WO2019202272A1

WO2019202272A1 - Automatic electrical charger for autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2019202272A1
Application number: PCT/FR2019/050931
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christian Girardeau
Original assignee: Christian Girardeau
Priority date: 2018-04-19
Filing date: 2019-04-18
Publication date: 2019-10-24
Also published as: MA42330A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (102) for automatically charging a battery of an electric-type or semielectric-type vehicle, from an electrical energy source, comprising: means (6; 10) for guiding the vehicle to a reference position; and transfer means for transferring the electrical energy from the energy source to a vehicle connector (9) arranged so as to be electrically connected to the vehicle battery, said transfer means comprising a connector tool (2) having a proximal end and a distal end according to a longitudinal axis of said connector tool, the connector tool being provided with a terminal connector (3) which is designed to cooperate with the vehicle connector and is electrically connected to the energy source, and the guiding means comprising means for determining the position of the vehicle in relation to the terminal connector and means (7) for transmitting the determined position.

Description

Automatic electric charger for autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle Technical field

The invention relates to the field of recharging electric batteries, and more specifically the charging of electric batteries installed in a vehicle.

For example, the vehicle may be a private vehicle or a bus, electric or hybrid type.

It applies in particular to an automatic charging device for a vehicle battery of electric or semi-electric type, from a source of electrical energy. The invention relates to a system comprising the device according to the invention. It also relates to a method of automatically charging an electric or semi-electric vehicle battery, from a source of electrical energy.

State of the art

To charge vehicles, the current approach is to manually connect a connection socket that is located on the vehicle with a "flying" cable or a cable attached to the charging station. A first approach is to use manual connectors that the driver (usually) manipulates to establish the connection and allow charging. After this physical connection, that is to say the cable with the socket with female connector to the male connector which is on the vehicle, a logical connection is established and allows to authorize the load by a mechanism of verification of the rights of access and security settings. This approach, although operational, is no less painful for the user or the driver who has to handle a cable, extract it from his trunk and then leave it in the open air with the risk of vandalism. on the other hand, but also the impact of the bad weather that makes the handling of a cable dirtied by rain, snow or mud, which is very uncomfortable.

In addition, the arrival of a vehicle with greater autonomy will encourage manufacturers to put on the market more powerful vehicles in terms of onboard power. The user or the driver will then be inclined to request a higher power demand and therefore heavier connectors and cables increasingly difficult to handle. We notice that the cables and connectors of chargers known as "FAST CHARGE" under standard CHADEMO or COMBO CCS are heavy and bulky causing customer dissatisfaction and behavior where the user drops to the ground the connector and the case, generating significant maintenance costs. With this increase in power, the issue of G congestion cables and connectors will be increased. In addition, there will be difficult handling conditions.

Inductive charging provides a partial solution to the impractical sides mentioned above by allowing the user to not have to handle a cable, but requires a fine positioning above the induction plate. The lack of standardization of frequencies, protocols, that of the location where the induction plate is mounted on the vehicle is a problem for manufacturers. Another problem with the induction charge is the side effects of the electric and electromagnetic radiation of the charge carried out in this way, which limits the current power to 3KW and probably a maximum power of 7KW in the future.

Presentation of the invention

An object of the invention is in particular to overcome all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks. In particular, the invention aims to robotize the electric charge in anticipation of the arrival of autonomous vehicles, but also to spare the transitional phase before the advent of these autonomous vehicles for non-autonomous vehicles.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for automatically charging an electric or semi-electric type vehicle battery, from a source of electrical energy, comprising:

means for guiding the vehicle to a reference position,

- Means for transferring electrical energy from the power source to a vehicle connector arranged to be electrically connected to the vehicle battery.

The transfer means comprise a connector tool having a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis of the connector tool, the connector tool being provided with a terminal connector adapted to cooperate with the vehicle connector and electrically connected to the source of energy.

The guiding means comprise means for determining the position of the vehicle relative to the terminal connector and means for transmitting the determined position. According to one aspect of the invention, the device may further comprise a support, said mobile, intended to be fixed on the vehicle, the support having a housing housing the vehicle connector.

The device may include a retractable device, preferably motorized, arranged to protect access to the vehicle connector.

In one embodiment, the data transmission means are of the Bluetooth type.

According to one possibility, the terminal connector is mounted in translation relative to the connector tool.

Preferably, the connector tool has, on the side of its distal end, a retaining means in translation of the terminal connector on the side of the end of the connector tool. The translation retaining means may, for example, be formed by segments integral with the connector and a spring disposed between the distal end and the segments.

Advantageously, the connector tool may further comprise a device, preferably motorized, for translating the terminal connector. The translational device may for example be a rotary cam disposed between the proximal end and the terminal connector. The cam can be mounted on an axis integral with the connector tool.

