Charging terminal for charging electrical equipment, and charging system comprising such charging terminals

Abstract

The invention relates to a charging terminal (100) comprising a main line (120) that, at the input of the terminal, is connected to a power supply (200) and to which equipment connection sockets (131 to 134) are connected in parallel by way of secondary lines (141 to 144) each provided with a switch (151 to 154), the sockets being individually arranged in an order of priority for each phase of the power supply. An electrical measuring device (170) determines a consumed amperage corresponding to the amperage of the current in the main line per phase. A control unit (180) is configured in such a way that, when the consumed amperage is greater than a maximum value, it carries out a sequencing operation that consists, for the phase in question, in opening that switch among the one or more closed switches that is associated with the lowest-priority socket among the one or more corresponding sockets, and then, if the consumed amperage has not dropped below the maximum value, repeating the sequencing operation.

Description

[0001] TITLE: Charging station for recharging electrical equipment, as well as charging systems comprising such charging stations

[0002] The present invention relates to a charging station for recharging electrical equipment. It also relates to a charging system for recharging electrical equipment, comprising at least two such charging stations.

[0003] The invention addresses the problem of charging multiple electrical devices located in the same temporary storage area, typically multiple vehicles and / or power tools at a rental agency, for example, overnight. In practice, the power delivered by the rental agency's electrical system is limited by the contracted power from the electricity supplier and by the installed capacity, which is determined by the sizing of the electrical cables and overcurrent protection devices. Therefore, charging the various vehicles and / or power tools stored at the agency must be managed carefully; otherwise, the agency's electrical system may malfunction in the event of a prolonged overcurrent, and / or charging may become expensive due to regularly exceeding the contracted power.It is therefore typically advisable to avoid charging all vehicles and / or electrical tools stored at the agency at the same time. US-2023 / 202338-A1 describes, for example, a charging facility comprising several charging stations, some of which are prioritized over others based on the demand of the vehicles connected to them.

[0004] The aim of the present invention is to provide a charging station and a charging system which, while cleverly managing the charging of a plurality of electrical equipment, are simple and economical to implement.

[0005] To this end, the invention relates to a charging station for recharging electrical equipment, the charging station comprising:

[0006] - a main power line which is adapted to be connected, at the input to the charging station, to a power supply having one phase or several phases, including three phases,

[0007] - sockets, each adapted for plugging in one of the electrical devices to be recharged, these sockets being:

[0008] • connected in parallel to the main power line by secondary power lines, each equipped with a switch, and • individually ordered according to a predetermined priority order per phase of the power supply,

[0009] - an electrical measuring device, adapted to determine a current consumption corresponding to the current intensity flowing in the main power line per phase of the power supply, and

[0010] - a control unit, adapted both to control the opening / closing of each of the switches and to compare said current consumption with a predetermined maximum value, the control unit being configured to, when the control unit determines that said current consumption is greater than said maximum value for the single phase or one of said several phases of the power supply, implement a sequencing operation which consists, for the phase concerned, of:

[0011] • open, among the closed switch(es), the switch that is associated with the lowest priority socket among the socket(s) respectively associated with this or these closed switch(es), then

[0012] • compare again said current consumed with said maximum value and, in the event that the control unit determines that said current consumed has not fallen below said maximum value, repeat the sequencing operation.

[0013] The invention also relates to a charging system for recharging electrical equipment, comprising at least two charging terminals:

[0014] - each of which is as defined above,

[0015] - which are ordered individually according to a predetermined order of priority,

[0016] - whose respective main power lines are connected in series to the same power supply, and

