DE102011007593A1 - Charging device for charging rechargeable battery of electric car, has electric contact comprising movable front portion and rear portion, where front portion is separated from rear portion by electrical movement to forward position - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) has an electric contact (4) comprising a movable front portion (7) made of electrically non-conductive material and a rear portion (10), where the front portion is separated from the rear portion by electrical movement to the forward position. A drive moves the front portion, and a neutral gear is provided between the drive and the front portion. A sliding contact (11) is provided for electrically connecting the front portion with the rear portion. A guide moves the front portion relative to the rear portion. An independent claim is also included for a method for separating a charging device.

Description

The invention relates to a charging device for charging an electric vehicle and to a method for separating a corresponding charging device from the charging device.

An electric vehicle is a motor vehicle, which is driven by means of an electric motor. The electric motor draws its power via an energy storage, eg. B. battery or battery, which is housed in the electric vehicle. The battery must be recharged after a discharge. For charging the battery is a charging device in the context of the present invention. The charging device may be part of the electric vehicle or part of a charging station. If the battery of an electric vehicle to be charged, the charger of a charging station with the charger of an electric vehicle is mechanically and electrically connected. Afterwards, the battery can be recharged with the help of electrical power supplied by the charging station.

From the publication DE 10 2009 052 366 A1 goes out a charging device of an electric vehicle, which on the one hand a socket or a charging socket and on the other hand comprises a charging plug, which is connected to an electric cable. Charging plug and charging socket are housed behind one or two covers of the body of the electric vehicle. For charging, the charging plug can be pulled out after opening the corresponding cover and plugged into a socket. Conversely, an external charging plug connected to an electric cable can be plugged into the socket of the electric vehicle to charge the electric vehicle.

If a charging device of a charging station is pulled out of a charging device of an electric vehicle, that is, for example, a plug of a socket, the corresponding electrical contacts of the two charging devices detach from each other. It can create an arc. In particular, at high voltages, as is intended for charging with direct current, a correspondingly high risk associated with the emergence of the arc.

Against this background, it is an object of the invention to enable a safe charging of an electric vehicle.

To solve the problem, a charging device with the features of claim 1 is proposed. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims. A method for separating a corresponding charging device from the charging device comprises the features of the independent claim.

The claimed charging device comprises a plurality of electrical contacts for electrical connection to electrical contacts of a corresponding charging device. Such an electrical contact preferably comprises the form of an electrically conductive sleeve or socket into which a pin-shaped electrical contact of a corresponding charging device is inserted in order to provide an electrical connection for charging the battery of an electric vehicle. However, such an electrical contact can also be inserted in the form of a pin present for an electrical connection in serving as an electrical contact socket or sleeve of a corresponding charging device. If, for example, a pin-shaped electrical contact of the charging device has been inserted into a sleeve-shaped or socket-shaped electrical contact of a corresponding charging device, then the two electrical contacts are in principle non-positively connected to one another. An electrical contact, which is in the form of a pin, is thus clamped by friction in the sleeve or in the socket of an electrical mating contact in order thus to ensure a good electrical connection.

At least one electrical contact of the charging device is divided into a front movable portion and a rear portion. The rear section is basically fixed inside the charging device. The rear section is connected to an electrical conductor of a cable which leads to the battery of an electric vehicle or to a power source of a charging station when the charging device is installed in an electric vehicle or in a charging station. The front portion is thus movably mounted in the loading device and in particular a displaceable manner. Above all, the front portion provided for electrical contacting can also be moved back and forth between a rear and a front position relative to the rear portion. The front portion of the electrical contact is directly for electrical connection to an electrical contact of a corresponding charging device when the battery of an electric vehicle to be charged. The front section then contacts the corresponding electrical contact of the corresponding charging device. The front position is achieved by moving the front portion away from the rear portion. If the front section is moved to its rear position, the front section is moved towards the rear section, ie in the direction of the rear section. The front portion is electrically disconnected from the rear portion by reaching the front position. Becomes that is, the front portion is moved to the front position, the electrically conductive connection between the front portion and the rear portion of the electrical contact within the charging device is interrupted. The separation of the electrical connection between the front portion and the rear portion can be effected by the mechanical moving and thus also an electrical contact between the front and the rear portion is removed by moving the front portion to its front position. Preferably, however, a mechanical contact between the two sections always remains in order to ensure proper guidance relative to each other in a particularly reliable manner.

