Charging Station and Method for Securing a Charging Process of an Electric Vehicle

• US 20130338824A1
• Filed: 08/02/2013
• Published: 12/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: innogy SE (E.ON SE)
• Original Assignee: RWE AG
• Inventors: Becker, Gernot
• Granted Patent: US 9,280,862 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/237
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/305 Communication interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/31 Charging columns specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 15/005 dispensed for the electrical charging of vehicles electrical charging as such, B60L50/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/48 for electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

Method for securing a charging process of a vehicle (30) at a charging station (2), comprising outputting a random or pseudorandom first release code to a user on the charging-station side, releasing the charging current on the charging-station side, receiving a second release code that is input by a user on the charging-station side, comparing the first release code with the second release code on the charging station-side, and interrupting the charging current on the charging-station side in the event of a positive comparison result.

Claims

1. Method for securing a charging process of a vehicle at a charging station comprising:

a0) determining a charging time or carrying out a payment process on the charging station side,

a) outputting a random or pseudorandom first release code to a user on the charging-station side,

a1) sending to the vehicle an interlocking signal that brings about an interlocking of a charging cable to the vehicle from the charging station side,

b) releasing the charging current on the charging-station side,

c) receiving a second release code that is input by a user on the charging-station side

d) comparing the first release code with the second release code on the charging-station side, and

e) interrupting the charging current on the charging-station side in the event of a positive comparison result,

e1) sending to the vehicle an unlocking signal that brings about the unlocking of the charging cable from the vehicle from the charging station side,

f1) unlocking upon expiry of the charging time independently of the input of the second release code the charging cable on the vehicle side.

2. Method of claim 1, wherein steps a) to b) are performed at the start of a charging process and that steps c) to f1) are performed at the end of the charging process.

3. Method of claim 1, wherein the first release code is generated in the charging station and output by the charging station via a receipt printer, a display or an electronic message to the user.

4. Method of claim 1, wherein the second release code is input on the charging-station side or the vehicle side by the user.

5. Method of claim 1, wherein the communication between charging station and the vehicle takes place via the charging cable, preferably using a CHADEMO protocol or using a Power-Line-Communication (PLC) protocol.

6. Method of claim 1, wherein the first release code is generated in the charging station or is received in the charging station from a control centre.

7. Charging station for vehicles, in particular electric vehicles, comprising:

means configured for determining a charging time of for processing payment,

output means configured to output a random or pseudorandom first release code to a user,

control means configured to release the charging current and for transferring to the vehicle an interlocking signal that brings about an interlocking of a charging cable to the vehicle,

reception means configured to receive a second release code input by a user,

comparison means configured to compare the first release code with the second release code,

wherein the comparison means have an operative connection with the control means such that in the event of a positive comparison result the control means interrupt the charging current, and

wherein the control means are arranged for transferring to the vehicle an unlocking signal that brings about the unlocking of the charging cable from the vehicle, such that upon expiry of the charging time independently of the input of the second release code the charging cable is unlocked on the vehicle side.