DE102021206604A1 - Supply cable for a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a supply cable (10) for electrically connecting a vehicle (12), in particular an energy store (11) of a vehicle (12) to an energy supply device (16) providing electrical energy and/or to a consumer (19) requiring electrical energy. , the supply cable (10) having a connecting line (13), a primary connector (14) which can be or is electrically coupled to the connecting line (13) and has a vehicle connection (14A) for the detachable electrical connection to the vehicle (12), in particular to the energy store (11 ), a secondary connector (15) which can be electrically coupled or is coupled to the connecting line (13) and which is provided for the detachable electrical connection to the energy supply device (16) or to the electrical consumer (19), the supply cable (10) having a sensor group (18 ) having at least one sensor (3, 4, 8), wherein the sensor group (18) au is designed to recognize at least one predefined risk, the at least one predefined risk being at least a risk of breakage, in particular due to a shock event, and/or a risk of short circuit, in particular due to moisture, and/or a risk of the supply cable (10) becoming lost, in particular due to theft.

Description

The present invention relates to a supply cable for electrically connecting a vehicle, in particular an energy store of a vehicle, the connection being able to be established in particular with an energy supply device and/or with a consumer.

State of the art

Various approaches are known from the prior art for the electrical charging of electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles (e.g. cars, trucks, boats, aircraft, two-wheelers, etc.). In a first charging situation, the vehicle can be charged via a dedicated charging infrastructure, in particular permanently installed charging stations. For example, such charging stations are implemented as charging stations or wall boxes. In an alternative charging situation, a permanent current socket is provided, as is used for example in normal households for the energy supply. For example, this is a (220V) Schuko socket or a socket designed according to other regional standards or customs, in which case a three-phase connection can also be provided. In this case, a connecting line of the charging cable usually has an integrated controller, which is also called an in-cable control box, ICCB, and which is arranged between the two connectors inside the connecting line. This integrated controller is used for communication with the vehicle and for enabling and setting a charging current, since a shockproof socket, unlike a charging station or a wall box, does not usually have a communication line that the vehicle can use to communicate with the energy supply device.

Disclosure of Invention

The supply cable according to the invention allows a detection of predefined dangers. As a result, supply cables can be operated more safely and reliably and a loss of value or loss of property can be prevented. Possible damage to the supply cable, e.g. due to incorrect operation, can be reliably detected or prevented, or a warning can be given of impending damage. Likewise, a lost or misplaced supply cable can easily be found again.

The supply cable is used to electrically connect a vehicle or an energy store of a vehicle to an energy supply device that provides electrical energy (thus the vehicle can be charged and the supply cable acts as a charging cable) and/or to a consumer that requires electrical energy (thus the vehicle serves as an energy source for the consumer and the supply cable acts as a power cable for the consumer). The umbilical has a connecting line and a primary connector. The primary connector is electrically couplable or coupled to the connection line (the primary connector can also be referred to as a charging plug, for example, if the supply cable is used in the function of a charging cable). The primary connector also has a vehicle connection for the detachable electrical connection to the vehicle, in particular the energy store. Furthermore, the supply cable has a secondary connector. The secondary connector can be or is electrically coupled to the connecting line and is provided for a detachable electrical connection to the energy supply device or to the electrical load.

The supply cable also has a sensor group with at least one sensor, the sensor group being designed to detect at least one predefined danger. The at least one predefined risk includes at least a risk of breakage, in particular due to a shock event, and/or a risk of short circuit, in particular due to moisture, and/or a risk of the supply cable being lost, in particular due to theft or the supply cable being forgotten or misplaced. In other words: the at least one predefined risk is selected from the group: risk of breakage, risk of short circuit, risk of the supply cable getting lost.

The sensor group can thus be used to detect dangers that can lead to damage to the supply cable and/or to a loss in value or loss of property. This makes it possible for damage or hazards to be determined reliably and, in particular, at an early stage. This improves the operational reliability of the supply cable.

It may be the case, for example, that a supply cable that appears undamaged on the outside shows damage that is not visible from the outside or at first glance due to previous mechanical influences or the influence of fluid media (e.g. liquids or gases). Due to the high currents and voltages or generally: due to the high electrical power that can be conducted through the supply cable (or in the case of voltages: that can be present on the supply cable), it can be advantageous to avoid the possibility of such damage detect in order not to endanger a user or the components connected to the supply cable. If the supply cable is lent out, e.g. with a rental vehicle, it can be of great advantage for the owner to recognize where the lent cable is and whether one of the predefined dangers occurred during the rental period that could cause (internal) damage to the cable Can index supply cable. If such a danger is identified, the supply cable can be subjected to maintenance or a safety check, for example, and/or it can be found again without great effort. A loss of value or loss of property is thus advantageously avoidable. Furthermore, the safety of living beings and material can be advantageously increased in this way.

