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US-12623563-B2 - Method for signaling an end of the charging of a charging process, output device, motor vehicle and charging device

US12623563B2US 12623563 B2US12623563 B2US 12623563B2US-12623563-B2

Abstract

A method for signaling an end of charging of a charging process for charging an energy accumulator of a first motor vehicle, which is associated with a first user, at a charging device external to the vehicle, includes detecting an end of charging for the energy accumulator of the first motor vehicle, connected by a coupling to the charging device during the charging, and signaling the end of the charging at least under the condition that the end of the charging has been detected. Furthermore, the signaling involves the end of the charging being signaled to at least one second user, different from the first user, regardless of whether a separating of the coupling of the first motor vehicle to the charging device has been authorized by the first user, after the detecting of the end of the charging.

Inventors

  • Leonie Gauer
  • Ingo Totzke
  • Christoph Weigand

Assignees

  • AUDI AG

Dates

Publication Date
20260512
Application Date
20210928
Priority Date
20200930

Claims (16)

  1. 1 . A method for signaling an end of charging of a charging process that charges an energy accumulator of a first motor vehicle, which is associated with a first user, at a charging device external to the first motor vehicle, the method comprising: detecting an end of a charging of the energy accumulator of the first motor vehicle connected by a coupling between the first motor vehicle and the charging device during the charging; determining whether separating of the coupling between the first motor vehicle and the charging device has been authorized by the first user; and signaling the end of the charging at least under a condition that the end of the charging has been detected, wherein the signaling includes the end of the charging being signaled to at least one second user, different from the first user, regardless of whether separating of the coupling of the first motor vehicle to the charging device has been authorized by the first user after the detecting of the end of the charging, wherein the coupling between the first motor vehicle and the charging device is locked during the charging process, wherein the coupling is automatically unlocked after detecting the end of the charging, by performing an automatic unlocking of a charging plug of the charging device inserted at the first motor vehicle after detecting the end of the charging, wherein the signaling includes displaying information regarding the end of the charging on a display device of the first motor vehicle arranged on an exterior of the first motor vehicle in an area of a charging socket of the first motor vehicle, and wherein, if separating of the coupling between the first motor vehicle and the charging device is determined to have been authorized by the first user, the information regarding the end of the charging includes text indicating that pulling out of the charging plug of the charging device from the charging socket of the first motor vehicle is permitted, and wherein, if separating of the coupling between the first motor vehicle and the charging device is not determined to have been authorized by the first user, the information regarding the end of the charging does not include the text indicating that pulling out of the charging plug of the charging device from the charging socket of the first motor vehicle is permitted.
  2. 2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the signaling includes a public outputting of information regarding the end of the charging until a coupling between the charging device and a second motor vehicle is detected.
  3. 3 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein an optical and/or acoustical output is given when signaling information regarding the end of the charging by an output device, including a device of the first motor vehicle and/or a device of the charging device.
  4. 4 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the signaling includes a continual outputting of information regarding the end of the charging, and the outputting of the information regarding the end of the charging is terminated as soon as a separation of the coupling between the charging device and the first motor vehicle is detected and/or as soon as a coupling between the charging device and a second motor vehicle is detected.
  5. 5 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the signaling includes a sending of a second piece of information regarding the end of the charging to a central data processing device that forwards the second piece of information regarding the end of the charging to at least one terminal device of a third user.
  6. 6 . The method according to claim 1 , further comprising: determining whether authorization is received from the first user to automatically unlock the coupling to the charging device after the end of the charging of the energy accumulator of the first motor vehicle is detected, prior to a beginning of the charging of the energy accumulator of the first motor vehicle, wherein the coupling is automatically unlocked after detecting the end of the charging, in response to determining that authorization is received from the first user to automatically unlock the coupling to the charging device after the end of the charging of the energy accumulator of the first motor vehicle is detected, prior to the beginning of the charging of the energy accumulator of the first motor vehicle, and wherein the coupling is not automatically unlocked after detecting the end of the charging, in response to determining that authorization is not received from the first user to automatically unlock the coupling to the charging device after the end of the charging of the energy accumulator of the first motor vehicle is detected, prior to the beginning of the charging of the energy accumulator of the first motor vehicle.
  7. 7 . The method according to claim 6 , further comprising: displaying a menu including a setting that is selectable to indicate that the first user consents to authorize automatic unlocking of the coupling to the charging device after the end of the charging of the energy accumulator of the first motor vehicle is detected, prior to the beginning of the charging of the energy accumulator of the first motor vehicle, wherein the authorization from the first user to automatically unlock the coupling to the charging device after the end of the charging of the energy accumulator of the first motor vehicle is detected is received in response to selection of the setting.
