CN114248643A

CN114248643A - Charging module device for a motor vehicle, charging module system

Info

Publication number: CN114248643A
Application number: CN202110947509.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: T.博谢
Original assignee: Volkswagen Automotive Co ltd
Current assignee: Volkswagen Automotive Co ltd
Priority date: 2020-09-22
Filing date: 2021-08-18
Publication date: 2022-03-29
Also published as: DE102020211831A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a charging module device (1) for a motor vehicle (34), in particular an electric vehicle, having a housing (2) which, in order to achieve a basin-shaped configuration, has a base (4) and a housing wall (3) projecting from the base (4) and extending over the periphery of the base (4), wherein the housing wall (3) forms an inlet opening (7) to the housing (2) on its end side facing away from the base (4), the charging module device (1) further having a closing element (6) arranged movably on the housing wall (3), which closing element closes the inlet opening (7) in a closed position and opens the inlet opening (7) in an open position, and the charging module device (1) further having at least one connection (9) arranged within the housing wall (3) and projecting through an opening (8) in the base (4) into the housing (2) in the direction of the inlet opening (7), In particular plug connectors for charging cables. The base (4) is formed by an insert (30) which engages into the housing (2).

Description

Charging module device for a motor vehicle, charging module system

Technical Field

The invention relates to a charging module device for a motor vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle, having a housing, which for the purpose of achieving a basin-shaped configuration has a base and a housing wall projecting from the base and extending over the periphery of the base, wherein the housing wall forms an inlet opening into the housing on its end side facing away from the base, and having a closure element which is arranged movably on the housing wall and which closes the inlet opening in a closed position and opens the inlet opening in an open position, and having at least one connector, in particular a plug connector for a charging cable, which is arranged within the housing wall and projects into the housing through an opening in the base in the direction of the inlet opening.

The invention further relates to a charging module system having at least one charging module arrangement as described above.

Background

Charging module arrangements are already known from the prior art. With the increasing electrification of motor vehicles and in particular electric vehicles and the lack of standardization of the connections, it is necessary for manufacturers to use charging module arrangements which are adapted to the respective charging system, motor vehicle or manufacturer system. The charging module arrangement is mounted in the recess on the body of the vehicle, in particular on the housing part of the vehicle, and has a closing element which is aligned with the housing part in the closed position, as is customary in fuel tank flaps. The inlet of the housing is designed in the form of a housing basin closed by a cover in order to accommodate a connector, in particular a charging plug connector, inside, which is accessible to everyone when the closing element is open. In order to avoid liquid or moisture penetrating into the vehicle interior, the housing is usually of one-piece construction or, as disclosed in publication CN 109980465 a, has a housing wall into which the base is welded. By welding in bases of different designs, the charging module arrangement can be adapted in the cited document to different manufacturer specifications or charging systems, for example, by means of differently sized openings for accommodating different connectors. Further charging module arrangements are available from publication CN 109921247 a, in which different connections can be entered by pivoting or moving the inlet.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved charging module arrangement, which on the one hand allows higher variability with lower production and installation costs.

The object is achieved according to the invention by a charging module arrangement for a motor vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle, the charging module device has a housing, which for the realization of a basin-shaped configuration has a base and a housing wall projecting from the base and extending over the circumference of the base, wherein the housing wall forms an inlet opening to the housing on its end side facing away from the base, the charging module device further having a closure element arranged movably on the housing wall, the closing element closes the inlet in a closed position and opens the inlet in an open position, the charging module arrangement also has at least one terminal, in particular a plug terminal for a charging cable, which is arranged within the housing wall and projects into the housing through an opening in the base in the direction of the inlet opening, wherein the base is formed by an insert which is snapped into the housing.

