KR102706179B1 - Charging control apparatus for electric vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A charging control device for charging an electric vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a first input unit connected to a collision detection sensor of the electric vehicle and receiving a predetermined voltage from the collision detection sensor, a circuit protection unit decompressing the predetermined voltage applied from the first input unit, and a microcontroller unit connected to the circuit protection unit and recognizing whether the electric vehicle has collided according to the voltage applied from the circuit protection unit and controlling charging of the electric vehicle according to the presence or absence of the collision, wherein when the collision detection sensor does not detect a collision, the predetermined voltage applied to the first input unit is a first voltage, and when the collision detection sensor detects a collision, the predetermined voltage applied to the first input unit is a second voltage lower than the first voltage, and the circuit protection unit includes a first decompressing unit that distributes the predetermined voltage, and a second decompressing unit that re-decompresses the voltage distributed by the first decompressing unit.

Description

{CHARGING CONTROL APPARATUS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE}

The present invention relates to electric vehicles, and more particularly, to charging of electric vehicles.

Eco-friendly vehicles such as electric vehicles (EVs) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) use electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) installed at charging stations to charge their batteries.

At this time, electric vehicles can be charged using either slow charging or fast charging methods. Slow charging takes about 7 hours to charge, and fast charging takes about 30 minutes to charge.

Meanwhile, electric vehicles are charged with high voltage and high current, so demands for safety during charging are increasing.

In particular, if a collision occurs with another vehicle while an electric vehicle is being charged, it can have a significant impact on the safety of not only the vehicle but also the driver or passengers inside the vehicle. Accordingly, a device is needed to ensure safety in the event of a collision while an electric vehicle is being charged.

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2002-0049290 (June 26, 2002) Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-217544 (October 27, 2011) Japanese Patent Publication No. 10-257672 (1998.09.25)

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a charging control device for safety in the event of a collision while charging an electric vehicle.

A charging control device for charging an electric vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a first input unit connected to a collision detection sensor of the electric vehicle and receiving a predetermined voltage from the collision detection sensor, a circuit protection unit decompressing the predetermined voltage applied from the first input unit, and a microcontroller unit connected to the circuit protection unit and recognizing whether the electric vehicle has collided according to the voltage applied from the circuit protection unit and controlling charging of the electric vehicle according to the presence or absence of the collision, wherein when the collision detection sensor does not detect a collision, the predetermined voltage applied to the first input unit is a first voltage, and when the collision detection sensor detects a collision, the predetermined voltage applied to the first input unit is a second voltage lower than the first voltage, and the circuit protection unit includes a first decompressing unit that distributes the predetermined voltage, and a second decompressing unit that re-decompresses the voltage distributed by the first decompressing unit.

The first pressure reducing unit may be a plurality of resistors connected in series, and the second pressure reducing unit may be connected in parallel to some of the plurality of resistors and may include a constant voltage circuit.

The above constant voltage circuit may include a zener diode.

The device may further include a delay unit connected between the first input unit and the circuit protection unit, and delaying the time at which voltage is applied from the first input unit through the circuit protection unit to the microcontroller unit.

The above delay unit may include a power unit connected to the microcontroller unit and receiving power from the microcontroller unit when the microcontroller unit operates, and a switching unit connected to the circuit protection unit and switching from an open state to a closed state when the power unit receives a predetermined power, thereby allowing the predetermined voltage to be applied from the first input unit to the circuit protection unit.

The switching unit may include a first switching element having a gate terminal connected to the power unit, and a second switching element connected between the first input portion and the circuit protection portion, the second switching element being closed when the first switching element is conducted.

The device may further include an input protection unit connected between the first input unit and the delay unit and configured to protect at least one of reverse voltage and ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) against a voltage applied from the first input unit to the delay unit.

It may further include a second input unit connected to a battery and receiving the first voltage from the battery.

The above microcontroller unit can control to stop charging of the electric vehicle when the voltage applied from the circuit protection unit is a voltage corresponding to the second voltage.

It may further include a third input for communicating with an EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment).

