allow the transmission of power between the electrical conductors and the vehicles during contact with the conductors to propel the vehicles and charge their battery sets. Due to the different voltages and charging currents required for different vehicles, each vehicle is equipped with an on-board charger to control the charging voltage and current to the battery sets. Such on-board chargers add cost and typically, in the case of trucks, add several hundred kilograms of weight to provide sufficient power for the truck / heavy vehicle (while still being unable to provide "fast charging"), resulting in a reduced vehicle payload. A further disadvantage of such a system is the significant investment in infrastructure required to provide electrical conductors along large parts of the road network. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] WO2011 / 123049 [Patent Document 2] SE543629 [Patent Document 3] WO2021051233 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved system and method that at least partially solves, or at least ameliorates, the problems identified in the background section above. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] These and other objects are achieved according to the present invention by means of the systems and methods set forth in the independent claims.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for charging an electrical storage device of at least one electrically propulsable vehicle and, optionally, also for supplying electrical power to the vehicle for its propulsion. The system comprises at least two electrical conductors extending along a road section adapted for vehicle travel, at least one electrically propulsable vehicle, at least two off-vehicle charging devices, and charging device control means. The or each electrical conductor is formed by at least two conductor segments arranged continuously along the length of the road section, the conductor segments being electrically insulated from one another. The at least one electrically propulsable vehicle comprises at least one electric motor arranged to propel the vehicle, an electrical energy storage device (such as a battery pack) electrically connected to the at least one electric motor, and a current collector adapted to be electrically connected to the at least two electrical conductors and electrically connected to the electrical energy storage device. The current collector may be electrically connected to the electrical energy storage device via switch means. The charging devices are connected to two or more electrical conductors to supply a voltage thereto (typically a DC voltage) and are adapted to charge an electrical energy storage device of at least one electrically propulsible vehicle. Each charging device is connected to one or more conductor segments. Charging device control means are configured to control at least one off-vehicle charging device, the charging device control means comprising communication means. Each electrically propulsible vehicle comprises vehicle control means and vehicle communication means adapted to connect to the communication means of the charging device control means to transmit thereto at least one charging signal indicating at least one charging parameter including a desired charging current for the vehicle's electrical energy storage device. The charging device control means is configured to instruct the one or at least one of the at least one vehicle charging device, in response to the charging signal, to supply a current corresponding to the desired charging current to the conductor segment connected thereto. At least two or each of the at least two electrical conductors extending along the road section may be arranged in parallel.

[0009] In other words, the system comprises at least two electrical conductors extending along a road section adapted for vehicle travel thereon. One (or more) of the electrical conductors may be connected or connectable to ground potential and may therefore also be referred to as a ground conductor. One (or more) of the electrical conductors, or each of the electrical conductors, may be disposed, for example, in or on a rail element, e.g., recessed in a groove of the rail element and therefore also referred to as a slot-like element. The rail / slot-like element may be fully or partially recessed in the road surface, disposed on the road surface, or suspended above or near the road surface. Alternatively, the conductors may be suspended above or near the road surface without being disposed in / on a rail element. At least one or each electrical conductor is formed by at least two conductor segments arranged continuously along the length of the road section, said conductor segments being electrically insulated from one another. In embodiments in which one or more of the electrical conductors are connected to ground, these ground conductors may be formed by segments, but this is not always the case. The at least two off-vehicle charging devices are off-vehicle in the sense that the charging devices are positioned stationary relative to the roadway. The current collector of the at least one electrically propulsable vehicle may be vertically and laterally displaceable to mechanically and electrically connect with the at least two electrical conductors. Such displacement is described in Applicant's prior patents and will not be described in further detail herein.

[0010] In embodiments with two or more segmented electrical conductors, at least one or each charging device may be connected to at least one conductor segment of the two or more electrical conductors, i.e., two or more conductor segments. Alternatively, if one or more of the electrical conductors are not segmented, at least one or each charging device may be connected to at least one conductor segment of one or more electrical conductors and one or more non-segmented electrical conductors. In embodiments in which one or more electrical conductors are connected to ground and one or more electrical conductors comprise conductor segments, each charging device may be connected to at least one conductor segment of one or more electrical conductors comprising conductor segments and one or more ground conductors. Each charging device adapted to charge the electrical energy storage device of at least one electrically propulsable vehicle thereby supplies power thereto.

[0011] In an embodiment, the system includes two electrical conductors, where a first electrical conductor is segmented and a second electrical conductor is connected to ground (i.e., forms a ground conductor), and a charging device is connected to the ground conductor and the conductor segment of the first electrical conductor.

[0012] The charging device may comprise a dc-dc converter arranged to provide the desired charging current. Such a dc-dc converter is typically supplied by a transformer device connected to the power grid via a rectifier device. The rectifier device and optionally also the transformer device may be considered part of the charging device or may be separate and connected to some charging devices.

[0013] The charging arrangement may further comprise one or more switch devices connected between the dc-dc converter and one or more conductor segments. The switch devices may be located together with the dc-dc converter at distributed locations along the road section. Alternatively, the dc-dc converter may be located together with a transformer and rectifier arrangement in a transformer station located at a greater distance from each other, while the switch devices are located at the distributed locations. Alternatively, the switch devices, dc-dc converter and transformer rectifier arrangement are located at the substation.

