Means of transportation and method for supplying an on-board power supply system of a means of transportation

Abstract

The invention relates to a means of transportation (10) and to a method for supplying an on-board power supply system (1) of a means of transportation (10). The method has the steps of: detecting an undervoltage situation in the on-board power supply system (1), receiving external electric energy via a means of transportation (10) USB lead (2) connected to the on-board power supply system (1) of the means of transportation (10), and automatically deactivating a first group of electric components (3a, 3b, 3c) of the means of transportation (10).

Description

[0001] Means of transport and method for supplying an on-board energy network of a means of transport

[0002] Description

[0003] The present invention relates to a means of transport and a method for supplying an on-board energy network (which may, for example, comprise several sub-on-board energy networks, which may, in particular, have different voltage levels) of a means of transport.

[0004] In particular, the present invention relates to a convenient way of supplying energy to an on-board power system of a vehicle, which can be implemented with minimal hardware effort. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a way of eliminating the need for a conventional jump-start point (e.g., in the area of ​​a starter battery (also called a "car battery" or "vehicle battery") of the vehicle).

[0005] Current technology uses so-called jump start points (FSSP) or "external power supply points" to supply external energy in the event of low voltage in the vehicle's electrical system. These jump start points are located, for example, under the hood or in the trunk of the vehicle and feature a bolt as an electrical contact for contact with the terminals of a jumper cable. The high currents require a massive design of the bolt and the electrical cables to the starter motor or starter battery. This results in considerable material and assembly costs. Furthermore, these massive components increase the vehicle's mass. In electric vehicles, the jump start point is typically used to charge the low-voltage battery (12 volts) and is usually located in the front of the vehicle (under the hood, frunk).

[0006] Furthermore, the use of USB-C Power Delivery is known in the prior art, enabling the delivery of power up to 240 W. It is also known in the prior art to install USB ports in vehicles for outputting power or receiving data. These USB ports or USB sockets are located, for example, in a center console, in the armrests of a rear row of seats, or in the dashboard.

[0007] Historically, when the starter battery of a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine fails, jump-starting was intended to provide sufficient power for the starter motor. This involves supplying external energy to the battery and starter motor using an external power source. In hybrid and electric vehicles, however, this jump-starting point is intended to supply the low-voltage electrical system and charge the low-voltage battery. This may be necessary, for example, if the low-voltage battery is undervoltage or the state of charge is no longer sufficient. Since undervoltage or deep discharge can damage a battery, the energy management system can use a state of charge and other data from the energy storage device to determine whether or not sufficient energy is still available.In technical on-board network concepts that use eFuses, the connection of the FSSP to the vehicle electronics / the on-board power system / the battery is very complex and cost-intensive.

[0008] US 2023 / 0283029 A1 discloses a concept in which a vehicle battery can be charged using a USB-C port.

[0009] Based on the aforementioned prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cost-effective and convenient way to supply the on-board electrical system of a means of transportation with external electrical energy. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to enable the restart capability of a means of transportation with minimal additional hardware complexity.

[0010] The above object is achieved according to the invention by a means of transport having the features according to claim 9 and by a method having the features according to claim 1.

