AT521837B1 - Charging unit for charging a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a charging unit for charging a vehicle, the charging unit having an insertion device (1) with at least one pivotable insertion funnel (3) and a first contact (7) arranged therein for electrical connection to at least one further contact along a connection axis (A) . The object of the invention is to avoid the disadvantages described and to provide a loading unit which has a reduced risk of canting when connecting to the further contact. This object is achieved according to the invention in that at least one guide element is arranged in the area of the first contact and the guide element is spring-loaded at least along the connection axis.

Description

description

The invention relates to a charging unit for charging a vehicle, the charging unit having an insertion device with at least one pivotable insertion funnel and a first contact arranged therein for electrical connection with at least one other contact along a connection axis, with at least one guide element in the area of the first Contact is arranged and that the guide element is resiliently movable at least along the connection axis.

Such charging units can be installed in the vehicle that is to be charged or be arranged at a charging station such as a charging station. A charging station in the first case or the vehicle to be charged in the second case can connect to the charging unit for charging. In this way, a connection can be established between a charging station that provides electricity and the vehicle that stores the electricity.

Such charging units are particularly important for electrically powered cars such as pure electric vehicles or vehicles with more than one type of operation such as hybrid vehicles, since these vehicles regularly have to consume larger amounts of energy in the form of electricity. For this purpose, the vehicles are usually first brought near the charging station and positioned to match the charging station so that another contact can then connect to the first contact. This connection is preferably made automatically or semi-automatically, so that the driver no longer has to get out or worry about the connection.

The insertion device is used to at least partially accommodate a further contact so that it can connect to the first contact. The further contact can be arranged, for example, on a charging cable or on a similar transmission medium.

[0005] US 2011/300738 A1 and US 5,462,439 A1 describe loading units which have loading funnels in order to automatically center other movable contacts in the loading unit if the vehicle is arranged slightly offset from the charging station. This enables an expansion of the parking area of the vehicle in which connection is still possible. However, this area is still very small and the second contact with the loading funnel can tilt, which means that a complete connection is not possible. This is very inconvenient as this is only linked by further connection attempts or even moving the vehicle, which makes the connection process lengthy and cumbersome for the user of the vehicle.

In DE 10 2001 082 092 A1 and US 5,462,439 A1, a loading system with a loading unit is described which has a pivotable insertion funnel. In this way, the insertion funnel can pivot in the direction of the further contact when it approaches, in order to facilitate the connection with the first contact and to expand the effective range of the insertion funnel. In this case, however, the further contact or a part connected to it can still be tilted or jammed with that of the loading unit, which prevents the connection. Since the connection is very error-prone when using conventional, standardized contacts, specially shaped contacts must be provided in order to enable a better connection. However, this is not very advantageous, since the production becomes so expensive and complicated, and there are compatibility problems in vehicles with widespread, standardized connector types.

[0007] WO 2013/055275 A1 discloses an insertion funnel in which a spring-loaded guide element is arranged. First contacts are arranged in a ring around the guide element. The guide element facilitates the alignment of the further contact introduced into the insertion funnel. So that a sufficient amount of energy can be transmitted, the ring-shaped contacts must be designed and coordinated so that they lie on top of one another over a large area. If the further contact is not already precisely aligned when it is inserted, then, despite the guide element, there is a mechanical load on the first and

second contact. During the insertion, the contacts rub against one another, which leads to increased wear. This leads to a poor connection and increased resistance of the connection if the device is plugged in and unplugged frequently.

The object of the invention is thus to avoid the disadvantages described and to provide a charging unit which has an increased service life.

[0009] This object is achieved according to the invention in that the guide element is arranged essentially around the first contact.

By the spring-loaded guide element, the further contact is centered in relation to the first contact and aligned in such a way that they are directly opposite and can easily connect to each other. This is particularly advantageous in the case of plug connections, since it makes it easier to slide into one another. The guide element can have a wide variety of shapes.

The connection axis is defined by the first contact and is that axis along which the first contact and the further contact connecting it must be moved towards each other in order to be able to establish an optimal electrical connection of the contacts with the lowest possible risk of tilting or jamming. In the case of a plug connection, this connection axis is usually specified by the direction of the pins or openings into which the pins are inserted. In the case of a connection without an electrically conductive contact, for example in the case of inductive transmission, the optimal inductive coupling is achieved when the further contact is aligned with the first contact along the connection axis. As a rule, this connecting axis points straight out of the insertion funnel, since the first contact is arranged in the center of the insertion funnel, that is to say at its narrowed point.

[0012] The insertion funnel does not have to taper uniformly, but can have different slopes, gradients or plateaus in different directions. It can be pivotable about an axis or also have a cardan bearing and can thus be pivoted in several directions.