[0017] - whose respective control units are interconnected and jointly configured to, at each implementation of the sequencing operation, apply this sequencing operation to the lowest priority charging terminal among those terminals with at least one switch closed. One of the ideas underlying the invention is to sequence the respective charging cycles of the different electrical equipment so that the power consumed via the terminal(s) remains, over time, below a predetermined limit.To achieve this, within the charging station or each charging station conforming to the invention, the sockets of the station are individually controlled, by an ad hoc control unit of the charging station, to allow the charging of the electrical equipment respectively connected to these sockets, ensuring that, for the single phase or each of the phases of an electrical supply to which an input of the charging station is connected, the current consumed by the charging station remains below a predetermined maximum current, by means, if necessary, of the shedding of one or more sockets of the charging station, considered to be less priority than the other socket(s) of the charging station, due to a predetermined priority order, by phase of the electrical supply, between the different sockets of the charging station.In other words, thanks to the invention, the charging station prioritizes the charging of the electrical equipment connected to its highest priority socket, while also allowing, as long as the current drawn by the charging station remains below the aforementioned maximum current for the single phase or each phase of the power supply, one or more other devices connected to lower priority sockets to also be charged. Of course, once the device connected to the highest priority socket is charged, the current drawn is distributed differently among the connected electrical devices, thus allowing the devices not yet charged to be charged further, and so on. Within the charging system according to the invention, several charging stations are connected in series, which are again prioritized among themselves in order to sequence the charging of the electrical devices connected to the respective sockets of the different stations.The charging of electrical equipment is thus managed efficiently, avoiding any peak in power consumption. In practice, since the invention requires no data communication between the electrical equipment being charged and the power supply provided to the charging station(s), the charging station according to the invention is simple to use and relies on inexpensive electrical components, particularly its sockets, which can therefore be or include, by way of non-limitation but preference, single-phase 230V 16A sockets and / or a three-phase 400V 16A socket. Other advantages and benefits of the invention will become apparent later.

[0018] Depending on additional advantageous characteristics of the charging station and / or charging system, according to the invention, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0019] - The measuring device includes, for each secondary power line, a current sensor, which measures a current intensity flowing in the secondary power line per phase of the power supply and which provides the control unit with the measured intensity, and the control unit is adapted to calculate said intensity consumed by summing, per phase of the power supply, the intensities respectively measured by the current sensors.

[0020] - The main power line is adapted to be connected to a three-phase power supply at the charging station input. - The sockets include three single-phase sockets, each powered by one of the three phases of the power supply.

[0021] - The sockets include a three-phase socket which is powered by the three phases of the electrical supply.

[0022] - The control unit is configured to determine at least one functional characterization of each of the sockets, such as an on / off state of the socket or a charging status in progress / finished of electrical equipment connected to the socket or a charging failure of electrical equipment connected to the socket, and the charging station includes, for each socket, a display means, which is controlled by the control unit and which is adapted to visually indicate said at least one functional characterization of the socket concerned.

[0023] - The control unit is configured to analyze the intensity measured by each of the current sensors and to deduce from it at least one functional characterization of the corresponding socket.

[0024] - The charging station also includes a support box, inside which are arranged the main power line, the secondary power lines, the electrical measuring device and the control unit, and on the front of which are arranged the sockets.

[0025] - Each charging station includes a suitable display means to visually indicate the priority order in which the charging stations are arranged. The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example and with reference to the drawings in which:

[0026] - [Fig.1] Figure 1 is a charging system according to the invention;

[0027] - [Fig.2] Figure 2 is a larger scale view of one of the charging terminals belonging to the charging system of Figure 1, considered in isolation;

[0028] - [Fig. 3] Figure 3 is an electrical diagram of part of the charging system in Figure 1; and

[0029] - [Fig.4] Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1, illustrating an alternative embodiment of the charging system, according to the invention.

[0030] Figure 1 shows a charging system S for recharging electrical equipment E1 to E7.

[0031] The embodiment of electrical equipment E1 to E7 is not exhaustive. In the example shown in Figure 1, this electrical equipment includes (i) construction and / or building machinery E1, E2, E3, E5, and E6, including, in particular, aerial work platforms E2 and E6, shown here with scissor lifts but of any type, (ii) a power tool E4, and (iii) an electric vehicle E7, specifically a utility vehicle. Regardless of the embodiment of this electrical equipment E1 to E7, each piece includes one or more rechargeable batteries, which provide the energy necessary for the operation and / or movement of the equipment and which must be recharged regularly. Furthermore, in the example shown here, there are seven pieces of electrical equipment, but this number is not exhaustive, as will be explained later.

[0032] The charging system S is installed in a dedicated storage area for electrical equipment E1 and E7, where this equipment can be recharged by connecting it to the charging system S, as detailed below. Again, the form this dedicated storage area can take is not limited. As a preferred example, this dedicated storage area could be a rental agency from which each piece of electrical equipment E1 to E7 can be rented, possibly by the day, to a customer wishing to use the equipment at a location distant from the rental agency, before returning the equipment to the agency.

