FR3151813A1 - ELECTRIC OR HYBRID MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING AN ANTI-THEFT DEVICE AT ITS CHARGING SOCKET - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle (100) comprising a body (50), control means (10), electrical energy storage means (20), and, housed in a housing (12) of the body (50), a charging connector (40) connected to the control means (10) and arranged to cooperate mechanically and electrically with an adapter end piece, and comprising an anti-theft device (1) comprising a removable anti-theft cap (6), pluggable onto the charging connector (40) by guide means and comprising, on the outside, a network of orifices corresponding to that of the charging connector (40), the anti-theft cap (6) being arranged to prevent any direct electrical connection between the charging connector (40) and an internal or external adapter end piece inserted into the network of orifices. Figure 1

Description

ELECTRIC OR HYBRID MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING AN ANTI-THEFT DEVICE AT ITS CHARGING SOCKET

The invention relates to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising a body, control means, means for storing electrical energy, and, housed in a housing included in said body, a charging connector connected to said control means and arranged to cooperate mechanically and electrically with an adapter tip.

The energy recharging of electric or hybrid motor vehicles, known as BEVs, can be carried out according to the types of recharging that will be chosen by the user.

Mode 2 is the lowest power (3.7kW maximum – Alternating Current - AC). To charge in mode 2, you must use an electronic box integrated into the charging cable, and connect it to a standard domestic socket.

Mode 3 is an intermediate mode in terms of power (22kW maximum – Alternating current - AC). To charge in mode 3, you must use a dedicated cable equipped with Type 2 connectors and connect it to a charging station; this station integrates the control, safety and regulation/programming features of the charge.

Mode 4 is a mode adapted to the highest powers (350kW maximum – Direct current - DC). Mode 4 is achieved by means of fast and very fast charging stations which deliver direct current at a very high power level. These stations have a charging cable with a specific connector (Type 2 CCS Combo in Europe).

To enable these recharges, BEV vehicles are equipped with an electronic charging socket box (BEPR) compatible with mode 2, 3 and 4 recharges, as well as mode 2 and mode 3 charging cables (sometimes optional for mode 3).

To avoid any risk of damage to the vehicle, the cable and/or the charging station, the vehicles are equipped with a device which prevents the vehicle from starting as soon as a plug is connected.

We are witnessing attempts at "car jacking" or car theft carried out by criminals equipped with a cable adapter tip (Type 2 plug) who insert it into the vehicle's charging connector housed in the vehicle's hatch, thus knowing how to trigger the vehicle to stop, which then automatically goes into safety mode so as not to tear off the cable presumed to be connected to this tip: the vehicle and its occupants are then at the mercy of the criminals.

For charging electric or hybrid motor vehicles, the Type 2 plug is the standard to follow in Europe for all electric vehicles sold (and the Type 1 plug in North America and South Korea). The Type 2 plug has seven male pins and a handle. The Type 2 plug supports alternating current with a maximum intensity of 70 A in single-phase, and 63 A in three-phase. Generally, the Type 2 plug includes connectors for three phases (L1, L2 and L3), an earth connection called a PE (proximity earth) contact, a neutral and two controls: proximity pilot PP, and control pilot CP, for current limitation. This makes it possible to offer several charging levels. The two controls PP and CP allow the exchange of information between the charging station and the vehicle according to a standardized protocol, and thus optimize electric charging.

The international standard IEC61851-1, Edition 3.0, 2017-02, defines in §B.2, pages 227 to 229, a circuit for simultaneous proximity detection and current coding.

The PP proximity driver is used for charging cable detection and current limitation. The main purpose of the PP proximity driver is to indicate that the vehicle is connected to a charging station to prohibit starting it if the charging cable is not disconnected (during an electric charge, the probability that a user will start the vehicle and leave with the cable attached is much greater than in a thermal vehicle because there will be no waiting next to the car for the charge to finish).

The proximity driver is used to detect the charging cable, and to limit the current.

It is important that the motor vehicle knows that it is connected to a charger or a terminal. The proximity driver in the charging socket performs this function by creating a circuit through a resistor Rc, which is connected to the pin of the earth contact PE, this resistor Rc is standardized so as to activate the immobilizer of the car. Thus, by applying a voltage to the pin of the proximity driver PP, a current flow (or a voltage drop) will be detected when a socket is connected, because this will create an electrical circuit.

