Electric vehicle charging controller and method

Abstract

According to an embodiment, an electric vehicle charging controller is provided, the controller comprising: a control pilot (CP) circuit for receiving a CP signal transmitted through a charging cable; a plug present or proximity pilot (PP) circuit coupled to an inlet of an electric vehicle so as to generate a charging cable connection signal; a plurality of pull-up resistor circuits connected between the inlet of the electric vehicle and the charging cable; a switching unit selectively connected to the pull-up resistor circuits; and a control unit, which controls the switching unit such that a pull-up resistor circuit forming a current transmission path between the inlet of the electric vehicle and the charging cable is changed if the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal is less than a preset reference voltage value.

Description

Electric vehicle charging device and method

[0001] One embodiment of the present invention relates to an electric vehicle charging device and method.

[0002] Eco-friendly vehicles such as electric vehicles (EVs) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) use electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) installed at charging stations to charge their batteries.

[0003] To this end, an Electric Vehicle Charging Controller (EVCC) is installed in the electric vehicle, communicates with the electric vehicle and the electric vehicle charging facility, and controls the charging of the electric vehicle.

[0004] For example, an electric vehicle can receive a proximity detection signal from an electric vehicle charging facility and determine whether to proceed with charging if it determines that a charging cable is nearby.

[0005] However, when charging an electric vehicle, radiation noise is introduced through the DC+ / DC- ports of the external charger cable. This excessive noise can cause the circuit that detects the presence of a charger to misrecognize the connection.

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electric vehicle charging device and method capable of preventing misrecognition of charger connection.

[0007] According to an embodiment, an electric vehicle charging device is provided, including a CP circuit that receives a CP (Control Pilot) signal transmitted through a charging cable; a PP (Plug Present or Proximity Pilot) circuit that is coupled to an inlet of an electric vehicle and generates a charging cable connection signal; a plurality of pull-up resistor circuits that are connected between the inlet of the electric vehicle and the charging cable; a switching unit that is selectively connected to the pull-up resistor circuits; and a control unit that controls the switching unit to change a pull-up resistor circuit that forms a current transmission path between the inlet of the electric vehicle and the charging cable when a voltage value of the charging cable connection signal is lower than a preset reference voltage value.

[0008] The control unit can control the switching unit to change a pull-up resistor circuit that forms a current transmission path between the inlet of the electric vehicle and the charging cable when the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal is less than 1 [V].

[0009] The above plurality of pull-up resistor circuits may have different equivalent resistances.

[0010] The voltage value of the above charging cable connection signal can be determined according to the inlet resistance and external noise of the electric vehicle.

[0011] The inlet resistor of the above electric vehicle may include a first inlet resistor having a resistance value of 1.5 kΩ, a second inlet resistor having a resistance value of 680 Ω, a third inlet resistor having a resistance value of 220 Ω, and a fourth inlet resistor having a resistance value of 100 Ω.

[0012] The above plurality of pull-up resistor circuits may include a first pull-up resistor circuit and a second pull-up resistor circuit having an equivalent resistance lower than that of the first pull-up resistor circuit.

[0013] The switching unit operates while connected to the first pull-up resistor circuit, and the control unit can control the switching unit to be connected to the second pull-up resistor circuit when the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal is lower than a preset reference voltage value.

[0014] According to an embodiment, a method for charging an electric vehicle is provided, including: a step of a CP circuit receiving a CP signal transmitted through a charging cable; a step of a PP circuit being coupled to an inlet of an electric vehicle to generate a charging cable connection signal; and a step of a control unit controlling a switching unit connected to the pull-up resistor circuit to change a pull-up resistor circuit that forms a current transmission path between the inlet of the electric vehicle and the charging cable when a voltage value of the charging cable connection signal is lower than a preset reference voltage value.

[0015] The step of changing the pull-up resistor circuit may include a step of changing the pull-up resistor circuit that forms a current transmission path between the inlet of the electric vehicle and the charging cable by controlling the switching unit when the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal is less than 1 [V].

[0016] The step of changing the pull-up resistor circuit may include a step of controlling the switching unit to be connected to a second pull-up resistor circuit having a lower equivalent resistance than the first pull-up resistor circuit when the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal is lower than a preset reference voltage value.

[0017] An electric vehicle charging device and method according to an embodiment can prevent misrecognition of whether a charger is connected due to noise coming from outside.

[0018] Additionally, it can resolve potential problems such as poor charging caused by incorrect charger connection.

[0019] Figures 1 to 3 are drawings showing a charging system for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment.

