EP2719027A1

EP2719027A1 - Cable connector

Info

Publication number: EP2719027A1
Application number: EP12727139.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thomas Führer; Marco Seelig
Original assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2011-06-08
Filing date: 2012-06-04
Publication date: 2014-04-16
Also published as: CN103608982A; WO2012168194A1; DE102011050938A1; US9331425B2; US20140220808A1

Abstract

The subject matter of the invention is a cable connector (1) for electrically connecting an electric vehicle to a charging apparatus, wherein the cable connector (1) is designed to form an electric connection to a device connector (2) associated with the electric vehicle or the charging apparatus, the cable connector (1) has a latching means (4) which is designed in such a manner that a pair of cable connectors (1) and device connectors (2) connected to each other can be latched to each other by means of the latching means (4), and the cable connector (1) has a counter-contour (10) which is designed in such a manner that a locking means (8) associated with the device connector (2) for locking the latching means (4) against being unlatched can be prevented from being unlocked by the counter-contour (10).

Description

cable connector

The invention relates to a cable connector for electrically connecting an electric vehicle to a charging device, wherein the cable connector for producing an electrical

Connection with an electric vehicle or the

Charging device associated device connector is configured. Furthermore, the invention relates to a connector assembly with the cable connector and the device plug.

In the field of e-mobility applications, connectors with electrical interlock are known and normatively provided to transfer electrical energy from the charging device for charging a vehicle accumulator provided in the electric vehicle. For this purpose, a device connector are often provided on the charging device and the electric vehicle, so that by means of a connecting cable, which at both ends in each case one corresponding to the device connector

Cable connector, an electrical connection between the charging device and the electric vehicle can be produced.

A disadvantage of such known from the prior art connectors, however, that the lock manually, for example, by unauthorized persons, is solvable, which is in particular due to safety aspects in standing under electrical load connectors to prevent. As a result, the existing connection between the connectors, so thus between the electric vehicle and the charger, be interrupted, resulting in damage to the

Electric vehicle can lead, for example, if the

Charging the vehicle battery is not completely finished. Such damage can then lead to the vehicle battery aging prematurely or even completely destroyed and costly replacement. Therefore, it is the object of the invention to provide connectors for connecting an electric vehicle with a charging device that are not unintentionally detached from each other by unauthorized access.

The object is achieved by the

Features of the independent claims. advantageous

Embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

Accordingly, the object of the invention is achieved by a cable connector for the electrical connection of a

Electric vehicle to a charging device, wherein the

Cable plug for establishing an electrical connection with the electric vehicle or the charging device

associated device connector is configured, the cable connector has a latching means designed such that a pair of interconnected cable connector and device plug can be locked together by the latching means, and the

Cable connector has a counter-contour configured in such a way that a locking means associated with the device connector for locking the locking means against unlocking by the counter-contour against unlocking can be protected. According to the invention, it is thus provided that the cable connector has a mating contour, which prevents unauthorized unlocking of the locking means, so that undesired release of the cable connector from the device connector, for example by unauthorized third parties, can be prevented in a particularly advantageous manner. Only when that

Locking means releases the locking of the latching means, so for example, after a complete charging of the vehicle battery associated with the electric vehicle, the cable connector can be removed from the device connector by loosening the latching. The invention thus allows an unauthorized manipulation of the lock, be it in a manual manner or with a corresponding tool, is prevented, so that the

Vehicle battery uninterrupted by the

Charging device provided energy is rechargeable. Because the fact that the charging of the vehicle battery due to the inventive design of the cable connector can not be interrupted unintentionally, the charging of the vehicle battery can be done in a controlled manner, which extends the life of the vehicle battery and thus leads to lower maintenance costs of the electric vehicle.

The cable plug and / or the device plug can

basically be configured as any known from the prior art connector for making an electrical connection between an electric vehicle and a charging device and to have mutually corresponding electrical contacts. Also, the

Cable connector according to the invention in conjunction with a

Any known from the prior art electric vehicle and any charging device can be used.

