Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
  • B60L53/00—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
  • B60L53/30—Constructional details of charging stations
  • B60L53/31—Charging columns specially adapted for electric vehicles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
  • B60L53/00—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
  • B60L53/10—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles characterised by the energy transfer between the charging station and the vehicle
  • B60L53/14—Conductive energy transfer
  • B60L53/16—Connectors, e.g. plugs or sockets, specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
  • B60L53/00—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
  • B60L53/10—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles characterised by the energy transfer between the charging station and the vehicle
  • B60L53/14—Conductive energy transfer
  • B60L53/18—Cables specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
  • B60L53/00—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
  • B60L53/30—Constructional details of charging stations
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
  • B60L53/00—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
  • B60L53/30—Constructional details of charging stations
  • B60L53/305—Communication interfaces
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
  • B60L53/00—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
  • B60L53/30—Constructional details of charging stations
  • B60L53/35—Means for automatic or assisted adjustment of the relative position of charging devices and vehicles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
  • B60L53/00—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
  • B60L53/30—Constructional details of charging stations
  • B60L53/35—Means for automatic or assisted adjustment of the relative position of charging devices and vehicles
  • B60L53/37—Means for automatic or assisted adjustment of the relative position of charging devices and vehicles using optical position determination, e.g. using cameras
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
  • H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
  • H01R13/629—Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances
  • H01R13/631—Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances for engagement only
  • H01R13/6315—Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances for engagement only allowing relative movement between coupling parts, e.g. floating connection
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
  • H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
  • H01R13/629—Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances
  • H01R13/631—Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances for engagement only
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
  • H01R13/64—Means for preventing incorrect coupling
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R2201/00—Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications
  • H01R2201/26—Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications for vehicles
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R24/00—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure
  • H01R24/38—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure having concentrically or coaxially arranged contacts
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R24/00—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure
  • H01R24/58—Contacts spaced along longitudinal axis of engagement
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R24/00—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure
  • H01R24/86—Parallel contacts arranged about a common axis
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
  • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
  • Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
  • Y02T10/70—Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
  • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
  • Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
  • Y02T10/7072—Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
  • Y02T90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
  • Y02T90/10—Technologies relating to charging of electric vehicles
  • Y02T90/12—Electric charging stations
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
  • Y02T90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
  • Y02T90/10—Technologies relating to charging of electric vehicles
  • Y02T90/14—Plug-in electric vehicles
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
  • Y02T90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
  • Y02T90/10—Technologies relating to charging of electric vehicles
  • Y02T90/16—Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for electrically connecting a charging station with the charging socket of a vehicle and a charging station with such a device.
• the document DE 10 2009 001 080 AI discloses a charging device for a land-based motor vehicle with a battery-like
• the contact arm is mounted movably on the loading device.
• inductive and conductive charging methods are known.
• the inductive charging methods are based on a combination of a transmitting coil with a
• the present invention according to a first aspect provides a device for electrically connecting a charging station with a charging socket of a vehicle.
• the device comprises a contact head which is electrically connected to a voltage source of the charging station.
• the device for electrically connecting the charging station with a charging socket comprises an insertion device which is adapted to the contact head in the
• Adjustment means which are adapted to the contact head during the
• the present invention provides a method of electrically connecting a charging station to a charging socket of a vehicle.
• the method comprises the steps of providing a
• a contact head electrically connected to a voltage source of the charging station; positioning the contact head at a predetermined one
• Conductive charging methods enable a relatively low-loss transmission of large amounts of energy.
• the present invention is based on the finding that it is very difficult to automatically insert a plug into the charging socket for an automatic connection between the charging station and the charging socket of an energy store to be charged, such as a traction battery of an electric or hybrid vehicle. It is difficult, if not impossible, for a driver of such a vehicle to park the vehicle so precisely at a given position that the vehicle is parked Charging socket on the vehicle is located exactly at the same spatial location with respect to the charging socket. However, varies the position of the charging socket of an electric or hybrid vehicle with respect to the charging station, so it is not possible for existing conventional systems to establish a reliable connection between the charging station and charging socket of the vehicle automatically without additional sensors.
