EP4444570A2

EP4444570A2 - Device and method for controlling the charge power when charging a device to be charged using an intelligent charging cable

Info

Publication number: EP4444570A2
Application number: EP22839154.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Oliver Raguse
Original assignee: Eclever Technology GmbH
Current assignee: Eclever Technology GmbH
Priority date: 2021-12-12
Filing date: 2022-12-12
Publication date: 2024-10-16
Also published as: WO2023105096A3; WO2023105096A2; LU500995B1

Abstract

The invention relates to the area of charge output control when charging a device to be charged, in particular an electric vehicle, in particular a charge power control using an intelligent charging cable and to a method for controlling and/or terminating the charging process of a device to be charged by means of an intelligent cable. The charging cable according to the invention is characterized by electronics comprising a communication interface which is designed to allow a coupling to at least one computing unit and thus make the charging process controllable and/or stoppable by means of a user and/or a computer program.

Description

Device and method for controlling charging power when charging a device to be charged using a smart charging cable

technical field

The present invention relates to the field of charging and controlling and/or ending a charging process of a device to be charged, in particular an electric vehicle, in particular charging an electric vehicle at a charging station with a three-phase, alternating current or direct current connection. In addition, the invention relates to a single-phase or multi-phase device suitable for this purpose, preferably a charging cable, which comprises integrated electronics with at least one communication interface for coupling the charging cable to at least one computing unit, set up to carry out the charging process of the device to be charged, in particular the electric vehicle to make the processing unit controllable and/or terminable.

State of the art

Charging cables for charging accumulators of devices, in particular electric vehicles, are sufficiently known from the prior art. Conventional charging cables are preferably designed with one or more phases and are designed in such a way that they are mechanically and electrically connected to a charging station via a plug connector in order to enable charging with alternating current, direct current or three-phase current. Charging cables with an integrated function for monitoring a charging process are also already known. Charging cables (e.g. from Bosch) are available that include an “in-cable control box” or electronics integrated in the connector.

DE 20 2021 104997 U1 discloses a mobile charging cable for charging control of accumulators and is characterized in that the charging cable has a communication interface which is set up in such a way that it is used to identify a mains connection device, in particular to distinguish between a mains connection cable (also: charging cable) and a mains connection station (also: charging station, charging station, charging device), as well as to identify the charging cable compared to the mains connection device. In this case, a charging control unit is mechanically and electrically connected to a mains connection station via a plug connector, the mains connection station being set up in such a way that it can be connected to the electrical supply network. Such a device is used for electrically coupling a device comprising a battery, in particular an electric vehicle, via charging cable and mains connection station to the mains, the charging cable and the mains connection station being mutually identifiable by the communication interface comprised by the charging cable. For example, charging at a mains connection device can be prohibited if it is not compatible with the mobile charging cable used, or charging the electric vehicle at this mains connection device is not permitted for other reasons (e.g. lack of authorization). The grounding of the electric vehicle via the mains connection cable and the mains connection station is also controlled by the Battery Management System (BMS) installed in the device to be charged.

Furthermore, DE 20 2021 104 997 U1 discloses the use of a charging control unit, comprising a housing, a mains-side connection and a consumer-side connection, this being designed such that it contains the electronic components required for charging a battery, in particular an electric vehicle. The charge control unit preferably takes on the necessary control and protection functions, such as charging current limitation, checking the polarity of the connections and ensuring continuity of the protective grounding to the device to be charged.

However, no possibility is known from the prior art to ensure regulation of the charging current when charging an electric vehicle with direct current at so-called rapid charging stations. In addition, no possibility is disclosed of influencing the charging process in the case of direct current charging in a limiting manner. The charging control unit disclosed in DE 202021 104 997 U1 has the function of providing an alternating current for charging on the device side. The conversion of the alternating current only takes place on the part of the device to be charged, preferably the electric vehicle.

Furthermore, the prior art does not disclose any possibility of remotely controlling and/or terminating the charging process. It is not possible for a user to check the charging process from a distance and to adapt it to the current network load, for example, or to release the charging station to which the device to be charged, in particular his electric vehicle, is connected to other users after the charging process has ended.

US 2020/0180460 A1 relates to a smart charging cable that enables dynamic and remote charging of a battery, as may occur in an electric vehicle (EV). The EF charging cable is not specific to any particular manufacturer or a specific brand of electric vehicle, allowing unrestricted application and access to charge vehicles. The EV charging cable contains a processor for executing instructions stored in memory and a communication module for wireless communication between the cable and a remote source. An autoemulator can be used to simulate the presence of a vehicle to allow high power switched sources such as standard installed EV chargers and a power meter to measure the current flowing through the cable. The above components can be housed in a switch box placed between two parts of the cable to receive power from a source and deliver it to a battery. The charging cable includes a plurality of electronic switches and a safety module, the switches being arranged to selectively and safely control the transfer of energy through the EV charging cable. A charging plan can be obtained from a cloud, for example, and can correspond to the vehicle's desired charging requirements and/or criteria.

US 2016/0121743 A1 discloses a system for charging an electric vehicle, the system using an in-cable control box (ICCB) and comprising an electrical connection device for slow charging that supplies electricity to a vehicle. Electricity is supplied through an RFID socket when the electrical connection device is connected to the RFID socket to charge the vehicle, the electrical connection device providing information on the electric power used to charge the vehicle and information on a position where the vehicle is being charged in order to charge for electricity according to an electricity tariff applicable to the vehicle. By means of a server of a charging service provider, the electric connection device can transmit the information about the position where the vehicle is charged and the information about the electric power to the electric power company, which charges for the electricity used for charging the vehicle. The vehicle information (vehicle health, battery status, etc.) collected by a data communication unit can be used by the charging service provider to build a future business model. CN 111883975 A discloses a connector receptacle which has a holder, a socket and a lock, the socket having an opening which is designed for inserting and removing a charging plug of an electric vehicle, the socket being movably connected to the holder in such a way that the socket can be tilted about a transverse axis from a plugged-in position downward into a rest position and vice versa. The lock is designed such that the socket when tilted in the Rest position is locked so that the charging connector is held in the socket to prevent the charging connector from falling out. The socket is unlocked when it is tilted into the plugged-in position so that the charging plug can be removed from the socket.

DE 10 2013 224 735 A1 discloses a charging cable device with which different vehicles can be charged at different positions of the charging entrance, the charging cable device being long enough to charge the parked vehicle at different parking positions in relation to the power supply station (i.e. a charging station). to reach. The charging cable device has a connector into which a further charging cable device can be plugged.

WO 2019/007466 A1 discloses a charging arrangement for an electric vehicle with a drive battery and includes a power supply station connected to a power grid and a power supply cable with a charging plug, the charging plug being connected to the electric vehicle in order to carry out a charging process, with a voltage converter in the charging plug is arranged to convert the supply voltage provided by the power supply station into a charging voltage that is lower than the supply voltage. The voltage converter makes it possible to reduce the cable cross-sections of the electrical conductors within the power supply cable. A wireless communication module can be arranged in or on the charging connector itself or between the charging connector and the power supply station. Bluetooth or WLAN, for example, can be used as a wireless communication standard. A mobile network standard, for example GSM, can also be used as the wireless communication standard, so that corresponding data can be transmitted. For example, information about the charging process, about the price of the charging process or the charging status of the traction battery can be passed on. These can then be displayed on a corresponding software application (app) on a mobile device, for example a smartphone. In addition, charging management at a charging point for multiple electric vehicles is disclosed. For example, two or more charging plugs can each be connected to the power supply station via a power supply cable. The individual charging plugs can preferably communicate with each other and regulate an optimal/required charging power for each electric vehicle. Furthermore, the communication module can communicate, for example, with the power supply station or with a server.