In the area of the first contact it is meant that the guide element has a spatial proximity to the first contact, whereby it does not have to be directly adjacent to this. The guide element can, for example, be designed as part of the insertion funnel or as part of the first contact. It can be movable and / or sprung along other axes beyond the connecting axis.

It is advantageous if the first contact is connected to the guide element. It is particularly advantageous if the first contact is immovably connected to the guide element. The guide element and the first contact can be made in one piece. The first contact is thus also spring-loaded and can be moved, preferably in a limited space, when the additional contact is loaded. This simplifies the structure and improves the connection of the contacts to one another. In the case of a plug connection in particular, when the further contact is approaching, the first contact can first be pushed a little away from it and moved deeper into the insertion funnel, if the optimal relative position to one another has not yet been found. This favors the centering and adjustment of the contacts to one another. If the contacts are opposite one another in such a way that a connection is easily possible, they can, if provided by the type of contacts, at least partially slide into one another and thus establish the connection. This can lead to a backward movement of the first contact.

If the first contact is connected to the insertion funnel via at least one spring of the guide element, the structure can thus be further simplified. A plurality of springs can be provided, which for example are arranged essentially uniformly around the circumference of the guide element in order to enable good suspension.

In order to enable improved guidance of the further contact, the guide element can be pivotable in relation to the connection axis. The guide element can around

an axis can be pivoted transversely to the connection axis or about two axes.

Alternatively, it can also be provided that the guide element is guided in translation along the connecting axis. This means that the guide element can be moved along the connecting axis, but it cannot be pivoted with respect to this axis. This can be advantageous in particular when aligning the further contact in relation to the first contact. In particular with a plug connection, the axes of the female and male contacts can be matched to one another.

In order to prevent uncontrolled movement out of the insertion funnel, it can be provided that the guide element has at least one shoulder, and the shoulder limits the movement of the guide element in the direction of an insertion recess of the funnel. The shoulder can rest on a corresponding shoulder of the insertion funnel in a maximally extended position.

It is particularly advantageous if the guide element is arranged at least partially between the first contact and the insertion funnel. The alignment of the axes of the contacts to one another can thus be designed particularly effectively.

It is particularly advantageous that the guide element is arranged essentially around the first contact. The guide element can also not be connected to the first contact. Several guide elements can also be provided, which are arranged around the first contact.

In order to further improve the guidance of the further contact, the guide element can protrude into an insertion recess of the insertion funnel in a relaxed position. In this case, the insertion recess is understood to mean that part of the insertion funnel which tapers at least for the most part and thus mainly takes on the function of conducting and guiding the further contact. If the guide element protrudes into this area, the axis of the further contact can be supported, while its positioning is improved by the insertion recess.

For better guidance of the further contact it can also be provided that the guide element has at least one guide surface which is inclined at least in sections in the direction of the first contact.

In order to ensure a stable and simple design, the guide element can be connected to the insertion funnel via at least one spring.

[0024] It can also be provided that the first contact is rigidly connected to the insertion funnel.

To protect against soiling, it can be provided that the insertion device has at least one movable flap for covering at least the first contact.

Particularly advantageous are charging devices that have a charging unit of the type described and such a charging device has at least one movable arm with a second contact for electrical connection to the first contact. This second contact can connect to the first contact as a further contact and thus establish a connection between a vehicle and a charging station. The charging device can preferably be arranged on the charging station, such as a charging column, while the arm is preferably arranged on the vehicle. Reverse arrangements are also possible.

It is also advantageous if the first contact is designed as a socket and the second contact as a plug. A plug connection can thus be easily established, which represents a stable and simple connection via which large amounts of energy can be transmitted in a short time. Alternatively, the first contact can be designed as a plug and the second contact as a socket. The term socket is understood to mean the outer contact of a plug connection into which the plug is inserted.

[0028] In order to enable the most risk-free energy transfer possible, provision can be made

be that the first contact and the second contact are designed to transfer energy contactless, preferably via an inductive coupling.

Alternatively, the first contact and the second contact can also have electrical contact surfaces for connection to one another. This enables a particularly high energy transfer rate.

In order to enable better centering of the second contact, the arm can preferably have a section in the region of the second contact which is flexible. This makes it easier to retract the arm into the insertion funnel.

In order to reduce the space required by the arm, the arm can at least partially be designed as a push chain. The push chain can be rolled up in the de-energized state, but it can transfer push and pressure forces under tension. In this sense, it is particularly advantageous if the push chain has at least two interconnected links, a first link having at least one first connecting surface arranged essentially transversely to a main axis of the push chain and a second link at least a second connecting surface arranged essentially transversely to the main axis of the push chain Having connecting surface, wherein the first connecting surface and second connecting surface are designed to be arranged in a linear position one above the other and to rest on one another.

