DE102019104111B4 - Charging station for electric vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

A charging station (100) for electric vehicles, comprising: - at least one charging unit (104), and - at least one charging cable device (103, 203, 303) electrically connected to the charging unit (104), comprising a charging cable (102, 202, 302) and a Charging connection (114, 214, 314) arranged on the charging cable (102, 202, 302), - a handle (116, 216) rotatable on the charging cable (102, 202, 302) at least with respect to the charging cable (102, 202, 302) , 316), characterized in that - at least one latching unit (220, 320) is arranged on the charging cable device (103, 203, 303), - the latching unit (220, 320) is set up to block twisting of the charging cable ( 102, 202, 302) in a locked state of the locking unit (220, 320).

Description

The application relates to a charging station for electric vehicles, comprising at least one charging unit and at least one charging cable device electrically connected to the charging unit, comprising a charging cable with a charging connection arranged on the charging cable. In addition, the application relates to a charging cable device.

The development of the charging infrastructure is of crucial importance for the widespread establishment of electromobility. To this end, it is particularly necessary to install charging stations for electric vehicles on a large scale in public as well as partially public spaces. The charging stations should blend in with the street scene and are therefore usually designed as charging stations.

Charging columns are characterized in particular by a compact design with a small footprint. The charging columns are usually constructed in the manner of steles and have integrated or connectable charging electronics, in particular in the form of a charging unit, for charging an electric vehicle. In particular, known charging stations usually have a housing to accommodate the charging unit, including the charging technology.

In the present case, an electric vehicle is to be understood as meaning a vehicle which can be operated at least partially electrically and which includes a rechargeable electrical storage device.

In order to reduce the charging times at a charging station, the trend is towards higher and higher charging capacities. However, higher charging power requires charging cables with increased cross-sections. This in turn increases the weight of the charging cable devices, including the charging cable and charging connection.

In order to improve user comfort, charging stations increasingly have (permanently) attached charging cable devices. A firmly attached charging cable device is to be understood as meaning that the charging cable device cannot be separated from the charging station by a user in a non-destructive manner and without using tools.

A constant concern with a firmly attached charging cable device is to reduce the wear and tear on the charging cable and thus to improve the longevity of the charging cable device. In addition to good guidance of the charging cable within a housing of a charging station, it has been recognized according to the application that user behavior when pulling out and returning the charging cable also plays an important role with regard to the signs of wear and tear on the charging cable.

In particular, when a user pulls out and / or retracts the charging cable, the charging cable may twist. It cannot be assumed that every user will properly untwist the charging cable after a charging process and put it back in the charging station. This leads to the charging cable of the charging cable device being twisted more and more, which can lead to wear and even damage to the charging cable. This reduces the longevity of the charging cable device.

Furthermore, a constant twisting of a charging cable is also disadvantageous for user comfort. A twisted charging cable is difficult for a user to pull out of the charging station. In addition, the coupling of the charging connection of the charging cable device to the charging connection of the electric vehicle is made more difficult by the twisting. Thus, in particular, the entire charging process is made more difficult for a user.

The pamphlet DE 10 2013 216 289 A1 discloses a charging connector for a charging station, in which a switch is set up to select at least one charging parameter and / or a charging program in response to a rotation of at least part of the charging connector, in particular a handle. The twist of the handle in the DE 10 2013 216 289 A1 serves exclusively to select a desired charging parameter and / or a desired charging program.

The application is therefore based on the object of providing a charging station which increases the longevity of a charging cable device and, in particular, at the same time improves user comfort when operating the charging station.

According to one aspect of the application, the object is achieved by a charging station for electric vehicles according to claim 1. The charging station comprises at least one charging unit. The charging station comprises at least one charging cable device electrically connected to the charging unit. The charging cable device comprises a charging cable and a charging connection arranged on the charging cable. A handle that is rotatable at least with respect to the charging cable is arranged on the charging cable. At least one latching unit is arranged on the charging cable device. The latching unit is set up to block twisting of the charging cable when the latching unit is latched.