While the latching means is preferably configured for producing a positive and / or non-positive connection between the cable plug and the appliance plug, the locking means is preferably a form-fitting

Locking the locking means against unlatching. It is meant in the context of the invention with the term "unlatching" the state of the locking means, in which the cable connector and the

Device plug are not locked together, as well as the term "unlocking" the state of the locking means meant in which the locking means is not protected against unlatching by the locking means. Basically, the counter contour according to the invention in

arbitrary manner to achieve the inventive effect of protecting against unauthorized and / or unwanted unlocking of the locking means be configured, such as

Cover or as a roof overhang. However, the counter contour is particularly preferably configured such that the

Locking means for locking the locking means is at least partially inserted into the mating contour and / or, when the locking means locks the locking means, the mating contour of the locking means at least partially fitting

embraces. Accordingly, it is therefore preferred that the counter contour, for example, "cavernous" for receiving the

Locking means may be configured, wherein preferably the locking means in the locked state bears directly touching the mating contour. Also, the mating contour may have a circular, part-circular or U-shaped contour for receiving the locking means. Characterized in that according to this embodiment, the locking means is at least partially inserted into the mating contour and / or the

Counter contour, the locking means at least partially surrounds, can be ensured in a particularly simple manner that the locking means is protected against external manipulation, so unauthorized disconnection of the cable connector of the device connector.

According to another embodiment of the invention it is preferred that the latching means pivotally for latching or

Entrusted and acted upon by spring force on the cable connector is arranged and configured such that the latching means strives due to the spring force in its latching position. It is further preferred that on the pivotable

arranged and configured latching means a

Actuating device is provided, which is designed for example as an actuating surface, so that by pressing the actuator, for example by a Operator, the locking means can be unlocked from its latching position, so that then the cable connector is detachable from the device connector. Such unlatching, however, as already stated, only possible if the locking means does not lock the latching means.

This is advantageously spring-supported

Detent means designed as a latching hook, which is arranged for easy operation on a housing outer side of the cable connector. The fact that the locking means is acted upon by spring force, it can also be ensured that when inserting the cable connector in the device plug the

Cable plug automatically with the appliance plug, preferably if the cable plug completely in stop in the

Appliance plug is inserted, locked.

The object of the invention is further achieved by a connector assembly with the cable connector and a

Appliance plug, wherein the appliance plug has a latching receptacle for engaging the latching means, the appliance plug the

Has locking means and the locking means for locking or unlocking the locking means axially in

Plug-in direction of the plug is movable. In this case, the latching receptacle is preferably designed as a latching nose and the latching means designed as a latching hook. It is further preferred that the

Locking means spaced from the mating face of the

Appliance plug is arranged on the appliance plug and in the axial direction of insertion from the appliance plug out at least partially in the connected to the appliance plug

Cable connector is arranged to lock the locking means and back into the appliance plug for unlocking the locking means movable. In addition, it is preferred that the

Locking receptacle and the locking means spaced from the respective mating face of the device plug or the cable connector

are arranged, with very particularly preferably the locking means or the locking receptacle between the locking means and the mating face of the device plug or the cable plug

is arranged. In this case, the mating face preferably has a plurality of electrical contacts, wherein the

Cable plug either as a socket or as a plug and the device plug are designed as a plug or as a socket. It is also possible that the locking means and the

Counter contour not on the cable connector but on the

Appliance plug and the locking means not on the

Appliance plug but are arranged on the cable connector.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is preferred that the cable connector has a cable connector housing and the device connector has a device connector housing which

Counter contour is arranged on the cable connector housing and the cable connector housing and the device connector housing configured and the locking means are arranged such that when the cable connector is connected to the device connector, the locking means in his

Locking position is located only within the cable connector housing and the device connector housing. This means that according to this embodiment of the invention

Locking means in its locking position and preferably also in its unlocked position only

is disposed within the appliance plug and the cable connector or in its unlocked position only within the appliance plug, so it is not accessible from outside the plug housing, and thus not by third parties in his

Position is unlawfully manipulated. It is

preferred that, when the cable connector is connected to the device plug, the cable connector with the mating contour

touches directly on the device plug.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the cable connector is a cable connector housing and the device plug has a device plug housing, the mating contour on the cable connector housing

is arranged and the cable connector with the connector plug is connected such that when the cable connector is connected to the connector, between the mating contour and the device connector a gap of <2 mm, preferably -S 1 mm and most preferably 0.5 mm remains , After this

Embodiment is therefore preferred that, when the cable connector is connected to the device plug, a "small" gap is provided between the plugs, but the gap is so small that in this embodiment, the

Locking means can not be manipulated from outside the connector housing, so for example from the

Locking position in the unlocked position

is displaceable. By providing such a gap, for example, manufacturing tolerances of the plug

be compensated and it can still be prevented that the plugs are not solved by unauthorized persons.