A charging device for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a charging control device, and a power supply unit that transfers power supplied from an EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) to a battery and is controlled by the charging control device, wherein the charging control device is connected to a collision detection sensor of the electric vehicle and includes a first input unit to which a predetermined voltage is applied from the collision detection sensor, a circuit protection unit that decompresses the predetermined voltage applied from the first input unit, and a microcontroller unit that is connected to the circuit protection unit and recognizes whether the electric vehicle has collided according to the voltage applied from the circuit protection unit and controls charging of the electric vehicle according to the collision, wherein when the collision detection sensor does not detect a collision, the predetermined voltage applied to the first input unit is a first voltage, and when the collision detection sensor detects a collision, the predetermined voltage applied to the first input unit is a second voltage lower than the first voltage, and the circuit protection unit includes a first decompressing unit that distributes the predetermined voltage, and a second decompressing unit that re-decompresses the voltage distributed by the first decompressing unit. Includes.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, if a collision occurs during charging of an electric vehicle, it can be detected and charging can be stopped. Accordingly, the safety of the electric vehicle can be improved during charging.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a collision detection signal of an electric vehicle can be stably and reliably applied into the charging control device of the electric vehicle.

Figures 1 and 2 are drawings showing a charging system for an electric vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a charging system for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a charging control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an example of a circuit diagram included in a charging control device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a graph comparing a voltage input from a collision detection sensor to a charging control device and a voltage applied to a microcontroller unit of the charging control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention can have various modifications and various embodiments, and specific embodiments are illustrated and described in the drawings. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, but should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, or substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

Terms including ordinal numbers such as second, first, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the second component may be referred to as the first component, and similarly, the first component may also be referred to as the second component. The term and/or includes any combination of a plurality of related described items or any item among a plurality of related described items.

When it is said that a component is "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but that there may be other components in between. On the other hand, when it is said that a component is "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

The terminology used in this application is only used to describe specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, it should be understood that the terms "comprises" or "has" and the like are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in the specification, but do not exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries, such as those defined in common dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning they have in the context of the relevant art, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly defined in this application.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Regardless of the drawing symbols, identical or corresponding components are given the same reference numerals and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

Figures 1 and 2 are drawings showing a charging system for an electric vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an electric vehicle (EV) 10 can be charged from an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) 20. For this purpose, a charging cable (22) connected to the EVSE (20) can be connected to an inlet of the EV (10). Here, the EVSE (20) is a facility that supplies AC or DC, and can be placed at a charging station or placed in a home, and can also be implemented to be portable. The EVSE (20) can be used interchangeably with a charging station (supply), an AC charging station (AC supply), a DC charging station (DC supply), a socket-outlet, etc.

The charging device (Electric Vehicle Charging Controller, EVCC, 100) is mounted in the EV (10) and connected to the EV (10). For example, the charging device (100) may be installed in the trunk of the EV (10), but is not limited thereto.

An electric vehicle (EV, 10) can be charged at a charging station equipped with electric vehicle charging equipment (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment, EVSE, 20). To this end, a charging cable (22) connected to the electric vehicle charging equipment (20) can be connected to the inlet of the electric vehicle (10).

Meanwhile, it takes about 7 hours for the slow charging method and about 30 minutes for the fast charging method until the electric vehicle (10) is fully charged. If several electric vehicles enter a charging station, there is a possibility of collision between vehicles. If another vehicle collides with an electric vehicle being charged with high voltage (e.g., hundreds of volts) and high current (e.g., hundreds of amperes), there is a risk of electric shock.

Therefore, if another vehicle collides with an electric vehicle while it is being charged or a similar impact is applied, the electric vehicle (10) needs to stop charging within a short period of time.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, when an electric vehicle (10) detects a collision, a charging device (100) mounted in the electric vehicle (10) attempts to stop charging the electric vehicle (10).

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a charging system for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, an electric vehicle (EV) 10 can be charged from an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) 20. To this end, a charging device (100) is mounted in the electric vehicle (10) and can communicate with the electric vehicle (10) and the electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) 20, respectively.

The charging device (100) includes a charging control device (200) and a power supply unit (300).

The charging control device (200) is connected to each of an electric vehicle (10) and an electric vehicle charging facility (20). The charging control device (200) can be connected to each of an electric vehicle (10) and an electric vehicle charging facility (20) through a plurality of pins.

For example, the charging control device (200) includes 20 pins connected to the electric vehicle charging facility (20), and can communicate with the electric vehicle charging facility (20) through these pins. For example, one of the 20 pins may be a CP port pin for receiving a CP (Control Pilot) signal from the electric vehicle charging facility (20), another may be a PD (Proximity Detection) port pin for detecting the proximity of a charging cable connector, and another may be a PE (Protective Earth) port pin connected to the ground of the electric vehicle charging facility (20). Another of the 20 pins may be a pin for driving a motor for opening a fuel tank flap, another may be a pin for sensing the motor, another may be a pin for temperature sensing, another may be a pin for LED sensing, and another may be a pin for CAN communication. However, the number and function of the pins are not limited to this and can be varied in various ways.

