EXPANSION MODULE FOR A DC CHARGING POINT AND CORRESPONDINGLY EXTENDED DC CHARGING POINT

Abstract

An expansion module (1) for a charging point has a DC measuring device (3) configured, when installed in the charging point, to carry out a current and voltage measurement on the DC charging lines of the charging point. An evaluation unit (2) is coupled to the DC measuring device (3) and calculates an amount of energy drawn based on the current and voltage measurement carried out by the DC measuring device (3). A display unit (4) is coupled to the evaluation unit (2) or is integrated therein. The evaluation unit (2) further has a switch-off interface (5) to provide a switch-off signal at the switch-off interface (5) if, on the basis of the current and/or voltage measurement carried out by the DC measuring device (3), it is determined that an overcurrent or short circuit is present. A charging point equipped with the expansion module (1) also is provided.

Claims

1. An expansion module (1) for a charging point, comprising: a DC measuring device (3) configured, in a state installed in the charging point, to carry out a current and voltage measurement on the DC charging lines of the charging point; an evaluation unit (2) coupled to the DC measuring device (3) and configured to calculate a resultant amount of energy drawn based on the current and voltage measurement carried out by the DC measuring device (3); a display unit (4) coupled to or integrated in the evaluation unit (2); wherein the evaluation unit (2) further has a switch-off interface (5) and is configured to provide a switch-off signal at the switch-off interface (5) if, on the basis of the current and/or voltage measurement carried out by the DC measuring device (3), it is determined that an overcurrent or short circuit is present.

2. The expansion module (1) of claim 1, wherein the DC measuring device (3) has at least three measurement taps (61, 62, 63) and two of the measurement taps (61, 62) correspond to two ends of a first metal conductor arranged on the DC measuring device (3).

3. The expansion module (1) of claim 2, wherein one measurement tap (63) is arranged at one end of a metal strip arranged on the DC measuring device (3).

4. A charging point for charging electric vehicles, comprising the expansion module (1) of claim 1.

5. The charging point of claim 4, wherein the switch-off interface (5) is coupled to a control device of the power component (8) of the charging point or a charging station that comprises the charging point.

6. The charging point of claim 4, wherein the switch-off interface (5) is coupled to a switch interconnected in a monitoring signal path of the charging point.

7. The charging point of claim 4, wherein at least one switch (71, 72) is arranged in DC current-carrying charging lines (91, 92) of the charging point and/or in charging lines of a charging station comprising the charging point, the control terminal of said at least one switch being coupled to the switch-off interface (5) of the evaluation unit (2).

8. The charging point of claim 7, wherein the switch (71, 72) is a switching contactor.

9. The charging point of claim 7, wherein the switch (71, 72) comprises a pyroswitch.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the expansion module according to the invention.

[0026] FIG. 2 shows a possible interconnection of the expansion module illustrated in FIG. 1 in a charging point.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] FIGS. 1 and 2 schematically illustrate an embodiment of the invention. The elements shown in the figures may be implemented in various forms of hardware, software or combinations thereof. Preferably, these elements are implemented in a combination of hardware and software on one or more appropriately programmed general-purpose devices that may include a processor, memory and input/output interfaces. The term “connected” as used herein is defined to mean directly connected to or indirectly connected with through one or more intermediate components. Such intermediate components may include both hardware and software-based components.

[0028] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the block diagrams presented herein represent conceptual views of illustrative circuitry embodying the principles of the disclosure. Similarly, any functions or methods implied by these block diagrams may be represented in computer readable media and so executed by a computer or processor, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown.

[0029] FIG. 1 schematically depicts the construction of an exemplary expansion module 1. As already described, the expansion module 1 comprises a DC measuring device 3, which, in this example comprises three measurement taps 61, 62, 63 for measuring at least two measurement variables. The DC measuring device 3 is configured, in a state installed in the charging point, to carry out a current and voltage measurement on the DC charging lines of the charging point by means of the three measurement taps 61, 62, 63. Furthermore, the expansion module 1 comprises an evaluation unit 2 that is coupled to the DC measuring device 3 and is configured to calculate, on the basis of the current and voltage measurement carried out by the DC measuring device 3, a resultant amount of energy drawn. The evaluation unit 2 is coupled to a display unit 4 that is integrated in the evaluation unit 2 in the example shown. However, the display unit 4 can also be present as a separate component. The display unit 4 is, in any case, driven by the evaluation unit 2 and is configured for displaying diverse information. The evaluation unit 2 further has a switch-off interface 5 and is configured to provide a switch-off signal at the switch-off interface 5 if, on the basis of the current and/or voltage measurement carried out by the DC measuring device 3, it is determined that a case of overcurrent or short circuit is present.

[0030] A possible interconnection of the expansion module 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 within a charging point is illustrated in FIG. 2. The elements of the expansion module have already been described with reference to FIG. 1 and will not be explained again.

[0031] The first and second measurement taps 61, 62 are both coupled to a first DC line 91 such that, via the first DC line 91, the DC measuring device 3 can carry out a current measurement. The third measurement tap 63 is coupled to a second DC line 92, such that the DC measuring device 3 can carry out a voltage measurement between the third measurement tap 63 and one of the other two measurement taps 61, 62. In the example shown, the switch-off interface 5 is coupled to HV power electronics 8, which perform the current conversion (from AC to DC) and provide the charging current with suitable voltage and suitable current intensity. The switch-off signal can thus be communicated to the HV power electronics 8, for instance to the control device thereof, which can then interrupt a pilot line. The switch-off interface 5 further is coupled to two switches 71, 72, each of which is interconnected in a DC line 91, 92. The switches 71, 72 can be switching contactors or pyroswitches. Likewise, at least one of the switches 71, 72 can be embodied as a combined switch and comprise a series circuit formed by a switching contactor with a fuse switch, i.e. a pyroswitch or a fusible link. In the case of overload, the evaluation unit 2 can drive the two switches 71, 72 via the switch-off interface 5 and bring about an interruption of the DC charging circuit. In the case where both the HV power electronics 8 and the two switches 71, 72 are driven by the evaluation unit 2 via the switch-off interface 5, the switch-off interface can comprise one or two outputs, such that one or two different switch-off signals adapted to the respective receivers are output.

[0032] A switch-off of the power electronics can take place by way of a shutdown or stopping of the converter conversion and/or trip the DC contactors of the power electronics.