DE102013112991A1 - Charging plug for charging an electric vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a charging plug for charging an electric vehicle, which is intended for a charging station (100) vorhaltbar intended and for charging a battery of an electric vehicle with a mating connector can be brought into electrical contact, with a locking element (2) via that the charging plug (1) can be locked on loading on the mating connector and that can be unlocked by actuation, and with a securing element (3) with which the locking element (2) can be locked in its locked state. In this case, the locking element (2) is biased in its locked state and in its prestressed, locked state by the securing element (3) can be blocked.

Description

The invention relates to a charging plug for charging an electric vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such a charging plug may e.g. intended to be kept at a charging station for charging and is for charging a battery of an electric vehicle with a mating connector in electrical contact can be brought.

In order to prevent the charging plug and the mating plug from being disconnected during a charging process, the charging plug has a locking element, in the locked state of which the charging plug can be connected, for example. can be locked to the mating connector during a charging process and that can be unlocked by actuation in order to be able to remove the charging plug from the mating connector after completion of the charging process. Furthermore, a securing element is provided with which the locking element can be blocked in its locked position, whereby an abusive or accidental unlocking of the locking element during a charging operation can be prevented.

From the DE 43 43 209 A1 a power plug device having a supply-side and a receptacle-side plug is known, the supply-side plug has a lever operable by a handle, by the actuation of the supply-side plug and the receptacle-side plug are engageable with each other. The lever is provided with a bore into which an electrically actuable plunger is insertable to hold the lever in its locking position in which it causes the mutual engagement of the supply-side plug and the receptacle-side plug. As a result, a release of the connection between these two connectors during a charging or supply process is excluded. However, this device does not provide protection against other types of misuse or misuse at a charging station.

The invention is therefore based on the problem of further improving a charging plug of the type mentioned in terms of avoiding incorrect operation and misuse.

This problem is solved by the invention by providing a charging plug with the features of claim 1.

Thereafter, the locking element of the charging plug is biased in its locked state and locked in this biased, locked state by the associated securing element. For this purpose, the securing element can be brought into a position (intended) in which it blocks the locking element in the prestressed, locked state.

D. h., In the charging plug according to the invention, the locking element automatically assumes its locked position in the unactuated state and can be blocked in this in each case by the associated fuse element, so that the locked position can not be canceled.

This can prevent not only based on incorrect operation or misuse interruption of a running charge by the charging plug-side locking element engages in a corresponding locking point of the associated mating connector, but also the abusive removal of the charging plug from a charging station and / or the improper insertion of the charging plug in one mating plug.

Thus, the charging plug can be locked to a charging station by the biased in its locked state locking element there engages in a corresponding, provided at the charging station locking point and this locked state is secured by the charging plug-side securing element. Furthermore, an improper mating of the charging plug can be avoided with a mating connector when the charging plug is in its preloaded, locked state and is blocked in this by the fuse element, since the charging plug then can not be brought for a charging operation with a mating connector.

The locking element is suitably manually operable so that it can be unlocked by a user of the charging plug by manual action, such as to remove the charging plug from a charging station and to charge a battery of an electric vehicle with a mating connector and thus bring into electrical contact or to be able to bring the charging plug out of engagement with a mating connector after completion of a charging process. However, this is only possible if the locking element is not blocked by the securing element in the locked state. D. h., The locking element must be released for a transfer from the locked to the unlocked state respectively; a possibly existing blocked state of the locking element is therefore first to be lifted by appropriate action on the securing element.

The locking element can be designed in a simple manner as a pivotally mounted lever, whose one lever portion as Operating portion is used, via which the locking element can be brought into the locked or unlocked state, and the other lever portion is designed as a locking portion over which the locking member is lockably engageable with an associated locking point, such as on a mating connector or on a charging column in locking engagement.

The locking element can be biased by at least one resilient element, such as in the form of a compression or tension spring in the locked state. In an embodiment of the locking element as a locking lever, the resilient element can e.g. acting on the actuating portion of the locking lever.

