FR3041822A1 - PLUG FOR ELECTRIC CABLE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a handle (2) for connecting an electric cable (3), comprising, at a first longitudinal end, a plug (22) electrically connected to the cable and intended for connection to an electrical socket, an input (24). ) of the cable in the handle being located in a first longitudinal half of the handle, plug side.

Description

PLUG FOR ELECTRIC CABLE

Field

The present description generally relates to electric charging installations for motor vehicles and, more particularly, to the production of a plug for connecting a cable to a recharging installation or to a vehicle.

Presentation of the prior art

Charging the battery or batteries of a motor vehicle is generally done by connecting a battery charger contained in the vehicle to a source of electrical energy, such as an electricity distribution network or a photovoltaic system. For this, a cable connects the charger to a charging station supplied with electricity.

The cable is equipped with a connection plug to a power supply installation side socket and / or vehicle side.

There is a need for improvement of electrical connection plugs, especially for electrical connection systems applied to the charging of electric vehicles. summary

One embodiment aims to overcome all or part of the disadvantages of the current electrical connection plugs.

One embodiment provides a plug particularly suitable for cables of section adapted to the electric charging of motor vehicles.

Thus, an embodiment provides a handle for connecting an electric cable, having, at a first longitudinal end, a plug electrically connected to the cable and intended for connection to an electrical outlet, a cable entry in the handle being located in a first longitudinal half of the handle, plug side.

According to one embodiment, the handle further comprises a longitudinal groove for receiving the cable between said entry point and a second end of the handle opposite the plug.

According to one embodiment, the handle has a length of at least 10 centimeters, preferably between 10 and 20 centimeters.

According to one embodiment, said entry point of the cable is located in the first 5 centimeters on the plug side.

According to one embodiment, a rear portion of the handle is hinged relative to a front portion containing the plug.

One embodiment provides an electrical connection device comprising: an electric cable; and at least one handle.

According to one embodiment, the device is adapted to the electric recharging of a motor vehicle.

Brief description of the drawings

These and other features and advantages will be set forth in detail in the following description of particular embodiments made without implied limitation in relation to the appended figures among which: FIG. 1 represents, in a very schematic and partial manner, a usual example of electrical connection for the load of a motor vehicle and such a vehicle; FIG. 2 very schematically and partially shows an embodiment of an electrical connection plug for the load of a motor vehicle and such a vehicle; Figure 3 is a schematic view of another embodiment of an electrical connection plug; and Fig. 4 is a schematic view of yet another embodiment of an electrical connection plug. detailed description

The same elements have been designated with the same references in the various figures. For the sake of clarity, only the elements that are useful for understanding the described embodiments have been shown and will be detailed. In particular, the management of the recharging of a vehicle battery has not been detailed, the embodiments described being compatible with the usual solutions. In addition, the realization of the electric cable itself has also not been detailed, the embodiments described being again compatible with the usual cables.

In the description which follows, when reference is made to absolute position qualifiers, such as the terms "before", "backward", "up", "down", "left", "right", etc., or relative, such as the terms "above", "below", "upper", "lower", etc., or with qualifiers such as "horizontal", "vertical", etc. reference is made to the orientation of the figures or to a connection system in a normal position of use. Unless otherwise stated, the terms "approximately", "substantially", and "of the order of" mean within 10% or 10%, preferably within 5% or 5%.

This description refers to an example of application to an electrical connection plug for charging an electric vehicle. However, the embodiments that will be described apply more generally to any electrical connection plug for which similar problems arise.

Among the constraints generated by the application to a charging cable of an electric vehicle, there is a current of several tens of amperes, requiring a section of conductors of several millimeters square (typically of the order of 6 mm 2), participating in increasing the weight of the cable.

This constraint weakens the socket receiving the plug. Indeed, the overhang or lever arm, generated by the cable emerging from the end of the plug, generates a moment of force on the connection to the socket that may damage this socket. Damage to the socket is particularly troublesome because it is the fixed element of the connection, the replacement of which generates significant costs.

Figure 1 shows, very schematically, an embodiment of a conventional electrical connection for the charge of a battery of a motor vehicle and such a vehicle.

An electric or hybrid vehicle 1 comprises one or more batteries intended to supply the energy necessary for its propulsion. These batteries are connected to one or more charge and control devices (charger) for controlling the charge of the batteries when connected to an electricity supply facility. The installation may be a public charging station of the service station type, a domestic installation (for example at the vehicle user's residence), etc.

The connection between the installation and the vehicle is effected by means of an electric cable 3 connected on the one hand to the energy supply installation and on the other hand to a socket 12 (whose receptacle is symbolized in dotted lines in FIG. 1), of the vehicle, connected to the loader (not shown). The socket 12 is intended to receive, to the contrary, a plug 22 connected to the cable 3. The user must be able to easily handle the plug when it wants to perform a recharge. Therefore, the plug 22 is included at the end of a handle 2 'which, in practice, has a length of between 15 and 20 centimeters. The dimensions of the handle are also conditioned by safety constraints to ensure that the hand of the user is sufficiently far from the electrical contacts between the plug 22 and the socket 12.

