CN111605628A

CN111605628A - Closing device and motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: CN111605628A
Application number: CN202010111146.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: B.温克勒; T.博舍
Original assignee: Volkswagen AG
Current assignee: Volkswagen AG
Priority date: 2019-02-22
Filing date: 2020-02-24
Publication date: 2020-09-01
Anticipated expiration: 2040-02-24
Also published as: DE102019104612A1; CN111605628B

Abstract

The invention relates to a closure device (100) for covering and uncovering a charging interface (200) of a motor vehicle, the closure device (100) having a housing (10) surrounding the charging interface (200) and a cover element (12) which is pivotably mounted on the housing (10), the cover element (12) being displaceable into a closed position for covering the charging interface (200) and into an open position for uncovering the charging interface (200), wherein the cover element (12) is pivotably mounted on the housing (10) by means of a hinge element (13), wherein the hinge element (13) is arranged on the housing (10) above the charging interface (200) and the hinge element (13) is designed to close at least over a width (B) of the charging interface (200).

Description

Closing device and motor vehicle

Technical Field

The invention relates to a closure device for covering and uncovering a charging interface of a motor vehicle. The invention further relates to a motor vehicle having a charging interface and a corresponding closure device.

Background

Hybrid or electric vehicles have a charging interface in order to charge the vehicle. In order to be able to close the charging interface when the motor vehicle is not being charged, the motor vehicle usually has a closure device, which can be fastened to the body of the motor vehicle. Such a closure device may have a housing and a cover element which is pivotably supported on the housing. The housing is arranged around the charging interface such that the housing encloses the charging interface. The housing may have an opening through which the charging interface is accessible for inserting the charging plug into the charging interface. If no charging process takes place, the opening can be closed by the cover element, so that the charging interface is protected from external influences by the cover element. Usually, the cover element is arranged on the side of the housing, i.e. on the right or left side of the opening, so that in the open position of the cover element the charging interface is exposed completely unprotected, so that rain, ice or snow can reach the charging interface during charging and can damage it.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a closure device and a motor vehicle, which improve the protection of the charging interface of the motor vehicle from environmental influences.

The object is achieved by a closure device for covering and uncovering a charging interface of a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle, the closure device according to the invention having a housing which surrounds the charging interface and a cover element which is mounted pivotably on the housing and which can be moved into a closed position for covering the charging interface and into an open position for uncovering the charging interface, wherein the cover element is mounted pivotably on the housing by means of a hinge element and the hinge element is designed to be closed at least over the width of the charging interface.

According to the invention, the cover element is no longer supported on the housing on the side of the charging interface, i.e. on the right or left side of the charging interface, but rather is supported on the housing above the charging interface in such a way that the hinge element is also arranged on the housing above the charging interface, wherein the cover element is pivotably supported on the housing by means of the hinge element. The hinge element is therefore preferably arranged on a long side of the housing, which long side is arranged above the charging interface. When the cover element is transferred from the closed position to the open position, the cover element is thus pivoted upwards and, in the open position, the cover element covers the area in front of the charging interface, via which the charging plug is inserted into the charging interface. Thus, even in the open position of the cover element, the cover element can already form a protection against environmental influences of the charging interface, such as against the ingress of snow or rain in the charging interface. In order to be able to prevent dirt, in particular water, ice or snow, from entering the region of the charging interface when the cover element is in the open position and during charging, the hinge element is designed to be closed at least over the width of the charging interface. The closed design means that the hinge element has no opening for dirt, water, ice or snow to pass through to the charging interface, at least over the width of the charging interface. The hinge element can thus form a cover for the charging interface in addition to the cover element, even if the cover element is in the open position or in a position during the charging process.

For fastening the cover element to the housing, the hinge element can have two hinge arms, by means of which the hinge element can be rotatably mounted on the housing. The hinge arms can be positioned parallel to one another and at a distance from one another, so that the cover element can be guided in a controlled manner from the open position into the closed position, whereas the cover element can be guided in a controlled manner from the closed position into the open position, without there being any risk of the cover element being skewed in this case.