And, the charging control device (200) includes 12 pins connected to the vehicle (10), and can communicate with the vehicle (10) through these. For example, one of the 12 pins may be a pin for a voltage line applied from a collision detection sensor (12) in the vehicle (10), another may be a battery pin in the vehicle (10), another may be a pin for CAN communication, another may be a pin connected to ground, and another may be a pin for high voltage protection. However, the number and function of the pins are not limited thereto, and may be variously modified.

Two high-voltage lines of the electric vehicle charging facility (20) supply power to the battery (14) of the vehicle (10) through the power supply unit (300) of the charging device (100), and at this time, the on/off of the high-voltage lines can be controlled by the charging control device (200).

That is, the charging control device (200) can control the power supply unit (300) that transmits power supplied from the electric vehicle charging facility (20) to the battery (12) of the electric vehicle (10) according to signals received from the electric vehicle (10) and the electric vehicle charging facility (20), respectively.

A charging control device (200) according to an embodiment of the present invention controls charging of an electric vehicle (10) to stop when the electric vehicle (10) collides.

To this end, referring to FIG. 4, the charging control device (200) includes a first input unit (210), a second input unit (220), a third input unit (230), and a microcontroller unit (240).

The first input unit (210) is connected to a collision detection sensor (12) of an electric vehicle (10), and a predetermined voltage is applied from the collision detection sensor (12).

The second input unit (220) is connected to the battery (14) of the electric vehicle (10), and a predetermined voltage is applied from the battery (14). The second input unit (220) is connected to the microcontroller unit (240), and power supplied from the battery (14) to the microcontroller unit (240) through the second input unit (220) can operate the microcontroller unit (240).

The third input unit (230) communicates with the electric vehicle charging facility (20).

Here, the first input unit (210) and the second input unit (220) may be some of the 12 pins connected to the vehicle (10). And, the third input unit (230) may be some of the 20 pins connected to the electric vehicle charging facility (20).

The collision detection sensor (12) and the battery (14) of the electric vehicle (10) may be connected via a fuse. Accordingly, in a normal state, i.e., in a state where no collision has occurred, the voltage applied to the first input unit (210) via the collision detection sensor (12) and the voltage applied to the second input unit (220) via the battery (14) are the same as the first voltage. For example, a voltage of 12 V may be applied via each of the first input unit (210) and the second input unit (220).

However, when a collision occurs and the collision detection sensor (12) detects a collision, the fuse between the collision detection sensor (12) and the battery (14) is blown, so that the voltage applied through the first input unit (210) may be lower than the first voltage applied through the second input unit (220) to the second voltage. For example, when the voltage input through the second input unit (220) is 12 V, the voltage applied through the first input unit (210) when a collision occurs may be lower than 3 V.

The voltage input through the first input unit (210) is input to the microcontroller unit (240), and the microcontroller unit (240) recognizes whether there is a collision of the electric vehicle (10) based on the magnitude of the applied voltage, and controls charging of the electric vehicle (10) based on whether there is a collision. For example, if the voltage applied from the first input unit (210) is lower than the reference voltage, the microcontroller unit (240) recognizes that a collision has occurred and can control charging of the electric vehicle (10) to stop.

At this time, in order to protect the microcontroller unit (240), the charging control device (200) may further include an input protection unit (250), a delay unit (260), and a circuit protection unit (270).

The input protection unit (250) is connected between the first input unit (210) and the delay unit (260), and can protect at least one of reverse voltage and ESD (Electristatic Discharge) for the voltage applied from the first input unit (210) toward the microcontroller unit (240). Accordingly, even if the battery (14) is inserted in the opposite direction, damage to the device can be prevented.

Next, the delay unit (260) is connected between the first input unit (210) and the circuit protection unit (270), and delays the time at which voltage is applied from the first input unit (210) to the microcontroller unit (240) through the circuit protection unit (270). That is, before the microcontroller unit (240) operates, the path between the first input unit (210) and the circuit protection unit (270) can be blocked, and after the microcontroller unit (240) operates, the path between the first input unit (210) and the circuit protection unit (270) can be opened. Accordingly, until the microcontroller unit (240) operates stably by power supplied from the battery (14) through the second input unit (220), it is possible to prevent the microcontroller unit (240) from malfunctioning due to voltage applied from the collision detection sensor (12) through the first input unit (210).

To this end, the delay unit (260) may include a power unit (262) and a switching unit (264). Here, the power unit (262) is connected to the microcontroller unit (240) and may receive power from the microcontroller unit (240) when the microcontroller unit (240) operates. In addition, the switching unit (264) is connected between the first input unit (210) and the circuit protection unit (270), and when the power unit (262) receives a predetermined power, it switches from an open state to a closed state, so that a predetermined voltage may be applied from the collision detection sensor (12) to the circuit protection unit (270) through the first input unit (210).

