Electrical power supply cable for a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a power supply cable (10) for electrically connecting an energy accumulator (11) of a vehicle (12) to an energy supply device (16) for supplying electric energy, the power supply cable (10) having a connection line (13), a primary connector (14) electrically coupled or connectable to the connection line (13) with a vehicle terminal (14A) for a separable electrical connection with the vehicle (12), in particular with the energy accumulator (11), and a secondary connector (15) electrically coupled or connectable to the connection line (13) for a separable electrical connection with the energy supply device (16), the power supply cable (10) detecting a detection device (4) a detection device (4) configured to monitor the current supplied from the energy supply device (16) and to detect an interruption (400) of the supplied current, the power supply cable (10) having a limiting unit (3) configured to limit the current flowing through the power supply cable (10) to a maximum value (100), and the detection device (4) is configured to transfer a limiting value (200) to the limiting unit (3) as a maximum value and / or to output it as a signal value, in particular as a suggestion for setting it as the maximum value (100), based on the current supplied before the interruption (400) was detected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a power supply cable for electrically connecting a vehicle, in particular an energy accumulator of a vehicle, to an energy supply device. The power supply cable may be, for example, a charging cable designed to transmit at least 0.5 kW of power, preferably at least 2 kW of power (the same applies if the power supply cable is usable or configured for the discharging process from the vehicle).

Background Art

[0002] Prior Art For charging electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles (such as cars, trucks, boats, airplanes, motorcycles, etc.), various different approaches are known from the prior art. In particular, the following groups of cases can be distinguished. That is, in the first charging situation, the charging of the vehicle can be carried out via a dedicated charging infrastructure, which is in particular a fixedly installed charging station. For example, such a charging station is realized as a charging stand or a wall box. In an alternative charging situation, for example, a socket for continuous current used for energy supply in a normal household is provided. For example, this socket is a 220V Schuko type socket, or a socket configured according to other regional standards or customs, and in this case, three-phase AC terminals can also be provided. In this case, the charging cable basically has an integrated control device, and this integrated control device can be configured inside the connection line between the two connectors of the charging cable, for example, as an In-Cable-Control-Box (ICCB). This integrated control device is used for communication with the vehicle and for releasing and setting the charging current. Because, basically, the Schuko type socket does not have a communication line that can mediate communication between the vehicle and the energy supply device, unlike a charging stand or a wall box.

[0003] When a household socket is used to charge an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, the charging current is usually limited to the maximum value that is below the maximum value for protecting the household socket. In Germany, for example, in the case of normal protection means of 16 A, basically, the control device incorporated in the charging cable is set so that a maximum current consumption of 13 A is possible.

[0004] From German Patent Application Publication No. 102021203362 published later, the secondary connector and the charging cable are known.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Disclosure of the Invention With the charging cable according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent an overload due to the charging current from being applied to a charging location, for example, a charging network connected to a household socket. In particular, it is prevented that the fuse protecting the charging terminal is repeatedly triggered.

[0007] In other words, the power supply cable is used to extract electrical energy from the energy supply device. If this energy supply device is protected at a level lower than the maximum extractable current set in the power supply cable, or if there is already an additional load connected to this energy supply device, or if an additional load is connected after the start of the charging process, then by extracting the charging current via the power supply cable, for example, the protection means may be triggered. According to the present invention, the power supply cable can identify such a situation (i.e., an undesired interruption of the current flow that was not planned for the charging process), and subsequently, thereby, automatically avoid the protection means from being triggered again, or it becomes possible for the user to configure the charging cable appropriately to avoid future triggering of the protection means.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0008] A power supply cable for electrically connecting a vehicle, particularly an energy accumulator of the vehicle, to an energy supply device that supplies electrical energy has a connection line and a primary connector electrically coupled or couplable to the connection line. The vehicle and the energy supply device are different components respectively. The primary connector has a vehicle terminal configured for a separable electrical connection with the vehicle, particularly with the energy accumulator of the vehicle. The primary connector may be, for example, a plug of the Type 2 standard, or another type of plug designed for connection with the vehicle. The power supply cable further has a secondary connector electrically coupled or couplable to the connection line provided for a separable electrical connection with the energy supply device. The primary connector and / or the secondary connector may be separably coupled or fixedly coupled to the connection line. The secondary connector is particularly used for electrical connection with a continuous current socket or a household socket. For example, the secondary connector is a Schuko-type plug or a three-phase AC plug. However, the secondary connector may also be a plug of the Type 2 standard. The primary connector and the secondary connector can also be referred to as (in colloquial terms) charging plugs.

[0009] The power supply cable has a detection device, and the detection device is configured to monitor the current supplied from the energy power supply device. Further, the detection device is configured to detect or identify an interruption of the supplied current. The detection device can be configured within each component of the power supply cable, particularly within the primary connector or the secondary connector or the connection line or the power supply line. When an ICCB is provided, the detection device can also be configured within this ICCB. The detection device can have, for example, a current sensor, such as a Hall sensor, etc., or be connectable to such a current sensor, in order to identify or detect or measure the current flowing within the power supply cable.

[0010] The power supply cable further has a limiting unit. The limiting unit is used to limit the current flowing through the power supply cable to a maximum value. The limiting unit is configured or designed to perform the limitation. Thus, the limiting unit is provided, in particular, as protection against overload to the energy power supply device, to specify the maximum value for the current flowing through the secondary connector and / or the power supply cable. Limiting the flowing current to the maximum value can be actively implemented, for example, by the unique circuit of the limiting unit such that the flowing current cannot increase beyond the maximum value. Alternatively or additionally, limiting the flowing current to the maximum value can be implemented (indirectly or passively) by transferring the maximum value to the vehicle and / or to the charging control device of the power supply cable and / or to the charging control logic of the energy power supply device, whereby a current exceeding the maximum value will no longer be requested by the vehicle or will no longer be supplied from the energy power supply device. The limiting unit can be configured within each component of the power supply cable, particularly within the primary connector or the secondary connector or the connection line. When an ICCB is provided, the limiting unit can also be configured within this ICCB.

[0011] Furthermore, the detection device is configured to transfer the limit value as a maximum value to the limiting unit and / or output it as a signal value based on the current supplied before the interruption is detected. The limit value or the signal value can be output, for example, as a proposal for setting as a maximum value.