In order to be able to achieve a targeted water discharge away from the charging interface, it can be provided that the hinge element has a water guide for the water discharge. The water guide can be designed, for example, in the form of a recess formed on the hinge element, which recess forms the drainage channel. The water guide preferably extends over the entire length of the hinge element, so that water can drain laterally from the hinge element without the water coming into contact with the charging interface. The water guide preferably extends parallel to the long side of the housing on which the hinge element is arranged.

In order to be able to further improve the drainage, it can be provided that at least one respective drip rib (wasserabebtropfrippe) is formed on the hinge arms. The water reaching the hinge arms can be discharged in a targeted manner via the respective drip ribs and can thus be kept away from the charging interface in a targeted manner. The drip ribs are preferably each formed in an elongated manner and extend over at least a partial length of the hinge arms. The drip ribs preferably extend perpendicular to the direction of extension of the water guide on the hinge element.

Preferably, the hinge element has a tilting point, wherein the lid element can be pivoted automatically into the open position when the lid element is positioned above the tilting point and into the closed position when the lid element is positioned below the tilting point. The provision of such a tilting point makes it possible for the user to easily operate, since when the cover element is moved over the tilting point, the cover element is automatically moved upwards to such an extent that the charging interface for the charging plug to be inserted or removed is freely accessible without the cover element hindering the movement of the charging plug. Above the tilting point, the cover element is preferably pivoted to such an extent that the cover element is pivoted by more than 90 °, preferably more than 120 °, relative to the housing. When the cover element is moved below the tilting point, the cover element can be secured in the closed position by the cover element automatically pivoting into the closed position in such a way that the cover element lies in close contact with the housing and the charging interface is therefore covered in a sealing manner by the cover element.

The tilting point can, for example, be designed such that the hinge element is spring-loaded. It is thus possible to apply a spring tension to the hinge element which can hold the cover element in a stable position both in the closed position and in the open position.

In order to generate a spring tension on the hinge elements, a spring element can be arranged, for example, on each hinge arm. The spring elements can be integrated in the respective hinge arms. The spring tension can be applied to the hinge elements with a uniform distribution by arranging at least one spring element in each of the two hinge arms.

Preferably, the respective spring element can be designed as an M-spring, which means that the respective spring element has the shape of an "M".

In order to be able to reliably cover the charging interface or a charging plug inserted into the charging interface even during charging, it can be provided that the cover element is designed such that, when the charging plug is inserted into the charging interface, it rests on the upper side of the charging plug. The cover element can thus form a kind of cover for the charging interface and the charging plug during charging, which cover can block the charging interface and the charging plug from snow and rain, for example.

A cover element can be arranged, for example, on an inner surface of the cover element facing the charging interface. The cover element can be shaped in such a way that, when the cover element is supported on the upper side of the charging plug, the cover element bears in a form-fitting manner against the upper side of the plug connector in a sealing manner. At the same time, the cover element may also be shaped such that, in the closed position, the cover element surrounds and seals the charging interface in a positive fit. The cover element can thus be used to cover the charging plug inserted into the charging interface in a sealing manner during charging by means of the cover element and simultaneously to cover the charging interface in a sealing manner in the closed position of the cover element. Preferably, the cover element can be designed to be elastic, so that the cover element can be adapted to a corresponding surface contour of an inserted charging plug. The cover element is preferably arranged as an additional component on the cover element. The cover element may however also be constructed in one piece with the cover element.

The object is also achieved by a motor vehicle, in particular an at least partially electrically driven motor vehicle, having a charging interface and a closure device for covering and uncovering the charging interface, wherein the closure device can be designed and improved as described above.

Drawings

Further measures which improve the invention are specified below on the basis of the description of preferred embodiments in the following figures.

In the drawings:

fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a closure device according to the invention, with the lid element in the open position,

fig. 2 shows a schematic view of a closure device according to the invention, wherein the lid element is positioned in the tilting point of the hinge element,

fig. 3 shows a schematic view of a closure according to the invention during charging, in which the cover element of the closure bears on the upper side of the charging plug,

figure 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the closure device shown in figures 1 to 3 in different positions of the cap element,

figure 5 shows a further schematic view of a closure device according to the invention,

fig. 6 shows a schematic view of the closure device shown in fig. 1 to 5, with a drainage device drawn,

FIG. 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the drainage device shown in FIG. 6, an

Fig. 8 shows an exploded view of a closure device according to the invention.