[0020] Figure 4 is a block diagram of an electric vehicle charging device according to an embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining the operation of an electric vehicle charging device according to an embodiment.

[0022] Figures 6 to 8 are drawings for explaining the operation results of an electric vehicle charging device according to an embodiment.

[0023] Figure 9 is an operation flowchart of an electric vehicle charging device according to an embodiment.

[0024] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0025] However, the technical idea of ​​the present invention is not limited to some of the embodiments described, but can be implemented in various different forms, and within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, one or more of the components between the embodiments can be selectively combined or substituted for use.

[0026] In addition, terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the embodiments of the present invention may be interpreted as having a meaning that can be generally understood by a person of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention belongs, unless explicitly and specifically defined and described, and terms that are commonly used, such as terms defined in a dictionary, may be interpreted in consideration of the contextual meaning of the relevant technology.

[0027] Additionally, the terms used in the embodiments of the present invention are intended to describe the embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0028] In this specification, the singular may also include the plural unless specifically stated otherwise in the phrase, and when it is described as “A and / or at least one (or more) of B, C”, it may include one or more of all combinations that can be combined with A, B, C.

[0029] Additionally, in describing components of embodiments of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used.

[0030] These terms are intended only to distinguish one component from another, and are not intended to limit the nature, order, or sequence of the component.

[0031] And, when a component is described as being 'connected', 'coupled' or 'connected' to another component, it may include not only cases where the component is directly connected, coupled or connected to the other component, but also cases where the component is 'connected', 'coupled' or 'connected' by another component between the component and the other component.

[0032] Additionally, when described as being formed or arranged "above or below" each component, "above" or "below" includes not only cases where the two components are in direct contact with each other, but also cases where one or more other components are formed or arranged between the two components. Furthermore, when expressed as "above" or "below", it can include the meaning of a downward direction as well as an upward direction based on one component.

[0033] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Regardless of the drawing numbers, identical or corresponding components are given the same reference numbers, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0034] Figures 1 to 3 are drawings showing a charging system for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment.

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, an electric vehicle (EV) 10 can be charged from an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) 20. For this purpose, a charging cable (22) connected to the EVSE (20) can be connected to an inlet of the EV (10). Here, the EVSE (20) is a device that supplies AC or DC, and can be placed at a charging station, placed at home, or implemented to be portable. The EVSE (20) can be used interchangeably with a charging station (supply), an AC charging station (AC supply), a DC charging station (DC supply), a socket-outlet, etc.

[0036] A charging device (Electric Vehicle Charging Controller, EVCC, 100) is mounted within the EV (10) and connected to the EV (10). For example, the charging device (100) may be installed within the trunk of the EV (10), but is not limited thereto.

[0037] Here, the charging device (100) can communicate with the electric vehicle (10) and the electric vehicle charging equipment (EVSE, 20), respectively.

[0038] According to an embodiment, the charging device (100) includes a charging control device (200) and a power supply unit (300).

[0039] The charging control device (200) is connected to each of the electric vehicle (10) and the electric vehicle charging facility (20). The charging control device (200) can be connected to each of the electric vehicle (10) and the electric vehicle charging facility (20) through a plurality of pins.

[0040] For example, the charging control device (200) includes 20 pins that are connected to the electric vehicle charging facility (20), and can communicate with the electric vehicle charging facility (20) through these pins. For example, one of the 20 pins may be a CP port pin that receives a CP (Control Pilot) signal from the electric vehicle charging facility (20), another may be a PD (Proximity Detection) port pin that detects the proximity of a charging cable connector, another may be a CS port pin that receives a CS (Charge sequence) signal from the electric vehicle charging facility (20), and another may be a PE (Protective Earth) port pin that is connected to the ground of the electric vehicle charging facility (20). Another one of the 20 pins may be a pin for driving a motor to open the fuel filler flap, another may be a pin for sensing the motor, another may be a pin for temperature sensing, another may be a pin for LED sensing, and another may be a pin for CAN communication. However, the number and function of the pins are not limited to this and may be varied in various ways.

[0041] In addition, the charging control device (200) includes 12 pins that are connected to the electric vehicle (10), and can communicate with the electric vehicle (10) through these pins. For example, one of the 12 pins may be a pin for a voltage line applied from a collision detection sensor in the electric vehicle (10), another may be a battery pin in the electric vehicle (10), another may be a pin for CAN communication, another may be a pin connected to ground, and another may be a pin for high voltage protection. However, the number and function of the pins are not limited thereto and may be variously modified.