[0012] The detection device is used, in other words, to identify an interruption in the current supplied by the energy supply device. If such an interruption is identified, especially unexpectedly and / or abruptly, i.e., not at the end of the charging process, this interruption may be due to, for example, the triggering of the protection means of the energy supply device. Therefore, the limit value specified by the detection device is based on the current supplied before the interruption, and is thus the value of the current that remains below the current triggering the interruption. In other words, the limit value can be specified or determined or calculated, for example, depending on the current supplied, detected or specified prior in time to the interruption. The limit value can in particular be the current that flowed through the charging cable before the interruption. This limit value may be transferred or transmitted or sent directly to the limiting unit such that the limiting unit receives this limit value as the maximum value. Alternatively or additionally, the above limit value can further be output or provided as a signal value, in particular as a proposal for setting it as the maximum value. The output or provided limit value, or the signal value that can represent the limit value, can be output, for example, to a user or a control device or the like. Thereby, the output or provided limit value or signal value can be used, for example, by a user or a control device as a proposal for setting or inputting it as the maximum value, for example. Therefore, the maximum value set in this way, or the maximum value transferred or provided or output to the limiting unit, can reduce the risk of further triggering the protection means of the energy supply device. Because the maximum current flowing through the power supply cable is limited to or can be limited to a value at which the triggering of the protection means did not occur beforehand. On the other hand, according to the invention, it is possible to flow the maximum possible current through the power supply cable. Because the maximum value is specified based on the limit value, there is no need for the user to estimate the maximum value, possibly incorrectly, in some cases. Thereby, even after the fuse has been triggered, it is advantageously possible to maintain the safety of the current branch and at the same time minimize the charging duration.

[0013] The dependent claims contain advantageous developments of the invention.

[0014] The detection device is preferably configured to detect an interruption when the supplied current decreases by more than 90% within a time interval of less than 1 s. Advantageously, an interruption is detected by the detection device when the supplied current decreases by more than 90% within a time interval of less than 100 ms. Alternatively or additionally, for example, when the comparison between a specified decrease in current and a planned decrease in current exceeds a threshold value, an interruption can be detected, or the situation can be classified or identified as an interruption. Thus, for example, the target value of the current can be obtained or provided or read from the charging control device of the power supply cable, the vehicle, and / or the energy supply unit at any time or at a defined time (for example, by the power supply cable or by the detection device or detection unit). Furthermore, the actual value of the current can be detected or provided at various different times. The comparison of the actual value with the target value (for example, determining the difference) can suggest an interruption when this comparison exceeds a threshold value, for example, or can be evaluated or identified as an interruption of the current. Such a threshold value can be configured, for example, by the difference between the target value and the actual value increasing by more than 90% of the target value within 1 second or within 100 ms. From such a rapid decrease in current, it can be presumed, for example, that the protection means of the energy supply device has been triggered. The current flowing through the power supply cable can also decrease, especially when the charging process has been terminated, for example, by the vehicle. However, in this case, there cannot be a corresponding rapid decrease in current, and thus, the detection of an interruption can be reliably carried out based on the above-mentioned criteria.

[0015] Alternatively, (as described above), a signal indicating that the current has dropped or interrupted can be transmitted from the charging control logic of the vehicle, ICCB, or energy power supply device to the power supply cable, detection device, or detection unit. In this case, by comparing the expected current with the current identified during monitoring, it is possible to determine, for example, whether there is a significant difference in the comparison between the target value and the actual value. If such a significant difference exists in the comparison, this can be understood as an unexpected interruption, for example, suggesting a fuse trigger.

[0016] By the above interruption identification, it is possible to surely identify that there was an overload, and this can be utilized for subsequent charging processes or for user information.

[0017] Preferably, the detection device is configured to specify a limit value depending on the last current value detected before the interruption. Alternatively, the detection device or detection unit is configured to specify a limit value depending on the average value from a plurality of current values detected within a predetermined time window before the interruption (for example, within the last 100 ms before the interruption). As a further alternative, the detection device is configured to specify a limit value by applying filtering to a plurality of current values detected before the interruption.

[0018] Alternatively, a time derivative of the current can be formed, and by assuming that it is an interruption case when this derivative exceeds a limit value, the limit value can also be specified. Subsequently, one or more of the current values located before the limit value can be used to determine a (new) maximum value or limit value.

[0019] Alternatively or additionally, an interruption can be identified by: (a) a step of reading or specifying a target value for the current; (b) a step of reading or specifying an actual value for the current; (c) a step of comparing the target value and the actual value, for example, by obtaining a difference therebetween; and (d) a step of determining whether an interruption exists depending on this comparison when, for example, a value of the difference between the target value and the actual value exceeds a threshold value.

[0020] All of these alternatives can also be advantageously combined. The detection device is configured to additionally take into account a safety margin, particularly with respect to a (new) maximum or limit value. The safety margin is at least 5%, preferably at least 10% of the specifically determined limit value (i.e., the current flowing before interruption), for example, if the interruption current value is specified as 10 A, the new limit value is 9.5 A when the safety margin is 5%, and 9.0 A when the safety margin is 10%). Alternatively or additionally, the above safety margin is advantageously at least 0.5 A, particularly advantageously at least 1.0 A, for example exactly 0.5 A or exactly 1.0 A. When the limit value is specified depending on the last current value detected before interruption as described above, the detection device particularly identifies the interruption as an event where the flowing current is decreasing. The measured value of the flowing current specified before the above decrease in current from a temporal perspective can be assumed as a value that can be used as a limit value, particularly with the above safety margin. Thus, the last current value detected before interruption is particularly the current value at the first point in time when the decrease in current is identified. If the detection device confirms, for example, that the current current value is significantly smaller than the previously specified current value, an interruption exists, and the previously specified current value is the last current value detected before interruption. When an average value from a plurality of current values detected before interruption is used to specify the limit value, this average value may be a weighted average value or an unweighted average value. Particularly, the measured current value located closer in time to the interruption can be weighted more significantly than the measured current value having a greater distance in time to the interruption. A predetermined time window before interruption can be configured to have a time period of up to 2 s as a mere example. Alternatively, the time window may have a duration of, for example, up to 1 s. Similarly, for example, advantageously, the time window may last up to 500 ms, particularly 200 ms. If the specification of the current value is carried out with a sampling time of 50 ms, for example, at least 4 current values can be considered to specify the average value, alternatively 10 measured values or 20 measured values or 40 measured values can be considered.With the safety margin described above, it is possible to set the limit value to be below the trigger threshold of the protection means of the energy power supply device while also considering the trigger tolerance of the protection means of the energy power supply device. Therefore, when using the limit value specified in this way, the risk of the protection means of the energy power supply device being triggered again is minimized. This is because the current flowing through the power supply cable remains below a value that did not previously cause the trigger of the above protection means of the energy power supply device.