• the present invention is therefore based on the idea, even with variations in the position of a charging socket with respect to the charging station to allow a simple yet safe and reliable contacting of the charging station with the charging socket of the vehicle.
• a coarse positioning of a contact head carried out initially by means of a positioning device.
• the positioning device is configured to position the contact head at a predetermined position with respect to the charging socket of the vehicle.
• the contact head of the charging device according to the present invention is designed so that during the insertion of the contact head into the charging socket of a vehicle automatically fine adjustment of the contact head takes place. The contact head is thus automatically aligned during insertion into the charging socket so that a secure and reliable contacting of the contacts of the charging socket with the contacts of the
• the contact head can automatically align automatically within a predetermined tolerance range. A high-precision alignment of the contact head during positioning by the positioning device is therefore not required. Thus can be dispensed with a complex and expensive sensors for precise location determination of the charging socket on the vehicle. The saving of such a sensor simplifies the construction of an automatic
• the positioning device is configured to position the contact head within a predetermined spatial tolerance range with respect to the charging socket of the vehicle.
• a coarse positioning of the contact head in the vicinity of the charging socket is sufficient.
• the charging head should be aligned so that it can be inserted in a subsequent step by simply moving in the direction of the charging socket in the charging socket of the vehicle. Due to the
• Positioning of the contact head made no high demands.
• the tolerance range in which the contact head must be positioned on the charging socket of the vehicle can therefore be chosen relatively generously.
• the contact head may deviate in a range of about 5 cm, 10 cm or 15 cm from the optimal positioning of the contact head. That is, the coarse positioning by the positioning device may position the contact head to be from a line extending from the
• the contact head comprises a
• the compensating element is adapted to adjust a movement of the contact head during insertion into the charging socket. This movement of the contact head during insertion into the charging socket results This is for example due to lateral movements of the contact head due to the fine adjustment during insertion into the charging socket.
• a flexible compensation element which can give in with a lateral force on the contact head, the contact head can automatically optimally align with respect to the charging socket.
• the compensating element comprises a joint, in particular a self-restoring joint
• the adjusting means comprises a
• Rotating device Such a rotating device may be configured to rotate the contact head about a predetermined axis.
• the predetermined axis may be an axis resulting from the direction in which the contact head is moved during insertion into the charging socket.
• the contact head can be at least approximately aligned so that the contacts of the contact head are aligned according to the contacts in the charging socket.
• the rotating device can actively perform a turning operation by means of a drive.
• a rotating device without independent drive is possible, which allows rotation of the contact head due to external forces.
• the adjusting means comprises recesses which extend into the interior of the contact head and thereby taper in the direction of the interior of the contact head.
• recesses which extend into the interior of the contact head and thereby taper in the direction of the interior of the contact head.
• the adjusting means comprises a ball wheel, a roller, a rail, a pin, a groove and / or further
• the contact head has a rotationally symmetrical outer geometry.
• the contact head may have a cone-shaped outer geometry. Rotationally symmetric shapes have particularly low alignment requirements and are therefore particularly suitable for automatic insertion into a charging socket.
• the contact head has a non-rotationally symmetrical arrangement of contacts.
• Such non-rotationally symmetrical arrangements of contacts lead to a clear assignment of the contacts between the contact head and charging socket.
• the individual contacts of the charging head need not be completely formed as circles. Thus, a large number of contacts can be arranged on a contact head with a relatively small area.
• the device comprises a
• the communication device is configured to receive data from the vehicle.
• the vehicle is configured to communicate with the vehicle.
• Communication device also be adapted to send data to the vehicle.
• information can be obtained from the vehicle to be charged, which are relevant for the charging process. For example, from the vehicle the position of
• Charging socket to be transmitted to the vehicle.
• charging parameters such as voltage, maximum permissible current,
• the positioning device comprises a first positioning device and a second positioning device.
