Method for supplementing and calculating energy consumed by a vehicle

The present invention relates to a method for supplementing and detecting spent energy in a vehicle having a receptacle for a first energy storage.

The invention also relates to a vehicle for operation with an energy store.

Today it is routine for every driver of a motor vehicle to drive to fill his fuel tank to a gas station and refill his tank there. During the refueling process, it is known that the amount of fuel flowing into the tank is detected and transmitted to a cash register for settlement. Such an operation takes place on a variety of fuels used in internal combustion engines, be it gasoline, diesel fuel, gas, etc.

In addition to the vast majority of vehicles with internal combustion engines, there is a small but increasing number of vehicles with electric drives. In these vehicles, the drive energy is stored in accumulators or capacitors. Since just accumulators can be charged only with a predetermined maximum current, the charge takes place in such a way that the vehicle is connected after use by means of a cable to a power source and then with the predetermined maximum charging current z. B. the rechargeable batteries are recharged overnight, so that the vehicle is the next morning again with fully charged storage available.

Also known is an electrical energy system <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="EP0557287B1"><text>EP 0 557 287 B1</text></patcit>, Furthermore, the state of the art according to<patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="EP0575864A"><text>EP 0575864</text></patcit> pointed out as well <patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="GB2353151A"><text>GB-A-2353151</text></patcit>. <patcit id="pcit0004" dnum="FR2716228A"><text>FR-A-2716228</text></patcit>. <patcit id="pcit0005" dnum="US5272431A"><text>US-A-5,272,431</text></patcit>. <patcit id="pcit0006" dnum="FR2685547A1"><text>FR-A1-2685547</text></patcit>. <patcit id="pcit0007" dnum="DE4229687A1"><text>DE-A1-4229687</text></patcit>. <patcit id="pcit0008" dnum="US5998963A"><text>US-A-5,998,963</text></patcit>, All of the above documents disclose in any way the replacement of batteries in vehicles of this type.

Object of the present invention is to provide a system that allows electrically powered vehicles to provide electrical energy within a limited period of time and their billing. Furthermore, it should be ensured that an energy theft is excluded.

The object is achieved by a method according to claim 1 and an electric vehicle according to claim 5. Advantageous developments are described in the subclaims.

The procedure is based on the concept that<ol id="ol0001" compact="compact" ol-style=""><li>a) the first energy store is removed from the vehicle,</li><li>b) a second energy store with a predefinable fill level is inserted into the vehicle,</li><li>c) the difference of the amount of energy between the first and the second memory is determined, and</li><li>d) a value indicating the difference is transmitted to a data acquisition device.</li></ol>

Of course, in this data acquisition device, this value indicating the difference can be subjected to any desired processing, so that, for B. can determine a price for the difference in the amount of energy. By replacing the energy storage, the time required for the refilling process (charging process) remains limited to the replacement process, since the second (the energy store to be used) can already be fully charged. Thus, the time is limited for the "refueling" of electricity to a period of time, which is familiar to every driver today even from a normal refueling process. This is very important for the acceptance of such a system.

Furthermore, by employing a memory of higher capacity, the range of a vehicle (possibly only temporarily) can be increased. Finally, by such an exchange of energy storage, for. B., if only a short Stecke is to drive, taken from a night at a house connection with cheap night electricity charged storage and replaced by a charged with a sufficient amount of energy for the day memory. Again, a difference (in favor of the customer) can be determined and the customer thus credited or paid an amount.

The full memory with cheap night stream can then z. B. can be used to support the network during the Mittagsspitze. Thus, the cheap electricity purchased at night during this peak can be sold at a higher price.

In order to ensure that the energy storage devices used in a vehicle work reliably and do not lead to a (premature) failure of the vehicle, each energy storage device is subjected to a functional test and / or one or more further tests before the charging process.

In order to make the test results comprehensible, given data of the test or tests are stored. This storage can z. B. by a written entry in a booklet or on a plaque on the memory. Additionally or alternatively, the memory may of course also be equipped with a corresponding chip in order to store this data and to output it as needed.

