DE102009058614A1 - Method for connecting e.g. lorry with power supply socket in building of private household, involves mechanically locking male and female connectors between conductor end and power supply network based on operating conditions of vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves automatically detecting operating conditions of a vehicle (2), where the vehicle is connected with an end (5) of an electrical conductor (4) by male and female connectors (13, 14). Other male and female connectors (7, 8) are automatically and mechanically locked between another end (6) of the conductor and a power supply network based on the operating conditions of the vehicle. A charging process of an electrical energy storage of the vehicle is controlled depending on the mechanical locking of the latter connectors. An independent claim is also included for a device for connecting a vehicle with a power supply network.

Description

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for connecting an electric vehicle to a power grid, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for preventing unintentional disconnection or disconnection between the vehicle and the power grid.

Vehicles with an electric drive, such as passenger cars or trucks with an electric motor for driving the vehicle or hybrid vehicles, which have at least an electric drive, generally have an electrical energy storage to provide electrical energy for the electric drive. The electrical energy storage device generally comprises one or more rechargeable batteries, which can be charged via a charging system with energy from a power supply network. For this purpose, the vehicle is coupled with the built-in battery via an electrical line to the power grid. Since in such a charging relatively high currents of a few tens of amperes flow at relatively high voltages of a few hundred volts, the coupling between the vehicle and the power supply network should be set up or disconnected as possible only in the de-energized state. To ensure that the battery of the vehicle is fully charged after a predetermined time, the charging process should not be interrupted by unintentionally disconnecting the vehicle from the power grid. Since, when the vehicle is parked outdoors, the connection line between the vehicle and the power grid is freely accessible, there is also a need to prevent inadvertent or malicious separation of the connection between the vehicle and the power grid for that reason as well.

In this context, the DE 10 2008 048 310 A1 a charging system for vehicles, which prevents theft of a charging cable, an insertion of a foreign body into a vehicle-side socket or a manipulation, when a built-in battery, which is usable for a driving performance, is loaded from a household power supply. The charging system includes a door latch that operates to shift from a locked state in which the door of the vehicle is locked to an unlocked state in which the door is unlocked and vice versa, a load lock device which, when the built-in battery and an AC power supply are connected to each other via a charging cable, operates to allow a locked state in which the charging cable is attached to the vehicle-side socket to allow charging to an unlocked state in which the charging cable from the vehicle-mounted socket to set a charge, or to switch vice versa, and a coupled-lock control means which, when an occupant leaves the vehicle, allows the load-lock device to operate to respond to a shift command for switching the vehicle unlocked state of Türverriegelungseinri to switch to the locked state thereof from the unlocked state to the locked state, and which, when the occupant gets on the vehicle, allows the load lock device to operate to in response to a switching command for switching from the locked state of the door lock device to the unlocked state thereof from the locked state to the unlocked state.

A theft of the charging cable or a manipulation of the vehicle-side socket can be prevented.

The DE 10 2007 028 386 A1 relates to an electric vehicle with accumulator and electrical charging connection for charging the accumulators and an electrical control of the vehicle. In order to achieve this, that accidental tearing out of the cable connections after charging is avoided, it is proposed that the charging port can only be opened by an opening means which blocks opening of the vehicle by means of electrical switching means. An accidental tearing out of the cable connections by moving the vehicle can be prevented.

The DE 297 222 788 U1 concerns a socket with electronic combination lock. A socket assembly includes a housing and a socket mounted in the housing. Each socket is connected by means of a housing-fixed switch with an electrical line. The housing-fixed switch is associated with a housing-fixed keypad and the switch can be actuated by entering an individually determinable key sequence or key combination. As a result, power access is only possible for authorized persons.

In view of the problem mentioned at the outset and the prior art cited above, it is therefore the object of the present invention to provide an electrical connection of a vehicle to a power supply network which can not be unintentionally disconnected or manipulated.

According to the present invention, this object is achieved by a method for connecting a An electric vehicle with a power supply network according to claim 1 and a device for connecting a vehicle with electric drive with a power supply system according to claim 7 solved. The dependent claims define preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method of connecting an electric vehicle to a power grid. The vehicle is connected to a first end of an electrical line and a second end of the line is connectable via a detachable connection to the power supply network. According to the method, an operating condition of the vehicle is automatically detected. Depending on the operating condition, the connection between the second end of the line and the power grid is automatically mechanically locked to prevent disconnection of the second end of the line from the power grid.

