Multiple socket, power supply system and method for operating the power supply system

Abstract

The invention relates to a multiple socket (10), in particular in an interior of an electric vehicle, which comprises a first AC voltage connection (10a) and a second AC voltage connection (10b), which are designed to be connected to an AC voltage source. The multiple socket (10) further comprises a first socket (11a) having a first connection (11aa) and a second connection (11ab), which are connected to the first AC voltage connection (10a) and the second AC voltage connection (10b) via a transformer (12), the transformer (12) being designed to convert an input AC voltage applied to the first AC voltage connection (10a) and the second AC voltage connection (10b) into an output AC voltage, which is lower than the input AC voltage. In addition, the multiple socket (10) comprises a second socket (11b) having a third connection (11ba) and a fourth connection (11bb), which are connected to the first AC voltage connection (10a) and the second AC voltage connection (10b). A cover (13) of the multiple socket (10) is designed to be movable between a first position, in which the first socket (11a) is covered and the second socket (11b) is not covered, and a second position, in which the first socket (11a) is not covered and the second socket (11b) is covered, along a movement direction (A). A position sensor (15) of the multiple socket (10) is designed to determine the position in which the cover (13) is located. The invention further relates to a power supply system (100) for an electric vehicle and to a method for controlling the power supply system (100).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Title and procedure for operating the

[0003] The present invention relates to a multiple socket, in particular in an interior of an electric vehicle, a power supply system, a method for operating the power supply system as well as a computing unit and a computer program for carrying out the same.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] In integrated chargers (so-called on-board chargers) for electric vehicles (fully electric or hybrid), the AC voltage from the grid is converted into DC voltage to charge the electric vehicle's traction battery. For example, the on-board charger can have a two-stage design. The first stage can be a rectifier, which can be equipped with power factor correction (PFC) to rectify the input AC voltage in phase. The second stage can be a DC-DC converter to convert the rectified input voltage into the battery voltage of the traction battery. Alternatively, single-stage designs are also possible, combining both functions in a single rectifier stage.

[0006] On-board chargers can be operated either in regions with three-phase AC grids (e.g., 22 kW in the EU and China) or in regions with single-phase AC grids (e.g., North America and Japan). Furthermore, the nominal voltage of the single-phase AC grid in North America can be an AC voltage with an effective value of 120 V or 240 V, depending on the power of the connection.

[0007] On-board chargers are intended to continue to provide alternating current for a socket in the car as an additional function (Vehicle-to-Load, V2L).

[0008] Disclosure of the invention

[0009] According to the invention, a multiple socket, a power supply system, a method for operating the power supply system, as well as a computing unit and a computer program for implementing the same are proposed, each with the features of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims and the following description.

[0010] The invention is based on a multiple socket comprising a first AC voltage connection and a second AC voltage connection, which are configured to be connected to an AC voltage source. The multiple socket further comprises a first socket with a first connection and a second connection, and a second socket with a third connection and a fourth connection, wherein the first and third connections are connected to the first AC voltage connection and the second and fourth connections are connected to the second AC voltage connection. The multiple socket is installed, in particular, in an electric vehicle (fully electric or hybrid).

[0011] The core of the invention is that the first socket is connected to the AC terminals via a transformer, which converts or transforms an input AC voltage present between the first and second AC terminals to an output AC voltage that is lower than the input AC voltage, whereas the second socket is connected directly to the AC terminals. Furthermore, the multiple socket is equipped with a cover that can be used to cover one of the two sockets, so that only the one of the two sockets that delivers the desired output AC voltage can be used.

[0012] This means that even in countries where an external alternating voltage can have an effective value of 240 V or 120 V, a fixed (desired) output alternating voltage, in particular an output alternating voltage of 120 V (effective), can always be output via a socket in the interior of the vehicle.

[0013] Specifically, the multiple socket includes a transformer arranged between the first and second AC voltage connections and the first socket. The transformer is configured to convert an input AC voltage present between the first and second AC voltage connections into an output AC voltage that is lower than the input AC voltage. In particular, the transformer is configured to convert an input AC voltage of 240 V (effective) to a desired output AC voltage of 120 V (effective).