Next, the circuit protection unit (270) is connected between the first input unit (210) and the microcontroller unit (240), and reduces a predetermined voltage applied from the collision detection sensor (12) through the first input unit (210) and then applies the reduced voltage to the microcontroller unit (240). At this time, the voltage applied to the microcontroller unit (240) may be reduced so as not to exceed 5 V. Accordingly, damage to the microcontroller unit (240) can be prevented.

At this time, the circuit protection unit (270) can reduce the predetermined voltage applied from the collision detection sensor (12) through the first input unit (210) in multiple stages. For example, the circuit protection unit (270) can include a first reduction unit (272) that distributes the predetermined reduction and a second reduction unit (274) that re-reduces the voltage distributed by the first reduction unit (272). In this way, when the circuit protection unit (270) reduces the predetermined voltage applied through the first input unit (210) in multiple stages, even if a high level of voltage (e.g., 35 V) is applied through the first input unit (210), the voltage applied to the microcontroller unit (240) can be stably lowered to 5 V or less.

FIG. 5 is an example of a circuit diagram included in a charging control device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Fig. 5, a predetermined voltage applied from a collision detection sensor (12) of an electric vehicle (10) is input to a charging control device (200) through a first input unit (210). The voltage input to the charging control device (200) through the first input unit (210) may be, for example, between 0 and 35 V.

The diode (D1) of the input protection unit (250) has a reverse voltage protection function, and the diode (D2) can have an ESD protection function.

The voltage passing through the input protection unit (250) is applied to the delay unit (260). The delay unit (260) delays the time for which the voltage is applied to the microcontroller unit (240) until the microcontroller unit (240) operates. To this end, the delay unit (260) may include a power unit (262) and a switching unit (264). Here, the power unit (262) is connected to the microcontroller unit (240) and may receive power from the microcontroller unit (240) when the microcontroller unit (240) operates. In addition, the switching unit (264) may include a first switching element (T1) having a gate terminal connected to the power unit (262) and a second switching element (T2) connected between the first input unit (210) and the circuit protection unit (270) and closed when the first switching element (T1) is conducted.

Accordingly, when power is not supplied to the microcontroller unit (240) from the battery (14) of the electric vehicle (10) through the second input unit (220) and the microcontroller unit (240) does not operate, the power unit (262) is in an OV state. Accordingly, the first switching element (T1) is not conducted, the second switching element (T2) is open, and the path between the first input unit (210) and the circuit protection unit (270) is blocked, so that voltage is not applied to the microcontroller unit (240) through the first input unit (210).

In contrast, when power is supplied from the battery (14) of the electric vehicle (10) to the microcontroller unit (240) through the second input unit (220), the microcontroller unit (240) operates, and a predetermined voltage, for example, 5 V, is applied to the power supply unit (262). Accordingly, the first switching element (T1) is turned on, and accordingly, the second switching element (T2) is closed, and voltage is applied to the microcontroller unit (240) through the first input unit (210).

In this way, the delay unit (260) conducts voltage to the microcontroller unit (240) through the first input unit (210) only when the microcontroller unit (240) is operating, thereby preventing malfunction before the microcontroller unit (240) receives power from the battery (14) and operates normally.

Next, the voltage passing through the delay unit (260) is reduced through the circuit protection unit (270). For example, the circuit protection unit (270) can reduce the voltage input to the microcontroller unit (240) to 5 V or less. Accordingly, damage to the microcontroller unit (240) can be prevented.

To this end, the circuit protection unit (270) includes a first decompression unit (272) that distributes a predetermined voltage and a second decompression unit (274) that re-decompresses the voltage distributed by the first decompression unit (272).

The first decompression unit (272) includes a plurality of resistors connected in series, and the second decompression unit (274) includes a constant voltage circuit connected in parallel to some of the plurality of resistors included in the first decompression unit (272). Here, the constant voltage circuit may include a constant voltage diode (D3), and the constant voltage diode may be a zener diode having a performance of about 5 V. Accordingly, after the voltage is distributed by the first decompression unit (272), it is decompressed again by the second decompression unit (274), so that a voltage of 5 V or less can be applied to the microcontroller unit (240).