  8. 8 . An output device for signaling an end of charging of an energy accumulator of a first motor vehicle, which is associated with a first user, at a charging device, the output device comprising: a processor; and a memory storing program code that, when executed by the processor, causes the output device to: determine whether separating of a coupling between the first motor vehicle and the charging device has been authorized by the first user; and signal the end of the charging based on a detected end of the charging of the energy accumulator, wherein the output device, in operation, signals the end of the charging to at least one second user, different from the first user, regardless of whether separation of the coupling between the first motor vehicle and the charging device has been authorized by the first user, after a detection of the end of the charging, wherein the coupling between the first motor vehicle and the charging device is locked during a charging process, wherein the coupling is automatically unlocked after detecting the end of the charging, by performing an automatic unlocking of a charging plug of the charging device inserted at the first motor vehicle after detecting the end of the charging, wherein the end of the charging is signaled by displaying information regarding the end of the charging on a display device of the first motor vehicle arranged on an exterior of the first motor vehicle in an area of a charging socket of the first motor vehicle, wherein, if separating of the coupling between the first motor vehicle and the charging device is determined to have been authorized by the first user, the information regarding the end of the charging includes text indicating that pulling out of the charging plug of the charging device from the charging socket of the first motor vehicle is permitted, and wherein, if separating of the coupling between the first motor vehicle and the charging device is not determined to have been authorized by the first user, the information regarding the end of the charging does not include the text indicating that pulling out of the charging plug of the charging device from the charging socket of the first motor vehicle is permitted.
  9. 9 . The output device according to claim 8 , wherein the program code, when executed by the processor, causes the output device to determine whether authorization is received from the first user to automatically unlock the coupling to the charging device after the end of the charging of the energy accumulator of the first motor vehicle is detected, prior to a beginning of a charging of the energy accumulator of the first motor vehicle, wherein the coupling is automatically unlocked after detecting the end of the charging, in response to determining that authorization is received from the first user to automatically unlock the coupling to the charging device after the end of the charging of the energy accumulator of the first motor vehicle is detected, prior to the beginning of the charging of the energy accumulator of the first motor vehicle, and wherein the coupling is not automatically unlocked after detecting the end of the charging, in response to determining that authorization is not received from the first user to automatically unlock the coupling to the charging device after the end of the charging of the energy accumulator of the first motor vehicle is detected, prior to the beginning of the charging of the energy accumulator of the first motor vehicle.
  10. 10 . The output device according to claim 9 , wherein the program code, when executed by the processor, causes the output device to receive the authorization from the first user to automatically unlock the coupling to the charging device after the end of the charging of the energy accumulator of the first motor vehicle is detected in response to selection of a setting in a displayed menu that is selectable to indicate that the first user consents to authorize automatic unlocking of the coupling to the charging device after the end of the charging of the energy accumulator of the first motor vehicle is detected, prior to the beginning of the charging of the energy accumulator of the first motor vehicle.
  11. 11 . A motor vehicle, comprising: an output device that includes: a processor; and a memory storing program code that, when executed by the processor, causes the output device to: determine whether separating of a coupling between the motor vehicle and a charging device has been authorized by a first user; and signal an end of a charging of an energy accumulator of the motor vehicle, which is associated with the first user, at the charging device, wherein the output device, in operation, signals the end of the charging based on a detected end of the charging of the energy accumulator; wherein the output device, in operation, signals the end of the charging to at least one second user, different from the first user, regardless of whether separation of the coupling between the motor vehicle and the charging device has been authorized by the first user, after a detection of the end of the charging, wherein the coupling between the motor vehicle and the charging device is locked during a charging process, wherein the coupling is automatically unlocked after detecting the end of the charging, by performing an automatic unlocking of a charging plug of the charging device inserted at the motor vehicle after detecting the end of the charging, wherein the end of the charging is signaled by displaying information regarding the end of the charging on a display device of the motor vehicle arranged on an exterior of the motor vehicle in an area of a charging socket of the motor vehicle, wherein, if separating of the coupling between the motor vehicle and the charging device is determined to have been authorized by the first user, the information regarding the end of the charging includes text indicating that pulling out of the charging plug of the charging device from the charging socket of the motor vehicle is permitted, and wherein, if separating of the coupling between the motor vehicle and the charging device is not determined to have been authorized by the first user, the information regarding the end of the charging does not include the text indicating that pulling out of the charging plug of the charging device from the charging socket of the motor vehicle is permitted.