In a preferred development of the method, an energy removal from the second memory is prevented after the replacement of the energy store and / or an immobilizer prevents the vehicle from driving away and the energy removal and / or the immobilizer is released by the data acquisition device through a signal. In this way, a "fuel theft" is effectively prevented if such release takes place only when z. B. the price for the new store is paid.

To the driver or z. B. to give the holder an overview of the energy consumption of the vehicle, also related to the consumption data can be collected and transmitted to the data acquisition device. This can z. B. the driven of the plug, the engine power of the vehicle, temperature data and / or other data.

Also, an energy storage of the type mentioned above can be used with a unique identifier and / or standardized connections and / or standardized design. By the unique marking, z. As an affixed badge, as an electronic chip, as a stroke rate, or the like, a clear identification or tracking of the energy storage is possible. The standardized connections allow the use of an energy storage device in any vehicle equipped with suitable connections. Furthermore, such an energy storage device can be measured with standardized connections at any suitably equipped measuring station and loaded at any suitably equipped charging station.

In a preferred development of the energy storage is characterized by at least one holding device to which an exchangeable molded body can be attached, which fits into the outer skin of the vehicle. As a result, the same memory can also be used for different vehicle types. The opening provided for exchanging the memory in the vehicle is then closed by the shaped body, which is designed specifically for the vehicle or type and is fastened to the energy store with a suitable attachment. Of course, the color can be adjusted in this way.

In order to enable replacement of the energy store with different vehicle orientations, the memory of at least one vehicle side and / or from the vehicle underside is accessible in a preferred embodiment of the vehicle. Access openings symmetrical on both vehicle longitudinal sides thus allow a lateral exchange of energy storage, without requiring a particularly detailed vehicle orientation in given local conditions.

In a preferred embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention, a container is provided, which essentially has the cross section of the energy store, has a holding device for an exchangeable molded body and can be inserted into the space not required by the energy store. Finally, the vehicle has over its entire width a channel which has substantially the cross section of the energy store; otherwise it would not be possible to replace the memory on different vehicle sides. The space not needed by the energy storage in this channel can be used as additional storage space, for. B. for tools and / or warning triangle and / or first aid kit. Depending on the position of this storage space in the vehicle, these parts are there in a better protected position than in their accommodation in the trunk.

To z. For example, to be able to reliably recognize for an automated exchange of the energy storage, where the energy storage is, a vehicle is characterized by a label indicating the type of vehicle and / or the location of the energy storage. This marking can be evaluated and closed accordingly to the position of the energy storage device, its capacity, and other parameters. This identifier can z. B. be designed in the form of a mark attached to the vehicle, as a connector or a device, the z. B. in a wireless request sends a corresponding response signal.

Furthermore, the object is achieved by a device of the type mentioned, characterized by at least one device for removing the first energy storage and for supplying the second filled energy storage. As a result, the test and / or charging of the removed from the vehicle energy storage at another location, eg. B. take place in a central area and at the corresponding parking position of the vehicle, there are only removed from the vehicle first energy storage and to be used in the vehicle second energy storage.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device is characterized by a device for detecting the vehicle type. This detection can z. B. by imaging techniques (camera), a manual input, z. B. via a keyboard, a wireless query or in any other suitable manner and thereby the device z. B. the location of the energy storage in the vehicle be made known.

In order to shorten the transport times of the individual energy storage in case of need as possible, in addition to a (central) device for checking and filling the removed from the vehicles energy storage at least one main bearing and an intermediate storage near at least one vehicle parking position for the replenished energy storage can be provided. As a result, energy stores removed from the vehicle can be supplied to the device for checking and filling. There they will be checked and recharged and z. B. fed to a main warehouse. From this main camp then now ready to dispense energy storage smaller interim storage, z. B. supplied to the vehicle parking positions, so that there is always a number of charged and tested energy storage is available.

On the one hand to relieve people of the heavy physical work of the exchange of energy storage and on the other hand to reduce the risk of errors, a device has at least one device for the automatic exchange of energy storage.

In order to have a clearly defined position in which the energy store is replaced, depending on the type of vehicle, the vehicle parking position is located in a preferred development of the device according to the invention on a transport device that transports the vehicle along different working positions.

