DE102012200421B4 - Charging device for an electric vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Charging device for an electric vehicle with an electric cable (4) and a space for storing the electric cable (4), with an end of the electric cable (4) that can be pulled out of the charging device and is provided with an electric plug connector (1), with a trough ( 2) for storing the connector (1), characterized in that a closure (5, 13) is provided for the trough (2) which closes the trough (2) by moving out the connector (1).

Description

The invention relates to a charging device for an electric drive, in particular for an electric vehicle with an electric cable, with a charging plug or a charging socket being attached to an extendable end of the electric cable, which can be pulled out of an interior space of the charging device.

An electric vehicle is a vehicle which is driven electrically, usually with the aid of at least one electric motor. The electric motor draws its power from a battery housed in the electric vehicle. This battery must be recharged after being discharged. A charging device within the meaning of the present invention serves to charge the battery. The charging device is in particular part of the electric vehicle. The electric cable is then preferably provided with a charging plug. If the electric vehicle is to be charged, the electric cable is pulled out of a space in the charging device and the charging plug is plugged into a socket. The socket can be a standardized socket. The charging plug is then also standardized accordingly. However, the charging plug and socket can also be designed in such a way that they are adapted to the special needs of an electric vehicle. Electric vehicles within the meaning of the invention are also vehicles that have an electric drive and at least one other drive, for example an internal combustion engine, so-called hybrid vehicles.

A charging device for an electric vehicle is disclosed in the publication DE 10 2009 016 895 A1 out. The charging device is part of an electric vehicle. A plug connected to an electric wire is stored in a trough adjacent to the body of the vehicle when the electric wire is coiled on a reel of the charger. The charging device includes a cleaning device with which the electric cable is cleaned before it is rolled up on the cable reel. In order to reliably protect the trough from contamination, it is possible to close the trough with a flap even when the plug with the electric cable has been pulled out of the trough for charging, in order to protect the trough from contamination even during charging to protect.

It is the object of the invention to provide a charging device for an electric vehicle which is more developed than the prior art and which functions reliably.

The object of the invention is achieved with a charging device having the features of the first claim. Advantageous configurations result from the dependent claims.

To solve the problem, a charging device for an electric vehicle with an electric cable and a space for storing the electric cable is provided. The charging device includes an end of the electric cable that can be pulled out of the charging device and is provided with an electrical plug connector. There is a trough for storing the connector. In order to protect the trough and also the charging device from moisture and dirt, a closure for the trough is provided, which closes the trough by moving out the connector and/or additionally protects and/or additionally reduces the volume of the trough. So if the electrical connector is in the trough and the electrical connector is pulled out of the trough, the closure is moved in the direction of the closed position at the same time. When the closure has reached its closed position, the trough is closed. No or at least hardly any dirt or moisture then penetrates into the trough.

The space can be provided by a drum on which the electric cable can be wound up for storage, preferably two-dimensionally. However, the space can also be an interior space in which an electric cable can be stored, preferably in a meandering shape. Again, storage preferably takes place in two dimensions, since two-dimensional storage functions particularly reliably.

An electrical plug connector is in particular an electrical plug or an electrical socket.

A trough borders in particular on the body of an electric vehicle. A cradle within the meaning of the present invention is a confined space designed and adapted to receive the electrical connector when the electrical cable is in its stored position. The space of the trough can vary in one embodiment and is only created in one embodiment by moving the electrical connector into its stored position. By a disappearance of the space of the trough when the electrical connector is pulled out of the trough, the trough may have been closed in accordance with the present invention.

The electric cable is preferably passed through the closure. The closure is then basically arranged behind the connector when viewed from the outside, at least when when the connector is stored in the trough. In this embodiment, it can be achieved in a technically simple manner that the closure is moved into its closed position when the electrical connector is moved out of its trough. For this purpose, the closure is preferably frictionally connected to the electric cable. If the electric cable is pulled out of the charging device, a corresponding force is exerted on the closure due to the frictional connection between the electric cable and the closure. This force can regularly move the closure to its closed position. The closure is therefore preferably slidably mounted in order to be able to be moved into its closed position and back by sliding.