In a preferred embodiment, it is also provided that the predefined risk also includes a risk of overheating and/or a risk of fire. In other words: the at least one predefined risk is selected from the group: risk of breakage, risk of short circuit, risk of the supply cable getting lost, risk of overheating, risk of fire. In particular, there is a risk of fire due to overheating. The supply cable is thus designed to detect an impending fire and, if necessary, to initiate countermeasures and/or to issue a warning.

Such a risk of overheating and/or fire can affect the cable itself, for example, if the vehicle is charged with high power in a very hot outdoor environment (e.g. in the desert on a paved parking lot in summer). This can lead to overheating of the supply cable, which poses a risk to electronic components arranged in the supply cable, for example. However, there can also be a hazard for an operator who could get burned by touching an overheated cable. An external danger can, for example, consist in the contact point being overheated due to a high contact resistance between, for example, the primary connector to the vehicle or from the secondary connector to the energy supply device or to the consumer. At this point, the heating can, in the worst case, cause a fire. In one embodiment, this danger can advantageously be prevented by the sensor group.

It goes without saying that the sensor group can be designed or set up to detect exactly one of the predefined dangers or also two or three or four or all five of the predefined dangers. By way of example, the sensor group is set up to detect the risk of breakage and the risk of short circuits. As a result, safety can advantageously be increased. It can also—again by way of example—be set up to recognize the risk of breakage and the risk of being lost or the risk of short circuiting and the risk of being lost. In both of these cases, the risk of depreciation is advantageously reduced or counteracted, which can be caused by loss and/or (internal) damage, for example. Again by way of example, a possible combination of a detection of the risk of breakage and the risk of overheating or the risk of breakage and the risk of fire can be provided, which advantageously increases safety. Or the sensor group is set up—just by way of example—to detect the risk of short circuits and the risk of overheating or the risk of short circuits and the risk of fire—this also advantageously increases safety. Or the sensor group is set up to recognize the risk of overheating and the risk of getting lost or the risk of fire and the risk of getting lost. This advantageously reduces the risk of loss of value and at the same time increases security. It goes without saying that the sensor group can also be set up to detect other combinations of the predefined hazards described above (e.g. risk of breakage, risk of short circuit and risk of overheating or risk of breakage, risk of short circuit and risk of being lost) or even to recognize all of the predefined hazards. This provides a particularly secure umbilical which reduces the risk of loss of value and/or property.

It goes without saying that a risk of overheating and/or fire cannot only be detected by a temperature sensor that can be used as an example. By way of example, alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that a sensor is provided that detects a contact resistance at contacts of the supply cable to the vehicle (primary connector) or to the energy supply device or to the consumer (secondary connector) and, if a limit value of the contact resistance is exceeded, possible overheating or overheating Detects a fire hazard (e.g. by comparing a measured value with a limit value). Other sensors are also conceivable to indirectly or directly (e.g. smoke development, etc.) detect a risk of overheating and/or fire.

It goes without saying that the supply cable can have a number of sensor groups. For example, both the primary connector and the secondary connector can each have at least one sensor group. A possibly existing ICCB can also be used in addition to the primary connector and/or have a sensor group for the secondary connector.

The dependent claims show preferred developments of the invention.

Provision is preferably made for the sensor group to have an acceleration sensor and/or a yaw rate sensor. A mechanical load on the supply cable can be detected by means of the acceleration sensor and/or yaw rate sensor. In particular, a fall of the supply cable and/or a hard impact of the supply cable can be determined. The acceleration sensor and/or yaw rate sensor is particularly advantageously fitted in or on a plug connector, e.g. the primary connector and/or the secondary connector, of the supply cable, with the plug connector being provided for an electrical connection between the supply cable and the vehicle or between the supply cable and the energy supply device. A mechanical load on said connector can thus preferably be detected. This is particularly advantageous as the primary connectors and/or secondary connectors are often not located directly on the ground while the umbilical is in use, being put into use or taken out of service. At the same time, in the primary connector and/or secondary connector and/or also in a control box or ICCB (In Cable Control Box), in addition to the lines, the following can also be arranged: mechanical components such as electrical contacts (e.g. plug pins), electrical insulation of the electrical contacts to one another, seals against the entry of fluid media, the sensor group itself and/or other electronic components, e.g. a control unit, etc. A hard impact, e.g. as a result of a fall, can damage such components, e.g. cause them to bend or break, or it can change the relative geometric arrangement of the Move components to each other. This can--invisibly happening inside the supply cable for an operator--lead to a reduction in safety during operation or use. The provision of at least one acceleration and/or yaw rate sensor can thus detect such events, e.g. triggered by a fall and a hard impact. Subsequently, if such events are known, countermeasures can be taken, e.g. checking the supply cable or its components.