In order to simplify the positioning of the vehicle to the charging station, the charging device can have a positioning system for aligning the arm and the insertion device to one another, and the positioning system can have at least one laser. The lasers can simplify the fine positioning of the vehicle to the charging station, preferably automatically or semi-automatically. Alternatively, the laser can also be arranged on the arm side.

It can be provided that the second contact has a pyramid-shaped body, the tip or the stump preferably pointing away from the arm. Alternatively, standardized connection types such as the ICE 62196 type 2 connector can also be used. Accordingly, the first plug can also have a socket corresponding to it.

The arm is preferably movable along one of its main axes. It is particularly advantageous if the arm can be moved by a motor at least along a main axis of the arm. This allows the arm to be retracted and extended using a motor, in order to connect the contacts with one another.

In order to ensure a better connection, it can be provided that the arm is flexibly mounted transversely to a main axis. This allows the arm to swing out when the contacts are offset from one another.

In the following, the present invention is explained in more detail with reference to a non-restrictive embodiment variant shown in the figures. Show it:

FIG. 1 shows a part of an embodiment of an insertion funnel according to the invention in a schematic perspective view;

FIG. 2 shows the insertion funnel in a schematic perspective view; FIG. 3 shows a rear part of the loading unit in a schematic perspective view; FIG. 4 shows an insertion device according to the invention in a side view.

1 and 2 show an insertion funnel 3 according to the invention, which can be pivotably mounted in a cardanic manner. This has an insertion recess 4, which from an essentially square insertion opening 5 into the interior of the insertion funnel 3 initially remains the same width and height and then tapers essentially evenly. At the end of the insertion recess 4 opposite the insertion opening 5, the insertion funnel 3 tapers in a curved and particularly strong manner before the insertion recess 4 opens into a supply recess 6. This ends at the opposite end of the insertion funnel 3. A first contact 7 designed as a type 2 e-mobility plug is inserted into the supply recess 6

is only shown schematically. The elongated plug is connected on its outer sides to a guide element 8 and made in one piece with it, the guide element 8 having a shoulder 10 at the end remote from the insertion opening 5 which limits the penetration of the guide element 8 and the first contact 7 into the insertion recess 4 . The guide element 8 together with the first contact 7 has a cross section which, apart from the shoulder 10, fits together with the cross section of the supply recess 6. The first contact 7 can thus be moved in a translatory manner along a connection axis A. The first contact is designed as a socket and has an end face 12 for connection to a further contact, which is normal to the connection axis A and points into the insertion recess 4.

The guide element 8 is spring-connected to the insertion funnel 3 via four springs 9, whereby this is pushed in the unloaded position in the direction of the insertion recess 4 until the shoulder 10 is pressed against the corresponding shoulder of the insertion funnel 3. This unloaded position is shown in FIG. The guide element 8 and also the first contact 7 protrude into the insertion recess 4.

The first contact 7 is electrically supplied via the supply recess 6 via cables (not shown).

The insertion funnel 3 has a front part 13 and a rear part 14 which are screwed together. Only the rear part 14 is shown in FIG. 3, which shows that the supply recess 4 has a smaller cross section at the end remote from the insertion opening 5. This releases an area which is normal to the connecting axis A and on which the springs 9 can act. This area also limits the movement of the guide element 8 away from the insertion opening 5.

In Fig. 4, a loading device is shown, which has an insertion device 1 for installation in a charging unit such as a charging column of a charging station and a movable arm 15 for installation in a vehicle. The insertion device 1 has a loading funnel 3 similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, which is mounted in a suspension 11 so that it can be pivoted once about a first pivot axis S1 and once about a second pivot axis S2. This results in a cardanic bearing for the loading funnel 3. Both pivot axes S1 and S2 are normal to the connecting axis A. This means that the insertion funnel 3 can be pivoted by approximately 30 ° in any direction. In other embodiments, a smaller or larger angle can be selected. In Fig. 4 the insertion funnel 3 is shown in a neutral, not pivoted position.

The arm 15 has a rigid main arm 16 which is connected to a motorized retraction device 18 via a rack 17. The arm 15 can thus be displaced linearly along a main axis B and thus pushed out of a cladding of the vehicle from a storage position in the interior of the body into an operative position. In the operative position, it protrudes at least partially from the vehicle and can connect to the insertion unit 1.