In principle, the locking means can be arbitrary

be configured, but according to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the locking means as a locking pin or as

Locking bolt is configured. Further, it is preferred that the locking pin or the locking pin in the locking position at least at its the

Appliance plug end facing rests on the latching hook, preferably the latching hooks touching locked in its latching position. So designed prevents that

Locking means the pivoting of the locking means from its detent position, for example in the case of a

accidental or willful maloperation and a consequent loosening of the connection between the plugs. Characterized in that preferably the entire axial

Locking force of the plug over the corresponding

dimensioned latching hook is ensured as a locking means, learns the locking pin or the locking bolt only a transverse or bending load by interception of manually applied operating forces on the latching hook. The provision of the locking means as a locking pin or as

Locking bolt is still in the case of a

abovementioned embodiment of a gap between the plugs advantageous because a locking pin or

Locking bolt with smooth outer contour and due to the small gap diameter not from outside the

Plug housing can be manipulated. After another

Embodiment is preferred that the locking means and the mating contour each have a mutually corresponding contour, most preferably at least

partially in the locked state touching each other

issue . In principle, the actuation of the locking means can take place in any manner known from the prior art, for example by means of a motor provided in the appliance plug. According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, however, it is provided that the device connector has an activatable by an electrical pulse actuator for actuating the locking means and the

Device plug has an energy source for generating the electrical pulse. In this case, the energy source on the one hand as a provided in the device connector accumulator or

Condenser be configured and / or by the

Vehicle battery to be powered. in the

the former case, so if in the connector a separate power source in the form of a rechargeable battery or a

Condenser is provided, the lock can also at Power failure can be solved so that, despite power failure, the electric vehicle is removable from the charger.

Further embodiments of the connector assembly will be apparent to those skilled in the analogy to the invention

Cable connector.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings with reference to preferred embodiments.

Show it

Fig. 1 shows a cable connector according to a preferred

Embodiment of the invention in one

perspective view,

Fig. 2 is a device connector of an inventive

Connector assembly in a perspective

View,

Fig. 3 is a connector assembly according to a

preferred embodiment of the invention in a perspective view,

4 shows a detail of the connector assembly in the unlocked state in a perspective partial sectional view, and Fig. 5 shows the detail of the invention

Connector assembly in the locked state in a perspective partial sectional view. In Fig. 1 is a cable connector 1 according to a preferred

Embodiment of the invention in a perspective

View shown. The cable connector 1 is for producing an electrical

Connection between an electric vehicle and a

Charging device provided, wherein the cable connector 1 with a corresponding device connector 2, shown in Fig. 2, is connectable to a connector assembly, as shown in FIG. 3 and partially in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 can be seen. A connection cable can at its ends with one each

Cable connector 1 are provided, the connection cable then with its cable connectors 1 each with a

Electric vehicle and the charging device assigned

Appliance plug 2 for establishing an electrical connection between the electric vehicle and the charging device,

for example, to charge an electric vehicle

associated vehicle battery can be connected. For establishing the electrical connection between the

Plugs 1, 2, each of the plug 1, 2 a plurality of electrical contacts 3, which in the present case as

corresponding plug or socket pins are executed. So that the cable connector 1 and the connector 2 not only a frictional, but also a positive

Connection can be received in the mated state, a latching device designed as a latching means 4 is provided on the cable connector 1, which engages when connecting the cable connector 1 with the connector 2 in a device provided on the connector 2 locking receptacle 5. The locking means 4 is

pivotally mounted on the cable connector 1 via a bolt 6, wherein an actuating surface 7 is provided, which causes by "pressing" a release of the locking means 4 from the locking receptacle 5, so that the plugs 1, 2 are detachable from each other with spring force like that acted upon that the locking means 4 basically strives in its locked state.

In order to ensure that in the connected and latched state of the plug 1, 2, shown in Fig. 3, caused by the locking means 4 and the locking receptacle 5 latching can not be solved, is a locking pin

executed locking means 8 is provided, which is axially movable to the direction of insertion of the plug 1, 2 by a device provided on the device connector 2 actuator 9. It is in an unlocking position, shown in Fig. 4, a

Latching of the locking means 4 from the locking receptacle 5 possible, while in a locking position, shown in Fig. 5, in which the locking means 8 at least partially touching the latching means 4, a disengagement of the locking means 4 from the locking receptacle 5 is not possible. Both the locking means 4 and the locking receptacle 5 and the locking means 8 are arranged radially spaced from the electrical contacts 3, wherein in the present case the locking means 8 is further away from the electrical contacts 3 is arranged as the locking means. 4

According to the invention it is now provided that the cable connector 1 has a mating contour 10, through which the

Locking means 8 against unlocking is protected by the fact that the unlocking means 8 by as

Roof overhang configured counter contour 10 is covered and thus no external access to the locking means 8, for example in the context of an illegal manipulation by manual or tool-based intervention,

allowed.