In the case of a charging cable attached to the vehicle, it is important to be able to reproduce this cable detection to produce the same effects on the vehicle side.

The resistance Rc can have different values in a type 2 plug. The two most common values are 680 Ohm and 220 Ohm, although the standard also defines 1500 Ohm and 100 Ohm.

The proximity signal is used for simultaneous proximity detection and coding of the current capacity of the cable assembly. The value of the resistance connected between the proximity driver PP and the ground contact PE determines the maximum permissible current of the cable assembly (e.g. 13A, 20A, 32A, 63A or 70A). When the charger detects a certain value of the resistance, it must adjust its maximum current according to the maximum current reported by the cable resistance. This maximum current value will then be communicated to the electric vehicle via the communication protocol of the control contact CP.

In short, the PP proximity connector prevents any restart of the vehicle. The principle is to detect the insertion of a Type 2 plug into the vehicle's charging interface, whether this cable is connected to a power source or not. The simple act of connecting a plug varies an internal resistance Ra measured on the vehicle via the PP proximity driver. This feature was initially developed to prevent the user from starting their vehicle if they forget that it is plugged in and charging to avoid damaging the car, the cable or the charging station.

This is to provide the legal user of the vehicle with the possibility of driving, with the adapter tip.

The objective of the present invention is to mitigate the risks of carjacking by equipping the vehicle with a simple and inexpensive anti-theft device, making it possible to delay the theft of the vehicle as much as possible, this anti-theft device comprising a removable plug, insertable into the vehicle's charging connector, and having on its visible face, towards the outside of the vehicle, a trompe-l'oeil Type 2 plug appearance and electrically inert on at least some of its connectors, so as to prevent any possibility of starting the vehicle against the will of its user.

The thief will not be able to start the car on the first try and the vehicle will alert him that the charging cable is plugged in. When getting out of the vehicle, the thief may not understand the problem, seeing that nothing is plugged into the vehicle. When approaching the charging socket, he may again not understand, not clearly distinguishing the trompe-l'oeil plug.

In a first variant, the anti-theft cap includes, on the proximity pilot circuit PP described above, the same resistance Rc of the value imposed by the standard.

In a second variant, the anti-theft cap is devoid of internal resistance Rc, so as to allow the customer to use his vehicle and protect it from a possible car-jacking.

To achieve this objective, the invention proposes an electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising a body, control means, means for storing electrical energy, and, housed in a housing included in said body, a charging connector connected to said control means and arranged to cooperate mechanically and electrically with an adapter tip.

According to the invention, said electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprises, at said charging connector, an anti-theft device which comprises a removable anti-theft cap, pluggable onto said charging connector by guide means and comprising, on the outer side facing the user of said electric or hybrid motor vehicle and opposite said guide means, a network of orifices corresponding to that of said charging connector, said anti-theft cap being arranged to prevent any direct electrical connection between said charging connector and an internal or external adapter tip of said electric or hybrid motor vehicle inserted into said network of orifices.

Thanks to the invention, it is possible to easily deceive a criminal attacking the vehicle and its contents by attempting to exploit the security features to immobilize the vehicle for his own benefit, or to take possession of it.

More particularly, in a first variant, said charging connector comprises a Type 2 socket which comprises a resistor of standardized Rc value between a PE earth terminal and a PP proximity pilot terminal, and said anti-theft cap comprises, in said network of orifices, an earth connector and a PP proximity pilot connector between which said anti-theft cap comprises a second resistor of said standardized Rc value.

The anti-theft device thus simulates the security functionality proposed by the IEC61851-1 standard.

More particularly, said anti-theft cap comprises an autonomous energy source supplying audible and/or visual alarm means, and comprises, in said network of orifices, at least two connectors arranged to cooperate with an internal or external adapter tip of said electric or hybrid motor vehicle inserted in said network of orifices to trigger an alarm by activating said audible and/or visual alarm means when a said adapter tip is inserted into said network of orifices.

This is a simple way to confuse a wrongdoer and delay his action.

In a second variant, said anti-theft cap is an electrically inert cap.