  12. 12 . The motor vehicle according to claim 11 , wherein the program code, when executed by the processor, causes the output device to determine whether authorization is received from first user to automatically unlock the coupling to the charging device after the end of the charging of the energy accumulator of the motor vehicle is detected, prior to a beginning of a charging of the energy accumulator of the motor vehicle, wherein the coupling is automatically unlocked after detecting the end of the charging, in response to determining that authorization is received from first user to automatically unlock the coupling to the charging device after the end of the charging of the energy accumulator of the motor vehicle is detected, prior to the beginning of the charging of the energy accumulator of the motor vehicle, and wherein the coupling is not automatically unlocked after detecting the end of the charging, in response to determining that authorization is not received from first user to automatically unlock the coupling to the charging device after the end of the charging of the energy accumulator of the motor vehicle is detected, prior to the beginning of the charging of the energy accumulator of the motor vehicle.
  13. 13 . The motor vehicle according to claim 12 , wherein the program code, when executed by the processor, causes the output device to receive the authorization from the first user to automatically unlock the coupling to the charging device after the end of the charging of the energy accumulator of the motor vehicle is detected in response to selection of a setting in a displayed menu that is selectable to indicate that the first user consents to authorize automatic unlocking of the coupling to the charging device after the end of the charging of the energy accumulator of the motor vehicle is detected, prior to the beginning of the charging of the energy accumulator of the motor vehicle.
  14. 14 . A charging device including a charging column, the charging device comprising: an output device that includes: a processor; and a memory storing program code that, when executed by the processor, causes the output device to: determine whether separating of a coupling between a motor vehicle and the charging device has been authorized by a first user; and signal an end of a charging of an energy accumulator of a motor vehicle, which is associated with the first user, at the charging device, wherein the output device, in operation, signals the end of the charging based on a detected end of the charging of the energy accumulator, wherein the output device is configured to signal the end of the charging to at least one second user, different from the first user, regardless of whether separation of the coupling between the motor vehicle and the charging device has been authorized by the first user, after a detection of the end of the charging, wherein the coupling between the motor vehicle and the charging device is locked during a charging process, wherein the coupling is automatically unlocked after detecting the end of the charging, by performing an automatic unlocking of a charging plug of the charging device inserted at the motor vehicle after detecting the end of the charging, wherein the end of the charging is signaled by displaying information regarding the end of the charging on a display device of the motor vehicle arranged on an exterior of the motor vehicle in an area of a charging socket of the motor vehicle, wherein, if separating of the coupling between the motor vehicle and the charging device is determined to have been authorized by the first user, the information regarding the end of the charging includes text indicating that pulling out of the charging plug of the charging device from the charging socket of the motor vehicle is permitted, and wherein, if separating of the coupling between the motor vehicle and the charging device is not determined to have been authorized by the first user, the information regarding the end of the charging does not include the text indicating that pulling out of the charging plug of the charging device from the charging socket of the motor vehicle is permitted.
  15. 15 . The charging device according to claim 14 , wherein the program code, when executed by the processor, causes the output device to determine whether authorization is received from the first user to automatically unlock the coupling to the charging device after the end of the charging of the energy accumulator of the motor vehicle is detected, prior to a beginning of a charging of the energy accumulator of the motor vehicle, wherein the coupling is automatically unlocked after detecting the end of the charging, in response to determining that authorization is received from the first user to automatically unlock the coupling to the charging device after the end of the charging of the energy accumulator of the motor vehicle is detected, prior to the beginning of the charging of the energy accumulator of the motor vehicle, and wherein the coupling is not automatically unlocked after detecting the end of the charging, in response to determining that authorization is not received from the first user to automatically unlock the coupling to the charging device after the end of the charging of the energy accumulator of the motor vehicle is detected, prior to the beginning of the charging of the energy accumulator of the motor vehicle.
  16. 16 . The charging device according to claim 15 , wherein the program code, when executed by the processor, causes the output device to receive the authorization from the first user to automatically unlock the coupling to the charging device after the end of the charging of the energy accumulator of the motor vehicle is detected in response to selection of a setting in a displayed menu that is selectable to indicate that the first user consents to authorize automatic unlocking of the coupling to the charging device after the end of the charging of the energy accumulator of the motor vehicle is detected, prior to the beginning of the charging of the energy accumulator of the motor vehicle.

