SUPPLY CABLE WITH GESTURE CONTROL

Abstract

The present invention relates to a supply cable (1) for transmitting electrical energy to or from a vehicle (2), the supply cable (1) comprising at least one connector (3, 4) for connecting the supply cable (1) to a vehicle (2) and/or a charging port (5) and/or a consumer (6), and a sensor (7) for detecting accelerations and/or rotation rates, wherein the supply cable (1) is configured to detect a spatial position and/or movement of a partial area of the supply cable (1) with the aid of the sensor (7), in particular of the connector (3, 4), and to set an operating mode of the supply cable (1) as a function of the detected position and/or movement.

Claims

1. A supply cable (1) for transmitting electrical energy to or from a vehicle (2), wherein the supply cable (1) comprises: at least one connector (3, 4) for connecting the supply cable (1) to a vehicle (2) and/or a charging port (5) and/or a consumer (6), and a sensor (7) for detecting accelerations and/or rotation rates, wherein the supply cable (1) is configured to detect a spatial position and/or movement of a partial area of the supply cable (1) by the sensor (7), and to set an operating mode of the supply cable (1) depending on the detected position and/or movement.

2. The supply cable (1) according to claim 1, wherein setting the operating mode comprises adjusting and/or increasing and/or decreasing one or more of the following: an amount of electrical power and/or electrical energy to be transmitted via the supply cable (1), a time at which the charging or discharging process should begin or end, charging thresholds or discharging thresholds at which a user is notified, electricity price thresholds below which the vehicle is charged or above which the vehicle is discharged.

3. The supply cable (1) according to claim 1, wherein the connector (3, 4) comprises a connector housing (3b, 4b), wherein the sensor (7) is arranged in an interior space of the connector housing (3b, 4b).

4. The supply cable (1) according to claim 1, wherein the supply cable (1) is configured: to increase a charging current to be conducted through the supply cable (1) during a first predefined movement, and/or to reduce a charging current to be conducted through the supply cable (1) during a second predefined movement.

5. The supply cable (1) according to claim 4, wherein the connector (3, 4) has a plug face (3a, 4a) which defines an insertion direction (100) of the connector (3, 4), and the first predefined movement is a pivoting of the connector (3, 4) in a first direction (200) substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction (100), and/or the second predefined movement is a pivoting of the connector (3, 4) in a second direction (300) which is opposite to the first direction (200).

6. The supply cable (1) according to claim 1, wherein the sensor (7) is configured to detect a position and/or movement with respect to one axis or with respect to several axes.

7. The supply cable (1) according to claim 1, wherein the supply cable (1) has an output unit (9), wherein the output unit (9) is configured to output the operating mode, and wherein the output unit is configured to emit an acoustic and/or optical and/or haptic signal when the operating mode changes.

8. The supply cable (1) according to claim 7, wherein the output unit (9) has at least one light-emitting diode, and/or wherein the output unit (9) has a display, in particular for outputting text and/or graphics and/or symbols.

9. The supply cable (1) according to claim 1, wherein the supply cable (1) comprises: a primary connector (3) for connecting the supply cable (1) to the vehicle (2), and a secondary connector (4) for connecting the supply cable (1) to a charging port (5) or a consumer (6), wherein the primary connector (3) has a primary connector housing (3b), wherein the secondary connector (4) has a secondary connector housing (4b), and wherein the sensor (7) is arranged in the primary connector housing (3) and/or in the secondary connector housing (4).

10. The supply cable (1) according to claim 9, wherein the supply cable (1) is configured to detect the spatial position and/or movements at the primary connector (3).

11. A charging infrastructure (10) comprising a base module (10a) for providing electrical energy, and a supply cable (1) according to claim 1, wherein the connector (3, 4) is a primary connector (3) for connecting the supply cable (1) to the vehicle (2), and wherein the primary connector (3) is coupled to the base module (10a) via an electrical connecting line (11).