The supply cable is particularly advantageously designed to detect a shock event: it can in particular be a mechanical shock, such as a hard impact. A shock event is present in particular when a measured value of the acceleration sensor is above a predefined limit. Such a limit can exist, for example, in the case of a detected acceleration of at least 10 times the acceleration due to gravity (10G), i.e. e.g. 10G or 12G or 15G. It can preferably be at least five times the acceleration due to gravity (5G), e.g. 5G, 7G or 9G. It can very particularly preferably be at least 3 times the acceleration due to gravity (3G), e.g. 3G or 4G. In particular, translational accelerations can be detected by the acceleration sensor. Alternatively or additionally, a shock event is present in particular when a further measured value of the yaw rate sensor is above a predefined further limit. In particular, rotational accelerations can be detected by means of the yaw rate sensor. The combination of the ability to detect rotational and translational accelerations enables increased sensitivity to detect shock events. The further measured value and the measured value can be different or the same. The further limit and the limit can also be different or the same or corresponding values that can be determined based on a conversion rule. Said conversion rule is preferably based on the structure of the supply cable, in particular when there are different breaking strengths in the translational and rotational directions. The limit and the further limit are specified based in particular on the design of components of the supply cable that are critical to breakage. In particular, a detection of the shock event can be detected using a combination of an acceleration sensor and a yaw rate sensor, or alternatively using just one of these sensors alone. As already described above, provision is preferably made for the shock events to be determined for at least one connector (e.g. the primary connector and/or the secondary connector) of the supply cable. By determining such a shock event, the supply cable and its components can be checked in a targeted manner in order to reduce the risk of an impairment of the function or safety (e.g. not recognizable from the outside).

In particular, the supply cable has a storage unit which is designed to store a frequency and/or an intensity and/or a point in time of a shock event. In the event of a defect in the supply cable, past mechanical stress can be traced using the stored data. It is therefore possible to determine, for example, whether the supply cable is defective due to improper handling or due to other factors. Furthermore, by way of example, this can partly based on the stored data, a cumulative mechanical load on the supply cable can be determined. This can be done, for example, at regular maintenance intervals or, for example, by the supply cable communicating with an external server, for example a cloud server (e.g. via a wireless connection or by communication, for example during a charging process via a data line with a charging point). This allows, for example, conclusions to be drawn about the quality of the supply cable that is still available. It may also be possible, for example, to make a prediction about a probability of failure of the supply cable or about a period of time up to which operation of the supply cable is likely to be possible without any problems. Thus, the supply cable can be replaced or repaired before an actual failure or impairment of its function occurs.

In particular, the sensor group has a moisture sensor. The supply cable is also preferably designed to detect a risk of short circuits when a measured value of the moisture sensor is above a predefined limit. If moisture has penetrated the supply cable and/or if the supply cable is in a humid environment (e.g. if the vehicle is charging or emitting electricity during rainy weather conditions or if the supply cable or components thereof are covered in snow or slush in winter, etc.) , there is a risk of electric current flowing in places other than those intended due to the humidity. In particular, by detecting the moisture, the risk of short circuits or leakage currents belonging to this category can be identified, with a short circuit e.g. damaging the supply cable, the vehicle and the energy supply system. Such potential damage can be avoided by recognizing the risk of short circuits using the moisture sensor.

The at least one moisture sensor is particularly advantageously fitted inside a housing of the supply cable. In particular, the moisture sensor is mounted inside a primary connector housing or secondary connector housing of a connector (e.g. the primary connector and/or the secondary connector), the connector being provided in particular for establishing an electrical connection between the supply cable and the vehicle or between the supply cable and the energy supply device. Alternatively or additionally, the humidity sensor is arranged inside a housing which has a control unit of the supply cable, for example within an ICCB housing of an ICCB. It is conceivable that the sensor group has a number of moisture sensors. In principle, it is also conceivable that the humidity sensor or the at least one humidity sensor is arranged, for example, inside the outer insulating sheathing of the connecting line. The supply cable can thus be used to detect moisture that has already penetrated the supply cable or the (actually protected from moisture) interior of one of its components (e.g. primary connector, secondary connector, connecting line, possibly ICCB, etc.). A merely humid environment is therefore not sufficient to detect a risk of short circuit. If the supply cable is fundamentally protected against moisture, then ambient humidity poses only a minor threat, so that a more relevant risk can be identified by attaching the moisture sensor inside a housing of the supply cable. Since there are usually electronic components and also components carrying high currents inside the housings of the supply cable, these electronic components and the supply cable itself are advantageously protected against damage due to moisture.