• the first positioning device is configured to move the contact head in a vertical spatial direction.
• the second positioning device is configured to move the contact head in a spatial direction orthogonal to the direction of movement of the first positioning direction.
• Positioning device the contact head in two spatial directions First roughly adjusted to the position of the charging socket on the vehicle to be charged.
• the method for electrically connecting the charging station to a charging socket of the vehicle comprises a step of determining the predetermined position for positioning the contact head with respect to the charging socket of the vehicle.
• the method comprises a step of releasing the charging socket of the vehicle before the contact head is inserted into the vehicle
• Charging socket is introduced.
• the release of the charging socket for example, include the unfolding of a cover on the charging socket.
• the release can also fold out the charging socket from a
• the charging socket can be protected from soiling or other environmental influences before charging.
• the present invention provides a
• Showing: 1 shows a schematic representation of a plan view of a device for electrically connecting a charging station with a charging socket according to an embodiment
• Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a side view of a
• Fig. 3 schematic representations for the interaction of a
• 5a-d schematic representations of a contact head of a device for electrically connecting a charging station with a charging socket according to further embodiments;
• FIG. 7 shows a schematic representation of a flow chart on which a method according to a further embodiment is based.
• FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a charging station 1 with a charging station 1
• the vehicle 5 may be
• the vehicle 5 may be a fully or partially electrically powered motor vehicle, such as a passenger car (PKW). or a truck.
• the charging station comprises a positioning device 10 and an insertion device 20 with a
• Insertion device 20 and thus also the arranged on the insertion device 20 contact head 21 are moved along predetermined directions.
• the contact head 21 can be positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the charging socket 51 of the vehicle 50.
• the positioning device 10 may have a first positioning device 11 and a second positioning device 12. The first
• Positioning device 11 can perform, for example, a horizontal movement and thus the insertion device 20 with the contact head 21 horizontally, that is parallel or at least approximately parallel to one
• the second positioning device 12 may be mechanically connected to the first positioning device 11 and perform a movement in a vertical spatial direction.
• the direction of movement of the second positioning device 12 is thus perpendicular to the direction of movement of the first positioning device 11.
• the insertion device 20 can be moved laterally with the contact head 21 by the first positioning device 11, for example.
• several juxtaposed vehicles 5 can be controlled. For example, on the three bearing surfaces I, II and III
• Positioning device 11 of the positioning device 10 can be controlled.
• the contact head 21 of the insertion device 20 can also be brought to a position which coincides with the position of the charging socket 51 of the corresponding vehicle 5.
• the height of the charging socket 51, and the height of the contact head 21 is initially ignored in this positioning.
• the positioning of the contact head 21 on the same, or at least approximately the same height as the height of the charging socket 51 of the corresponding vehicle 5 takes place separately by means of the second positioning device 12.
• Positioning device 10 does not match exactly with the position of the charging socket 51 of the corresponding vehicle 5. Rather, it is sufficient to position the contact head 21 within a predetermined tolerance range with respect to the charging socket 51 of the vehicle 5. The exact
• Alignment of the charging head 21 with respect to the charging socket 51 takes place during the insertion of the contact head 21 in the charging socket 51 and will be described in more detail below.
• Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a side view of a charging station 1 with a device 2 for electrically connecting the
• the device 2 may include a communication device 40 that receives data from the vehicle.
• the data transmission can unidirectionally from the vehicle 5 in the direction of
• Communication device 40 done. Alternatively, a bidirectional data transmission between the vehicle 5 and communication device 40 is possible.
• the communication device 40 may be, for example, a
• Radio interface 41 include. By means of this radio interface 41, a wireless data transmission between the communication device 40 and the vehicle 5 is possible.
• the radio interface 41 can establish a WLAN connection with the vehicle 5.
• a connection via a mobile network is possible, for example GSM, UMTS or LTE.
• a wireless data exchange by means of near-field communication can take place.
