WO2016156567A2

WO2016156567A2 - Architecture of a self-service electric charging terminal

Info

Publication number: WO2016156567A2
Application number: PCT/EP2016/057212
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bastien Derouineau
Original assignee: Ier
Priority date: 2015-04-01
Filing date: 2016-04-01
Publication date: 2016-10-06
Also published as: FR3034615B1; FR3034615A1; WO2016156567A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a terminal (1) for charging electric vehicles, installed in an external environment. The terminal comprises a fixed base (2) and a sealed door (3), closed by a high force mechanism (39) blocked by a safety lock (38). The electric, electronic and cooling components of the terminal are distributed both on the internal surface of the base and the door, allowing improved accessibility. The door represents the major portion of the periphery of the terminal, in order to improve the accessibility of the components. The terminal further comprises a removable head (4) carrying the user interface (42) and the digital processors (62). The terminal also comprises a cooling system including a sealed internal air recirculation circuit (8), cooled by a heat exchanger (72) immersed in an open external air circuit (7). The terminal comprises a charging cable (328) with a mobile connector (32) stored in a receptacle (333) with electrically controlled locking (35, 36).

Description

"Self-Service Electric Charging Terminal Architecture"

The invention relates to a recharging terminal of electric vehicles, located in an outdoor environment. It comprises a fixed base and a sealed door, in particular closed by a high-force mechanism which is closed by a security lock. The electrical, electronic and cooling components of the terminal are distributed both on the inner surface of the base and on that of the door, allowing better accessibility. The door represents most of the periphery of the terminal, which improves the accessibility of the base components.

The terminal further includes a removable head carrying the user interface and the digital processors. It also includes a cooling system including a sealed air recirculation internal circuit, cooled by a heat exchanger bathed in an open outdoor air circuit.

The terminal includes a charging cable with a movable connector which is stored in an electrically controlled locking receptacle.

State of the art

There are charging stations that are located in various types of environment little or no protection, provided to easily recharge storage batteries of mobile electrical devices, such as electric vehicles. These may include, for example, recharging terminals for electric vehicles, for example cars or utilities in an urban environment, but also forklifts within a factory or a logistics base. It can also be smaller devices, for example to charge bikes or mobile phones.

Such terminals are generally powered by an electrical distribution network, typically low voltage alternating current between 380V and 110V. It includes the electrical circuits necessary to provide the devices to recharge a current adapted to the characteristics of the storage battery, also called accumulators, whether chemical storage or supercapacitors. The same terminal may be able to provide a charging current under several different standards, possibly simultaneously. This charging can be done, for example, DC 5V, 14V or 48V under 10A for portable batteries, or for example 220V DC or AC 16A for urban electric vehicles.

More particularly, charging stations are statically located to allow a non-technical user to plug in his own device to recharge the storage battery, also called accumulators, whether chemical storage or supercapacitors .

Such terminals are thus designed to allow simple and secure operation, without the risk of an electrical accident and limiting the risk of connection error.

They are often located in an environment with little or no protection, for example in a station or airport hall or directly outside on public roads and at the edge of a street open to motor traffic. They must be adapted to harsh environments, resist corrosion and deterioration, especially depending on the climate. They must be suitable for intensive use, many cycles of charging and / or discharging, heating and aging, etc. Access to the recharge is sometimes controlled and secured, for example to check the rights of the user, for example through an interactive controller and / or an electronic or optical badge reader that controls the charging circuit power and / or the accessibility of the electrical charging connector.

The terminal can be controlled remotely, for example to record the status of presence and load of the network vehicles and know the operating status of the terminal. WO 2010/011545 discloses for example a terminal provided with an upward folding flap which houses a fixed grip. The shutter can be locked on the side by an electrically controlled rod.

For example, for a rental network or provision of self-service electric vehicles in urban environment, load terminals operating self-service are located in a distributed manner in many locations in a city. Maintenance operations are therefore all the longer and more expensive.

On some models, the terminal has a fixed plug that provides charging current when an electric vehicle owner plugs in the cable of his vehicle. In particular, the terminal has a housing protected by a lockable cap and accessible by the user, in which can be stored a charging cable that the user can connect between the terminal and his vehicle, when the vehicle does not have its own. own cable.

Some models also carry several independent charging connectors, which can themselves be protected by a lockable cover that is accessible to the user.

EP 2 740 630 discloses a vertical cylindrical terminal, provided with two vertical and symmetrical flaps, each hiding a branch plug. It is also known the terminal "EVIink City" model "CITY003FR" of the company Schneider Electric, which is a vertical terminal of rectangular section. On this terminal, each of the two opposite faces closest to the terminal carries a small hatch forming a "front door", which protects access to a connection socket.

An object of the invention is to improve the existing terminals, for example by improving their reliability of operation and safety, their ease and their maintenance period, planned or on demand, and by reducing the various costs involved.

In particular, it is desired an improvement in the operation of the locking of the socket on the terminal, the reliability of the locking and the opening and closing of the protective cover of the socket and / or the cable housing. These improvements are sought while maintaining or improving the protection of the terminal and its resistance to the environment, for example to heat, humidity and dust. It is also sought to maintain or improve the protection of the terminal against damage and users or bystanders against the risk of injury from the terminal.

Presentation of the invention

The invention proposes a recharging terminal for an electric storage battery, in particular of electric vehicles, which is intended to be fixedly implanted in an unprotected environment, in particular accessible to the public, or even outdoors and for example in the street.

Such a terminal is of the type comprising a set of electrical, electronic and cooling components, including a charging circuit, which are enclosed within an outer wall forming an outer protective enclosure. This enclosure also optionally includes various mechanical or electromechanical components involved in the operation of the terminal.

This set of components typically comprises components providing a charging power supply adaptation, an electronic management of this power supply and its use, a cooling of all or part of the electrical and / or electronic components, and optionally an access to a cable electrical connection to make the connection with a device whose battery must be charged. Preferably, this outer protective enclosure is waterproof and dustproof.