As shown in Figure 1, the cable 3 enters the handle 2 'at the end thereof opposite the plug 22. In some embodiments, the cable enters under the handle 2', but in the rear half of it.

The weight of the cable 3 and its virtual point of entry N 'in the handle, associated with the gap between the point N' and the plug 22 which represents approximately the virtual point O of mechanical connection to the vehicle, generates damaging forces to the socket 22 carried by the vehicle.

The inventors have found that it is possible to reduce these constraints on the connection socket on the vehicle side (or on the supply side of the electricity supply in cases where the plug is carried by a cable stored in the vehicle and to be connected to a cable. fixed installation side) by reducing the distance between the point of entry of the cable into the handle and the plug, ie the equivalent of the mechanical point O of connection to the vehicle.

FIG. 2 very schematically and partially shows an embodiment of an electric connection handle for the motor vehicle load and such a vehicle.

According to this embodiment, the handle 2 of connection to an elongated shape. A first end of the handle 2 carries a plug 12 for electrical connection to a socket 22 carried by the motor vehicle and a second longitudinal end of the handle is free, that is to say devoid of any connection to a cable. power supply or any input of such a cable.

Still according to this embodiment, a power supply cable 3 between (input 24) in the handle 2 from below (in a normal position of use), in a first longitudinal half of the side handle record 22.

This significantly reduces the difference between the virtual point 0 of mechanical connection to the vehicle (connection between the plug 22 and the socket 12) and the virtual point N cable entry into the handle. This reduction in distance reduces the overhang of the cable 3 relative to the vehicle and, consequently, reduces the stresses applied to the socket 12.

Another advantage is that the gripping area of the handle by the user is now located behind the entry 24 of the cable 3 in the handle 2 and not between the plug and the cable entry as in FIG. gripping the handle is easier because no obstacle hinders the path of the hand towards the handle.

Preferably, the entry point of the cable 3 into the handle 2 is located as close as possible to the plug 22.

Figure 3 is a schematic view of another embodiment of an electrical connection plug.

With respect to the embodiment of FIG. 3, provision is made here for the input 24 of the cable 3 in the handle 2 to be located at the connection between the latter and the plug 22, that is to say at the closer to the card 22.

One advantage of shifting the entry point forward (toward the plug) is that the cable entry direction 3 is no longer aligned with the longitudinal direction of the handle. This facilitates the storage of the cable 3 when not in use.

Another advantage is not that the shift of the entry point forward is that the shape of the handle 2 behind the entry point 24 can now be guided only by ergonomic considerations without having to worry functional constraints of cable entry. The mass of the handle can then be greatly reduced compared to the achievements of the prior art, which brings additional comfort to the user.

Figure 4 is a schematic view of yet another embodiment of an electrical connection plug.

According to this embodiment, the handle 2 comprises a longitudinal groove 26 for housing the cable 3 between the rear end of the handle and the vicinity of the cable entry 24 in the handle. The gap between the front end 262 of the groove 26 and the entry point 24 is such that the cable makes a loop 32 between its point of entry 24 and the entry into the groove. Thus, it preserves a cable entry near the plug 22, so an absence of lever arm.

An advantage of this embodiment is that by keeping the cable aligned with the handle at the rear of its entry point, it is easier to connect, in particular, to sockets contained in the cramped housing of the vehicle.

An advantage of the embodiments described is that the handle 2 can now have a length of at least 10 centimeters, preferably a length of between 10 and 20 centimeters, without this being detrimental to the longevity of the mechanical link, the lever arm created by the weight of the cable 3 relative to its entry point 24 in the handle 2 has been removed. Preferably, the entry point 24 of the cable 3 is located in the first 5 centimeters on the plug side 22.

According to another embodiment, the rear portion (gripping) of the handle is hinged relative to its front portion containing the plug 22, which can facilitate insertion of the plug into the socket and / or the storage of the cable .

Various embodiments have been described. Various variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In particular, the practical implementation of the embodiments that have been described is within the abilities of those skilled in the art from the functional indications given above.

Claims (7)

1. Handle (2) for connecting an electric cable (3), comprising, at a first longitudinal end, a plug (22) electrically connected to the cable and intended for connection to an electrical socket (12), an input (24) ) of the cable in the handle being located in a first longitudinal half of the handle, plug side. 2. Handle according to claim 1, further comprising a longitudinal groove (26) for receiving the cable (3) between said entry point (24) and a second end of the handle (2) opposite the plug (22). . 3. Handle according to claim 1 or 2, having a length of at least 10 centimeters, preferably between 10 and 20 centimeters. 4. Handle according to claim 3, wherein said entry point (24) of the cable (3) is located in the first 5 cm side plug (22). 5. Handle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a rear portion of the handle is articulated with respect to a front portion containing the plug (22). 6. Electrical connection device comprising: an electric cable (3); and at least one handle (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 7. Device according to claim 6, adapted to the electric charging of a motor vehicle.