[0021] When the method as described above is used with the target value and the actual value, it is also possible to specify the limit value in the same or a similar manner. In that case, for example, an actual value that barely falls below a threshold value or a further threshold value can be used as the limit value. For example, when the interruption threshold value is 90% of the target value, the further threshold value can be, for example, 10% of the target value. That is, when the interruption threshold value is reached, an interruption exists. In that case, as the limit value, for example, the last value before the interruption in terms of time (or the average value of these values, etc., refer to the above description) can be used, or a value with a difference smaller than the further threshold value, that is, in this example, the last value before the interruption smaller than 10% can also be used.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the power supply cable is further switchable between a learning mode and a normal mode. The limiting unit is configured to gradually increase the current flowing through the power supply cable to a set maximum value according to a predetermined rule in the learning mode. The limiting unit is configured to limit the current flowing through the power supply cable to the maximum value in the normal mode. The difference between the learning mode and the normal mode is that, in the learning mode, the limiting unit does not directly allow the current to reach the maximum value (like the normal mode where the "switch is switched"), but delays the increase of the current to the maximum value or stretches it over a predetermined time period. In this way, in particular, the interruption of the current can be reliably identified, and it is possible to better identify at which current value the interruption occurred. Thereby, the limit value can be specified more accurately.

[0023] Alternatively or additionally, in the learning mode, the power supply cable is configured to monitor the current supplied from the energy supply device at a higher monitoring rate than during the normal mode. This enables more accurate and precise detection of current interruptions, thereby enabling more accurate determination of the limit value. In the normal mode, for example, if the current value is determined or read from the sensor every 50 ms, then in the learning mode, the measured value is determined or read from the current sensor, for example, every 10 ms or every 1 ms. Therefore, the learning mode enables reliable and certain determination of the limit value. In the learning mode, if a current interruption occurs while the current is increasing to the maximum value, the probability of further interruptions is minimized when the power supply cable is used again in the energy supply device. This is because the limiting unit and the detection device achieve the peripheral conditions for the maximum possible accuracy for determining the limit value. If no interruption occurs during the learning mode, the flowing current can reach the maximum value at most, and thus, except for a delay in the increase of the current to the maximum value, there is no further impact on the charging process. The learning mode is advantageous, especially when initially using the power supply cable in an unknown energy supply device, for testing the protection means of this energy supply device. Particularly advantageously, if an interruption is detected in the learning mode, the learning mode can be applied continuously multiple times. In this case, the previously determined limit value can be used as the maximum value for a new execution of the learning mode. This enables accurate and reliable determination of the trigger threshold of the protection means of the energy supply device. Ideally, the fuse is triggered at most only once, provided that no additional load is connected.

[0024] The predetermined rule is preferably a predetermined ramp for increasing the current. The predetermined ramp starts from a predetermined starting value, which may be, for example, 0 A or 1 A or 2 A. Starting from this predetermined starting value, the ramp enables an increase in current at a predetermined gradient, for example 1 A / s or 0.5 A / s or 0.1 A / s. The predetermined ramp can be configured in multiple steps in particular, and can include a first region having a first gradient and a second region having a second gradient, where the second gradient enables a more gradual increase in current (for example, first gradient: 1 A / s up to 2 A or 4 A below the maximum value, second gradient: 0.1 A / s up to the maximum value). Thus, the current flowing through the power supply cable first increases at the first gradient and then increases at the second gradient until it reaches the maximum value. Therefore, since the risk of current interruption increases as the current intensity rises, better monitoring is possible in the region of the above maximum value. The predetermined ramp may be configured to start from a predetermined starting point selected particularly depending on the maximum value. Thus, for example, the above ramp may include the region from below 80% of the maximum value to the maximum value, or the region from below 50% of the maximum value to the maximum value. In any case, the ramp achieves that there is no possibility of a sudden increase in current that may make it difficult to detect the limit value. By using the ramp, the limit value can be specified more simply, surely, and particularly accurately.

[0025] The power supply cable advantageously has a position sensor in order to identify and / or store the association between a limit value and the location where the limit value is specified. As a mere example, a detection device or a detection unit may have a position sensor. The power supply cable or the detection device is configured, in particular advantageously, to transfer the limit value associated with a location to the limiting unit as the maximum value and / or to output it as a signal value when it reaches the location associated with a certain stored limit value. The signal value or the limit value can be output to the user in particular, for example as a proposal for setting the maximum value. Thereby, it becomes possible to utilize in particular the maximum value that has already been specified or input. As a result, the risk that the protection means of the energy supply device is triggered again is reduced, so that the repeated charging situation can be advantageously mapped. Therefore, on the one hand, when the user repeatedly charges his vehicle in the same energy supply device, it is advantageously no longer necessary to constantly carry out configuration changes of the power supply cable. At the same time, the repetition of the learning process and the risk that the protection means of the energy supply device associated therewith is triggered particularly avoid the situation where the limit value has to be newly specified repeatedly. Thereby, the comfort when using the power supply cable is improved.

[0026] The position sensor can be configured, for example, as a GPS sensor. However, the position sensor may be a sensor or device that performs (absolute) position identification based on, for example, a WLAN signal or a MAC address or a radio cell assignment in a mobile radio network. Other sensors that enable (relative) association with a certain location are also possible. In this case, the position sensor may be, for example, an RFID reader, which can read an RFID chip provided at the insertion port and thereby at least indirectly identify a certain location. Because the insertion port is basically not mobile.

[0027] The limiting unit is preferably configured to output or transmit a maximum value to the vehicle and / or to the charging control logic of the power supply cable or the energy supply device. In particular, the limiting unit is configured to notify the vehicle that the maximum value output, transmitted or transferred can be maximally demanded as the charging current. Thereby, the current flowing through the power supply cable can be simply and reliably limited by the limiting unit. For this purpose, the limiting unit only needs to notify the maximum value to the vehicle and / or the charging control logic, whereby the vehicle and the charging control logic start a charging process that does not exceed the maximum value. The transfer of the maximum value to the vehicle and / or the charging control logic can be carried out via a communication line provided, for example, for communication between the vehicle and the charging control logic. Alternatively or additionally, the transfer of the maximum value can be carried out in such a way that the power supply cable has a variable allowable current encoding unit that can be read by the vehicle and / or the charging control logic. This allowable current encoding unit can be used in particular to limit the charging current flowing through the power supply cable. Alternatively or additionally, the maximum value can also be transmitted, output or sent wirelessly.