• Other wireless communication methods are also possible. Additionally or alternatively, the
• Communication device 40 also include an optical sensor 42 or an optical interface.
• the optical sensor 42 may be a camera, a bar code scanner or a QR code scanner.
• Further devices for receiving data from the vehicle 5 or for data exchange between the vehicle 5 and device 2 for automatic connection are also possible.
• the communication device 40 may receive vehicle-specific data from the vehicle 5, in particular data relevant for charging the energy store 50 in the vehicle 5. These data may include, for example, authorization data, billing parameters, charging voltage, charging current, battery capacity and other charging parameters.
• information about the position of the charging socket 51 on the vehicle 5 may be included in the transmitted data. Furthermore, the
• Communication device 40 also receive data about the parked position of the vehicle 5 with respect to the charging station 1. For example, from the vehicle 5, the GPS coordinates or the like to the
• Communication device 40 are transmitted. It is also possible that the communication device 40 determines the position of the vehicle 5 with respect to the charging station 1 by means of suitable sensors. For example, the position of the vehicle 5 can be effected by means of a camera 42, an ultrasonic sensor, radar sensor or another sensor.
• the contact head 21 on the insertion device 20 of the device 2 for automatically connecting the charging station 1 to the charging socket 51 of a vehicle 5 may comprise a plurality of electrical contacts. These electrical contacts are electrically connected to a voltage source 30.
• the voltage source 30 may be a
• Voltage converter or charge controller act, that of a
• Power supply 3 or other external energy source supplied electrical energy for charging the energy storage 50 in the vehicle 5 adapts.
• the contacts of the contact head 21 are also connected directly to a power supply network 3 or another voltage source.
• the electrical connection between the power supply network 3 or the other voltage source on the one hand and the contacts of the contact head 21 on the other side can be closed or opened to start the charging or to end.
• the adjustment of current and voltage for the charging of the energy storage device 50 in the vehicle 5 is performed by a charge controller in the vehicle 5.
• the energy storage 50 of a vehicle 5 the
• Contact head 21 are inserted into the charging socket 51 of the vehicle.
• the contacts of the contact head 21 are electrically connected to contacts of the charging socket 51. In this way, an electrical connection between the voltage source 30 and the vehicle 5 is established.
• the energy storage 50 of the vehicle 5 can be charged.
• the power supply between charging station 1 and vehicle 5 is interrupted and the contact head 21 is pulled out of the charging socket 51 again.
• the device 2 for electrically connecting the charging station 1 with the charging socket 51 of the vehicle 5 first positions the insertion device 20 with the charging head 21 in front of the charging socket 51. The device 2 determines the horizontal and vertical position of the charging socket 51 for this purpose. Subsequently, the positioning device 10, the insertion device 20 is positioned with the charging head 21 in front of the charging socket 51. The vehicle 5 should be turned off at the charging station 1 so that the charging socket 51 in the direction of
• the charging head 21 is located in a predetermined tolerance range in front of the charging socket 51.
• the loading head 21 may be located in a region with deviations of 5, 10, 15 cm or more deviating from the optimum position. This optimal position is considered as a position at which the contact head 21 can be inserted into the charging socket 51 in a straight line.
• the contact head 21 is moved by means of the insertion device 20 in the direction of the charging socket 51.
• Charging head 21 and charging socket 51 are designed such that during the insertion of the charging head 21 in the charging socket 51 a independent alignment of the contact head 21 takes place.
• the contact head 21 may comprise adjusting means which automatically align the contact head 21 during insertion into the charging socket 51.
• the contact head 21 thereby rotated, tilted, tilted or varied in a further manner, so that the contacts of the contact head 21 are aligned corresponding to the contacts of the charging socket 51.
• Insertion device 20 thereby have means which move the contact head 21 in the direction of the charging socket 51.
• the insertion device 20 may have a scissors mechanism.
• other mechanical devices are possible, which move the contact head 21 in the charging socket 51 by means of electric drive, hydraulic or pneumatic.