According to the invention, such a terminal comprises:

on the one hand, at least one fixed part forming a static implanted base and having at least one so-called inner surface directed towards the inside of the protective enclosure, on which at least a first part of said components is implanted; ; and

on the other hand, at least one mobile part articulated on said base to form a door which has at least one so-called inner surface directed towards the inside of the protective enclosure, on which at least a second part of said components is implanted . This door is arranged to be mobile between at least:

a closed position, in which said door forms part of the outer protective enclosure and obstructs access to said inner surfaces; and

- An open position, wherein said door allows access, including control and maintenance, to said inner surfaces.

Viewed from the outside, the door comprises a portion of the outer wall of the terminal which forms for example a hood or an opening of any type articulated in the facade of the terminal. In other words, the door forms part of this outer wall.

According to the invention, this door in itself represents at least half of the outer periphery of the terminal, and for example substantially two-thirds.

Thus, the opening of the door is further obtained by a single maneuver, which reduces the time spent by the technician and requires fewer locking mechanisms. In addition, this opening releases an access which is uninterrupted over a greater width than if it were obtained by several separate doors as in the state of the art cited above.

From this state of the art, it will be noted that the solution of the invention leads to a door of greater width. Such an increase in width tends to increase the weight of the door and its overhang, and therefore the stresses on the joints. This increase in width also tends to increase the continuous opening width that must be provided in the frame of the terminal, and therefore the strength constraints of the frame structure.

To obtain greater accessibility inside the terminal, the state of the art mentioned above shows that the most natural solution is precisely to realize several different doors rather than to increase the width of the same door as in the invention.

The presence of a wider door, although requiring a larger clearance to the outside of the side where it opens, also allows to use fewer doors, and thus to change or reduce the Implantation constraints. For example, it is easier to place one side of the terminal against a wall.

Preferably, the terminal carries a single maintenance door, allowing access to the components reserved for maintenance.

For example, the terminal comprises two parts articulated with respect to each other including a movable part which corresponds to the door, so as to form a column, in particular of revolution and for example circular. This column has a fixed part including its base and constituting the base, and which represents less than half, and preferably substantially one third of the volume of the terminal.

For example, the door is articulated on the base by pivoting about a vertical axis.

According to an advantageous feature, the components implanted on the door occupy at least 20% of the interior volume of the terminal, and preferably at least 30%.

Due to the part of the components that is attached to the door, the opening of the door not only allows access to the components fixed inside the base, but also to move outside the terminal all components that are implanted in or on the interior surface of the door. It is thus possible to access a much greater number of components much more easily than in the case of a simple opening panel, such as a simple sheet, which gives access to the interior of the enclosure.

For example, the components discovered by the door are located mostly on the base, and are thus all the more accessible.

According to one particularity of the invention, which can be implemented independently of the others, this terminal comprises a mechanism for locking the door in the closed position comprising at least, on the one hand, a locking lock and, on the other hand, on the other hand, a lock of prohibition.

This locking lock comprises one or more movable bolts between at least one released position allowing the opening of the door and a locked position in which said bolts support a holding force applied between said door and the base, typically the whole of the effort of keeping the door. Said bolts are actuated by at least one form of maneuver accessible from outside the terminal by at least one maneuvering orifice, that is to say a shape having a large and solid bearing surface, preferably one-piece, and without moving parts or anti-theft or anti-lock mechanism such as a single code or key profile.

The prohibition lock includes a prohibition of opening mechanism, that is to say prohibition to an unauthorized person, for example of a known type such as a lock barrel. When maneuvered, this prohibition mechanism moves a shutter between at least one shutter position, in which it closes the maneuvering orifice, preferably in a dust and watertight manner, and a position retracted, in which it allows access to the form of maneuver from the outside through said maneuvering orifice.

It is thus possible to provide a significant support force between the door and the base once the terminal closed, and thus to obtain a better seal for example with a seal better squeezed. This advantage is achieved while ensuring a good ban to unauthorized persons and while protecting the form of maneuver voluntary degradation and the environment by the concealment and sealing of its access opening.

According to another feature of the invention, which can be implemented independently of the others, the terminal has an elongated shape having an upward end forming, partially or in its entirety, a removable head which is fixed to the base by a latching mechanism. This mechanism is of a type, for example known, which can be actuated between at least one hooked position, in which it maintains said head secured to the base, and a released position, wherein said head is completely detached from the base.

According to the embodiments, this mechanism can be operated in a single operation, or possibly in several operations that may include a connection or disconnection of different electrical and / or electronic connection sockets. Preferably, at least a third portion of the terminal components, including a user interface and / or a digital processing processor, is located on or integrated into the removable head.

It is thus easier to access these components, but also to replace or take them all, and without separating them from each other.

The terminal can thus more easily be repaired immediately by replacing the head as a whole, and report it to the workshop for example for repair and / or hardware update and / or software.

According to yet another particularity of the invention, which can be implemented independently of the others, the terminal comprises at least one electric charging cable which is fed by the charging circuit, typically at one end, by a connection located at inside the terminal; and which carries outside of the terminal, typically at its other end, a connecting portion of a mobile connector adapted to be connected to a battery to be recharged or to an apparatus containing a battery to be recharged.

According to this feature, the outer wall carries a receptacle which is made in a single piece or form a unitary assembly that can be detached or disassembled from said outer wall in one piece. This receptacle comprises:

on the one hand, a guide orifice through which said cable passes through the outer wall and moves axially to be extracted from or retracted inside the protective enclosure, and

- On the other hand, a shape arranged to allow to hang the connecting portion of the movable connector in a waiting position.

Thus, the receptacle forms an assembly that provides all the external functions related to the charging cable, and is replaceable in one piece.

According to one feature, the receptacle is further covered by a plate or a metal foil wholly or partly conforming to the surface of the interior and the periphery of the guide orifice.

For example, the mobile connector receptacle is carried by the terminal door and the electric charging cable is wound inside the terminal on an automatic rewinding reel or electrical control, which reel is implanted on an inner surface of the door or integrated with it.

This functional assembly, including the reel and the charging cable itself, is thus entirely located in and fixed on the mobile part of the terminal. The compactness is improved and this greatly frees access to the interior of the terminal during opening. In addition, it is thus possible to disassemble and replace all of this movable part and thus the entire loading cable and its rewinding mechanism, to quickly repair and report in the workshop for more complete work .