DE 10 2021 203 362 A1 discloses a charging cable for electrically charging an energy store of a hybrid or electric vehicle, comprising a charging line, the charging line comprising a first connection device, the first Connection device with the energy storage of the hybrid or electric vehicle is releasably electrically connected. The charging line also includes a second connection device, the second connection device being directly or indirectly detachably electrically connectable to an energy supply device, the charging cable including at least one control unit and/or at least one switching unit and/or at least one communication unit. The charging process is advantageously started without having to initiate prior identification and authorization of the charging current requester via an RFID card, a connection to the cell phone or a credit card. Thus, no additional action not directly related to the charging process is necessary for the person requesting the charging current. All you have to do is plug in the cable, as the system authorizes itself. For this purpose, at least one control unit and/or the at least one switching unit and/or the at least one communication unit is accommodated along the charging line. The communication unit can advantageously communicate by cable with the vehicle or also with a switchable socket, for example by carrying out an identification and the switchable socket is released for use after a test. The wireless communication is preferably used to communicate with a charging controller or user interface or energy meter. The switchable socket, which is permanently installed, for example, or installed in a fixed location, cannot be used arbitrarily by unauthorized charging cables to charge an energy store, but can only be unlocked with the disclosed charging cable.

DE 10 2015 208 786 A1 discloses a communication module for an electrical charging process of a vehicle at a charging station via a charging cable, the user of a vehicle, which uses a communication protocol with a limited range of functions for a charging process, being able to to use the provided functions in an efficient and comfortable way. For this, the vehicle is set up to communicate via the charging cable according to a first communication protocol. The charging station is set up to communicate via the charging cable according to a second communication protocol. The second communication protocol enables the transmission of data that cannot be transmitted using the first communication protocol. The communication module is set up to receive charging station data from the charging station in accordance with the second communication protocol. The communication module is also set up to send data corresponding to the charging station data according to the first communication protocol to the vehicle if the first communication protocol enables the transmission of the charging station data. The communication module is also included set up to send data corresponding to the charging station data via a transmission medium separate from the charging cable to a user unit if the first communication protocol does not enable the transmission of the charging station data.

DE 10 2017 222 968 A1 discloses a charging cable for charging an electrical energy store of a vehicle. The charging cable includes a vehicle-side plug with a plug-in element that is designed to be plugged into a complementary plug-in element of the vehicle. The vehicle-side connector includes a housing designed as a handle, which encloses a control unit that is set up to communicate with a charging control device of the vehicle in order to control a charging process of the electrical energy store of the vehicle. In addition, the charging cable includes a supply-side connector, which is designed to be coupled to an electrical energy supply, and a cable running between the supply-side connector and the vehicle-side connector, which is designed to transmit electrical energy for the charging process from the supply-side connector to the to transfer vehicle-side connector. The vehicle-side connector may include a communication module configured to communicate with an external unit via a wireless communication link, wherein the external unit may include an electronic device of the user (e.g. a smartphone) and/or a control unit of the vehicle. In particular, the communication module can communicate with a server that the electronic device can access (e.g. via an app). The communication between the vehicle connector and the electronic device can thus take place indirectly via a server. The control unit can be set up to receive control data for controlling the charging process via the communication module. In particular, the electronic device can be enabled (e.g. via an app) to enable a user to intervene in a charging process, e.g. change the charging power.

Task

The present invention is therefore based on the technical problem of providing a device that allows the user to control and/or terminate the charging process of a device to be charged from a spatial distance. The purpose of the device is to monitor the charging power transmitted by a charging station, to adjust the charging power according to the user's wishes and/or taking into account the current network load, and to release the charging station to other users after the charging process has ended. Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to provide a device that is functional regardless of the type of charging that is present, ie regardless of whether charging is carried out with direct current, alternating current or three-phase current.

Solution

The technical problem is solved by providing an intelligent charging cable (1) which makes it possible to monitor and control the charging of a device (4) to be charged, in particular an electric vehicle, the charging cable having control and protection functions. These include limiting the charging current, checking the polarity of the connections and ensuring continuity of the protective grounding to the device (4) to be charged, with the charging cable (1) according to the invention being suitable for using at least one data communication interface via a remote, in particular mobile, computing unit (2) via a computer program product, preferably an application (also: app), to control the loading process.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by an intelligent charging cable (1) according to claim 1, which is set up to monitor and control the charging of a device (4) to be charged, wherein the charging cable comprises at least one communication interface which is set up in such a way that it enables communication with a computing unit (2), by means of which the charging power can be monitored and adjusted.

Further advantageous configurations can be found in the dependent claims, the description and the exemplary embodiments.

General Benefits

Advantageously, the device according to the invention allows the user of the device (4) to be charged to adapt and control the charging process of his device, even if he is at a physical distance from the device to be charged. The charging process can thus be adapted with regard to the network load, the status of the accumulator of the device (4) to be charged and external environmental conditions (eg temperature). For example, if the network load is high at a given point in time, the user can interrupt the charging process and continue it at a later point in time. It is also advantageously possible to adapt the charging process to the current supply situation. The electricity price varies throughout the day due to fluctuating grid feed-ins from renewable energies that depend on the time of day and the weather. The device according to the invention (1) it is possible for the user to adapt the charging process in such a way that he can charge at a low rate.

The intelligent charging cable (1) makes it possible to control and adjust charging processes for multiple devices (4)(41) to be charged, which are connected to one or more charging stations (3) via one or more charging cables according to the invention. For example, if a device (4) to be charged is to complete the charging process earlier than another, the charging process can be adjusted accordingly using the device according to the invention.

Further advantages can be found in the description and the exemplary embodiments.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The device according to the invention is essentially an intelligent charging cable (1) for regulating the charging power of devices (4) to be charged, preferably electric vehicles, in particular an intelligent charging cable for charging electric vehicles (also: electric vehicle charging cable). The device comprises a single-phase or multi-phase charging cable connection (10) on the mains side for mechanically and electrically coupling the charging cable according to the invention to a charging station (also: charging column, charging device, mains connection station). The network side

Charging cable connection (10) is set up in such a way that it has signal contacts and contacts for energy transmission. The signal contacts include a proximity pilot contact (also: or plug present contact) (PP), referred to herein as a charging cable detection contact (102), which can detect the presence of a charging station plug Aport, and a control pilot contact (CP), referred to herein as the control/data line (101), which serves to exchange control signals between the device (4) to be charged and the charging station (3). The contacts for energy transmission are preferably set up in such a way that they include outer conductors, also referred to as phases, as well as a neutral conductor (107) and a protective conductor (105). The protective conductor (105) is preferably set up in such a way that it ensures grounding and personal protection. The neutral conductor (107) is preferably set up in such a way that it ensures that phase shifts in the currents in the phases are compensated for. In a preferred embodiment, the mains-side charging cable connection (10) is a plug that conforms to standard EN 62196 type 2, but an embodiment with a plug that conforms to standard SAE J 1772 type 1 is also possible. Such a structure advantageously enables the device (4) to be charged to be charged over up to three

Phases (103)(104)(106), resulting in a shorter one with the use of the additional phases loading time can be achieved. In addition, the grounding of the device (4) to be charged is ensured during the entire charging process via the protective conductor (105).

