DE102020126991A1 - CABLE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cable management system (18) for holding charging cables (14) at an electric vehicle charging station (10), comprising: a coupling plate (24) for attachment to a top of the electric vehicle charging station; and a first boom (26a) and a second boom (26b), which are fastened to the coupling plate, protrude beyond the electric vehicle charging station and on each of which an extendable tether (20) for connecting a charging cable is arranged, characterized in that the Coupling plate is designed for subsequent attachment to the electric vehicle charging station. The present invention further relates to an electric vehicle charging station (10).

Description

The present invention relates to a cable management system for holding charging cables at an electric vehicle charging station. The present invention further relates to an electric vehicle charging station.

The progressive development towards electromobility requires the provision of a charging infrastructure for charging electric vehicles such as electric cars, electric trucks or electric two-wheelers. Corresponding charging stations are designed in particular as charging stations or also as wall charging stations (wall boxes). The charging stations provide the electrical power required to charge the batteries of the electric vehicles. Electric vehicles can usually be parked in the vicinity of the charging station and connected via a charging cable for the duration of the charging process.

The charging stations can provide alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC). An important requirement for the charging station and electric vehicles or the energy supply of electric vehicles is the ability to charge quickly. Fast recharging of the battery is of great importance, especially on long-distance journeys that cannot be covered with one battery charge. Ever higher charging powers are used for this purpose. Modern DC charging stations can provide charging capacities of up to 350 kW.

One challenge with such high charging power is handling the charging cable at the charging station. The higher the charging power, the larger the necessary cable diameter. In addition, appropriate shielding of the cable is necessary in order to rule out any danger to the user and the vehicle as far as possible. Furthermore, with very high charging power, active cooling of the charging cable can also be provided, which further increases the weight and the volume of the charging cable. However, such heavy and thick charging cables are often difficult for the user to handle at the charging station. This is all the more true because not all electric vehicles have their charging plugs in the same place, so that charging stations often have to provide comparatively long charging cables.

In order to simplify the handling of the charging cable, there are some charging stations with holders for charging cables. For example, in the DE 10 2015 201 211 A1 discloses a device for holding a charging cable and a method and an arrangement. The device comprises one or more receiving means for receiving at least one section of the charging cable. At least part of the weight of the charging cable can be absorbed by the receiving means. The receiving means is arranged and/or designed in such a way that a position and orientation of the charging plug can be changed.

A particular disadvantage of previous approaches is the high (additional) costs resulting from the integration of corresponding devices in a charging station. In addition, the benefit often depends heavily on the installation situation and arrangement of the charging station.

Proceeding from this, the object of the present invention is to provide a cable management system for holding charging cables at an electric vehicle charging station, which facilitates the handling of a charging cable depending on the location of the charging station at reduced costs. In particular, a cable management system is to be provided that can be used depending on the location and installation situation of a charging station.

• - einer Koppelplatte zum Anbringen an einer Oberseite der Elektrofahrzeug-Ladestation; und
• - einem ersten Ausleger und einem zweiten Ausleger, die an der Koppelplatte befestigt sind, die Elektrofahrzeug-Ladestation überragen und an denen jeweils ein ausziehbar gelagertes Halteseil zum Anbinden eines Ladekabels angeordnet ist,
• - dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
• - die Koppelplatte zum nachträglichen Anbringen an die Elektrofahrzeug-Ladestation ausgebildet ist.

To solve this problem, the present invention relates in a first aspect to a cable management system for holding charging cables at an electric vehicle charging station, with:

• - a coupling plate for attachment to a top of the electric vehicle charging station; and
• - a first arm and a second arm, which are attached to the coupling plate, protrude beyond the electric vehicle charging station and on each of which an extendable tether for connecting a charging cable is arranged,
• - characterized in that
• - The coupling plate is designed for subsequent attachment to the electric vehicle charging station.

• - mindestens zwei Ladekabeln zum Laden eines Elektrofahrzeugs; und
• - einem Kabelmanagementsystem wie zuvor beschrieben.

In a further aspect, the present invention relates to an electric vehicle charging station, comprising:

• - at least two charging cables for charging an electric vehicle; and
• - a cable management system as previously described.