The task is according to a further aspect of the application by a charging station for Electric vehicles according to claim 2 solved. The charging station for electric vehicles comprises at least one charging unit, at least one charging cable device electrically connected to the charging unit, comprising a charging cable and a charging connection arranged on the charging cable, wherein a handle is arranged on the charging cable that is rotatable at least with respect to the charging cable, the rotatable handle with the charging connection is combined to form a charging connection handle, the charging connection handle being rotatable with respect to the charging cable.

In contrast to the prior art, a charging station is provided according to the application, which increases the longevity of a charging cable device of the charging station and, in particular, at the same time improves user comfort when operating the charging station, in that a handle that is rotatable relative to the charging cable is arranged on the charging cable. In particular, the risk of the charging cable twisting during operation of the charging station can be at least reduced by providing a rotatable handle.

Carrying out the charging process, in particular pulling out the charging cable and coupling the charging connection of the charging cable device to the charging connection of the electric vehicle (as well as the subsequent decoupling and return of the charging cable) by the user, is made considerably easier by the rotatable handle.

The charging station can preferably be in the form of a charging column. The charging station can have a housing. The charging unit can be at least partially integrated in the housing. The charging unit includes in particular charging technology that is used for an electrical power exchange between the charging station and an electric vehicle. In addition to safety technology, the charging unit can in particular comprise control technology for controlling the charging process, in particular the flow of electrical current between the charging station and the electric vehicle. It goes without saying that a charging station can have two or more charging units (for example for two or more charging cables).

Furthermore, the charging station has at least one charging cable device. It goes without saying that a charging station can have two or more charging cable devices. A charging cable device comprises a charging cable, a charging connector and a handle.

The charging cable of the charging cable device is a charging cable attached (permanently) to the charging station. The charging cable can be stored at least partially in a housing of the charging station, in particular when it is not in use. An unused operating state is to be understood in particular as the fact that the charging cable device is / is not coupled to an electric vehicle.

In order to couple the charging cable device to the electric vehicle, the charging cable device can be at least partially pulled out of the housing during a used operating state and then coupled to the electric vehicle. In a corresponding manner, the charging cable device can be decoupled again during the used operating state and fed back into the housing.

For example, for guiding and storing the charging cable within the housing of the charging station, a pulley system with a plurality of pulleys that guide the charging cable can be arranged.

According to the application, the charging cable is provided with a handle. The handle has a gripping surface or a gripping element which can be gripped and held by a user in a simple manner. In particular, a gripping surface that is ergonomically adapted to an average hand can be provided.

The handle according to the application is attached to the charging cable in a rotatable manner with respect to the charging cable and, for example, also with respect to the charging connection of the charging cable device. This is to be understood in particular as the fact that the handle can be rotated about an axis of rotation, which can in particular correspond to the longitudinal axis of the charging cable. A displacement of the handle along the longitudinal axis of the charging cable can preferably not be possible. In other words, the handle can be attached to the charging cable in such a way that the position of the handle in the longitudinal direction of the charging cable is preferably unchangeable.

Twisting or twisting of the charging cable can be preventively at least reduced, preferably prevented, by the rotatable handle according to the application.

According to a first embodiment of the charging station according to the application, the rotatable handle can be arranged adjacent to the charging connection or on the charging connection. For example, the handle can (directly) adjoin the charging connection or (even) at least partially span or encircle it. Adjacent is also to be understood as meaning that the distance between the charging connection and the rotatable handle is at least less than 1 m, preferably between 0 and 0.5 m. This enables simple handling of the charging cable device by the user during a charging process.

According to a preferred embodiment of the charging station according to the application, at least one latching unit can be arranged on the charging cable device. The latching unit can be set up to block twisting of the charging cable when the latching unit is latched. In particular, the latching unit can latch the handle to the charging cable so that the handle cannot be rotated with respect to the charging cable. A latching unit that can be manually operated by the user can preferably be arranged. For example, the manually operable latching unit can have a manual operating element which can be adjusted between two positions. In a first position, the latching unit can be locked and in the second position, a release status can be brought about. For example, the at least one manually operable latching unit can be a screw unit, a pin fixedly mounted on the handle, which has a pushing effect on the charging cable if the pin is operated by a user, and / or a tensioning device.