In a preferred embodiment, the supply cable has a control unit. A current flow through the supply cable can be prevented by the control unit if a predefined danger is detected by means of the sensor group. This is particularly advantageous for the previously described dangers of breakage, overheating, fire and short circuits. The supply cable thus ensures that no operating states can be reached that could damage the supply cable or the components connected to the supply cable. However, the control unit can also serve to prevent a current flow through the supply cable when the risk of being lost or being lost is identified. For example, it can be detected by the sensor array that the umbilical is not in the vicinity of an authorized vehicle or user. Alternatively or additionally, for example, a user or owner can use the sensor group to recognize that the supply cable is unintentionally not (or no longer) in his or her area of control. In these cases, for example, the control unit can ensure that a current flow through the supply cable is prevented. This advantageously represents an obstacle to theft, since a thief cannot do much with such a stolen supply cable. At the same time, security is increased by preventing unauthorized use of a supply cable that has been accidentally lost or forgotten at a charging location or misuse, for example functionally blocked and in this way no injuries can occur through electricity.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the supply cable has an output unit which is designed to output warning signals directly and/or via a communication connection with a user terminal. Warning signals are output in particular when one or more of the predefined dangers are detected by means of the sensor group. Thus, it is possible to warn a user of the umbilical cord. The user can initiate suitable countermeasures and/or refrain from using the supply cable. For example, the supply cable or one or more of its components can have a display on which a message or an alarm can be shown. Alternatively or additionally, such a message or an alarm can also be given by an acoustic component such as a loudspeaker, a siren, a buzzer, etc. and/or haptically, e.g. by a vibration alarm. It is also conceivable that the supply cable sends a signal that corresponds to the identified danger. This can be done wirelessly (e.g. via WLAN, Bluetooth, mobile network, etc.) or wired. This signal can then be received, for example, by a device belonging to the owner or user (e.g. a smartphone, a smart watch, a tablet, a computer, etc.) and can be transmitted to the user optically, acoustically and/or from this device be brought to notice haptically. In this way, the user can then initiate further measures, e.g. take the supply cable out of operation and/or take it to a specialist company for maintenance or inspection. If the owner has lent the supply cable, the owner (e.g. a rental vehicle company) can be informed that there has been an event that may be relevant to the risk and can thus reconsider the further use of the supply cable or make a lost, forgotten or lost supply cable retrievable. As a result, the security and value stability of the supply cable is advantageously increased. Finally, it can be provided, for example, that the identified hazards are communicated to the manufacturer or distributor or seller of the supply cable, so that a user can be informed in good time before the supply cable reaches the end of its safe service life.

The supply cable preferably has a position sensor. The position sensor is designed to determine a position of the supply cable. Provision is furthermore advantageously made for the supply cable to be designed to transmit the determined position to a user terminal and/or a server. This makes it possible to recognize when the supply cable has been stolen without permission. In addition, the supply cable can be found again, which avoids or at least prevents the risk of the supply cable getting lost, whether through theft or through unintentionally laying or forgetting the supply cable. Such a position sensor can be a GPS sensor, for example, which can thus determine an absolute (geographical) position. However, it can also be a sensor for indirect position determination, e.g. a WLAN module or a mobile radio receiver, etc. This can have the advantage that the loss of the signal (e.g. a WLAN signal, a MAC address, a mobile cell signal, an NFC signal, a Bluetooth signal, etc.) it can be concluded that a change of location has taken place. A GPS signal is therefore not absolutely necessary for such sensors, which can be an advantage in underground car parks, for example. Such indirect position sensors can also be used to localize a lost supply cable.

The supply cable has in particular a supply cable energy store for supplying energy to the at least one sensor group. The supply cable energy store can advantageously be charged by means of the energy supply device when the secondary connector is electrically connected to the energy supply device. Alternatively or additionally, the supply cable energy store can advantageously be charged by means of the vehicle when the primary connector is electrically connected to the vehicle. Due to the supply cable energy store, the sensor group is also ready for use and usable when the supply cable has no connection to other components, in particular is separated from the vehicle and/or the energy supply device. Due to the planned charging of the supply cable energy store by means of the energy supply device and/or by means of the vehicle, it is not necessary for the user to take action to charge the supply cable energy store of the supply cable. The handling of the supply cable is thus optimized. The (at least one) supply cable energy store can be arranged, for example, in the primary connector and/or in the secondary connector and/or in a possibly present ICCB and/or in or along the connecting line. The supply cable energy store can be a rechargeable battery or a battery, for example.

In a preferred embodiment, the (at least one) sensor group in the primary ver binder arranged. In particular, it is provided that the sensor group is arranged inside a primary connector housing of the primary connector.

Alternatively or additionally, it is preferably provided that the (at least one) sensor group is arranged in the secondary connector, in particular inside a secondary connector housing of the secondary connector.

Furthermore, it is alternatively or additionally provided that the (at least one) sensor group is arranged in the connecting line. It can, for example, be arranged in the connecting line as such. Alternatively or additionally, it can be arranged, for example, in an optionally available in-cable control box of the connecting line.

In a particularly advantageous manner, the complete control electronics for charging are arranged in the primary connector together with the sensor group. As a result, the supply cable can be produced in a particularly compact manner. A control box known from the prior art, the in-cable control box, can advantageously be dispensed with. However, such a control box can be provided, so that in this case all or part of the control electronics of the supply cable is present in said control box.

