CN111605628B

CN111605628B - Closure device and motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: CN111605628B
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: 2024-06-04
Anticipated expiration: 2040-02-24
Also published as: DE102019104612A1; CN111605628A

Abstract

The invention relates to a closing device (100) for covering and uncovering a charging connection (200) of a motor vehicle, wherein the closing device (100) has a housing (10) surrounding the charging connection (200) and a cover element (12) which is pivotably mounted on the housing (10), wherein the cover element (12) can be moved into a closed position for covering the charging connection (200) and into an open position for uncovering the charging connection (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 connection (200) and wherein the hinge element (13) is designed to be closed at least over the width (B) of the charging connection (200).

Description

Closure device and motor vehicle

Technical Field

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

Background

Hybrid or electric vehicles have a charging interface in order to charge the motor vehicle. In order to be able to close the charging connection when the motor vehicle is not being charged, the motor vehicle generally has a closing device which can be fastened to the body of the motor vehicle. Such a closure device may have a housing and a cover element pivotally supported on the housing. The housing is disposed about 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 insertion of the charging plug into the charging interface. If no charging process takes place, the opening can be closed by a cover element, so that the charging interface is protected from external influences by the cover element. Typically, the cover element is arranged on the side of the housing, i.e. on the right or left 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 possibly damage the charging interface.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the invention is to provide a closure device and a motor vehicle which are improved in terms of protection of the charging connection of the motor vehicle from environmental influences.

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

According to the invention, the cover element is no longer mounted on the housing on the side of the charging connection, i.e. on the right or left side of the charging connection, but rather the cover element is mounted on the housing above the charging connection in that the hinge element is also arranged on the housing above the charging connection, wherein the cover element is mounted pivotably 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 an 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 may already form a kind of protection against environmental influences of the charging interface, such as against snow or rain entering 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. By closed design is meant that the hinge element has no openings through which dirt, water, ice or snow passes and reaches the charging interface, at least over the width of the charging interface. Thus, even if the cover element is in the open position or in a position during the charging process, the hinge element can form a kind of cover for the charging interface, in addition to the cover element.

In order to fix 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 spaced apart from one another, so that the cover element can be guided from the open position into the closed position in a controlled manner, whereas the cover element can be guided from the closed position into the open position in a controlled manner without the risk of the cover element being skewed in this case.

In order to be able to drain water in a targeted manner away from the charging interface, it can be provided that the hinge element has a water guide for draining water. The water guide can be designed, for example, in the form of a recess formed in the hinge element, which recess forms a 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 long side the hinge element is arranged.

In order to further improve the drainage, it can be provided that at least one drip rib (Wasserabtropfrippe) is formed on the hinge arms. The water reaching the hinge arm can be discharged in a targeted manner by means of the respective drip rib, and the water can thus be brought out of the charging connection in a targeted manner. The drip ribs are preferably each formed in an elongated shape and extend over at least a part of the 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 automatically pivoted 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. By providing such a tilting point, the handling by the user can be facilitated, since when the cover element is moved over the tilting point, the cover element automatically moves upwards to such an extent that the charging interface for the charging plug to be plugged in or out is freely accessible, without the cover element obstructing 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 more than 90 °, preferably more than 120 °, relative to the housing. When the cover element is moved below the tilting point, the cover element automatically pivots into the closed position, in which the cover element is secured against the housing and the charging connection is thus sealingly covered by the cover element.

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

For generating the spring tension to the hinge elements, a spring element can be arranged, for example, on each hinge arm. The spring elements may be integrated in the respective hinge arms. By arranging at least one spring element in each of the two hinge arms, the spring tension can be applied to the hinge elements in a uniform distribution.

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 connector or a charging plug inserted into the charging connector even during charging, it can be provided that the cover element is designed such that, when the charging plug is inserted into the charging connector, it is supported 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, for example, snow and rain for the charging interface and the charging plug.

A cover element may be arranged, for example, on the inner surface of the cover element facing the charging interface. The cover element can be shaped such that, when the cover element is supported on the upper side of the charging plug, the cover element rests in a form-locking manner against the upper side of the plug connector. At the same time, the cover element can also be shaped such that, in the closed position, the cover element positively encloses and seals the charging connection. The cover element can thus be used to seal the charging plug inserted into the charging connection during charging by the cover element and at the same time to seal the charging connection in the closed position of the cover element. Preferably, the cover element can be designed to be elastic, so that it can be adapted to the corresponding surface contour of the 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 connection and a closure device for covering and uncovering the charging connection, wherein the closure device can be designed and improved as described above.

Drawings

Further measures for improving the invention are explained in detail below on the basis of the description of a preferred embodiment according to the following figures.

In the drawings:

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

Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of the closure device according to the invention, wherein the cover element is positioned in the tipping point of the hinge element,

Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of the closure device according to the invention during a charging process, in which the cover element of the closure device is supported on the upper side of the charging plug,

Figure 4 shows a schematic cross-section of the closure device shown in figures 1 to 3 in different positions of the cover 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 shown,

Fig. 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the drainage device shown in fig. 6, and

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

Detailed Description

As shown in fig. 1to 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, so that charging plug 300 can be electrically connected to charging interface 200 and the motor vehicle can be charged.