[0028] In this way, it is advantageously possible to configure the limiting unit, in particular compactly. This is because it is not necessarily necessary to provide an electrical or electronic (active) current limitation or a circuit configured therefor. Thereby, the secondary connector can be constructed more simply, at lower cost, more space-saving or more compactly, and lighter in view of the weight.

[0029] The power supply cable preferably has an output unit. The output unit is configured to output a signal, in particular an acoustic or optical warning, especially when the detection device detects an interruption.

[0030] Thereby, the user can advantageously recognize that the set maximum value may be too large and can respond thereto by reducing this maximum value, thereby preventing repeated interruptions of the charging process and / or a continuous overload to current branching.

[0031] Alternatively or additionally, the output unit is configured to output a signal indicating that the maximum value set by the limiting unit is smaller than the maximum value that is technically possible. The maximum value that is technically possible is, in particular, the maximum current that can flow through the power supply cable without damaging the power supply cable or violating other specified values of the power supply cable.

[0032] Thereby, the user can advantageously recognize that the charging process may take longer than it would if it utilized the maximum value that is technically possible in the best case. In this way, advantageously, it is possible to prevent the user from mistakenly maintaining this small maximum value even though a significantly larger current could be drawn at the next charging location after charging was previously performed at a certain location with a small maximum value.

[0033] In particular, the signal output from the output unit can also be transmitted to a user terminal, such as a smartphone, thereby indicating a warning and / or a suggestion corresponding to the user of the power supply cable on this user terminal.

[0034] The output unit can be arranged, for example, inside or on the surface of the primary connector, whereby the output unit can advantageously be directly operable for a user in the vicinity of the vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, the output unit can be arranged, for example, inside or on the surface of the secondary connector, whereby it can advantageously be made possible for a user to access the signal with respect to a specific energy supply device. Alternatively or additionally, the output unit can be arranged, for example, inside or on the surface of the connection line and / or inside the ICCB inside the connection line (if provided), whereby the output unit can advantageously be extended over a larger space and the positioning becomes more flexible.

[0035] In one development, the power supply cable preferably has a setting device. Via the setting device, in particular, a maximum value can be (flexibly) set by the user. The setting device preferably has a rotary wheel or a slider or a touch screen or a keyboard for entering the maximum value. In this way, the user can specify the maximum value himself. The detection device is preferably configured to specify a limit value as the maximum value, for example, by an actuator operating a rotary wheel or a slider. Similarly, the limit value can also be set as a proposal for input via the keyboard. In a further embodiment, the power supply cable has a display, on which the limit value is displayed as a proposal, whereby the user is provided with assistance when setting the maximum value via the setting device. The limitation of the maximum value that can be easily operated by the setting device is advantageously made possible by simple means, and this limitation of the maximum value can be carried out, for example, as desired by the user. Thereby, the safety and operating comfort of the power supply cable are advantageously improved.

[0036] In one development form, the maximum value can preferably be selected from a plurality of predetermined values via a setting device. The predetermined values are in particular fixedly set current values such as, for example, 2 A, 4 A, 6 A, 8 A, 10 A and 13 A. If the setting device is configured to have, for example, a rotary wheel or a slider as described above, the rotary wheel and / or the slider can preferably have locking stages corresponding to the respective predetermined values. When using a touch screen, individual switch fields corresponding to each stage can be displayed, and when using a keyboard, for example, individual keys can be associated with a fixed maximum value. Thereby, easy and intuitive setting possibility of the maximum value is provided. Alternatively or additionally, the maximum value can be set steplessly from a predetermined interval via the setting device. The predetermined interval is, for example, the interval between 1 A and 13 A. The steplessness in this context means in particular that the smallest step size that is inevitable in digital signal processing is at most 0.2 A or at most 0.1 A.

[0037] The power supply cable preferably has a memory. The memory is used in particular for storing various different maximum values by the user. The memory can be configured to store various different maximum values. Thus, for example, when the setting device does not have a rotary wheel or a slider as described above, predetermined values can be stored that can be easily and intuitively set as the maximum value, in particular for the limiting unit. Thereby, in order to achieve a rapid configuration of the power supply cable, various different maximum values that are used relatively frequently for various different energy supply devices can be stored and can be called up easily and without much effort. For example, if the significant limitation of the current is 8 A in the first garage and 12 A in the second garage, these two maximum values can be stored in the memory and can be called up and / or set quickly and simply depending on the location of the charging process.

[0038] The power supply cable preferably has a communication module. The communication module is used particularly for communication with a user terminal. Thereby, the maximum value can be adjusted or set via the user terminal. The communication module can be configured, for example, for wireless communication with the user terminal. The user terminal is a device separate from the power supply cable that can be communicably connected to the power supply cable, for example, wirelessly or temporarily wired.

[0039] The user terminal is, for example, a smartphone. Thereby, it is advantageous for the user of the user terminal to configure the power supply cable (for example, via a communication module arranged in the primary connector and / or the secondary connector and / or the connection line) or set the maximum value, particularly easily and from a relatively long distance. Additionally, the communication module can be configured to send a signal to the user terminal that contains, for example, the current currently flowing through the power supply cable and / or the electrical energy flowing through the power supply cable. Thereby, it is possible to particularly easily and without much effort implement a statistics and / or computing function related to the charging process, or it can be called for the user or for the energy supplier.

[0040] The power supply cable preferably has a release unit configured to release the possibility of setting a maximum value via a setting device. The release unit can have, for example, a cut-off slider and / or a mechanical or electronic lock and / or a fingerprint sensor. By means of the release unit, for example, an unintended or undesired unauthorized operation or adjustment of the maximum value is avoided. This can occur, for example, due to an accidental displacement of a slider or a rotary wheel. A mechanical lock can, for example, prevent the mechanical adjustability of the setting device. According to an electronic lock, even if mechanical access to the setting device is still provided, in particular the setting or changing of the maximum value can be prevented. The mechanical lock can be, for example, a lock of a rotary slider or a rotary wheel as described above. The electronic lock is preferably a software solution that prevents the reception of a newly set maximum value if this input is not released. By using a fingerprint sensor, it is particularly advantageously possible to prevent the adjustment or setting of the maximum value if the person authorized therefor, unambiguously authenticated by the fingerprint sensor, has not carried out this setting. Thereby, the safety of use of the power supply cable or of the individual components of the power supply cable (for example, primary connector / secondary connector, connecting line) is preferably improved.