Preferred developments of the invention are described in the dependent claims. It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those still to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without going beyond the scope of the leave the present invention. In particular, the electric vehicle charging station can be designed according to the configurations described for the cable management system in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, a coupling plate is attached to an upper side of the electric vehicle charging station. Two extension arms (retaining arms) are attached to the coupling plate, each of which has an extendable retaining cable to which a charging cable can be connected. The load on the charging cable is relieved by the tether, so that a user does not have to pull the entire weight of the charging cable when plugging the charging cable into a vehicle socket of the electric vehicle. In particular, the pull-out tether causes a lifting force on the charging cable that counteracts the acceleration due to gravity. In this respect, the charging cable does not have to be pulled over an underground, but can be transferred directly to the plug of the electric vehicle with comparatively little effort.

The coupling plate is designed for subsequent attachment. In the case of already existing and installed charging stations, the cable management system can therefore be installed later at a later point in time than the initial installation. In other words, the attachment of the charging management system is independent of the installation of the charging station. This means that the charging management system can only be installed at those charging stations where it is of great benefit due to the location and the installation situation of the charging station. For charging stations where an additional cable management system would not bring about a significant improvement, none will be installed. This can save costs. In this respect, the subsequent installability results in flexibility with regard to the selection of the charging stations at which a cable management system is used.

In a preferred embodiment, the cantilevers are attached to an upper side of the coupling plate. A height of the first cantilever above the tie plate is greater than a height of the second cantilever above the tie plate. In other words, the cantilevers are mounted at different heights above the coupling plate. This means that even in the case of charging stations with an upper side that is inclined relative to a horizontal plane (sloping surface), the cantilevers can be arranged at an identical height above the ground. Even if the coupling plate is at an angle in relation to the ground, the cantilevers are at a uniform height.

In a preferred embodiment, a first connecting part of the first boom, with which the first boom is connected to the coupling plate, is longer than a second connecting part of the second boom, with which the second boom is connected to the coupling plate. Otherwise, the cantilevers are designed in an identical manner. The connecting parts are preferably of cylindrical design. The different heights of the cantilevers can be achieved by means of differently dimensioned connecting parts. This requires a simple and efficiently manufacturable design of the cable management system, since only two different connecting parts are required to provide the different heights of the boom. The result is a height adjustment that can be produced cost-efficiently.

In a preferred embodiment, a height of the outriggers above the coupling plate is adjustable, preferably by replacing a connecting part, with which the outriggers are each connected to the coupling plate, with a longer connecting part. An adjustable height means that different sloping tops of EV charging stations can also be accommodated. Depending on the inclination of the top of the charging station, appropriately designed connectors are used so that the cable management system can be easily adapted to a specific charging station. The replacement of a connecting part, which is comparatively easy to depict, results in cost-effective subsequent adaptability.

In a preferred embodiment, the cantilevers are arranged in a common horizontal plane. The horizon level designates a level perpendicular to the weight force or parallel to a (level) subsoil. In other words, the cantilevers are arranged at an identical height above the ground or above the installation site of the cable management system. Improved handling of the charging cable is achieved.

In a preferred embodiment, the booms each include a balancer on which the tethers are mounted so that they can be pulled out. The balancer is preferably designed as a zero-gravity balancer. Additionally or alternatively, the balancer is preferably arranged in a weatherproof housing. A balancer is a technical device for compensating for the weight force by a force acting in the opposite direction. This counterweight can be generated in particular by a spring force. A zero-gravity balancer can be used to achieve a balanced resting position without external influences. The use of a balancer also makes it possible to easily handle heavy charging cables do. In particular, despite their high weight, these charging cables can be routed by a user to a corresponding charging plug of an electric vehicle. The user's efforts are reduced, the operability is improved. The arrangement in a weatherproof housing results in resilience with regard to weather influences and a long service life.

In a preferred embodiment, the cantilevers are pivotable relative to the coupling plate. Preferably, the cantilevers are pivotable in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis. As previously described, the horizontal plane is a plane running perpendicularly to the weight force or to the subsoil. The pivotability is preferably to be understood as a 360° pivotability. The ability to pivot ensures that it is easy to handle, regardless of the direction in which the charging cable is to be pulled.

In a preferred embodiment, the brackets are designed for connecting different charging cables. In other words, the extension arms or the tether can be reversibly connected to the charging cable. A decoupling and coupling to another charging cable can be made possible. There is a high degree of flexibility.