[0042] Two high-voltage lines of the electric vehicle charging facility (20) supply power to the battery (14) of the electric vehicle (10) through the power supply unit (300) of the charging device (100), and at this time, the on / off of the high-voltage lines can be controlled by the charging control device (200).

[0043] That is, the charging control device (200) communicates with the ECU (Electric Control Unit, 12) of the electric vehicle (10), and can control the power supply unit (300) that transmits power supplied from the electric vehicle charging facility (20) to the battery (12) of the electric vehicle (10) according to signals received from the electric vehicle (10) and the electric vehicle charging facility (20), respectively.

[0044] Fig. 4 is a block diagram of an electric vehicle charging device according to an embodiment, and Fig. 5 is a drawing for explaining the operation of an electric vehicle charging device according to an embodiment.

[0045] An electric vehicle charging device (100) according to an embodiment may include a CP circuit (110) that receives a CP (Control Pilot) signal transmitted through a charging cable (C), a PP (Plug Present or Proximity Pilot) circuit (120) that is coupled to an inlet (400) of an electric vehicle and generates a charging cable connection signal, a plurality of pull-up resistor circuits (130) that are connected between the inlet (400) of the electric vehicle and the charging cable (C), a switching unit (140) that is selectively connected to the pull-up resistor circuits (130), and a control unit (150) that controls the switching unit (140) when a voltage value of the charging cable connection signal is lower than a preset reference voltage value and changes the pull-up resistor circuit (130) that forms a current transmission path between the inlet (400) of the electric vehicle and the charging cable (C).

[0046] In an embodiment, the charging device (100) may be composed of a CP circuit (110) including a CP port that receives a CP (Control Pilot) signal transmitted through a charging cable (C) connected to an electric vehicle charging facility, a PP circuit (120) including a PP (Plug Present or Proximity Pilot) port corresponding to a physical switch that is coupled to (or close to) an inlet (400) of an electric vehicle and notifies that a charging cable (C) is connected, a power port that supplies AC power (220 VAC), and a PE circuit (160) including a protective earth (PE) port that is connected to the ground of the electric vehicle charging facility. However, the detailed configuration may be changed depending on the charging method.

[0047] The control unit (150) of the electric vehicle charging device (100) can measure the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal at the PP voltage measurement location of the PP circuit (120). Therefore, assuming that the charging cable (C) is disconnected from the inlet (400) of the electric vehicle (i.e., the charging gun is not inserted into the inlet) and the power supply (Vin) voltage is 5 V, the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal measured at the PP voltage measurement location can be measured as approximately 4.45 V. Accordingly, the electric vehicle charging device (100) enters a state of stopping (not performing) charging.

[0048] When the charging cable (C) is connected (inserted) to the inlet (400) of the electric vehicle, current is consumed by the inlet resistance (Rc), and the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal at the PP voltage measurement location can be measured as approximately 0.6 [V] to 3.4 [V] depending on the inlet resistance. Accordingly, the electric vehicle charging device (100) enters a state of performing charging.

[0049] The voltage value of the charging cable connection signal can be determined by the inlet resistance and external noise of the electric vehicle.

[0050] However, in situations where external noise is introduced, the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal measured at some inlet resistors has a voltage value of approximately 0 [V], which is close to the ground voltage level. Therefore, even though the charging gun or charging cable (C) is connected to the inlet (400), there may be cases where it is mistakenly recognized as not being connected.

[0051] An electric vehicle charging device (100) according to an embodiment is configured to include a plurality of pull-up resistor circuits (130) having different equivalent resistances, and a control unit (150) can control a switching unit (140) when a voltage value of a charging cable connection signal is less than 1 [V] to change the pull-up resistor circuit (130) that forms a current transmission path between an inlet (400) of an electric vehicle and a charging cable (C).

[0052] Through this, when the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal appears close to the ground voltage level even though the charging cable (C) is connected to the inlet (400), the connection status can be prevented from being misrecognized by changing the pull-up resistor value to increase the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal.

[0053] In an embodiment, the inlet resistor (Rc) of the electric vehicle may be formed of one of a first inlet resistor having a resistance value of 1.5 kΩ, a second inlet resistor having a resistance value of 680 Ω, a third inlet resistor having a resistance value of 220 Ω, and a fourth inlet resistor having a resistance value of 100 Ω.

[0054] Additionally, the plurality of pull-up resistor circuits (130) may include a first pull-up resistor circuit (131) and a second pull-up resistor circuit (132) having an equivalent resistance lower than that of the first pull-up resistor circuit (131).

[0055] The switching unit (140) operates while connected to the first pull-up resistor circuit (131), and the control unit (150) can control the switching unit (140) to be connected to the second pull-up resistor circuit (132) when the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal is lower than the preset reference voltage value.