[0041] In an advantageous development form, the power supply cable has a reset function, and when the reset function is activated, the maximum value that is maximally possible is set or input. The maximum value that is maximally possible may be, for example, the maximum value that is technically maximally possible, i.e., the maximum value specified by technical limitations. For example, the reset function can be made operable by the user and / or when the power supply cable is separated from the energy supply device, it can be activated by, for example, mechanical and / or electrical / electronic means, and in particular can be activated automatically. The reset function enables the setting or input of the maximum value that is maximally possible, for example, the maximum value that is technically maximally possible. As described above, the maximum value that is maximally possible (for example, technically) may in particular be a value corresponding to the permissible current of the power supply cable. In other words, the user can reset the set relatively small maximum value via the reset function, thereby permitting the technically maximally possible current to pass through the power supply cable. Thereby, advantageously, a very rapid adjustment or setting can be carried out, thereby improving user-friendliness.

[0042] The connection line or power supply line of the power supply cable advantageously has a connector. The connector is configured to be electrically connected to the secondary connector in a separable manner. Thereby, various different secondary connectors can be attached to the power supply cable in particular. Thus, for example, in addition to the secondary connector described above, the power supply cable can be configured to also accommodate a secondary connector that enables an electrical connection to other types of energy supply devices.

[0043] Preferably, the present invention further relates to a secondary connector. The secondary connector can be used, in particular, as part of a power supply cable for electrically connecting a vehicle, in particular an energy accumulator of a vehicle, to an energy supply device that supplies electrical energy. The secondary connector is used, in particular, for electrical connection to a continuous current socket or a domestic socket, and the secondary connector can basically also be configured for connection to, for example, a three-phase alternating current socket or a Type 2 standard socket. The vehicle and the energy supply device are different components. The secondary connector has a plug connector provided for a separable electrical connection to the energy supply device. For example, the plug connector is a Schuko-type plug. Similarly, the plug connector may be configured to be connected to a dedicated charging infrastructure, such as a wall box or a charging stand, and the plug connector may in particular be a Type 2 standard plug. The secondary connector preferably further has cable terminals for a separable electrical connection to a coupler of the power supply cable. The secondary connector may further have, for example, a limiting unit. The limiting unit is used to limit the current flowing through the secondary connector and / or the power supply cable to a maximum value. Therefore, the limiting unit is provided, in particular, as protection against overload to the energy supply device, to specify a maximum value for the current flowing through the secondary connector and / or the power supply cable. Specifying the maximum value of the flowing current can be actively implemented by the unique circuit of the limiting unit, or can be implemented by transferring the maximum value to the vehicle, and / or to the charging control device of the power supply cable, and / or to the charging control device of the energy supply device. The secondary connector may advantageously have, for example, a setting device. The maximum value can be set via the setting device, in particular by the user. Therefore, the secondary connector enables setting the maximum value of the flowing current and limiting the flowing current to the maximum value. In particular, by configuring the setting device within the secondary connector, on the one hand, the user is reminded by looking at the setting device when connecting the secondary connector, and in some cases, adapting the maximum value is achieved.Therefore, setting the maximum value is directly associated with the user in the process of electrical connection between the secondary connector and the energy supply device. This advantageously reduces the risk of overlooking setting the maximum value. On the other hand, it is guaranteed that the limitation to the maximum value is only implemented when a specially configured secondary connector is used. Therefore, various different secondary connectors, for example, can be attached to the power supply cable. In other words, when configurability and / or limitability are not desired or not required, it is also possible to use other secondary connectors without a setting device or a limiting device provided in the power supply cable. This avoids the situation where the current limit is wrongly maintained for other charging situations. For example, the (limitable) secondary connector can be configured for a household socket provided with a (flexibly configurable) current limiting function as described above. In addition to the secondary connector described above, for example, in the power supply cable, a further secondary connector for connecting to a dedicated charging infrastructure can be used. For example, a Type 2 standard plug for which the user does not desire to provide a flexibly configurable current limit can be used. Therefore, in this example case, when the secondary connector is exchanged for another secondary connector, the wrong maintenance of the current limit is prevented. This is because in this example, the flexible current limiting function is coupled to or associated with the secondary connector.

[0044] In the following, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0045]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3a

Figure 3b

Figure 4a

Figure 4b

Figure 5

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0046] Embodiments of the Invention FIG. 1 schematically shows a vehicle 12 equipped with an energy storage device 11 and an energy power supply device 16. The energy power supply device 16 is configured here (by way of example only) as a household plug, for example, a Schuko-type plug. However, in principle, the energy power supply device 16 may be a Type 2 standard plug of a wall box or a charging stand, or may be a three-phase AC terminal, but is not limited to one of these types. Further, FIG. 1 shows the proper use of a power supply cable 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] The power supply cable 10 has a connection line 13 or a power supply line 13. One end of this connection line 13 or power supply line 13 is electrically coupled to the primary connector 14, and the other end is coupled to the secondary connector 15. The electrical coupling between the connection line 13 or power supply line 13 and the primary connector 14 and the secondary connector 15 may exist permanently. In FIG. 1, an alternative embodiment is shown. Here, the coupling between the connection line 13 and the primary connector 14 and the secondary connector 15 is implemented via separable connections. For this purpose, the connection line 13 has a coupler 6 and an additional coupler 5. The coupler 6 is used for electrical connection with the secondary connector 15. The additional coupler 5 is used for electrical connection with the primary connector 14. The secondary connector 15 has a cable terminal 2 for this purpose, and this cable terminal 2 is configured for electrical connection with the coupler 6 of the connection line 13. The primary connector 14 has an additional cable terminal 9, and this additional cable terminal 9 is configured for electrical connection with the additional coupler 5 of the connection line 13.

[0048] The primary connector 14 further has a vehicle terminal 14A, and an electrical connection with the vehicle 12, particularly with the energy accumulator 11, can be formed via this vehicle terminal 14A. The secondary connector 15 has a plug connector 1, and this plug connector 1 is configured for a separable electrical connection with the energy supply device 16. Thereby, the vehicle 12, particularly the energy accumulator 11, and the energy supply device 16 can be electrically connected to each other via the power supply cable 10.

[0049] The secondary connector 15 permits or enables a current limiting function in order to identify and / or avoid, for example, an overload to the energy supply device 16. As shown in FIG. 2, advantageously, the power supply cable 10, here the secondary connector 15 of the power supply cable 10 by way of example, has a limiting unit 3 configured to limit the current flowing through the power supply cable 10. Additionally, advantageously, a detection device 4 and / or a setting device 7 are provided. In the illustrated embodiment, the limiting unit 3, the detection device 4 and the setting device 7 are illustrated and described as part of the secondary cable 15. In an alternative embodiment, the limiting unit 3 and / or the detection device 4 and / or the setting device 7 may be configured within other components of the power supply cable 10, such as, for example, the connection line 13 and / or the primary connector 14 and / or (if provided) the ICCB.