[0014] Furthermore, the multiple socket comprises a cover which is configured to be movable along a direction of movement between a first position in which the first socket is covered and the second socket is not covered, and a second position in which the first socket is not covered and the second socket is covered, and a position sensor which is configured to determine in which position the cover is located.

[0015] Such a multiple socket can advantageously ensure that the same desired output alternating voltage is always output at the multiple socket, regardless of the (external) alternating voltage applied to a charging port of the electric vehicle.

[0016] In one embodiment, the multiple socket has a first indicator that shows whether the desired AC output voltage is present at the first socket, and a second indicator that shows whether the desired AC output voltage is present at the second socket. The indicator can, for example, be an LED that lights up when the AC voltage is present at the corresponding socket. It is also conceivable for the LED to be a two-color LED that, for example, lights up red when the correct AC voltage is not present at the corresponding socket, and lights up green when the correct AC voltage is present at the corresponding socket. The first and second indicators can show the user of the multiple socket that the cover is covering the correct socket and that a load can be supplied with the desired AC output voltage via the uncovered socket.

[0017] In one embodiment, the multiple socket has at least one rail, wherein the cover is attached to the at least one rail and can be moved along the at least one rail in the direction of movement. This makes it easy to create a movable cover that can be moved back and forth between the first position and the second position.

[0018] In one embodiment, the first and second outlets are earthed outlets. This increases the safety of the outlets and complies with specified safety regulations.

[0019] The invention further relates to a power supply system of an electric vehicle, which has a charging port with a first output port and a second output port, wherein the charging port is configured to connect the power supply system to an external AC voltage source via the first output port and the second output port. In addition to the first and second output ports, the charging port can also have further output ports, in particular two further output ports, i.e., a total of four output ports. This also allows a three-phase voltage to be converted. The number of output ports depends on the ports of the external AC voltage source.The power supply system further comprises a power converter circuit which is connected to the first output terminal and the second output terminal of the charging port and is configured to convert an AC voltage present between the first output terminal and the second output terminal into a DC voltage. If the charging port has, in particular, further output terminals, the power converter circuit is, in particular, connected to all output terminals of the charging port. The DC voltage output by the power converter circuit can be used, for example, to charge a traction battery of the electric vehicle. The power supply system further comprises a multiple socket according to the invention. The first AC voltage terminal of the multiple socket is connected to the first output terminal of the charging port, and the second AC voltage terminal is connected to the second output terminal of the charging port.The first output terminal is, in particular, a phase terminal, while the second output terminal is, in particular, a ground terminal. Furthermore, the power supply system comprises a controllable switching element arranged between the first output terminal of the charging port and the first AC voltage terminal of the multiple socket outlet, and configured to switch between a first state in which the first AC voltage terminal and the first output terminal are conductively connected to one another, and a second state in which the first AC voltage terminal and the first output terminal are not conductively connected to one another. The controllable switching element can be, for example, a relay.

[0020] The power supply system allows a user to connect a load to the charging port of the electric vehicle via the power strip, whereby the desired AC output voltage, in particular an AC output voltage with an effective value of 120 V, is always output via a socket of the power strip.

[0021] The invention further relates to a method for operating a power supply system as described above. In the method, the position of the cover is determined, in particular by means of the position sensor, i.e. which of the first socket and the second socket is covered by the cover. Furthermore, it is determined whether an input AC voltage applied between the first output connection and the second output connection has a first value or a second value. The first value is in particular a high value, for example an effective value of 240 V, while the second value is in particular a low value, for example an effective value of 120 V. Subsequently, it is determined whether a supply condition is met.The supply condition is met when the input AC voltage has the first value and it is determined that the cover is in the second position, or when the input AC voltage has the second value and it is determined that the cover is in the first position. If it is determined that the supply condition is met, the controllable switching element is transferred to the first state in which the first AC voltage terminal and the first output terminal are conductively connected to one another. If, on the other hand, it is determined that the supply condition is not met, the controllable switching element is transferred to the second state in which the first AC voltage terminal and the first output terminal are not conductively connected to one another.