As an alternative or in addition to the friction connection, a transport means can be provided which is able to move the closure into its position closing the trough. In one embodiment, the means of transport is a prestressed spring. In order to be able to provide particularly good protection against dirt and moisture, in one embodiment the prestressed spring is implemented by a bellows. The spring or the bellows can be made of metal or plastic.

The electric cable can be guided through a seal surrounding the electric cable. The seal is part of the closure or connected to it. On the one hand, the seal protects against moisture and dirt. In addition, a regularly desired frictional connection between the electric cable and the closure can be provided by the seal in a reliable and simple manner. In addition, it is then fundamentally possible to move the electric cable in relation to the closure, especially when the closure is in its closed position or at the bottom of the trough, without the electric cable having been moved completely into its stored position.

The closure can be held by a bellows or a tube made of flexible material, with the bellows or tube being sealed at one end to the base of the trough. This embodiment provides further improved protection against the ingress of moisture into the charging device or against the ingress of dirt. A bellows can be made of metal, plastic or a rubber material.

The walls of the trough can be formed by bellows and/or a tube made of flexible and/or elastically stretchable material such as rubber. In this embodiment, the trough is preferably closed when the bellows or the flexible or expandable material is relieved or relieved to the maximum extent possible. The bellows or the flexible or stretchable material then serve as a means of transport to move a closure into its closed position.

In one embodiment, a transport device is present, which is able to move the plug connector and/or the electric cable into its stored position in the trough. In particular, the transport device is able to move the electric cable into its stored position and thus also the electric plug connector. The transport device preferably comprises an electric drive, in particular an electric motor or an electric drive based on a shape memory alloy. A switch may be provided which is manually operated to move the electrical cord and hence the electrical connector to its stored position. For example, in one embodiment, the electric cable is rolled up on a drum following actuation of the switch. The drum is then rotated by the electric drive. The transport device can thus move the electric cable into its stored position.

In particular, in addition to the closure, there is a cover or a flap with which the trough can be closed when the connector is in the trough. if the trough is closed with the cover or the flap, the cover or the flap must first be moved in a suitable manner in order to be able to grasp and pull out the electrical connector manually. By pulling out the closure is then moved into its closed position or such a movement is made possible and the trough is thus closed again. The trough is then also protected from dirt and moisture during charging.

The trough can preferably border on the body of an electric vehicle. However, it is also conceivable that the trough is integrated into an add-on part, such as a bumper. The charging device is then part of the electric vehicle. However, the charging device can also be part of a charging station.

In one embodiment, in particular the end area of the electrical plug connector, which is connected to the electrical cable, is firmly connected to the closure, preferably by a form fit. The closure is then moved into its closed position, in particular by spring force. If, for example, an outer flap with which the trough can be or is closed, is opened, the electrical connector moves or jumps out of the due to the spring force hollow out. On the one hand, for example, a prestressed spring can initiate the movement of the plug connector, but on the other hand the plug connector can also be moved by unwinding the electric cable by means of a drive for the mounting of the electric cable. In the latter case, in a preferred embodiment, the drive is initiated by opening the flap. The electrical connector can now easily be connected to a corresponding electrical connector, for example for charging the battery of an electric vehicle. If, for example, the flap is pivoted back into its closed position following charging, a drive can be set in motion which moves the electrical connector back into its recess. Such a drive can also be set in motion in other ways, for example by actuating a switch.

In a further embodiment, a force is exerted on the closure by means of at least one cable, in particular a Bowden cable, in order to move it, in particular into its closed position. It is thus possible to arrange a drive away from the trough in order to be able to save installation space in the trough. The available space can thus be used flexibly.