[0033] In all cases, the charging system S comprises one or more charging terminals 100, which, in the example considered here in relation to Figures 1 to 3, are two in number and are individually identical to each other. In Figure 1, the two charging terminals 100 are illustrated as they appear from the front to a user of these charging terminals, schematically connected to each other, as well as to the rest of the charging system S and to the electrical equipment E1 to E7, as explained in more detail later. In Figure 2, only one of the two charging terminals 100 is shown, considered in isolation from the rest of the charging system S. In Figure 3, the two charging terminals 100 of the charging system S are schematically represented, showing some of their electrical components, as detailed later.

[0034] As can be clearly seen in Figure 2, each charging station 100 has a support box 110, for example of parallelepiped shape. This support housing 110 is adapted to rest, where appropriate fixed, stably on the floor, typically by means of feet 111 of the support housing 110, and / or to be fixed to a wall or similar structure, typically by means of fixing devices, not shown, engaging with dedicated fittings 112 of the support housing 110. In practice, as in the example illustrated in the figures, the support housing 110 has a front face 113, otherwise called the front panel, which is turned towards the reader in figures 1 and 2 and which, in operation, is turned towards the user of the charging station 100, and side faces 114 and 115, which extend towards the rear and on either side of the front face 113.

[0035] As schematically represented in Figure 3, each charging station 100 has a main power line 120 which, in practice, is arranged inside the support box 110, extending here from one side face 114 to the other. This main power line 120 is adapted to be connected, at the input of the charging station 100 to which it belongs, to a power supply 200 of the charging system S. The form of embodiment of this power supply 200 is not limiting: by way of example, the power supply 200 is (i) integrated into a main low-voltage switchboard, usually designated by its acronym LV switchboard, of the aforementioned dedicated location where the charging system S is installed, or (ii) integrated into a secondary switchboard of the aforementioned dedicated location, or (iii) consisting of a power outlet, typically of high power.Regardless of its specific configuration, the power supply 200 can be single-phase, meaning it has a single phase, or polyphase, meaning it has multiple phases, particularly three phases. In a preferred example used for the remainder of the description of the load system S, the power supply 200 is thus three-phase.

[0036] In practice, for the purpose of the electrical connection between the power supply 200 and the main power line 120 of each charging station 100, the main power line 120 is advantageously provided with a connection input 121, here carried by the side face 114 of the support box 110, and a connection output 122, here carried by the side face 115 of the support box 110.In this way, within the charging system S, the main power line 120 of the first of the two charging stations 100 is connected to the power supply 200 directly, i.e. by an electrical conductor 210 which connects the power supply 200 to the connection input 121 of the main power line 120 of the first charging station, and the main power line 120 of the second of the charging stations 100 is connected to the power supply 200 via the first charging station 100, more precisely by successively the electrical conductor 210, the main power line 120 of the first charging station 100 and an electrical conductor 220 which connects the connection output 122 of the main power line 120 of the first charging station 100 to the connection input 121 of the main power line 120 of the second charging station 100.Of course, the embodiments of the connection input 121 and the connection output 122 of each of the charging stations 100, as well as the embodiments of the electrical conductors 210 and 220 are not limiting as long as (i) the main electrical line 120 of the first charging station 100 is, at the input, connected to the electrical supply 200 directly and (ii) the main electrical line 120 of the second charging station 100 is, at the input, connected to the electrical supply 200 via the main electrical line 120 of the first charging station 100, which is equivalent to saying that the first and second charging stations 100 are connected in series to the same electrical supply 200.As clearly visible in Figure 2, and as schematically represented in Figure s, each charging station 100 also includes sockets which each allow one of the electrical equipment E1 to E7 to be connected for the purpose of recharging the latter, via respective electrical conductors 301 to 307 shown schematically in Figure 1.In the preferred example considered here, there are four of these sockets for each charging station 100, including three single-phase sockets 131, 132 and 133, which are respectively powered by one of the three phases of the three-phase power supply 200, and one three-phase socket 134, which is powered by the three phases of the three-phase power supply 200: this allows the user to be able to simultaneously connect, on the same charging station 100, three electrical devices, from among the electrical devices E1 to E7, which are rechargeable in single-phase current, and one electrical device, from among the electrical devices E1 to E7, which is rechargeable in three-phase current.

[0037] In all cases, for each charging station 100, the sockets 131 to 134 are connected in parallel to the main power line 120 by respective secondary power lines 141 to 144. In the preferred example considered here, it is understood that the secondary power lines 141 to 143 are single-phase, carrying respectively the first, second and third phases of the power supply 200, while the secondary power line 144 is three-phase.