The legal user can thus use his vehicle and protect it from a possible carjacking.

Advantageously, said charging connector is a Type 2 socket, and said network of orifices differs from that of a Type 2 socket, by the sizing and/or positioning of the orifices, to prohibit the insertion of an internal or external adapter tip into said electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising a standardized Type 2 plug.

Inserting an adapter tip is therefore impossible without removing the anti-theft cap.

Advantageously, said charging connector is a Type 2 socket, and said network of orifices differs from that of a Type 2 socket, by the sizing and/or positioning of the orifices, and said anti-theft cap is deformable, arranged to brake but allow the forced insertion of an internal or external adapter tip into said electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising a standardized Type 2 plug.

This is again about destabilizing and delaying a potential wrongdoer.

Advantageously, said electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprises, for recharging said electrical energy storage means with energy, at least one charging cable housed in said housing, said at least one charging cable comprising an adapter tip at a distal end, for its connection to an external connector of a charging terminal external to said motor vehicle, said adapter tip being extractable from said housing, said charging connector being arranged to cooperate mechanically and electrically with said adapter tip.

The user therefore has their own cable and is not dependent on the equipment of the charging stations.

Advantageously, said charging connector comprises a Type 2 socket which comprises a resistor of standardized Rc value between a PE earth terminal and a PP proximity pilot terminal, and said adapter tip comprises, between an earth connector and a PP proximity pilot connector, a resistor of said standardized Rc value.

The user thus has high security.

Advantageously, said anti-theft cap comprises locking means arranged to cooperate with complementary locking means, which said housing comprises or a shutter for closing said housing to prohibit or authorize the extraction of said anti-theft cap from its position inserted in said charging connector.

These are again means of delaying an attack on the vehicle.

Advantageously, said anti-theft cap is an optical and three-dimensional decoy.

So it will take a while for a wrongdoer to realize his mistake.

• illustre schématiquement un véhicule automobile selon l’invention;
• illustre schématiquement, en perspective, un logement de ce véhicule renfermant un connecteur de charge;
• illustre schématiquement, de façon similaire à , le même logement avec un dispositif antivol selon l’invention en cours d’installation, comportant un bouchon antivol enfiché dans le connecteur de charge par des moyens de guidage tels que des broches ou similaire ;
• illustre schématiquement, de façon similaire à , le même dispositif en position de route, avec le bouchon antivol complètement enfoncé dans le connecteur de charge lequel est alors invisible de l’extérieur du véhicule ;
• illustre schématiquement, en vue de face frontale, le dispositif antivol dans la position de ;
• illustre schématiquement un bouchon antivol comportant une résistance Rc normalisée selon la norme IEC61851-1 ;
• illustre schématiquement un bouchon antivol comportant un dispositif d’alarme autonome par simple contact électrique lors de l’insertion d’une prise Type 2 dans ses orifices.

The invention will be further detailed by the description of non-limiting embodiments, and on the basis of the appended figures illustrating variants of the invention, in which:

• schematically illustrates a motor vehicle according to the invention;
• schematically illustrates, in perspective, a housing of this vehicle containing a charging connector;
• illustrates schematically, in a similar way to , the same housing with an anti-theft device according to the invention being installed, comprising an anti-theft plug plugged into the charging connector by guide means such as pins or the like;
• illustrates schematically, in a similar way to , the same device in the road position, with the anti-theft cap completely inserted into the charging connector which is then invisible from outside the vehicle;
• schematically illustrates, in a front view, the anti-theft device in the position of ;
• schematically illustrates an anti-theft cap comprising a resistance Rc standardized according to standard IEC61851-1;
• schematically illustrates an anti-theft cap comprising an autonomous alarm device by simple electrical contact when a Type 2 plug is inserted into its holes.

It is illustrated schematically in an electric or hybrid motor vehicle 100 according to the invention, which comprises a body 50, control means 10, electrical energy storage means 20, and, for recharging these electrical energy storage means 20 with energy.

More particularly and non-limitingly, the vehicle 100 comprises at least one charging cable 11. This at least one charging cable 11 is housed in a housing 12 that the bodywork 50 comprises; it is provided with an adapter tip 15 at a distal end, for its connection to an external connector of a charging terminal external to the motor vehicle 100. The adapter tip 15 is extractable, from a closed road position, to an open charging position, from the housing 12 that the bodywork 50 comprises.