[0022] In one embodiment, the first indicator is further activated when it is determined that the supply condition is met and the cover is determined to be in the second position, or the second indicator is activated when it is determined that the supply condition is met and the cover is determined to be in the first position. This allows the user to easily see whether the correct outlet is covered by the cover and whether a load can be connected to the uncovered outlet and supplied with the desired AC output voltage.

[0023] A computing unit according to the invention, e.g. a control unit of a charging port of an electric vehicle, is designed, in particular in terms of programming, to carry out a method according to the invention. The implementation of a method according to the invention in the form of a computer program or computer program product with program code for carrying out all method steps is also advantageous, since this entails particularly low costs, in particular if an executing control unit is also used for other tasks and is therefore already present. Finally, a machine-readable storage medium is provided with a computer program stored thereon, as described above. Suitable storage media or data carriers for providing the computer program are, in particular, magnetic, optical and electrical memories, such as hard disks, flash memories, EEPROMs, DVDs, etc. Downloading a program via computer networks (Internet, intranet, etc.) is also possible.) is possible. Such a download can be done via a wired or cable connection or wirelessly (e.g., via a Wi-Fi network, a 3G, 4G, 5G, or 6G connection, etc.).

[0024] Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the description and the accompanying drawings.

[0025] The invention is illustrated schematically in the drawing using exemplary embodiments and is described below with reference to the drawing.

[0026] Short description of the drawings

[0027] Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a multiple socket according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0028] Figure 2 shows a block diagram of a multiple socket according to an embodiment of the invention in front view,

[0029] Figure 3 shows a block diagram of a power supply system according to an embodiment of the invention, and

[0030] Figure 4 shows a flowchart of a method for controlling a power supply system according to an embodiment of the invention. Embodiments of the invention

[0031] Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a multiple socket 10 according to one embodiment of the invention. The multiple socket 10 comprises a first AC voltage connection 10a and a second AC voltage connection 10b, via which the multiple socket 10 can be connected to an AC voltage source. Particularly when the multiple socket 10 is installed in the interior of an electric vehicle, the first AC voltage connection 10a and the second AC voltage connection 10b can be connected to a first and second output connection 22a, 22b of a charging port 20.

[0032] The multiple socket 10 further comprises a first socket 11a with a first connection 11aa and a second connection 11ab, and a second socket 11b with a third connection 11ba and a fourth connection 11bb. A load can be supplied with a desired AC output voltage via the first socket 11a or the second socket 11b.

[0033] The multiple socket 10 further comprises a transformer 12 arranged between the first and second AC voltage connections 10a, 10b and the first socket 11a, specifically between the first and second AC voltage connections 10a, 10b and the first and second connections 11aa, 11b from the first socket 11a. The transformer 12 is configured to convert the input AC voltage applied to the first and second AC voltage connections 10a, 10b into an output AC voltage, in particular to transform it down, e.g., at a ratio of 2:1. For example, an input AC voltage of 240 V (effective) applied to the first and second AC voltage terminals 10a, 10b can be converted into the desired output AC voltage of 120 V (effective), which can be output via the first and second terminals 11aa, 11ab to a load connected to the first socket 11a.In addition, the multiple socket 10 has a cover 13 that can be moved along a direction of movement A between a first position, in which the first socket 11a is covered by the cover 13 and the second socket 11b is not covered by the cover 13, and a second position, in which the first socket 11a is not covered by the cover 13 and the second socket 11b is covered by the cover 13. The position of the cover 13, in particular which of the two sockets 11a, 11b is covered by the cover, is detected by a position sensor 15. The information from the position sensor 15 can be output, in particular, to a control unit, which in the example shown is not part of the multiple socket 10.

[0034] Figure 2 shows a block diagram of a multiple socket 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The multiple socket 10 is shown in a front view, ie, as the multiple socket 10 would be viewed by a user when the multiple socket 10 is installed in the interior of a vehicle.

[0035] In the illustrated state, the first socket 11a is covered by the cover 13. The outline of the first socket 11a is drawn with dashed lines to illustrate it.

[0036] Furthermore, Figure 2 shows two rails 13a, 13b in which the cover 13 is mounted purely by way of example and along which the cover 13 can be moved between the first and the second position.