[0014] The charging device control means is configured to control at least one off-vehicle charging device, said charging device control means comprising communication means. It will be appreciated that the charging device control means may comprise a centrally located control unit (e.g. located at a substation) controlling multiple charging devices connected to respective conductor segments, or may comprise distributed control units each controlling one or multiple charging devices, e.g. one charging control unit for each charging device which may be located at said distributed locations along a road section.

[0015] The vehicle control means of the vehicle may comprise or be formed as a separate control unit, or may be incorporated as software in another electronic control unit of the vehicle. The charging device control means is configured to instruct one of the at least one vehicle charging device to supply a current corresponding to the desired charging current to conductor segments connected thereto in response to said charging signal. It will be appreciated that the charging device control means instructing one of the charging devices may include sending a command signal to the charging device indicative of the desired charging current.

[0016] The present invention is based on the observation that by providing an off-vehicle charging device connected to at least two electrical conductors rather than having an on-board charger in each vehicle, charging power can be significantly increased because the weight, size, and cost of the charger are largely irrelevant. The present invention is further based on the observation that such higher charging power allows vehicles to be charged over short driving distances, which means that the electrical conductors extending along road sections need to cover a smaller portion of the road network, which proportionally reduces costs. Specifically, it is expected that electrical conductors will only need to extend along sidelines (turnouts / side streets / fallouts) of highways or other roads, where vehicles can be driven at slower speeds, to enable vehicle charging over relatively short distances. Thus, vehicles can be rapidly charged while traveling.

[0017] In an embodiment, the charging device is configured to provide DC charging at a power of at least 25 kW, preferably at least 50 kW, or at least 150 kW. Such power levels are sometimes referred to as "fast charging."

[0018] In an embodiment, the communication means of the charging device control means and the vehicle communication means are wireless communication means, e.g. radio frequency transmitter / receiver, e.g. using the GSM, 3G, 4G or 5G standard.

[0019] In other embodiments, the communication means of the charging device control means comprises a communication interface connected to at least two of the electrical conductors, and the vehicle communication means comprises a communication interface connected to the current collector. Thus, in these embodiments, the charging device control means communicates with the vehicle control means via the electrical conductors extending along the road section. The communication interface may be configured to send / receive high frequency signals via the at least two electrical conductors and the current collector.

[0020] In some embodiments, all or a subset of the plurality of off-vehicle charging devices are each connected solely to one or more conductor segments having corresponding longitudinal positions. Thus, in embodiments with two or more segmented electrical conductors, all or a subset of the charging devices are each connected solely to two or more conductor segments having corresponding longitudinal positions. In embodiments with only one segmented electrical conductor (i.e., including one or more non-segmented electrical conductors such as a ground conductor), all or a subset of the charging devices are each connected solely to the non-segmented electrical conductor and one or more conductor segments of the segmented electrical conductor having corresponding longitudinal positions. These embodiments can be advantageous because having a "dedicated" charging device for each conductor segment or pair / set of conductor segments having corresponding longitudinal positions means that vehicles can be charged from each longitudinal segment and therefore can be charged even during heavy traffic.

[0021] In some embodiments, a first subset of the off-vehicle charging devices are connected to only one or more conductor segments having corresponding longitudinal positions (as described above), a second subset of the off-vehicle charging devices are connected to two or more conductor segments having different longitudinal positions, and the maximum charging power of the off-vehicle charging devices in the first subset is different from the maximum charging power of the off-vehicle charging devices in the second subset. These embodiments can be advantageous because a larger number of lower-power / cost charging devices (first subset) can be dedicated to chargers for only the conductor segments at one longitudinal position, and a smaller number of higher-power / cost charging devices (second subset) can be connected to conductor segments at two or more longitudinal positions. As a result, a large number of vehicles (e.g., passenger cars) can be charged at lower power by a first subset of charging devices, while a smaller number of vehicles (e.g., heavy trucks) can be charged at higher power by a second subset of charging devices. Thus, the system can be optimized for a (typically unchanged) vehicle population in terms of charging capacity and cost.

[0022] In an embodiment, each vehicle control means is configured to transmit an identification signal to the charging device control means indicating the identity of the vehicle. The identity may be a unique identification number of the vehicle, such as a registration number or chassis number. Alternatively, the identity may be an identification number assigned to each vehicle by the charging device control means. The identification signal may be used to authenticate permission to charge the vehicle or for billing purposes.

[0023] In an embodiment, each current collector includes a transmitting means. Furthermore, at least one conductor segment includes a receiving means, and an identification signal is transmitted from the vehicle control means to the charging device control means via the transmitting means and the receiving means. The receiving means are disposed at predetermined positions on each conductor segment, and the vehicle control means is configured to transmit a speed signal indicating the speed at which the vehicle is moving to the charging device control means via its vehicle communication means. The charging device control means is configured to determine the initial positions of the vehicles connected to the at least two electric conductors based on the predetermined positions of each of the at least one conductor segment, and to determine the current positions of each vehicle connected to the at least two electric conductors based on the initial positions and the speed signal. It is understood that the receiving means have a limited / short extension in the length direction to enable accurate determination of the initial positions. For example, the length of the receiving means may be 20 cm or less. The receiving means may be disposed at the end of each conductor segment when viewed in the length direction of the conductor segment. This enables the system to very accurately determine when a vehicle approaches a subsequent conductor segment.