According to another feature of the invention, which can be implemented independently of the others, the terminal comprises at least one electric charging cable which is fed by the charging circuit, typically at one end, by a connection located at the inside of the terminal, and which carries outside the terminal, typically at its other end, a mobile connector adapted to be connected to a battery to recharge or to a device containing a battery to recharge.

According to this feature, the outer wall carries a receptacle which comprises a shape arranged to receive a connecting portion of a movable connector in a waiting position. The outer wall further carries a connector locking mechanism that can be actuated by electrical control between at least:

a released position, in which it allows a voluntary withdrawal of the connection part of the mobile connector from the receptacle by a user, and

a locked position, in which it prevents said removal of the connection part of the mobile connector.

Preferably, this connector locking mechanism is mounted entirely on the connector receptacle, for example a receptacle as explained above, so that the receptacle carries the locking mechanism with it when it is removed from the receptacle. wall.

Preferably, this connector locking mechanism is formed by a receptacle having a protective housing adapted to receive and protect a connection portion of the mobile connector, which In particular, it carries the electrical connection contacts, for example to protect it from water runoff, but also unwanted accesses, for example to prevent any contact with the user and / or insects and dust.

This locking mechanism then has a receptacle hook having a shape arranged to cooperate by mechanical stop with a shape of a hook carried by the movable connector.

In addition, at least one of these hooks forms a movable hook: that is to say the receptacle hook or the connector hook, or both. This movable hook is arranged to be movable in a displacement path between at least:

a hooked position, in which said hooks cooperate with each other to hold said mobile connector in a storage position in which the connection part is situated inside the protective housing, and

- An unhooked position, wherein said movable hook is sufficiently spaced apart to allow extraction of the connection portion out of said protective housing.

In the hooked position, for example waiting for use, the mobile connector is thus retained in its protective housing. The unhooked position allows the user to extract it from this slot to approach the vehicle to be loaded and connect it to its charging socket.

In addition, this locking mechanism comprises a locking finger which can be moved between at least:

a blocking position, in which the blocking finger can be locked by an electric control so as to form a stop which prevents the movement of the movable hook from the hooked position to the unhooked position, and

- A retracted position, wherein the locking finger allows said movement of the movable hook.

Thus, the intelligence of the terminal, or that of a remote controller, can automatically and / or remotely control a lock of the hook, which prevents the connector from being removed from its protective housing.

According to yet another particularity of the invention, which can be implemented independently of the others, the terminal comprises a cooling system arranged to produce a flow of air so as to discharge to the outside air a thermal energy generated at inside the terminal, in particular by the charging circuit and the various other electrical and electronic components. According to this feature, this cooling system comprises at least one heat exchanger producing a heat transfer by sealed conduction between:

- On the one hand, a so-called open part of the outer protection enclosure which encloses a volume forming an air circuit said outside from at least one external air inlet opening to at least one outlet opening of outside air passing through at least a first so-called external exchange surface of said at least one heat exchanger; and

- On the other hand, a so-called sealed portion of the enclosure which encloses a sealed volume forming an internal air circuit in which at least one circulator circulates in closed circuit an internal air flow between at least one system to cool and at least a second exchange surface of said at least one heat exchanger.

Preferably, the outside air circuit forms, between the inlet opening and the outlet opening, a continuous circuit without crossing air filtration device, and for example without obstacle for any particle less than 1 mm or even less than 0.1mm.

Preferably, the outside air circuit further comprises at least one so-called external circulator, for example a fan. This is arranged within the outside air circuit so as to circulate the air from the inlet opening to the outlet opening. Preferably, but not necessarily, it is disposed immediately upstream of said at least one heat exchanger so as to blow air from the circuit directly on exchange surfaces of said at least one heat exchanger, that is to say oriented to these exchange surfaces. It is for example disposed less than 10 cm and preferably less than 4 cm thereof. According to a particular embodiment, the volume enclosing the internal air circuit comprises:

on the one hand, at least one chamber which bathes at least a first part of said at least one system to be cooled, and

- On the other hand, a so-called downstream conduit connecting an upper portion of said chamber located above said first portion to be cooled with a lower portion of said chamber located below or including said first portion to be cooled.

The terminal further comprises at least one duct circulator tightly integrated with said downstream duct so as to impose a flow of air from said upper part to said lower part.

According to another particular embodiment, the volume enclosing the internal air circuit comprises:

on the one hand, at least one first chamber which bathes at least a first part of the system to be cooled, and

- On the other hand, at least a second chamber which bathes the internal exchange surface of said at least one heat exchanger, and preferably also a second part of the system to be cooled, said second chamber being disposed above said first chamber .

The indoor air circuit comprises a so-called downstream conduit connecting said second chamber with said first chamber.

Said internal air circuit further comprises:

- On the one hand, at least one duct circulator arranged in said down duct so as to impose a downward flow of air from the second chamber to the first chamber; and

- On the other hand, at least one chamber circulator integrated in a wall separating said first and second chambers so as to impose a flow of air from said first chamber to said second chamber.

More particularly, the chamber circulator is arranged to blow air from the first chamber directly onto exchange surfaces of said at least one heat exchanger. Preferably, these two embodiments of the cooling system are combined in a configuration in which the second chamber is located above the first chamber. The interior air flow is then forced downward by a first circulator into a duct down from the chamber from the top to the bottom of the bottom chamber, and is forced upward from the top of the bottom chamber to the bottom chamber. bottom of the upper chamber by a second circulator located in a wall separating the two chambers.

In a preferred embodiment, the various features disclosed herein are all combined within a single terminal. However, alternative embodiments are possible in any combination of these features.

As understood, such an architecture thus makes it possible to have a more modular terminal, simpler design and repair and maintenance. The combination of the various features of the invention here exposed, all together but also partially, thus brings different advantages, each of which makes it possible to better exploit the others.

For example, an important advantage of such a terminal is its accessibility, thanks to this distribution of components between the base and the opening part, but also with the ability to remove and remove the head containing intelligence and fragile elements without dismantle the rest of the terminal.

However, the inside of the perfectly sealed terminal, without complex complex cooling system or introduction of outside air, allows for example to better exploit the increase in the number of internal components allowed by this distributed architecture.

