CN112572181A

CN112572181A - Charging system for electric vehicle

Info

Publication number: CN112572181A
Application number: CN202010934658.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: S·基施纳
Original assignee: Audi AG
Current assignee: Audi AG
Priority date: 2019-09-30
Filing date: 2020-09-08
Publication date: 2021-03-30
Anticipated expiration: 2040-09-08
Also published as: DE102019126270B3; CN112572181B

Abstract

The invention relates to a charging system (10) for an electric vehicle (11), comprising at least one charging socket (12) and at least one charging cable (13), wherein the charging socket (12) is designed in the electric vehicle and can be covered by a charging cover (14), wherein the charging system (10) comprises at least one strain relief device (20) which is designed to hold or support the charging cable (13) inserted into the charging socket (12) during a charging process. The invention also relates to an electric vehicle (11) comprising the above-mentioned charging system (10).

Description

Charging system for electric vehicle

Technical Field

The invention relates to a charging system for an electric vehicle, comprising at least one charging socket and at least one charging cable with a charging plug, wherein the at least one charging socket is designed in the electric vehicle and can be covered by a charging flap.

Background

In the prior art, charging systems for electric vehicles with a charging socket, a charging cable and a charging plug are known.

For example, a cable assembly for a cable plug for charging a motor vehicle is known from DE 102018125835 a1, which has a cooling line and a stress-relieving assembly/tension-relief assembly. The charging cable is strain relieved by means of a strain relief assembly mounted on the cable plug side.

A charging station for an electric vehicle is known from DE 102017127002 a 1. Stress relief of the charging cable of the electric vehicle is achieved by means of a suspension bracket mounted on the charging station side.

An electrical plug-in device with strain relief is known from DE 102016104079 a 1. Stress relief of the charging cable of the motor vehicle is achieved by means of the clamping of two to seven clamping jaws mounted on the charging cable side.

Currently, electric vehicles are mostly charged by inserting a charging plug into a charging socket (also referred to as a "charging inlet"). The charging cable and the plug connected thereto are mostly free to hang down except for a short section which is plugged into the charging socket. This is the case both with AC (alternating current) charging and DC (direct current) charging.

Especially when charging at high power (e.g. DC charging >50kW), the self-weight of the charging cable is very high, especially if it is also actively cooled (e.g. with water). Due to the high weight and manufacturer-specific, production-related tolerances of the charging plug and the charging socket, it may happen that the charging plug twists or tilts in the charging socket, so that the plug cannot be locked correctly after the charging cable is inserted. As a result, the charging process cannot be started, since a correct locking must be achieved as a basic prerequisite for starting the charging process. Typically, the vehicle user must manually and with great effort fix the plug to complete the correct locking after inserting the plug into the charging socket.

It may also occur during the charging process that a high dead weight also leads to a change in the position of the plug in the charging socket, so that the charging process is interrupted or even disconnected, because, for example, the contacts for signal transmission are separated. The extra load on the charging cable caused by artificially treading the charging cable or running on the charging cable with a bicycle or the like also increases the malfunction. In addition, the charging receptacle is subjected to a large load throughout the life of the vehicle due to the weight of the charging cable, so that the charging receptacle becomes increasingly unstable.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system for improving the charging process of an electric vehicle and the comfort of the vehicle user.

This object is achieved by a charging system having the features of claim 1 and an electric vehicle having the features of claim 10. Advantageous developments and embodiments are the subject of the description and the figures.

The subject matter of the invention is a charging system for an electric vehicle, comprising at least one charging socket and at least one charging cable with a charging plug, wherein the charging socket is designed in the electric vehicle and can be covered by a charging cover. The charging system is therefore provided for supplying energy or current to or charging an electric vehicle.