This housing 12 comprises a charging connector 40, connected directly or indirectly to the control means 10, and which is arranged to cooperate mechanically and electrically with this adapter tip 15, or with an external adapter tip, for example linked to a charging terminal.

This adapter tip is in particular a standard type 2 socket, which includes a first resistor 60 of value Rc, according to the relevant range of the IEC61851-1 standard cited above, which is interposed between the standard terminal 3 (PE earth contact) and the standard terminal 4 (PP proximity pilot) of the Type 2 socket.

This first resistor R _C has the effect, when the adapter tip 15 is connected to the charging connector 40 of the vehicle 100, of lowering the voltage, which is detected by the control means 10 of the vehicle.

The standard for permissible Rc values allows a certain class of intensity to pass through the load circuit.

The cooperation of a charging connector 40, which is included in the electronic charging socket box (BEPR), and an adapter tip 15 comprising a standard Type 2 socket is done by simple plugging. This connector 40 and this tip 15 are composed of different interfaces described in the international standard IEC 61851-1 “ELECTRIC VEHICLE CONDUCTIVE CHARGING SYSTEM” which defines the different types of charging mode set out above.

The PP (Proximity Pilot) connector, according to the standard, prevents the vehicle from starting. The principle is to detect the insertion of a Type 2 plug into the vehicle's charging interface, whether this cable is connected to a power source (normal use case) or not (attempted theft). The simple act of connecting a plug varies the internal resistance Ra measured on the vehicle via the PP proximity pilot.

This feature was initially developed to prevent the user from starting their vehicle if the user forgets that it is plugged in and charging to avoid damaging the vehicle, the cable or even the charging station.

We therefore want to divert the functionality, to create here an anti-theft cap which will prevent the thief from starting the car, a cap sufficiently detailed and trompe-l'oeil, to make the thief believe that he sees the socket itself and not the cap.

Naturally, the thief can remove the removable anti-theft cap, but then he is delayed in his action.

Thus, according to the invention, the vehicle 100 comprises an anti-theft device 1 at the charging connector 40, which anti-theft device 1 comprises a removable anti-theft cap 2, pluggable onto the charging connector 40 and having, on the exterior side facing the user of said electric or hybrid motor vehicle 100, an appearance corresponding to that of the charging connector 40.

In a first variant, the removable anti-theft cap incorporates a 160 resistor, with a standardized R _C value so as to activate the vehicle's immobilizer.

In a second variant, the removable anti-theft cap is devoid of this Rc resistance, so as to allow the customer to drive with it and thus limit the risk of car-jacking. The anti-theft cap then constitutes an inert cap.

Nowadays, it is common for thieves standing at a red light to connect a charging plug to the car they want to steal, preventing the user from restarting their vehicle. This variation could therefore prevent a thief from connecting a plug while stopped at a red light or similar.

In a third variant, the outwardly visible face of the anti-theft cap resembles a Type 2 socket, but differs sufficiently from it, in the sizing and/or positioning of the holes corresponding to the presumed connectors, to prevent the correct insertion of a standardized Type 2 plug, and to waste the thief's time.

In a fourth variant, the anti-theft cap comprises an autonomous energy source 9, and two connectors joined to means 19 of audible and/or visual alarm which is triggered by the insertion of a Type 2 plug into the anti-theft cap.

When the adapter tip 15 of the cable integrated into the vehicle 100 is correctly stored in its housing 12, in cooperation with the charging connector 40, it is necessary to detect the resistance of the socket, between two resistance values which is located behind the storage interface of the adapter tip 15 (in the housing 12): this is an analog detection.

The signal from the proximity driver PP is read by the control means 10 of the vehicle 100, including in particular a vehicle controller called VCU (“Vehicle control unit”), to determine, depending on whether the integrated charging cable 11 is stored or not, with its adapter tip 15, in its housing 12, and connected or not to the charging connector 40, whether the proximity driver PP is equivalent to a resistance value indicating the presence or absence of a cable adapter tip in the charging connector. Advantageously, the charging connector 40 includes, in series on a proximity driver circuit 80 connected to the control means 10, an attached cable storage detection device 70.