[0050] The detection device 4 is advantageously configured to monitor the current supplied from the energy supply device 16. Further, the detection device 4 is preferably configured to detect an interruption of the supplied current. Details of the detection device 4 will be explained further below with reference to FIGS. 3a and 3b.

[0051] The setting device 7 enables a maximum value 100 to be set, which maximum value 100 is taken into account by the limiting unit 3. Details of the setting device 7 are shown in particular in FIGS. 4a and 4b and will be explained further below.

[0052] Accordingly, the limiting unit 3 can receive a maximum value 100 corresponding to the maximum current that should flow through the power supply cable 10 and / or the secondary connector 15 from the detection device 4 and / or the setting device 7. The limiting unit 3 may implement this specified value by actively influencing the flowing current itself, or alternatively, transfer the received maximum value 100 to the charging controller of the power supply cable 10 and / or the vehicle 12 and / or the energy supply device 16. By transferring the maximum value 100 in this way, the charging controller can take into account the specified value of the maximum current during the charging process, and in particular, it is possible to set the charging current to be at most up to the above maximum value 100. On the other hand, if the limiting unit 3 is configured to actively influence the flowing current itself, the limiting unit 3 independently limits the current regardless of the charging process controlled or adjusted by, for example, a separate control unit of the power supply cable 10.

[0053] The transfer of a maximum value of 100 to the charging controller can be carried out, by way of example only, via a communication line configured for communication between the vehicle 12 and the control unit of the power supply cable 10 and / or between the charging controller of the energy supply device 16, provided in the power supply cable 10. Alternatively, this transfer may be carried out wirelessly. Alternatively, advantageously, the power supply cable 10 and / or the secondary connector 15 have a coding unit for indicating the permissible current of the power supply cable 10 and / or the secondary connector 15. This coding unit may be, for example, an electrical resistance. When the vehicle 12 and / or the energy supply device 16 identify the above coding unit, on the one hand, it is grasped by the vehicle 12 and / or the energy supply device 16 that the power supply cable 10 is connected. On the other hand, the permissible current with which the power supply cable 10 can be maximally loaded is grasped. Therefore, by adapting this coding unit by means of the limiting unit 3, the current flowing through the power supply cable 10 and / or the secondary connector 15 can be limited. Thereby, the maximum value is transferred to the vehicle 12 and / or to the energy supply device 16 and / or to the control unit of the power supply cable 10 simply and reliably.

[0054] As already described above, the detection device 4 makes it possible to identify an interruption in the current supplied from the energy supply device 16. This is schematically shown in FIG. 3a based on a diagram showing the transition of the current I over time t. FIG. 3a further shows that the power supply cable 10 is in the learning mode. In the learning mode, the restriction unit 3 gradually increases the current flowing through the power supply cable 10 to a set maximum value of 100 according to a predetermined rule. In this case, the predetermined rule includes a predetermined ramp 500 for gradually increasing the flowing current. Therefore, in the diagram shown in FIG. 3a, at the starting point t1, the charging process of the vehicle 12 is started. However, the current required by the vehicle 12 is not directly released to the maximum value of 100, but is released according to a predetermined ramp 500 having a predetermined gradient of, for example, 1 A / s. Different from FIG. 3a, FIG. 3b shows the corresponding diagram when the power supply cable 10 is in the normal mode, and in this normal mode, such a gradual increase is not carried out. Rather, in this case, at the starting point t1, the flowing current is directly released to the maximum value of 100.

[0055] If there is an unexpected interruption 400 of the current supplied from the energy supply device 16, or an interruption 400 that is not planned by the charging control logic and / or the vehicle 12, it can be assumed that the protection means of the energy supply device 16 has been triggered, or that there is some other undesired state or error. Particularly advantageously, the secondary connector 15 can additionally have an acceleration sensor (not shown), and / or a rotational speed sensor, and / or a force sensor (for example, for identifying whether the secondary connector and the mating connector of the energy supply device 16 are plugged together), and / or other sensors. Based on such sensors, it can be determined that the secondary connector 15 has not moved, and thus the secondary connector 15 has not been separated from the energy supply device 16, and thus an unexpected interruption of the current has not occurred. The interruption 400 is identified by the detection device 4 only if the supplied current decreases by more than, for example, 90% within a time interval of less than 1 s, particularly within a time interval of less than 100 ms. Such a rapid decrease in current in such a short period suggests the above-mentioned triggering of the protection means of the energy supply device 16 or some other error case. In contrast, if the current decreases based on reaching the end-of-charging time point t2, as shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b, this decrease will not be as rapid as in the case of interruption 400. Even if a rather rapid interruption occurs here, this rapid interruption is planned, for example, by the charging control logic of the vehicle 12 and / or the power supply cable 10 and / or the charging control device of the energy supply device 16. Therefore, such an interruption can be distinguished from an unplanned interruption by comparing the target current profile and the specifically or detected actual current profile, for example, by determining the difference.

[0056] The detection device 4 can identify a limit value 200 based on the current value flowing before the interruption 400. Therefore, the detection device 4 can be configured to identify the limit value 200 depending, for example, on the last current value detected before the interruption 400. Alternatively or additionally, the detection device 4 can identify the limit value 200 depending on a plurality of current values before the interruption 400, for example, depending on the average value from a plurality of current values detected within a predetermined time window before the interruption 400. Such an average value may be weighted so that, for example, current values closer in time to the interruption 400 receive a greater weight than current values having a greater time interval until the interruption 400. A further alternative for the detection device 4 to identify the limit value 200 is to apply filtering to a plurality of current values detected before the interruption 400. In this case, the interruption 400 can also be identified or determined, for example, by identifying the time derivative or time differential quotient of the current profile. If the derivative (or its absolute value) exceeds a threshold value, this can be evaluated as an indicator for an interruption. Additionally, advantageously, a safety margin 300 is taken into account, which safety margin 300 is in particular at least 5%, preferably at least 10%, or at least 0.5 A or 1.0 A of the specifically identified limit value 200. In this way, the limit value 200 is identified that is below the current level that has caused, for example, the triggering of the protection means of the energy supply device 16 or other error cases. In order for this limit value 200 to be used by the limiting unit 3 as the new maximum value 100, this limit value 200 can be transferred or transmitted directly from the detection device 4 to the limiting unit 3. Alternatively, this limit value 200 can be output or transmitted as a proposal for the maximum value 100 to be input, for example, output to a user or a display. Thereby, the user of the power supply cable 10 is provided with assistance for specifying the maximum value 100. In particular, the user does not need to estimate the maximum value 100, but such an estimation by the user can in some cases result in an estimation value that is much too small. In this case, it may be possible that only currents less than the technically possible current are permitted, which may unnecessarily extend the charging process of the vehicle 12.