At the end further away from the vehicle, that is to say the end facing the loading hopper 3, a connection head 19 is arranged which has an elastic section 20. This elastic section 20 is designed as a spiral spring in this embodiment. A second contact 21 is arranged on the elastic section 20 at one end of the arm 15, which has a substantially truncated pyramid-shaped body 22 which extends along an intermediate axis C. The intermediate axis C is also the axis in which, if the second contact 21 should be displaced along this axis, the risk of tilting or getting stuck when connecting to the first contact 7 is particularly low. In the illustrated, unloaded position of the arm 15, in which no significant forces act on the second contact 21, the main axis B and intermediate axis C are coaxially.

In Fig. 4, the optimal case is shown in which the main axis B and connecting axis A are coaxial. In other words, the vehicle is optimally positioned in relation to the charging station so that

through the linear extension of the arm 15, a connection between the first contact 7 and the second contact 21 can be established. Since the second contact 21 is not loaded transversely, the intermediate axis C is also coaxial with the connecting axis A. However, if the vehicle is slightly offset, the main axis C and connecting axis A are no longer coaxially and they may also no longer be parallel to one another. If the main arm 16 is moved by the retraction device 18 in the direction of the insertion device 1, the second contact 21 in this case does not strike the insertion funnel 3 centrally due to a displacement between the connecting axis A and the main axis B. The elastic section 20 can thus bend and the second contact 21 are guided in the direction of the first contact 7. If the second contact 21 meets one or more guide elements 8, it is guided further to the first contact 7 by the elastic guide and / or its intermediate axis 21 is aligned according to the connection axis A so that these become parallel and / or coaxial. The bringing together of the first and second contacts 7, 21 is thus optimally achieved.

Claims (22)

Claims 1. Charging unit for charging a vehicle, the charging unit having an insertion device (1) with at least one pivotable insertion funnel (3) and a first contact (7) arranged therein for electrical connection to at least one further contact along a connection axis (A), wherein at least one guide element (8) is arranged in the area of the first contact (7) and that the guide element (8) can be moved in a sprung manner at least along the connecting axis (A), characterized in that the guide element (8) essentially surrounds the first contact ( 7) is arranged around. 2. Loading unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the first contact (7) is rigidly connected to the guide element (8). 3. Loading unit according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the guide element (8) is pivotable in relation to the connecting axis (A). 4. Loading unit according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the guide element (8) is guided in translation along the connecting axis (A). 5. Loading unit according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the guide element (8) has at least one shoulder (10), and the shoulder (10) the movement of the guide element (8) in the direction of an insertion recess (4) of the insertion funnel (3) limited. 6. Loading unit according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the guide element (8) is arranged at least partially between the first contact (7) and the insertion funnel (3). 7. Loading unit according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the guide element (8) protrudes into an insertion recess (4) of the insertion funnel (3) in a relaxed position. 8. Loading unit according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the guide element (8) has at least one guide surface which is inclined at least in sections in the direction of the first contact (7). 9. Loading unit according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the guide element (8) is connected to the insertion funnel (3) via at least one spring (9). 10. Loading unit according to one of claims 1 or 3 to 9, characterized in that the first contact (7) is rigidly connected to the insertion funnel (3). 11. Loading unit according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the insertion device (1) has at least one movable flap for covering at least the first contact (7). 12. Charging device, wherein the charging device comprises a charging unit according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the charging device has at least one movable arm (15) with a second contact (21) for electrical connection to the first contact (7). 13. Loading device according to claim 12, characterized in that the first contact (7) is designed as a socket and the second contact (21) is designed as a plug. 14. Charging device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the first contact (7) and the second contact (21) are designed to transmit energy in a contactless manner, preferably via an inductive coupling. 15. Charging device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the first contact (7) and the second contact (21) have electrical contact surfaces for connection to one another. 16. Loading device according to one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that the arm (15) preferably in the region of the second contact (21) has a section which is elastically flexible. 17. Loading device according to one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that the arm (15) is at least partially designed as a push chain. 18. Loading device according to claim 17, characterized in that the push chain has at least two interconnected links, a first link having at least one first connecting surface arranged substantially transversely to a main axis of the push chain and a second link at least one substantially transverse to the main axis of the push chain having arranged second connecting surface, wherein the first connecting surface and second connecting surface are designed to be arranged in a linear position one above the other and to rest on one another. 19. Loading device according to one of claims 12 to 18, characterized in that the loading device has a positioning system for aligning the arm (15) and insertion device (1) to one another, and that the positioning system has at least one laser. 20. Loading device according to one of claims 12 to 19, characterized in that the second contact (21) has a pyramidal body (22). 21. Loading device according to one of claims 12 to 20, characterized in that the arm (15) can be moved by a motor at least along a main axis (B) of the arm (15). 22. Loading device according to one of claims 12 to 21, characterized in that the arm (15) is flexibly mounted transversely to a main axis (B). 4 sheets of drawings