Since in this replacement process to supplement the energy supply quite an analogy to a refueling process is given, such a device can of course also be integrated with a known gas station. However, in order to allow as undisturbed as possible entry and exit in such a device may be provided at least partially subterranean transport facilities for the energy storage for transporting the storage between individual storage bins or workstations.

The figures are explained in more detail below. Showing:<dl id="dl0001"><dt>FIG. 1</dt><dd>a method in a flowchart;</dd><dt>FIG. 2</dt><dd>a flowchart in which various tests are shown;</dd><dt>FIG. 3</dt><dd>an energy store;</dd><dt>FIG. 4</dt><dd>a circuit for enabling the memory;</dd><dt>FIG. 5</dt><dd>a simplified side view of a vehicle;</dd><dt>FIG. 6</dt><dd>a view of an energy store;</dd><dt>FIG. 7</dt><dd>a storage compartment insert; and</dd><dt>FIG. 8</dt><dd>a device for supplementing the energy supply.</dd></dl>

In <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1</figref> the method for supplementing the energy supply in an electric vehicle is shown. In step 1, the first energy store is removed from the vehicle, in step 2, a second, charged energy storage is used, in step 3, the first energy storage is measured. This measurement initially only affects the amount of energy still contained in the memory. Since the amount of energy contained in the second energy storage device used is known, the difference can easily be formed (step 4) and billed (step 5). It does not matter whether the storage facilities differ in their capacity. Thus, z. B. used in special situations, a larger and thus heavy memory with higher capacity and thereby the range of the vehicle can be increased. After the end of this special situation can z.

B. then again a lighter memory of lower capacity with a correspondingly reduced but sufficient range can be used.

Once the memory has been removed from the vehicle and the amount of energy remaining in the memory has been determined, the memory can be subjected to a further test procedure in order to ensure that only technically sound energy stores are recharged and continue to be used. Such tests can z. Example, a visual inspection (step 6), in which external damage, deformations and the like can be determined. Furthermore, a mechanical test (step 7) can be performed, which provides information about the dimensional stability, the tight fit of terminals or the like. In addition, z. B. a capacity test (step 8), a test of internal resistance (step 9) and a test of the acid density (step 10) conceivable. From the results of these and possibly further tests it is possible to conclude on the condition and the presumable remaining life of the energy store. It can thus be ensured that only a perfect memory is recharged and used in a vehicle. Thus, a failure of the vehicle due to a lack of memory with some certainty can be avoided.

<figref idref="f0003">FIG. 3</figref> shows a simplified example of an energy storage. This memory has a housing 12. In this case or on this housing are electrodes 14, 15, z. B. in the form of plates. These plates have a sufficient cross-section to be able to conduct the currents necessary for the operation of the vehicle. Furthermore, a connector 16 is provided, can be determined by the static and / or dynamic measurements. Here come z. As cell voltages, internal resistance, etc. into consideration. Furthermore, a label 17 is provided. This marking 17 allows a unique identification of the energy storage, which is designated in its entirety by the reference numeral 20. If this label 17 z. B. is attached in the form of a sticker on the front of the energy storage 20 and provides sufficient space, can here z. B. also other information such as the measurement results or the like can be entered. Furthermore, a pocket 18 is shown in the z. B. measurement protocols can be stored so that they always accompany the energy storage 20. Alternatively or additionally, it is of course also possible to store markings and / or measurement results and / or other relevant data in an electronic memory (not shown) which may be integrated in the energy store 20.

<figref idref="f0003">FIG. 4</figref> shows a simplified example of an immobilizer. This is divided into two parts. The one part with the reference numeral 28 is assigned to the vehicle, while the other part is assigned the reference numeral 34 of the refill station. The arranged in the vehicle part 28 includes the energy storage 20, one (or more) contacts 22 and a motor 24. In this case, the energy storage 20, the contact 22 and the motor 24 are connected in series. Thus, the energy storage 20 can deliver power to the motor 24, therefore, the contact 22 must be closed. The contact 22 is z. B. actuated via a relay 26. This relay 26 receives power via plug connector 30 from a stationary power source 32. Thus, as soon as the relay 26 is supplied with a current,

In this way, the energy storage can be safely switched load-free. After the replacement of the memory 20 and the settlement of the supplemented amount of energy, the connection between the power source 32 and the relay 26 can be interrupted again. As a result, the relay 26 drops, the contact closes and the motor 24 can be supplied with power from the energy storage 20.