The charging module arrangement has the advantage that the base can be simply arranged in the housing and can be locked on the housing without the need for a welding process, for example. For this purpose, according to the invention, the base is formed by an insert that engages into the housing. The base is thus positively locked on the housing by the snap-in insertion part, and the snap-in also allows a simple installation by the insertion of the snap-in part into the housing. Additional mounting steps, such as welding, gluing or screwing, are not necessary and are preferably avoided, but are possible. By snapping into place, the charging module arrangement can be adapted to different charging systems or manufacturer systems in a simple manner. In particular, during installation, a selection can be made from a plurality of different bases in order to install a base matched to the target system into the housing. Thereby ensuring higher variability of the charging module arrangement during installation.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the housing wall and/or the base have at least one elastically deformable latching projection which interacts with a latching receptacle of the base or of the housing wall in order to latch the base on the housing. The detent connection for the insertion part is thus formed by the detent projection and the detent receptacle. The latching projections can be arranged on the housing wall or on the base, it also being conceivable for at least one latching projection to be arranged on the base and on the housing wall, respectively. In particular, the latching projection is preferably formed integrally with the housing wall or base, so that the number of parts is reduced and the assembly process is further simplified. A simple latching means is provided by the latching projection and the latching receptacle, which acts between the housing pot and the base and allows the base or the insert to be latched in. In particular, the latching means are configured detachably so that the base can be removed from the housing without destruction if required. This has advantages, for example, in terms of maintenance of the charging module arrangement, in particular in the installed state in the motor vehicle.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that a plurality of latching projections are distributed over the circumference of the base. Thereby ensuring that the base remains stably on the housing. The latching projection can be arranged or formed on the base or on the housing wall. In particular, the latching projections are arranged evenly distributed over the circumference of the base.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the base has a functional panel and a sealing element arranged on the functional panel, wherein the sealing element projects laterally from the functional panel in order to interact sealingly with the housing and/or the joint. The functional panel thus serves to fill and close the housing at least substantially on the bottom side of the housing facing away from the closing element, at least in the area not occupied by the at least one joint. The functional panel is thus adapted or fittingly mountable to the connector, in particular via an opening formed in or on the bottom of the functional panel and adapted to the connector. The opening has in particular an inner contour which corresponds to the outer contour of the joint, so that a sealing contact of the base on the joint is also ensured. The additional seal projecting laterally from the functional panel ensures that the base is in sealing alignment with the joint and the housing wall, so that penetration or penetration of moisture and liquids is reliably prevented. Optionally, the bottom and/or the housing wall has a drain opening through which liquid entering the housing can escape from the housing. The drainage opening is formed in particular on an edge section of the housing which is located below during normal use, in particular at the deepest point of the housing during normal use.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the closing element has a curved supporting arm which is pivotably supported in a housing-side supporting receptacle. By means of the curved configuration of the supporting arm, the closing element is pivotably supported on the housing in a space-saving manner in order to be moved from the closed position into the open position and from the open position into the closed position. This results in an intuitive and stable movement of the closing element.

In addition, it is preferably provided that the bearing receptacle is designed as a hinge box, which is in particular integrally formed with the housing wall. By mounting the hinge box, conventional solutions for supporting the closing element can be used, so that the charging module arrangement can be realized inexpensively. The integral design of the bearing housing with the housing or the housing wall provides for a further reduction in the number of components and a further simplification of the assembly. Preferably, the support arm has, at its end facing away from the closing element, a rotary joint configured with a housing wall or hinge box, about which the closing element is pivotably supported.

Preferably, the functional panel has a groove-shaped receptacle into which a projection in the form of a web of the housing wall, for example a housing wall edge, is inserted, preferably sealed, in particular in the region of the hinge box. A secure mechanical connection of the housing base and the housing wall is thereby obtained, which in addition also acts in a sealing manner, in particular in order to prevent liquid or moisture from penetrating.

It is furthermore preferably provided that the functional panel has at least one fastening means for accessories, in particular sensors, display devices and/or actuators, spaced apart from the opening. In this way, the perimeter of the functional panel can be adapted to different requirements in a simple manner. The securing means are, for example, recesses or elevations, on which the accessories can be arranged, aligned and/or secured,

the charging module system according to the invention for a motor vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle, is characterized in that it has at least one charging module device of the aforementioned type and a plurality of bottoms, at least two of which have differently shaped and/or arranged openings or functional panels. In this way, during installation, a suitable base for the charging system to be completed can be selected from the charging module system and snapped into the housing. The charging module system has, in particular, a plurality of identically constructed housings and differently constructed bases or functional panels.

It is furthermore particularly preferred if at least two of the functional panels have differently configured fixing means, whereby the functional versatility of the base is further increased in an advantageous manner.