[0024] The transmitting means may be formed in part by the current collector, and the receiving means may comprise at least one coil arranged at said predetermined position of the conductor segment, so that a current induced in the current collector is detected by the at least one coil. Alternatively, the receiving means may be formed as a sub-segment of the conductor segment, and the identification signal is a high-frequency signal superimposed on a DC voltage.

[0025] In another embodiment, the vehicle control means of the or each vehicle is further configured to transmit, via its vehicle communication means, a position signal to said charging device control means, which is configured to determine a current position of each vehicle connected to the at least two electrical conductors based on said position signal.

[0026] In an embodiment, the system includes at least two electrically propulsable vehicles, wherein a current collector is electrically connected to an electrical energy storage device via a switch means, and wherein the charger control means is configured to: - for at least one, or preferably each, conductor segment, determining the vehicle to be charged as the vehicle having a current position corresponding to the conductor segment that has moved the furthest along the conductor segment; - commanding a vehicle charging device connected to the conductor segment to supply current to the conductor segment in response to a charging signal received from a vehicle determined to be charged; and - Transmitting a permission signal indicating that power will be supplied only to the vehicle communication means of the vehicle that has been determined to receive charging. wherein the vehicle control means, in response to the permission signal, switches on the switch means to connect the current collector to the electrical energy storage device for charging the electrical energy storage device. It is configured as follows.

[0027] In other words, the charging device control means is configured to determine, for at least one, or preferably each, conductor segment, a set of vehicles having a current position (which may be determined as described above) that corresponds to the conductor segment, i.e. that is within a longitudinal interval of the conductor segment. The vehicle of this set of vehicles that is the vehicle to be charged is determined as the vehicle that entered the conductor segment first, i.e. that has moved the furthest, i.e. that has a current position closest to the end of the conductor segment.

[0028] The charging device control means is preferably configured to repeatedly determine, command, and transmit as described above, i.e., to repeat these steps at some frequency, so that the charging device control means can determine which vehicles are located on each conductor segment at all times and can ensure that one of these vehicles (the first vehicle to enter the conductor segment) receives a charge, and that once this "first vehicle" leaves the conductor segment, the next subsequent vehicle receives a charge.

[0029] An authorization signal indicating the identification number of the vehicle that has been determined to receive charging, or an authorization signal together with an additional signal indicating the identification number, may be transmitted so that charging of only that vehicle is initiated.

[0030] In an embodiment, the vehicle control means is further configured to transmit, via its vehicle communication means, a charge status signal indicating a current charge status of the electric energy storage device to the charger control means, and the charger control means is configured, in response to received charge status signals from two or more vehicles having positions corresponding to the same conductor segment, to determine a set of vehicles having a current charge status below a predetermined value (e.g., a charge status of 80% or 90%), wherein the vehicle to receive charge is determined as the vehicle of the set of vehicles moving the farthest along the conductor segment. In other words, the vehicle control means is configured to stop charging the vehicle determined to receive charge when its current charge status reaches the predetermined value, and instead start charging the subsequent vehicle, i.e., the vehicle that entered the conductor segment second (assuming it has a current charge status below the predetermined value; otherwise, the third vehicle, etc.).

[0031] In a simplified embodiment, the charging device control means is not necessarily configured to determine the initial position and the current position, but instead is configured to determine that a vehicle is entering the next conductor segment based on an identification signal received from receiving means arranged at the end of the conductor segment, determine whether other vehicles are currently being charged from the next conductor segment, and if not, determine that the vehicle entering the next conductor segment will be charged, instruct a vehicle charging device connected to the next conductor segment to supply current to the conductor segment in response to the charging signal received from the vehicle to be charged, and optionally send an authorization signal to the vehicle communication means of the vehicle determined to be charged indicating that power will be supplied, wherein the vehicle control means is configured to switch on the switch means in response to said authorization signal to connect the current collector to the electric energy storage device for charging it.

[0032] In an embodiment, at least one charging device is configured to measure the voltage supplied thereto by a conductor segment connected thereto, and the charging device control means is configured to command the charging device to reduce the current supplied to the conductor segment connected thereto to a predetermined value if the current supplied by the charging device to the conductor segment exceeds a predetermined value determined as a function of the measured voltage. For example, if the measured (DC) voltage is 800 V, the predetermined (maximum) value of current may be 1200 A, and at 400 V it may be 300 A. As a result, if a vehicle having a 400 V battery pack accidentally enters a conductor segment (with its switching means on) whose charging device has been erroneously commanded to supply, for example, 1200 A, the voltage will be measured up to 400 V, which means the predetermined maximum current has been exceeded, and the current will therefore be immediately reduced to the predetermined value to avoid damaging the 400 V battery pack.

[0033] In an embodiment, the charging device control means and the vehicle control means of the at least one electrically propellable vehicle are configured to charge the at least one electrically propellable vehicle during travel along the road section and while stopped.

[0034] In an embodiment, the vehicle control means is configured to transmit a charging signal corresponding to the sum of the maximum allowed charging current of the electric energy storage device and the current power required for propulsion of the vehicle, such a charging signal being advantageously transmitted in such a way as to allow maximum charging of the electric energy storage device even under such circumstances if the vehicle is to be charged while in motion.