Similarly, the locking system of the mobile connection socket, combined with the receptacle and cable storage guide provides a controlled and optimized security especially with respect to third parties, which combines particularly well with the strengthening of the installation possibilities unprotected and in a difficult environment offered by the architecture and / or its cooling system.

According to the embodiments, and more particularly in the preferred embodiment, the invention thus brings advantages in the flexibility in design, use and maintenance; as well as a better seal, for example to moisture and dust; and decreases the heating problems especially in prolonged use, and in difficult climatic conditions. In particular, it reduces the problems of repair and maintenance, providing better accessibility inside the terminal despite increased complexity, especially to take into account these different other constraints.

Preferably, the various constituent members and essential elements of the terminal are arranged in its two fixed and movable parts in a distinct and precise manner:

the elements used for the air cooling and recirculation system are preferably on the door, but also possibly distributed between the door and the base;

the electrical and electronic power elements are preferably, or even exclusively, on the terminal, that is to say for example the power electronics producing the load and / or the pilot wire (s) and / or the components of power line communication (PLC);

- The intelligence of the terminal is preferably or exclusively on the head of the terminal, which is preferably removable as explained below; ie the interactive and / or digital management components of the Human Machine Interface (HMI), such as computer type PC, controller card, screen and / or electronic or optical badge reader.

Various embodiments of the invention are provided, integrating, according to all of their possible combinations, the various optional features set forth herein.

List of Figures

Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed description of an embodiment which is in no way limitative, and the appended drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 and FIGURE 2 are perspective views in scale in the closed position, respectively front and back, which illustrate an exemplary implementation of the embodiment preferred embodiment of the invention as charging terminal for an electric vehicle;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical section on a scale along a sagittal plane of the terminal of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective scale view of the terminal of FIGURE 1 with the door open and the top detached;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view on a scale of a horizontal section of the upper part of the terminal of FIGURE 1, passing through the heat exchanger and the processor radiator;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view on a scale of the inner face of the upper part of the terminal of FIGURE 1, once completely detached from the terminal;

FIGURE 7, FIGURE 8 and FIGURE 9 illustrate, to scale, the door locking mechanism of the terminal of FIGURE 1:

o in FIGURE 7, in partial perspective view of a horizontal section of the terminal passing through the two locks, in closed and locked position,

o in FIGURE 8, partial perspective view in transparency of the door, in the closed and locked position, and

o in FIGURE 9, partial perspective view in transparency of the door, with the lock lock in the retracted position and the locking lock during release;

FIGURE 10, FIGURE 11 and FIGURE 12 illustrate, on a scale, the configuration of the receptacle receiving the mobile connector on the outer wall of the terminal of FIGURE 1:

o in FIGURE 10, in perspective from the outside, without the mobile connector,

o in FIG. 11, in sagittal section, without the mobile connector, and

o in FIGURE 12, in sagittal section, with the mobile connector in the hooked position;

FIG. 13, FIGURE 14 and FIGURE 15 illustrate, to scale, the locking mechanism of the movable connector inside the receptacle carried by the outer wall of the terminal of FIG. 1: o in FIGURE 13, in sagittal section, with the mobile connector hooked and the locking finger in the locked position,

o in FIG. 14, in sagittal section, with the movable connector unhooked and the locking finger in the released position, and

o in FIGURE 15, in perspective view of the locking finger and the locking rod in the locking position.

Description of an exemplary embodiment

FIG. 1 to FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary implementation of the preferred embodiment of the invention, here implemented by way of example as a charging station for electric vehicles.

It is a self-service loading system intended to be installed in a public access road environment, for example to provide a network of charging points to owners of electric vehicles in an agglomeration or region. This type of system can also be used, alternatively or at the same time, for a distributed self-service electric vehicle rental network. This is for example a network comprising numerous parking and charging locations in which vehicles are self-service supported in any location and are self-service in a different location anywhere in the world. network.

The invention is particularly interesting for these types of networks, among others because they include a large number of terminals or stations, located directly on the public road and distributed in a distributed manner within a very large area.

As shown in FIGURE 1 and FIGURE 2, this terminal 1 has in the closed position a vertical cylinder shape fixed to the ground 901, ending upwards by an oblique cutaway forming a bevel, and which carries a display screen 42 and interactive input means, for example keys and / or a touch screen and / or badge or tag reading means. This is for example a tactile transflective screen, mounted under a transparent protection slab, for example glass or polycarbonate. In the vertical part of the tip of the bevel, the outer wall comprises a part called "verrine", in a translucent material and preferably colored. This part forms for the tip protection less offensive than the sheet, and which can be illuminated by a light on inside the terminal to provide a visible signal at a distance indicating one or more states of the terminal.

In its lowest part, the terminal is surrounded by a plinth integral with the outer wall, here divided into two half-baseboards, painted stainless steel sheet or in the form of an elastomeric coating.

On its outer walls 21, 31, the terminal comprises electrical connection elements for connection with the battery to be recharged.

In the present case, by way of example, the terminal carries on the one hand a fixed electrical outlet 34 of wall type, for example a socket usable for connecting a standard charging cable provided by the user. The terminal on the other hand carries a base or receptacle 33 removably receiving a connection handle or connector 32. As shown in FIGURE 3 and FIGURE 4, this connection handle 32 is electrically connected to a power electronics 61 by a cable 328 This electric power is here powered by a connection to underground cables (not shown), and controlled by a control electronics. This is for example a local electronic 62 and / or a digital connection with a remote control center by a remote communication interface, for example by line carrier and / or a digital network such as the Internet.

As illustrated more particularly in FIGURE 4, the terminal comprises a movable portion 31 forming a sealable door 3, here by crushing joints 211, 311, on a fixed portion 21 forming a base statically implanted in the ground 901. As an example that can be subject to many variations, the door 3 is here articulated on the base 2 by pivoting around hinges 213 vertical (FIGURE 1 and FIGURE 4), which allows a better stability in the open position.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, the outer wall 31 of the door 3 represents a major part of the periphery of the terminal, for example about two-thirds. In its central part, the door discovers the components 61 of the charging circuit. The components thus discovered are mostly implanted, in volume, on the base.