In a preferred embodiment, the coupling plate is designed to be attached to an upper side of an electric vehicle charging station. In particular, the proposed cable management system can be used for a charging station.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Elektrofahrzeug-Ladestation mit einem Elektrofahrzeug;
• 2a, 2b eine schematische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäß Kabelmanagementsystems in zwei perspektivischen Ansichten;
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung der Komponenten des Kabelmanagementsystems;
• 4a, 4b eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung der Höhenverstellbarkeit der Ausleger gegenüber der Koppelplatte; und
• 5 eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Elektrofahrzeug-Ladestation mit Kabelmanagementsystem an der Oberseite.

The invention is described and explained in more detail below using a few selected exemplary embodiments in connection with the accompanying drawings. Show it:

• 1 a schematic representation of an electric vehicle charging station according to the invention with an electric vehicle;
• 2a , 2 B a schematic representation of a cable management system according to the invention in two perspective views;
• 3 a schematic representation of the components of the cable management system;
• 4a , 4b a schematic perspective view of the height adjustability of the boom relative to the coupling plate; and
• 5 a schematic representation of an electric vehicle charging station according to the invention with cable management system on the top.

In the 1 an electric vehicle charging station 10 is shown schematically, at which an electric vehicle 12 can be charged. The electric vehicle charging station 10 includes two charging cables 14 that can be coupled to a corresponding charging plug 16 of the electric vehicle 12 . The electric vehicle charging station also includes a cable management system 18 for holding the charging cable 14. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the electric vehicle charging station 10 is designed as a (free-standing) electric vehicle charging station. Such a charging station is, for example, at a motorway service station or in public traffic. The electric vehicle 12 is parked in a parking lot in front of the charging station for the duration of the charging process and is supplied with charging energy via the charging cable 14 .

The electric vehicle charging station 10 according to the invention and the cable management system 18 simplify the handling of the charging cable 14 of the electric vehicle charging station 10. The charging cables 14 are very heavy, particularly in the field of direct current fast charging with high power. In order to simplify plugging and unplugging for the user, the weight force acting on the charging cable 14 is counteracted by means of the cable management system 18 . For this purpose, a tether 20 of the cable management system 18 is connected to a cable receptacle 22 on the charging cable 14 . The cable holder can in particular be a cuff attached to the charging cable 14 . A tensile force is exerted on the charging cable 14 by the cable management system 18 via the tether 20 . This tensile force counteracts the weight and thus makes it easier to handle the charging cable 14 when plugging it in and unplugging it from the charging plug 16 of the electric vehicle 12.

In the 2a and 2 B 12 is a schematic of the cable management system 18 in a bottom perspective view ( 2a) and above ( 2 B) shown. The cable management system 18 includes a docking plate 24 configured to attach to the top of the electric vehicle charging station. A first arm 26a and a second arm 26b are fastened to the coupling plate 24 and protrude beyond the electric vehicle charging station at least on one side. Arranged on each of the extension arms 26a, 26b is an extendable retaining cable 20, to which the charging cable can be connected. In the exemplary embodiment shown, carabiners are attached to the tethers 20, which in turn can then be latched onto a corresponding cable receptacle on the charging cable. The carabiner makes it easy to connect and disconnect to different charging cables. The coupling plate 24 is designed in particular as a flat and stable metal plate that has several holes for Includes screwing to a top of the electric vehicle charging station.

In the 3 the components of the cable management system 18 are shown schematically. In particular, a balancer 28, in particular a zero-gravity balancer, is arranged within a housing. The balancer 28 is a technical device for compensating for the weight force by an opposing force that acts on the tether and is preferably provided by a spring. The tether 20 is mounted in an extendable manner on the balancer 28 .

The balancer 28 is fastened to a mounting plate 30 which has been folded and stamped several times and which stabilizes the cantilever 26a. A plurality of housing parts 32 form an enclosure or a weatherproof housing around the balancer 28 . The housing protects the balancer 28 from the effects of the weather since the electric vehicle charging station is mostly used outdoors. Below the balancer 28 there is another stabilizing sheet metal housing 34 and a roller window 36. The coupling plate 24 is designed as a stable sheet steel part with two cylindrical attachments for connecting the extension arms 26a, 26b.