For example, at least two locking elements corresponding to one another can be in engagement with one another in the first position, so that rotation of the handle or the charging cable is blocked. In the release position, the latching elements cannot be in engagement with one another, so that rotation of the handle or the charging cable is released. For example, a latching element can be attached to the handle and a latching element corresponding to this can be attached to the charging cable. As an alternative or in addition, the latching unit can interact with a rotating mechanism. This further simplifies handling and at the same time reduces the risk of damage to the charging cable.

It goes without saying that other latching techniques or braking techniques and / or more latching units can be provided.

The handle can particularly preferably have the latching unit, in particular the at least one operating element. A particularly simple handling by the user can be provided.

Furthermore, according to a particularly preferred embodiment of the charging station according to the application, the handle can be an active handle. In particular, the handle can be combined with the charging connection to form a charging connection handle. In other words, the handle and the charging connector can be an integral component in the form of a charging connector handle. The charging connection handle (formed in this way) can in particular be rotated relative to the charging cable. Such an (active) handle further improves the handling of the charging cable and also reduces the risk of the charging cable being twisted by the user. The charging connection handle can preferably also have a latching unit described above.

According to a preferred embodiment of the charging station according to the application, a sliding contact arrangement can be arranged on the charging connection handle, in particular between the charging cable and the charging connection handle. The sliding contact arrangement can be set up to provide an electrical connection between the at least one electrical conductor of the charging cable and at least one electrical contact element of the charging connection handle.

At least one slip ring can preferably be provided as the sliding contact arrangement. A sliding contact arrangement enables an electrical connection between the at least one electrically conductive conductor of the charging cable (preferably two or more electrically conductive conductors or wires can be provided) and the at least one electrically conductive contact element (in particular two or more contact elements (according to the Number of conductors of the charging cable) may be provided) of the charging connection handle, wherein at the same time the charging connection handle can be rotatably mounted relative to the charging cable.

• - Ladeanschluss Typ 2 nach der Norm IEC 62196-2 ,
• - ein CCS Ladeanschluss, und
• - Chademo Ladeanschluss.

Furthermore, according to a further embodiment of the charging station according to the application, the charging connection can be selected from the group comprising:

• - Type 2 charging connection after the IEC 62196-2 standard ,
• - a CCS charging port, and
• - Chademo charging port.

In other words, a charging connection, preferably in the form of a plug, a type 2 charging plug, according to the IEC 62196-2 standard , be. Alternatively, a type 2 socket can be used as a charging connection, after which IEC 62196-2 standard , be provided.

Furthermore, a charging connection (socket or plug) in particular according to type 1, 2 or 3 as well as CCS (Combined Charging System) according to IEC 62196 or also a chademo can be formed.

According to a further embodiment, the charging station can be a direct current charging station. A DC charging station is particularly suitable for transmitting high power. It goes without saying that the charging station can also be an AC charging station in other variants.

Yet another aspect of the application is a charging cable device according to claim 10 for a charging station for charging electric vehicles, especially for a previously described charging station. The charging cable device comprises at least one charging cable with a first end that can be fastened to the charging station and a further end. A charging connection is arranged at the other end. In particular, the further end can form the charging connection. The charging cable comprises a handle that can be rotated at least with respect to the charging cable. The charging cable device further comprises at least one latching unit which is arranged on the charging cable device, the latching unit being set up to block a twisting of the charging cable in a latched state of the latching unit, and / or wherein the rotatable handle is combined with the charging connection to form a charging connection handle, the Charging connection handle is rotatable relative to the charging cable.

The charging cable can preferably be firmly attached to a previously described charging station. In particular, a first end can be mechanically (permanently) attached to a component of the charging station. This end can (indirectly or directly) be electrically connected to the charging unit.

The features of the charging stations and charging cable devices can be freely combined with one another. In particular, features of the description and / or the dependent claims, even with complete or partial circumvention of features of the independent claims, can be independently inventive on their own or freely combined with one another.