[0011] The subclaims show preferred developments of the invention. The method serves to supply an on-board power system of a means of transport, wherein the means of transport can be configured as a car, van, truck, motorcycle, aircraft, and / or watercraft. The on-board power system can be a 12-volt or 24-volt power system of the means of transport. In particular, it can also be a 48-volt power system or a high-voltage power system (400 volts, 800 volts, or higher) of the means of transport. The means of transport can also include multiple on-board power system voltages. In a first step, an undervoltage situation, which can also be caused by an insufficient power supply, is detected in the on-board power system of the means of transport. The undervoltage situation can relate, in particular, to a discharged starter battery or a low charge level of another battery of the means of transport.For this purpose, an electrical variable of the on-board power supply system can be measured using an ammeter or a voltmeter. In particular, the detection of the low-voltage situation can be recorded automatically or routinely by sensor when a user accesses the means of transport. Optionally, the low voltage situation can be communicated to the user. Electrical energy is then transferred to the means of transport via a USB cable (which can be designed as a classic USB cable with several individual cables), which can in particular be configured as a USB-C cable, in order to remedy the low-voltage situation in the on-board power supply system. This may require a user to connect a USB cable to a USB socket on the means of transport. The USB socket can be located in a trunk or passenger compartment of the means of transport.Alternatively or additionally, the socket can also be arranged in a position in the outer skin of the means of transport, which is accessible to the user even when the means of transport is locked. For example, an emergency key or other user identification can be checked to grant the user access to the USB port. In order to be able to use the energy provided via the USB cable as specifically as possible to achieve restart capability, to diagnose the means of transport, or to enable access to the means of transport, a first group of electrical components of the means of transport is automatically deactivated or not activated at all in response to the transmission of electrical energy to the means of transport.In other words, a predefined group of electrical components is automatically switched off or placed into a state of lower energy consumption in order to concentrate the energy supplied to the vehicle specifically in the required electrical consumers. This prevents the process desired by the user from taking longer than necessary or from being completely thwarted by excessive power consumption by the first group of electrical components.

[0012] The first group of electrical components can, for example, include control units and consumers for the comfort functions of the vehicle. For example, seat heating, seat ventilation, massage functions, interior lighting, heating devices for windows and steering wheels, etc., as well as the audio system, navigation system, and driver assistance functions, can be automatically deactivated or not activated at all if the power supply to the vehicle is provided via the USB cable according to the invention and, in particular, if an undervoltage situation exists in the vehicle. This ensures that the externally supplied energy is used for its intended purpose and can achieve the desired effect as quickly as possible. Furthermore, basic functions and control units such as an occupant safety system (airbag system), cameras, anti-theft alarm systems, and mobile phone antennas can also be automatically deactivated or not activated at all.

[0013] Preferably, a second group of electrical components of the means of transport can be automatically connected to the USB line or remain connected. This can be initiated in response to the detection of an undervoltage situation in the on-board power supply system and / or the power supply via the USB line. The second group of electrical components (e.g. consumers) can be selected, in particular predefined, depending on the desired purpose. For example, to achieve restart capability, the second group can comprise a starter battery of the means of transport. In addition, the second group can also contain high-voltage contactors, on-board chargers, charging electronics circuits and a charging flap which covers the charging interface of a high-voltage charging cable. If access to the passenger compartment of the means of transport is desired, the second group can comprise door locking devices or

[0014] Control units for providing (central) locking can be defined as components of the second group. Other second groupings are also possible and depend on the intended purpose.

[0015] The USB cable used according to the invention can be a component of the means of transport. Alternatively or additionally, the USB cable can be an auxiliary device that is not part of the means of transport. In particular, however, a USB port is provided in the means of transport, which is designed in particular as a USB-C port, which is intended for the power supply process. The USB port can be arranged, for example, in a center console, a dashboard, in a trunk of the means of transport, or in an outer skin of the means of transport in such a way that it is protected from environmental influences and dirt. Ideally, the user has the choice of which USB port of the means of transport to use for the steps according to the invention. In this way, in particular, the convenience and the variety of cable lengths that can be used can be increased.

[0016] The USB cable can be connected to an electronic control unit (ECU, in particular an electronic power distribution unit) of the vehicle, which establishes a plurality of electrical connections to the second group of components and / or to a supercapacitor connectable to an electric starter of the vehicle. The control unit can have a plurality of relays and / or eFuses or at least be capable of switching them, so that, for example, in response to a selection by a user who makes a corresponding input or by a predefined memory entry, the electrical components of the vehicle to be supplied in the respective fault situation are defined. Likewise, the engine start or the establishment of driveability can be prevented until the vehicle's electrical system has sufficient power available again.Preferably, the aforementioned control unit can send a message to the USB line specifying a required electrical parameter of the electrical energy. For example, a current, a voltage, a power output, or a protocol (current conduction, voltage conduction, etc.) can be specified for the energy supply. This allows the electrical energy to be supplied to be made available or drawn as needed. Since the eFuses can be operated in both directions, the direction in which the current is flowing can be electronically determined via software. This allows external power supply to be detected. Furthermore, the eFuses can be used to determine how much power is provided by the external power supply. For example, this can be used to detect external power supply via the USB line and supply power to the second group of electrical components.