Drawings

Further advantages and preferred features and combinations of features result, inter alia, from the preceding description and the description. The invention shall be explained in detail below on the basis of the drawings. In the drawings:

fig. 1 shows a top view of an advantageous charging module arrangement;

fig. 2 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of a charging module arrangement;

fig. 3 shows a perspective exploded view of the charging module arrangement;

fig. 4 shows a top view of the back side of the charging module arrangement;

fig. 5A and 5B show detailed views of the charging module arrangement; and

fig. 6A to 6D show the installation process of the charging module device in a plurality of steps.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a top view of an advantageous charging module arrangement 1 for a motor vehicle, not shown in detail here, which is designed in particular as an electric vehicle. The charging module device 1 has a pot-shaped housing 2 with an annularly extending housing wall 3, which is closed at the rear end by a base 4. The housing 2 thus has a pot-shaped recess 5. The closing element 6 is arranged movably in the form of a cover on the front end side of the housing wall 3. Fig. 1 shows the closing element 6 in an open position, in which the closing element 6 is remote from the free end side of the housing wall 3 and in this way opens an inlet 7 to the recess 5 or the housing 2.

The bottom 4 has an opening 8 in which a connector 9 in the form of a plug connector for a charging cable is accommodated. The connection 9 is in particular designed as a terminal box 10 for receiving a charging cable connection plug 11, as is shown by way of example in fig. 2.

Fig. 2 shows a simplified sectional view of the charging module arrangement 1 and a connection plug 11 arranged thereon, which is connected to a charging station or charging point, for example, via a charging cable 12. The closing element 6 is shown in several positions, wherein the position of the closing element 6 corresponding to fig. 1 is shown in position a, in which the inlet 7 to the housing 2 and thus to the connection 9 is open. In position B, the closing element 6 is located on the free end side of the housing 3, in order to thus completely close the inlet opening 7. This is only possible if the charging plug 11 is removed in advance. In the intermediate position C, the closing element 6 is located above the charging plug 11 and serves, for example, as a rain protection for the charging system during the charging process.

Optionally, the closing element 6 has a, in particular circumferential, sealing element 40 on its inner side 39 facing the housing 2, which sealing element extends, in particular, along an outer edge of the inner side 39 of the closing element 6. The sealing element 40 is designed in particular as a circumferential or annular seal or sealing lip for sealing contact against the end face of the housing 2 or housing wall 3 in order to prevent liquid or dirt from penetrating into the recess 5, in particular in the closed position or closed position B. Optionally, the closing element 6 is formed in multiple parts with an outer decorative element 6 'and a carrier element 6 ″, which in the closed position is aligned in particular with the outer skin of the motor vehicle, on which the decorative element 6' is arranged and fixed and which serves to support the closing element 6 on the housing 2. The sealing element 40 is arranged in particular on the carrier element 6 ″. Alternatively, according to a further embodiment, not shown in the figures, the inner side of the decorative element 6' is arranged on the sealing element 40.

Fig. 3 shows the charging module arrangement 1 in a perspective exploded view, which is broken down into several parts. Fig. 3 shows a top view of a closing element 6, which has a carrier element 7 and a supporting arm 13 or a hinge arm, which is arranged on the carrier element and is constructed in particular in one piece. At the free end of the bearing arm 13, a pivot bushing 14 is arranged, into which a pivot shaft or pin 15 can be introduced during installation, which is also mounted in a hinge box 16, which is designed in particular integrally with the housing wall 3. For mounting, the closing element 6 and the pivot bushing 14 are first arranged in the hinge box 16, and then the pivot shaft 15 is guided laterally into the pivot bushing 14 and the bearing hole 17 of the hinge box, so that a rotary joint 18 is constructed between the housing 2 and the closing element 6 in order to enable a pivoting movement as shown in fig. 2. The supporting arm 13 or the supporting arms 13 are curved, in particular C-shaped in side view, in order to ensure a space-saving arrangement and support of the closing element 6 on the housing 2. The hinge box 18 furthermore forms an advantageous bearing receptacle for the support arm 13, in which the support arm 13 is mounted so as to be movable or pivotable about the axis of rotation of the rotary joint 18 as a function of the pivoting movement.

