METHOD FOR OPERATING A SECURITY DEVICE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for operating a security device, wherein the security device is part of a charging device for charging an energy store of a vehicle, preferably an electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle. The security device is connected to an Internet-capable server. In a first step of the method, the security device reads the vehicle service data. In a second step of the method, the security device compares the vehicle service data via the server with a database of vehicles which have been reported stolen. Finally, the security device sends a signal to the charging device if the vehicle is entered as stolen in the database.

Claims

1. A method for operating a safety device (10), wherein the safety device (10) is part of a charging device (11) for charging an energy store (12) of a vehicle (13), wherein the safety device (10) is connected to an internet-enabled server (14), the method comprising: reading out, via the safety device (10), vehicle service data; comparing, via the safety device (10), the vehicle service data with a database (15) of vehicles reported stolen; in response to determining that the vehicle (13) is recorded in the database (15) as stolen sending, via the safety device, a signal (S) to the charging device (11).

2. The method for operating a safety device (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the charging device (10) is arranged in the vehicle (13).

3. The method for operating a safety device (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the charging device (10) is arranged in a charging column (16) arranged outside the vehicle (13).

4. The method for operating a safety device (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein on receipt of the signal (S) by the safety device (10), the charging device (11) either does not start or ceases the charging process of the energy store (12).

5. The method for operating a safety device (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein on receipt of the signal (S) by the safety device (10) the charging device (11) starts the charging process fictitiously.

6. The method for operating a safety device (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein on receipt of the signal (S) by the safety device (10), the charging device (11) discharges the energy store (12).

7. The method for operating a safety device (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein on receipt of the signal (S) by the safety device (10), the charging device (11) activates an immobilizer system (17).

8. The method for operating a safety device (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein on receipt of the signal (S) by the safety device (10), the charging device (11) sends the location and the vehicle service data of the vehicle (13) to a law enforcement agency.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Shown are:

[0017] FIG. 1: a schematic diagram of the different steps regarding the method for operating a safety device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0018] FIG. 2: a schematic representation of a cross-section of a vehicle equipped with a safety device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0019] FIG. 3: a schematic representation of a cross-section of a vehicle with a safety device, which is part of a charging device which in turn is part of a charging column in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention;

[0020] For reasons of clarity the drawings shown in the figures are not necessarily shown to scale. Identical reference numerals generally designate similar or functionally equivalent components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of the method for operating a safety device 10, which is part of a charging device 11, for example, such as can be used to charge up an energy store 12 (e.g. battery or traction battery) of a vehicle 13 (preferably an electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle). The safety device 10 is connected to a server 14, which is advantageously connected to the internet or can obtain information over the internet. The safety device 10 has access via the server 14 to a database 15, in which vehicles reported as stolen are listed. If the battery of the vehicle 13 needs to be charged, the driver drives the vehicle 13 to a charging point. There the vehicle can be charged either by cable or wirelessly (inductively). The charging device 11 is located either in the vehicle 13 or is part of a charging column 16. Regardless of the location of the charging device 11 (in the vehicle 13 or in the charging column 16), the safety device 10 of the charging device 11 first reads the vehicle service data in a first step A. These include, for example, vehicle type, vehicle color, license plate and the like. In a second step B the safety device 10 communicates with the server 14. In this process the vehicle service data are compared against a database 15, in which vehicles reported as stolen are listed. If it is discovered that the vehicle 13 has been reported stolen or is registered as stolen, in a third step C the safety device 10 sends a signal to the charging device 11. The charging device 11 then initiates one, a plurality or all of the following steps.

[0022] If the charging process of the traction battery 12 has already begun and it is subsequently discovered that the vehicle 13 has been stolen, the charging device 11 interrupts the charging process. Alternativelyif the charging process has not yet been initiatedif the status of the vehicle 13 is discovered to be stolen the traction battery is not charged at all.

[0023] In addition, the charging device 11 can indicate to the driver, who is also suspected of being the vehicle thief, that the charging of the traction battery 12 has begun, although it is not actually being charged. Thus, it is only fictitiously charged by a charging operation merely being simulated. To detain the vehicle 13 permanently at the current location, the charging device 11 initiates the complete discharging of the vehicle battery 12. Without the presence of charge, the vehicle 13 can no longer be moved by electric means. Since only fully electric-powered vehicles 13 (so-called electric vehicles) can therefore no longer be driven, but hybrid vehicles are still able to be driven due to the presence of an internal combustion engine (even without battery charge), the charging device 11 activates the immobilizer 17. This means that regardless of the vehicle type (electric or hybrid vehicle) and state of charge of the battery 12 (partially charged or fully discharged), the vehicle 13 can no longer be moved. In order to facilitate the task of the authorities such as the police to trace the vehicle and possibly also apprehend the vehicle thief, the charging device 11 sends the vehicle service data and the location of the vehicle 13 to the police. The location of the vehicle 13 is advantageously determined via GPS and transmitted in the form of GPS coordinates. In addition, further information such as date, time, etc. can also be transmitted. The charging device 11 also continuously or repeatedly transmits the GPS coordinates to the police and/or appropriate alternative authorities. If the driver is nevertheless in a position to move the vehicle 13 (failure of the engine immobilizer 15 or by means of the internal combustion engine), the police can therefore locate and track the vehicle 13.

[0024] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a cross-section of a vehicle 13 equipped with a safety device 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Equivalent elements to those in FIG. 1 are assigned the same reference numerals and will not be described in further detail. The vehicle 13 has a safety device 10, which is part of a charging device 11. The charging device 11 charges the energy store 12 of the vehicle 13, wherein the energy store 12 is a traction battery or vehicle battery (battery). The vehicle 13 can be a pure electric vehicle, but can also be embodied as a hybrid vehicle and have an internal combustion engine. Using the charging device 11 the traction battery 12 can optionally be charged by means of a wired or an inductive charging method.

[0025] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a cross-section of a vehicle 13 with a safety device 10, which is part of a charging device 11, which in turn is part of a charging column 16 according to a further embodiment of the invention. The same elements in relation to FIGS. 1 and 2 are labelled with the same reference numerals and are not explained further. The safety device 10 in this exemplary embodiment is part of a charging device 11, wherein the charging device 11 is again part of a charging column 16. The charging device 11 charges the energy store 12 of the vehicle 13, wherein the energy store 12 is a traction battery or vehicle battery (battery). The vehicle 13 can be a pure electric vehicle, but can also be embodied as a hybrid vehicle and have an internal combustion engine. The charging column 16 can be connected to the vehicle 13 via a cable and thus charge up the traction battery 12 via a cable or can operate an inductive energy transfer device (not shown here), which has a transmitter coil (located in or on the ground below the vehicle 13) and a receiver coil (installed in the vehicle 13). Regardless of the charging method (by cable or inductive), the safety device 10 and charging device 11 function as described under FIG. 1.