[0056] For example, the control unit (150) can control the switching unit (140) to be connected to the second pull-up resistor circuit (132) when the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal is less than 1 [V].

[0057] The CCS2 standard uses a method of detecting the connected inlet resistance of the PP signal line according to the charging current of the electric vehicle's battery. Therefore, the electric vehicle charging device (100) must precisely detect this. The control unit (150) can detect the PP line signal through the ADC port.

[0058] According to an embodiment, when a charging cable (C) is connected to an inlet (400), the voltage value of a charging cable connection signal is detected while the switching unit (140) is connected to the first pull-up resistor circuit (131). When an inlet resistor (Rc) of 1.5 kΩ, 680 Ω, or 220 Ω is arranged, the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal can be detected as a voltage higher than 1 [V] when the internal ADC Resolution is taken into consideration. However, in the case of an inlet resistor (Rc) of 100 Ω, the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal can be detected as a voltage lower than 1 [V] (approximately 0.6 V). In this case, when external noise is introduced, the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal can be detected as being even lower and measured closer to the ground voltage level.

[0059] Accordingly, when the control unit (150) detects that the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal is less than 1 [V], it controls the switching unit (140) to be connected to the second pull-up resistor circuit (132). The control unit (150) detects the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal again while connected to the second pull-up resistor circuit (132) to determine the connection status of the charging cable (C). At this time, the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal while connected to the second pull-up resistor circuit (132) is detected to be 1 [V] or more.

[0060] However, unlike the embodiment, three or more pull-up resistor circuits (130) may be provided, and the control unit (150) may sequentially change the pull-up resistor circuits (130) connected to the switching unit (140) when the voltage value of the detected charging cable connection signal is measured to be less than 1 [V].

[0061] At this time, the control unit (150) can sequentially change the pull-up resistor circuit (130) connected to the switching unit (140) from a pull-up resistor circuit with a low equivalent resistance to a pull-up resistor circuit with a low equivalent resistance.

[0062] Figures 6 to 8 are drawings for explaining the operation results of an electric vehicle charging device according to an embodiment.

[0063] Fig. 6(a) is a table showing the voltage value of a charging cable connection signal measured using one pull-up resistor circuit, and Fig. 6(b) is a table showing the voltage value of a charging cable connection signal measured using two pull-up resistor circuits according to an embodiment.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 6, when the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal for an inlet resistance of 100Ω is measured through the second pull-up resistor circuit according to the embodiment, it can be confirmed that a higher voltage value (2.0 [V]) is measured compared to the voltage value (0.6 [V]) of the existing first pull-up resistor circuit.

[0065] In the embodiment, the equivalent resistance of the first pull-up resistor circuit is set to 750Ω, and the equivalent resistance of the second pull-up resistor circuit is set to 150Ω.

[0066] According to the embodiment, it can be confirmed that the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal increased by 1.4 V through a change in the pull-up resistor circuit, thereby improving the recognition performance for noise coming from outside.

[0067] Fig. 7(a) is a graph measuring the voltage value of a charging cable connection signal using one pull-up resistor circuit before noise is applied, and Fig. 7(b) is a graph measuring the voltage value of a charging cable connection signal using one pull-up resistor circuit after noise is applied.

[0068] Referring to Fig. 7, it can be confirmed that the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal for the inlet resistance of 100Ω measured before external noise is applied using only the first pull-up resistor of Fig. 6 is measured to be approximately 0.6 [V]. In addition, it can be confirmed that the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal after external noise is applied is measured to be approximately 0.06 [V] to 1.3 [V], so that the lower limit is measured close to the ground voltage level.

[0069] Fig. 8 (a) is a graph measuring the voltage value of a charging cable connection signal using two pull-up resistor circuits before noise application according to an embodiment, and Fig. 8 (b) is a graph measuring the voltage value of a charging cable connection signal using two pull-up resistor circuits after noise application.

[0070] Referring to Fig. 8, it can be confirmed that the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal for the inlet resistance of 100Ω measured before external noise is applied using the second pull-up resistor of Fig. 6 is measured to be approximately 2.06 [V]. In addition, it can be confirmed that the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal after external noise is applied is measured to be approximately 1.5 [V] to 2.7 [V].

[0071] Therefore, it can be confirmed that the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal for an inlet resistance of 100Ω through the second pull-up resistor is measured to be 1 [V] or more regardless of whether external noise is introduced.

[0072] Figure 9 is an operation flowchart of an electric vehicle charging device according to an embodiment.