If a corresponding charging device is removed from the claimed charging device, for example, following charging of a battery of an electric vehicle or vice versa and thereby or the front section is moved to the front position, an electrical disconnection first takes place within the claimed charging device. If, for example, due to a malfunction during the separation of the charging device from a corresponding charging device still apply a voltage, so occurs an arc, which can then be caused by such electrical disconnection, within the charger. A possible hazard to a person by such an arc is thus avoided.

In one embodiment of the invention, the charging device comprises a drive for electrically connecting the front portion of the electrical contact to an electrical contact of a corresponding charging device. The drive is in particular an electric drive, which may for example comprise an electric motor or which is based on a shape memory alloy. If the claimed charging device is mechanically connected to a corresponding charging device, then in principle there is still no electrical connection between the movable front section and the electrical contact of a corresponding charging device. Following this mechanical connection, the front portion of the electrical contact is moved by means of the drive in the direction of the electrical contact of the corresponding charging device until an electrical connection between the two electrical contacts is established. This reduces the manual effort required to mechanically and electrically connect two charging devices. The charging device may for this purpose comprise one or more sensors, such as one or more microswitches, capable of detecting the position of the front section and / or mechanically connecting the charging device to a corresponding charging device and / or locking a mechanical connection of the two Charging devices by means of a locking device. The charging device may further include a controller that controls the movement of the front portion by means of the drive and in response to an interaction with a corresponding charging device. The control is in particular such that only after a mechanical connection and / or a locking of such a mechanical connection between the charging device and a corresponding charging device of the movable front portion with the associated electrical contact of the corresponding charging device is electrically connected by the drive.

In an embodiment of the invention, the drive serves alternatively or additionally to disconnect a corresponding charging device from the charging device according to the invention, for example following charging of a battery of an electric vehicle. If, in this embodiment, the corresponding charging device is removed from the claimed charging device, for example, following charging of the battery of an electric vehicle, the drive moves the front section during removal into the forward position. Thereby, the rear portion is electrically disconnected from the front portion of the electrical contact. An arc can then only arise between the front section and the rear section. Since this area is very well shielded inside the charging device, the resulting possibly by the electric separation arc is very well shielded.

In one embodiment of the invention, the charging device comprises a plurality of electrical contacts with different diameters. At least one maximum diameter electrical contact is claimed to be divided into a front and a rear portion, the front portion being capable of reciprocating between the forward position and the rearward position. Preferably, all of the electrical contacts with the largest diameter are configured in this claimed manner and thus comprise a front and a rear portion, wherein the front portion can be moved relative to the rear portion. The force that must be applied manually for electrical connection with corresponding electrical contacts is basically particularly great when the diameters of the corresponding electrical contacts are particularly large. It is therefore preferable that at least the electrical contacts with the largest Diameters are electrically connected by a drive with electrical contacts of a corresponding charging device. In addition, the diameters of electrical contacts are particularly selected when particularly high electrical power to be transported. It is therefore preferable for this further reason that at least the electrical contacts with a particularly large diameter are subdivided into a movable front section and a rear section as required. Extra large diameter electrical contacts typically use DC charging to charge the battery of an electric vehicle within a few minutes of high power.