12. A connector (3, 4) of a supply cable (1) for transmitting electrical energy to or from a vehicle (2), wherein the connector (3, 4) is configured to connect the supply cable (1) to a vehicle (2) and/or a charging port (5) and/or a consumer (6) and has the following features at least one sensor (7) for detecting a spatial position and/or a movement wherein the supply cable (1) is configured, to detect a spatial position and/or movement of a partial area of the supply cable (1) by the sensor (7), and to set an operating mode of the supply cable depending on the detected position and/or movement.

13. A method of operating a supply cable (1) for transmitting electrical power to or from a vehicle (2), wherein the supply cable (1) comprises: at least one connector (3, 4) for connecting the supply cable (1) to a vehicle (2) and/or a charging port (5) and/or a consumer (6) a sensor (7) for detecting accelerations and/or rotation rates, wherein the method comprises the following steps: detecting a spatial position and/or movement of a partial area of the supply cable (1) by means of the sensor (7), setting an operating mode of the supply cable (1) depending on the detected position and/or movement.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein setting the operating mode comprises adjusting and/or increasing and/or decreasing one or more of the following: an amount of electrical power and/or electrical energy to be transmitted via the supply cable (1), an amount of electrical power and/or electrical energy to be transmitted via the supply cable (1), a time at which the charging or discharging process should begin or end, charging thresholds or discharging thresholds at which a user is notified, electricity price thresholds below which the vehicle is charged or above which the vehicle is discharged.

15. The supply cable (1) according to claim 1, wherein the partial area of the supply cable (1) is the connector (3, 4).

16. The supply cable (1) according to claim 6, wherein the sensor (7) is a MEMS sensor.

17. The supply cable (1) according to claim 10, wherein the supply cable (1) is configured to detect the spatial position and/or movements at the primary connector (3) only if a connection already exists between the secondary connector (4) and the charging port (5) and/or the consumer (6).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] Embodiment examples of the invention are described in detail in the following with reference to the accompanying drawing. The drawings include:

[0048] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a supply cable according to an embodiment example of the invention,

[0049] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a connector of the supply cable according to the embodiment example of the invention,

[0050] FIG. 3 a schematic representation of a first movement of the connector of the supply cable according to the embodiment example of the invention,

[0051] FIG. 4 a schematic representation of a second movement of the connector of the supply cable according to the embodiment example of the invention, and

[0052] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a charging infrastructure according to an embodiment example of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] FIG. 1 schematically shows a supply cable 1 according to an embodiment example of the invention, wherein a method according to an embodiment example of the invention can be carried out with the supply cable 1. The supply cable 1 is used to electrically connect a vehicle 2 to a charging port 5. Alternatively, the supply cable 1 can be used to connect the vehicle 2 to a consumer 6 in order to draw energy from the vehicle 1 and operate the consumer 6. The consumer 6 can also be another vehicle, for example, which is to be made roadworthy again using energy from the vehicle 2 (breakdown assistance). The vehicle 2 is in particular an electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle and the charging port 5 is preferably a charging station or wallbox, but can also be a household socket or another interface for obtaining electrical energy.

[0054] The charging cable 1 has a primary connector 3 and a secondary connector 4. The primary connector 3 is used for the electrical connection to the vehicle 2. The secondary connector 4 is used for the electrical connection with the charging port 5. An alternative secondary connector 4 is used for the electrical connection to a consumer 6. The primary connector 3 and the secondary connector 4 are electrically connected via an electrical line section or a connecting line 11 of the charging cable 1, wherein the line section or the connecting line 11 is connected to the primary connector 3 and the secondary connector 4 in a separable or non-destructively detachable manner.

[0055] FIG. 2 schematically shows a connector 3, 4 of the charging cable 1, wherein the connector 3, 4 can be the primary connector 3 or the secondary connector 4. As described above, the connector 3, 4 is either permanently or detachably connected to the cable section or the connecting line 11 and is also used for the electrical contacting of vehicle 2 or charging infrastructure 3.