[0038] In addition, each of the secondary power lines 141 to 144 is equipped with a switch 151 to 154.

[0039] In practice, here, the secondary electrical lines 141 to 144 are arranged inside the support box 110 and the sockets 131 to 134 are arranged on the front face 113 of the support box 110.

[0040] Following an advantageous optional arrangement, which is implemented in the example illustrated in figures 1 to 3, each secondary electrical line 141 to 144 is provided with a differential and thermal-magnetic circuit breaker 161 to 164, as shown schematically in figure 3. In a manner known per se, these circuit breakers 161 to 164 ensure the protection of the load system S, as well as that of the user of the latter.

[0041] As schematically represented in Figure 3, each charging station 100 also includes, for each of the secondary power lines 141 to 144, a current sensor 171 to 174 that measures the current flowing in the corresponding secondary power line per phase of the power supply 200. The embodiment of these current sensors 171 to 174 is not limited; for example, these current sensors 171 to 174 are Hall effect current sensors. Regardless of the embodiment of the current sensors 171 to 174, it is understood that by summing, for each phase of the power supply 200, the currents measured by the current sensors 171 to 174, one obtains the current flowing in the main power line 120 per phase of the power supply 200.Thus, the current sensors 171 to 174 together form an electrical measuring device 170 that determines the current flowing in the main power line 120 per phase of the power supply 200. This current is subsequently referred to as "Consumed Current" since it corresponds to the current consumed, per phase of the power supply 200, by the electrical equipment connected to the load terminal 100 in question. In practice, here, the electrical measuring device 170 is arranged inside the support housing 110.

[0042] Also as schematically represented in Figure 3, each charging station 100 also includes a control unit 180, typically electronic, whose components may be analog and / or digital. In practice, here, the control unit 180 is arranged inside the support housing 110.

[0043] Regardless of the form of embodiment of the control unit 180, the latter allows each of the switches 151 to 154 to be controlled in opening / closing. For this purpose, the control unit 180 is connected to each of the switches 151 to 154 in such a way as to actuate the opening / closing of the latter, by ad hoc means, known in themselves and not detailed here.

[0044] Furthermore, the control unit 180 allows the current consumed to be compared with a predetermined maximum value, hereafter referred to as the "Maximum Current." To this end, the control unit 180 is pre-programmed with the maximum current and performs, in real time, a comparison between the current consumed and the maximum current, typically using a dedicated calculator within the control unit 180, which is known per se and not detailed here. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, each of the current sensors 171 to 174 is advantageously connected to the control unit 180, so as to provide the latter with the current it measures. The control unit 180 is then able to calculate the current consumed by summing, for each phase of the power supply 200, the currents respectively measured by the current sensors 171 to 174.

[0045] Before explaining in detail how the control unit 180 uses the result of the comparison between the current consumed and the maximum current, it should be noted that, according to an advantageous optional arrangement, implemented in the illustrated example, the control unit 180 is configured to determine one or more functional characterizations of each of the sockets 131 to 134. According to a first possibility, the or one of these functional characterizations of each socket 131 to 134 consists of an on / off state of the socket concerned: for this purpose, the control unit 180 is advantageously configured to deduce, from the selectively open or closed state of the switch 151 to 154 associated with the socket concerned, that the latter is either activated, i.e. with the corresponding switch which is closed, or deactivated, i.e. with the corresponding switch which is open.According to another possibility, which can be combined with the first possibility mentioned above, one or more of the functional characteristics of each socket 131 to 134 consists of a state of charging, selectively in progress or finished, of an electrical device connected to the socket concerned: for this purpose, the control unit 180 is configured to analyze over time the intensity measured by the current sensor 171 to 174 associated with the socket concerned and to deduce from this that the charging of the electrical device, connected to the socket concerned, is either in progress or finished, this deduction being based on the fact that the charging of an electric battery normally follows a usual temporal behavior, which is well known in itself and which can be entered in the control unit 180.According to yet another possibility, which can be combined with each of the previous ones, one or more of the functional characteristics of each socket 131 to 134 consists of a charging failure of electrical equipment connected to the socket in question: for this purpose, the control unit 180 is configured to analyze over time the current measured by the current sensor 171 to 174 associated with the socket in question and deduce that the charging of the equipment connected to the socket in question is faulty, this deduction being based, for example, on the sudden interruption of the current measured by the current sensor. Of course, other functional characteristics of sockets 131 to 134 are conceivable.