In one embodiment, the front portion and the rear portion are coupled together in the form of a sleeve with a pin located therein. The pin can be moved relative to the sleeve or vice versa. When the pin is moved out of the sleeve, so eventually the electrical contact between the sleeve and pin is interrupted, thus reaching the front position of the front portion of the electrical contact. There may be one or more electrical sliding contacts that can electrically connect the sleeve to the pin and electrically connect when the front portion is in its rearward position. The one or more sliding contacts may be fastened, for example, in the interior of the sleeve. The pin can then be electrically isolated at its open end. If the sliding contacts get to this isolated area of the pin, the electrical contact between the two sections of the electrical contact is interrupted. The isolated area of the pin may be in the form of a layer of electrically nonconductive material located on the surface, for example, at the open end of the pin. If the one or more electrical sliding contacts on the pin and in particular at its open end, the sleeve may have an electrically insulated portion preferably near the opening portion in the interior, so as to interrupt an electrical connection between the sleeve and the pin when the front Section is moved to the front position.

At least the region in which the front portion is coupled to the rear portion, is preferably in a housing which consists of an electrically non-conductive material. Preferably, the front portion is completely in a housing which consists of an electrically non-conductive material. For weight reasons, the housing is preferably made of plastic. The housing of electrically non-conductive material is used to protect against electrical currents and the protection against an arc that can occur when the front portion of the rear portion is electrically disconnected and at this time still bears an electrical voltage, resulting for example due to a malfunction of Case could be.

A coupling between the front portion and the rear portion can also be in the form of two rails, which can be moved relative to each other. Depending on the position, the two rails are then electrically connected to each other or not. At least one rail can for this purpose have a correspondingly electrically insulated area or surface or layer of electrically non-conductive material. The one rail, for example, engage around the other rail. Again, there may be one or more sliding contacts electrically interconnecting the two rails when the front portion is not in its forward position.

A coupling between the front portion and the rear portion is preferably such as to guide the movement of the front portion. Such a guide can be provided by a coupling in the form of a sleeve with a pin movable therein or by the aforementioned two rails which can be moved relative to each other.

A housing, within which the front portion is moved, may alternatively or additionally serve the guidance of the front portion during its movement. Such a housing may alternatively or additionally be designed as a stop for the front portion, when the front portion reaches its front position.

In one embodiment of the invention, there is a backlash between the drive and the front portion that allows the front portion to be moved to its forward position when an electrical contact of a corresponding loader is withdrawn from the front portion or detached from the front portion , In one embodiment, the front portion has a recess into which a bolt or punch of a drive extends, so as to provide the backlash. The protrusion is dimensioned such that extraction of an electrical contact of a corresponding charging device from the claimed contact can cause the front section to be moved to its forward position and thus electrically separated from the rear section. Conversely, the front portion may be provided with a bolt or punch which protrudes perpendicular to the direction of movement from the front portion and is detected by a drive means or extends into a corresponding recess of a drive.

The claimed charging device may be part of an electric vehicle or part of a charging station, which is able to supply the electricity for charging an electric vehicle. The charging station may supply DC and / or AC, for example in the form of three-phase current for charging the battery of an electric vehicle. If the claimed charging device is mechanically and electrically connected as part of a charging station with a corresponding charging device of an electric vehicle, then the battery of the electric vehicle can be charged. For example, the charging device comprises, on the one hand, electrical contacts of preferably relatively large diameter, which serve for charging with direct current, and on the other hand electrical contacts, preferably of relatively small diameter, which serve for charging with alternating current. In addition, the charging device may comprise electrical contacts which serve for control purposes or other secondary purposes, such as the supply of power to an electric drive, to an electrical locking device and / or an electronic or electrical control. These electrical contacts, which serve for control purposes or other secondary purposes, preferably have the smallest diameter.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to figures.

Show it

1 two charging devices which are mechanically but not electrically connected to each other;

2 : two charging devices which are connected to each other both mechanically and electrically;

3 Two charging devices in which the electrical contact has been interrupted inside the one charging device by pulling out the other charging device.