• the insertion device 20 may further comprise a rotating device 23.
• the contact head 21 can be rotated about a predetermined axis of rotation.
• This rotation axis may, for example, run parallel to a direction in which the contact head 21 moves into the charging socket 51 during insertion.
• the contact head 21 may be arranged directly on the contact head 21.
• Vehicle 5 are aligned.
• the rotation of the contact head 21 by the rotating device 23 may be based on predetermined example
• a sensor (not shown here) may be arranged on the contact head 21, the insertion device 20 or another location of the device for connecting the charging station with the charging socket to the
• the contact head 21 Alignment of the contacts of the charging socket 51 to determine the vehicle 5. Then, the contact head 21 can be aligned according to the orientation of the contacts on the charging socket 51. Likewise, the rotation of the contact head 21, as well as the insertion of the contact head 21 in the charging socket 51 can be determined based on predetermined parameters, which are made of the the communication device 40 received data. Of the
• Contact head 21 can be actively rotated by means of a drive in the rotating device 23 in the desired position.
• the rotating device 23 is a rotary joint which allows a rotational movement by the action of external forces.
• the introducer 20 may further include a compensating element 24.
• This compensating element 24 allows lateral movement of the contact head 21 during the insertion of the contact head 21 in the charging socket 51. In particular, allows such a compensation element 24 that the
• Contact head 21 during insertion of the contact head 21 in the charging socket 51 can perform a movement that is perpendicular, or at least approximately perpendicular with respect to the direction of movement of the contact head 21 during insertion of the contact head 21 in the charging socket 51.
• this compensation element 24 may be in this compensation element 24 to a spring element, a joint with a predetermined restoring force, a piece of elastomer or the like act.
• the compensating element may allow movement of the contact head 21 when the force applied to the contact head 21 exceeds a predetermined limit. Will on the
• Compensation element 24 exerted a force below a predetermined limit, the compensation element 24 remains at least approximately stiff.
• the compensating element 24 yields and thus permits a deviation of the direction of movement exerted by the insertion device 20 during the insertion of the contact head 21 into the charging socket 51.
• FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a cross section through a contact head 21 and a corresponding charging socket 51.
• the contact head 21 in this case has adjusting means 201.
• This adjusting means 201 may be, for example, a roller, a ball wheel, a pin or another
• a recess such as a groove or the like, as adjustment means 201 is possible.
• the contact head 21 by the interaction of the Adjusting means 201 are aligned with the corresponding guide 501 in the charging socket 51 of the contact head 21 with respect to the charging socket 51. In this way, it is possible to align the contacts of the contact head 21 so that they are suitably connected to the contacts of the charging socket 51.
• the surface of the contact head 21 and / or the surface of the charging socket 51 may be coated with a lubricious material.
• a coating of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or the like is suitable for this purpose.
• FIGS. 4a and 4b show schematic representations for the insertion of a contact head 21 in a charging socket 51 of a vehicle 5.
• a guide member 52 in front of the charging socket 51st arranged. For example, it may be at the
• Guide member 52 to a plate, a rail, a rod, or an arrangement of a plurality of bars or the like act.
• the guide device 52 it is also possible for the guide device 52 to be a cover in front of the charging socket 51, which is unfolded to the outside before insertion of the charging head 21. Approaches the contact head 21 during the
• the contact head 21 can be guided along the guide 52 in the direction of the charging socket 51.
• any existing horizontal or vertical deviations of the positioning of the contact head 21 with respect to the charging socket 51 can be automatically corrected.
• an adjusting means 201 arranged on the contact head 21 to be guided by the guide 52 in such a way that the contact head 21 aligns correctly with respect to the charging socket 51.
• the contact head 21 performs a rotational movement.
• the contacts of the contact head 21 with respect to the contacts of the charging socket 51 can be aligned correctly.
• Figure 4b shows an alternative embodiment for a charging socket 51 with a guide 52.
• the guide 52 is below the
• Charging socket 51 arranged.