More or less complex electronics can also be arranged in the secondary connector, especially if this is intended as a charging plug for connection to a household socket, e.g. a Schuko socket, or with a three-phase connection. It can thus be advantageous to arrange the sensor group or a further sensor group in or on the secondary connector.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the sensor group preferably has a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor is designed to detect a risk of overheating and/or a risk of fire if a measured value of the temperature sensor is above a predefined limit. A risk of overheating and/or a risk of fire can thus be reliably determined. As explained above, the risk of overheating or the risk of fire can also be determined directly and/or indirectly by other sensors or sensor elements. A sensor for determining electrical contact resistances between e.g. the secondary connector and the energy supply device or between the primary connector and the vehicle or between the secondary connector and the connecting line (e.g. in a coupling for coupling the secondary connector to the connecting line) is given here as an example. Another sensor could be a sensor for detecting smoke, for example. Another sensor could be, for example, a sensor that detects infrared radiation. The use of such sensors advantageously reduces the risk of injury to living beings, e.g. from touching overheated parts, the risk of damage to components of the supply cable or parts in contact with them, and the risk of material destruction by fire.

character list

• 1 eine schematische Abbildung eines Versorgungskabels gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung, und
• 2 eine schematische Detailansicht des Versorgungskabels gemäß dem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawing is:

• 1 a schematic illustration of a supply cable according to an embodiment of the invention, and
• 2 a schematic detailed view of the supply cable according to the embodiment of the invention.

Embodiments of the invention

All figures are merely schematic representations of the device according to the invention or its components according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. In particular, distances and size relationships are not shown to scale in the figures. Corresponding elements in the various figures are given the same reference numbers.

1 shows schematically a vehicle 12 which is, for example, a hybrid or electric vehicle and which has an energy store 11 . The energy store 11 is to be charged here, for example via an energy supply device 16 . The energy supply device 16 in the in 1 The case shown can be, for example, a wall box that enables charging with three-phase AC voltage, or a constant voltage source, for example a household socket such as a Schuko socket, for example, which enables single-phase charging. A supply cable 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention is provided for connecting energy supply device 16 and energy store 11 or vehicle 12 .

The supply cable 10 has a primary connector 14 and a secondary connector 15, wherein in 1 different variants of the secondary connector 15 are shown. Between the primary connector 14 and the secondary connector 15 is a supply line or connecting line 13 available. The primary connector 14 is used for the electrical connection to the vehicle 12 and specifically to the energy store 11. The secondary connector 15 is used, depending on its design, to connect to the various types of energy supply device 16 or a consumer 19. In the event that the secondary connector 15 to connect is set up with a consumer 19 (shown here as an example in the form of a hair dryer), the secondary connector 15 can be a Schuko socket, for example. In this case, electrical energy is drawn from the vehicle 12 or its energy store 11 .

The primary connector 14 has a vehicle connection 14A, which is provided for the directly or indirectly detachable wireless or wired electrical connection to the vehicle 12 or the energy store 11 .

In the embodiment shown, the primary connector 14 also has an additional connection 9 via which a wireless and/or wired electrical connection to an additional coupling 5 of the connecting line 13 can be established directly or indirectly and releasably. In an alternative embodiment, the additional connection 9 and the additional coupling 5 can be dispensed with, so that the connecting line 13 is attached directly to the primary connector 14 and cannot be separated from it without being destroyed.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the supply cable 10 can be coupled to various types of secondary connectors 15 . Each secondary connector 15 has an infrastructure connection 1 and a cable connection 2 , the infrastructure connection 1 being designed for electrical connection to the energy supply device 16 or the consumer 19 . The cable connection 2 is used for connection to the connecting line 13. For this purpose, the connecting line 13 has a coupling 6, the coupling 6 and the cable connection 2 being electrically connectable in a detachable manner. The secondary connectors 15 can thus be exchanged easily and with little effort, in that only the connection between the coupling 6 and the cable connection 2 has to be separated. In principle, of course, supply cables 10 are also conceivable in which the secondary connector 14 is non-detachably (i.e. not detachably detachable) connected to the connecting line 13 .

In 1 It is shown at the top right that the infrastructure connection 1 can also be configured for connection to a consumer 19, for example by the infrastructure connection 1 or the secondary connector 15 being configured as a shockproof socket or as a three-phase socket. In 1 center right shows that the infrastructure connection 1 of the secondary connector 15 in an alternative embodiment can be, for example, a type 2 connection for connection to a charging station or wall box. In 1 the bottom right shows by way of example that the infrastructure connection 1 of the secondary connector 15 can be a safety plug for connection to a household socket in an alternative embodiment.