[0057] Based on FIG. 3a, the detection of interruption 400 during the learning mode was described. In the learning mode, as a mere example, sampling of the flowing current can be performed more frequently than during the normal mode. Sampling of the current can be performed, for example, by a current sensor not shown here. The current sensor may be arranged, for example, within the secondary connector. The current sensor may be, for example, a Hall sensor or the like. In the normal mode, if the current value is specified or detected, for example, every 50 ms, then in the learning mode, the current value is specified, for example, every 10 ms or every 1 ms. Therefore, with finer sampling and a predetermined lamp 500, it is possible to more accurately identify at which actual current level the interruption 400 occurred than during the normal mode. Nevertheless, the detection device 4 is configured to also detect the interruption 400 in the normal mode. Therefore, the user is provided with assistance by the specified limit value 200 in any case, and in this case, in the learning mode, this can be performed more accurately than during the normal mode. In the normal mode, in contrast, no delay in the current increase by the lamp 500 is performed, which results in faster charging of the vehicle 12. The learning mode can advantageously be used when the vehicle is to be charged for the first time in an unknown energy supply device 16. For the purpose of achieving an approach to the trigger characteristics of the protection means of the energy supply device 16, the learning mode can also be applied sequentially multiple times using the updated maximum value 100.

[0058] As schematically shown in FIG. 2, the power supply cable 10, here the secondary connector 15 as merely an example, may include, for example, particularly advantageously, a position sensor 18 (for example, in the case of absolute coordinates, for example, a GPS sensor for identifying, for example, a MAC address or the like, or a sensor for detecting a WLAN signal module or a mobile radio data cell or for relative data or charging location specific data, for example, an RFID sensor, etc.). This position sensor 18 may be provided within the detection device 4 as merely an example shown here. However, the position sensor 18 can also be configured separately from the detection device 4. The position sensor 18 is used to identify the current location of the power supply cable 10 and / or the secondary connector 15. With the position sensor 18, an association can be made between the identified limit value 200 and the location where this limit value 200 was identified, and / or it can be stored, for example, in the memory 19 of a component of the secondary connector 15 or generally the power supply cable 10. Therefore, the location where the limit value 200 was identified corresponds to the current location of the energy supply device 16. Therefore, the energy supply device 16 can be characterized by its current location, whereby when this energy supply device 16 is used again, this stored current location can be identified. For example, the power supply cable 10, here for example the secondary connector 15 and / or the primary connector 14 and / or the power supply line 13, (for example, by having the memory 19 also provided within the power supply cable 10, for example within the secondary connector 15 in addition to the position sensor 18), when reaching the location associated with a certain stored limit value 200, can be configured to transfer the limit value 200 associated with that location to the limiting unit as the maximum value. Alternatively or additionally, the power supply cable 10, for example the detection device 4 and / or the secondary connector 15, etc., can be configured to output a proposal for setting the associated limit value 200 as the maximum value 100. For example, the detection device 4 may be designed or configured such that the association described immediately above is implemented or executed within the detection device 4.In that case, the position sensor 18 and the memory 19 can be arranged or provided, for example, within the detection device 4, and the position sensor 18 and the memory 19 can be provided at different locations within the secondary connector 15, or on or inside the surfaces of different components. Therefore, the user of the power supply cable 10 can utilize the specification of the already implemented limit value 200. Therefore, the risk that the protection means of the energy supply device 16 is triggered when the energy supply device 16 is repeatedly used is advantageously minimized.

[0059] Figures 4a and 4b show two assumed embodiments for the secondary connector 15.

[0060] In Figure 4a, the setting device 7 is configured as a rotary regulator or a rotary wheel. By means of this rotary regulator, for example, a continuous setting of a maximum value 100, i.e., a stepless setting, can be achieved. The term stepless in this case means that the grading, which is inevitable especially in digital signal processing, is at most 0.2 A. Alternatively, it is also conceivable to provide a plurality of different locking steps or locking positions, whereby, for example, only a plurality of fixed maximum values 100 separated from each other by the locking steps can be set. For example, 1 A, 2 A, 4 A, 6 A, 8 A, 10 A, and 13 A can be fixedly specified as steps of the maximum value. Thereby, the user can simply and without much effort select a maximum value from a predetermined set of values. In this case, the setting of the maximum value is carried out quickly and intuitively. By means of the setting device 7, it is possible to set the maximum value 100 for the limiting unit 3, in particular without depending on the detection device 4.

[0061] In Figure 4b, the setting device 7 is configured as a slide regulator, for example. Here too, as in Figure 4a, a continuous setting of the maximum value 100 is possible, as well as a stepped setting to a fixedly defined maximum value 100.

[0062] Advantageously, the secondary connector 15 (as shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b) further has a release unit 20 configured to release the possibility of setting a maximum value of 100 via the setting device 7. The release unit 20 may be, for example, a cutoff slider and / or a mechanical or electronic lock and / or a fingerprint sensor. Thereby, it is avoided that the maximum value is adjusted unintentionally. Thereby, before setting the maximum value 100, release can be carried out via the release unit 20, which, when a cutoff slider is used, is particularly simple, for example protection against unintentional displacement of the setting device by unintentional contact. In contrast, when a mechanical and / or electronic lock and / or a fingerprint sensor is used, protection against unauthorized tampering is also possible. The release by the release unit 20 can be indicated particularly optically and / or acoustically. Similarly, advantageously, during the release for setting the maximum value 100, the limiting unit 3 can also prevent any current flow through the secondary connector 15 and / or the power supply cable 10.

[0063] The release by the release unit 20 can be carried out mechanically, and thus the setting device 7 is mechanically locked when not released. Alternatively or additionally, this release can also be carried out electronically, and thus the reception of the new maximum value 100 is only carried out if this reception is released by the release unit 20, even if the setting device 7 is still operable.

[0064] FIG. 5 schematically shows a further embodiment of the secondary connector 15. The secondary connector 15 has a touch screen as the setting device 7, and a keyboard can also be used as the setting device 7.