In the 1 to 3 is a detail of a charging device 1 and a corresponding charging device 2 shown in section. The corresponding charging device 2 includes a housing 3 made of electrically non-conductive plastic and a metal electrical contact 4 with a pin-shaped end 5 , The charging device 1 comprises a housing made of electrically non-conductive plastic 6 , The housing 6 has an opening through which the pin 5 the corresponding charging device 2 stuck through it. Inside the case 6 There is an existing metal electrical contact, which has a movable front section 7 and a section 10 includes.

Both ends 8th and 9 of the front section 7 are designed sleeve-shaped. The front sleeve-shaped end 8th can go towards the pen 5 be moved so that the pen 5 in the sleeve-shaped front end 8th enters and then through the sleeve 8th can be held in particular non-positively. The rear section 10 the electrical contact is pin-shaped. This pin acting as a rear section 10 extends in each position in the sleeve-shaped rear end 9 of the front section 7 into it. In the in the 1 shown basic position (immediately before an electrical connection of the electrical contacts of the two charging devices 1 and 2 ) reaches the pen 10 the rear portion maximum in the sleeve or socket 9 of the front section 7 into it. The reason of the socket 9 Can be used as a stop for the pen 10 serve in the basic position. At the end of the sleeve or socket 9 namely adjacent to the opening area there is a resilient electrical ring contact 11 , This electrical ring contact 11 is on the inside of the socket 9 attached annularly. In the basic position, the ring contact ensures 11 for an electrical connection between the sleeve or socket 9 and the pen 10 ,

The two sleeves 8th and 9 are through a metallic bridge 12 smaller outer diameter compared to the outer diameter of the two sleeves 8th and 9 connected with each other. This leaves a recess between the two sleeves 8th and 9 in which a stamp 13 extends a drive, not shown.

Is the pen 5 the charging device 2 in the charging device 1 like in the 1 shown inserted, so the mechanical connection between the two charging devices is preferably initially locked so that the charging device 2 from the charging device 1 can not be removed. A removal requires only a release. After such a mechanical connection, and preferably after said optional locking of this mechanical connection, the front section becomes 7 using the stamp 13 in the direction of the pin-shaped electrical contact 5 moved until the in the 2 shown position is reached. This movement is controlled in particular by a control, not shown. The sleeve 8th is now with the pen 5 electrically connected. The serving as a sliding contact ring contact 11 still provides electrical contact between the sleeve 9 and the pen 10 , It can now be charged. 2 So shows an electrical and mechanical connection between the two charging devices 1 and 2 that serves to charge.

Is unlocked after charging, if necessary, and the pen first 5 the charging device 2 from the charging device 1 pulled out, so is the front section 7 the electrical contact due to the non-positive connection with the pin 5 further away from the pin 10 the charging device 1 emotional. Such a movement allows the backlash between the drive and the front section 7 passing through the indentation and the stamp 13 is formed. Has the front section 7 so reaches its front position, so contacts the ring contact 11 then an electrically isolated area 14 at the end of the pen 10 , as the 3 clarified. This isolated area 14 may be in the form of a surface layer of electrically non-conductive material. The open end of the pen 10 but can also consist of a total of an electrically non-conductive material. As a non-electrically conductive material is in particular a plastic into consideration. The electrical connection between the front section 7 and the back section, which passes through the pin 10 is formed or the pin 10 includes, is interrupted. The interruption of the electrical connection takes place in a rear area and within the housing 6 the charging device 1 and thus away from the opening area of the housing 6 through which the pen passes 5 the corresponding charging device 2 been put into it. Arises now due to the interruption of the electrical connection due to a due to a malfunction still applied electrical voltage an arc, it is formed away from the aforementioned opening area in the interior of the housing 6 , A user is thus very well protected against an arc, which could possibly result from the interruption of the electrical contact.