The cable force can be generated from a deflection pulley in combination with a pressure cylinder. In one embodiment, the at least one rope is guided over at least one deflection roller and over a deflection roller connected to a pressure cylinder. Thus, on the one hand, a translation can be generated and, on the other hand, the generation of the force for moving the closure can be arranged at a position in the motor vehicle that is remote from the trough, which can represent an advantage in terms of installation space.

The closure is advantageously stored and guided in a roller conveyor, preferably in the trough. The advantage here is that the roller conveyor can guide the closure on a radius, which in turn enables space-optimized installation, in particular of the connector.

The rope can act on the lock on one side or on both sides. One or more cables can be used here, acting on one or both sides of the closure 5 in order to avoid canting

Various configurations of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures.

• 1: Ladeeinrichtung mit Steckverbinder in Mulde;
• 2: Ladeeinrichtung mit Steckverbinder außerhalb der Mulde;
• 3: Ladeeinrichtung mit Steckverbinder außerhalb der Mulde;
• 4: Ladeeinrichtung mit Feder;
• 5: Ladeeinrichtung mit Faltenbalg;
• 6: Ladeeinrichtung mit flexibler Hülle;
• 7: Ladeeinrichtung mit Mulde aus flexibler Hülle mit gelagertem Steckverbinder;
• 8: Ladeeinrichtung mit Mulde aus flexibler Hülle mit herausgezogenem Steckverbinder;
• 9: Verschluss mit Seilzug.

Show it

• 1 : charging device with connector in trough;
• 2 : charging device with connector outside the trough;
• 3 : charging device with connector outside the trough;
• 4 : loading device with spring;
• 5 : loading device with bellows;
• 6 : charger with flexible cover;
• 7 : charging device with trough made of flexible cover with mounted connector;
• 8th : charging device with trough made of flexible sheath with connector pulled out;
• 9 : closure with cable.

The 1 shows a detail of a charging device with a connector 1, which is located in a trough or a container 2. The cross section of the trough 2 seen in a plan view of the opening of the trough 2 can be circular, square or shaped differently. The opening of the trough 2 can be closed with a flap 3 . The connector 1 , which can be an electrical socket or an electrical plug, is connected to an electrical cable 4 . The electric cable 4 preferably leads out of the trough 2 at the bottom of the trough and is connected to the battery of an electric car, for example. Inside the trough 2 there is a closure 5 through which the electric cable 4 is passed. The closure 5 can be moved relative to the electric cable 4 and within the trough 2. The closure 5 includes a sealing lip 6 that runs around the electric cable 4 and seals tightly with the electric cable 4 . The closure 5 is tightly adjacent to the electric cable 4 by the sealing lip 6 so that there is a frictional connection between the electric cable 4 and the closure 5 . The outer circumference of the closure 5 corresponds to the cross section of the trough 2 and is slightly smaller. At its opening, the inside of the trough 2 is provided with a circumferential stop 7 for the closure 5 , with the stop 7 also being able to serve as a seal for the trough 2 .

If the flap 3 as in the 2 shown pivoted for opening and the electrical connector 1 then moved out of the trough 2, the closure 5 is moved up to the stop 7 with the electric cable 4 due to the frictional connection. The closure 5 finally hits the stop 7 and then closes the opening of the trough 2. The trough 2 is now protected from dirt and moisture. In addition, the interior is also covered with dirt protection from the elements in which the electric cable is stored.

If the connector 1 as in the 3 shown moved even further out, the closure 5 remains in its closed position due to the stop 7. The electric cable 4 is now also moved outward relative to the closure 5 .

After charging the battery of the electric vehicle or a possible delivery of energy by the electric vehicle, the electric cable 4 is moved into the stored position by a transport device of the charging device, for example wound up on a cable drum of the charging device or stored meandering in an interior space of the charging device. As a result, the closure 5 is first moved back in the direction of the bottom of the trough 2 . If the closure 5 has finally reached the bottom of the trough 2, then the electric cable 4 moves relative to the closure 5 in the stored position until the in the 1 shown situation is reached again and the connector 1 is back in the trough 2. The flap 3 is then pivoted back to close the trough 2 .

