FR3148939A1 - METHOD FOR STARTING AN ELECTRIC OR HYBRID MOTOR VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for starting an electric vehicle containing a battery connected, or to an internal connector housed in a housing closable by a flap movable between an open position and a closed position where it is lockable, or to an internal cable carrying an external connector, enclosed in the housing in the road position of the vehicle, and connectable to a charging station, the vehicle comprising control means, a human-machine interface, means for starting by the user, where the control means are equipped with software arranged to, after a first start attempt, authorize starting in the event of the charging flap being found to be locked, and, in the event of a failure to close and/or lock, inform the user thereof by means of a fault message and authorize starting during a new start attempt after the message is displayed. Figure 2

Description

METHOD FOR STARTING AN ELECTRIC OR HYBRID MOTOR VEHICLE

The invention relates to a method for starting an electric or hybrid motor vehicle containing at least one battery for powering motor means, said at least one battery being connected either to an internal connector of the vehicle arranged in a housing closable by a charging hatch movable between an open position and a closed position in which said charging hatch is lockable, said internal connector being arranged to be connected to a charging terminal external to said vehicle by an external charging cable, or to an internal charging cable fixed to said vehicle and carrying an external connector capable of being enclosed in said housing in the road position of said vehicle, said external connector being arranged to be connected to a charging terminal external to said vehicle, said motor vehicle comprising control means and at least one human-machine interface for displaying information readable and/or audible by a user, and starting control means actuable by a user.

The invention relates more particularly to the field of recharging electric or hybrid motor vehicles, to the management of energy recharging equipment, and to safety features when starting the vehicle.

The charging of BEV vehicles, i.e. 100% electric, can be carried out according to the types of charging that will be chosen by the user:

- mode 2: 11kW maximum, alternating current (AC). To charge in mode 2, you must use an electronic box integrated into the charging cable, and connect it to a standard domestic socket; charging is carried out from a non-dedicated socket, and with a control and protection device integrated into the cable. In mode 2, the vehicle charges slowly at minimum speed;

- mode 3: 22kW maximum, alternating current (AC). To charge in mode 3, you must use a dedicated cable equipped with Type 2 connectors and connect it to a charging station; this station integrates the control, safety and charge regulation/programming functionalities; mode 3 refers to the charging method that connects the vehicle to a specific socket and allows charging to be controlled. A safety device is integrated into the infrastructure, thus ensuring safe home charging;

- mode 4: 350kW maximum, direct current (DC). Mode 4 is achieved by means of fast and very fast charging stations that deliver direct current at a very high power level. These stations have a charging cable with a specific connector (Type 2 CCS Combo in Europe). Mode 4 (fast charging) allows rapid charging, for example in 20 minutes of an electric vehicle by a direct current of 120 A (50 kW).

To enable these recharges, BEV vehicles are equipped with an electronic charging socket box (abbreviated: BEPR), compatible with mode 2, 3 and 4 recharges, as well as mode 2 and mode 3 charging cables (sometimes optional for mode 3).

• sur le BEPR
• sur la prise domestique (mode 2).

For mode 2, the user must handle the charging cable (take it out of its storage, unroll it) then connect it at both ends:

• on the BEPR
• on the household socket (mode 2).

The currently available Mode 2 charging cable consists of a domestic plug, a voltage controller and a Type 2 plug.

Known from the prior art is document US10773603B2, which describes a system for detecting the presence of the charging cable in the intended housing, to authorize or not the starting of the vehicle.

Document FR2984615B1 describes a detection device designed to prevent a vehicle from starting if a charging cable is connected to a socket on the vehicle.

An advantageous solution to simplify the energy recharging operations for the user consists in equipping the motor vehicle with a hollow body that serves as a housing for a charging cable, which is specific to the vehicle and fixed to the battery at an internal end and to a connector accessible to the user at an external end, for its connection to a charging station. The hollow body integrates the cable return means, which can act on the cable for its storage in the hollow body, and which can be integrated into the cable itself, for example and not limited to in the form of a helical elastic spiral. This integration of a charging cable into the vehicle in addition to the electronic charging socket unit (or BEPR) makes it possible to improve the user's charging experience.

The invention relates to the vehicle starting logic in the context of a forced start, when the charging cable integrated into the vehicle is not correctly stored in its dedicated space in the vehicle, or if it is not correctly detected.

However, the current type 2 charging socket incorporates safety mechanisms designed to prevent the vehicle from starting when a charging socket is connected to it, whether or not this socket is powered. The main objective of this feature is to prevent the user from damaging their vehicle, and/or the charging point, in the event that the user engages the vehicle's forward gear with a cable still connected.

This vehicle shutdown strategy is detailed in the international standard IEC 61851-1 “Electric vehicle conductive charging system”, and is based on a PP (Proximity Pilot) connector, which is one of the pins of the type 2 socket, and which prevents the vehicle from starting. The principle is to detect the insertion of a type 2 socket into the vehicle’s charging interface, whether this cable is connected to a power source or not. The simple act of connecting a socket varies the internal resistance Ra measured on the vehicle via the PP connector.