In the context of the invention, an electric vehicle is a mobile means of traffic and/or transport (e.g. automobiles, motorcycles, watercraft, aircraft) that are designed to be driven at least also or entirely by an electric motor. It is preferably a matter of traffic and/or means of transport for movement on roads or on land, but vehicles on water and/or in the air can also be included. It is characteristic of an electric vehicle that it has an electric motor which is operated using energy from an accumulator.

The object is achieved in particular by an intelligent charging cable for regulating the charging power of accumulators of devices to be charged, in particular electric vehicles, which is preferably designed as an intelligent electric vehicle charging cable and which comprises the following: an at least single-phase, mains-side charging cable connection, this being used as a coupling element of the charging cable and a charging station is set up, an at least single-phase, vehicle-side charging cable connection, this being set up as a coupling element for the charging cable and a device to be charged, a housing which includes electronics, by means of which a charging power can be adjusted, the electronics for monitoring and/or setting of the charging current on at least one phase, and/or the electronics comprises a communication interface, which is set up in such a way that it comprises at least one signal transmission means, through which a transmission of a data signal or a data sequence can be transmitted to at least one computing unit (2), and the communication interface is designed in such a way that it enables data communication with the computing unit (2), the charging power being able to be monitored and adjusted by the data communication with the computing unit.

The housing preferably also has at least one measuring device which is set up to measure an electrical current and/or an electrical power. This makes it possible to check whether the control is being carried out correctly and the measured values can be used advantageously for billing.

A further aspect of the invention relates to an intelligent charging cable for regulating the charging power of accumulators of devices to be charged, in particular electric vehicles. The intelligent charging cable has an at least single-phase, mains-side charging cable connection, this being the coupling element of the Charging cable and a charging station is set up. In addition, the intelligent charging cable has an at least single-phase vehicle-side charging cable connection, which is set up as a coupling element of the charging cable and a device to be charged. Furthermore, the intelligent charging cable has a housing that includes electronics that are set up to set a charging power. The electronics are set up for monitoring and/or setting the charging current on at least one phase, with the electronics comprising a communication interface which is set up in such a way that it has at least one signal transmission means which is used for transmission of a data signal or a data sequence to at least one Arithmetic unit is set up, the communication interface being designed in such a way that data communication with the arithmetic unit (2) is made possible through this, the arithmetic unit being set up to monitor and/or set the charging power. The charging cable preferably has a mechanism which is set up for ejecting the mains-side and/or vehicle-side connection, wherein the ejection can be controlled by a computing unit which is spatially remote from the charging cable.

According to one embodiment, a user can activate the ejection mechanism via an application (also: app) on a mobile device (e.g. tablet, smartphone). It is thus advantageously possible for the user to initiate the ejection himself if desired.

The device (4) to be charged is referred to below as an electric vehicle. However, it is also possible to use the method disclosed herein for another device comprising a chargeable accumulator. Such a device can be, for example, a laptop, a tablet, or a smartphone. The following designation of the device (4) to be charged as an electric vehicle is not to be understood as limiting.

According to the invention, a charging station (3) is a device that provides electrical energy for charging an electric vehicle (4). Such a device can, for example, be an AC, DC or three-phase charging station. In particular, it can be designed as a charging station, wall box or generally as a socket.

Furthermore, the intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention comprises a single-phase or multi-phase device-side charging cable connection (11) (referred to herein as vehicle-side charging cable connection or vehicle connection) for coupling the intelligent charging cable to a device (4) to be charged, in particular an electric vehicle. The charging cable connection (11) on the vehicle side is preferably designed in such a way that it is structurally identical to the charging cable connection (10) on the mains side. This advantageously achieves that no conversion between different connection principles by electronics and no adapter is necessary.

According to the invention, an “intelligent charging cable” refers to a charging cable that includes functions that enable a user to control and/or terminate the charging process of an electric vehicle (4) via at least one computing unit (2). For this purpose, the charging cable (1) according to the invention also includes a housing (12) which is designed in such a way that it includes electronics. The electronics are preferably set up in such a way that they enable the charging power of the electric vehicle (4) to be monitored and/or set by monitoring and/or setting the charging current in at least one phase. The charging power is preferably monitored and/or adjusted by connecting a shunt (also: shunt). The person skilled in the art understands a shunt to be a resistance which, in this case, is connected in parallel with the phase to be monitored in order to prevent a current flow from the charging station (3) to the electric vehicle or to the accumulator of the device to be charged. The shunt is preferably designed in such a way that it can be controlled electronically and/or electromechanically by the electronics installed in the housing (12). The charging power can thus be controlled by the intelligent charging cable (1) during the charging process by preventing or enabling the flow of current via the individual phases to the electric vehicle (4) by switching a shunt on or off.

In one embodiment, the housing (12) containing the electronics is designed in such a way that it is arranged downstream of the charging cable connection (11) on the vehicle and/or a charging cable connection (10) on the mains side of the charging cable (1) according to the invention. The housing (12) is preferably integrated into a plug head of the charging cable (1) according to the invention. In this way, a space-saving design can advantageously be implemented, in which case an in-cable control box can be dispensed with. In a further embodiment, the housing (12) containing the electronics is designed as an in-cable control box. This configuration advantageously ensures that the electronics contained in the housing (12) are easily accessible, replaceable and maintainable. Such a configuration can easily be retrofitted if additional functions are desired by the user.

Furthermore, an embodiment is possible in which the housing (12) is integrated into a wiring system. The person skilled in the art understands a wiring system (also switch cabinet) as a system consisting of wiring, which is used for the electrical connection of individual electrically functional components, as well as a framework system, in particular a rail system, e.g. a system comprising top-hat rails, comb profiles and/or brackets. Preferred is the wiring system which the housing (12) includes integrated in the charging station (3). The charging process can thus be controlled and/or terminated directly via the charging station (3).

The charging cable (1) according to the invention also includes at least one communication interface integrated into the housing (12). The communication interface is preferably designed in such a way that it comprises at least one signal transmission means for enabling data transmission via, for example, Bluetooth and/or WLAN and/or mobile communications, e.g. LTE, and/or LoRaWAN, which is set up to transmit a data signal or a data sequence to transmit at least one processing unit (2), preferably to a remote, external processing unit, i.e. not assigned to the electric vehicle (4). The communication interface is set up in such a way that it enables communication with the computing unit (2), so that the charging power can advantageously be monitored and/or adjusted via the electronics integrated in the housing (12).

According to one embodiment, the housing comprised by the charging cable provides at least one charging cable connection for at least one additional charging cable. This advantageously allows identical charging cables according to the invention to be plugged into one another in order to produce a charging cable that is lengthened by the charging cables plugged into one another.

According to one embodiment, the housing comprised by the charging cable is set up in such a way that a user can couple it to a charging device and at least one further housing, so that at least one charging option for a device to be charged is provided on each coupled housing.

For the purposes of the invention, the term computing unit refers to a computing system comprising a processor unit, a communication interface for sending and receiving data and a computer-readable storage medium, the storage medium containing a computer program product, also a software product, which contains instructions for controlling and/or ending the loading process included by the charging cable (1) according to the invention. Such a computing unit is, for example, an external, mobile computing unit, such as a smartphone or a tablet, or also a stationary computing unit, such as a PC, or a distributed computing unit, in particular a cloud. However, arithmetic units integrated in the electric vehicle (4), i.e. internal ones, for example comprised by the BMS, are also conceivable.