In the present example, the upper part of the door supports different components, in particular the cooling system such as fans, the inlet of the cooling down duct, and a wall separating the top and the bottom of the terminal. The components of the top of the door are located on a portion of the inner surface 302 directed upwards, which makes them particularly accessible.

In the central part of the door, its inner surface 302 has very little or no component. At this height, the components 61 discovered by the door are mostly even fully implanted on the inner surface 203 of the base. Because the door represents more than half, and more particularly two-thirds, of the outer periphery of the terminal, it discovers the components of the terminal on most of their outer surfaces. They are thus very accessible too.

More particularly, the components implanted on the door occupy at least 20% of the interior volume of the terminal, and preferably at least 30%.

The door is locked in the closed position by a two-part mechanism. A lock 39 lock ensures the mechanical maintenance of the door, and is maneuverable by a simple but robust maneuvering, for example a square or a triangle. An impermeable lock 38, vandal-proof and a single-key type, is arranged to conceal and seal the access opening to the operating form of the lock lock 39.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, an outside air circuit 7 is made entirely in the base 2. This external air circuit is of open type and is supplied with outside air by an air inlet 701, here protected by a simple grid, preferably arranged in the upper part, or higher, of the terminal 1. As illustrated by the hatched arrows, the outside air is sucked from the outside by two fans 71 (FIGURE 5) which blow it directly on the external exchange surfaces 727 of an exchanger thermal 72 fixed in a wall of the base. Once it has absorbed thermal energy in contact with the exchanger 72, the outside air is discharged to an outside air outlet 702, here protected by a simple grid, preferably located in the lower part, or lower, from terminal 1.

Thus, it can be seen that the external exchange surfaces 728 of the heat exchanger 72 are protected from any contact with the passers-by or the user of the terminal, and therefore do not risk causing them burns.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, an interior air circuit 8 is made in a sealed volume 800, here shown in thick dashed lines. This interior volume forms an inner chamber 80, which is enclosed, once the door is closed on the base, between an inner surface 203 of the base and an inner surface 302 of the door. This inner chamber 80 delimits a volume enclosing the inner air circuit 8 and comprises:

on the one hand, at least one chamber 801 which bathes at least a first portion 61 of the cooling system implanted on the inner surface of the base and including the load circuit and / or power electronics; and

on the other hand, a descending conduit 82 implanted in the door 3 or on its inner surface 302 and connecting an upper part of said chamber 801 situated above said first part 61 to be cooled with a lower part of said chamber 801 located below or including said first portion to be cooled.

This inner chamber 80 further comprises a duct circulator 81 sealingly integrated with said down duct 82 (at the inlet or the outlet or between the two) so as to impose a circulation of air from said upper part up to at said lower part, as represented by the white arrows.

In this embodiment, the volume enclosing the inner air circuit 8 further comprises:

on the one hand, at least a first chamber 801 which bathes at least a first portion 61 of the cooling system implanted on the inner surface 203 of the base 2 and including the load circuit and / or power electronics; and on the other hand, at least a second chamber 802 which bathes at least a second portion 62 of the system to be cooled including at least one digital data processing circuit arranged to perform a management of the operation of the terminal and / or a user interface with external display 42, and / or badge or tag reading means.

This volume further comprises at least one chamber circulator 83 integrated in a wall 84 separating said first and second chambers so as to impose a flow of air from said first chamber 801 to said second chamber 802.

As illustrated in FIGURE 3, the embodiment presented herein combines the first and second particular embodiments of the cooling system. Thus, the descending duct 82 circulates the air from the second chamber 802, forming the upper part of the overall chamber 80, to the first chamber 801 which forms the lower part. This first chamber 801 includes the first part to be cooled 61, and it itself receives the descending pipe 82 in its own lower part, which promotes the sweeping of the lower part 61 of the circuits to be cooled.

The charging circuit and / or power electronics performing the charging function is located on the inner surface of the base, within the inner chamber 80, and more particularly within the first chamber 801 located in the lower part. This circuit is underlined in FIGURE 3 surrounded by an oval in fine dotted line.

The upper face of the terminal, which includes the screen 42, on its inner face 488 all or part of the digital management components of the terminal and the user interface.

FIGURE 6 illustrates this inner face 488 of the upper part 4 of the terminal 1, once completely detached.

In this embodiment, the upper face of the protective enclosure of the terminal, and here of the sealed chamber of the internal circuit 8, is carried by an upper part 4 movable relative to the base, and which can be closed on said base in a sealed manner by a peripheral seal 214. In this embodiment, the assembly of the upper end 4 can thus be extracted by an upward translation after having unlocked from the inside four fasteners per latch fixed on the interior walls of the base, which cooperated with four locking hooks 412 protruding from the inner surface 488 of the upper part 4, to maintain the latter in the closed position and pressed against the seal 214 which separates it from the vertical walls 21 of the base.

The upper part 4 or head of the terminal 1 is thus completely and easily removable. It contains the most fragile and complex electronic parts. It is thus possible to easily replace all the upper part 4 without complex operations on the site, for example to realize in the workshop work on its electronics 62, for example complex operations such as repair or update, more comfortably more effective and in a more controlled environment.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the main radiator or radiators 621 of the digital circuit, for example the microprocessor which manages the terminal, are preferably arranged directly opposite the internal exchange surfaces 728 of the heat exchanger 72, in a parallel manner and less than 3cm.

As is understood, the terminal 1 thus has an inner compartment 80 completely moisture and dust-tight inside the terminal, in particular at the "essential" elements constituting the terminal. The system thus comprises two separate circuits.

On the one hand, it comprises an air duct in contact with the outside, arranged here in the fixed part of the terminal, that is to say acting as a base for the terminal. This provides a loop outside the terminal, which is or can be driven non-continuously, only according to the needs and temperature of the heat exchanger. This is the only communication with the inside of the terminal, without air exchange and with which the outside has no direct access.