A manual actuation of the locking element, in order to transfer this from the locked to the unlocked state, does not necessarily have to be done by direct manual action on the locking element itself. For this purpose, separate actuating means, such as in the form of an actuating handle, may be provided. In one embodiment of the locking element as a locking lever, the actuating means may cooperate with the actuating portion of the locking lever.

The locking element can for locking engagement with a locking point (at a mating connector or at a charging station) have a latching portion which can be latched with a locking point designed as a locking point. For this purpose may be provided on the locking element such as a latching hook which engages in an associated latching position in the form of a latching opening or engages behind in a latching position in the form of an undercut. Conversely, the latching section on the locking element of the charging plug be designed so that it can be latched with a latching hook (to a mating connector or a charging station). In one embodiment of the locking element as a locking lever whose locking portion is designed as a latching portion.

An actuation of the locking element of the charging plug to unlock this is, as described, in each case only possible if the locking element is not blocked by the associated securing element in its locked state.

Advantageously, the securing element can be selectively brought into a (first) state by means of a control unit associated with the charging station, in which the securing element blocks the locking element prestressed in its locked position, or in a (second) state in which the securing element interlocks an actuation of it into its (first) state Layer prestressed locking element allows, so that the locking element can be unlocked. Such a control device can be integrated into the charging station itself, for example, or can be in operative connection with the charging station as a separate unit, so that, for example, a (central) control device can take over the control of the charging plug at a plurality of charging stations.

By controlling the securing element by means of a control device can be ensured that the locking element of the securing element only for actuation, and thus a transfer to the unlocked state, is released when incorrect operation or misuse are excluded. Thus, for example, in the case of a charging plug engaged with a mating plug and locked thereto, unlocking by manual actuation of the locking element on the charging plug can only be permitted (by the control device) after a charging process has been properly completed or interrupted. In a corresponding manner, unlocking of the charge plug stored at a charging station in order to engage it for charging a battery of an electric vehicle with a mating plug (by the control device) can only be permitted if a corresponding charging process has been correctly initiated, for example by Authorization of the charging process at the charging station, what z. B. by entering a code, insertion of a credit card in a corresponding card slot or the like can be done.

In the aforementioned cases, the control device ensures in each case that the fuse element cooperating with the locking element on the charging plug either in its locked state as a function of certain states of the charging station ("charging process", "charging process completed", "authorization of a new charging process") locked preloaded locking element or releases for unlocking.

For this purpose, the actuator is associated with an actuator, via which the fuse element externally powered, d. H. without manual action on the securing element, between its first position, in which it blocks the locking element in the locked state, and its second position, in which it releases the locking element for unlocking, is movable back and forth. The actuator may comprise, for example, an electrically actuated magnet, a drive motor or a pneumatic drive.

The fuse element associated actuator is still z. B. via electrical lines, operatively connected to the associated charging station associated control device, so that over those Control device of the actuator can be triggered to transfer the fuse element in its first or second position.

For example, when the actuator is designed as an electrically actuated magnet or as a drive motor, the fuse element is in its first position when the actuator is energized, in which case it can block the locking element of the charging plug while it is in its second position when the actuator is not energized passes, in which the securing element allows unlocking of the locking element.

According to one embodiment of the invention biasing means may be provided, for example in the form of a spring, by means of which the securing element is biased in its first or second position, so that the associated actuator is provided for, the fuse element against that bias in the other position convict.

The fuse element can be combined with components of the associated actuator to form a structural unit. For example, the securing element can be embodied as an extension of a magnet, which moves when the actuator is energized in order to bring the securing element from its first to the second position or vice versa.

Generally, the fuse element may be configured to over-engage, under-engage or engage the latching member of the charging plug in its latched condition to lock it in the latched condition and prevent its transfer to the unlocked condition. In concrete terms, the securing element can be designed, for example, as a securing bolt, securing hook or securing lever.

A charging station for charging an electric vehicle or its battery is characterized by the features of claim 12.