[0035] In an embodiment, the charging device control means and the vehicle control means are configured to communicate using a standard protocol defined for stationary charging, such as CCS2.

[0036] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for supplying electrical power to at least one electrically propulsable road vehicle from at least two electrical conductors extending along a road section adapted for vehicle travel thereon. At least one or each electrical conductor is formed by at least two conductor segments arranged continuously along the length of the road section, the conductor segments being electrically insulated from one another. The at least one electrically propulsable vehicle comprises at least one electric motor arranged to propel the vehicle, an electrical energy storage device electrically connected to the at least one electric motor, and a current collector electrically connected to the electrical energy storage device and adapted to electrically connect to the at least two electrical conductors. At least two off-vehicle charging devices are respectively connected to supply voltage to two or more conductor segments of the at least two segmented electrical conductors, or to one or more conductor segments of the segmented electrical conductor and one or more non-segmented electrical conductors, and are adapted to supply electrical power to the at least one electrically propulsable vehicle (for charging the electrical energy storage device and, optionally, for propulsion thereof). The method includes determining at least one charging parameter including a desired charging current for one or more of the at least one electrically propulsion capable road vehicle, and instructing at least one of the at least one vehicle charging device to supply a current corresponding to the desired charging current to a conductor segment or conductor segments connected thereto.

[0037] In an embodiment of the method, the desired charging current is determined as described above with reference to the system according to the first aspect of the present invention, i.e., the vehicle transmits (e.g., using the vehicle control means and a communication means adapted to connect to the communication means of the charging device control means) at least one charging signal indicating at least one charging parameter including the desired charging current for the vehicle's electric energy storage device. Further, instructing one of the at least one vehicle charging device may include instructing, using the charging device control means, in response to said charging signal, at least one of the at least one vehicle charging device to supply a current corresponding to the desired charging current to a conductor segment or conductor segments connected thereto.

[0038] The features of the above-described embodiments may be combined in any practically feasible manner to form embodiments having combinations of these features. Furthermore, all features and advantages of the embodiments described above with reference to the first aspect of the present invention may be applied to corresponding embodiments of the system according to the second aspect of the present invention, and vice versa. In particular, it will be noted that method embodiments corresponding to system embodiments may include method steps corresponding to the operation of vehicle control means and charging device control means configured for execution in system embodiments.

[0039] These and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show presently preferred embodiments of the invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0040] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram of an embodiment of a system according to a first aspect of the present invention, in which four conductor segments of an electrical conductor are shown together with corresponding charging devices. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram of an embodiment of a system according to a first aspect of the invention shown without at least one vehicle; [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram of a conventional system in which a vehicle is equipped with an on-board charger. [Figure 4]FIG. 1 is a diagram of an embodiment of a system according to a first aspect of the present invention, in which the system comprises a set of four charging devices, each connected to four (pairs) of conductor segments via a switch means. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an embodiment of a system according to a first aspect of the present invention, wherein the system comprises a first subset of charging devices each connected to only one conductor segment and a second subset of charging devices including charging devices connected to two consecutive conductor segments. [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram of an embodiment of a system according to a first aspect of the present invention, the system comprising a first subset of charging devices each connected to only one conductor segment and a second subset of charging devices including charging devices connected to multiple consecutive conductor segments, the system being shown without at least one vehicle; [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram of an embodiment of a system according to a first aspect of the invention, in which the electrical conductor comprises a short conductor segment disposed between two longer conductor segments for position determination purposes; FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a diagram of an embodiment of a system according to a first aspect of the invention, in which the electrical conductors each comprise one or more coils arranged at the end positions of the conductor segments for position determination purposes; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0041] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a system according to a first aspect of the present invention. The system includes a plurality of electrically propellable vehicles, identified as vehicles 1a-d. An electrical conductor 2 extends along a road section 3 along which the vehicles travel. Each electrical conductor 2 is formed by a plurality of conductor segments, identified as conductor segments 2a-2d, arranged successively along the length of the road section. The conductor segments are electrically insulated from one another. Each of the electrically propellable vehicles 1a-d includes at least one electric motor (not shown in the drawings, typically arranged as a hub motor) arranged to propel the vehicle, an electric energy storage device in the form of a battery pack (not shown in the drawings, typically arranged in the vehicle floor pan) electrically connected to the at least one electric motor, and current collectors 4a-d adapted to electrically connect to at least one of the electrical conductors 2. The current collectors are electrically connected to the electric energy storage device via switch means.

[0042] The electrical conductors and current collectors may be configured as described in SE 543629 (incorporated herein by reference), i.e., the electrical conductors are disposed in grooves of at least one rail element, which is disposed in or on the roadway section 3. The current collectors 4a-d are vertically and laterally displaceable and comprise at least one contact element adapted to mechanically and electrically connect to the conductor segments. At least one rail element further comprises an additional electrical conductor (not shown) connected to a ground potential. The ground conductor may be provided in a separate groove in the rail element, or in the same groove as the electrical conductor, or may be provided on top of the rail element (as a ground shield). The current collectors comprise at least one ground contact element, each configured to electrically and mechanically contact the ground conductor. The ground conductor is not segmented in this example.