On the other hand, it includes an enclosed space with air circulation in closed circuit, to not have moisture and dust in the inner area of the terminal, where are positioned all the electrical and electronic components sensitive. This gives a loop inside the terminal. This is preferably continuously controlled by maintaining a permanent air flow inside the terminal. Such an arrangement makes it possible in particular to optimize the air inlet zone in the rear upper part of the terminal, to limit access to the hot surfaces from the outside, and to optimize the recirculation of air in the zone. internal waterproof, which optimizes the technical solution of cooling in terms of performance and cost.

FIGURE 7, FIGURE 8 and FIGURE 9 illustrate the door locking mechanism of the terminal, provided by two locks 38, 39 actuated successively.

This double arrangement provides complementary cooperation between a security key and an operating key, here provided with a form of male square.

These two locks are here mounted on the outer wall 31 of the door 3, but could also be mounted on the wall 21 of the base 2.

The operating key is introduced into a maneuvering orifice 390 passing through the outer wall 31. It is engaged with a maneuvering form 391, here a female square within an opening locking mechanism. In the present example, this mechanism is achieved by a cremone 392, whose actuation by the operating key rotates two shafts 393 each carrying a bolt 394 at its end.

As is understood, such a form of maneuver makes it possible to maneuver a robust and powerful locking mechanism capable of transmitting a high maneuvering torque around its axis A39, and controlling one or more robust anchoring points and possibly including one or more ramps. pressurization. It thus allows a solid and well-applied retention of the wall 31 of the door 3 against the seals 211 and 311 ensuring its sealing with the wall 21 of the base 2.

The security key of an authorized person is introduced into a prohibition lock 38, for example a security lock of a known type, here provided with a security barrel 381 with a central pin 380 hosting a single profile on its periphery. By actuating this prohibition lock 38 about its axis A38, the security key pivots a lever 382 which carries at its end a concealment member 383, here a flat disc carrying on its outer face a seal. Actuation of this lock of prohibition thus requires only a weak torque, which makes it possible to use a lock 38 of small size and inexpensive.

As illustrated in FIGURE 7 and FIGURE 8, when the prohibition lock 38 is in the closed position, its concealment member 383 prevents any access to the operating form 391 of the operating lock 39, both for the water only for a tool used by an unauthorized person.

By inserting the security key in the prohibition lock 38 and activating it in translation D38 then in rotation R38 (or simultaneously according to other embodiments), an authorized person can discover the maneuvering orifice 391. It can then introduce its operating key, and rotate it R39 to rotate R394 the bolts 394 and thus allow the opening of the door 3.

The maneuvers are done in reverse order for the closing: locking the door 3 by the operating key, then concealment of the operating port 391 by rotation of the security key, and plating of the seal of the occulting member 383 against the maneuvering orifice by a translation under the effect of a spring during the withdrawal of the security key.

FIG. 10, FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 illustrate the configuration of the receptacle receiving the mobile connector on the outer wall of the terminal, here borne by the outer wall 31 of the mobile door 3.

In this example, in addition to the fixed charging socket 34, the terminal comprises an electric charging cable 328 permanently connected inside the terminal to the charging circuit 61 and stored around an automatic reel 329 installed at inside the terminal and only on the inner surface 302 of the movable door 3. Preferably, this retractor is accessible and / or removable from the inside of the door. The charging circuit and possibly the winder are controlled by the terminal electronics.

As shown in FIGURE 1 and FIGURE 12, this electric charging cable 328 carries at its free end a movable connector 32 provided with a handling handle 320. Apart from use, this connector is intended to be stored in a receptacle 33 which passes through the outer wall of the terminal, here that of the door 3. This receptacle 33 is made in one piece, for example by injection molded plastic.

In the lower part, it comprises a guide orifice 333 through which said cable 328 leaves the terminal, and which guides it during its extraction but also during its rewinding by the winder 329. This guide orifice is here reinforced in its lower part, which undergoes the most friction from the cable 328, by a reinforcing plate 335 of complementary shape, for example a stamped metal strip with a thickness of the order of 5 tenths of a millimeter stuck on the receptacle 33 in plastic. The guide hole 333 has a constriction 334 sized to retain a stop ball 3281 secured around the charging cable 328, thereby providing an end stop during automatic or controlled rewinding.

In the center, this receptacle comprises a housing 330 which receives the handle 320 and the hand of the user who holds it, to enable it to conveniently unhook and hang the connector.

At the top, it has a protective housing 331 having a shape complementary to the outer profile of the movable connector, so as to surround its connecting portion 327 when in a waiting position. This connecting portion 327, which carries the electrical connection contacts, is thus protected from any contact with the user, as well as water and possibly insects. This is for example a standardized plug for charging electric vehicles, for example a type of "Tl".

As illustrated in FIGURE 12 to FIGURE 14, the movable connector comprises at its end a connector hook 322 which protrudes in the direction of insertion D32 'from its connecting portion 327. In the standby position, this hook abuts against a shoulder forming a receptacle hook 332 and positioned to retain the connector 32 in its housing 331 and 330.

In this embodiment, this connector hook 322 extends inside its handle and is articulated here around a rotation shaft 3220, so as to be able to deviate from the receptacle hook 332. This movement D322 is for example obtained by a pressure of the user on a button or trigger 321 which protrudes from the handle 320. Under such a pressure, the trigger pivots around a shaft 3210 to press against a rear portion 3221 of the connector hook 322 and thus the D322 away from the receptacle hook 332, thereby allowing the connection portion 327 of the connector 32 to be extracted from its housing 331, for example according to a translation D32.

It should be noted that other embodiments are possible, in which the receptacle hook is movable while the connector hook is fixed relative to the connector, or in which the two hooks are movable.

More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 13 through FIGURE 15, the locking mechanism comprises a locking device 35 comprising a movable locking pin 351 which can be moved D35, to prevent or allow the spacing D322 of the connector hook 322.

This locking pin 351 here constitutes an end bent at the end of an arm, which is rotatable relative to the receptacle 33 around a shaft 350.

The position of this locking pin 351 is detected by the electronics of the terminal by means of a finger sensor 357, fixed for example to the receptacle 33. This finger sensor 357, for example an optical detector within a fork, detects the presence or not of an end 358 of the arm carrying the locking finger. By way of example, this is a rear end located on the other side of its rotation shaft 350.