The sealing lip 6 is preferably made of a flexible, preferably elastic material such as rubber. The closure 5 can be made of a hard plastic material. The walls of the trough 2 and the flap 3 can also be made of plastic. Instead of a separate sealing lip 6, a peripheral sealing edge can be provided, which has been manufactured in one piece with the closure 5. The sealing lip 6 can preferably also have a conical shape at least on one side, so that assembly of the electric cable 4 is facilitated.

In the 4 a further embodiment of a charging device is shown. Unless otherwise stated below, this can be one or more features of the embodiment 1 exhibit. The one in the 4 The embodiment shown in section comprises below the closure 5 a spring 8 which extends around an annular projection 9 of the closure 5 and is retained by this at one end. Such a ring-like projection 9 can also protrude upwards from the bottom of the trough 2 in order to hold the spring 8 in its position at the other end. However, such ring-like projections 9 are only advantageous and not absolutely necessary.

The spring 8, in particular a compression spring, is generally prestressed, and that is advantageous even when the closure 5 has been moved against the stop 7. If the flap 3 is opened, then in one embodiment the electrical connector 1 is moved out of the trough 2 solely due to the force of the spring 8 . However, it is also possible for an electrical contact, for example a switch, to be actuated by opening the flap 3 , which controls a drive acting on the electric cable 4 . The control can detect the prestressing of the spring 8 and generate a control signal, so that the electric cable 4 is unwound and is unwound at least far enough for the closure 5 to bear against the stop 7 . If the closure 5 rests against the stop 7, a detectable mechanical tension in the electric cable 4 changes, for example, and the drive can stop the plug connector being conveyed out or the electric cable 4 being conveyed in in a controlled manner.

The electrical connector thus moved out can now be easily grasped manually. At the same time, the closure 5 has preferably already been moved against the stop 7, so that the trough 2 is closed again immediately after the flap 3 is opened, namely now by the closure 5. If the electrical connector 1 is pulled further out of the trough 2, specifically assisted in particular manually and/or by an electric motor, the electric cable 4 is pulled out further, also relative to the closure 5, which then closes the trough 2.

The preloaded spring 8 may be solely responsible for initial movement of the electrical connector 1 out of its trough 2, or it may assist such movement. A particularly small installation space is possible if the spring 8 alone initially moves the electrical plug connector 1 at least partially out of the trough 2 following the opening of the flap 3 . The trough 2 then does not have to be so large that the electrical connector 1 can be grasped while it is still in its trough 2 .

If the electrical connector 1 is moved back into the trough 2 by a corresponding transport device after charging or discharging the battery of an electric vehicle, the closure 5 is then moved against the bias of the spring 8 towards the base of the trough 2 . This can be done indirectly by the electric cable 4 being moved back into its stored position, for example by an electric motor. If the electrical connector 1 is finally completely in the trough 2 again, the trough can be closed again with the flap 3 in order to protect against dirt and moisture.

A stop 7 can expand like a funnel as shown towards the bottom of a trough 2 (in this and other embodiments) in order to To guide shutter 5 when the shutter is moved to its closed position. As an alternative or in addition, the closure 5 can have a corresponding funnel-shaped contour, as shown in section, in order to ensure proper closure during charging. A form-fitting closure of the trough 2 is thus achieved. It is also conceivable that the closure 5 is locked in its position that closes the trough 2, in particular by means of a bolt of a miniature drive, for example also with the bolt that is provided for locking the flap 3, in order to increase the number of components minimize

The closure 5 is in the case of 1 until 4 relative to the electric cable 4 slidably. However, the closure 5 can also be permanently connected to the lower end of the electrical connector 1, into which the electrical cable 4 opens. If the flap 3 is opened, the electrical connector 1 moves out of the trough 2 in one embodiment due to at least one spring force until the closure 5 has been moved against the stop 7 electromotive unwinding of the electric cable 4. The electrical connector 1 is now easily accessible and can be particularly easily connected to another electrical connector. If a spring 8 is missing, then the electrical connector 1 must be pulled out of its recess 2 manually, for example.