[0073] Referring to Fig. 9, first, when the switching unit is connected to the first pull-up resistor, the control unit measures the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal through the PP circuit when the charging cable is connected to the inlet (S901).

[0074] Next, the control unit compares the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal with a preset reference voltage value. For example, the reference voltage value may be set to 1 [V] (S902).

[0075] Next, the control unit determines that the charging cable is connected to the inlet if the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal is higher than the preset reference voltage value (S903).

[0076] Alternatively, the control unit controls the switching unit to be connected to the second pull-up resistor circuit when the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal is lower than the preset reference voltage value (S904).

[0077] Next, the control unit measures the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal while the switching unit is connected to the second pull-up resistor (S905).

[0078] Next, the control unit compares the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal with a preset reference voltage value (S906).

[0079] Next, the control unit determines that the charging cable is connected to the inlet if the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal is higher than the preset reference voltage value (S907).

[0080] Alternatively, if the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal is lower than the preset reference voltage value, the control unit determines that the charging cable is not connected to the inlet (S908).

[0081] The term '~ part' used in this embodiment means a software or hardware component such as an FPGA (field-programmable gate array) or an ASIC, and the '~ part' performs certain roles. However, the '~ part' is not limited to software or hardware. The '~ part' may be configured to be on an addressable storage medium and may be configured to play one or more processors. Thus, as an example, the '~ part' includes components such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components, and task components, processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuits, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. The functionality provided within the components and '~ parts' may be combined into a smaller number of components and '~ parts' or further separated into additional components and '~ parts'. Additionally, components and '~parts' may be implemented to regenerate one or more CPUs within a device or secure multimedia card.

[0082] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below.

Claims

1. CP circuit that receives CP (Control Pilot) signal transmitted through charging cable; A Plug Present or Proximity Pilot (PP) circuit that is coupled to the inlet of an electric vehicle and generates a charging cable connection signal; A plurality of pull-up resistor circuits connected between the inlet of the electric vehicle and the charging cable; A switching section optionally connected to the above pull-up resistor circuit; and An electric vehicle charging device including a control unit that controls the switching unit to change a pull-up resistor circuit that forms a current transmission path between the inlet of the electric vehicle and the charging cable when the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal is lower than a preset reference voltage value.

2. In paragraph 1, An electric vehicle charging device in which the control unit controls the switching unit when the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal is less than 1 [V] to change a pull-up resistor circuit that forms a current transmission path between the inlet of the electric vehicle and the charging cable.

3. In paragraph 1, An electric vehicle charging device wherein the above plurality of pull-up resistor circuits have different equivalent resistances.

4. In paragraph 1, An electric vehicle charging device in which the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal is determined according to the inlet resistance of the electric vehicle and external noise.

5. In paragraph 4, An electric vehicle charging device, wherein the inlet resistor of the electric vehicle includes one of a first inlet resistor having a resistance value of 1.5 kΩ, a second inlet resistor having a resistance value of 680 Ω, a third inlet resistor having a resistance value of 220 Ω, and a fourth inlet resistor having a resistance value of 100 Ω.

6. In paragraph 5, An electric vehicle charging device, wherein the plurality of pull-up resistor circuits include a first pull-up resistor circuit and a second pull-up resistor circuit having a lower equivalent resistance than the first pull-up resistor circuit.

7. In paragraph 6, The above switching unit operates while connected to the first pull-up resistor circuit, An electric vehicle charging device wherein the control unit controls the switching unit to be connected to the second pull-up resistor circuit when the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal is lower than a preset reference voltage value.

8. A step in which the CP circuit receives a CP signal transmitted through a charging cable; The PP circuit is coupled to the inlet of the electric vehicle to generate a charging cable connection signal; and An electric vehicle charging method comprising the step of controlling a switching unit connected to the pull-up resistor circuit to change a pull-up resistor circuit that forms a current transmission path between the inlet of the electric vehicle and the charging cable when the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal is lower than a preset reference voltage value.

9. In the 8th paragraph, the step of changing the pull-up resistor circuit is: An electric vehicle charging method comprising a step of controlling the switching unit to change a pull-up resistor circuit that forms a current transmission path between the inlet of the electric vehicle and the charging cable when the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal is less than 1 [V].

10. In the 8th paragraph, the step of changing the pull-up resistor circuit is: An electric vehicle charging method comprising a step of controlling the switching unit to be connected to a second pull-up resistor circuit having a lower equivalent resistance than the first pull-up resistor circuit when the voltage value of the charging cable connection signal is lower than a preset reference voltage value.

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