The detachable connection between the second end of the line and the power supply network can be made for example by means of a plug connection, which consists of a plug and a matching socket. By automatically locking this connection, whereby the plug can not be removed from the socket, can be reliably prevented that the connection is unintentionally manipulated or interrupted. For example, it can be prevented that the connection is interrupted, as long as an electric charging current flows through the connection or the battery is not fully charged and a user of the vehicle, a separation is not intended.

The power grid can be, for example, a corresponding power socket on a building of a private household or a corresponding socket of a publicly accessible charging station.

In one embodiment, the first end of the conduit is fixedly connected to the vehicle. This can be accomplished, for example, that the line is firmly connected at its first end with corresponding contacts of the vehicle and is led out of the vehicle via a corresponding implementation. The fixed connection of the first end of the line to the vehicle ensures that inadvertent disconnection of the connection between the vehicle and the power supply network is not possible.

According to an alternative embodiment, the first end of the conduit is connectable to the vehicle via a further detachable connection. The further connection is automatically mechanically locked in response to the operating condition to prevent disengagement of the first end of the conduit from the vehicle. The further detachable connection can also be configured in the form of a plug and a corresponding socket. In this case, the line is an independent unit, which is connectable via the detachable connection to the power grid and the other releasable connection to the vehicle. To ensure that the line-to-line connection between the vehicle and the power grid is not inadvertently interrupted or manipulated, or that the line is stolen, both the detachable connection between the second end of the line and the power grid and the other detachable connection between the line first end of the line and the vehicle automatically mechanically locked.

The operating state of the vehicle may include, for example, a locking state of a central locking of the vehicle. Thus, in a simple manner, the connections between the vehicle and the line and between the line and the power grid can be locked together with the locking of the vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, the vehicle may have an operating element, which is arranged, for example, in the interior of the vehicle, in order to set the locking of the connection between the vehicle and the line and between the line and the energy supply network. The control element may be, for example, a switch in the interior of the vehicle or may be provided virtually as a configuration of a vehicle management system of the vehicle. Additionally or alternatively, the operating state of the vehicle may comprise a radio-controlled state of a control device of the vehicle, so that, for example, the operating state which controls the locking of the connections between the vehicle and the line and between the line and the power supply network via a mobile phone or a special remote control can be set. As a result, a comfortable and secure control of the lock is achieved.

According to one embodiment, a connection state is further automatically detected, which indicates whether the second end of the line is connected to the power supply network. The connections between the second end of the line and the power grid and between the first end of the line and the vehicle are then automatically mechanically locked in dependence on the connection state and the operating state. This can ensure that the connections are only locked when the connections are made properly. In addition, the connection state can be displayed to the user of the vehicle, for example with a corresponding display.

According to another embodiment, a charging operation of an electric energy storage device of the vehicle, which provides energy for the electric drive, is controlled in dependence on the automatic mechanical locking of the connection. For example, the charging process can be released as soon as the connection between the second end of the line and the power supply network and optionally between the vehicle and the first end of the line is locked. Furthermore, the charging process can be interrupted as soon as one of the connections is unlocked. This can ensure that an interruption of the connection between the line and the power supply network or between the vehicle and the line takes place only in the de-energized state. In addition, in this way an improved personal protection can be achieved by the contacts of the compounds are de-energized when the compounds are unlocked.

According to the present invention, there is further provided an apparatus for connecting a vehicle including an electric drive to a power grid. The device includes a conduit having a first end and a second end. The first end of the cable must be connected to the vehicle. The device further comprises a detachable connection which comprises a first connection part and a second connection part releasably connectable with it. The first connection part is connected to the second end of the line and the second connection part is to be connected to the power supply network. The apparatus further comprises a control device configured to detect an operating state of the vehicle and to generate a lock control signal depending on the operating state. Finally, the device includes a locking device configured to automatically lock the connection between the first connection part and the second connection part in response to the lock control signal to prevent the connection between the first connection part and the second connection part from being released.

According to an embodiment, the control device is further configured to detect a connection state of the connection and generate the lock control signal depending on the connection state and the operation state.

