EP4096960A1

EP4096960A1 - Locking device

Info

Publication number: EP4096960A1
Application number: EP21701714.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Carsten Garth; Cedric DEPPE
Original assignee: Phoenix Contact eMobility GmbH
Current assignee: Phoenix Contact eMobility GmbH
Priority date: 2020-01-30
Filing date: 2021-01-21
Publication date: 2022-12-07
Also published as: US20230339340A1; DE102020102209A1; DE102020102209B4; WO2021151763A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a locking device for a charging socket for charging an electric vehicle, comprising: an actuator, which is designed to lock the charging socket together with a corresponding charging plug in a plugged-on state; a fastening means which can be fixed or is fixed to the charging socket; and a retaining means adapted for detachably arranging the actuator on the fastening means, wherein the retaining means is arrangeable or arranged on the fastening means and is detachable from the fastening means via a relative movement between the retaining means and the fastening means. The invention furthermore relates to a charging connection for an electric vehicle.

Description

Locking device

The invention relates to a locking device for a charging socket for charging an electric vehicle. The invention also relates to a charging connection for an electric vehicle.

Electric vehicles use electrical energy to drive them. Electric vehicles are usually charged at charging stations via a cable connection. Small electric vehicles, such as electric bicycles, usually only charge small amounts of energy. Not least because of the power limitation of the chargers, standard household Schuko sockets are sufficient as charging sockets for electric bicycles. Charging stations with higher outputs, which are used to charge larger motor vehicles with an electric motor in a shorter time, now mostly have standardized charging sockets.

For example, in Directive 2014/94 / EU of the European Union, it is required that every charging station with more than 3.7 kW alternating current charging power, AC, should have a connection in accordance with IEC 62196 Type 2. Furthermore, every charging station with more than 22 kW direct current charging power, DC, should have a connection according to the Combined Charging System, CCS. In other geographical regions, differently configured connections can also be used. In North America, for example, the connections described as Type 1 in the IEC 62196-2: 2011 standard are often used.

To prevent unauthorized removal of a charging cable, as well as voltage peaks and the associated arcing when the charging cable is removed during charging, the charging plug is often locked in the charging socket during the charging process. With the Type 1 connection, there is a latch on the top of the charging connector that clicks into place when it is inserted. With type 2 plugs, a locking pin, which can also be referred to as a pin, is inserted into a recess on the charging plug provided on the charging socket from the side or from above.

The locking pin is often moved electromechanically by means of a locking device. Such a locking device is described, for example, in DE 10 2018 114 205 A1 and can be arranged directly on the charging socket or in the vicinity of the charging socket. In some cases, for example in the event of a defect in the actuator of the locking device, or in the event of an electrical problem, it may be necessary to quickly disconnect the charging plug from the corresponding charging socket. Therefore, some locking devices known from the prior art provide an emergency unlocking function which cancels the electromechanical locking. Often times, the locking pin can be moved mechanically via such emergency unlocking mechanisms, or via a cable pull from the interior of the electric vehicle.

The locking devices known from the prior art have the disadvantage that the technical implementation by means of an emergency release lever is complex, since this often works against the self-locking of the motor and gearbox and has to move the entire path of the locking pin on the actuator with a relatively small movement. In addition, it is not always desirable to have to use an actuation mechanism such as a cable pull.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved concept for the emergency unlocking of a locking device.

This object is achieved by an object with the features of claim 1.

Thereafter, a locking device for a charging socket for charging an electric vehicle is provided, comprising: an actuator which is adapted to the charging socket with a corresponding one

To lock the charging plug in an attached state; a fastener fixable or fixed to the charging socket; and holding means adapted for releasably locating the actuator on the

Fastening means, wherein the holding means can be arranged or arranged on the fastening means and via a relative movement between the holding means and the

Fastening means is detachable from the fastening means.

The charging socket can for example be arranged directly on the electric vehicle and can be adapted to be connected to a charging cable via a corresponding charging plug that is plugged into the charging socket. Alternatively, the charging socket can also be arranged at the charging station. The charging socket can be a type 2 or Combo 2 charging socket, for example. In examples, the charging socket can also be a charging socket according to other known types, such as a charging socket according to the GB / T standard or the CCS type 1 standard. The actuator can comprise a locking means, for example a locking pin, and can be adapted to move the locking pin electromechanically along an axis as a function of an electrical signal. For example, the locking device can be arranged on the charging socket in such a way that the locking pin can be moved through an opening in a housing of the charging socket into a further opening or recess along the axis into the charging plug located in the charging socket.