In this exemplary embodiment, the connecting line 13 has only electrical conductors between the clutch 6 and the additional clutch 5 , which establish an electrical connection between the clutch 6 and the additional clutch 5 . These electrical conductors are, for example, copper conductors or aluminum conductors, or they are made from another material with high electrical conductivity and have electrical insulation. All electrical conductors are combined in one strand, for example, and preferably have a common sheath, which serves as electrical insulation on the one hand and as mechanical protection on the other. No active or passive electrical component is preferably provided in the connecting line 13 . All logical components or logic modules (e.g. microprocessors, ASICs, etc.) and in particular active or passive electrical components are either part of the primary connector 14 or part of the secondary connector 15. As a result, the connecting line 13 can advantageously be produced inexpensively. An ICCB (an in-cable control box) can thus be expressly dispensed with in this exemplary embodiment. As a result, the supply cable 10 can be provided in a cost-effective, compact, simple, space-saving and light-weight manner, despite its adaptability shown here (various secondary connectors 15 can be optionally coupled). In addition to the weight, costs and manageability, doing without an ICCB also reduces complex quality checks and load tests, since it is not necessary to secure the sensitive electronics of the ICCB, e.g. against being run over by other vehicles, e.g. trucks. This also advantageously reduces the risk of people stumbling. It goes without saying that in other exemplary embodiments an ICCB can be provided, which is then arranged, for example, within the connecting line 13 .

In 2 a schematic view is shown by way of example, which can be either the supply line 13, the primary connector 14 and/or the secondary connector 15, for example. In principle, it can also represent an ICCB. In the case of the supply line 13, the (optional) auxiliary coupling 5 and the (optional) coupling 6 are also shown, in the case of the primary connector 14 the vehicle connector 14A and the (optional) auxiliary connector 9 are shown, and in the case of the secondary connector binder 15 shows the infrastructure connection and the cable connection 2 (which is optional for a connectable connection to the connecting line 13). Regardless of which component is involved, ie the supply line 13, the primary connector 14 and/or the secondary connector 15, the following description applies equally. This also applies if it is an ICCB that is not shown here.

The supply cable 10 has at least one sensor group 18 with at least one sensor 3, 4, 8. The sensor group 18 is preferably mounted in a housing 17 of the supply cable 10, the housing 17 being a primary connector housing of the primary connector 14, a secondary connector housing of the secondary connector 15 or a housing of a control box (not shown) in the connecting line 13. In principle, the housing 17 in the broadest sense can also be, for example, an outer cable jacket or line jacket of the supply cable 10 or the connecting line 13. The sensor group 18 is used to detect or is designed or set up to detect predefined dangers, as a result of which the operational reliability of the supply cable 10 is improved and/or the risk of a loss in value or loss of property is reduced.

In this exemplary embodiment, sensor group 18, which is only shown as an example here, has: an acceleration sensor 3 and/or a yaw rate sensor and/or a moisture sensor 4 and/or a position sensor 8. It is also preferably provided that sensor group 18 has a temperature sensor 20 and/or a sensor that is suitable for detecting or indicating a risk of overheating (e.g. temperatures of more than 60°C or more than 70°C or more than 80°C in a housing environment or in the connecting line 13) and/or a fire hazard . This can be given, for example, by a sensor for detecting a contact resistance, an infrared sensor, a smoke sensor or the like. It goes without saying that—merely by way of example—it can be provided that the sensor group 18 provides signals. Such signals can be received—just by way of example—e.g. within the sensor group 18 or also within an individual sensor by an electrical and/or electronic component, e.g. an ASIC. They can be evaluated for one of the predefined threats. It can also be provided that such signals are also evaluated outside of the sensor group 18, e.g. in an evaluation unit separate from the sensor group 18. In the context of the present application, however, such an embodiment is to be understood to the effect that the sensor group 18 recognizes the predefined danger.

Acceleration sensor 3 is used to determine shock events. A shock event occurs in particular when a measured value of the acceleration sensor 3 is above a predefined limit, e.g. greater than 5 times the acceleration due to gravity (5G) and/or when another measured value of the yaw rate sensor is above a further predefined limit. In this way, a risk of breakage or shearing off, e.g. due to hard impacts or abrupt rotations as a result of an impact, can be determined. In addition, a mechanical load on the supply cable 10 can be inferred from such shock events. This is particularly advantageous when the sensor group 18 is fitted in the primary connector 14 or the secondary connector 15 . Provision can also be made to provide or arrange a sensor assembly 15 each in the primary connector 14 and in the secondary connector 15 . Because of their use as connectors to the vehicle 12 and to the power supply device 16, these two connectors 14, 15 are susceptible to falling and hitting the ground. It can thus be determined by means of the acceleration sensor 3 whether and how often such shocks have occurred. A yaw rate sensor can be used to detect or record rapidly occurring, jerky rotary movements that can lead to high centrifugal forces and shearing forces or to high angular accelerations.