According to the invention, the charging system comprises at least one strain relief device/strain relief device, which is arranged to hold or support a charging cable inserted into the charging socket with a charging plug during a charging process. The strain relief devices are typically made of plastic. Alternatively, the stress relief means is formed of metal. The strain relief device is sized to hold or support the dead weight of a charging plug or charging cable inserted into the charging socket. By means of the strain relief means, the charging cable or the charging plug designed on the charging cable cannot be twisted in the charging socket, so that the locking can be done correctly in each charging process and the charging can be started, carried out and ended correctly. The signal flow between the plug contacts of the charging socket and the charging plug is also stable and uninterrupted. Furthermore, the charging socket is protected throughout the service life of the vehicle, whereby full functionality is maintained at all times.

In one refinement, the strain relief device is arranged in an outer wall of the electric vehicle. The strain relief device is in principle designed in the region of a charging socket of an electric vehicle. For example, the strain relief device may be designed at the rear or side wall or outer wall of the vehicle. By integrating the stress relief device into the outer wall of the electric vehicle, the stress of the charging cable can be released on the vehicle side. In addition, the stress relief means is not exposed to the outside, so that the appearance of the electric vehicle is not impaired.

In one embodiment, the stress relief means comprises at least one distance element and at least one holding element. Usually, the distance element is designed as a connection piece which is provided for bridging the distance from a fastening in the outer wall of the vehicle to the charging cable or to the charging plug. The distance element is also designed to support the weight of the charging cable. Optionally, the length of the distance element is adjustable. The distance element is usually movably fixed in the outer wall. Optionally, the charging system comprises a charging socket unit arranged to receive the charging socket and the strain relief device in an external wall of the electric vehicle.

The holding element is usually arranged on the distance element in such a way that it can move relative to the distance element. In an alternative embodiment, the strain relief device is designed to be extendable from an external wall of the vehicle or from the charging socket unit. In one embodiment, the holding element of the stress relief device is arranged to grip the charging cable or the charging plug, wherein the stress relief device is arranged to retract the distance element in the direction of the charging socket or in the direction of the outer wall of the vehicle after the charging cable or the charging plug is received by the holding element. The strain relief device is typically arranged to actively pull the charging cable or charging plug towards the charging socket. Thus, the retaining element relieves the vehicle user of the task of continuously pressing the charging plug or charging cable into the charging socket, which increases the convenience for the vehicle user.

In a refinement, the holding element is provided to receive or lock the charging cable and/or the charging plug. Usually, the holding element is designed as a clamp/gripping device. The holding element is provided for fixing a charging cable or a charging plug. This has the advantage that the charging socket or charging socket unit is almost completely lightened by the charging cable itself. In an alternative embodiment, the holding element is designed as a square or rectangle, wherein at least one edge or side of the square or rectangle is provided for locking the charging cable and/or the charging plug. The retaining element may have any geometric shape. Optionally, the holding element is designed to correspond to the shape of the charging socket or the charging socket unit.

In one embodiment, the strain relief device is designed to be extendable, wherein the strain relief device is designed to be retracted into the electric vehicle in the non-charging state and to be extended or extendable from the electric vehicle in the charging state. This provides the advantage that the strain relief means can be hidden invisibly in the outer wall when not in use.

In one refinement, the charging system is designed such that the strain relief device automatically protrudes when the charging cable or charging plug is coupled to the electric vehicle. The strain relief means is arranged such that it can be electrically extended, for example by means of a motor, when the charging plug is inserted into the charging socket. The strain relief device can optionally be extended manually, wherein the strain relief device is extended (push-push element) as soon as a part of the charging plug of the charging cable is pushed into the charging socket. The strain relief device is configured to automatically retract when the charging cable is disconnected from the electric vehicle after the charging process. In the case of a manual implementation, the strain relief device can alternatively be retracted or pushed by hand into the outer wall of the electric vehicle.