[0043] The system further comprises a plurality of off-vehicle charging devices, four of which are shown in the drawings, 5a-d, each connected to a respective conductor segment 2a-d and to the above-mentioned (common) ground conductor extending parallel to conductor 2 to supply it with a DC voltage, and adapted to charge the electric energy storage device of at least one electrically propulsable vehicle.

[0044] The charging device control means are provided in the form of charging device control units 5a'-5d' arranged to control the respective off-vehicle charging devices 5a-d. The charging device control means comprise communication means connected to the electrical conductor 2.

[0045] Each electrically propulsion capable vehicle 1a-d comprises vehicle control means in the form of a vehicle control unit 1a'-d' comprising communication means in the form of an interface connected to the current collector, adapted to connect via conductors to the communication means of the charger control means for transmitting thereto at least one charging signal indicative of at least one charging parameter including a desired charging current for the vehicle's electric energy storage device. The charging signal may correspond to the sum of the maximum allowable charging current of the respective vehicle's electric energy storage device and the current power required for propulsion of the vehicle.

[0046] The charging device control units 5a'-5d' are configured to respond to the charging signal by instructing the corresponding charging devices 5a-d to supply currents corresponding to the desired charging currents to the conductor segments 2a-d connected thereto.

[0047] 1, vehicles 1a, 1b are located at conductor segments 2a, 2c and therefore transmit respective charging signals (via their current collectors and connected conductor segments) to respective charger control units 5a, 5c, which in turn supply the desired charging current to their respective conductor segments. However, charging device 5b does not supply any current to conductor segment 2b because there is no vehicle present and therefore does not receive the charging signal. In another embodiment, the charging signal is transmitted via wireless communication means, for example via GSM.

[0048] The vehicle control units 1a'-1d' are further each configured to transmit an identification signal to the charging device control means indicating the identity of the vehicle (such as the vehicle's registration number), which is used by the charging device control unit to authorize or not authorize charging and, optionally, to charge the vehicle owner for the cost of the supplied electricity.

[0049] Vehicles 1c and 1d are both located at conductor segment 2d and therefore transmit their respective charging signals to charger control unit 5d via their current collectors and the conductor segments connected thereto. Charger control units 5a-d are configured to determine the vehicle to be charged as the vehicle having a current position corresponding to the conductor segment that has moved the furthest along the conductor segment, i.e., the vehicle that first connected to the conductor segment. The current positions of the vehicles can be determined based on the position signals transmitted from vehicle control units 1a'-d' to the charger control units. In other embodiments, the positions are determined as described below with reference to FIGS. 7-8. In this example, the vehicle to be charged is determined to be vehicle 1d because it has moved the furthest along the conductor segment. Charger control units 5a'-d' are further configured to instruct vehicle charging devices connected to the conductor segments to supply current to the conductor segment in response to the charging signal received from the vehicle determined to be charged (1d in this example) and to transmit an authorization signal to the vehicle communication means of the vehicle determined to be charged (1d' in this case) indicating that power is to be supplied. Here, the vehicle control means is configured to switch the switch means in response to said enabling signal to connect the current collector to the electrical energy storage device for charging thereof.

[0050] Each charging device may be further configured to measure the voltage it supplies to the conductor segment connected to it, and its corresponding charging device control means may be configured to instruct the charging device to reduce the current it supplies to the conductor segment connected to it to a predetermined value if the current supplied from said charging device to said conductor segment exceeds a predetermined value determined as a function of said measured voltage.

[0051] It will be understood that charging of the vehicles 1a, 1b, 1d takes place whilst in motion, i.e. the charging device control means and the vehicle control means are configured to charge the at least one electrically propellable vehicle whilst it is moving along the road section.

[0052] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a system according to the first aspect of the present invention, shown without at least one vehicle. The system corresponds to the system of FIG. 1 in the sense that conductor segments 12c, 12d are provided along road section 13b, each having a charging device 15c, 15d including a charging device control means in a corresponding manner as in FIG. 1. However, FIG. 2 shows that additional conductor segments 12a, 12b may be provided along road section 13a in the form of a turnout / side road / turnout from road section 13b. Road section 13b may be a highway road section or any other type of (lower speed) road section. Conductor segments 12a, 12b are connected to charging devices 15a, 15b including a charging device control means in a corresponding manner as in FIG. 1. In this embodiment, two parallel conductor segments are shown, one of which may be connected to ground (as in FIG. 1). At least one vehicle of the system (not shown in FIG. 2) may be of the same type as in FIG. 1. In addition to the conductors 12a-d and associated charging equipment, a set of conventional stationary chargers 17 (connectable to the vehicle by cable, e.g. using the CCS2 standard) are provided at the turnouts / side streets / fallouts. Alternatively, the stationary charging may be of the type described in WO2021051233 (hereby incorporated by reference), i.e., using the same current collectors as are used for charging from the conductor segments 12a-d while in motion.

[0053] Thus, the vehicle in the system of Figure 2 can be in three different states: 1. While traveling at normal speed along road section 13b, 2. While traveling at reduced speed along road section 13a, 3. Standing still while parking on road section 13a The battery can be charged in this state.

[0054] Option 2 is particularly advantageous because the off-vehicle charging device is high power and slowing down on road section 13a extends the charging time, allowing a relatively large amount of electrical energy to be delivered to the vehicle's power storage device.