A memory unit 21 is particularly advantageously provided, which is designed to store a frequency and/or an intensity and/or a point in time of a shock event. In this way, for example, a maximum and/or a cumulative load on the supply cable 10 can be determined, so that a risk of breakage or the risk of mechanical failure can be estimated. In addition, the data stored in the memory unit 21 can be used, for example, to identify whether a defect in the supply cable 10 is due to improper use of the supply cable 10 or to other factors.

A risk of short-circuiting of the supply cable 10 can be detected by means of the moisture sensor 4 . The moisture sensor 4 is preferably arranged inside the housing 17 so that the moisture sensor 4 can detect moisture that has penetrated the housing 17 . Since inside the housing 17 there can also be control electronics for charging processes or other electronic components - for example communication elements such as a WLAN module, etc. - if moisture has penetrated there is a risk that electric current will flow through areas that are not used for Power transmission are provided. An associated danger of a short circuit can be detected by the moisture sensor 4 if a measured value of the moisture sensor 4 is above a predefined limit.

A control unit 7 is also provided. The control unit 7 makes it possible to prevent a current flow through the supply cable 10 if a predefined danger is detected by means of the sensor group 18 . If, for example, a risk of a short circuit is detected using the moisture sensor 4 and/or if an acceleration value that is above the limit value and/or a yaw rate value that is above the further limit value or an angular acceleration has been determined or detected, then the control unit 7 can cause a current flow to be interrupted or not to release. This prevents a short circuit from actually occurring due to the identified risk of short circuit or possible damage to other components or a safety risk due to a identified risk of breakage if the current flow were to be enabled. As a result, on the one hand the supply cable 10 and on the other hand the vehicle 12 and the energy supply device 16 are protected from damage. Also, an operator can be protected from danger.

In addition, an output unit 22 is provided, which establishes a communication link with a user terminal 24 in the exemplary embodiment shown. Alternatively or additionally, however, it can also be designed independently, e.g. as a display, loudspeaker and/or vibration element or the like. The output unit 22 can send signals to the user terminal. This makes it possible for the output unit 22 to output warning signals indirectly via the user terminal 24 (e.g. a smartphone, a tablet, a computer, a smartwatch, etc.) if one or more of the at least one predefined danger is detected by the sensor group 18 . A user can thus be informed when danger is imminent or when the control unit 7 prevents a current flow, as described above. It can also be provided that the output unit 22 provides or sends the signals and these signals are received by a server or a cloud. An external user, who does not have to be the user of the supply cable 10, can then use the signals to identify a possible danger and, for example, inform the user or, for example, take measures as to whether and/or when the supply cable 10 or individual components of it (e.g. primary connector 14, Secondary connector 15, connecting line 13, etc.) should be checked, serviced and/or replaced.

The temperature of the supply cable 10 can be determined using the temperature sensor 20 (or a sensor that can detect a risk of overheating and/or a risk of fire) or it can be determined whether overheating is imminent or a fire is imminent or developing. If, for example, the temperature determined by the temperature sensor 20 is above a predefined measured value, a risk of overheating or—depending on the temperature limit—a risk of fire has been identified. Similarly, such dangers can also occur through the measured values of other sensors and the comparison with corresponding threshold values (e.g. sensors for contact resistance, smoke sensors, infrared sensors, etc.). The sensor group 18 also allows such a risk of overheating and/or fire to be detected, so that, analogously to the above description, the flow of current can be prevented by the control unit 7 and/or a warning signal can be output by the output unit 22 .

The position sensor 8 (e.g. a GPS sensor, a WLAN module for detecting MAC addresses, a mobile radio module for detecting radio cells, etc.) of the sensor group 18 is used to determine a position of the supply cable 10. The supply cable 10 is designed, for example, to transmit the determined position to the user terminal 24 and/or a server or to compare it with a target position. In particular, this transmission and/or this comparison takes place cyclically with a predefined repetition rate. The location of the supply cable 10 is thus always known, or the supply cable 10 recognizes that it is not at the location where it should be. If the supply cable 10 is stolen or misplaced or forgotten at a place of use (e.g. at a charging station), the supply cable 10 can be found again at any time. The risk of the supply cable 10 getting lost is thus avoided. It can also be determined, for example when the supply cable 10 is rented out, whether the supply cable 10 is located within a previously defined permitted, e.g. geographically defined, space. Provision can be made for the control unit 7 to automatically prevent the flow of current through the supply cable 10 if the determined location deviates from the target location or the permitted geographic area. In the same way - if the user is informed about the location of the supply cable 10 - it can be provided that the user controls the control unit 7, e.g. by means of the user terminal 24, so that the current flow is prevented or not released.