[0046] Regardless of the functional characteristics of each of the sockets 131 to 134, which are advantageously determined by the control unit 180, each charging station 100 advantageously includes, for each socket 131 to 134, a display means 191 to 194, which is controlled by the control unit 180 to visually indicate the functional characteristics to the user of the charging station 100. In the example illustrated in the figures, each display means 191 to 194 includes, or even consists of, a light-emitting diode, which is arranged adjacent to the corresponding socket 131 to 134 and which is controlled by the control unit 180 by adjusting the color and / or the flashing frequency and / or the on / off state of this diode, according to the aforementioned functional characteristics.

[0047] In all cases, and regardless of the embodiment of the control unit 180 of each charging station 100, this control unit 180 allows for the electrical shedding of one or more specifically determined sockets, among the sockets 131 to 134, when the control unit 180 determines, by comparison of the current consumed with the maximum current, that the current consumed is greater than the maximum current for the single phase or one of the phases of the power supply 200. This shedding capacity of each charging station 100 is based on the following two aspects.

[0048] On the one hand, the sockets 131 to 134 of each charging station 100 are individually ordered according to a predetermined priority order by phase of the power supply 200, in the sense that, for the single phase or each of the phases of the power supply 200, the sockets supplied by the phase concerned are arranged from the highest priority socket to the lowest priority socket.In the preferred example considered here, the aforementioned priority order consists, according to one possibility, of the single-phase socket 131 having priority over the three-phase socket 134 for the first phase of the power supply 200, the single-phase socket 132 having priority over the three-phase socket 134 for the second phase of the power supply 200, and the single-phase socket 133 having priority over the three-phase socket 134 for the third phase of the power supply 200; according to a second possibility, the two sockets supplied by the same three phases of the power supply 200 are ordered according to the reverse priority order. Regardless of the priority order assigned to sockets 131 to 134 of each charging station 100, this priority order is known to the control unit 180, the information corresponding to this priority order being previously provided to the control unit 180.This information can be permanently pre-programmed in the control unit 180, particularly when the priority order between sockets 131 to 134 cannot be modified by the user of the charging station 100. Alternatively, this information can be entered into the control unit 180 in a modifiable manner in cases where the user has the possibility of adjusting the priority order between sockets 131 to 134; in this case, each charging station 100 is adapted to allow such adjustment, in particular either via an interface or adjustment device, which is carried by the support housing 110, typically on the front, and which is connected to the control unit 180, or via a data exchange, typically wireless, in particular via an ad hoc communication protocol, between the control unit 180 and a remote electronic unit, such as a smartphone, tablet or similar.

[0049] On the other hand, the control unit 180 of each charging station 100 is configured so that, when, for the single phase or one of the phases of the power supply 200, the control unit 180 compares the current consumed with the maximum current and deduces from this comparison that the current consumed is greater than the maximum current, it implements a sequencing operation which consists, for the phase concerned, of:

[0050] - open, from among the switches 151 to 154 which are closed, the switch 151, 152, 153 or 154 which is associated with the lowest priority socket among the sockets 131 to 134 associated with this or these closed switches, then

[0051] - compare again the current consumed with the maximum current and, if the control unit 180 determines that the current consumed has not fallen below the maximum current, repeat the sequencing operation.

[0052] To better understand the two aspects above relating to the load shedding capacity of each charging station 100, let us assume, for illustrative purposes only, that (i) devices E1 to E4 are respectively connected to sockets 131 to 134 of the first charging station 100, (ii) no electrical equipment is connected to sockets 131 to 134 of the second charging station 100, and (iii) the first charging station 100 is, according to the preferential example mentioned above, with the three-phase socket 134 having priority over the single-phase socket 131 for the first phase of the power supply 200, the three-phase socket 134 having priority over the single-phase socket 132 for the second phase of the power supply 200, and the three-phase socket 134 having priority over the single-phase socket 133 for the third phase of the power supply. 200.Let us also consider that switches 151 to 154 are all initially closed, thus allowing the recharging of electrical equipment E1 to E4 via charging station 100.When, during the real-time comparison performed by the control unit 180 between the current consumed and the maximum current, the control unit 180 determines that the current consumed is greater than the maximum current for any of the three phases of the power supply 200, for example for the first phase, the control unit 180 implements the aforementioned sequencing operation for the first phase, which leads to the opening of the switch 151 by the control unit 180 and then a new comparison by the control unit 180 between the current consumed and the maximum current; in the event that the control unit 180 determines that the current consumed has not fallen below the maximum current, the aforementioned sequencing operation is repeated, which leads to the opening of the switch 154 by the control unit 180 and then a new comparison by the control unit 180 between the current consumed and the maximum current.Once the control unit 180 determines that the current consumption has fallen below the maximum current, the aforementioned sequencing operation is not repeated, so the switch(es) that were not opened remain closed. The control unit 180 of each charging station 100 thus prevents any current spikes at the corresponding charging station 100 by sequencing the charging of the electrical equipment connected to that charging station.