The charging cable (1) according to the invention preferably enables coupling with at least one spatially distant computing unit (2) via the included communication interface, the distance being a few meters, e.g. to the smartphone of a user standing next to the electric vehicle (4), to any number of kilometers, e.g. up to a cloud server in a company headquarters. It is the user It is thus possible to use the computing unit (2) to control and/or terminate the charging process of the electric vehicle, in particular from a distance, but also from the immediate vicinity of the electric vehicle and the charging station. a In a particularly preferred embodiment, the housing (12) is designed as an in-cable control box, the housing comprising a plurality of connections. The connections are set up in such a way that they enable the user to connect the housing (12) to a charging device, in particular a wall box, using a cable provided for this purpose. The connection takes place according to a plug-in principle, the connections of the cable being designed analogously to the previously described connections of the device (1) according to the invention.

Furthermore, the housing (12) is designed in this embodiment in such a way that the plurality of connections it includes has at least one connection for connecting a charging cable for charging an electric vehicle (4) and a connection for connecting a further housing which is identical to the first Housing (12) is designed, provides. It is thus possible for the user to set up a charging device for a number of electric vehicles (4, 41) by simply connecting a number of the housings (12) contained in the intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention. Thanks to the easy-to-implement plug-in connections, once a charging station such as a wall box has been set up by a specialist, there is no need to call in one to set up additional charging connections.

Each of the plurality of housings (12) is designed in such a way that it has all the essential protective functions to protect the user, the electric vehicle (4) and its battery during the charging process. In particular, the housing (12) ensures protective earthing throughout the charging process. The housing (12) also includes electronics that control and/or terminate the charging process of the electric vehicle (1) connected to the housing via a charging cable. Furthermore, the electronics of each housing (12) includes a communication interface which is set up to enable data communication between the housing and a computing unit (2), preferably a remote, external computing unit. Thus, the charging processes of several electric vehicles can be controlled and/or terminated for the user by the housing (12) contained in the charging cable (1) according to the invention, in particular remotely.

In a preferred embodiment, the electronics integrated in the charging cable (1) according to the invention comprise an electricity meter. The electricity meter is preferred for monitoring the electrical power supplied by the charging station (3) to the Electric vehicle (4) is released furnished. In this way, the electrical power that is delivered to the electric vehicle (4) by the charging station (3) can advantageously be monitored without having to resort to data from the BMS. An additional on-board diagnosis system and/or connection, as well as a computing unit for evaluating the data of the BMS, are advantageously not necessary in order to access the charging data.

Urspl03 Furthermore, in one embodiment, the electronics of the intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention include at least one optical display (13) (referred to herein as a display), which is set up in such a way that it can serve as a user interface. It is thus advantageously possible for the user to easily read, for example, the status of the charging process, the power transmitted and/or to be transmitted and the charging capacities of the charging cable used. The display is preferably set up in such a way that a control command entered by the user via the display (13) can be implemented. The advantage of this is that direct control of the charging process when the electric vehicle (4) and the charging station (3) are coupled can be carried out without using a computing unit.

According to one embodiment, the charging cable includes a control/data line (101), the electronics being set up in such a way that they provide an interface to the control/data line.

As described above, the charging cable (1) according to the invention comprises at least one control/data line (101) which is used to transmit control signals between the charging station (3) and the BMS permanently installed in the electric vehicle (4). In a preferred embodiment, an interface to the control/data line (101) is provided by the electronics included in the charging cable (1) according to the invention. This has the advantage that control signals between the BMS, the charging station (3) and the intelligent charging cable (1) can be read out. These control signals can be transmitted in the form of data to a computing unit (2), preferably a remote, external computing unit, by means of the communication interface integrated into the electronics included in the charging cable (1) according to the invention. This advantageously ensures that the user can also read the status of the charging process from a distance.

Furthermore, the described interface provided for the control/data line (101) of the charging cable is used to transmit control commands to the charging station (3) and/or the electric vehicle (4). Using the communication interface integrated in the electronics included in the charging cable (1) according to the invention, control signals from at least one computing unit (2), preferably a spatially remote computing unit, are sent through the charging cable to the interface to the control/data line (101) of the charging cable according to the invention (1) transferrable. This advantageously ensures that the user can also control and/or terminate the charging process from a distance.

In a further embodiment, the intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention comprises a charging cable detection contact (102) which is designed in such a way that it can preferably be interrupted by the electronics. If the electronics send a signal to interrupt the charging cable detection contact (102), the charging process can be interrupted because the charging station (3) does not provide any electricity if it does not detect a coupled electric vehicle (4) via this connection. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the signal for interrupting the charging cable detection contact (102) can be transmitted by the user remotely, i.e. at a spatial distance, via the communication interface included in the electronics of the charging cable (1) according to the invention, so that the charging process can also be carried out can be interrupted from a distance, since the flow of current is prevented by the charging station (3) when the connection of the charging cable detection contact (102) is detected to be interrupted.

In a very particularly preferred embodiment, the charging cable (1) according to the invention comprises a mechanism for ejecting the connection (10) on the network side and/or on the vehicle side, which is designed in such a way that, by means of the communication interface, it can be connected via a computing unit (2), preferably a remote one. external computing unit that can be controlled remotely. Preferably the mechanism includes a mechanical ejection component such as a spring or switch. The intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention can thus be evaluated on the side of the charging station (3) and/or the electric vehicle (4), while it remains locked on the vehicle side and/or on the side of the charging station. The charging station (1) can thus advantageously be released remotely for another electric vehicle (4) as soon as the charging process is complete. The location information "from afar" or a spatial distance means any position that is not in the immediate vicinity of the intelligent charging cable. A remote position can be a position that is at least 5 meters, preferably at least 20 meters, particularly preferably at least 50 meters, particularly preferably at least 100 meters and particularly preferably at least 200 meters away from the charging cable that is in use . The processing unit is preferably localized at this position.

A charging station is preferably unlocked and a charging cable released when a predetermined charge level, ie a state of charge, has been reached. An app can also be used for this, via which a user can initiate the release. Advantageously, the charging station infrastructure can be better utilized in this way, since a subsequent user (second user) can unlock the charging cable of a previous user (first user) in order to to plug in his charging cable instead. This process can also be referred to as "external unlocking". External unlocking is preferably only possible when a predetermined charge level has been reached. The first-time user can use an app to set the charge level from which he will accept a third-party unlocking. The app can transmit this information to a second user's app so that it knows which charging station to drop a first-time user's charging cable on. It goes without saying that in the event of an external unlocking, the charging cable must be locked on the vehicle side after being ejected from the charging station in order to prevent the charging cable from being stolen.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the communication interface included in the electronics of the charging cable (1) according to the invention is designed in such a way that it enables data transmission to a mobile terminal device and/or a stationary computing unit and/or to a cloud-based computing system.

In a further preferred refinement, the communication interface is set up in such a way that it enables data transmission to a mobile terminal device and/or a stationary computing unit and/or a cloud-based storage medium. It can thus advantageously be achieved that, for example, collected data does not have to be stored on a memory included in the intelligent charging cable, but instead can be transmitted to an external memory and/or computing unit.

Within the meaning of the invention, a cloud denotes a remote, distributed computer environment and/or at least one remote computing unit, comprising at least one storage medium that contains a computer program product that contains instructions for storing and/or evaluating received data.