The base 4 is configured in the form of a plate and has a functional panel 19, on the back of which a likewise plate-shaped sealing element 20 extends in a planar manner, wherein the sealing element 20 projects from an outer edge of the functional panel 19 in order to form an outer sealing edge 21 and an inner sealing edge 22 projecting into the opening 8. The sealing element 20 is designed in particular elastically deformable in order to ensure a secure contact of the seal on the one hand on the inside of the housing wall 3 and on the other hand on the outside of the joint 9.

The bottom 4 may have differently shaped and/or arranged openings 8, an alternative to the drawn openings 8 being shown in dashed lines in fig. 3. In particular, there is a charging module system 23 having a plurality of identically shaped housings 2 and closing elements 6 and a plurality of differently configured bases 4, which differ in particular in the configuration of the openings 8. The shape of the opening 8 is adapted in this case in particular to different charging systems, plug systems or connectors of different manufacturers, standards, etc., so that the appropriate base 4 is selected depending on the charging module system 23, so that the charging module arrangement 1 present is for example simply adapted to the particular charging system.

Fig. 4 shows a top view of the rear side of the charging module arrangement 1, wherein it can be seen here that a fastening means 25 in the form of a protruding ridge is arranged on the rear side 24 of the base 4, which for example forms a screw head (schraubenomer) into which a threaded bushing is optionally integrated. By means of this fastening means 25, further components can be arranged on the rear side of the base 4, as is shown in fig. 4. By way of example, an actuator 26 for locking and unlocking the closing element 6 and a device 27, for example configured as a charge status indicator or as an illumination for the interior of the housing 2, are arranged on the rear side 4 of the housing 2. For this purpose, the base 4 expediently has a further opening 27' to which the device 27 is assigned, so that it can be seen from the outside or can enter the interior space of the housing. The openings 27' may also be configured differently and arranged in different positions. The same applies to the opening 28 assigned to the actuator 26, so that, for example, an actuator element for locking and unlocking the closing element 6 can pass through the opening 28. The closing element 6 has, for example, on its underside facing the housing 2, a locking receptacle 29 into which an actuating element of the actuator 26 can be introduced for locking the closing element 6.

The base 4 is in the present case designed as an insert 30, which is snapped into the housing 2 or the housing wall 3.

For this purpose, the bottom 4 preferably has a plurality of latching projections 31 facing its outer edge. Fig. 5B shows the charging module arrangement 1 in the region of one of the latching projections 31 in a perspective sectional view along the line a-a in fig. 1. As can be seen from fig. 4, a plurality of latching projections 31 are arranged distributed over the circumference of the base 4 and are formed in particular on the rear side 24. The locking projections 31 are each of elastically deformable design and engage behind an edge section 32 of the housing wall 3 in a form-fitting manner. In the case of mounting the base 4 in the housing wall 3, the latching projection 31 is initially pushed back or deformed elastically by the edge section 32 and then, due to its inherent elasticity, reaches a position engaging behind the edge section 32, as is shown in fig. 5A. The base 4 with the functional panel 19 can thus simply be snapped into the housing wall 3 in order to form the housing 2. No additional fixing measures, such as welding, screwing or gluing, are required. The base 4 is preferably held on the housing wall 3 only by snapping. Due to the laterally projecting sealing edge 21, the base 4 here rests sealingly against the inner side of the housing wall 3, so that the housing 2 is designed liquid-tight or moisture-tight.

Fig. 5B shows a further sectional view through the charging module arrangement along the line W-W of fig. 1. The base 4 has at least in some regions a groove-shaped receptacle 33, into which an edge section 34 of the housing wall 3, in particular of the hinge box 16, can be inserted in order to ensure a stable and sealed contact of the base 4. As a result, the base 4 can in particular be snapped onto the edge section 34, whereby the stability of the charging module arrangement (1) is further increased and the mounting can be carried out in fewer steps.