The term “fastening means” can be understood to mean a means which is used to arrange the actuator on the charging socket. For example, the fastening means can comprise one or more fastening bolts, which is / are arranged at least in some areas in the housing of the charging socket and / or protrude from the housing so that the actuator can be plugged onto the fastening bolt (s). The holding means can be designed, for example, as a fastening clip or fastening plate and be adapted to be detachably arranged on an end region of the fastening bolt (s). In a mounted state, the actuator can thus be pushed onto the fastening means, for example on the fastening bolt (s), and held on the charging socket by the holding means, such as the fastening clip or the fastening plate.

The holding means is advantageously adapted for releasably arranging the actuator on the fastening means, wherein the holding means can be arranged or arranged on the fastening means and is detachable from the fastening means via a relative movement between the holding means and the fastening means.

The term “relative movement” can be understood, for example, as a horizontal and / or vertical displacement of the holding means relative to the fastening means in order to detach the holding means from the fastening means so that the actuator can be detached from the fastening means. Furthermore, a rotational movement of the holding means relative to the fastening means can also be understood as a “relative movement”. Furthermore, pushing or pulling the holding means relative to the fastening means can also be understood as a “relative movement”.

In the case of the locking device described herein, the fastening of the actuator to the charging socket can advantageously be released in the event of an emergency unlocking, so that the Locking means with the actuator can evade in order to release the charging plug without the locking means having to be moved via an emergency release lever.

In one example, the fastening means comprises at least one fastening bolt, the fastening bolt being fixable or fixed with a first end to the charging socket and having a first holding geometry at a second end, which is opposite the first end, for the detachable arrangement of the holding means.

For example, the first end of the fastening bolt can be fixed or fixed to the housing of the charging socket via a screw connection or an adhesive connection. In further examples, the first end of the fastening bolt can also be encapsulated in the housing of the charging socket.

Fixing the fastening bolt by means of a screw connection advantageously enables charging sockets to be retrofitted with the locking device described herein.

In one example, the first holding geometry comprises a groove or a collar arranged at least in regions on the circumference of the fastening bolt.

The first holding geometry can be designed in such a way that the holding means on the fastening bolt can be detached from the fastening means via a relative movement between the holding means and the fastening means.

In one example, the actuator comprises a housing with at least one opening, in particular a through opening, adapted to receive the fastening bolt at least in regions.

The actuator can advantageously be plugged onto the fastening bolt (s) and thereby securely fixed to the charging socket.

In one example, the holding means can be detached from the fastening means via a twist lock, in particular a bayonet lock, or a slide lock.

Advantageously, by fixing the holding means on the fastening means by means of a rotary fastener or sliding fastener, a fastener can be produced and released mechanical connection can be created between the holding means and the fastening means.

In one example, the holding means comprises a fastening plate with at least one opening with a second holding geometry for arranging the holding means on the fastening means.

The second holding geometry can be configured to correspond to the first holding geometry and be adapted to connect to the first holding geometry on the fastening bolt.

In one example, the second holding geometry comprises a keyhole contour, an elongated hole open on one side and / or a web section.

In one example, the holding means is designed in several parts, in particular in two parts.

In this example, in order to detach the holding means from the fastening means, two or more parts of the holding means can advantageously be separated from one another. As a result, the holding means can be released even more quickly.

In one example, the holding means has a position securing means, in particular a spring-loaded tab, for holding the holding means on the actuator and / or the charging socket.

The connection of the actuator to the charging socket can advantageously be improved by using the position securing means.

In one example, an elastic element, in particular a spring element and / or a seal, is arranged on the holding means and / or between the actuator and the holding means.

For example, the spring element can be formed from a punched-out tongue in the material of the holding means, which rests on the actuator in a locked state of the locking device and thus preloads the holding means so that the holding means jumps out of its position automatically after being released from the fastening means. Alternatively or in addition to this, between the holding means and a compressible seal can be arranged on the actuator in order to pretension the holding means.

The invention also relates to a charging connection for an electric vehicle, having a charging socket; and a locking device as described herein, wherein the locking device is arranged on the charging socket.

In further examples, the charging connection can have the features described with regard to the locking device.

The idea on which the invention is based is to be explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a charging socket with a

Locking device in an unlocked state according to a first embodiment;

2 shows a front view of the charging socket with the locking device in a locked state according to the first embodiment;

3 shows a side view of the charging socket with the locking device in a locked state according to the first embodiment;

4A-7 different views of the charging socket with the locking device according to the first embodiment during an emergency unlocking process; and

8-10 views of holding means and fastening means according to a second, third and fourth embodiment.

Figure 1 shows a front view of a charging socket 3 with a locking device 1 in an unlocked state according to a first embodiment.