In short, the anti-theft system for electric vehicles is a charging decoy, in the form of a trompe l'oeil charging socket cap.

The invention complements known anti-theft means, alarms, passive devices, and proposes an active device which prevents any starting of the vehicle.

The benefits of this invention are multiple: it offers the Customer an effective option to prevent the theft of their vehicle, with a solution that is invisible from the outside, and which is a high added value option with a controlled or low cost price.

Claims (9)

Electric or hybrid motor vehicle (100) comprising a body (50), control means (10), electrical energy storage means (20), and, housed in a housing (12) included in said body (50), a charging connector (40) connected to said control means (10) and arranged to cooperate mechanically and electrically with an adapter end piece, characterized in that said electric or hybrid motor vehicle (100) comprises, at said charging connector (40), an anti-theft device (1) which comprises a removable anti-theft cap (6), pluggable onto said charging connector (40) by guide means (7) and comprising, on the outer side facing the user of said electric or hybrid motor vehicle (100) and opposite said guide means, a network of orifices (8) corresponding to that of said charging connector (40), said anti-theft cap (6) being arranged to prevent any direct electrical connection between said charging connector (40) and an adapter end piece internal or external to said electric or hybrid motor vehicle (100) inserted into said network of orifices (8). Electric or hybrid motor vehicle (100) according to claim 1 characterized in that said charging connector (40) comprises a Type 2 socket which comprises a resistor of standardized Rc value between a PE earth terminal (3) and a PP proximity pilot terminal (4), characterized in that said anti-theft cap (6) comprises, in said network of orifices (8), an earth connector (13) and a PP proximity pilot connector (14) between which said anti-theft cap (6) comprises a second resistor (16) of said standardized Rc value. Electric or hybrid motor vehicle (100) according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that said anti-theft cap (6) comprises an autonomous energy source (9) supplying audible and/or visual alarm means (19), and comprises, in said network of orifices (8), at least two connectors arranged to cooperate with an internal or external adapter tip of said electric or hybrid motor vehicle (100) inserted in said network of orifices (8) to trigger an alarm by activating said audible and/or visual alarm means (19) when a said adapter tip is inserted into said network of orifices (8). Electric or hybrid motor vehicle (100) according to claim 1 characterized in that said anti-theft cap (6) is an electrically inert cap. Electric or hybrid motor vehicle (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said charging connector (40) is a Type 2 socket, and in that said network of orifices (8) differs from that of a Type 2 socket, by the dimensioning and/or positioning of the orifices, to prohibit the insertion of an internal or external adapter tip into said electric or hybrid motor vehicle (100) comprising a standardized Type 2 plug. Electric or hybrid motor vehicle (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said charging connector (40) is a Type 2 socket, and in that said network of orifices (8) differs from that of a Type 2 socket, by the dimensioning and/or positioning of the orifices, and in that said anti-theft cap (6) is deformable, arranged to brake but allow the forced insertion of an internal or external adapter tip into said electric or hybrid motor vehicle (100) comprising a standardized Type 2 plug. Electric or hybrid motor vehicle (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said electric or hybrid motor vehicle (100) comprises, for recharging said electrical energy storage means (20) with energy, at least one charging cable (11) housed in said housing (12), said at least one charging cable (11) comprising an adapter tip (15) at a distal end, for its connection to an external connector of a charging terminal external to said motor vehicle (100), said adapter tip (15) being extractable from said housing (12), said charging connector (40) being arranged to cooperate mechanically and electrically with said adapter tip (15). Electric or hybrid motor vehicle (100) according to claim 7 characterized in that said charging connector (40) comprises a Type 2 socket which comprises a resistor of standardized Rc value between a PE earth terminal (3) and a PP proximity pilot terminal (4), and in that said adapter tip (15) comprises, between an earth connector and a PP proximity pilot connector, a resistor of said standardized Rc value. Electric or hybrid motor vehicle (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said anti-theft cap (6) comprises locking means arranged to cooperate with complementary locking means, which said housing (12) comprises or a flap (120) for closing said housing (12) to prohibit or authorize the extraction of said anti-theft cap (6) from its position inserted in said charging connector (40).