[0065] Advantageously, a memory 19 (see FIG. 2) is provided for storing various different maximum values 100. This is particularly advantageous when the setting device 7 does not have a slider and / or a rotary wheel as described above. By storing various different maximum values, for example, when the power supply cable 10 is repeatedly used in the same energy supply device 16 with various different power capacities or protection means, the user can easily and without much effort select his or her preferred value. The value stored in the memory 19 can be selected via a touch screen or a keyboard, in particular as the setting device 7, and can be set as the maximum value 100.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 5, the secondary connector 15 advantageously has an output unit 17, and an output unit 17 can also be provided in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b. The output unit 17 is used to output a signal when the detection device 4 detects the above-mentioned interruption 400. Further, the output unit 17 is advantageously used to output a signal indicating that the maximum value 100 set by the limiting unit 3 is smaller than the maximum allowable current possible for the secondary connector 15 and / or the power supply cable 10. The output of the signal can be carried out, for example, directly acoustically and / or optically. Alternatively, a user terminal can also be connected to the secondary connector 15, and the above-mentioned signal can be output to the user via this user terminal.

[0067] Particularly advantageously, a communication module 8 is provided for wireless communication and / or wired communication with the user terminal. In particular, the maximum current 100 can be set via the user terminal. The communication module 8 can also be used to output a signal via the user terminal as described above.

[0068] Advantageously, the secondary connector 15 is configured to indicate, for example, via the output unit 17 and / or the communication module 8, and / or via a display (see FIG. 5) which may be a component of the touch screen or may be separately configured, by what factor the charging time is extended by restricting the current flow. In particular, the secondary connector 15 is configured to indicate, for a selected restriction, how long it is expected to take for a specific amount of energy to be charged, for example, a charge of 10 kWh (see FIG. 5: here, 5 hours and 14 minutes are shown as an example). In this way, the user can adapt the maximum current as desired to the available charging time (for example, from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.).

[0069] The reset switch or reset device, which is assumed as an optional feature, is not shown in the drawings. By means of this reset switch or reset device, for example, without the need to carry out a further setting process, the maximum value 100 can be directly set (technically) to the maximum value 100 that is possible in one single operating process. This (technically) maximum possible value may be, for example, 13 A in the case of a Schuko-type secondary connector 15.

[0070] It goes without saying that the secondary connector 15 is preferably configured as a separable or separable element from the connection line 13, i.e., in the form of an adapter. Nevertheless, it is possible to connect the secondary connector fixedly to the connection line 13 and / or the power supply cable 10, i.e., so that it cannot be separated without destruction.

Claims

1. A power supply cable (10) for electrically connecting a vehicle (12) to an energy supply device (16) that supplies electrical energy, the power supply cable (10) comprising: ・A connection line (13); ・A primary connector (14) electrically coupled to or couplable to the connection line (13) and having a vehicle terminal (14A) for a separable electrical connection to the vehicle (12); ・A secondary connector (15) electrically coupled to or couplable to the connection line (13) and provided for a separable electrical connection to the energy supply device (16); and having: ・The power supply cable (10) has a detection device (4), and the detection device (4) is configured to monitor the current supplied from the energy supply device (16) and detect an interruption (400) of the supplied current; ・The power supply cable (10) has a limiting unit (3) configured to limit the current flowing through the power supply cable (10) to a maximum value (100); ・The detection device (4) is configured to transfer a limit value (200) to the limiting unit (3) as the maximum value (100) and / or output it as a signal value based on the current supplied before the interruption (400) is detected; The power supply cable (10) is switchable between a learning mode and a normal mode; The limiting unit (3) is configured to gradually increase the current flowing through the power supply cable (10) to the maximum value (100) according to a predetermined rule in the learning mode, and limit the current flowing through the power supply cable (10) to the maximum value (100) in the normal mode; The detection device (4) is configured to monitor the current supplied from the energy supply device (16) at a higher monitoring rate in the learning mode than during the normal mode; Power supply cable (10).

2. The detection device (4) is configured to detect the interruption (400) when the supplied current decreases by more than 90% within a time interval of less than 1 second. The power supply cable (10) according to claim 1.

3. The detection device (4) is configured to:[[]] ・Depend on the last current value detected before the interruption (400), or ・Depend on the average value from a plurality of current values detected within a predetermined time window before the interruption (400), or ・By applying filtering to a plurality of current values detected before the interruption (400), is configured to identify the limit value (200), the detection device (4) is configured to additionally consider a safety margin (300) with respect to the limit value, the safety margin (300) is at least 5% of the identified limit value (200) or at least 0.5 A, The power supply cable (10) according to claim 1.

4. The predetermined rule includes a predetermined lamp (500) for increasing the current, The power supply cable (10) according to claim 1.

5. The power supply cable (10) has a position sensor (18) to preserve the association between the limit value (200) and the location where the limit value (200) is identified, When the power supply cable (10) reaches the location associated with a stored limit value (200), the limit value (200) associated with that location is transferred to the limit unit (3) as the maximum value (100) and / or output as a signal value, The power supply cable (10) according to claim 1.

6. The limit unit (3) is configured to output the maximum value (100) to the vehicle (12) and / or to the charging control logic of the power supply cable (10) or the energy supply device (16), The power supply cable (10) according to claim 1.

7. The power supply cable (10) has an output unit (17), The output unit (17), is configured to output a signal when the detection device (4) detects the interruption (400) and / or is configured to output a signal indicating that the maximum value (100) set by the limit unit (3) is less than the maximum possible maximum value (100), The power supply cable (10) according to claim 1.

8. The power supply cable (10) has a setting device (7) capable of setting the maximum value (100), The setting device (7) has a rotary wheel or slider or touch screen or keyboard for setting the maximum value (100), The power supply cable (10) according to claim 1.

9. The maximum value (100) is selectable from a plurality of predetermined values via the setting device (7), or The maximum value (100) can be set steplessly from a predetermined interval via the setting device (7). The power supply cable (10) according to claim 8.

10. The power supply cable (10) has a memory (19) configured to store various different maximum values (100). The power supply cable (10) according to claim 8.

11. The power supply cable (10) has a communication module (8) for communicating with the user terminal in order to set the maximum value (100) via the user terminal. The communication module (8) is configured for wireless communication with the user terminal. The power supply cable (10) according to claim 8.

12. The power supply cable (10) has a release unit (20) configured to release the possibility of setting the maximum value (100) via the setting device (7). The release unit (20) has a cutoff slider and / or a mechanical or electronic lock and / or a fingerprint sensor. The power supply cable (10) according to claim 8.

13. The power supply cable (10) has a reset function. When the reset function is activated, the maximum possible maximum value (100) is set. The reset function can be activated by the user and / or is activated when the power supply cable is separated from the energy supply device. The power supply cable (10) according to claim 8.

14. The connection line (13) has a connector (6) configured to be electrically connected to the secondary connector (15) separably. The power supply cable (10) according to claim 1.

Images