In the context of the invention, a mobile terminal designates a computing unit that can be carried and operated by a user, comprising a storage medium that contains a computer program product, also a software product, that contains instructions for storing and/or evaluating received data.

According to the invention, a stationary computing unit denotes a stationary computing system, in particular a PC, comprising a storage medium which contains a computer program product, also a software product, which contains instructions for storing and/or evaluating received data.

A communication interface set up in this way is advantageous

Data transmission and an evaluation of loading processes, also of several Electric vehicles (4) (41) can be carried out by a mobile terminal device and/or a stationary computing unit and/or a cloud-based computing system.

The data communication particularly preferably takes place via the communication interface comprised by the electronics of the intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention, using at least one form of contactless data transmission. The contactless data transmission takes place, for example, using a transmission format known from the prior art or a data transmission standard such as Bluetooth and/or WLAN and/or mobile communications (e.g. LTE or 5G) and/or LoRaWAN. By providing different transmission formats, compatibility with different computing systems and data formats can be made possible. The contactless data transmission, or the contactless connection of a computing unit (2), preferably a spatially distant, external computing unit, using the transmission formats mentioned enables the user to control and/or end the charging process remotely, as already described, and also provides a secure, non-readable coupling between the charging cable (1) according to the invention and the computing unit (2).

The data communication interface of the intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention is preferably set up in such a way that it can be operated by a user and/or an algorithm and/or an artificial intelligence, in particular a self-learning algorithm, using a computer program product, in particular an application (also: app). is. This allows the charging process to be controlled. In terms of the invention, an algorithm designates an instruction or a sequence of instructions that are included in a computer program product. In the context of the invention, an app is to be understood as a computer program product which is used for the purpose of realizing a function using a computing unit, in particular a mobile computing unit (e.g. a smartphone or a tablet).

Such a function includes, for example, sending a command to regulate the charging current flowing to the electronics included in the charging cable (1) according to the invention. Such a command can implement both the activation of a shunt included in the electronics and the interruption of the charging cable control contact (102).

In a further refinement, a function implemented by a computer program product includes informing the user about electricity tariffs that depend on the time of day. In this embodiment, the computing unit (2) that contains and implements the computer program product is designed in such a way that it receives information about the current electricity tariffs via a communication interface. The computer program product is designed in such a way that it forwards this information to the user so that he can use the available tariffs to make the charging process of an electric vehicle (4) cost-effective by suspending the charging process or continuing it with a higher or lower charging capacity. The computer program product is particularly preferably designed in such a way that it allows a user to enter a maximum electricity price and automatically pauses or continues the charging process by sending control signals to the electronics included in the charging cable if the price exceeds or falls below the set price becomes. Automated and/or manual, cost-optimized charging of an electric vehicle (4) can thus be implemented using the intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention.

Furthermore, automated and/or manual control of the charging process can thus advantageously be implemented using the intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention.

According to one embodiment, the loading process can be set and/or interrupted via the computer program product, by a user and/or the algorithm and/or an artificial intelligence. In this way, an active participation of the user in the monitoring of the charging process can advantageously be dispensed with.

The communication interface integrated in the charging cable (1) according to the invention and set up as described above can advantageously also ensure that the charging process is controlled over time by the user and/or an algorithm and/or an artificial intelligence. For example, by entering a time window on the part of the user, the charging process can be designed in such a way that with optimal use of the charging capacities of the charging station (3) (e.g. depending on the number of electric vehicles charging at it (4)(41)) and/or taking into account the network load the charging process is completed at a selected time. In another embodiment, a deployment plan for a company vehicle is stored on the storage medium of a processing unit (2), preferably a remote, external processing unit, the service vehicle being an electric vehicle (4). By means of a computer program product, which is also stored on the storage medium of the computing unit (2), preferably a remote, external computing unit, the operational plan of the electric vehicle (4) can be called up, and the charging process of the electric vehicle via the intelligent charging cable (1) at the times adapted controllable and/or interruptible. In particular, an algorithm communicating via the communication interface and/or an artificial intelligence can enable the charging process to be controlled over time.

In a further embodiment, the charging cable (1) according to the invention with a

Network load monitoring device, for example. A smart meter can be coupled. A smart meter is known to those skilled in the art as an instrument for reading and dividing the capacities of an electrical supply network. It has a data communication unit for forwarding current consumption data for a load to a user and/or a computing unit. The intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention and the smart meter are preferably coupled via data exchange between the data communication interface of the intelligent charging cable and a computing unit (2), preferably a remote, external computing unit that is set up in such a way that it receives data from the smart meter . Thus, the charging process of the electric vehicle (4) connected to a charging station (3) via the intelligent charging cable (1) can advantageously be controlled and/or interrupted depending on the network utilization of the supply network.

In a very particularly preferred embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises an intelligent charging system, comprising an intelligent charging cable (1) according to one of the above-mentioned embodiments, a charging station (3), a device (4) to be charged, preferably an electric vehicle, and at least one with a computing unit (2) connected contactlessly to the intelligent charging cable, preferably a remote, external computing unit, for controlling and/or ending the charging process.

The charging station preferably has a mechanism that is set up to eject the mains-side connection, wherein the ejection can be controlled by a computing unit that is located at a spatial distance from the charging cable. The charging cable is also set up in such a way that it can be ejected. It is preferably a mechanical locking in the charging station. The signal for releasing the mechanical lock can preferably be transmitted and controlled via the intelligent charging cable.

The present invention also includes a method for controlling the charging power between a device (4) to be charged, preferably an electric vehicle, and a charging station (3). The method according to the invention initially includes the provision of an electric vehicle (4). The method also includes providing a charging station (3). The charging station (3) and the device (4) to be charged are designed in such a way that they are compatible devices for charging the device. A further step comprises coupling the device (4) to be charged, in particular the electric vehicle, to the charging station (3) using an intelligent charging cable (1) as described above.

According to an embodiment, the method comprises controlling the charging power between a device to be charged and a charging station • as a first step, providing a device to be loaded,

• as a second step, providing a charging station,

• as a third step, coupling the charging station and the device to be charged with a charging cable as defined in one of the preceding claims,

• as a fourth step, the coupling of the charging cable with at least one processing unit, and

• As a fifth step, monitoring and / or controlling the charging power by means of a user and / or an algorithm and / or an artificial intelligence and / or a computer program product and / or by electronics, wherein the electronics are set up in such a way that they the charging station and the device to be charged monitors and/or adjusts the charging power by monitoring and/or adjusting the charging current on at least one phase.

In one embodiment, the coupled charging cable (1) according to the invention enables the user to monitor and/or control and/or end the charging process of the device (4) to be charged, preferably the electric vehicle, via a display (13 ), which serves as a control panel.

According to one embodiment, the intelligent charging cable (also: charging cable) comprises at least one sensor that is set up to detect a mechanical severing of the charging cable (e.g. in the event of vandalism). The sensor can, for example, comprise at least one metal thread, the severing of which triggers a message, in particular a message to the communication interface, a computing unit, or a user in order to inform them about a severing of the conductor element. At least one metal thread, preferably at least two metal threads, are preferably arranged along the charging cable and are preferably comprised of the material of the outer sheath of the charging cable. The cutting of at least one of the metal threads preferably ensures that the power supply to the charging station is switched off immediately. This advantageously increases the safety of people (including those responsible for the cutting) who are in the vicinity of the charging station, since the power supply is already interrupted even if none of the current-carrying conductors within the charging cable have been cut. It is clear to a person skilled in the art that the metal thread itself must carry a current which, when the charging cable is severed, leads to an interruption in the sensor activity. In addition or in addition to the metal thread, a wire or phase can also be included in the sensor.