[0055] FIG. 3 shows a prior art system of a similar type to that described in WO 2011 / 123049. The system includes a pair of electrical conductors 22 extending along a road section 23 along which vehicles travel. Each of the electrical conductors is formed by a plurality of conductor segments (e.g., 22a-d) in the same manner as in FIG. 2. A power source 28, sometimes referred to as a substation, is connected to the conductor segments via switches 28a-d. The power source typically includes a transformer and rectifier connected to the power grid, but there is no off-vehicle charging device. In this prior art system, a vehicle (e.g., 21) includes an on-board charging device 21″ connected to a current collector (of the same type as described above with reference to FIG. 1) and a battery pack 26. When the vehicle is placed on a conductor segment, the presence of the vehicle and its current collector is detected (e.g., in a manner described in Applicant's prior patent application), thereby connecting a switch to the conductor segment to connect rectified power from the power source 28 to the electrical conductors. The on-board charger appropriately regulates the charging voltage and / or current to the battery pack.

[0056] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a system according to a first aspect of the present invention. FIG. 4 illustrates some of the differences of the present invention relative to the prior art system shown in FIG. 3. The main difference is that the system includes a set of off-vehicle charging devices 35 rather than an on-board charger. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the electrical conductors 32 and current collectors 34 are formed in the same manner as in FIG. 3. The power source 38 corresponds to reference numeral 28 in FIG. 3. The set of off-vehicle charging devices 35 are connected to the power source 38, and the charging devices are respectively connected to four conductor segments (e.g., 32a-d) via switching devices (e.g., 35a) that may be considered part of each charging device. The set of charging devices 35 includes charging device control means 35', either in the form of a common charging device control unit for all charging devices or in the form of a charging device control unit for each charging device.

[0057] Each electrically propulsion capable vehicle (e.g., 31) comprises vehicle control means in the form of a vehicle control unit 31′ comprising wireless communication means 31″ adapted to connect to the communication means of the charger control means 35′ via, e.g., GSM / 3G / 4G / 5G, for transmitting thereto at least one charging signal indicative of at least one charging parameter including a desired charging current for the vehicle's electric energy storage device 36. The charging signal may correspond to the sum of the maximum allowed charging current of the respective vehicle's electric energy storage device and the current power required for propulsion of the vehicle.

[0058] The charging device control means 35' is configured to respond to the charging signal by commanding the corresponding charging device to supply a current corresponding to the desired charging current through a switch corresponding to the conductor segment connected thereto.

[0059] The vehicle control means 31' of each vehicle may further be configured to transmit a position signal via its vehicle communication means 31" to the charging device control means 35'. The charging device control means 35' may be configured to use the position signal to determine which conductor segments should be commanded to provide the desired charging current. As part of its determination, the charging device control means 35' may be configured to determine, based on said position signal, the current position of each vehicle connected to at least one electrical conductor. In other embodiments, the position is determined as described below with reference to Figures 7-8.

[0060] As can be seen in FIG. 4, vehicle 31 and its current collector 34 are located at conductor segment 32e. Based on a charging signal and an optional position signal (or using an otherwise determined position) transmitted from vehicle control unit 31′ via communication means 31″ to charging device control means 35, a set of charging devices 35 provides the desired charging current to conductor segment 32e via switch device 35b (which is also controlled in response to the determined position). In this example, no current is provided to any other conductor segments.

[0061] The vehicle control unit (eg, 31') may further be configured to transmit an identification signal in a corresponding manner as described above with reference to FIG.

[0062] Figure 5 shows an embodiment of a system according to the first aspect of the invention, in which the electrical conductor is shown schematically as comprising two consecutive conductor segments 42a, 42b (which may each be a pair of electrical conductor segments, or a single conductor segment complemented by a ground conductor as in Figure 1).

[0063] A first subset of off-vehicle charging devices (e.g., 45a, 45b) are connected to only one (pair) of each conductor segment 42a, 42b. A second subset of off-vehicle charging devices (e.g., 45c) are connected to two or more (pairs) of each conductor segment (42a, 42b). In this embodiment, the maximum charging power of the second subset of off-vehicle charging devices is higher than the maximum charging power of the first subset of off-vehicle charging devices. This allows charging of light vehicles (e.g., 41a) from each conductor segment, while not allowing charging of heavy vehicles (e.g., 41b) (which are typically less common and therefore not required).

[0064] The vehicle control means 41 a′ of each vehicle may further be configured to transmit a position signal via its vehicle communication means 31″ to the charging device control means 35′, which may be configured to use the position signal to determine which conductor segments should be commanded to provide the desired charging current. The charging device control means 45′ may be configured to determine, as part of its determination, the current position of each vehicle connected to at least one electrical conductor based on said position signal. In other embodiments, the position is determined as described below with reference to FIGS. 7-8.

[0065] As can be seen in Figure 5, vehicle 41a and its current collector are located at conductor segment 42a. Based on a charging signal and an optional position signal (or use of an otherwise determined position) sent from vehicle control unit 41a' via communication means 41a" to charging device control means 45, charging device 45a provides the desired charging current conductor segment 42a via switch device 45a' (which is also controlled in response to the determined position).