[0037] Furthermore, a first indicator 14a and a second indicator 14b are shown. The first indicator 14a is configured to indicate whether the desired AC output voltage is present at the first socket 11a, and the second indicator 14b is configured to indicate whether the desired AC output voltage is present at the second socket 11b. The first and second indicators 14a, 14b can be designed, for example, as LEDs that light up when the respective AC voltage is present at the corresponding socket 11a, 11b. It is also conceivable for the LED to be an LED that can light up in two different colors, for example, lighting up green when the respective AC voltage is present at the corresponding socket 11a, 11b, and lighting up red when the respective AC voltage is not present at the corresponding socket 11a, 11b. The desired AC output voltage is, for example, 120 V (effective).

[0038] Figure 3 shows a block diagram of a power supply system 100 according to an embodiment of the invention, and Figure 4 shows a flowchart of a method for controlling the power supply system 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. Both figures will be described together below.

[0039] The power supply system 100 comprises a multiple socket 10, as described in the previous Figures 1 and 2. The same reference numerals refer to the same elements, and for further details, reference is made to the explanations therein.

[0040] The power supply system 100 further includes a charging port 20, which can be connected to an external AC voltage source (not shown) via input ports 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d. These can be, for example, three phase ports 21a, c, d and a neutral conductor port 21b. The charging port 20 further outputs the applied AC voltage via output ports 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d to a power converter circuit 30, which converts the applied AC voltage into a DC voltage, which can be used, for example, to charge a traction battery (not shown) of the electric vehicle.

[0041] The first and second AC voltage terminals 10a, 10b of the multiple socket 10 are connected to the first output terminal 22a and the second output terminal 22b of the charging port 20. The second output terminal 22b represents, in particular, the ground connection. Furthermore, a controllable switching element 40, for example a relay, is arranged between the first output terminal 22a and the first AC voltage terminal 10a, which can be switched between a conductive state and a non-conductive state.

[0042] In the method, in a step S100, the position sensor 15 of the multiple socket 10 determines in which position the cover is located or which of the first socket 11a and the second socket 11b is covered by the cover 13.

[0043] In a step S110, it is determined whether an effective value of the input AC voltage applied between the first output terminal 22a and the second output terminal 22b has a first, high value or a second, low value. For example, the first value may be 240 V and the second value may be 120 V. The AC voltage applied between the first output terminal 22a and the second output terminal 22b depends on the AC voltage provided by the AC voltage source and may, for example, be 120 V (effective) or 240 V (effective).

[0044] Subsequently, in a step S120, it is determined whether a supply condition is met, since a desired output AC voltage with the second value, or in this case 120 V (effective), is to be output at the accessible socket 11a or 11b. The supply condition is met when the cover is in the second position, i.e., the first socket 11a is not covered by the cover 13 and the second socket 11b is covered, and the input AC voltage has the first, high value, for example, 240 V (effective). The input AC voltage is converted or stepped down by the transformer 12 to, for example, 120 V (effective, ratio 2:1 to the input AC voltage) and can be applied to a connected load (not shown) through the first socket 11a. Furthermore, the supply condition is also met when the cover 13 is in the first position, i.e.The first socket 11a is covered by the cover 13, and the second socket 11b is not covered, and the input AC voltage has the second, lower value, for example, 120 V (effective). The input AC voltage can be applied directly from the second socket 11b to a load (not shown) connected to it.

[0045] Subsequently, in a step S130, the controllable switching element 40 is transferred to a first state in which the first AC voltage terminal 10a and the first output terminal 22a are conductively connected to one another if it is determined that the supply condition is met, or transferred to a second state in which the first AC voltage terminal 10a and the first output terminal 22a are not conductively connected to one another if it is determined that the supply condition is not met. This prevents, for example, a voltage from being tapped at the second socket 11b that does not correspond to the desired AC output voltage, for example 120 V (effective), if a higher AC input voltage, for example 240 V, is present at the first and second AC voltage terminals 10a, 10b.

[0046] In a step S140, the first indicator 14a is activated if it is determined that the supply condition is met and it is determined that the cover 13 is in the second position, or the second indicator 14b is activated if it is determined that the supply condition is met and it is determined that the cover 13 is in the first position. Activating the indicator 14a, 14b indicates to the user whether the correct socket 11a, 11b is covered by the cover 13 and whether a load can be supplied with voltage via the uncovered socket 11a, 11b.