In this case, a gap of a few millimeters, for example 1 or 2 mm may be provided between the appliance plug 2 and the counter contour 10, but due to this small Slit width prevents the locking means 8 can be moved axially. Also, the mating contour 10 in the connected state of the plug 1, 2 touching the

Appliance plug 2 abut, so that the mating contour 10 covers the locking means 8 completely in the region of its tip against external access covers, so that therefore the locking means 8 is not from outside the

Appliance plug housing or the cable connector housing is accessible.

In the present case, the mating contour 10 is designed such that the locking means 8 designed as a locking pin at least partially, namely with its tip in a configured by the mating contour 10 and the locking means 4 opening is inserted and in the locked state, as shown in Fig. 5, touching is arranged on the mating contour 10 and on the latching means 4. In this way it is achieved in a particularly simple manner that the

Locking means 8 not unauthorized from his

Locking position in which a disengagement of the locking means 4 from the locking receptacle 5 is impossible, thus thus a release of the plug 1, 2 from each other is not possible, can be moved into its unlocked position. In a further embodiment, the actuator 9 or the appliance plug 2 may have an energy source, not shown, for generating an electrical pulse, by means of which the actuator 9 for locking or unlocking the latching means 4 by means of the locking means 8 can be controlled. Reference sign list

Cable plug 1 Appliance plug 2

Contacts 3

Latching means 4

Locking receptacle 5

Bolt 6 actuating surface 7

Locking means 8

Actuator 9

Counter contour 10

Claims

claims

1. Cable connector (1) for the electrical connection of a

Electric vehicle to a charging device, wherein

the cable connector (1) for producing an electrical

Connection with an electric vehicle or the

Charging device associated device connector (2) is configured,

the cable connector (1) has a latching means (4) designed in such a way that a pair is connected to one another

Cable plug (1) and device plug (2) by the latching means (4) are latched together, and

the cable connector (1) has a counter contour (10) designed in such a way that a locking means (8) for locking the latching means (4) against unlocking by the counter contour (10) can be protected against unlocking associated with the appliance plug (2).

2. Cable connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the mating contour (10) is configured such that the locking means (8) for locking the locking means (4) at least partially in the mating contour (10) is insertable and / or if the

Locking means (8) locks the latching means (4), the counter-contour (10) engages around the locking means (8) at least partially fitting.

3. Cable connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the latching means (4) pivotally arranged for latching or unlatching and acted upon by spring force on the cable connector (1) is arranged and configured such that the

Locking means (4) due to the spring force in his

Latch position aspires.

4. Connector assembly, with a cable connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a device plug

(2), where

the device plug (2) has a latching receptacle (5) for latching the latching means (4),

the device connector (2) has the locking means (8) and the locking means (8) for locking or unlocking the locking means (4) axially in the insertion direction of the plug (1, 2) is movable.

5. Connector assembly according to claim 4, wherein the

Cable connector (1) has a cable connector housing and the device connector (2) has a device connector housing, the

Counter contour (10) is arranged on the cable connector housing and the cable connector housing and the device connector housing configured and the locking means (8) are arranged such that when the cable connector (1) is connected to the device plug (2), the locking means (8) in its

Locking position is located only within the cable connector housing and the device connector housing.

6. Connector assembly according to claim 4, wherein the

Counter contour (10) is arranged on the cable connector housing and the cable connector (1) with the appliance plug (2) in such a way

is connectable, that when the cable connector (1) with the

Appliance plug (2) is connected, between the mating contour (10) and the device plug (2) a gap of <2 mm, preferably ^ 1 mm and most preferably 0.5 mm is formed.

7. Connector assembly according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the locking means (8) is designed as a locking pin.

8. Connector assembly according to one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the locking means (8) and the mating contour (10) each have a mutually corresponding contour.

9. Connector assembly according to one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the device connector (2) an activatable by an electrical pulse actuator (9) for actuating the

Locking means (8) and the device connector (2) has a power source for generating the electrical pulse.