[0056] FIG. 2 shows an example of the plug face 3a, 4a of a type 2 plug connection. In addition to a protective conductor PE, a first outer conductor L1, a second outer conductor L2, a third outer conductor L3 and a neutral conductor N, a control pilot CP and a proximity pilot PP are also provided. In particular, the Control Pilot CP is used to agree a charging current between vehicle 2 and charging infrastructure 3. The plug face 3a, 4a defines an insertion direction 100 of the connector 3, 4. Instead of the plug face 3a, 4a of a type 2 plug connection shown as an example, the connector 3, 4 can also have other plug faces 3a, 4a, such as a Schuko? plug or a CEE plug. In all cases, however, an insertion direction 100 is defined by the plug face 3a, 4a.

[0057] The connector 3, 4 also has a connector housing 3b, 4b. In particular, a sensor 7 is arranged in an interior of the connector housing 3b, 4b, which is configured to detect accelerations and/or rotation rates. In this way, a movement of the connector 3, 4 can be detected.

[0058] For example, the supply cable 1 has a computing unit 8. The computing unit 8 is arranged in the connector housing 3b, 4b. The computing unit 8 can also be configured to be distributed over a primary connector housing 3b of the primary connector 3 and a secondary connector housing 4b of the secondary connector 4. The computing unit 8 is configured to detect a spatial position and/or a movement by means of signals from the sensor 7 and to set or change operating modes of the supply cable 1 based on this or depending on the spatial position and/or the movement. In particular, the sensor 7 and an output unit 9 are connected to the computing unit 8. In particular, the output unit 9 indicates a currently set operating mode. It is also possible for the computing unit 8 and/or an authentication module not shown here to enable authentication of the user. It can be provided that only an authenticated user can set and/or change the operating modes by changing the position and/or movement of the connector 3, 4.

[0059] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 schematically show possible movements for setting the operating mode. In both figures, only the primary connector 3 is shown as an example, wherein this could also be a secondary connector 4.

[0060] A first predefined movement shown in FIG. 3 is a pivoting of the primary connector 3 in a first direction 200 substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction 100. In the embodiment example, the primary connector 3 is thus pivoted upwards. In this way, a charging quantity and/or a charging current are increased in particular. Alternatively or additionally, this movement can also be used to adjust a time for a charging/discharging start and/or a charging/discharging stop. Alternatively or additionally, a threshold value (e.g. an energy amount threshold value or a temperature threshold value) can be changed or set, which notifies the user when it is reached, exceeded or undershot. Alternatively or additionally, an energy price can also be set, for example, which is to be used for a charging process start or charging process stop or discharging process start or discharging process stop. Other parameters that can be changed or set are also conceivable.

[0061] The first predefined movement or movement pattern can also be described as a gesture, for example. This gesture can be reliably recognized by the sensor 7, in particular an acceleration sensor or rotation rate sensor, in order to then increase the charging current and/or the charging quantity (or another parameter, see above), e.g. by a predefined step, e.g. by 0.5 A or by 1 A.

[0062] The second predefined movement is also a gesture and corresponds to pivoting the primary connector 3 in a second direction 300, which is opposite to the first direction 200. In the embodiment example, a downward swivel takes place. This leads, for example, to a reduction in the charging current and/or the charging quantity (or another parameter).

[0063] In particular, setting the operating modes via a spatial position and/or a movement, e.g. a gesture, is only possible if the secondary connector 4 is electrically connected to the charging port 5 in order to provide electrical power for the components of the supply cable 1.

[0064] FIG. 5 shows another advantageous application case. Here is a charging infrastructure 10 with a base module 10a and a supply cable 1 permanently connected to it, wherein a connecting line 11 of the supply cable 1 is permanently wired to the base module 10.

[0065] The base module 10a is connected to a power grid in this example and has the logic required to control a charging process in this example. The supply cable 1 has a primary connector 3 as described above. The sensor 7 in the primary connector housing 3b can be used to determine the spatial position and/or movement of the primary connector 3. As described above, this allows operating modes to be set using only the position and/or movement of the primary connector 3, in particular without having to operate the base module 10a or an external input unit (e.g. a cell phone).