Advantageous embodiments of the charging station are specified in the claims dependent on claim 12.

Further details and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following description of an embodiment with reference to the figures.

Show it:

1 a schematic representation of a charging station with an associated charging plug;

2A the charging plug of the charging station off 1 in a first state, with partially cut housing;

2 B a detail from 2A ;

3A the charging plug of the charging station off 1 in a second state, with partially cut housing;

3B a detail from 3A ;

4 a perspective view of the charging plug from the 2A and 3A ,

1 shows a charging station 100 for electric vehicles, here for example in the form of a charging station. The charging station is used to charge electric vehicles or more precisely the battery of a respective electric vehicle. To do this, a user drives his electric vehicle to the charging station 100 zoom in, open a corresponding cover on his vehicle and put one at the charging station 100 provided charging plug 1 in a behind the cap of the vehicle located mating connector.

The current for charging the electric vehicle or the associated battery can be removed, for example, the power grid.

As based on 1 becomes clear, is the charging plug 1 via a charging cable 102 with the charging station 100 connected, so that the electricity taken from the mains via the charging cable 102 and the plug 1 and the corresponding mating connector on the electric vehicle whose battery can be supplied. The charging plug 1 is doing at the charging station in a recording 105 for a user.

The charging station 100 is still a control device 200 assigned. This can be in the charging station 100 be integrated or connected as a separate unit with this. In the second case, for example, a control device 200 with several charging stations in connection. The function of the control device 200 will be explained in detail below, in connection with the detailed description of the connector 1 based on 2A . 2 B and 3A . 3B such as 4 ,

According to the 2A and 4 includes the charging plug 1 a housing 10 , which for better visibility of further details of the charging plug 1 in 2A partially cut open.

The charging plug 1 still has a handle 12 on where this is taken by a user and, for example, from the charging station 100 removed and can be plugged into a matching mating connector of an electric vehicle. There is also a charge plug 1 a connector area 14 provided with a male or female plug face, which allow the production of an electrical contact with a corresponding mating connector on a motor vehicle.

In addition, on the charging plug 1 , In the embodiment more precisely within the housing 10 , a locking element 2 arranged. This serves to lock the charging plug 1 with a mating connector of a motor vehicle engaging therewith and / or the locking of the charging connector 1 at a charging station 100 or more precisely in their recording 105 , The locking element 2 is presently designed as a locking lever, which is about an axis 20 is pivotally mounted.

The locking element 2 is at a locking or locking portion 22 with a locking element 23 provided over which the locking element 2 can be locked at an associated locking or latching point of a mating connector or a charging station. The locking element 23 is here designed as a latching hook with which the locking element 2 engage in an associated latching point in the form of a latching opening or behind an associated latching point in the form of a latching projection or can surround. In embodiment of the locking element 2 as a locking lever, as in 2A shown forms the locking portion 22 at the same time a lever portion of the locking lever 2 ,

The locking element 2 is in 2A shown in its locked state in which its locking or latching element 23 intended to cooperate detent with an associated rest stop (on the mating connector of a motor vehicle or at a charging station). The locking element 2 is biased in this state. D. h., The locking element 2 takes the in 2A shown locked state automatically under the action of a bias.

To generate this bias is at least one resilient element 28 , Provided here in the form of a compression spring, which in such a way on the locking element 2 acts that this in 2A shown locking position occupies. In the embodiment according to 2A , after which the locking element 2 is designed as a locking lever, the spring-elastic element acts 28 on the second lever arm 24 of the locking lever 2 and loads the locking element 2 so in its locked state.

Based on a synopsis of 2A with the in 2 B shown enlarged section 2A it becomes clear that the locking element 2 in his in 2A shown locked state by means of a fuse element 3 is blocked. This is designed here as a safety bolt.

The fuse element 3 acts on the locking element 2 a, that this is not from the in 2A shown locked state in the in 3A shown unlocked state can be transferred. D. h., The fuse element 3 blocks a transfer of the locking element 2 from the locked to the unlocked state.