However, this principle is not directly exploitable in the context of using a charging cable integrated into the vehicle. Therefore, one option is to detect whether the cable is properly stored in the vehicle to authorize vehicle starting.

Another option, according to the invention, aims to avoid the need to add a detection sensor, via a vehicle start-up logic which requires the user to monitor the condition of their integrated charging cable.

The objective of the present invention is to enable this improvement by proposing a logic for starting the vehicle in the context of a forced start, when the charging cable integrated into the vehicle is not correctly stored in its dedicated space in the vehicle, or if it is not correctly detected.

To achieve this objective, the invention proposes a method for starting an electric or hybrid motor vehicle containing at least one battery for powering motor means, said at least one battery being connected either to an internal connector of the vehicle arranged in a housing closable by a charging hatch movable between an open position and a closed position in which said charging hatch is lockable, said internal connector being arranged to be connected to a charging terminal external to said vehicle by an external charging cable, or to an internal charging cable fixed to said vehicle and carrying an external connector capable of being enclosed in said housing in the road position of said vehicle, said external connector being arranged to be connected to a charging terminal external to said vehicle, said motor vehicle comprising control means and at least one human-machine interface for displaying information readable and/or audible by a user, and starting control means actuable by a user.

According to the invention, said control means are equipped with software means arranged to, after a first attempt to start said vehicle by a user, in the event of finding that said charging hatch is closed and locked, authorize the starting of said motor means, and, in the event of a failure to close and/or lock said charging hatch, inform the user by a fault message displayed by said at least one human-machine interface and, during a new attempt to start said vehicle by said user after display of said fault message, authorize the starting of said motor means.

Thanks to the invention, the user is informed, during a first start-up attempt, of the presence of an anomaly in the closing or locking of the charging flap, which allows him to carry out a physical check, before carrying out a new start-up attempt, during which the vehicle control means authorize start-up by a user with full knowledge of the facts.

Advantageously, said control means impose a programmable delay between the display of said fault message and said new attempt to start said vehicle.

The user is therefore encouraged to visually check the charging interfaces before attempting to start again.

More specifically, said internal connector is equipped with an electronic charging socket box, to regulate charging or interrupt it in the event of an incident.

This configuration allows recharging in mode 1 or mode 2.

More particularly, said vehicle is equipped with a body comprising a hollow body which serves as a housing for a said internal charging cable, fixed at an internal end to said at least one battery, and at an external end to a said external connector accessible to a user at said housing which can be closed by said charging hatch.

The internal cable is thus always inserted in the vehicle.

More specifically, said internal cable is equipped with an electronic charging socket box, to regulate charging or interrupt it in the event of an incident.

As before, this configuration allows recharging in mode 1 or mode 2.

More particularly, said vehicle is equipped with an external charging cable, arranged to be connected at a first end to a said internal connector, and at a second end to a said external charging terminal, and capable of being enclosed in an additional housing closed by an additional hatch movable between an open position and a closed position in which said additional hatch is lockable, and in that said control means are equipped with additional software means arranged to, after a first attempt to start said vehicle by a user, in the event of the closure and locking of said additional hatch authorize the start of said motor means, and, in the event of a failure to close and/or lock said additional hatch, inform the user thereof by an additional message displayed by said at least one human-machine interface and, during a new attempt to start said vehicle by said user after the display of said additional message, authorize the start of said motor means.

It is therefore possible to add additional security for verification linked to the presence on board of a removable cable.

More particularly, said control means impose a programmable delay between the display of said additional message and said new attempt to start said vehicle.

As before, the user is thus encouraged to visually check that the external cable is correctly stored before attempting to start again.

More specifically, said external cable is equipped with an electronic charging socket box, to regulate charging or interrupt it in the event of an incident.

As before, this configuration allows recharging in mode 1 or mode 2.

More particularly, said internal connector is equipped with a type 2 or type 2 CCS Combo female socket, or said external connector is equipped with a type 2 or type 2 CCS Combo male socket.

It is thus possible to recharge according to one of the usual modes 1, 2, 3, 4.

• illustre schématiquement une séquence de démarrage de l’art antérieur ;
• illustre schématiquement une séquence de démarrage selon l’invention.

The invention will be further detailed by the description of non-limiting embodiments, and on the basis of the appended figures illustrating variants of the invention, in which:

• schematically illustrates a prior art startup sequence;
• schematically illustrates a start-up sequence according to the invention.

The invention aims to develop the current starting sequence by simply relying on the charging hatch sensors.

schematically illustrates a prior art start-up sequence: today, when user USER A (step A) unlocks his vehicle and gets behind the wheel, the state of the vehicle VEHICLE B (step B) is considered to be in STAND-BY C (step C), i.e. waiting.