FIG. 6 is a graph comparing a voltage input from a collision detection sensor to a charging control device and a voltage applied to a microcontroller unit of the charging control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, it can be seen that when the voltage (signal #1) input to the first input unit (210) of the charging control device (200) changes from 0 to 35 V, the voltage (signal #2) applied to the microcontroller unit (240) of the charging control device (200) changes from 0 to 5 V.

In this way, even if the voltage input to the first input unit (210) of the charging control device (200) is as high as 35 V, the voltage applied to the microcontroller unit (240) is 5 V or less, so that damage to the microcontroller unit (240) can be prevented, and it can be seen that the product can withstand reliability tests in which the voltage input to the first input unit (210) is repeatedly changed from 0 V to 35 V.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below.

10: Electric Cars
20: Electric vehicle charging facilities
22: Charging Cable
100: Charging device
200: Charge Control Device
210: Input 1
220: Second input section
230: 3rd input section
240: Microcontroller section
250: Input protection unit
260: Delayed
270: Circuit protection unit

Claims (10)

In a charging control device for charging an electric vehicle,
A first input unit connected to the collision detection sensor of the electric vehicle and receiving a predetermined voltage from the collision detection sensor;
A circuit protection unit that reduces a predetermined voltage applied from the first input unit;
A microcontroller unit connected to the circuit protection unit, recognizing whether the electric vehicle collides according to the voltage applied from the circuit protection unit, and controlling charging of the electric vehicle according to the collision;
A second input section connected between the battery and the microcontroller section, to which a first voltage from the battery is applied, and
A delay unit is connected between the first input unit and the circuit protection unit, and includes a delay unit that delays the time at which voltage is applied from the first input unit to the microcontroller unit through the circuit protection unit until power is supplied from the battery to the microcontroller unit through the second input unit.
If the collision detection sensor does not detect a collision, the predetermined voltage applied to the first input portion is the first voltage, and if the collision detection sensor detects a collision, the predetermined voltage applied to the first input portion is a second voltage lower than the first voltage.
A charging control device, wherein the circuit protection unit includes a first decompression unit that distributes the predetermined voltage, and a second decompression unit that re-decompresses the voltage distributed by the first decompression unit. In the first paragraph,
The above first pressure reducing unit is a plurality of resistors connected in series,
A charge control device wherein the second pressure reducing unit is connected in parallel to some of the plurality of resistors and includes a constant voltage circuit. delete In the first paragraph,
The above delay part is,
A power unit connected to the above microcontroller unit and receiving power from the microcontroller unit when the above microcontroller unit is operating, and
A switching unit connected to the circuit protection unit, and switching from an open state to a closed state when the power unit receives a predetermined power supply, thereby allowing the predetermined voltage to be applied from the first input unit to the circuit protection unit.
A charging control device comprising: In paragraph 4,
The above switching unit comprises a first switching element having a gate terminal connected to the power unit, and
A second switching element connected between the first input section and the circuit protection section, and closed when the first switching element is conducted.
A charging control device comprising: In the first paragraph,
A charge control device further comprising an input protection unit connected between the first input unit and the delay unit and protecting at least one of reverse voltage and ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) with respect to a voltage applied from the first input unit to the delay unit. delete In the first paragraph,
A charging control device that controls the microcontroller section to stop charging of the electric vehicle when the voltage applied from the circuit protection section is a voltage corresponding to the second voltage. In the first paragraph,
A charging control device further comprising a third input section for communicating with an EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment). In the charging device of an electric vehicle,
charge control device, and
It includes a power supply unit that transmits power supplied from an EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) to a battery and is controlled by the charging control device.
The above charging control device
A first input unit connected to the collision detection sensor of the electric vehicle and receiving a predetermined voltage from the collision detection sensor;
A circuit protection unit that reduces a predetermined voltage applied from the first input unit;
A microcontroller unit connected to the circuit protection unit, recognizing whether the electric vehicle collides according to the voltage applied from the circuit protection unit, and controlling charging of the electric vehicle according to the collision;
A second input section connected between the battery and the microcontroller section, to which a first voltage is applied from the battery, and
A delay unit is connected between the first input unit and the circuit protection unit, and includes a delay unit that delays the time at which voltage is applied from the first input unit to the microcontroller unit through the circuit protection unit until power is supplied from the battery to the microcontroller unit through the second input unit.
If the collision detection sensor does not detect a collision, the predetermined voltage applied to the first input portion is the first voltage, and if the collision detection sensor detects a collision, the predetermined voltage applied to the first input portion is a second voltage lower than the first voltage.
A charging device, wherein the circuit protection unit includes a first decompression unit that distributes the predetermined voltage, and a second decompression unit that re-decompresses the voltage distributed by the first decompression unit.

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