• 1 eine schematische Ansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer Ladestation gemäß der vorliegenden Anmeldung,
• 2 eine schematische Teilansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer Ladekabeleinrichtung gemäß der vorliegenden Anmeldung, und
• 3 eine schematische Teilansicht eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels einer Ladekabeleinrichtung gemäß der vorliegenden Anmeldung.

There are now a large number of possibilities for designing and developing the charging station according to the application and the charging cable device according to the application. For this purpose, reference is made on the one hand to the claims subordinate to the independent claims and on the other hand to the description of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawing. In the drawing shows:

• 1 a schematic view of an embodiment of a charging station according to the present application,
• 2 a schematic partial view of an embodiment of a charging cable device according to the present application, and
• 3 a schematic partial view of a further embodiment of a charging cable device according to the present application.

The same reference symbols are used below for the same elements.

The 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a charging station 100 according to the present application. The charging station 100 , for example a DC charging station 100 , is set up for exchanging electrical power with an electric vehicle (not shown), in particular for charging a battery of an electric vehicle.

The charging station shown 100 includes a housing 106 , which is at least partially a loading unit 104 and a charging cable device 103 records. The charging cable device 103 includes a charging cable 102 with a first ending 112 and another ending 113 .

A first ending 112 of the charging cable 102 is electrical and in the present case also mechanical with the charging unit 104 connected. It goes without saying that in other variants the charging cable can also only be indirectly connected to the charging unit and, in particular, can be mechanically fastened to another component of the charging station.

The further end 113 of the charging cable 102 is present with a charging connection 114 electrically and mechanically connected. The charging port 114 , for example a type 2 charging plug according to the IEC 62196-2 standard , can in particular correspond electrically and mechanically to a charging connection of an electric vehicle to be charged.

As can also be seen, the charging station shown 100 a pulley system 108 with a variety of pulleys 110 on. The pulleys are set up to guide the charging cable 102 . The pulley system is used in particular 108 to do this, the charging cable 102 wind up and a (simple) pulling out of the housing 106 through an opening 120 to enable. This allows the user to use the charging port 114 the charging cable device 103 electrically and mechanically couple with a charging port of an electric vehicle.

After the charging process is finished, the user can use the charging port 114 decouple again and the charging cable 102 in the housing 106 lead back so that the charging cable 102 is wound up. It goes without saying that a holder for holding the charging cable, in particular the charging connection, can be provided on the housing in an unused operating state or when the charging cable is in a wound operating state.

According to the application, the charging cable device 103 a handle 116 on. In the present case, the handle 116 a grip surface 118 in the form of a handle element 118 which is easy to grasp and hold by a user. The handle 116 is like this on the charging cable 102 arranged, in particular, attached that the handle 116 opposite the charging cable 102 is rotatable. The axis of rotation is in particular the longitudinal axis of the charging cable 102 . Thanks to the rotatable handle 116 can twist the charging cable 102 preventively at least reduced.

As can also be seen, the handle borders 116 directly to the charging port 114 and in particular is not along the longitudinal axis of the charging cable 102 displaceable or movable.

The 2 shows a schematic partial view of an embodiment of a charging cable device 203 according to the present application.

As can be seen, the handle is 216 the charging cable device 203 in the present embodiment by means of a rotating mechanism 221 rotatable in relation to the charging cable 202 and opposite the charging port 214 stored. The rotatability is indicated by the reference symbol 222 indicated arrow. For example, the rotating mechanism 221 a protrusion of the charging connector 214 or the charging cable 202 have, which is in a groove of the handle 216 is rotatably mounted.

A latching unit is also shown schematically 220 , the present on the handle 216 is arranged, provided. The locking unit 220 can in particular with the rotating mechanism 221 cooperate. For example, when the locking unit is actuated manually 220 , in particular an operating element of the latching unit 220 (e.g. button), twisting of the charging cable (or the handle) can be blocked. If you press it again, the blocking can be canceled again.

The 3 shows a schematic partial view of a further exemplary embodiment of a charging cable device 303 according to the present application. To avoid repetition, only the differences in the charging cable device are essentially described below 303 to the exemplary embodiments 1 and 2 explained.