In a further embodiment, a handle over which a user grips the intelligent charging cable has a disinfectant. This is set up for the number of To reduce germs on the handle, which can be advantageously achieved that germs, especially pathogens, are not transmitted to subsequent users.

A disinfectant can, for example, be designed in such a way that at least one means that generates blue light (e.g. blue light LED) is arranged in the handle in such a way that the handle surface is irradiated by the blue light. As an alternative or in addition to blue light, other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum can also be considered. Those skilled in the art are familiar with areas of the electromagnetic spectrum which have a damaging effect on microorganisms and/or proteins. It is known, for example, that blue light can effectively kill microorganisms in the wavelength range of 400 to 450 nanometers (nm). This works via the absorption of blue light by biomolecules (so-called porphyrins) that are ubiquitous in living cells. In the presence of oxygen, these biomolecules, energetically stimulated by the blue light, form oxygen radicals in a chemical reaction, which, due to their high reactivity, lead to cell damage, the prevention of reproduction or the killing of microorganisms.

According to an advantageous design, the intelligent charging cable is set up to map or simulate the requirements of the ISO 15118 standard, preferably ISO 15118 GEN 1 and/or ISO 15118 GEN 2. For devices to be charged, in particular electric vehicles, which do not support the ISO 15118 standard, the intelligent charging cable can advantageously assume the function of communication via this standard and convert the communication signals accordingly. As a result, a protocol handshake can preferably be implemented, which makes it possible to identify the device to be charged, in particular the electric vehicle.

This allows a user-friendly and secure interface to be generated, which enables a plug-and-charge function. The activation only takes place when the intelligent charging cable is connected to the charging station. Advantageously, separate authentication can be achieved by using a separate charging card for identification, the identification of which is based on an RFID standard, for example, or by an app on a mobile device, such as a cell phone, or by an authorization program on a website be dispensed with, or an API. Using the intelligent charging cable, charging control can also be implemented using the ISO 15118 standard. In one embodiment, the charging cable is constructed in such a way that the housing it includes has at least three ports (also: charging cable connections), with a first port being electrically connected to the charging station can be connected or can be connected directly to the mains or can be connected to a socket (e.g. a conventional socket outlet with earthing contact). A second port can be electrically connected to the device to be charged (e.g. an electric vehicle). A third and/or a fourth port can be electrically conductively connected to the housing of another charging cable of the same construction. This means that several intelligent charging cables can be electrically connected to one another in modular form. The in-cable control box of at least one of the intelligent charging cables connected to one another, preferably the intelligent charging cable that is connected to the charging station, is set up to control the other intelligent charging cables and to distribute the load to them. Thus, the charging processes of several electric vehicles connected to the charging cables can be controlled via the device according to the invention. The housings can be arranged, for example, in a parking lot for an electric vehicle. Preferably, the housings are designed to be installed in a fixed location.

An advantageous embodiment includes an intelligent charging system made up of a mains connection and/or a wall box, which is connected to an intelligent charging cable. The intelligent charging cable has at least one, preferably at least two or at least three modular housings. The housing or housings is or are stationary, i.e. mounted or installed at a fixed distance from one another and from the wall box or from the mains connection. The housings act as an additional charging option, which meets the high security requirements of an installed wall box. For this purpose, according to an advantageous embodiment, components of the power electronics, such as relays and/or power electronic switches, for example contactors (also switching contactors) and/or protective shutdowns, are provided in each housing. This enables decentralized power electronics, which advantageously enables decentralized charging.

According to an advantageous embodiment, such a housing is designed as an in-cable control box. In this way, security and communication functions, in particular for controlling the charging process, can be taken over. Decentralized charging, i.e. charging away from the wallbox, can be implemented without having to forego security requirements. Each housing provided with a charging connection or a charging cable connection then advantageously acts as a separate wall charging station, so it takes on almost all the functions that a wall charging station also takes on.

Due to the stationary installation of the housing, safety disadvantages due to loose cables can be avoided. Each housing is set up to be installed in a fixed location. The housing or the housings are modular with others intelligent charging cables, which have identical housings, can be coupled. Each of these housings has at least one charging connection or charging cable connection.

Due to its modular design, such a system can advantageously be expanded to include another intelligent charging cable with a housing with a charging connection or charging cable connection, so that several stationary housings that function as charging stations can be installed without having to install another wallbox, which is time-consuming.

According to a further possible embodiment, the intelligent charging system has a wall box and/or a mains connection which is connected to an intelligent charging cable. In this embodiment, the housing has at least two charging connections or charging cable connections. The intelligent charging cable acts as a distributor. The housing is preferably installed in a mobile or stationary manner.

According to a suitable embodiment, each of these housings has power electronics components, such as relays and/or power electronic switches, for example contactors (also switching contactors) and/or protective shutdowns. This enables decentralized power electronics, which advantageously enables decentralized charging.

The charging station or wall box always requires installation by a specialist. If a user who is not an expert also wants to position charging options at other locations, he can use the device according to the invention to easily connect the intelligent charging cables to one another and/or to the charging station. Because the enclosures can be placed anywhere in a room (e.g. a wall or on a ceiling) by simply connecting the appropriate ports together, there is no risk of cables lying around on the floor, compromising security during of the store increased. The interconnected intelligent charging cables can also be referred to as a modular charging cable system for the spatial arrangement of charging cables in a room.

Using the integrated electronics, each port can automatically determine whether it is connected to the charging station, to a first, to a second, to a third, to a fourth or to another port of another charging cable. Accordingly, the distribution of the current flow through the ports is also controlled in such a way that the respective charging cable can effectively charge the device (eg electric vehicle) connected to this charging cable. The intelligent charging system is preferably designed in such a way that at least two, preferably at least three, housings are coupled to one another and installed in a stationary manner, with only one of the housings being connected to the charging station via an intelligent charging cable according to the invention. Each housing preferably has power electronics components. According to an advantageous embodiment, the connection between the housing connected to the charging station, preferably to the wall box, and the other housings is also realized by a charging cable according to the invention. In this way, the overall length of the intelligent charging cable can advantageously be made shorter.

According to an alternative embodiment of the intelligent charging system, several housings are connected directly to the charging station, preferably to the wall box, via an intelligent charging cable. In this way, the allocation of the inflow can advantageously be regulated directly in the charging station. Provision can be made for the housings to be installed in control cabinets. This means that only the charging cable can be seen.

In a further embodiment, the electronics arranged in the intelligent charging cable, in particular the electronics arranged in the housing of the intelligent charging cable, comprise a communication interface. The communication interface is designed in such a way that it enables the connection to a computing unit, in particular a remote, distributed computer environment, including the cloud, via mobile radio (e.g. LTE) and/or radio networks, for example also wireless LAN connections or radio technology such as Bluetooth. The charging process can thus be controlled and/or ended via the cloud with the aid of a computer program product. According to an advantageous embodiment, communication between the charging cables takes place via a LIN BUS. This is particularly useful in the case of permanently installed, in particular stationary, intelligent charging cables.