[0017] Because of the two current directions, USB Power Delivery can also be used to charge a USB device (e.g., a smartphone) via the USB port during normal operation (i.e., no "undervoltage"). This means that in this case, the energy flow runs from the vehicle's energy storage unit to the USB device.

[0018] As an alternative or in addition to a charging function of a battery management system (BMS) of a traction power supply, the control unit can supply a diagnostic function of the vehicle with electrical energy from the USB cable. However, this does not preclude the control unit from having additional energy sources available to supplement the energy supply via the USB cable. For example, an induction coil integrated into an outer skin or otherwise into the vehicle's electrical system can supply energy to the vehicle. Diagnostics for fault identification of the vehicle can also be performed externally; for this purpose, a diagnostic device can be connected to the vehicle via a diagnostic cable and / or a diagnostic radio interface. One or more of the electrical power distributors are installed in the vehicle, either all of which or a subset of which are required for the function.

[0019] Alternatively or additionally, a photovoltaic cell of the vehicle can provide additional electrical energy for the process according to the invention. All energy sources provided in the course of the method according to the invention can be connected to the second group of electrical components via the control unit, while the first group of electrical components are not electrically connected or are not operated.

[0020] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a means of transport is proposed that is capable of carrying out a method according to the aforementioned aspect of the invention. The means of transport thus has at least one USB cable, via which the second group of electrical consumers can be supplied with electrical energy as needed and in response to the detection of an undervoltage situation in the vehicle's electrical system. The features, feature combinations, and the resulting advantages of the means of transport according to the invention are so evident from the above explanations that, to avoid repetition, reference is made to the above explanations.

[0021] Preferably, the hardware of the vehicle can be made lighter, more cost-effective, and more convenient by eliminating the need for a jump starter station for receiving jumper cable sources. In other words, the device of the vehicle according to the invention eliminates the need to have the jump starter station ready for emergency power supply. Thus, the vehicle's on-board power system infrastructure can also be designed more cost-effectively.

[0022] Further details, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the figures. They show:

[0023] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a means of transport according to the invention when carrying out a method according to the invention; and

[0024] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating steps of an embodiment of a method according to the invention.

[0025] Figure 1 shows a means of transport 10 configured as a hybrid-powered passenger car. The means of transport 10 comprises an internal combustion engine 13 with a starter 7, an electric traction motor 9a, and a traction energy storage device 9b in the form of a high-voltage storage device. The means of transport also comprises electrical components of a first group in the form of an ultrasonic sensor 3b, a low beam 3a, and windshield wipers 3c. These components can be switched by eFuses or relays (not shown) via a control unit 6, which can be supplied with external electrical energy from a socket 17 via a USB-C port 5. For this purpose, the socket 17 is connected to a voltage converter 15 and a USB-C cable 2.The control unit 6 is also electrically connected to an induction coil 11, which is arranged in a floor assembly of the vehicle 10 and can thus be supplied with electrical energy from below the vehicle. Furthermore, the vehicle 10 has a photovoltaic cell 12 on its roof, which is electrically connected to the control unit 6. The control unit 6 is also electrically connected to a starter battery 18, an on-board power supply system of a first group of consumers, an on-board power supply system of a second group of consumers, a super-capacitor 8, and the traction energy storage device 9b, which is part of the traction power supply system 9, optionally via a DC / DC converter.In response to the detection of an undervoltage situation in the on-board power supply system 1, in particular also in response to the supply of electrical energy via the USB port 5, the control unit 6 is configured to electrically supply only the starter battery 18, the on-board charger in BEV vehicles and the on-board power supply system of a second group of consumers with the supplied energy, while electrically disconnecting all other consumers. In this way, the starter battery 18 and energy made available by the USB cable 2 are made available to the second group of components, which is supplied with external electrical energy by a method according to the invention. Alternatively, for example, the super-CAP 8 can be regarded as the second group of components, which is supplied with electrical energy from the socket 17 via the USB port 5.Alternatively or additionally, the starter battery 18 can also be regarded as a second group of components, while the consumers ultrasonic sensor 3b, dipped beam 3a and windscreen wiper 3c are forcibly switched off as the first group of components by the control unit 6.