Description

BACKGROUND Technical Field Embodiments of the invention relate to a method for signaling an end of charging of a charging process for charging an energy accumulator of a motor vehicle, which is associated with a first user, at a charging device external to the vehicle. An end of charging of the energy accumulator of the first motor vehicle connected by a coupling to the charging device during the charging is detected and the end of the charging is signaled at least under the condition that the end of the charging has been detected. Embodiments of the invention moreover relate to a corresponding output device for signaling an end of the charging, a motor vehicle having such an output device, and a charging device, especially a charging column, having such an output device. Description of the Related Art As is known, electric vehicles such as purely battery-operated electric vehicles and/or plug-in hybrid vehicles need to be charged in order to remain drivable. Since the ranges in the most favorable case are around 250 to 500 kilometers, depending on the battery capacity, for lengthier trips it is often necessary to charge the vehicle at charging devices, such as public charging columns. Often a charging column is available having a charging cable and a charging plug arranged on it for at least two parking places. The vehicle being charged occupies a parking place and the corresponding charging cable for the duration of the charging process and possibly even beyond. Usually the charging cable is firmly connected to the charging station and the charging plug is locked to the vehicle with the vehicle being locked and the charging process taking place. This ensures that the charging process cannot be ended in unauthorized manner. Only when the driver of the motor vehicle unlocks their vehicle once again does this also trigger an unlocking of the charging plug. Since the charging phase especially at public charging stations is often utilized by vehicle drivers for a lengthy stay and the particular vehicle driver is not present in the vicinity of their motor vehicle during the entire charging process, lengthy occupancy times may result, during which the charging station cannot be further used, even though the vehicle is already fully charged. Only when the vehicle driver returns to their vehicle and unlocks the charging plug by opening their motor vehicle is the charging column again available for other users. In order to avoid excessively long occupancy times despite a fully charged battery, the operators of the charging columns often impose penalties on the passive occupation of the charging column with additional fees—albeit to the annoyance of the vehicle drivers. Furthermore, it is known in the prior art that the end of the charging can be signaled to a vehicle driver, for example by informing them via their mobile telephone as to the current charging status or the end of the charging. In this regard, WO 2010/096502 A1 describes a communication and information method which is carried out by a network server of a charging station for electric vehicles. Users who have logged in and registered on this server or for this service can be informed about various events. The user themselves can determine which events to be informed about. Such events may be, for example, the end of the charging process, the current charging status, or the like. The information about such an event can be put out to a user for example on their mobile communication device. In this way, a user can also be notified as to the end of the charging process even when they are not located in the vicinity of the motor vehicle. But if the user is busy at the moment or finds themselves at a great distance from their motor vehicle, it may still take a long time before the charging column is again available for the charging of other vehicles. Furthermore, US 2018/0202825 A1 describes a method for providing availability information of charging stations to motor vehicles. This availability information should also include certain forecasts which can be created for example on the basis of a charging history of other vehicles or the current charging status of other vehicles in the vicinity. Basically, it also discloses the possibility of communicating the present occupation status of a charging station to other motor vehicles, and also for example the remaining time to charge other motor vehicles, or the like. But not even these measures solve the problems mentioned above. BRIEF SUMMARY Embodiments described herein provide a method, an output device, a motor vehicle and a charging device making it possible to avoid or lessen as much as possible the needless waiting time at charging devices. In a method for signaling an end of charging of a charging process for charging an energy accumulator of a first motor vehicle, which is associated with a first user, at a charging device external to the vehicle, an end of the charging is detected for the energy accumu