Is the charging device 2 from the charging device 1 has been solved, then the stamp 13 from the drive, for example, moves back to its normal position 1 , It will be the electrical contact between the sleeve 9 and the pen 10 over the ring contact 11 restored. The front section 7 can then be moved, for example, by an optionally provided, not shown biased spring in its normal position, which in the 1 will be shown. Preferably, however, the drive also serves to move the front portion to the position shown in FIG 1 will be shown. The recess in the housing 6 through which the stamp 13 extends through into the recess, can be dimensioned correspondingly large, despite a backlash between the drive and the movable front section 7 the front section 7 to be able to move to the position in the 1 will be shown. After the drive with the help of the punch 13 has moved the front portion to the position shown in Figure 1, the punch 13 also be moved to the position in the 1 will be shown.

Because the case 6 within the charging device 1 is and is generally surrounded in principle by another housing made of an electrically conductive material, the recess in the housing 6 through which the stamp 13 There is no risk that an arc will escape and endanger a user.

The drive should also serve the front section 7 can be moved in its forward position by means of the drive, which in the 3 is shown, the recess is in the housing 6 correspondingly larger dimensions. Following unlocking of a mechanical connection between the charging device 1 and the corresponding charging device 2 An electronic control can make sure that the drive is the moving front section 7 in the in the 3 shown position moves and so a decrease in the corresponding charging device 2 from the charging device 1 supported.

A backlash between the front section 7 and the drive is not mandatory, but beneficial. Such a backlash can be omitted, for example, when the drive is to the front section 7 according to its front position 3 to move, for example, automatically after unlocking the mechanical connection between the two charging devices 1 and 2 ,

In the 1 to 3 No cables are shown, on the one hand the rear section 10 to connect with an electrical cable and on the other hand the electrical contact 4 , Such a cable leads either to the battery of an electric vehicle or to a power source of a charging station.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

loader

2

corresponding charging device

3

Housing of the corresponding charging device

4

electrical contact of the corresponding charging device

5

Pin shaped end of the electrical contact of the corresponding charging device

6

Housing of the charging device

7

front portion of the electrical contact of the charging device

8th

Sleeve-shaped front end of the front section

9

Sleeve-shaped rear end of the front section

10

Rear portion of the electrical contact of the charger

11

resilient ring contact

12

Bridge of the front section

13

Stamp of a drive

14

electrically insulated, adjacent to the front portion end of the rear portion

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102009052366 A1 [0003]

Claims (12)

Charging device ( 1 ) having a plurality of electrical contacts for electrical connection to electrical contacts ( 4 ) a corresponding charging device ( 2 ), characterized in that at least one electrical contact has a movable front section ( 7 ) and a rear section ( 10 ), wherein the front section ( 7 ) from the rear section ( 10 ) can be electrically separated by moving to its forward position. Charging device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a drive for moving the front section ( 7 ) is available. Charging device according to the preceding claim, characterized by a backlash between the drive and the front section ( 7 ). Charging device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the backlash by a bulge in particular in the front portion and a reaching into the bulge stamp ( 13 ) is formed in particular of the drive. Charging device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front section ( 7 ) with the rear section ( 10 ) through a sleeve ( 9 ) and a pin ( 10 ) are coupled. Charging device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a sliding contact ( 11 ) for electrically connecting the front section ( 7 ) with the rear section ( 10 ) is available. Charging device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a section ( 7 . 10 ) an electrically insulating layer ( 14 ) or area containing the two sections ( 7 . 10 ) electrically separated when the front portion ( 7 ) is in its forward position. Charging device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the front section ( 7 ) in a housing ( 6 ) is made of electrically non-conductive material. Charging device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a guide for moving the front section ( 7 ) relative to the rear section ( 10 ). Charging device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a stop for the front section ( 7 ) in its forward position. Charging device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front section ( 7 ) through two sleeves ( 8th . 9 ) formed by a bridge ( 12 ) are interconnected with a smaller diameter for providing a recess. Method for separating a charging device ( 1 ), in particular with the features according to one of the preceding claims from a corresponding charging device ( 2 ), characterized in that the charging device ( 1 ) in particular following a charging of a battery of an electric vehicle from the corresponding charging device ( 2 ) and thereby a front section ( 7 ) of an electrical contact of the charging device ( 1 ) from its rear section ( 10 ) is electrically isolated.

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