In Figure 1, the charging socket 3 is shown by way of example as a Combined Charging System, Combo-2, charging socket, for AC and DC charging. However, it is known to the person skilled in the art that the locking device 1 can also be arranged on other known charging sockets. For the releasable arrangement of the actuator 5, the fastening means 6 comprises, as shown in FIG. 1, fastening bolts 7a-7c, which are fixed with a first end in a housing of the charging socket 3 and with a second end protrude from the housing. In the embodiment shown, the actuator 5 can be plugged onto the fastening bolts 7a-7c so that a locking pin 9 of the actuator 5 can move through an opening in the housing of the charging socket 3 into an area of the charging socket 3 in order to connect a corresponding charging plug to the charging socket 3 lock. An exemplary opening in the housing of the charging socket 3 is shown in FIG. 7 and in FIG. 2 the arrangement of the extended locking pin 9 in the housing of the charging socket 3 is shown. The extended locking pin 9 is adapted to engage in a corresponding recess in a housing of the charging plug (not shown). The locking pin 9 can, for example, in the embodiment shown, be moved electromechanically in the horizontal direction and thus automatically lock the charging plug in the charging socket 3 during the charging process. Depending on the arrangement of the locking device on the charging socket, in embodiments not shown, the locking pin can also be moved vertically or horizontally into the housing of the charging socket.

FIG. 1 also shows a holding means 11 which is adapted for the releasable arrangement of the actuator 5 on the fastening bolts 7a-7c. In the embodiment shown, the holding means 11 comprises a fastening plate with three openings each with a second holding geometry 17a-17c, as shown in FIG. The second holding geometry 17a-17c is adapted to engage in each case a first holding geometry 15a-15c, which is shown in FIG. 1 as a circumferential groove on a respective fastening bolt 7a-7c.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the charging socket 3 with the locking device 1 in a locked state, according to the first embodiment already shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, the actuator 9 is plugged onto the fastening bolts 7a-7c and is held on the housing of the charging socket 3 by the holding means 11 via the fastening bolts 7a-7c. Furthermore, a position securing means 13, already shown in FIG. 1, is shown, which is shown as an angled edge of the holding means 11 and can also serve as an engagement surface for moving the holding means 11.

Figure 3 shows a side view of the previously shown charging socket 3 with the locking device 1 in the locked state. The second holding geometry 17a-17c at the respective openings in the holding means 11 is shown as an elongated hole with a tapered area between the two ends of the elongated hole. In the embodiment shown, the tapered area is arranged in the respective openings in a corresponding first holding geometry 15a-15c shown as a circumferential groove on the fastening bolts 7a-7c in order to arrange the holding means 11 on the fastening bolts 7a-7c. The holding means 11 can be detached from the fastening means 6 via a horizontal sliding movement of the holding means 11 relative to the fastening means 6. Furthermore, FIG. 3 shows a spring element 19, which is arranged as a punched-out tongue on the holding means 11 and rests on the actuator 5 in the locked state of the locking device 1 and thus preloads the holding means 11 so that the holding means 11 is independent after being released from the fastening means 6 can jump out of position.

FIGS. 4A-7 show different views of the charging socket 3 with the locking device 4 according to the first embodiment previously shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 during an emergency unlocking process.

In Figure 4A is a perspective view of the charging socket 3 with the

Locking device 1 shown in a locked state. For an emergency unlocking, the holding means 11 is moved in the direction of the arrow shown in the embodiment shown. FIG. 4B shows an enlarged view of the area surrounded by a dashed line in FIG. 4A. In the assembled state, in the embodiment shown, the tapered area between the two ends of the elongated hole of the second holding geometry 17b is arranged in the respective first holding geometry 15b shown as a circumferential groove on the respective fastening bolt 7b and thereby holds the actuator on the charging socket 3.

In Figure 5A is a perspective view of the charging socket 3 with the

Locking device 1 shown in an unlocked state. For this purpose, the holding means 11 was moved in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 4A and can now be released in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 5A. FIG. 5B shows an enlarged view of the area surrounded by a dashed line in FIG. 5A. In the unlocked state, in the embodiment shown, one end of the elongated hole is located above the respective fastening bolt 7b, so that the holding means 11 can be released.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the charging socket 3 with the holding means 11 removed. For example, the holding means 11 can be along the lines shown In the direction of the arrow, jump independently from its position on the fastening bolts 7a-7c because of the bias by the spring element 19.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the charging socket 3 with the actuator 5 removed. For this purpose, the openings 23a-23c shown in FIG. 7 in the housing of the actuator 5 can be pushed out of the fastening bolts 7a-7c. In addition, FIG. 7 shows a compressible seal 21 which, in embodiments, can be arranged between the charging socket 3 and the actuator 5 and, in the assembled state, can pretension the holding means 11 and the actuator 5. However, the seal 21 is not essential for moving the holding means 11 and the actuator 5 from the locked state and can only be used optionally in embodiments of the invention.