Of course, other embodiments are conceivable. So z. B. the relay 26 can be controlled depending on the signal of a radio receiver. In this way, the release of the power supply for the motor 24, so the closing of the contact 22, are automatically linked to the cashier process. Once the cashier process is completed, ie, as soon as the supplemented amount of energy is paid, the flow of current from the energy storage 20 to the motor 24 can be released. On the other hand, this means, as long as the contact 22 is not closed, that is, as long as the power supply of the motor 24 is not released, the vehicle can not be moved. A "fuel theft" is excluded.

<figref idref="f0004">FIG. 5</figref> 2 shows a simplified example of a vehicle 35. In this vehicle 35, the installation location for the energy store is identified by the reference numeral 36. Here, on the one hand, a lateral exchange comes into consideration. On the other hand, however, can also be an exchange of the vehicle underside done, if a corresponding access opening is provided. Of course, a corresponding access possibility can also be provided on the other vehicle longitudinal side in order to exchange the energy store (not shown in this figure).

In <figref idref="f0004">FIG. 6</figref> is again the energy storage 20 shown in simplified form. In this case, a mold plate 38 is shown on the front side of the energy storage housing 12. This mold plate 38 is fixedly but releasably attached to the energy storage 20. If the energy store is inserted laterally into the vehicle, this access opening (reference numeral 36 in FIG<figref idref="f0004">FIG. 5</figref>) are closed by the mold plate 38. This closure can z. B. by simple, z. B. via square wrench 40 actuated latch 39 are also connected to the vehicle. In this case, the mold plate 38 is formed so that it integrates as seamless as possible in the outer vehicle shape and the same color as the vehicle. This form plate 38 does not necessarily have to be connected to the energy store, because its essential function is an inconspicuous closure of the access opening in the body of the vehicle.

If it is possible to replace the energy store on each of the longitudinal sides of the vehicle 35, a kind of tunnel runs inside the vehicle. If this is not completely filled by the energy storage, the remaining space z. B. be used as storage space. For this purpose, a container 42, as in<figref idref="f0005">FIG. 7</figref> illustrated, be provided, which is used in this storage space. Also this access opening can be used with an already in<figref idref="f0004">FIG. 6</figref> Shown form plate 38 are closed. Of course, other interlocks such as undercuts, snap connections, Schraubver-bonds or the like for attaching the mold plate 38 and for connecting to the vehicle body are possible.

<figref idref="f0006">FIG. 8</figref> shows simplified means for supplementing the energy supply. Such a device may be a known gas station, which is integrated with corresponding means for exchanging the energy storage. However, a minimum distance between a conventional dispenser and a station for replacing the energy storage device 20 may be provided. This minimum distance ensures that, even if spilled or vaporized fuel in a conventional dispenser forms a competent mixture with the air, not a spark (such as a spark (arc)) when replacing the energy storage device 20 ignites this mixture.

At this facility several parking positions for vehicles 35 are provided. At these parking positions z. B. known dispensers 44 may be provided from which fuel can be poured into a tank.

At other parking positions energy storage 20 can be replaced. These positions can z. B. be provided on both sides of islands 43.

In the upper part of the drawing, the vehicles 35 are always in the same position on the island during the replacement process. In the lower part of the drawing, a further island 43 is shown, on the longitudinal sides of conveyor belts 45 extend. Here are the vehicles 35 z. B. in wheel shots and then transported by the conveyor belt 45 at a predetermined speed continuously or discontinuously along the island 43. In this way, the vehicles 35 can be moved along predetermined workstations. At the first station can z. B. the energy storage located in the vehicle 35 are removed and at a second station, the new energy storage is used in the vehicle 35.