[0066] Furthermore, vehicle 41b and its current collector are located at conductor segment 42b. Based on a charging signal (indicating a high desired charging current) sent from vehicle control unit 41b' via communication means 41b" to charging device control means 45 and an optional position signal (or using an otherwise determined position), charging device 45c supplies the desired charging current to conductor segment 42b via switch device 45c" (which is also controlled in response to the determined position).

[0067] In another embodiment, the charging signal is transmitted via the current collector and the conductor segment, and optionally a location signal is transmitted so that the charging device control means can determine from which conductor segment the charging signal is received.

[0068] The vehicle control unit (eg, 41a') may further be configured to transmit an identification signal in a corresponding manner as described above with reference to FIG.

[0069] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a system according to the first aspect of the present invention. The system includes a first subset of charging devices 55a-g, each connected to only one (pair) of conductor segments 52a-g (disposed along road section 53) via switching devices 55a'-g', and a second subset of charging devices, including (higher power) charging device 55h, connected to multiple consecutive (pairs) of conductor segments 52a-g via switching devices 55h1-h7. ​​The system is illustrated without at least one vehicle. The example of FIG. 6 is similar to the example of FIG. 5, but the system is shown on a larger scale. The charging devices 55a-h are located within a substation (shown in dotted lines) that further includes transformer 58a and rectifiers 58b-c, which are connected to the power grid. The substation further includes rectifier 58c and additional first and second sets of charging devices connected to the conductor segments of other (subsequent) road sections (not shown). It will be appreciated that the system comprises charging device control means in a corresponding manner as described above with reference to FIG.

[0070] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a system according to the first aspect of the invention, in which the electrical conductor comprises a short conductor segment disposed between two longer conductor segments for position determination purposes.

[0071] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a system according to the first aspect of the invention, in which the electrical conductors each comprise one or more coils arranged at the end positions of the conductor segments for position determination purposes.

[0072] The vehicle control means 61' / 71' of each vehicle (e.g., 61 / 71) is configured to transmit an identification signal indicating the vehicle's identity to the charging device control means 65a' / 75a', 65b' / 75b'. The identity may be the vehicle's unique identification number, such as a registration number or chassis number. Alternatively, the identity may be an identification number assigned to each vehicle by the charging device control means. The identification signal may be used to authenticate permission to charge the vehicle or for billing purposes. The current collector 64 / 74 comprises a transmitting means, and at least one conductor segment 62a / 72a comprises a receiving means. In FIG. 7, the receiving means is formed by a separate conductor segment 62a' arranged immediately following the conductor segment 62a. In FIG. 8, the receiving means is formed by one or more coils 79a arranged at the end positions of the conductor segment 72a. Thus, in both cases, the receiving means is arranged at a predetermined position and, in both cases, has a length that is short compared to the overall length of the corresponding conductor segment 62a / 72a.

[0073] The identification signal is transmitted from the vehicle control means via the transmitting means and the receiving means to the charging device control means. The vehicle control means 61' / 71' is configured to transmit a speed signal indicating the speed at which the vehicle is traveling to the charging device control means 65a' / 75a' via its vehicle communication means. The charging device control means is configured to determine initial positions of the vehicles connected to the at least two conductor segments based on the predetermined positions of the conductor segment 62a' and one or more coils 79a, respectively, and to determine current positions of each vehicle connected to the at least two electrical conductors based on the initial positions and the speed signal.

[0074] The above description and the accompanying drawings should be considered as non-limiting examples of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that several changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. In particular, the number of conductors, conductor segments, vehicles, charging devices, and the number of conductor segments connected to each charging device may vary from the exemplary numbers provided in the above examples. Furthermore, in embodiments where communication between vehicle control means and charging device control means is described as wired (via electrical conductors), the communication means may be replaced by wireless communication means, and vice versa.

Claims

1. 1. A system comprising at least one electrically propulsable vehicle (1a-1d; 31; 41a, 41b; 61; 71) and at least two electrical conductors (2; 32; 62; 72) extending along a road section (3; 13a, 13b; 33; 53) on which said vehicle is adapted to travel, wherein at least one of said electrical conductors (2; 32; 62; 72) is connected by at least two conductor segments (2a-2d; 12a-d; 32a-e; 42a, 42b; 52a-52g) arranged successively along the length of said road section. the conductor segments are electrically insulated from one another, the at least one electrically propulsable vehicle (1a-1d; 31; 41a, 41b; 61; 71) comprises at least one electric motor arranged to propel the vehicle, an electric energy storage device (36; 46a, 46b) electrically connected to the at least one electric motor, and a current collector (4a-4d; 34; 64; 74) adapted to be electrically connected to the at least two electric conductors and electrically connected to the electric energy storage device, the system comprising: at least two off-vehicle charging devices (5a-5d; 15a-d; 35) adapted to charge the electrical energy storage device of the at least one electrically propulsable vehicle, the at least two off-vehicle charging devices (5a-5d; 15a-d; 35) being connected to supply a voltage to two or more of the electrical conductors, each charging device being connected to one or more conductor segments (12a-12b, 12c-12d; 32a-32d; 42a-42b); charging device control means (5a'-5d'; 35'; 45'; 65a'-b'; 75a'-75b') configured to control at least one of said off-vehicle charging devices (5a-5d; 35; 45a-45c; 65a, 65b; 75a, 75b) and comprising communication means; Furthermore, wherein the at least one electrically propulsable vehicle (1a-d1; 31; 41a, 41b; 61; 71) comprises vehicle control means (1a'-1d'; 31'; 41a', 41b'; 61'; 71') and communication means adapted to connect to the communication means of the charging device control means so as to transmit thereto at least one charging signal indicative of at least one charging parameter comprising a desired charging current for the electric energy storage device of the vehicle; the charging device control means (5a'-5d'; 35'; 45'; 65a', 65b'; 75a', 75b') is configured to instruct one or more of the at least one off-vehicle charging device to supply a current corresponding to the desired charging current to the conductor segment or conductor segments connected thereto in response to the charging signal; system.