A cover element 12 is pivotally mounted on the housing 10, which cover element 12 closes the opening 11 in the closed position and thus covers or covers the charging connector 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 may be inserted into charging interface 200 or removed again from charging interface 200.

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

As can be seen in fig. 1 to 8, the hinge element 13 extends beyond the width B of the charging interface 200, so that the length L of the hinge element 13 is at least as large as the width B of the charging interface 200, preferably greater than the width B of the 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 with cover element 12 for charging interface 200, in particular against dirt, rain and snow entering charging interface 200.

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 plate element 15 is closed in order to be able to collect, in particular, water and snow and to be able to guide them away from the charging interface 200. Two hinge arms 16, 17 are arranged on the web element 15, by means of which the hinge element 13 is rotatably mounted on the housing 10. The two hinge arms 16, 17 each have an arcuate shape. Two hinge arms 16, 17 are each arranged at opposite ends of the web element 15. The hinge arms 16, 17 are integrally connected to the plate element 15.

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

The plate-shaped element 18 is arranged opposite the two hinge arms 16, 17 on the web element 15 of the hinge element 13. The plate-shaped element 18 is formed integrally with the plate-shaped 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 in this case in the form of a recess formed in the hinge element 13, which recess forms a drainage channel. The water guide 20 extends over the entire length L of the hinge element 13, so that water can be discharged laterally from the hinge element 13 and thus from the closure device 100 without the water coming into contact with the 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, drip ribs 21, 22 are also formed on the two hinge arms 16, 17, respectively, as can be seen in particular in fig. 1, 5, 6 and 7. As shown in fig. 6 and 7 by the water drops shown, water reaching the hinge arms 16, 17 can be discharged in a targeted manner via the respective water drop ribs 21, 22, and the water can thus be brought out of the charging connection 200 in a targeted manner. 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 direction of extension of the water guide 20 on the hinge element 13.

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

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

Fig. 4 also shows the different positions of the cover element 12 again, wherein it can also be seen that the cover element 12 pivots more than 120 ° when the cover element 12 moves from the closed position into the open position and from the open position back into the closed position.

In order to create a tilting point, the hinge element 13 is spring-loaded in this case in that a spring element 23, 24 is arranged on the two hinge arms 16, 17, respectively, as is schematically shown in fig. 5, for example. The spring elements 23, 24 each have the shape of an "M" in this case. The spring elements 23, 24 are arranged 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, the hinge arms 16, 17 and thus the hinge element 13 being rotatably or pivotably supported on the housing 10 by means of the shaft elements 25, 26, as can be seen in the exploded view of fig. 8.

A cover element 27 is arranged on the inner surface 19 of the cover element 12 facing the charging connector 200, the cover element 27 forming a kind of shield for being supported in a form-fitting manner on the upper side 310 of the charging plug 300 during charging, as can be seen in particular in fig. 4 and 7. During charging, the cover element 27 is supported on the upper side 310 of the charging plug 300, so that the cover element 27 at least partially encloses the upper side 310 of the charging plug 300. In the closed position of the cover element 12, the cover element 27 rests in a form-locking manner on the charging connection 200, as shown in fig. 4, so that in the closed position the cover element 27 can seal the charging connection 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 differently shaped charging plugs can also be sealed by the cover element 27 upwards in the direction of the cover element 12. The cover element is arranged here on the cover element 12 by means of a plate-shaped part 18 of the hinge element 13.

In order to be able to open and close the cover element 12 electrically, the closure device 100 can also have an electrical drive in the form of an electrical actuating element 28.

A charge state indicator 29 may also be integrated into the housing 10.

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

Claims

1. A closure device (100) for covering and uncovering a charging connection (200) of a motor vehicle, the closure device (100) having a housing (10) surrounding the charging connection (200) and a cover element (12) which is pivotably mounted on the housing (10), the cover element (12) being transferable into a closed position for covering the charging connection (200) and into an open position for uncovering the charging connection (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 connection (200) and the hinge element (13) is designed to be closed at least over the width (B) of the charging connection (200), wherein the hinge element (13) has two hinge arms (16, 17), the hinge element (13) being rotatably mounted on the housing (10) by means of the hinge arms (16, 17), wherein the hinge element (13) has an element (15) which is designed to be pivotable mounted on the housing (10), wherein the plate-shaped element (15) is designed to be able to be lifted off from the charging connection (200) and the snow collecting element (18) can be guided off the water, the plate-shaped element is arranged opposite the two hinge arms on the web element of the hinge element.

2. The closure device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the hinge element (13) has a water guide (20) for draining water.

3. The closure device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one drip rib (21, 22) is formed on the hinge arms (16, 17), respectively.

4. The closure device (100) of claim 1, wherein 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 wherein the lid element (12) automatically pivots into a closed position when the lid element (12) is positioned below the tipping point.

5. The closure device (100) according to claim 4, wherein the hinge element (13) is spring loaded in order to form the tipping point.

6. Closing device (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that a spring element (23, 24) is arranged on each hinge arm (16, 17), respectively.

7. The closing device (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that the spring element (23, 24) is designed as an M-spring.

8. The closure device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover element (12) is designed such that, when the charging plug (300) is plugged into the charging interface (200), the cover element (12) is supported on the upper side (310) of the charging plug (300).

9. A motor vehicle having a charging interface (200) and a closure device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.