In the context of the exemplary embodiment of the locking element 2 as a locking lever engages under the fuse element 3 one on the second lever arm 24 provided extension 25 and thereby prevents pivoting of the locking element 2 around the pivot axis 20 through which the locking element 2 would be transferred to the unlocked state.

The fuse element 3 is an actor 4 , here in the form of an electrically actuated magnet 40 or more precisely, a lifting magnet, assigned over which the securing element 3 between the in 2A shown first position, in which the securing element 3 the locking element 2 blocked in its locked state, and the in 3A shown second layer in which the securing element 3 an unlocking of the locking element 2 releases, is movable back and forth. The fuse element 2 is in the embodiment as an extension of the movably mounted magnet 40 of the actor 4 executed. The corresponding direction of movement is in the 2 B and 3B , which each have a section of 2A respectively. 3A in the area of the security element 3 each indicated by a double arrow V.

The in the 2A and 3A shown magnet 40 ("Lifting magnet") can be designed, for example, as an electromagnet, which when energized by magnetic forces, for example in the in 2A shown first position is moved. Alternatively, this may be a movably mounted permanent magnet, which cooperates with a currentable electromagnet.

In the in 2A shown locked state of the locking element 2 , which also by a fuse element 3 secured ("blocked") is, compare 2 B , the charging plug can 1 for example, on a mating connector of a Electric vehicle or at a charging station 100 locked, without the possibility exists, this lock by a misuse or abuse cancel, as long as the locked state of the Verrieglungselementes 2 through the fuse element 3 is blocked. For this it is only necessary that the (by the fuse element 3 blocked) locking or latching element 23 of the locking element 2 in a corresponding locking or latching point on the mating connector or on the charging station 100 intervenes.

This can be prevented in particular that the charging plug 1 (abusive or accidental) is deducted during a charging process from the associated mating connector or without prior authorization of the initiation of a charge from the associated charging station 100 is removed. For this purpose, namely, in each case initially a release of the locking element 2 required by the fuse element 3 in the in the 3A and 3B shown (second) position is transferred, in which the fuse element 3 the locking element 2 no longer blocked, so in the embodiment of its extension 25 no longer undercut. In this state, then the locking element 2 by manual action (against the spring force of the elastic element 28 ) in the in 3A shown unlocked state in which it is out of engagement with associated locking or locking means on a mating connector or a charging station, by pivoting the locking element 2 in the form of a locking lever about the bearing axis 20 ,

For manual actuation of the locking element 2 is on the charging plug 1 , in particular to the housing 10 , adjacent to the locking element 2 , in particular adjacent to the second lever arm 24 , a deformable area 15 (eg a soft component of the housing 10 ), which can be deformed by manual operation, for example by means of a finger, such that in this case an action on the locking element 2 takes place and this is actuated for unlocking.

Furthermore, the charging plug 1 in the in the 2A and 2 B shown locked state of the locking element 2 also secured against faulty or abusive engage with a mating connector on a motor vehicle, for what yes, first the locking element 2 must be brought into the unlocked state.

Decisive for the possibility of the locking element 2 to be able to unlock and thus the charging plug 1 from the associated charging station 100 to be able to take off and engage with a mating connector of a motor vehicle or the charging plug 1 to deduct from a mating connector of a motor vehicle, is thus the transfer of the fuse element 3 in the in the 3A and 3B shown second location. This can eg by a corresponding energization of the actuator 4 be achieved. For example, it can be provided that the magnet 40 together with the fuse element 3 in the non-energized state of the actuator 4 (Eg, under the influence of magnetic forces or a resilient bias) in the 3A and 3B shown second position, while at a current to the actuator, a transfer into the in the 2A and 2 B shown first position takes place, in which the securing element 3 the locking element 2 blocked. On the other hand, the fuse element 3 be biased (eg by magnetic forces or by at least one resilient element) in the first layer in which it is the locking element 2 blocked in the locked state, and by energizing the actuator 4 be in the second position be transferred, in which there is an unlocking of the locking element 2 allows.