• this can also be a Cover the charging socket 51 act, which is folded prior to insertion of the contact head 21 down.
• a guide 52 are possible.
• the contact head 21 can also be guided along the guide 52 during the insertion into the charging socket 51 and an automatic alignment of the contact head 21 can thereby take place.
• adjustment means 201 on the charging head 21 can interact with the guide 52 on the charging socket 51 in order to allow an alignment of the contact head 21.
• FIGS. 5a to 5d each show, by way of example, a plan view of one
• the contact head 21 comprises a plurality of funnel-shaped depressions 21-1. In each case, an electrical contact of the contact head 21 can be arranged in these funnel-shaped recesses 21-1.
• the funnel-shaped configuration of the recesses allows in this case an independent orientation of the contact head 21 with respect to the charging socket 51st
• FIG. 5b shows a further plan view of an embodiment of a
• the contact head 21 has a plurality of slot-shaped recesses 21-2.
• the slot-shaped recesses 21 may have a V-shaped form.
• the width of the gaps 21-2 decreases.
• the gap-shaped recesses 21-2 can either completely along a direction on the Surface of the contact head 21 extend.
• the gaps 21-2 as shown in the center of the contact head 21 in Figure 5b, also extend over only a portion, so that a plurality of gaps along a direction on the surface of the contact head 21 arise.
• the interior of the column 21-2 can be arranged in each case an electrical contact. Also in this and the following embodiments recesses are possible without electrical contacts.
• FIGS. 5c and 5d show circular contact heads 21.
• the contact head 21 has circular depressions 21-3, in each of which an electrical contact can be arranged.
• FIG. 5d likewise shows a circular contact head 21, in which, however, the recesses 21-4 in the contact head 21 are designed as circular segments. In this way, a plurality of contacts can be arranged within a circumference. Thus, in a smaller space, a larger number of contacts can be achieved.
• a circular contact head 21 as he
• the individual circular sectors can be made different sizes.
• both the width of the depressions 21-4 and the size of the circular segment can vary. In this way it can be ensured that even a circular contact head 21 can be inserted into the charging socket 51 of a vehicle 5 only in a predetermined orientation.
• the contact heads 21 have a conical or conical or truncated cone-shaped outer geometry.
• the base surface on which the contacts or the recesses for the contacts are arranged has the base surface on which the contacts or the recesses for the contacts are arranged, a lower in comparison to the insertion device 20 side facing lower base.
• the contact head 21 tapers in the direction of the surface on which the contacts or the recesses for the contacts are arranged. In this way, within specified tolerances is an independent
• Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of a cross section through a contact head 21 and a corresponding charging socket 51 of a vehicle 5.
• a contact head 21 For contacting the contact head 21 with the charging socket 51 is the
• the charging socket 51 in this example has three contacts 51-a, 51-b and 51-c.
• the contact head 21 has correspondingly three recesses with the contacts 21-a, 21-b and 21-c. While in this example the three contacts 51-a, 51-b and 51-c of the charging socket 51 have the same length, the contacts 21-a, 21-b and 21-c of the contact head 21 are within the contact head 21
• the above-described device 2 of a charging station 1 for automatically electrically connecting the charging station 1 to the charging socket 51 of a
• Vehicle 5 allows a great deal of flexibility in the connection between charging station 1 and vehicle 5.
• Vehicle 5 already by the
• Positioning device 10 variations of the position of a charging socket 51 on different vehicles 5 are taken into account, and in each case a suitable position for the insertion of the contact head 21 are driven into the charging socket 51.
• the automatic fine adjustment of the contact head 21 during insertion into the charging socket 51 makes it possible to set only low demands on the accuracy of the positioning device 10.
• more juxtaposed vehicles 5 are successively operated by one and the same charging station 1.
• each of the contact head 21 can be successively inserted into one of the charging sockets 51 of several vehicles parked next to each other 5 and the corresponding energy storage 50 of the respective vehicle 5 are charged.