In one embodiment, instead of the fixed connection described above, a detachable latching connection can be provided between closure 5 and electrical connector 1 . If the flap 3 according to an embodiment 4 opened, the electrical connector 1 jumps out of the trough 2 when the spring 10 is sufficiently prestressed, or is moved out of the trough as described above. The electrical connector 1 can now be easily grasped and pulled out further, initially from its latching connection. This embodiment allows a very small installation space, since the trough 2 can be kept particularly small.

In the 5 an embodiment with a bellows 10 is shown. The bellows 10 is generally prestressed and supports or causes the closure 5 to move into its closed position as in FIG 4 feather shown. In principle, this embodiment is technically somewhat more complex than that in FIG 4 outlined embodiment. However, it is better ensured that dirt and moisture cannot get through the trough 2 into the interior of the charging device if the bellows 10 is tightly connected to the peripheral wall of the trough 2 at the bottom of the trough. Only moisture and dirt can then get inside past the sealing lip 6 .

It suffices with the in the 5 shown embodiment to use a sleeve as the wall of the trough 2, so as to simplify the manufacture.

In this and in other embodiments, the closure 5 is advantageously provided on the upper side with a circumferential sealing edge 11 or sealing lip pointing in the direction of the stop 7, which can be moved against the stop 7 in order to improve a tight connection between the closure 5 and the stop 7 to take care when the closure 5 has been moved to its closed position. Alternatively or additionally, the underside of the stop 7, which points in the direction of the closure 5, can be provided with such a circumferential sealing edge or sealing lip. The sealing edge 11 or the sealing lip can consist of the material of the closure 5 or of the stop 7 or of a special sealing material such as a rubber material. Such a sealing edge 11 can be manufactured in one piece with the closure 5 or in one piece with the stop 7.

The wall of the trough 2 can be designed as a bellows which is connected to the closure 5 at the lower end. In the unloaded or slightly loaded state of the bellows, the closure 5 is then in its closed position. The bellows expand when the electrical connector 1 is moved to its stored position. The trough is therefore only provided in the required size when the electrical connector is moved into its stored position. This embodiment saves material and requires only little installation space, since the wall area of the trough also acts as a spring, which is able to move the electrical connector 1 out of the trough 2 in particular. In this embodiment, the wall of the trough 2 can alternatively consist of an elastically stretchable cover 12 in a further simplified embodiment. The closure 5 is then located at the lower end of the cover 12. When the cover 12 is in a slightly or unloaded state, the closure 5 closes the opening region of the trough 2, which is fastened to the upper end of the cover 12. When the electrical connector 1 is moved into its stored position, the sleeve 12 is finally stretched as a result and only then provides the necessary space for accommodating the electrical connector 1 . In particular, there is an opening area in this embodiment preferably made of a rigid material.

The one in the 6 The embodiment shown differs from the embodiment shown in FIG 5 by providing a sleeve 12 made of flexible and/or elastically extensible material instead of a bellows 10. Like the bellows 10, the sleeve 12 can better protect against the ingress of dirt and moisture into the interior of the charging device. Instead of a sleeve-shaped wall of the trough 2, a bellows 10 can be provided in order to facilitate moving the closure 5 into its closed position. A sleeve 12 can then be made relatively short.

The 7 and 8th show an embodiment with a shell 13 made of flexible and / or elastically stretchable material, which also form the walls of the trough 2 when the electrical connector 1 as in FIG 7 outlined is in its retracted position. The sleeve 13, which consists, for example, of a plastic film or of rubber, is tightly connected, for example, to an opening area 14 made of preferably rigid material. The 8th 12 illustrates how the sheath 13 inverts when the electrical connector 1 is pulled out of the charger. The cover 13 thus represents a closure for the opening area 14. Since the cover 13 has been turned outwards, dirt which previously entered the trough 2 undesirably can be transported outwards at the same time. As a result, accumulations of dirt in the trough 2 are avoided. There is also advantageously a cover or a flap with which the opening area 14 can be closed when the electrical connector 1 is inside the trough 2 as in FIG 7 shown.