In this exemplary embodiment, the supply cable 10 also has a supply cable energy store 23 for supplying energy to the sensor group 18 . The supply cable Energy storage 23 is - just for example - a rechargeable battery. The supply cable energy store 23 can be charged particularly advantageously by means of the energy supply device 16 if the secondary connector 15 is electrically connected to the energy supply device 16 and/or by means of the vehicle 12 or by means of its energy store 11 if the primary connector 14 is connected to the vehicle 12. Thus, for example, an automatic charging of the supply cable energy store 23 can be provided without a user having to intervene. The sensor group 18 is also able to detect the predefined dangers through the supply cable energy store 23 if the supply cable 10 has no connection whatsoever to other components, in particular the vehicle 12 or the energy supply device 16 . This means that shock events, for example, can also be detected when the cable is being transported.

All of these components related to 2 have been described, can - as in 2 shown - be mounted together in a housing 17 and thus together in the primary connector 14 or the secondary connector 15 or the connecting line 13. Alternatively, the described components can also be distributed in the primary connector 14 and/or the secondary connector 15 and/or the connecting line 13. Or a sensor group 18 and/or control unit 7, output unit 22, etc. can be arranged in several or all of these components (primary connector 14, secondary connector 15, connecting line 13, etc.). It is particularly advantageous to attach it together with control electronics for charging processes, for example in the primary connector 14. In this case, in particular, a compact design is achieved and a control box (ICCB) in the connecting line 13 can be dispensed with. In addition, the secondary connectors 15 can be exchanged easily and with little effort in the form of different adapters for different applications (charging/energy consumption).

The supply cable 10, thanks to the sensor group 18, makes it possible to detect predefined hazards. By avoiding the occurrence of these dangers, which is possible due to the detection by the sensor group 18, the operational reliability of the supply cable can be increased in particular and a loss in value minimized.

Claims (11)

Supply cable (10) for electrically connecting a vehicle (12), in particular an energy store (11) of a vehicle (12), to an energy supply device (16) providing electrical energy and/or to a consumer (19) requiring electrical energy, the supply cable ( 10) having -- a connecting line (13), -- a primary connector (14) which can be or is electrically coupled to the connecting line (13) and has a vehicle connection (14A) for the detachable electrical connection to the vehicle (12), in particular to the energy storage device (11), -- a secondary connector (15) which can be or is electrically coupled to the connecting line (13) and is provided for the detachable electrical connection to the energy supply device (16) or to the electrical consumer (19), -- wherein the supply cable (10) has a sensor group (18) with at least one sensor (3, 4, 8), -- wherein the sensor group (18) is designed to detect at least one predefined danger, -- wherein the at least one predefined risk includes at least a risk of breakage, in particular due to a shock event, and/or a risk of short circuit, in particular due to moisture, and/or a risk of the supply cable (10) being lost, in particular due to theft. Supply cable (10) after claim 1 , wherein the sensor group (18) has an acceleration sensor (3) and/or a yaw rate sensor in order to detect a mechanical load on the supply cable (10). Supply cable (10) after claim 2 , wherein the supply cable (10) is designed to detect a shock event, with a shock event occurring when a measured value of the acceleration sensor (3) is above a predefined limit and/or a further measured value of the yaw rate sensor is above a predefined further limit. Supply cable (10) after claim 3 , wherein the supply cable (10) has a storage unit (21) which is designed to store a frequency and/or an intensity and/or a point in time of a shock event. Supply cable (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor group (18) has a moisture sensor (4) and the supply cable (10) is designed to detect a risk of short circuit when a measured value of the moisture sensor (4) is above a predefined limit. Supply cable (10) after claim 5 , wherein the humidity sensor (4) is mounted inside a housing (17) of the supply cable, in particular inside a primary connector the housing of the primary connector (14) or a secondary connector housing of the secondary connector (15) or a housing containing a control unit of the supply cable. Supply cable (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the supply cable (10) has a control unit (7) by means of which a current flow through the supply cable (10) can be prevented if, by means of the sensor group (18), the predefined danger or one of the predefined danger is recognized. Supply cable (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the supply cable (10) has an output unit (22) which is designed to output warning signals directly and/or via a communication connection with a user terminal (24) if the sensor group (18 ) the predefined danger or one of the predefined dangers is detected. Supply cable (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the supply cable (10) has a position sensor (8) which is designed to determine a position of the supply cable (10), the supply cable (10) being designed in particular to indicate the determined position a user terminal (24) and/or a server. Supply cable (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the supply cable (10) has a supply cable energy store (23) for supplying energy to the sensor group (18), the supply cable energy store (23) advantageously being able to be charged by means of the energy supply device (16), when the secondary connector (15) is electrically connected to the power supply device (16). and or wherein the supply cable energy store (23) is advantageously chargeable by means of the vehicle (12) when the primary connector (14) is electrically connected to the vehicle (12). Supply cable (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor group (18) is arranged in the primary connector (14), in particular inside a primary connector housing of the primary connector (14), and or wherein the sensor group (18) is arranged in the secondary connector (15), in particular inside a secondary connector housing of the secondary connector (15), and or wherein the sensor group (18) is arranged in the connecting line (13), in particular in a control box of the connecting line (13).

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