The first connection part and the second connection part may be, for example, a plug and a mating socket. The socket may for example be coupled to the power grid and be attached for example to a house wall of a private household or to a publicly available energy delivery device. For connecting the vehicle to the power supply network, the first connection part, for example the plug, is coupled to the power supply network at the second end of the line. In addition, when the control device detects that the connection between the two connection parts is established, the control device generates the lock control signal depending on the operating state of the vehicle to mechanically lock the connection between the first connection part and the second connection part, so that disconnection does not occur is possible.

The operating state of the vehicle may include, for example, a locking state of a central locking of the vehicle, a state of a special operating element of the vehicle or a radio-adjustable state of the control device. In the locked state, an unintentional disconnection of the connection between the vehicle and the energy supply network is thus prevented and thus, for example, a complete charging of an electrical energy store of the vehicle is ensured.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the control device is disposed in the vehicle and includes a communication device for transmitting the lock control signal from the control device to the locking device. The communication device may transmit the lock control signal to the lock device via a communication line in the line, for example. Alternatively, the communication device may transmit the lock control signal as a modulated signal on live lines of the line, for example. In addition, the communication device may transmit the lock control signal to the locking device via a radio link.

In one embodiment, the first end of the conduit is fixedly connected to the vehicle. In this case, the locking of the releasable connection at the second end is sufficient to ensure a reliable connection between the vehicle and the power supply network and to protect the connection against tampering or unintentional disconnection.

According to a further embodiment, the device comprises a further detachable connection which comprises a third connecting part and a fourth connecting part detachably connectable with it. The third connection part is connected to the first end of the line and the fourth connection part is to be connected to the vehicle. The device further comprises a further locking device configured to automatically lock the connection between the third connection part and the fourth connection part in response to the lock control signal to prevent the connection between the third connection part and the fourth connection part from being released. In this embodiment, the line is separable from both the power grid and the vehicle and thus an independent element. In the case of damage to the line, the line is easy to replace in this embodiment. By further locking device, the other releasable connection as well as the detachable connection between the line and the power grid is reliably protected against accidental disconnection.

According to a further embodiment, the control device is configured to control a charging process of an electric energy storage device of the vehicle for the electric drive in dependence on the lock control signal. For example, the charging process can be automatically released as soon as the connection between the power supply network and the line and possibly the connection between the line and the vehicle is locked. Since the connection can not be interrupted in the locked state, an interruption of the charging process can be prevented in this way.

The present invention will be explained below with reference to the drawings based on preferred embodiments.

The single figure shows a schematic representation of a device for connecting a vehicle to a power supply network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The figure shows a device 1 for connecting a vehicle 2 with a power supply network 3 , For simplicity, in the figure of the vehicle 2 only a section of a mounting wall of the vehicle is shown in which a socket 14 is arranged. Likewise, for simplicity, the power grid 3 shown as a section of a wall, in which another socket 8th is arranged. The wall of the power supply network 3 For example, it may be a house wall or a wall of a publicly accessible charging station. The vehicle 2 has an electric drive, not shown, and an electrical energy storage, such as a rechargeable battery. During operation of the vehicle, the electric drive is operated with electrical energy from the energy store in order to set the vehicle in motion. To charge the electrical energy storage is energy from the power grid 3 fed. This is what the socket represents 8th at their contacts electrical energy ready, which by connecting the socket 8th with the socket 14 of the vehicle 2 to a charging device, not shown, of the vehicle 2 can be routed to load the energy storage of the vehicle. To connect the socket 8th with the socket 14 includes the device 1 an electrical line 4 , which at their first end 5 a plug 13 and at her second end 6 another plug 7 having. The plug 7 is suitable for the socket 8th designed and the plug 13 is suitable for the socket 14 designed. Thus, an electrical connection from the power grid 3 over the line 4 to the vehicle 2 getting produced.

To prevent the charging process from being inadvertently interrupted, the jacks are provided 8th and 14 each via a locking device 10 respectively. 15 , which can be set via a lock control signal in a locked state or an unlocked state. In the locked state, for example, by means of an electromagnetic or electromotive actuator of the locking devices 10 . 15 a locking element 11 . 16 moved so that one into the socket 8th . 14 plugged in 7 . 13 not from the socket 8th . 14 can be removed. In the unlocked state, the locking element 11 . 16 so controlled that the plug 7 . 13 from the socket 8th . 14 can be removed. By way of example, in the figure, the locking element as a locking bolt 11 . 16 shown which in the direction of the arrow 19 . 18 driven by the locking device 10 . 15 is moved. The type of locking shown in the figure with the aid of the locking elements 11 . 16 is merely exemplary and may be replaced by any other types of locking, such as an electropneumatic lock.