Preferably, a location and/or an occupancy of a charging station, such as a parking lot or a charging station at a charging station, is recognized by means of external sensors. The external sensors are preferably arranged in the floor in such a way that it is possible to detect a vehicle arranged there, in particular an electric vehicle, by driving over it. Communication between the sensors and the intelligent charging cable can be implemented using a radio standard such as Bluetooth.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the charging station and/or the intelligent charging cable has sensors for detecting a vehicle. For example, by recognizing the number plate or assignment is possible by means of recognition based on RFID, so that location recognition is made possible.

In a further step, the method according to the invention for controlling the charging power comprises coupling the intelligent charging cable (3) to at least one computing unit (2), preferably a remote external computing unit. The coupling preferably takes place via contactless data transmission using a communication interface included in the intelligent charging cable (1). The computing unit (2) is preferably a spatially remote computing unit, in particular a distributed computing environment or a mobile terminal device.

In a further step, the method according to the invention for controlling the charging power comprises monitoring and/or controlling the charging power by means of a computer program product that can be controlled by a user and/or an algorithm, also a software product, and/or by electronics that are set up in such a way that they monitors and/or adjusts the charging power at the charging station (3) and the device (4) to be charged by monitoring and/or adjusting the charging current on at least one phase.

Such a method offers the advantage that the user can adjust and/or interrupt the charging process of a device (4) to be charged remotely and/or adapted to current consumption data and time sequences.

The invention also relates to the use of the intelligent charging cable defined herein for coupling and charging a device (4) to be charged, in particular an electric vehicle, at charging stations with or without charging power control. Since the intelligent charging cable (1) has the necessary electronics to monitor the charging power and all essential protective functions to protect the user, the device to be charged (4) and the battery of the device to be charged during the charging process, the use of the intelligent charging cable is also possible in conjunction with charging stations of an older generation that are not designed to monitor the current network performance. Furthermore, the charging cable (1) according to the invention can be used, for example, for charging electric vehicles (4)(41) from a company's vehicle fleet, in order to coordinate the charging process of several electric vehicles in terms of time. exemplary embodiments

The present invention is explained in more detail on the basis of the following figures and exemplary embodiments, without restricting the invention to these.

while showing

1 shows a schematic view of a mains-side charging cable connection (10) of the device according to the invention, with existing charging cable connection contacts (101-107) being shown

2 shows a schematic view of the device according to the invention, the charging cable connections (10)(11) being shown in their entirety

Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of the use of the device according to the invention for coupling an electric vehicle (4) to a charging station (3), the charging process of the electric vehicle being able to be monitored by coupling the charging cable (1) according to the invention to a remote computing unit (2), configured in this way that the charging cable is coupled to the computing unit via a communication interface via WLAN that is integrated into the mains-side plug head of the charging cable and is surrounded by a housing (13).

Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of the use of the device according to the invention for coupling a plurality of electric vehicles (4), (41), the charging process of the electric vehicles being able to be monitored by coupling the charging cable (1) according to the invention to a computing unit (2), in particular a cloud designed in that the coupling of the charging cable with the computing unit via a housing (12) included communication interface via LTE.

5 shows a schematic view of an intelligent charging cable with a housing designed as an in-cable control box, which is connected to two further charging cables.

In a first embodiment, FIG. 1 discloses a charging cable connection (10)(11) of a charging cable (1) according to the invention for coupling a device (4) to be charged, in particular an electric vehicle, to a charging station (3). The illustrated mains-side charging cable connection (10) of the charging cable according to the invention is a three-phase charging cable connection with a plug that conforms to the EN 62196 Type 2 standard, comprising two signal contacts, the signal contacts being designed in such a way that it is a charging cable - Detection contact (102) and a control / data line (101) is. Furthermore, the charging cable connection comprises five contacts for energy transmission, the contacts being set up in such a way that they comprise a neutral conductor (107), a protective conductor (105) and three outer conductors (103)(104)(106), referred to herein as phases. The phases (103) (104) (106) are designed in such a way that they allow current to flow from the charging station (3) to the device (4) to be charged. The protective conductor (105) is set up in such a way that it ensures grounding and personal protection during charging. The neutral conductor (107) is designed in such a way that it ensures the balancing of phase shifts of the currents in the phases. The device-side charging cable connection (11) is preferably designed in such a way that it is structurally identical to the mains-side charging cable connection (10).

Alternatively, the charging cable (1) according to the invention can be a single-phase charging cable. The device-side charging cable connection (11) of the intelligent charging cable (1) is designed in such a way that it comprises two signal contacts, analogously to the first exemplary embodiment described above, and three contacts for energy transmission, the contacts being designed in such a way that they have a neutral conductor (107), include a protective conductor (105) and a phase (103). The functions implemented by the contacts for energy transmission correspond to those from the first exemplary embodiment. The device-side charging cable connection (11) of the charging cable (1) is preferably designed in such a way that it includes two dummy contacts in order to ensure compatibility with other connection systems.

In Fig. 2, the network-side (10) and device-side (11) charging cable connection are disclosed. The mains-side charging cable connection (10) is designed in such a way that it comprises a housing (12), the housing comprising electronics that control and/or end the charging process of a charging cable (1) connected to a charging station (3) by the charging cable (1) according to the invention to be loaded device (4) is designed. In this exemplary embodiment, the housing (12) includes an optical reproduction means, also a display (13), which is designed in such a way that inputs by the user via the display can be processed by the electronics and the charging process can thereby be controlled and/or terminated. Furthermore, information about the charging process can be read on the display (13). In one embodiment, FIG. 3 discloses the use of the intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention for controlling and/or terminating the charging process of a device to be charged, here an electric vehicle (4) at a charging station (3). The charging station (3) to which the charging cable (1) according to the invention is connected is a charging station which does not include a charging power control. The charging power cannot be regulated via the charging station (3) and cannot be adjusted to the network load.

In this embodiment, the intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention is a three-phase charging cable in this example. The charging cable has a charging cable connection on the vehicle side (11) and on the mains side (10) with a plug that conforms to the EN 62196 type 2 standard, as disclosed in FIG.

Furthermore, the intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention has a housing (12) which is arranged directly downstream of the mains-side charging cable connection (10). In particular, in this exemplary embodiment, the housing (12) is integrated into the plug head of the charging cable connection (10) on the mains side.

In this embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises electronics contained in the housing (12). The electronics are designed in such a way that they enable a communication interface for coupling the intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention to a computing unit (2) via a contactless data transmission format. In this exemplary embodiment, the communication interface is designed in such a way that it enables data transmission via WLAN.

The electronics also include a module for controlling the three phases (103)(104)(106) of the intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention, which is designed in such a way that each phase can be controlled individually and the current flow along each phase can be interrupted individually. The module is characterized in that it can be controlled by a signal received from the communication interface.

In this embodiment, the module includes controllable resistors, in particular shunts, which are connected in parallel with the three phases (103) (104) (106). By connecting the shunts in parallel, the flow of current through at least one phase is prevented. The charging power can thus be controlled via the module.

3 also shows the coupling of the device according to the invention to a computing unit (2), in particular a remote computing unit. In this case, the coupling takes place via the communication interface included in the electronics of the intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention and a communication interface integrated in the computing unit (2). Thus, the exchange of data between inventive intelligent charging cable (1) and computing unit (2) feasible. The loading process can thus be controlled and/or ended by a user and/or a computer program product stored on a storage medium comprised by the computing unit (2).

In addition, it can be provided that the electronics included in the intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention are designed in such a way that they include a module which increases and/or reduces the resistance of the individual phases using resistance elements connected in series. This means that the charging power can be regulated individually for each individual phase. In this embodiment, the electronics include an electronic potentiometer.