Figures 8 to 10 show views of holding means 1T, 11a ″, 11b ″, 1T ″ and fastening means 6 - 6 ‘″ according to a second, third and fourth embodiment. The representations shown in FIGS. 8 to 10 each show details of the respective detachable arrangements of holding means 1T, 11a ", 11b", 1T "and fastening means 6 - 6

Figure 8 shows an arrangement similar to the arrangement shown in Figure 4B, in contrast to the arrangement shown in Figure 4B, the second holding geometry 17 'has a keyhole contour. Thus, in the arrangement shown in FIG. 4B, the holding means 11 can only be released from the fastening bolt of the fastening means 6 ‘in the position shown.

In FIG. 9, the holding means 11a ″, 11b ″ is designed in two parts and is arranged around the fastening means 6 ″. To release the holding means 11a ″, 11b ″ from the fastening means 6 ″, the two parts of the holding means 11a ″, 11b ″ can be separated from one another. The second holding geometry 17 ″ is shown as a circular opening in the embodiment shown.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the second holding geometry 17 ′ ″ has webs for a twist lock, for example a bayonet lock. In the embodiment shown, the holding means 1T ″ can be released from the fastening bolt of the fastening means 6 ″ by means of a rotary movement. List of reference symbols

1 locking device 3 charging socket

5 actuator

6, 6 ‘- 6‘ "fasteners

7a - 7c fastening bolts 9 locking pin 11, 11 ‘, 11a“, 11b “, 11 retaining means

13 Position security devices

15a-15c first holding geometry

17a - 17c, 17 ‘- 17‘ “second retaining geometry 19 spring element 21 seal

23a - 23c opening

Claims

1. Locking device for a charging socket (3) for charging an electric vehicle, comprising: an actuator (5) which is adapted to lock the charging socket (3) with a corresponding charging plug in an attached state; a fastening means (6, 6 ‘- 6‘ “) that can be fixed or fixed to the charging socket (3); and a holding means (11, 11 ', 11a ", 11b", 11' ") adapted for releasably arranging the actuator (5) on the fastening means (6, 6 '- 6'"), the holding means (11, 11 ' , 11a ", 11b", 11 '") can be arranged or arranged on the fastening means and via a relative movement between the holding means (11, 11', 11a", 11b ", 11" ') and the fastening means (6, 6' - 6 '") from the fastening means (6, 6' - 6 '") can be released.

2. Locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening means (6, 6 '- 6' ") comprises at least one fastening bolt (7a - 7c), the fastening bolt (7a - 7c) having a first end on the charging socket (3) is fixable or fixed and at a second end, which is opposite the first end, has a first holding geometry (15a-15c) for arranging the holding means (11, 11 ', 11a ", 11b", 11 "').

3. Locking device according to claim 2, characterized in that the first holding geometry (15a-15c) comprises a groove or a collar arranged at least in regions on the circumference of the fastening bolt (7a-7c).

4. Locking device according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the actuator (5) comprises a housing with at least one opening (23a-23c), in particular a through opening, adapted for at least regionally receiving the fastening bolt (7a-7c).

5. Locking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding means (11, 11 ', 11a ", 11b", 11'") have a rotary lock, in particular a bayonet lock, or a slide lock of the fastening means (6, 6 '- 6'") is solvable.

6. Locking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding means (11, 11 ‘, 11a", 11b ", 11‘ ") a

Fastening sheet comprises at least one opening with a second holding geometry (17a - 17c, 17 '- 17 "') for arranging the holding means (11, 11 ', 11a", 11b ", 11'") on the fastening means (6, 6 ') - 6 '").

7. Locking device according to claim 6, characterized in that the second holding geometry (17a - 17c, 17 ‘- 17‘ ”) comprises a keyhole contour, an elongated hole open on one side and / or a web section.

8. Locking device according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the holding means (11a ", 11b") is designed in several parts, in particular in two parts.

9. Locking device according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the holding means (11, 11 ‘, 11a", 11b ", 11‘ ") a

Position securing means (13), in particular a spring-loaded tab, for holding the holding means (11, 11, 11a ", 11b", 11 "‘) on the actuator (5) and / or the charging socket (3).

10. Locking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an elastic element, in particular a spring element (19) and / or a seal (21), arranged on the holding means (11, 11 ', 11a ", 11b", 11 "') and / or between the actuator (5) and the holding means (11, 11 ', 11a ", 11b", 11' ").

11. A charging connection for an electric vehicle, comprising: a charging socket (3); and a locking device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking device (1) is arranged on the charging socket (3).