The locking devices 10 . 15 be from a control device 9 driven. The control device 9 is in the vehicle 2 arranged and therefore able to the locking device 15 , as shown in the figure, directly to control. The locking device 10 , which at the socket 8th of the power supply network 3 is arranged using a communication device 12 controlled, which on the one hand with the control device 9 is coupled and on the other hand over a communication connection 17 with the locking device 10 is coupled. The communication connection 17 can for example via a line within the line 4 be prepared or produced by means of a communication signal, which is similar to a so-called power line communication (PLC) on one or more of the power transmission lines of the line 4 is modulated. The locking device 10 has a corresponding, not shown, communication device, which is designed such that it over the communication link 17 transmitted latch control signal receives and the locking device 10 provides.

Controlling the locking and unlocking of the connections between the socket 8th and the plug 7 or the socket 14 and the plug 13 takes place in the control device 9 , To accomplish this, the control device 9 be coupled for example with a central locking of the vehicle. So can the control device 9 for example, the locking devices 10 . 15 lock when the vehicle is locked via the central lock. Likewise, the control device 9 the locking devices 10 . 15 unlock when the vehicle is unlocked via the central locking system.

In order to allow access to the vehicle, for example for unloading the trunk, without removing the lock in the charging connection, a two-stage locking concept in the control device 9 will be realized. For example, can be unlocked by a single or short operation of a release operation, for example, pressing a release button on a remote control of the central locking or turning a key in a lock cylinder to unlock the central locking, but the locks 10 . 15 remain locked to the charging connection, and by two or a long operation of the unlocking operation, both the vehicle and the locking devices 10 . 15 be unlocked. In addition, the control device 9 Radio receiver, such as a Bluetooth receiver or a GSM or UMTS receiver, in order in response to corresponding radio signals, the locking devices 10 . 15 head for. Furthermore, in the vehicle, a special operating element, such as a switch or button or a configuration setting in a vehicle management system may be present, which with the control device 9 coupled and via which a user of the vehicle, the locking of the locking devices 10 . 15 can drive. Furthermore, the control device may provide a display, such as a signal light or an output on the vehicle management system, about a current locking state of the locking devices 10 . 15 display.

The locking devices 10 . 15 may also provide diagnostic information indicating whether the plug is 7 . 13 properly in the socket 8th . 14 used and / or locked. This diagnostic information becomes the control device 9 provided. With the aid of the diagnostic information, the user of the vehicle can use the aforementioned display to properly connect the vehicle 2 with the power supply network 3 are displayed. The control device 9 can continue with a charging control, not shown, of the vehicle 2 be coupled to provide the diagnostic information to the charging device. The charging process is then performed by the charging device depending on the diagnostic information only when the plug 7 . 13 properly in the jacks 8th . 14 are inserted and locked. The charging process can be automatically interrupted as soon as the diagnostic information indicates that one of the locking devices 10 . 15 in an unlocked state. This can ensure that the connections between the plugs 7 . 13 and the jacks 8th . 14 only be made and disconnected when de-energized. By locking the connections between the plugs 7 . 13 and the jacks 8th . 14 may also be a stealing of the line 4 and unintentional disconnection of the connection can be prevented, whereby an uninterrupted charging can be ensured.

Furthermore, the electrical line 4 have in a far outlying area means such. As a braid or one or more conductors, which are suitable damage or manipulation of the line 4 to capture, whereupon the control device 9 For example, triggers an anti-theft alarm system of the vehicle or transmits a corresponding message to the user of the vehicle via a radio signal generator.

The above-described embodiments of the present invention are to be considered as exemplary only and not as limitations on the invention. Other embodiments are conceivable. For example, the plugs 7 . 13 and the jacks 8th . 14 comprise any mating and lockable electrical connector. Furthermore, the locking of the locking devices 10 . 15 also independent of a central locking of the vehicle 2 be controlled, for example, depending on the aforementioned control element or any combination of vehicle states and / or connection states of the charging connection. Furthermore, the first end 5 the line 4 instead of over Coupling of the plug 13 with the socket 14 also be firmly connected to the vehicle, so that the line 4 is fixedly coupled to the vehicle and, for example, housed in a corresponding storage compartment of the vehicle while driving and is removed only to load the vehicle and the lockable connection of the plug 7 with the socket 8th with the power supply network 3 is coupled.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102008048310 A1 [0003]
• DE 102007028386 A1 [0005]
• DE 297222788 U1 [0006]