[0053] Of course, the control unit also advantageously allows, after opening one of the switches 151 to 154, for that switch to be closed as soon as electrical conditions permit, typically after the charging of equipment plugged into a socket with higher priority than the one associated with the switch in question is complete. Multiple possibilities exist for implementing this feature.By way of non-limiting example, before opening the switch for one of the outlets 131 to 134 and thus deactivating that outlet when the control unit 180 determines that the current draw exceeds the maximum current for the single phase or one of the phases of the power supply 200, the control unit 180 is configured to memorize the current value flowing in the corresponding secondary power line for the phase in question, and then to reactivate that outlet as soon as, for that phase, the sum of the current draw and the memorized value is less than the maximum current. If several outlets have been deactivated when the control unit 180 determines that the current draw exceeds the maximum current for the phase in question, these outlets are reactivated one by one, in the aforementioned order of priority.

[0054] Furthermore, as schematically represented in Figure 3, the respective control units 180 of the two charging stations 100 are, within the charging system S, interconnected in such a way as to allow one of them to be offloaded from the other. The connection between the control units 180 is achieved, for example, by a bus 400, but other embodiments, including wireless ones, are of course possible.

[0055] To this end, on the one hand, the two charging stations 100 are individually ordered according to a predetermined priority order: this means that either the first charging station 100 has priority over the second charging station 100, or, conversely, the second charging station 100 has priority over the first charging station 100. The priority order between the charging stations 100 is known to the control units 180, the corresponding information being provided to them either pre-programmed or entered in a modifiable manner, in particular by user setting of the charging system S, and this following considerations similar to those developed above on how the priority order between the sockets 131 to 134 is provided to the control unit 180.Furthermore, this priority order between the charging terminals 100 is advantageously indicated visually on the charging terminals 100, for the benefit of the user of the charging system S, by an ad hoc display means 195 on each charging terminal 100, controlled by the corresponding control unit 180: in the example illustrated in the figures, the display means 195 comprises two light-emitting diodes 195.1 and 195.2, which are respectively arranged, here on the front face 113 of the support housing 110, adjacent to markings "1" and "2" and which are selectively illuminated between the two charging terminals 100. In Figure 1, the light-emitting diode 195.1, associated with the marking "1", of the first charging terminal 100 and the light-emitting diode 195.2, associated with the marking "2", are thus illuminated while the 195.2 LED of the first charging terminal 100 and the 195 LED.1 of the second charging station 100 are off, which indicates that the first charging station 100 has priority over the second charging station 100. Of course, multiple embodiments are conceivable for the display means 195, or even, more generally, for the way of indicating to the user the order of priority according to which the charging stations 100 are ordered with respect to each other.

[0056] On the other hand, the control units 180 of the two charging stations 100 are jointly configured so that, each time the sequencing operation is implemented, this sequencing operation is applied to the charging station 100, among the charging stations 100, that has the lowest priority and at least one of its switches 151 to 154 is closed. In this way, when both charging stations 100 each have one or more of their switches 151 to 154 closed, the lower priority of the two charging stations, here the second charging station 100, is relieved of the load by opening at least one, or even successively all, of its closed switches, as long as the current consumed remains above the maximum current.Of course, in the event that, after all the switches of the least priority charging station 100, here the second charging station, have been opened in this way, a sequencing operation, or even several sequencing operations, can be implemented within the other charging station, here the first charging station, as long as the current consumed has not fallen below the maximum current, as explained in detail above.

[0057] Thus, it is understood that, within the charging system S, the electrical devices E1 to E7, respectively connected to the various sockets 131 to 134 of the two charging stations 100, are recharged sequentially, possibly partially one after the other, according to the aforementioned priority order between the two charging stations 100 and, at each of these charging stations 100, according to the aforementioned priority order between the sockets 131 to 134 of the charging station in question, ensuring that the current consumed does not remain permanently above the maximum current. Figure 4 shows a charging system S' corresponding to an alternative embodiment of the charging system S described so far. Unlike the S charging system, the S' charging system has four charging stations, namely two charging stations referenced 100', one charging station referenced 500' and one charging station referenced 600'.