Detailed Description

As shown in fig. 1 to 8, the closure device 100 has a housing 10, the housing 10 enclosing a charging interface 200 arranged on the motor vehicle for charging the motor vehicle. For this purpose, housing 10 has a window-shaped opening 11, through which opening 11 charging plug 300 can be inserted into charging interface 200, in order to be able to electrically connect charging plug 300 to charging interface 200 and to charge the motor vehicle.

A cover element 12 is pivotably supported on the housing 10, which cover element 12 closes the opening 11 in the closed position and thus covers or covers the charging interface 200 in the closed position. The cover element 12 can be transferred from a closed position into an open position, which is shown for example in fig. 1. In this open position, charging interface 200 is freely accessible, so that charging plug 300 can be inserted into charging interface 200 or removed again from charging interface 200.

The cover element 12 is pivotably supported on the housing 10 by means of a hinge element 13. Hinge element 13 is supported on housing 10 above charging interface 200, so that hinge element 13 is arranged on long side 14 of housing 10.

As can be seen in fig. 1 to 8, hinge element 13 extends beyond width B of charging interface 200, so that length L of hinge element 13 is at least as large as width B of charging interface 200, preferably greater than width B of charging interface 200. Hinge element 13 is designed to be closed over its entire length L, so that hinge element 13 is also designed to be closed over width B of charging interface 200, so that hinge element 13 can form a covering protection together with cover element 12 for charging interface 200, in order to prevent dirt, rain and snow from entering charging interface 200, in particular.

As can be seen in particular in fig. 8, the hinge element 13 has a web element 15, which web element 15 extends parallel to the long side 14 of the housing 10. The web element 15 is designed to be closed in order to be able to collect water and snow, in particular, and to be able to guide the water and snow away from the charging interface 200. Two hinge

arms

16, 17 are arranged on the tab element 15, by means of which the hinge element 13 is rotatably supported on the housing 10. The two hinge

arms

16, 17 each have an arc shape. Two hinge

arms

16, 17 are each arranged at opposite ends of the web element 15. The

hinge arms

16, 17 are connected in one piece to the web element 15.

In order to fasten the hinge element 13 firmly to the lid element 12, the hinge element 13 also has a plate 18, which plate 18 can be arranged on an inner surface 19 of the lid element 12 facing the charging interface 200. As shown in the embodiment shown here, the plate 18 extends over a large part, in particular over more than 50%, preferably over more than 70%, of the inner surface 19 of the cover element 12.

A plate 18 is arranged opposite the two

hinge arms

16, 17 on the web element 15 of the hinge element 13. The plate 18 is in this case formed in one piece with the web element 15.

As can be seen in fig. 6 and 8, the hinge element 13 has a water guide 20 for draining water from the closure device 100. The water guide 20 is designed here in the form of a recess formed on the hinge element 13, which recess forms a drainage channel. Water guide 20 extends over the entire length L of hinge element 13, so that water can be drained laterally from hinge element 13 and thus from closure device 100 without the water coming into contact with charging interface 200. The water guide 20 extends parallel to the long side 14 of the housing 10, the hinge element 13 being arranged on the long side 14.

For drainage, in each case one dripping

rib

21, 22 is also formed on each of the two

hinge arms

16, 17, as can be seen in particular in fig. 1, 5, 6 and 7. As shown in fig. 6 and 7 according to the drawn water drops, the water reaching the

hinge arms

16, 17 can be discharged in a targeted manner via the

respective drip ribs

21, 22, and can thus be avoided in a targeted manner from the charging interface 200. The

drip ribs

21, 22 are each formed in an elongated shape and extend over part of the length of the

hinge arms

16, 17. The

drip ribs

21, 22 extend perpendicularly to the extension direction of the water guide 20 on the hinge member 13.

The hinge element 13 has a tipping point, wherein the lid element 12 can be automatically pivoted into the open position when the lid element 12 is positioned above the tipping point, and wherein the lid element 12 can be automatically pivoted into the closed position when the lid element 12 is positioned below the tipping point.

Fig. 2 shows the lid element 12 in a position in which the hinge element 13 is just above the tilting point. From this position, the cover element 12 is automatically pivoted into the open position shown in fig. 1 or into the closed position shown in fig. 3 or in the direction of the closed position, wherein in the embodiment shown in fig. 3 the charging plug 300 is already inserted into the charging interface 200, so that the cover element 12 cannot be pivoted completely into the closed position, but rather is supported on the upper side 310 of the charging plug 300.