Fig. 6A to 6D show an exemplary installation of the charging module arrangement 1 on the motor vehicle 34 in four steps. The motor vehicle 34 has an outer skin 35 which covers, for example, the body part located underneath. Fig. 6 only shows the body part 36 and the outer skin 35 in detail. The housing part 35 has a recess 37 into which the housing 2 of the charging module arrangement 1 is first fitted or fittable. For this purpose, the housing 2 preferably also has a plurality of latching projections 38 on the outside of the housing wall 3, which are designed to engage behind the outer shell 35 in a form-fitting manner in the final position of the housing 2, whereby the housing 2 is likewise designed as a snap-in or insert that can be snapped into the outer shell 35. Preferably, the closing element 6 is already mounted on the housing 2, whereas the base 4 is not mounted on the housing 2, as is shown in fig. 6A.

Subsequently, as shown in fig. 6B, the connector 9 is fed from the inside or the rear of the charging module device 1, so that the connector 9 is arranged in the housing 2 or in the housing wall 3, as shown in fig. 6C. Alternatively, the joint 9 is screwed or screwable on the vehicle body part 36.

Then, a functional panel 19 configured to match the connector 9 is selected for the base 4, and the base 4 with the functional panel 19 is snapped into the housing 2 or the housing wall 3, as described above, and as shown in fig. 6D or fig. 1. Here, the bottom 4 is fed from the outside, so that the opening 8 is moved onto the joint 9, and the latching projection 31 is latched on the housing wall 3. In particular, actuators and/or charge status indicators or lighting means have been mounted on the back side 24 of the bottom part 4.

List of reference numerals

1 charging module device

2 casing

3 casing wall

4 bottom

5 concave part

6 closing element

7 inlet

8 opening

9 joint

10 terminal box

11 charging cable connecting plug

12 charging cable

13 supporting arm

14 pivot axle sleeve

15 bolt

16 hinge box

17 support opening

18 rotating joint

19 function panel

20 sealing element

21 outer sealing edge

22 inner sealing edge

23 charging module system

24 back side

25 fixing device

26 actuator

27 device

28 opening

29 lock receiving part

30 implant

31 stop lug

32 edge segment

33 accommodating part

34 edge segment

35 outer cover

36 vehicle body component

37 hollow part

38 stop lug

39 inner side

40 sealing element

Claims

1. A charging module device (1) for a motor vehicle (34), in particular an electric vehicle, having a housing (2) which, for achieving a basin-shaped configuration, has a base (4) and a housing wall (3) projecting from the base (4) and extending over the periphery of the base (4), wherein the housing wall (3) forms an inlet opening (7) to the housing (2) on its end side facing away from the base (4), the charging module device (1) further having a closure element (6) arranged movably on the housing wall (3), which closes the inlet opening (7) in a closed position and opens the inlet opening (7) in an open position, and the charging module device (1) further having at least one connection (9) arranged within the housing wall (3) and projecting through an opening (8) in the base (4) into the housing (2) in the direction of the inlet opening (7), In particular a plug connector for a charging cable, characterized in that the base (4) is formed by an insert (30) which is snapped into the housing (2).

2. Charging module arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing wall (3) and/or the base (4) have at least one elastically deformable latching projection (31) which interacts with the base or housing wall (3) in a form-fitting manner in order to latch the base (4) on the housing (2).

3. Charging module arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of latching projections (31) are arranged distributed over the circumference of the bottom (4).

4. Charging module arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bottom (4) has a functional panel (19) and at least one seal (20) arranged on the functional panel (19), wherein the seal (20) projects laterally from the functional panel (19) in order to interact sealingly with the housing (3) and/or the joint (9).

5. Charging module arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closing element (6) has a curved, extending supporting arm (13) which is pivotably supported in a housing-side supporting receptacle.

6. The charging module arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing receptacle is designed as a hinge box (16), which is constructed in particular in one piece with the housing wall (3).

7. Charging module arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the functional panel (19) has a trough-shaped receptacle (33) in which an edge section of the housing wall (3), in particular in the form of a tab of a hinge box (16), is inserted, in particular sealingly.

8. Charging module arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the functional panel (19) has at least one fixing means (25) for accessories, in particular sensors, display means and/or actuators (26), spaced apart from the opening (8).

9. A charging module system (23) for a motor vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle, having at least one charging module arrangement (23) according to one of claims 1 to 8 and a plurality of bottoms (4), at least two of the bottoms (4) having differently shaped and/or arranged openings or functional panels (19).

10. Charging module system according to claim 9, characterized in that at least two of the plurality of bottoms (4) have differently configured fixing means (25).