[0058] Before describing each of the 100', 500', and 600' charging stations in more detail, it should be noted that, as in system S, these four charging stations are individually ordered according to a predetermined priority within charging system S'. As an example, which will be used for the remainder of the description of charging system S', the first of the two 100' charging stations has higher priority than the 500' charging station, which itself has higher priority than the 600' charging station, which in turn has higher priority than the second of the 100' charging stations. In other words, in Figure 4, the four charging stations of charging system S' have progressively lower priority relative to each other from left to right.Of course, as alternatives, other priority orders between the charging stations of the S' charging system are conceivable, it being noted that, as explained in detail for the two 100 charging stations of the S charging system, this priority order is advantageously modifiable by the user of the S' charging system.

[0059] Each of the two charging stations 100' is similar, or even identical, to the charging station 100 described in Figures 1 to 3, except that each charging station 100' includes a display means 195' which, while being functionally similar to the display means 195 of the charging station 100, allows the order of priority between the four charging stations of the charging system S' to be indicated visually. Thus, the display means 195' of each charging station 100' here comprises four light-emitting diodes 195.1', ​​195.2', 195.3' and 195.4', which are each functionally similar to light-emitting diodes 195.1 and 195.2, but which are respectively associated with markings '1', '2', '3' and '4' functionally similar to the markings '1' and '2' of each charging station 100.With regard to the example mentioned above concerning the order of priority between the charging stations of the charging system S', and following considerations similar to those developed above in relation to the light-emitting diodes 195.1 and 195.2, the first charging station 100' has, here, its LED 195. T lit and its other LEDs 195.2', 195.3' and 195.4' off while the second charging station 100' has its LED 195.4' lit and its other LEDs 195. T, 195.2' and 195.3' off.

[0060] The 500' charging station is similar to each of the 100' charging stations, except that the 500' charging station includes only two sockets, designated 541' and 542'. Sockets 54T and 542' are functionally similar to sockets 131 to 134 on each 100 charging station. In the illustrated embodiment, socket 541' is, for example, a single-phase socket, while socket 542' is a three-phase socket. Of course, many other embodiments are possible, as mentioned above, in addition to sockets 131 to 134.

[0061] The 600' charging station is similar to the 500' charging station, except that the 600' charging station includes only one 64T socket. This 641' socket is functionally similar to sockets 131 to 134 on each 100 charging station. In the illustrated embodiment, the 64T socket is, for example, a three-phase socket. Naturally, since the 600' charging station includes only one socket, the potential load shedding of this 600' charging station is total, meaning that, unlike the 100, 100', or 500' charging stations, it is not possible to shed load from at least one of its sockets without also shedding load from at least one other socket.

[0062] Within the S' charging system, and following considerations similar to those developed above for the S charging system, the respective main power lines of the charging stations 100', 500' and 600' are connected in series to the same power supply 200', similar to the power supply 200, and the respective control units of the charging stations 100', 500' and 600' are connected together in the same way as the respective control units 180 of the charging stations 100 are connected together within the S charging system.

[0063] Taking the above into account, it is understood that, within a charging system such as charging systems S and S', the number of charging points is variable. Naturally, the means of displaying the charging points belonging to a given charging system, such as display means 195 or 195', is advantageously adapted to the number of charging points in the charging system, in order to indicate the priority order in which these charging points within the same charging system are arranged. In practice, the maximum number of charging points in the same charging system can be linked to the amperage of the power supply for the charging system in question: thus, as a preference, the number of charging points is two when the power supply is 16A and the number of charging points is four when the power supply is 32A.