According to a particular embodiment, the connector tool is bonded, on the side of the proximal end, sliding pivot connection relative to the frame.

Advantageously, the device may further comprise means for moving the connector tool relative to the frame.

According to a particular embodiment, the connector tool may have dust protection means.

According to one possibility, the device may further comprise a tool dispenser compartment connectors.

Preferably, the means for determining the position of the vehicle comprise a light emission module and a light detector module cooperating with the light emission module.

By way of example, the light emitting module may comprise two LED light strips of two different colors and the light detector module comprises two photosensitive sensors. Still as an example, the light emitting module comprises an alignment diode and the light detector module comprises a photosensitive sensor.

The different components of the light emitting module and the light detector module can be placed on the energy source side or the vehicle side.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a system comprising:

a power supply terminal housing a power source,

a support suitable for being mounted on a vehicle, for example a plate,

a device for automatically charging a vehicle battery from the source of electrical energy according to the first aspect of the invention, or one or more of its improvements.

According to a third aspect of the invention, it is proposed to automatically charge an electric or semi-electric vehicle battery from an electric power source, comprising:

a step of guiding the vehicle to a reference position,

a step of transferring electrical energy from the power source to a vehicle connector (9) electrically connected to the vehicle battery,

The transfer step implements a connector tool having a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis of said connector tool, the connector tool being provided with a terminal connector adapted to cooperate with the vehicle connector and electrically connected. at the source of energy.

The guiding step comprises determining the position of the vehicle relative to the terminal connector and a transmission of the determined position.

Description of figures

Other advantages and particularities of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description of implementations and non-limiting embodiments, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of an exemplary system according to the invention;

FIG. 2 represents a vertical sectional view of the main internal characteristics of a terminal of a system according to the invention; FIG. 3 illustrates a device adaptable to a vehicle of a system according to the invention;

FIG. 4 represents a perspective view of a dispenser of a terminal of a system according to the invention;

- Figure 5 shows an electronic apparatus for guiding a loaded vehicle by a system according to the invention;

FIG. 6 represents a method of electrically coupling the vehicle with the terminal of the system according to the invention;

FIG. 7 represents a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of an automatic charging system according to the invention; and

- Figure 8 illustrates a device adaptable to a vehicle of a system according to the invention.

Description of embodiments

The embodiments described hereinafter being in no way limiting, it will be possible in particular to consider variants of the invention comprising only a selection of characteristics described, subsequently isolated from the other characteristics described, if this selection of characteristics is sufficient. to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the state of the prior art. This selection comprises at least one characteristic, preferably functional without structural details, or with only a part of the structural details if this part alone is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the state of the prior art .

In the figures, an element appearing in several figures retains the same reference.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, a system 100 according to one embodiment of the invention is now described.

The system 100 comprises:

a power supply terminal 1 housing a power source 20 (FIG. 2) of the power type;

a support 8, of plate type, suitable for being mounted on a vehicle Y; a device 102 for automatically charging a vehicle battery V from the source of electrical energy.

The electric charging terminal 1 is provided with a rotary tube 2 which contains a connector 3 and an alignment diode 2bis.

The tube / connector assembly circulates on a vertical axis 4 protected from dust by a fiber barrier 5. The vertical axis 4 is surrounded by two light strips 6 based on LEDs of different colors, for example green and blue.

The terminal 1 has, moreover, a radio transceiver 7 Bluetooth type.

An upper compartment is a dispenser 12 of different connectors typology that connects all existing vehicles or future.

The plate 8 is mounted on the vehicle and includes the mirror connector 9 (male if female and reciprocally) of the connector 3. Two photosensitive sensors 10 are arranged on either side of the socket at a distance equal to that which exists on the terminal 1 between the two light strips 6. The plate 8 is also provided with a motorized retractable flap 11 which protects the access opening to the connector 9. A diode / sensor l2bis allows alignment with the diode / sensor 2a mounted on the tube 2 of the terminal 1. Finally a proximity detector 12 of the laser type for detecting a precise distance to the millimeter.

We see that by this set, with guidance implemented and explained below, the connection between the connector 3 can be done automatically with the mirror connector 9, thus allowing electrical contact between the two connectors and allowing the load access authorization.

More specifically with reference to Figure 2, the terminal 1 comprises the rotary tube 2 which contains the connector 3 and on which is fixed on top of the diode / sensor 2bis final positioning. The tube 2 thus contains the connector 3 which slides in the tube 2.

The tube 2 is held on the one hand by a cylindrical spring 13 blocked by segments 14bis integral with the connector and, on the other hand, by a rotating cam 14, motorized and mounted on an axis 15 secured to the tube 2.

The tube is also secured to a rail 16 which slides vertically.

The tube 2 is provided, on the side of its axis of rotation, a toothed gear wheel finish.