It would also be conceivable for the computing unit (2) to be designed in such a way that it receives information from a device that monitors the network load. In this embodiment, the device monitoring the network load is a smart meter. The intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention is designed in such a way that it controls and/or terminates the charging process of the coupled electric vehicle (4) via the communication interface it includes through the coupled computing unit (2) on the basis of the information provided by the smart meter.

As a further embodiment, FIG. 4 shows an intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention, which comprises a housing (12) which is arranged downstream of the mains-side charging cable connection (10). The housing and the electronics it contains are housed in an in-cable control box separately from the plug heads of the vehicle-side (11) and mains-side (10) charging cable connections.

The in-cable control box is designed to provide multiple charging cable ports.

The in-cable control box also includes electronics that enable the connected charging cables to be controlled separately. Thus, the charging processes of several electric vehicles (4)(41) connected to the charging cables can be controlled via the device (1) according to the invention.

In this exemplary embodiment, the electronics also include a communication interface. The communication interface is designed in such a way that it enables the connection to a computing unit (2), in particular a remote, distributed computing environment, including a cloud, via mobile radio (e.g. LTE). The charging process can thus be controlled and/or ended via the cloud with the aid of a computer program product. Also conceivable is an embodiment in which the intelligent charging cable (1) according to the invention comprises a mechanism on the network-side charging cable connection (10) which is designed in such a way that the network-side charging cable connection (10) of the charging cable (1) according to the invention can be evaluated after the charging process has ended. After the charging process has ended, the charging station (3) can advantageously be recognized as released by other users and can continue to be used immediately.

In a further exemplary embodiment, FIG. 5 shows the charging cable (1) according to the invention, comprising a housing (12), the housing (12) being designed in such a way that it is implemented as an in-cable control box. In this exemplary embodiment, the charging cable connection (10) on the mains side is permanently connected to a charging station (3). In this embodiment, the charging station (3) is a wall box. The housing (12) contained by the charging cable according to the invention is designed in such a way that it provides at least one connection for a further charging cable, comprising a housing (12). In this exemplary embodiment, two further charging cables, each comprising a housing (12), are connected to the first housing (12). Another charging cable comprising a housing (12) is also connected to one of the housings (12). Each housing (12) is set up in such a way that it includes a cable with a charging cable connection (11) on the vehicle side. Thus, four connections for charging an electric vehicle (4) are provided by the structure implemented in this exemplary embodiment.

In addition, it should be noted that those skilled in the art will no doubt recognize that the individual features described in the foregoing specific embodiments can be appropriately combined with one another, provided there is no contradiction, and to avoid unnecessary repetition, a separate description of various possible combinations is referred to is waived.

Reference List

1 intelligent charging cable

2 unit of account

3 charging station

4 Device to be loaded

10 Mains charging cable connection

11 Device-side charging cable connector

12 housing

13 displays

41 Another electric vehicle

101 control/data line

102 charging cable detection pin

103 First stage

104 Second phase

105 protective conductor

106 Third stage

107 neutral wire

Claims

patent claims

1. Intelligent charging cable (1) for regulating the charging power of accumulators of devices to be charged, in particular electric vehicles, the intelligent charging cable having at least a single-phase, mains-side charging cable connection (10), this being set up as a coupling element of the charging cable (1) and a charging station (3). , an at least single-phase vehicle-side charging cable connection (11), this being set up as a coupling element of the charging cable (1) and a device (4) to be charged, and a housing (12) comprising electronics, this being set up for setting a charging power , wherein the electronics are set up for monitoring and/or adjusting the charging current on at least one phase, characterized in that the electronics comprises a communication interface which is set up in such a way that it has at least one signal transmission means which is used for transmission of a data signal or a data sequence to at least one arithmetic unit (2), the communication interface being designed in such a way that it enables data communication with the arithmetic unit (2), the arithmetic unit being set up to monitor and/or set the charging power.

2. Intelligent charging cable according to claim 1, wherein the charging cable (1) has a mechanism which is set up to eject the mains-side and/or vehicle-side connection (10, 11), the ejection of a computing unit (2) being controllable is spatially distant from the charging cable (1).

3. Intelligent charging cable according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an algorithm communicating via the communication interface and/or a time control of the charging process is made possible by means of an artificial intelligence.

4. Intelligent charging cable according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the electronics comprises an electricity meter which is set up in such a way that it monitors the power supplied by the charging station (3) to the device (4) to be charged.

5. Intelligent charging cable according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the communication interface of the charging cable (1) is set up to communicate with a network load monitoring device, in particular a smart meter.

6. Intelligent charging cable according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the communication interface is set up in such a way that it enables data transmission to a mobile terminal device and/or a stationary computing unit and/or a cloud-based storage medium.

7. Intelligent charging cable according to claim 6, wherein the communication interface enables contactless transmission of data communication signals.

8. Intelligent charging cable according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the charging cable (1) is set up via the communication interface by means of a computer program product, in particular an app installed on a mobile device, by a user and/or an algorithm and/or a artificial intelligence to be operable.

9. Intelligent charging cable according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the charging cable (1) comprises the housing (12) provides a charging cable connection for at least one additional charging cable. Intelligent charging cable according to one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the housing (12) contained by the charging cable (1) is set up in such a way that it can be coupled by a user to a charging device and at least one further housing, so that at least one charging option is available on each coupled housing is provided for a device (4) to be loaded. Intelligent charging cable according to one of Claims 1 to 10, in which the electronics comprised by the intelligent charging cable (1) are designed in such a way that they have a module which increases and/or reduces the resistance of the individual phases by resistance elements connected in series. Intelligent charging cable according to one of claims 1 to 11, which is set up to map the requirements of the ISO 15118 standard, whereby a plug-and-charge function is implemented. Intelligent charging system, comprising an intelligent charging cable (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 12 and a charging station (3) and/or an electric vehicle (4). Intelligent charging system according to claim 13, wherein the charging station (3) has a mechanism which is arranged to eject the mains-side connection (10, 11), and wherein the intelligent charging cable (1) is arranged to enable such an ejection, wherein the Ejection can be controlled by a computing unit (2) that is spatially remote from the charging cable (1). Intelligent charging system according to Claim 13 or 14, having a charging station (3), preferably designed as a wall box, which is connected to an intelligent charging cable (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 12, the housing (12) of the intelligent charging cable (1) being furnished is to be installed in a fixed location, or is installed in a fixed location, the housing (12) being modularly connectable to other identical housings (12), the housing (12) having at least one charging cable connection (11). Intelligent charging system according to Claim 15, in which at least two, preferably at least three, housings (12) are coupled to one another and installed in a stationary manner, with only one of the housings (12) being connected to the charging station ( 3) is connected. Method for controlling the charging power between a device (4) to be charged and a charging station (3), comprising the following steps: a) providing (S01) a device (4) to be charged, b) providing (S02) a charging station (3) , c) coupling (S03) of the charging station (3) and the device (4) to be charged with a charging cable (1) as defined in one of the preceding claims, d) coupling (S04) of the charging cable (1) with at least one computing unit ( 2), e) Monitoring (S05) and/or controlling (S06) the charging power by means of a user and/or an algorithm and/or an artificial intelligence and/or a computer program product and/or electronics according to one of the preceding claims , wherein the electronics are set up in such a way that they monitor and/or set the charging power at the charging station (3) and the device to be charged (4) by monitoring and/or setting the charging current on at least one phase.