In one embodiment, the strain relief device is designed in an outer wall of the vehicle below the charging socket, pointing in the direction of the vehicle floor. In the case of current charging standards and associated charging plugs (CCS, GB/T, etc.), the strain relief device is disposed below the charging receptacle. In an alternative embodiment, the strain relief means is optionally formed or arranged in the charging socket unit above or laterally to the charging socket.

In one refinement, the holding element is realized by a charging flap of the electric vehicle. In the case of a holding element configured as a charging cover, the charging cover can be removed from the charging socket during charging, wherein the charging cover is held on the charging socket unit by the distance element. The holding element, which is designed as a charging cover, is designed such that it can be arranged, in the event of insertion of a charging cable with a charging plug, to lock the charging plug or the charging cable as a holding element. This provides the following advantages: by using the existing charging cover as a holding element, the material costs of the charging system according to the invention can be kept low.

In one embodiment, the holding element designed as a charging cover is provided to hide the distance element and the charging socket in the outer wall in the non-charging state. In the non-charging state, the distance element of the strain relief device is designed to be retractable into an outer wall of the vehicle, for example into a charging socket unit. The holding element is here at the same time arranged as a cover element covering the distance element and/or the charging socket unit.

The invention further comprises an electric vehicle comprising a charging system as described above. The electric vehicle including the charging system according to the present invention is separately designed. I.e. the electric vehicle has its own stress relief means on the vehicle side.

Drawings

The invention is further described on the basis of an embodiment schematically shown in the drawings and with reference to the drawings, in which like parts are identified by like reference numerals. In which is shown:

figure 1 shows a side view of an embodiment of the charging system according to the invention in a non-charging state,

figure 2 shows a side view of the charging system according to the invention shown in figure 1 in a charging state,

fig. 3a shows a perspective side view of an electric vehicle with the charging system shown in fig. 1 and 2, with a strain relief device,

fig. 3b shows another perspective side view of an electric vehicle having the charging system shown in fig. 1 and 2, with a strain relief device,

fig. 4a shows a side view of another embodiment of a charging system with a holding element, which is designed as a charging cover,

fig. 4b shows a further side view of the embodiment of the charging system shown in fig. 4a with a holding element, which is designed as a charging cover

Fig. 4c shows a further side view of the embodiment of the charging system shown in fig. 4a and 4b with a holding element, which is designed as a charging cover.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a side view of one embodiment of a charging system 10 according to the present invention in a non-charging state. The charging system 10 is formed in an outer wall 15 of the electric vehicle 11, and includes a charging socket 12 arranged in a charging socket unit 17. The charging receptacle 12 is arranged to receive the charging plug 16 of the charging cable 13 and to establish a plug connection.

The charging system 10 also includes a strain relief device 20. The strain relief means 20 is formed in the outer wall 15 of the electric vehicle 11 in the region of the charging socket 12. In the present embodiment, the strain relief device 20 is disposed in the charging socket unit 17 including the charging socket 12.

The present embodiment shows the arrangement of the stress relief means 20 in a non-charged state. In the non-charging state, the charging plug 16 is not connected to the charging receptacle 12. In this state, strain relief device 20 is arranged to be retracted into charging receptacle unit 17 or outer wall 15.

The stress relief means 20 comprises a distance element 21 and a holding element 22. The distance element 21 is designed as a connection to a fastening (not shown) in the outer wall 15 of the electric vehicle 11 and is provided to bridge the distance between the charging cable 13 or the charging plug 16 and the charging socket 12. In this embodiment the distance element 21 is rigid. In an alternative embodiment, the distance element 21 can be designed to be movable and its length can be adjusted.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the holding element 22 is designed as a clip, which is designed as a semicircular recess. The holding element 22 is provided for receiving or locking or fixing the charging cable 13 and/or the charging plug 16 in the strain relief device 20.