The tube 2 further comprises a lug 17 fixedly secured to the rail 16 on either side thereof. The tube 2 further comprises a rotatable notched half-wheel 18 and motorized, itself fixed on the branches of the same integral rail.

The tube 2 further comprises an electric power cable 19 connected on one side to the connector 3 and to the power terminal 20 of the power section of the terminal, not described in this invention.

The tube 2 further comprises an envelope 21.

Note that, by this arrangement, the connector 3 can move vertically on the one hand, oscillate up or down thanks to the combination of the toothed wheel 18 associated with the gear finish of the tube 2 and translate along its axis longitudinal through the motorized cam 14 and its return mechanism.

Thus, thanks to this combination, the automatic stowage between the electrical terminal and the vehicle is made possible provided that the dynamic positioning of the vehicle is made possible, as explained below by means of FIG.

Figure 3 shows the device adaptable to the vehicle and which must be installed or integrated around the male connector (or female) 9 of the vehicle, regardless of its location on the vehicle on a side face or in a horizontal plane.

The support adaptable or adapted 8 to the form factor of the vehicle is installed as original equipment on the manufacturer's production lines or as a retrofit.

The support 8 comprises, on either side of the opening provided for the connector 9, two photosensitive sensors 10, one set to a different color of the setting of the other.

This support comprises, in addition, above the connector hatch the diode / sensor 12bis for the final alignment.

This support further includes the proximity sensor 12 to give a precise distance for example a laser rangefinder.

This support further includes the retractable shutter 11 and motorized to hide the connector 9 and protect it from projections and dust and mud when the vehicle is moving.

By this arrangement, thanks to the two photosensitive sensors 10 set at different light frequencies, these frequencies being emitted by the bright LED strips 6 placed on the terminal 1, it is possible to determine precisely the alignment axis between the support 8 and the charging terminal 1 and thus to align the vehicle and its connector 9 with the connector of the terminal 3.

Thanks to the coupling system of the diode / sensor 12bis on the plate 8 with the diode / sensor 2bis fixed on the tube 2, the final alignment is acquired precisely.

In addition, thanks to the proximity sensor 12, it is possible to determine the exact distance between the plate 8 and therefore the vehicle, with the terminal 1.

The combination of the two axial guidance information, determined by the LED light sensors 10 on the one hand, and by the distance and proximity sensor 12, makes it possible to determine a precise X and Y spatial position and to allow the conditions of rotation. stowage between the vehicle and the bollard.

The automation process is sequentially organized in priority by the alignment of the LEDs 6 with the photosensitive sensors 10 and once this alignment is made, the approximation of the vehicle and the terminal is made thanks to the movement of the vehicle set on the proximity distance detector 12.

The final alignment of the two connectors is then effected by the communication between the two diodes / sensors (12bis) and (2bis).

Three cases are then possible:

- Case A- The vehicle has a connector positioned on the front or rear of the vehicle;

- Case B- The vehicle has a connector positioned on the left or right side face;

- Case C- The vehicle has a connector positioned on the roof or horizontal opening for vertical entry / exit.

In case A, the final positioning, after the alignment on the LEDs 6, is performed by the vehicle itself automatically or semi automatically (see below) thanks to its longitudinal movement capacity (forward and reverse).

In case B, the final positioning is first identified on the Y axis (see FIG. 6) by aligning the LEDs 6 with the photosensitive sensors 10, then the vehicle aligns with the X axis in FIG. Approaching terminal 1 by automatic movement of the vehicle to align or semi automatically (see below). In case C, the final positioning is done as in the other cases by positioning on the LEDs 6 with the photosensitive sensors 10 and a stop at the front tire of the vehicle as in the washing stations (Figure 6).

FIG. 4 shows a complete entity dispenser 25, an entity being defined as a connector tool 2 connected to its cable 19 and to the bomier 20.

The provider has as many complete entities as needed to serve the market at the time of system operation.

The system is therefore scalable and can serve the old connectors, current connectors and allows the successive addition of future connectors if necessary.

The dispenser 24 comprises a complete entity carrier 24 dedicated to transport the entity to the guide rail 16 to turn it on or off.

Once extracted, it can be stored on one side or the other of the horizontal rail 23, this same rail can serve as a support for all the entities 25.

The entities can be identified by a mechanical or logical identification (for example of the QR code type), which allows them to be assigned an action.

Thanks to this arrangement, the dispenser makes it possible to change the type of automated connector according to the vehicle that approaches the terminal 1 to recharge.

In Figure 5 is shown an electronic apparatus 26 for manual guidance of the vehicle V in connection with a semi-automatic connection.

The electronic apparatus comprises:

- cardinal arrows 28 which give directions to the driver to maneuver the vehicle forwards, backwards, left or right, or a combination of these directions;

- Centered diodes 27 which light up when the physical alignment between the vehicle and the terminal 1 becomes as centered as possible and allows ignition, extinguishing or blinking to finalize the approach closer.