When the connector hook 322 is engaged with the one 332 of the receptacle, the locking pin 351 is brought back and held in a so-called locking position, under the effect of an elastic means, here a return spring 359, as illustrated in FIG. FIGURE 13.

In this locking position, the arm carrying the locking pin 351 can be locked by pressing a bearing surface 352 against the surface 361 of a locking rod 360 which is perpendicular thereto, here a bearing surface 352 located on the other side of the rotation shaft 350, as illustrated in FIGURE 13 and FIGURE 15.

This locking rod 360 is movable in longitudinal translation D36, in one direction and in the other, under the effect of an actuator electromechanical controlled by the electronics of the terminal or remotely, here a solenoid 369. This locking pin 360 carries a transverse notch 362 or a transverse flat, the side of the bearing 352 of the locking arm.

When the solenoid is in the locking position, it is a cylindrical portion 361 of the rod 360 which faces the bearing surface 352, and thus prevents it from moving towards the axis A36 of this rod 360. locking 351 can not deviate from the hook connector 322, which prevents the stall D322 and thus the extraction D32 of the mobile connector 32.

The position of this locking rod 360 is detected by the electronics of the terminal by means of a locking sensor 367 fixed to the receptacle 33. This locking sensor 367, for example an optical detector within a fork, detects the presence or absence of a tab 368 which protrudes laterally from this rod, and thus detects whether the locking rod 360 is or not in the unlocking position (or locking according to the location where the tab 368 is fixed).

In the present example, the tab 368 is fixed so that its detection by the locking sensor 367 ensures that the rod 360 is in the unlocking position. In the locking position, as illustrated in FIGURE 15, this tab 368 is located outside the fork of the sensor 367.

When the solenoid 369 is in the unlocking position, as illustrated in FIG. 14, it is the notch 362 which is in front of the bearing surface 352. This can therefore move in the direction of the axis A36 of the stem 360 , and thus allow a rotation of the arm which goes with a displacement D35 of the locking pin 351.

In this locking position but without locking, an inner face of the locking pin 351 is located just behind the connector hook 322, or even against its rear face. The presence of this finger 351 and the resistance that it exerts, under the effect of the spring, thus limits the risks that the hook 322 deviates from itself and that the connector is unhooked without action of the user, by example under the effect of vibration or a slight shock. On the other hand, if the user voluntarily presses the trigger 321 of the connector, the connector hook 322 tends to move away from D322 and presses against the inside face of the locking pin 351. The shape of this face and / or its orientation are determined, here in a slight rounding, so that the support of the hook 322 caused by the user allows him to spread D35 blocking finger 351, and then continue his own movement D322 to its unhooked position as illustrated FIGURE 14. Once the hook 322 completely retracted, the user can then extract D32 the connector of its housing 331 in the terminal.

Thus, it can be seen that it is the user who provides the stalling forces, through the displacement of the connector hook 322 and the locking pin 351. As required, the electronics of the terminal can, however, lock the mechanism for prevent this stall D32 and lock the connector, with great resistance and without having to provide a force opposing those of the user. It is therefore possible to use a 369 actuator simple, compact, reliable, and low power.

When the mobile connector 32 is absent from its housing 331, its hook 322 is not there to hold the locking pin 351. This is then driven by the return spring 359 beyond the blocking position, to bottom in the figures, and its arm end 358 exits the finger sensor 357, upwardly in the figures.

The finger sensor 357 makes it possible to know the position of the locking pin 351:

if the end 358 is detected, this means that the finger 351 is in the locked position, and therefore that the connector is in place in its housing and that it is correctly hooked, as in FIGURE 12 and FIGURE 13;

if this end 358 is not detected, it means that the connector is badly hooked, as in FIG. 14, or that it is absent; and therefore to know if the mobile connector 32, and in particular its connecting portion 327, is present or not in its housing 331.

The locking sensor 367 makes it possible to check whether the rod 360 is or is not in a given position, here the unlocking position. Thus, the sensors 357 and 367 allow the system to know at any time the state of the locking device 35 and the locking device 36, which ensures the consistency of the behavior of the controller and facilitates the diagnosis of malfunctions including distance.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples that have just been described and many adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Charging terminal for an electric storage battery, particularly electric vehicles, intended to be fixedly installed in an unprotected environment,

comprising a set of electrical, electronic and cooling components, including a charging circuit, which are enclosed within an outer wall (21, 31) forming an outer protective enclosure, characterized in that it comprises:

- On the one hand, at least one fixed part forming a base (2) statically implanted and which has at least one so-called inner surface (203) directed towards the inside of the protective enclosure, on which is implanted at the at least a first portion (61) of said components; and

on the other hand, at least one movable part articulated on said base (2) to form a door (3) which has at least one so-called inner surface (302) directed towards the inside of the protective enclosure, on which is implanted at least a second portion (81, 82, 83, 84, 329) of said components, which door is movable between at least:

- A closed position, wherein said door (3) forms a portion (31) of the outer protective enclosure and obstructs access to said inner surfaces (203, 302); and

- An open position, wherein said door (3) allows access, especially for control and maintenance, to said inner surfaces (203, 302);

and in that the door (3) comprises a portion (31) of the outer wall of the terminal which represents more than half of the outer periphery of the terminal.

2. Terminal according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the components implanted on the door occupy at least 20% of the interior volume of the terminal, and preferably at least 30%.

3. Terminal according to the preceding claim, characterized in that forms a column (1) elongate upwards in which the components (61) discovered by the opening of the door (3) are implanted in majority, by volume, on the base (2).

4. Terminal according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a locking mechanism of the door (3) in the closed position comprising at least:

- On the one hand, a locking lock (39) comprising one or more bolts (394) movable between at least one released position for opening the door (3) and a locked position in which said bolts (394) support a holding force applied between said door (3) and the base (2), said bolts (394) being actuated by at least one form of maneuver (391) accessible from outside the terminal by at least one maneuvering orifice (390); and

- on the other hand, a prohibition lock (38) comprising an opening prohibition mechanism, which moves a shutter (383) between at least one shut-off position, in which it closes the maneuvering orifice ( 390), and a retracted position, in which it allows access to the maneuvering form (391) from the outside through said maneuvering orifice (390).