Fig. 2 shows the side view shown in fig. 1 of the charging system 10 according to the invention in a charging state. The structure shown in fig. 1 of the charging system 10 in the outer wall 15 of the electric vehicle 11 is shown. Here, a charging socket unit 17 with a charging socket 12 is shown, which is arranged to receive a charging plug 16 of the charging cable 13. The charging system 10 is shown in a charging state in fig. 2. The charging state exists when the charging plug 16 forms a plug connection with the charging socket 12. During the charging state, the electric vehicle 11 is charged. During this state, the distance element 21 and the holding element 22 of the strain relief device 20 protrude from the charging socket unit 17. The strain relief means 20 is arranged to automatically protrude from the charging socket unit 17 in the case of a plug connection.

A distance element 21 protrudes from the charging socket unit 17, wherein the distance element 21 is fixed in the charging socket unit 17 or in the outer wall 15. In the present embodiment, the holding element 22 is designed as a semicircular clip which receives and locks the charging cable 13 at the transition to the charging plug 16. The distance member 21 is provided to hold the charging cable 13, which is clamped by the holding member 22, at a desired interval so as to hold the charging plug 16 firmly in the charging socket 12. The strain relief means 20 is therefore provided to grip the charging cable 13 with the holding element 22 and to pull it or to keep it taut in the direction of the outer wall 15, in particular in the direction of the charging socket 12 or the charging socket unit 17, by means of the distance element 21, so that the charging plug 16 can be brought into a fixed, non-rotatable connection with the charging socket 12.

Fig. 3a shows an electric vehicle 11 with the charging system 10 shown in fig. 1 and 2 with a strain relief device 20 in a perspective side view. Fig. 3a shows the charging system 10 according to the invention in a charging state, in which the charging plug 16 is inserted into the charging socket 12, wherein the charging plug 16 or the charging cable 13 is held by the strain relief device 20 according to the invention. The strain relief means 20 is designed in the charging socket unit 17. The charging socket unit 17 is designed in the outer wall 15 of the electric vehicle 11. The strain relief device 20 comprises a spacer element 21 and a holding element 22, wherein the holding element 22 receives the charging cable 13 at the transition to the charging plug 16, and the spacer element 21 tensions the charging cable 13 held in this way or the charging plug 16 held in this way, or pulls the charging cable 13 or the charging plug 16 in the direction of the charging socket unit 17.

Fig. 3b shows a further perspective side view of an electric vehicle 11 with the charging system 10 shown in fig. 1 and 2 with a strain relief device 20. Fig. 3b also shows the charging system 10, also in a charging state, in which the charging plug 16 is inserted into the charging socket 12, wherein the charging plug 16 or the charging cable 13 is held by the strain relief device 20. In the present embodiment, the charging plug 16 has a handle that facilitates the vehicle user to hold the charging plug 16 during insertion into the charging socket 12. The strain relief device 20 is formed in the charging socket unit 17, and the charging socket unit 17 is formed in the outer wall 15 of the electric vehicle 11. The strain relief device 20 with the distance element 21 and the holding element 22 tightens the charging cable 13 or the charging plug 16 such that the charging plug 16 cannot be twisted or removed or detached from the charging socket 12.

Fig. 4a shows a side view of a further embodiment of the charging system 10 with a holding element 22 designed as a charging cover 14. Fig. 4a shows the charging lid 14 in a closed state.

The charging system 10 comprises a charging socket 12 or a charging socket unit 17 formed in the outer wall 11, and a strain relief device 20 having a distance element 21 and a holding element 22 designed as a charging cover 14. The charging socket 12 is arranged to receive a charging cable 13 with a charging plug 16. In the closed state, the charging lid 14 covers the charging receptacle 12. In an alternative configuration, the charging cover 14 covers the entire charging receptacle unit 17 in the closed state.