In the 4a and 4b the height adjustability of the booms 26a, 26b of the cable management system 18 is shown schematically. In particular, it is shown that a height h1 of the first cantilever 26a above the coupling plate 24 is greater than a height h2 of the second cantilever 26b above the coupling plate 24. In order to achieve this, a first connecting part 38a of the first cantilever 26a is longer than a second connecting part 38b of the second arm 26b. The connecting parts 38a, 38b each connect an extension arm 26a, 26b to the coupling plate 24. The connecting parts 38a, 38b are essentially cylindrical, with an underside being beveled in order to depict the course of the coupling plate 24, which is angled relative to the horizontal plane. The use of connecting parts 38a, 38b of different heights results in an adjustable height of the cantilevers 26a, 26b above the coupling plate 24. In this way, tops of electric vehicle charging stations with different inclinations can be connected to the cable management system 18.

In the 5 an electric vehicle charging station 10 designed as a charging station with a cable management system 18 is shown schematically. The area of the cable management system 18 is shown enlarged on the left-hand side. The two arms 26a, 26b are arranged in a common horizontal plane H. The horizontal plane H is a plane that is perpendicular to the weight or parallel to the ground on which the electric vehicle charging station is built. Both booms 26a, 26b can each be pivoted about a pivot axis 40a, 40b perpendicular to this horizontal plane H. Due to the ability to pivot or rotate, the weight of the charging cable 14 can be relieved independently of the direction in which the charging cable 14 is pulled. The cantilevers 26a, 26b follow, so to speak, the direction in which a charging cable 14 is pulled.

The invention has been comprehensively described and explained with reference to the drawings and the description. The description and explanation are intended to be exemplary and not limiting. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other embodiments or variations will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon use of the present invention upon a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the claims that follow.

In the claims, the words "comprising" and "having" do not exclude the presence of other elements or steps. The undefined article "a" or "an" does not exclude the presence of a plural. A single element or unit can perform the functions of several of the units recited in the claims. The mere naming of some measures in several different dependent patent claims should not be understood to mean that a combination of these measures cannot also be used to advantage. Reference signs in the claims are not to be understood as restrictive.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was 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.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 102015201211 A1 [0005]

Claims (10)

A cable management system (18) for holding charging cables (14) at an electric vehicle charging station (10), comprising: a coupling plate (24) for attachment to a top of the electric vehicle charging station; and a first boom (26a) and a second boom (26b), which are fastened to the coupling plate, protrude beyond the electric vehicle charging station and on each of which an extendable tether (20) for connecting a charging cable is arranged, characterized in that the Coupling plate is designed for subsequent attachment to the electric vehicle charging station. Cable management system (18) according to claim 1 wherein the brackets (26a, 26b) are attached to a top of the coupling plate (24); and a height (h1) of the first cantilever (26a) above the interface plate is greater than a height (h2) of the second cantilever (26b) above the interface plate. Cable management system (18) according to claim 2 , wherein a first connecting part (38a) of the first boom (26a), with which the first boom is connected to the coupling plate (24), is longer than a second connecting part (38b) of the second boom (26b), with which the second boom is connected to the coupling plate and the arms (26a, 26b) are otherwise constructed in an identical manner; and the connecting parts are preferably cylindrical. The cable management system (18) of any preceding claim, wherein a height of the outriggers (26a, 26b) above the interface plate (24) is adjustable, preferably by replacing a connector (38a, 38b) connecting the outriggers to the interface plate, respectively , through a longer connecting part. Cable management system (18) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the extension arms (26a, 26b) are arranged in a common horizontal plane (H). Cable management system (18) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the booms (26a, 26b) each comprise a balancer (28) on which the tethers (20) are mounted in an extendable manner; and the balancer is preferably designed as a zero-gravity balancer and/or is arranged in a weatherproof housing. Cable management system (18) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the arms (26a, 26b) are designed to be pivotable relative to the coupling plate (24), preferably in a horizontal plane (H) pivotable about a vertical axis (40a, 40b)). Cable management system (18) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the brackets (26a, 26b) are designed for connecting different charging cables (14). Cable management system (18) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling plate (24) is adapted for attachment to a top of an electric vehicle charging station. Electric vehicle charging station (10) with: at least two charging cables (14) for charging an electric vehicle (12); and a cable management system (18) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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