2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the communication means of the charging device control means and the vehicle communication means are wireless communication means.

3. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication means of the charging device control means are connected to the at least two electric conductors (2), and the vehicle communication means (1a', 1c', 1d') are connected to the current collectors (4a, 4c, 4d).

4. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein all or a subset of the plurality of off-vehicle charging devices are each connected to only one respective conductor segment having a corresponding position along the length of the road section.

5. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of off-vehicle charging devices in a first subset are each connected to only one respective conductor segment having a corresponding position in the length direction of the road section, the plurality of off-vehicle charging devices in a second subset are each connected to two or more respective conductor segments having different positions in the length direction, and a maximum charging power of the plurality of off-vehicle charging devices in the first subset is different from a maximum charging power of the plurality of off-vehicle charging devices in the second subset.

6. 6. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each vehicle control means is arranged to transmit an identification signal to the charging device control means indicative of the identity of the vehicle.

7. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein each current collector comprises a transmitting means, at least one conductor segment comprises a receiving means, the identification signal is transmitted from the vehicle control means to the charging device control means via the transmitting means and the receiving means, the receiving means is disposed at a predetermined position relative to the conductor segments, the vehicle control means is configured to transmit a speed signal indicating a speed at which the vehicle is moving to the charging device control means via the vehicle communication means, and the charging device control means is configured to determine initial positions of vehicles connected to the at least two electric conductors based on their respective predetermined positions, and to determine a current position of each vehicle connected to the at least two electric conductors based on the initial position and the speed signal.

8. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the vehicle control means of each vehicle is further configured to transmit, via the vehicle communication means, a location signal to the charging device control means configured to determine a current location of each vehicle connected to the at least two electrical conductors based on the location signal.

9. at least two electrically propulsable vehicles; Here, the current collector is electrically connected to the electric energy storage device via a switch means, and the charging device control means - for each conductor segment, determining the vehicle to be charged as the vehicle having a current position corresponding to said conductor segment that has moved the furthest along said conductor segment; commanding a vehicle charging device connected to the conductor segment to supply current to the conductor segment in response to the charging signal received from the vehicle determined to be charged; and - transmitting a permission signal to the vehicle communication means of the vehicle that has been determined to be charged, indicating that power will be supplied; wherein the vehicle control means is configured to switch the switch means in response to the permission signal to connect the current collector to the electrical energy storage device for charging thereof.

9. A system according to claim 7 or 8.

10. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the vehicle control means is further configured to transmit a charge status signal indicating a current charge status of the electrical energy storage device to the charging device control means via the vehicle communication means, and the charging device control means is configured to determine a set of vehicles having a current charge status below a predetermined value in response to received charge status signals from two or more vehicles having positions corresponding to the same conductor segment, wherein the vehicle to receive charge is determined as the vehicle of the set of vehicles that is moving the farthest along the conductor segment.

11. 11. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein each charging device is configured to measure the voltage supplied therefrom to the conductor segment connected thereto, and wherein the charging device control means is configured to instruct the charging device to reduce the current supplied to the conductor segment connected thereto to a predetermined value if the current supplied from the charging device to the conductor segment exceeds a predetermined value determined as a function of the measured voltage.

12. 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle control means is configured to transmit a charging signal corresponding to the sum of a maximum allowable charging current of the electrical energy storage device and a current power required for propulsion of the vehicle.

13. 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the charging device control means and the vehicle control means of at least one electrically propellable vehicle are configured to charge the at least one electrically propellable vehicle while traveling along the road section and while stopped.

14. 14. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the at least two electrical conductors is connected to a ground potential.

15. 1. A method of supplying electrical power to at least one electrically propulsion capable road vehicle from at least two electrical conductors extending along a roadway section over which the vehicle is adapted to travel, comprising: wherein at least one electrical conductor is formed by at least two conductor segments arranged consecutively along the length of the road section, the conductor segments being electrically insulated from one another; the at least one electrically propulsable vehicle having at least one electric motor arranged to propel the vehicle, an electric energy storage device electrically connected to the at least one electric motor, and a current collector electrically connected to the electric energy storage device and adapted to electrically connect to the at least two electrical conductors; at least two off-vehicle charging devices are connected to two or more electrical conductors to provide a voltage thereto and adapted to power the at least one electrically propulsion capable vehicle, each charging device being connected to one or more conductor segments; The method is: - determining a desired charging current for one or more of the at least one electrically propulsion capable road vehicle present; commanding one or more of the at least one vehicle charging device to supply a current corresponding to said desired charging current to a conductor segment or conductor segments connected thereto; A method comprising:

Images