5. Terminal according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has an elongated shape having an upward end forming, partially or in its entirety, a removable head (4) which is fixed to the base (2) by a hooking mechanism (412) operable between at least one hooked position, in which it keeps said head secured to the base (2), and a released position, wherein said head is completely detached from the base (2).

6. Terminal according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least a third portion (62) of said terminal components, including a user interface (42) and / or a digital processing processor, is located on or integrated in the removable head (4).

Terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

the terminal comprises at least one electric charging cable (328) which is fed by the charging circuit through a connection inside the terminal and which carries a connection portion (327) of the terminal outside the terminal a mobile connector (32) adapted to be connected to a battery to be recharged or to a device containing a battery to be recharged,

and in that the outer wall (31) carries a receptacle (33) which is integrally formed or forms a unitary assembly which can be detached or disassembled from said outer wall (31) in one piece, and which comprises:

on the one hand, a guide orifice (333) through which said cable (328) passes through the outer wall (31) and moves axially to be extracted from or retracted inside the protective enclosure, and

- On the other hand, a form (332) arranged to allow to hang the connection portion (327) of the movable connector (32) in a waiting position.

8. Terminal according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the receptacle (33) is further covered by a plate or a metal sheet (335) wholly or partly conforming to the surface of the interior and the periphery of the orifice of guiding (333).

9. Terminal according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the receptacle (33) of movable connector (32) is carried by the door (3) of the terminal,

and in that the charging electric cable (328) is wound inside the terminal on an automatic or electrically rewinding reel (329), which reel (329) is implanted on an inner surface of the door ( 3) or integrated with it.

10. Terminal according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one electrical cable of charging (328) which is powered by the charging circuit by a connection inside the terminal and which carries outside the terminal a movable connector (32) intended to be connected to a battery to be recharged or a device containing a battery to recharge,

in that the outer wall (31) carries a receptacle (33) which comprises a shape (331) arranged to receive a connection portion (327) of the movable connector (32) in a standby position,

and in that the outer wall (31) carries a connector locking mechanism (35, 36) that can be actuated by electrical control between at least:

a released position, in which it allows a voluntary withdrawal of the connection portion (327) of the mobile connector (32) from the receptacle (331) by a user, and

a locked position, in which it prevents said removal of the connection portion (327) of the movable connector (32).

11. Terminal according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the receptacle (33) has a protective housing (331) adapted to receive and protect the connection portion (327) of the movable connector (32) and has a receptacle hook ( 332) having a shape arranged to cooperate by mechanical stop with a shape of a hook (322) carried by the movable connector (32);

in that at least one of said receptacle hook (332) and said connector hook (322) forms a hook (322) which is movable in a displacement stroke (D322) between at least:

a hooked position, in which said hooks (322, 332) cooperate with one another to hold said movable connector (32) in a storage position, in which the connection portion (327) is located inside the protective housing (331), and

- An unhooked position, wherein said movable hook (322) is sufficiently spaced apart to allow extraction of the connection portion (327) out of said protective housing (331);

and in that the locking mechanism comprises a movable locking finger (351) (D35) between at least: a blocking position, in which the blocking finger (351) can be locked by an electric control so as to form a stop which prevents the displacement (D322) of the movable hook (322) from the position hooked towards the unhooked position, and

- A retracted position, wherein the locking finger (351) allows said displacement (D322) of the movable hook (322).

12. Terminal according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a cooling system arranged to achieve a flow of air so as to discharge to the outside air thermal energy generated inside the thick headed,

said cooling system comprising at least one heat exchanger (72) providing heat transfer by sealed conduction between:

- On the one hand, a so-called open part of the outer protection enclosure which encloses a volume forming an air circuit called outside (7) from at least one inlet opening (701) of outside air to at least an outlet opening (702) for external air passing through at least a first so-called external exchange surface (727) of said at least one heat exchanger (72); and

- On the other hand, a so-called sealed portion (800) of the outer protective enclosure which encloses a sealed volume forming an air circuit said inner (8) in which at least one circulator (81) circulates in a closed circuit an internal air stream between at least one system (61, 62) to be cooled and at least one second so-called internal exchange surface (728) of said at least one heat exchanger (72).

13. Terminal according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it further comprises at least one so-called external circulator (71) disposed within the external air circuit (7) so as to circulate the air therefrom. inlet opening (701) towards the outlet opening (702), in particular arranged immediately upstream of said at least one heat exchanger (72) so as to blow air from the circuit on the at least one external exchange surface (727) of said at least one heat exchanger (72).

Terminal according to any one of claims 12 and 13, characterized in that the volume enclosing the internal air circuit (8) comprises:

on the one hand, at least one chamber (80) which bathes at least a first portion (61) of said at least one system to be cooled, and

on the other hand, a so-called downstream duct (82) connecting an upper part (802) of said chamber (80) situated above said first part to be cooled with a lower part (801) of said chamber (80); ) below or including said first portion to be cooled; and in that it comprises at least one duct circulator (81) sealingly integrated with said downward duct so as to impose a flow of air from said upper portion (802) to said lower portion (801).

Terminal according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the volume enclosing the internal air circuit (8) comprises:

- On the one hand, at least a first chamber (801) which bathes at least a first portion (61) of the system to be cooled, and

- On the other hand, at least a second chamber (802) which bathes the internal exchange surface (728) of said at least one heat exchanger (72), and preferably also a second portion (62) of the system to be cooled, said second chamber (802) being disposed above said first chamber (801);

in that the indoor air circuit (8) comprises a said downward duct (82) connecting said second chamber (802) with said first chamber (801);

and in that said interior air circuit (8) further comprises:

on the one hand, at least one duct circulator (81) arranged in said down duct (82) so as to impose a downward air flow from the second chamber (802) to the first chamber (801); ; and - On the other hand, at least one chamber circulator (83) integrated in a wall (84) separating said first (801) and second (802) chambers so as to impose a flow of air from said first chamber (801) to said second chamber (802).

16. Terminal according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the chamber circulator (83) is arranged to blow the air from the first chamber (801) directly on exchange surfaces (728) of said at least one exchanger thermal (72).