The vehicle can enter the ACTIVATED E state (step E) if the user requests the vehicle to start D (step D), and presses the start button (or switches on the ignition). The vehicle screens are activated and the instrument cluster displays various information F (step F) readable by the user: vehicle information display flow.

We first imagine informing the user when the vehicle contact is established, "ACTIVATED E state" (step E), and that its charging hatch is open, when the hatch sensor informs that the hatch is open or not locked. If the charging hatch is open or unlocked, the system informs the user by a message G (step G) relating to the status of the integrated cable.

In current vehicles, in the ACTIVATED E state (stage E), to start, the user must press both the brake pedal and also the start button again. If both conditions are met, then the vehicle starts. Otherwise a message asking the user to press the brakes in addition to the start button is displayed in the instrument cluster.

schematically illustrates a starting sequence according to the invention, which seeks to develop the sequence so as to force the driver to ensure that his cable is properly stowed.

In this sequence, we therefore reproduce the nominal start. User USER A (step A) has switched on the ignition of vehicle VEHICLE B (step B), activating it ACTIVATE H (step H). If he requires start D (step D) and for this presses the brake pedal and the start button at the same time, and if the status of the CHARGING FLAP is not OPEN OR UNLOCK then he can start, and the vehicle is in the RUN M state (step M).

In the case where the status of the CHARGING FLAP is OPEN OR UNLOCK, we want to remind it here via a human-machine interface (HMI), by information J (step J), on an INFORM_USER_ABOUT_THE_INTEGRATED_CABLE_STATE flow, that its cable is misplaced or not detected.

The user can then, if desired, perform an optical check of the charging hatch and the retraction of the charging cable into its housing. At this point, if the user requests a new start K (step K) and presses the start button again, then the vehicle will be authorized to start RUN L (step L).

The invention therefore allows the user to start his vehicle and use it, with full knowledge of the facts, in the event that its hatch is damaged and non-functional. It is not possible to block a user because of a sensor fault.

The interests of this invention are multiple:

- we avoid adding a sensor to the vehicle;

- we limit the complexity of the vehicle;

- the driver is liable in the event of improper use of the charging function.

Claims (9)

Method for starting an electric or hybrid motor vehicle containing at least one battery for supplying power to motor means, said at least one battery being connected either to an internal connector of the vehicle arranged in a housing closable by a charging hatch movable between an open position and a closed position in which said charging hatch is lockable, said internal connector being arranged to be connected to a charging terminal external to said vehicle by an external charging cable, or to an internal charging cable fixed to said vehicle and carrying an external connector capable of being enclosed in said housing in the road position of said vehicle, said external connector being arranged to be connected to a charging terminal external to said vehicle, said motor vehicle comprising control means and at least one human-machine interface for displaying information readable and/or audible by a user, and start control means actuable by a user, characterized in that said control means are equipped with software means arranged so that, after a first attempt to start said vehicle by a user, in the event of a finding of closing and locking said charging hatch authorize the starting of said motor means, and, in the event of a failure to close and/or lock said charging hatch, inform the user thereof by a fault message displayed by said at least one human-machine interface and, during a new attempt to start said vehicle by said user after the display of said fault message, authorize the starting of said motor means. Starting method according to claim 1, characterized in that said control means impose a programmable delay between the display of said fault message and said new attempt to start said vehicle. Starting method according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said internal connector is equipped with an electronic charging socket box, to regulate the charge or interrupt it in the event of an incident. Starting method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said vehicle is equipped with a body comprising a hollow body which serves as a housing for a said internal charging cable, fixed at an internal end to said at least one battery, and at an external end to a said external connector accessible to a user at the level of said housing which can be closed by said charging hatch. Starting method according to claim 4, characterized in that said internal cable is equipped with an electronic charging socket box, to regulate the charge or interrupt it in the event of an incident. Starting method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said vehicle is equipped with an external charging cable, arranged to be connected at a first end to a said internal connector, and at a second end to a said external charging terminal, and capable of being enclosed in an additional housing closed by an additional hatch movable between an open position and a closed position in which said additional hatch is lockable, and in that said control means are equipped with additional software means arranged to, after a first attempt to start said vehicle by a user, in the event of the closure and locking of said additional hatch authorize the starting of said motor means, and, in the event of a failure to close and/or lock said additional hatch, inform the user thereof by an additional message displayed by said at least one human-machine interface and, during a new attempt to start said vehicle by said user after the display of said additional message, authorize the starting of said motor means. Starting method according to claim 6, characterized in that said control means impose a programmable delay between the display of said additional message and said new attempt to start said vehicle. Starting method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that said external cable is equipped with an electronic charging socket box, to regulate the charge or interrupt it in the event of an incident. Starting method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said internal connector is equipped with a type 2 or type 2 CCS Combo female socket, or in that said external connector is equipped with a type 2 or type 2 CCS Combo male socket.