Fig. 4b shows a further side view of the embodiment of the charging system 10 shown in fig. 4a with a holding element 22, which is designed as a charging cover 14. Fig. 4b shows the charging lid 14 in an open state. The charging system 10 comprises a charging socket 12 or a charging socket unit 17 formed in the outer wall 15, and a strain relief device 20 having a distance element 21 and a holding element 22 designed as a charging cover 14. The charging socket 12 is arranged to receive a charging cable 13 with a charging plug 16. In the open state, the charging lid 14 releases the entrance of the charging socket 12. The charging cover 14 is movably arranged on the distance element 21. When the charging lid 14 is opened, the charging lid 14 is pushed laterally downward on the outer wall 15 of the vehicle 11. Typically, the charging lid is automatically moved once the charging process is initiated. The charging flap 14 can be opened, for example, by the vehicle user by pressing a button or by pressing the charging flap 14, in order to start the charging process. In the open state, the charging flap 14 can rest against the outer wall 15 or be spaced apart from the outer wall 15.

In an alternative configuration, the charging cover 14 releases the entire charging receptacle unit 17 in the open state.

Fig. 4c shows a further side view of the embodiment of the charging system 10 shown in fig. 4a and 4b with a holding element 22, which is designed as a charging cover 14. Fig. 4c shows the charging cover 14 acting as a holding element 22. The charging system 10 comprises a charging socket 12 or a charging socket unit 17 formed in the outer wall 15, and a strain relief device 20 having a distance element 21 and a holding element 22, which is designed as a charging cover 14. The charging socket 12 is arranged to receive a charging cable 13 with a charging plug 16. The charging lid 14 is provided as a holding member 22. That is, when the charging plug 16 is inserted into the charging socket 12, the charging cover 14 is provided to hook or hold the charging cable 13 and/or the charging plug 16. In the present embodiment, one side or edge of the charging cover 14 is hooked into the molding portion of the charging plug 16. Typically, the edge of the charging lid 14 is angled, and this angled edge of the charging lid 14 engages into a shaped portion of the charging plug 16. In an alternative embodiment, at least one edge of the charging lid 14 is rounded, and the charging lid 14 is arched or clip-shaped. Thus, at least one edge of the charging lid 14 may be designed as a gripping element. The edge of the charging cover 14 may be curved, serrated or corrugated to ensure retention of the received charging cable 13.

List of reference numerals:

10 charging system

11 electric vehicle

12 charging socket

13 charging cable

14 charging cover

15 outer wall

16 charging plug

17 charging socket unit

20 stress relief device

21 distance element

22 holding element

Claims

1. A charging system (10) for an electric vehicle (11), comprising at least one charging socket (12) and at least one charging cable (13) with a charging plug (16), wherein the charging socket (12) is designed in the electric vehicle (11) and can be covered by a charging cover (14),

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the charging system (10) comprises at least one strain relief device (20) which is designed to hold or support a charging cable (13) with a charging plug (16) inserted into a charging socket (12) during a charging process.

2. The charging system (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the strain relief device (20) is arranged in an outer wall (15) of an electric vehicle (11).

3. Charging system (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stress relief means (20) comprise at least one distance element (21) and at least one holding element (22).

4. A charging system (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the holding element (22) is arranged to receive and lock a charging cable (13) and/or a charging plug (16).

5. Charging system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strain relief device (20) is designed to be extendable, wherein the strain relief device (20) is designed in the non-charging state to be retracted into the electric vehicle (11) and in the charging state to be extendable from the electric vehicle (11).

6. The charging system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the charging system (10) is designed such that the strain relief device (20) automatically protrudes when the charging cable (13) or the charging plug (16) is coupled to the electric vehicle (11).

7. A charging system (10) as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the strain relief means (20) are designed in an outer wall of the vehicle below the charging socket (12), pointing in the direction of the floor of the vehicle.

8. Charging system (10) according to any of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the holding element (22) is realized by a charging cover (14) of the electric vehicle (11).

9. Charging system (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that a holding element (22) designed as a charging cover (14) is provided to hide the distance element (21) and the charging socket (12) in the outer wall (15) in the non-charging state.

10. An electric vehicle (11) having a charging system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.