By this arrangement, we see that the driver, without leaving his vehicle, is guided finely by a simple human-machine interface to perform the operation of bringing together before docking, disregarding the technical equipment described above. In Figure 6 is shown a stowage logic X, Y and Z of the vehicle V with respect to the terminal 1.

In the cases A, B and C described above in FIG.

- (a) a communication is established between the terminal 1 and the vehicle thanks to the Bluetooth transducer 7 or any other type of transmitter / receiver,

- (b) By an identification / authentication mechanism between terminal 1 and the vehicle, the exchange of information indicates to the terminal the type of vehicle that is about to dock on terminal 1,

(c) the terminal 1 analyzes the information and chooses the type of connector 25 in the connector dispenser 22 if it is equipped with such a system and otherwise addresses the existing connector to position the connector 3 at the end of the tube 2 in the best position before lashing along the connection axis and the height of the optimized tube relative to the height of the connector of the vehicle on approach.

(d) the pre-stowage alignment is confirmed by the alignment of the two transmit / receive diodes 2a on the tube 2 associated with the terminal 1 and the other 12bis on the plate 8 associated with the vehicle

(e) once this confirmation is obtained, the information is transmitted to the cam 14 which operates a rotation which translates the connector 3 into the tube 2 and thus switches the two connectors together, ensuring the perfect contact of the physical contacts to the inside the connectors.

By this arrangement, it can be seen that thanks to the communication and the exchange of information between the terminal and the vehicle, the pre-connection alignment is secure and makes it possible to confirm the relative terminal-connector-vehicle position in X, Y, Z precisely regardless of the vehicles and connectors. With this confirmation, the final connection can be made accurately.

In another embodiment of the invention with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the vehicle V 'is equipped with a plate 8' but it is positioned in a normative manner on the front face of the vehicle V ', with a shutter 1 which slides and reveals the catch 9 ', in a fixed and vertical position of the car V'. This positioning is set in height relative to the ground with a maximum deviation of say + or - 5 cm. The LED recognition device is maintained. The moving part 2 'of the loader G moves only on the vertical axis, possibly on a horizontal translation rail of +/- 5 cm.

The vehicle V 'uses its semi-autonomous or 100% autonomous capacity, guided by LEDs for example via a parking corridor, as for washing stations. The charger is identified with the appropriate type of plug and the vehicle is moving only towards the type of charger that has the right mirror socket (CCS, CAHDEMO, GBT, T1 or T2). Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples that have just been described and many adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, the various features, shapes, variants and embodiments of the invention may be associated with each other in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other.

Claims

A device (102) for automatically charging an electric or semi-electric vehicle battery from an electric power source (20), comprising:

- guide means (6; 10) of the vehicle to a reference position,

means for transferring electrical energy from the power source to a vehicle connector (9) arranged to be electrically connected to the vehicle battery,

said transfer means comprising a connector tool (2) having a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis of said connector tool, the connector tool being provided with a terminal connector (3) adapted to cooperate with the vehicle connector and electrically connected to the power source,

the guide means comprising means for determining the position of the vehicle relative to the terminal connector and transmission means (7) of the determined position.

2. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the transmission means (7) are of the Bluetooth type.

3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the terminal connector (3) is mounted in translation relative to the connector tool (2).

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector tool (2) further comprises a device (14) for translating the terminal connector.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector tool (2) is bonded on the side of the proximal end in sliding pivot connection relative to the frame.

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector tool has protective means (5) against dust.

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a dispensing compartment (12) of connector tool (2).

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for determining the position of the vehicle comprise a light emitting module (6) and a light detector module (10) cooperating with the transmitting module. from light.

9. Device (G) according to claim 1, characterized in that the connector tool (2 ') is provided to be movable vertically and to cooperate with the connector (9') of a vehicle (V ') provided with a plate disposed substantially vertically on a front face of said vehicle (V).

10. Device (G) according to claim 9, characterized in that the connector tool (2 ') is further provided to be movable in horizontal translation.

11. System (100) comprising:

a power supply terminal (1) housing a power source (20),

a support (8) suitable for being mounted on a vehicle,

- A device for automatically charging a vehicle battery from the source of electrical power according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. A method for automatically charging an electric or semi-electric vehicle battery from an electric power source (20), comprising: a step of guiding the vehicle to a reference position,

a step of transferring electrical energy from the power source to a vehicle connector electrically connected to the vehicle battery, which transfer step implements a connector tool (2) having a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis of said connector tool, the connector tool being provided with a terminal connector (3) adapted to cooperate with a vehicle connector (9) and electrically connected to the power source,

the guiding step comprising a determination of the position of the vehicle relative to the terminal connector and a transmission of the determined position.