In particular, in the present charging cable device 303 a charging connector handle 326 arranged. At the charging connector handle 326 , which can also be called the active handle, is the charging port 314 with the handle 316 combined. In other words, the handle 316 and the charging port 314 an integral component in the form of a charging connector handle 326 .

Like by the arrow 322 shown is the charge connector handle 326 opposite the charging cable 302 rotatable. To a rotation and at the same time a current flow between the (not shown) contact elements of the charging connector handle 326 and the conductors (not shown) of the charging cable 302 to enable, in the present case, a sliding contact arrangement 324 , especially in the form of a slip ring 324 implemented.

Claims (10)

Charging station (100) for electric vehicles, comprising: - at least one charging unit (104), and - at least one charging cable device (103, 203, 303) electrically connected to the charging unit (104), comprising a charging cable (102, 202, 302) and a Charging connection (114, 214, 314) arranged on the charging cable (102, 202, 302), - a handle (116, 216) rotatable on the charging cable (102, 202, 302) at least with respect to the charging cable (102, 202, 302) , 316), characterized in that - at least one latching unit (220, 320) is arranged on the charging cable device (103, 203, 303), - the latching unit (220, 320) is set up to block twisting of the charging cable ( 102, 202, 302) in a locked state of the locking unit (220, 320). Charging station (100) for electric vehicles, comprising: - at least one charging unit (104), and - at least one charging cable device (103, 203, 303) electrically connected to the charging unit (104), comprising a charging cable (102, 202, 302) and a Charging connection (114, 214, 314) arranged on the charging cable (102, 202, 302), - a handle (116, 216) rotatable on the charging cable (102, 202, 302) at least with respect to the charging cable (102, 202, 302) , 316), characterized in that - the rotatable handle (116, 216, 316) is combined with the charging connection (114, 214, 314) to form a charging connection handle (326), - wherein the charging connection handle (326) is opposite the charging cable (102, 202, 302) is rotatable. Charging station (100) Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that - the rotatable handle (116, 216, 316) is arranged adjacent to the charging connection (114, 214, 314) or on the charging connection (114, 214, 314). Charging station (100) Claim 2 , characterized in that - at least one latching unit (220, 320) is arranged on the charging cable device (103, 203, 303), - the latching unit (220, 320) is set up to block twisting of the charging cable (102, 202, 302) ) in a locked state of the locking unit (220, 320). Charging station (100) Claim 1 or 4th , characterized in that - the rotatable handle (116, 216, 316) has the latching unit (220, 320). Charging station (100) Claim 1 , characterized in that - the rotatable handle (116, 216, 316) is combined with the charging connection (114, 214, 314) to form a charging connection handle (326), - wherein the charging connection handle (326) is opposite the charging cable (102, 202, 302) is rotatable. Charging station (100) Claim 2 or 6th , characterized in that - a sliding contact arrangement (324) is arranged on the charging connection handle (326), - wherein the sliding contact arrangement (324) is set up to provide an electrical connection between the at least one electrical conductor of the charging cable (102, 202, 302) and at least one electrical contact element of the charging connector handle (326). Charging station (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the charging connection (114, 214, 314) is selected from the group comprising: - type 2 charging connection according to the IEC 62196-2 standard, - a CCS charging connection, and - Chademo charging port. Charging station (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the charging station (100) is a direct current charging station (100). Charging cable device (103, 203, 303) for a charging station (100) for charging electric vehicles, in particular for a charging station (100) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising: - A charging cable (102, 202, 302) with a first end (112) which can be fastened to the charging station (100) and a further end (113, 213, 313), - A charging connection (114, 214, 314) being arranged at the further end (113, 213, 313), and - A handle (116, 216, 316) rotatable at least with respect to the charging cable (102, 202, 302), - At least one latching unit (220, 320) which is arranged on the charging cable device (103, 203, 303), - wherein the latching unit (220, 320) is set up to block twisting of the charging cable (102, 202, 302) in a latched state of the latching unit (220, 320), and / or - wherein the rotatable handle (116, 216, 316) is combined with the charging connection (114, 214, 314) to form a charging connection handle (326), - The charging connection handle (326) being rotatable with respect to the charging cable (102, 202, 302).

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