Fig. 4 also shows a different position of the cover element 12 again, wherein it can also be seen that the cover element 12 pivots over 120 ° when the cover element 12 is moved from the closed position into the open position and from the open position back into the closed position.

In order to create the tilting point, the hinge element 13 is spring-loaded in this case, in that

spring elements

23, 24 are arranged on the two

hinge arms

16, 17, respectively, as is schematically illustrated, for example, in fig. 5. The

spring elements

23, 24 each have the shape of an "M" here. The

spring elements

23, 24 are arranged to be integrated in the

hinge arms

16, 17.

Furthermore, pin-shaped

shaft elements

25, 26 are arranged in the region of the

hinge arms

16, 17, by means of which

shaft elements

25, 26 the

hinge arms

16, 17 and thus the hinge element 13 are rotatably or pivotably supported on the housing 10, as can be seen in the exploded view of fig. 8.

On the inner surface 19 of the cover element 12 facing the charging interface 200, a cover element 27 is arranged, which cover element 27 forms a type of hood for positive support on the upper side 310 of the charging plug 300 during charging, as can be seen in particular in fig. 4 and 7. During the charging process, the cover element 27 is supported on the upper side 310 of the charging plug 300 such that the cover element 27 at least partially surrounds the upper side 310 of the charging plug 300. In the closed position of the cover element 12, the cover element 27 bears against the charging interface 200 in a form-fitting manner, as shown in fig. 4, so that in the closed position the cover element 27 can seal the charging interface 200. If the cover element 27 is designed to be elastic, the cover element 27 can be adapted to the corresponding surface contour of the upper side 310 of the inserted charging plug 300, so that charging plugs of different shapes can also be sealed by the cover element 27 in the direction of the cover element 12. The cover element is arranged here on the lid element 12 via the plate 18 of the hinge element 13.

In order to be able to realize the electrical opening and closing of the cover element 12, the closure device 100 can also have an electric drive in the form of an electrical actuating element 28.

Furthermore, a charge status indicator 29 can be integrated into the housing 10.

The invention is not limited in its embodiment to the preferred embodiments described above. Rather, many variants are conceivable which can be used for the solution even if the type of embodiment is substantially different. All the features and/or advantages which are derived from the claims, the description or the drawings, including structural details, spatial arrangements and method steps, are essential to the invention both per se and in various combinations.

Claims

1. A closure device (100) for covering and uncovering a charging interface (200) of a motor vehicle, the closure device (100) having a housing (10) which surrounds the charging interface (200) and having a cover element (12) which is pivotably mounted on the housing (10), the cover element (12) being displaceable into a closed position for covering the charging interface (200) and into an open position for uncovering the charging interface (200), wherein the cover element (12) is pivotably mounted on the housing (10) by means of a hinge element (13), wherein the hinge element (13) is arranged on the housing (10) above the charging interface (200) and the hinge element (13) is designed to be closed at least over a width (B) of the charging interface (200).

2. The closure device (100) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the hinge element (13) has two hinge arms (16, 17), by means of which hinge arms (16, 17) the hinge element (13) is rotatably supported on the housing (10).

3. The closure device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the hinge element (13) has a water guide (20) for draining off water.

4. The closure device (100) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that at least one drip rib (21, 22) is formed on each hinge arm (16, 17).

5. The closure device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the hinge element (13) has a tipping point, wherein the lid element (12) automatically pivots into an open position when the lid element (12) is positioned above the tipping point and the lid element (12) automatically pivots into a closed position when the lid element (12) is positioned below the tipping point.

6. A closure device (100) according to claim 5, wherein the hinge element (13) is spring loaded so as to form the tipping point.

7. A closure device (100) according to claim 6, wherein a spring element (23, 24) is arranged on each hinge arm (16, 17).

8. The closure device (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that the spring elements (23, 24) are designed as M-springs.

9. The closure device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the cover element (12) is designed such that, with a charging plug (300) inserted into the charging interface (200), the cover element (12) rests on an upper side (310) of the charging plug (300).

10. A motor vehicle having a charging interface (200) and a closure device (100) designed according to one of claims 1 to 9.