Claims

Claims 1. A multiple socket (10), in particular in an interior of an electric vehicle, comprising: a first AC voltage connection (10a) and a second AC voltage connection (10b) which are designed to be connected to an AC voltage source, a first socket (11a) with a first connection (11aa) and a second connection (11ab) which are connected to the first AC voltage connection (10a) and the second AC voltage connection (10b) via a transformer (12), wherein the transformer (12) is designed to convert an input AC voltage applied to the first AC voltage connection (10a) and the second AC voltage connection (10b) into an output AC voltage which is lower than the input AC voltage, a second socket (11b) with a third connection (11ba) and a fourth connection (11bb),which are connected to the first AC voltage connection (10a) and the second AC voltage connection (10b), a cover (13) which is designed to be movable along a direction of movement (A) between a first position in which the first socket (11a) is covered and the second socket (11b) is not covered, and a second position in which the first socket (11a) is not covered and the second socket (11b) is covered, and a position sensor (15) which is designed to determine the position of the cover (13).

2. Multiple socket (10) according to claim 1, which has a first indicator (14a) which indicates whether a desired output AC voltage is present at the first socket (11a), and a second indicator (14b) which indicates whether the desired AC output voltage is present at the second socket (11b).

3. Multiple socket (10) according to claim 2, wherein the desired AC output voltage is an AC voltage with an effective value of 120 V.

4. Multiple socket (10) according to one of the preceding claims, which has at least one rail (13a, 13b), wherein the cover (13) is fastened to the at least one rail (13a, 13b) and can be moved along the at least one rail (13a, 13b) in the direction of movement (A).

5. Multiple socket (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first socket (11a) and the second socket (11b) are protective contact sockets.

6. A power supply system (100) of an electric vehicle comprising: a charging port (20) having a first output port (22a) and a second output port (22b), wherein the charging port (20) is configured to connect the power supply system (100) to an external AC voltage source via the first output port (22a) and the second output port (22b), a power converter circuit (30) connected to the first output port (22a) and the second output port (22b) of the charging port (20) and configured to convert an AC voltage applied to the first output port (22a) and the second output port (22b) into a DC voltage, a multiple socket (10) according to one of the preceding claims,wherein the first AC voltage connection (10a) of the multiple socket (10) is connected to the first output connection (22a) of the charging connection (20) and the second AC voltage connection (10b) is connected to the second output connection (22b) of the charging connection (20), a controllable switching element (40) which is arranged between the first output terminal (22a) of the charging terminal (20) and the first AC voltage terminal (10a) of the multiple socket (10) and is designed to be switched between a first state in which the first AC voltage terminal (10a) and the first output terminal (22a) are conductively connected to one another, and a second state in which the first AC voltage terminal (10a) and the first output terminal (22a) are not conductively connected to one another.

7. A method for operating a power supply system (100) according to the preceding claim, the method comprising: Determining (S100) in which position the cover (13) is located, Determining (S110) whether an AC input voltage applied between the first output terminal (22a) and the second output terminal (22b) has a first value or a second value, Determining (S120) whether a supply condition is met, wherein the supply condition is met when the input AC voltage has the first value and it is determined that the cover is in the second position, or when the input AC voltage has the second value and it is determined that the cover is in the first position, Transferring (S130) the controllable switching element (40) into the first state in which the first AC voltage terminal (10a) and the first output terminal (22a) are conductively connected to one another if it is determined that the supply condition is met, or into the second state in which the first AC voltage terminal (10a) and the first output terminal (22a) are not conductively connected to one another if it is determined that the supply condition is not met.

8. The method according to the preceding claim, wherein the method further comprises: Activating (S140) the first indicator when it is determined that the supply condition is met and the cover is in the second position, or the second indicator when it is determined that the Supply condition is met and the cover is in the first position.

9. Computing unit configured to carry out all method steps of a method according to one of claims 7 or 8.

10. A computer program which causes a computing unit to carry out all method steps of a method according to one of claims 7 or 8 when executed on the computing unit. 11 . A machine-readable storage medium having a computer program according to the preceding claim stored thereon.

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