Claims (13)

Method for connecting an electric vehicle to a power supply network, wherein the vehicle ( 2 ) with a first end ( 5 ) an electrical line ( 4 ) and a second end ( 6 ) of the line ( 4 ) via a detachable connection ( 7 . 8th ) to the power grid ( 3 ), the method comprising: - automatically detecting an operating state of the vehicle ( 2 ), and - automatic mechanical locking of the connection ( 7 . 8th ) between the second end ( 6 ) of the line ( 4 ) and the power grid ( 3 ) depending on the operating state, to a release of the second end ( 6 ) of the line ( 4 ) from the power grid ( 3 ) to prevent. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the first end ( 5 ) of the line ( 4 ) fixed to the vehicle ( 2 ) connected is. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the first end ( 5 ) of the line ( 4 ) via another detachable connection ( 13 . 14 ) with the vehicle ( 2 ), and that the further connection ( 13 . 14 ) is automatically mechanically locked in dependence on the operating state in order to release the first end ( 5 ) of the line ( 4 ) from the vehicle. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating state of the vehicle ( 2 ) a locking state of a central locking of the vehicle ( 2 ), a state of an operating element of the vehicle ( 2 ) and / or a radio-adjustable state of a control device ( 9 ) of the vehicle ( 2 ). Method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising automatically detecting a connection state, which indicates whether the second end ( 6 ) of the line ( 4 ) to the power grid ( 3 ), the compound ( 7 . 8th ) and / or the further compound ( 13 . 14 ) is additionally automatically mechanically locked depending on the connection state. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a charging process of an electrical energy store of the vehicle ( 2 ) for the electric drive in dependence on the automatic mechanical locking of the connection ( 7 . 8th ) is controlled. Device for connecting an electric vehicle to a power supply network, comprising: • a line ( 4 ) with a first end ( 5 ) and a second end ( 6 ), the first end ( 5 ) of the line ( 4 ) with the vehicle ( 2 ), • a detachable connection ( 7 . 8th ), which a first connecting part ( 7 ) and a detachably connectable second connecting part ( 8th ), wherein the first connecting part ( 7 ) with the second end ( 6 ) of the line ( 4 ) and the second connection part ( 8th ) to the power grid ( 3 ), • a control device ( 9 ), which is configured, an operating state of the vehicle ( 2 ) and to generate a lock control signal in dependence on the operating state, and • a locking device ( 10 ), which is designed in accordance with the lock control signal automatically the connection between the first connection part ( 7 ) and the second connecting part ( 8th ) mechanically to release the connection between the first connecting part ( 7 ) and the second connecting part ( 8th ) to prevent. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the control device is arranged in the vehicle, and that the device ( 1 ) a communication device ( 12 ) for transmitting the lock control signal from the control device (FIG. 9 ) to the locking device ( 10 ). Device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the first end ( 5 ) of the line ( 4 ) is firmly connected to the vehicle. Apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising: • another detachable connection ( 13 . 14 ), which is a third connecting part ( 13 ) and a fourth connection part ( 14 ), wherein the third connecting part ( 13 ) with the first end ( 5 ) of the line ( 4 ) and the fourth connection part ( 14 ) with the vehicle ( 2 ), and • another locking device ( 15 ), which is designed in accordance with the lock control signal automatically the connection between the third connection part ( 13 ) and the fourth connection part ( 14 ) mechanically to release the connection between the third connecting part ( 13 ) and the fourth connection part ( 14 ) to prevent. Device according to one of claims 7-10, characterized in that the operating state of the vehicle ( 2 ) a locking state of a central locking of the vehicle ( 2 ), a state of an operating element of the vehicle ( 2 ), and / or a radio-adjustable state of the control device ( 9 ) of the vehicle ( 2 ). Device according to one of claims 7-11, characterized in that the control device ( 9 ) is further configured, a connection state of the connection ( 7 . 8th ) and additionally generate the lock control signal depending on the connection state. Device according to one of claims 7-12, characterized in that the control device ( 9 ) is further configured to control a charging operation of an electrical energy storage device of the vehicle for the electric drive in response to the lock control signal.

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