[0064] Finally, various modifications and variations to the charging stations and charging systems described so far are conceivable. For example:

[0065] - following considerations similar to those detailed above on how the priority order between sockets 131 to 134 is provided to the control unit 180, the maximum intensity is provided to the control unit 180 by being either pre-programmed in the control unit 180, or entered into the latter in an adjustable manner;

[0066] - rather than the electrical measuring device, such as measuring device 170, having a current sensor for each secondary power line, such as current sensors 171 to 174, a variant of this electrical measuring device, not shown in the figures, consists in this electrical measuring device having a single current sensor, which (i) directly measures on the main power line of the charging station concerned the current flowing in that main power line per phase of the power supply and (ii) provides the control unit of that charging station with the measured current to constitute the current consumed; and / or

[0067] - an optional additional arrangement of the control unit of each charging station, such as the control unit 180, consists of this control unit taking into account the time of day to activate the sockets of this charging station, typically so that these sockets can only be activated during so-called "off-peak" hours when the supply of electrical energy is less expensive, so that the energy consumption for recharging electrical equipment is carried out at a lower cost.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Charging station (100; 100'; 500') for charging electrical equipment (E1 to E7), comprising: - a main power line (120) which is adapted to be connected, at the input of the charging station, to a power supply (200; 200') having one phase or several phases, in particular three phases, - sockets (131 to 134; 54T, 542') which are each adapted to plug in one of the electrical devices to be recharged, these sockets being: • connected in parallel to the main power line (120) respectively by secondary power lines (141 to 144), each of which is equipped with a switch (151 to 154), and • ordered individually according to a predetermined priority order per phase of the power supply (200; 200'), - an electrical measuring device (170), adapted to determine a current consumed corresponding to the current flowing in the main power line (120) per phase of the power supply (200; 200'), and - a control unit (180), adapted both to control the opening / closing of each of the switches (151 to 154) and to compare said current consumption with a predetermined maximum value, the control unit being configured to, when the control unit determines that said current consumption is greater than said maximum value for the single phase or one of said several phases of the power supply (200; 200'), implement a sequencing operation, which consists, for the phase concerned, of: • open, from among the closed switch(es) (151 to 154), the switch that is associated with the lowest priority socket among the socket(s) respectively associated with this or these closed switch(es), then • compare again said current consumed with said maximum value and, in the event that the control unit (180) determines that said current consumed has not fallen below said maximum value, repeat the sequencing operation.

2. Charging station according to claim 1, wherein the measuring device (170) comprises, for each secondary power line (141 to 144), a current sensor (171 to 174), which measures an intensity of current flowing in the secondary power line per phase of the power supply (200; 200') and which provides the control unit (180) with the measured intensity, and in which the control unit (180) is adapted to calculate said intensity consumed by summing, per phase of the power supply (200; 200'), the intensities respectively measured by the current sensors (171 to 174).

3. Charging station according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the main power line (120) is adapted to be connected at the input of the charging station (100) to a three-phase power supply (200; 200').

4. Charging station according to claim 3, wherein the sockets (131 to 134) include three single-phase sockets (131 to 133) which are respectively powered by one of the three phases of the power supply (200; 200').

5. Charging station according to one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the sockets (131 to 134) include a three-phase socket (134) which is powered by the three phases of the power supply (200; 200').

6. Charging station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (180) is configured to determine at least one functional characterization of each of the sockets (131 to 134), such as an on / off state of the socket or a charging status in progress / finished of electrical equipment (E1 to E7) connected to the socket or a charging failure of electrical equipment connected to the socket, and wherein the charging station (100; 100'; 500') comprises, for each socket (131 to 134; 54T, 542'), a display means (191 to 194), which is controlled by the control unit (180) and which is adapted to visually indicate said at least one functional characterization of the socket concerned.

7. Charging station according to claim 6 taken in combination with claim 2, wherein the control unit (180) is configured to analyze the intensity measured by each of the current sensors (171 to 174) and to deduce therefrom at least one functional characterization of the corresponding socket (131 to 134).

8. Charging station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the charging station (100; 100'; 500') further comprises a support housing (110): - within which are arranged the main power line (120), the secondary power lines (141 to 144), the electrical measuring device (170) and the control unit (180), and - on the front of which the sockets are arranged (131 to 134).

9. Charging system (S; S') for recharging electrical equipment (E1 to E7), comprising at least two charging stations (100; 100', 500'): - each of which conforms to any one of the preceding claims, - which are ordered individually according to a predetermined order of priority, - whose respective main power lines (120) are connected in series to the same power supply (200; 200'), and - whose respective control units (180) are linked together by being jointly configured to, at each implementation of the sequencing operation, apply this sequencing operation to the least priority charging terminal among the charging terminals of which at least one of the switches (151 to 154) is closed.

10. Charging system according to claim 9, wherein each charging terminal (100; 100', 500') comprises a display means (195; 195') adapted to visually indicate the priority order in which the charging terminals are ordered.

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