Here, the actuator 4 by means of the charging station 100 associated control device 200 to be controlled. The necessary control lines can be about the charging cable 105 , compare 1 , be summarized to a wiring harness.

For example, it may be provided that the locking element 2 a locked at a mating connector charging plug 1 only then (by a corresponding actuation of the fuse element 3 ) is released for unlocking when a load has been properly completed. The release takes place by pressing the fuse element 3 by means of the associated actuator 4 starting from the control device 200 which monitors the charging process.

In a corresponding manner it can be provided that the securing element 3 one at the associated charging station 100 locked charging plug 1 only in the in 3A shown second layer can be transferred, which is an unlocking of the guide element 2 and thus a removal of the charging plug 1 from the charging station 100 allows to charge the charging plug 1 to engage with the mating connector of an electric vehicle to be charged when the initiation of a corresponding charging has been authorized, which also by means of the control device 200 can be monitored.

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 4343209 A1 [0004]

Claims (18)

Charging plug for charging an electric vehicle, which can be brought into electrical contact with a mating plug for charging a battery of an electric vehicle, having - a locking element ( 2 ) which can be brought into a locked state and which can be unlocked by actuation, and - a securing element ( 3 ), with which the locking element ( 2 ) is lockable in its locked state, characterized in that the locking element ( 2 ) is biased in its locked state and in its prestressed, locked state by the securing element ( 3 ) is blockable. Charging plug according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking element ( 2 ) can only be transferred from the locked state to the unlocked state, if it is not by the securing element ( 3 ) is blocked. Charging plug according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking element ( 2 ) is designed for manual operation, so that it can be converted by manual action from the locked to the unlocked state. Charging plug according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element ( 2 ) is designed as a pivotally mounted locking lever. Charging plug according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element ( 2 ) a latching section ( 22 ), over which the locking element ( 2 ) at a locking point of a mating connector or a charging station ( 100 ) is latched. Charging plug according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element ( 2 ) by at least one resilient element ( 28 ) is biased in the locked state. Charging plug according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the securing element ( 3 ) an actor ( 4 ) is assigned to the fuse element ( 3 ) optionally in a first position to bring in which it is the locking element ( 2 ) blocked in the locked state, or to be able to bring in a second position in which there is an unlocking of the locking element ( 2 ) allows. Charging plug according to claim 7, characterized in that the actuator ( 4 ) an electrically actuated magnet ( 40 ), a drive motor or a pneumatic drive. Charging plug according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the actuator ( 4 ) of the charging plug ( 1 ) as intended with a control device ( 200 ) for controlling the actuator ( 4 ). Charging plug according to claim 9, characterized in that the actuator ( 4 ) of the charging plug ( 1 ) from the control device ( 200 ) depending on the operating state of the charging station ( 100 ) is controllable. Charging plug according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the securing element ( 3 ) by actuating the actuator ( 4 ) can be converted into the first position. Charging plug according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the securing element ( 3 ) is biased in a first position in which it the locking element ( 2 ) is blocked when it is in the locked state. Charging plug according to claim 7 and 12, characterized in that the securing element ( 3 ) by actuating the actuator ( 4 ) is convertible into the second position, in which it the locking element ( 2 ) releases for unlocking. Charging plug according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the charging plug ( 1 ) as intended via a charging cable ( 102 ) with a charging station ( 100 ) for electric vehicles. Charging station for charging an electric vehicle with a charging plug according to one of the preceding claims. Charging station according to claim 15, characterized in that the charging station ( 100 ) a recording ( 105 ), in which the charging plug ( 1 ) by means of the locking element ( 2 ) is lockable. Charging station according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the charging station ( 100 ) a control device ( 200 ), via which the securing element ( 3 ) of the charging plug ( 1 ) depending on the operating state of the charging station ( 100 ) is controllable. Charging station according to claim 7 and claim 17, characterized in that the Control device ( 200 ) for controlling the securing element ( 3 ) associated actuator ( 40 ) is provided.

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