[0026] Figure 2 shows a flowchart illustrating steps of an exemplary embodiment of a method according to the invention for supplying an on-board power supply system of a means of transport, which may be configured, for example, as a passenger car. In a first step 100, an undervoltage situation in the on-board power supply system is detected. For example, the voltage of a starter battery is measured and compared with a predefined reference value (a voltage, a current, a state of charge, a state of health, or similar). In addition, in step 200, external electrical energy is received via a USB cable of the means of transport connected to the on-board power supply system of the means of transport. The USB cable can comply with the USB-C PD standard, whereby up to 240 watts can be provided for the starter battery.In order to supply the starter battery, as a component of a second group of electrical components of the vehicle, with external electrical energy, a control unit generates a switching signal in step 300, which electrically connects only the starter battery, but not a traction energy storage device, to the USB cable. In step 400, a first group of electrical components, which are intended for comfort functions of the vehicle, is also automatically deactivated. In this way, the external electrical energy can be used in a targeted manner to restore the vehicle's restart capability.

[0027] List of reference symbols:

[0028] 1 on-board power system

[0029] 2 USB cables

[0030] 3a, 3b, 3c electrical components (first group)

[0031] 5 USB port

[0032] 6 Control unit

[0033] 7 electric starter

[0034] 8 Super CAP

[0035] 9 Traction network

[0036] 9a electric traction machine

[0037] 9b Traction energy storage

[0038] 10 cars

[0039] 11 Induction coil

[0040] 12 photovoltaic cells

[0041] 13 internal combustion engine

[0042] 14 USB connectors

[0043] 15 voltage converter (switching power supply)

[0044] 16 electrical cables

[0045] 17 socket

[0046] 18 starter battery

[0047] 100 to 400 process steps

Claims

Patent claims:

1. A method for supplying an on-board energy network (1) of a means of transport (10) comprising the steps: • Detection (100) of an undervoltage situation in the on-board power system (1) • Receiving (200) external electrical energy via a USB line (2) of the vehicle (10) connected to the on-board power supply system (1) of the vehicle (10) and • Automatic deactivation (400) of a first group of electrical components (3a, 3b, 3c) of the means of transport (10).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first group comprises electrical components (3a, 3b, 3c) for comfort functions and / or safety functions of the means of transport (10).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising - electrically connecting (300) a second group of electrical components of the means of transport (10) to the USB line (2), wherein the second group comprises in particular on-board chargers and / or a starter battery (18) of the means of transport (10).

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the USB cable (2) is connected to a USB port (5), in particular a USB-C port, of the means of transport (10).

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the USB port (5) is arranged in a passenger compartment and / or in an area of an outer skin of the means of transport (10) that is accessible when the means of transport (10) is locked.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the USB cable (2) is connected to a control unit (6) of the means of transport (10), which has a plurality of electrical connections to - the second group and / or - a super-cap (8) connectable to an electric starter (7) of the means of transport (10).

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the control unit (6) sends a message to the USB line (2) specifying a required electrical characteristic of the electrical energy.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the control unit (6) - a charging function of an on-board energy system (1) of the starter battery (18) and / or - a diagnostic function of the means of transport (10) is supplied with electrical energy from the USB cable (2) and / or - additionally receives electrical energy via an induction coil (11) and / or a photovoltaic cell (12) of the means of transport (10).

9. Means of transport which is arranged to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims.

10. Means of transport according to claim 9, which does not have a jump start point.

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