In the case of 7 the sheath 13 can be in a stretched state. The lower end of the sleeve 13 can be provided with a closure 5 made of rigid material. If the cover 13 is relieved, the closure 5 can thereby be moved into its closed position. A stop can then in turn be provided in the opening area of the trough 2, against which the closure 5 is then moved for closure, preferably by relieving the pretensioned sleeve 13.

Combinations of the features of the various embodiments are also possible, for example a combination of a bellows 10 with an adjoining sleeve 12, 13 made of flexible and/or stretchable material. In addition to the cover 12, 13 and/or bellows 10, one or more springs 8 can be provided in order to be able to transport a closure in the direction of the closed position with the aid of spring tension.

A closure 5 can be provided with one or more guide elements, such as the roller track described as an example or a plain bearing, in order to be able to move the closure particularly reliably without tilting.

In the 9 it is outlined that rollers 15 can be provided for guiding a closure 5. As indicated, such rollers 15 can be provided in addition, but also as an alternative to guiding one or more cables 16, which can be moved, for example, by an actuator 17 in such a way that the closure 15 is thereby moved into its closing position. Instead of an actuator 17, a motor and roller can also be provided, on which at least one cable 16 can be wound up in order to move the closure 5 into its closed position. Instead of one or more cables, one or more Bowden cables can be provided, which are actuated, for example, with the aid of an actuator. An actuator within the meaning of the present invention comprises a bolt or a hook which can be moved back and forth between two positions, for example linearly and/or by rotation. In the case of 9 there is a linearly movable bolt which rests laterally on a rope area 16 . By linearly moving the bolt, the cable fixed at one end is tensioned or the cable 16 is caused to move.

Reference List

1

connector

2

trough

3

flap

4

electric cable

5

closure

6

sealing lip

7

attack

8th

Feather

9

annular protrusion

10

bellows

11

sealing edge

12

Covering

13

Covering

14

opening area

15

roll

16

rope or Bowden cable

17

actuator

Claims (15)

Charging device for an electric vehicle with an electric cable (4) and a space for storing the electric cable (4), with an end of the electric cable (4) that can be pulled out of the charging device and is provided with an electric plug connector (1), with a trough ( 2) for storing the plug connector (1), characterized in that a closure (5, 13) is provided for the trough (2) which closes the trough (2) when the plug connector (1) is moved out. Charging device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the electric cable (4) is guided through the closure (5). Charging device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure (5), seen from the outside, is arranged behind the connector (1), in particular when the connector (1) is mounted in the trough (2). Loading device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure (5) is movably, in particular displaceably mounted. Loading device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a transport means which is able to move the closure (5) into its position which closes the trough (2). Loading device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the means of transport is at least one prestressed spring (8) and/or a prestressed cable pull. Charging device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electric cable (4) is guided through a seal (6) surrounding the electric cable (4), the seal (6) being connected to the closure (5). Charging device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure (5) is held by a bellows (10) or a tube or sleeve (12) made of flexible and/or elastically stretchable material. Loading device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the trough (2) is formed by a sleeve (13) or tube made of a flexible and/or elastically stretchable material. Charging device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a transport device which is able to move the connector (1) into its stored position in the trough (2) at least with support. Loading device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the transport device comprises an electric drive, in particular an electric motor, Charging device according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the transport device is able to move the electric cable (4) into its stored position. Charging device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the charging device comprises a drum onto which the electric cable (4) can be rolled up for storage, or a space in which the electric cable (4) can be stored, in particular in a meandering configuration. Charging device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a cover or a flap (3) with which the trough (2) can be closed when the connector (1) is in the trough (2). Electric vehicle with a charging device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the trough (2) is adjacent to the body of the electric vehicle.

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