• the contact head 21 can be pulled out of the respective charging socket 51 again and then inserted into the charging socket 51 of the next vehicle. Subsequently, the energy storage device 50 of the next vehicle 5 can be charged.
• This way are flexible Charging concepts for charging multiple vehicles by means of a charging station possible.
• data transmitted from the vehicle 5 to the communication device 40 can also be taken into account in the creation of the charging concepts.
• optimal charging concepts can be calculated and executed for each of several vehicles at a charging station 5. For example, the energy storage device 50 a plurality of vehicles 5 each initially only partially charged. After all
• Energy store 50 each have predetermined minimum battery levels, then the energy storage 50 of the vehicles 5 can be subsequently charged in succession. Thus, it can be ensured that initially all vehicles are ready to drive, and then the range of the vehicles can be increased by further charging. Further flexible charging concepts are also possible. Automatic contacting and decontacting of vehicles 5 eliminates the need for manual user intervention for charging multiple electric vehicles through a single charging station 1. Thus, the comfort and safety during charging can be increased.
• FIG. 7 shows a schematic representation of a flowchart, as it is based on a method for electrically connecting a charging station 1 to a charging socket 51 of a vehicle 5.
• a contact head 21 is first provided. This contact head 21 and in particular the contacts of this contact head 21 may be electrically connected to a voltage source 30 of the charging station 1.
• the contact head 21 can be arranged on an insertion device 20, as previously described
• step 120 the contact head 21 is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the charging socket 51 of the vehicle 5.
• This predetermined position is a position in front of the charging socket 51, from which insertion of the charging head 21 into the charging socket 51 is possible.
• This predetermined position may in particular be a predetermined spatial area.
• Charging socket 51 are also possible larger areas. Subsequently, in step 130, the contact head 21 is inserted into the charging socket 51 of the vehicle 5. During this insertion of the contact head 21 in the charging socket 51 in step 150, an automatic alignment of the
• the contact head 21 may comprise adjusting means 201, as previously described.
• the method may further include a step of determining the predetermined position for positioning the contact head with respect to
• Charge socket have.
• data from the vehicle 5 can be received and evaluated for such a step. This data can either directly the position of the charging socket 51 on the vehicle. 5
• vehicle-specific data from which the position of the charging socket 51 on the vehicle 5 can be determined. For example, based on the received
• the position of the charging socket 51 are read on the respective vehicle 5. If the charging socket 51 of a vehicle 5 is protected by a cover, or if the charging socket 51 is initially folded into the vehicle interior, then in a further step such a charging socket 51 can first be released by opening a cover, or the charging socket can be folded out becomes. For this purpose, if necessary, on the device 2 for electrically connecting the charging station with the charging socket
• the release of the charging socket 51 can be carried out mechanically.
• an imminent contact operation can also be signaled to the vehicle 5 by means of a radio interface or the like, whereupon the vehicle 5 autonomously releases the charging socket 51.
• the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for electrically connecting a charging station to the charging socket of a vehicle.
• a contact head connected to a voltage source is positioned in front of a charging socket of a vehicle and then inserted into the charging socket.
• the contact head has adjusting means which automatically align the contact head during insertion into the charging socket. In this way, the requirements for the positioning of the contact head can be lowered before insertion and the safety of contacting the charging station with the vehicle to be charged can be increased.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Power Engineering (AREA)
• Transportation (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Electric Propulsion And Braking For Vehicles (AREA)
• Charge And Discharge Circuits For Batteries Or The Like (AREA)

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• 2014
  • 2014-12-22 DE DE102014226755.2A patent/DE102014226755A1/de not_active Withdrawn
• 2015
  • 2015-10-15 EP EP15780899.9A patent/EP3237252A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2015-10-15 WO PCT/EP2015/073913 patent/WO2016102099A1/de active Application Filing
  • 2015-10-15 US US15/537,546 patent/US20170349055A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2015-10-15 CN CN201580070009.2A patent/CN107000606A/zh active Pending

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