FR2945383A1 - SYSTEM FOR THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BETWEEN AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE AND A FIXED LOADING STATION - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for the electrical connection between an electric vehicle and a stationary loading station (S). This system comprises at least one female connector (1) and at least one male connector (2): one fixed at the lower part of the vehicle chassis (C) and the other implanted at ground level so as to to be covered by said lower frame part (C). The male connector (2) is carried by support means (12) allowing its maneuver height between two positions: - a retracted position, and - an extended position, adapted to cooperate with the complementary female connector (1). The female connector (1) comprises at least one charging housing (3) provided with at least one opening opening (6a) through which said male connector (2) penetrates to be positioned in said charging housing (3) , which charging housing (3) is equipped with at least one electrical connection terminal (4) and is delimited by walls (3a, 3b) arranged, on the one hand, to allow the translational movements of said male connector ( 2) associated along said charging housing (3), and secondly, to provide guidance, and possibly to form a stop ensuring the locking, in the deployed position of said associated male connector (2).

Description

The present invention relates to the field of electric vehicles, in particular but not exclusively electric road vehicles. It relates more particularly to a system for the electrical connection between, on the one hand, an electric vehicle equipped with accumulator means of electrical energy and, on the other hand, a fixed station for loading said accumulator means. Environmental constraints are becoming more stringent, especially in terms of air quality. However, electric vehicles have the advantage of not generating air pollution during operation. They become for this reason a particularly interesting solution to replace conventional vehicles equipped with an engine type internal combustion. These electric vehicles comprise for this purpose an electric motor associated with accumulator means of electrical energy, usually battery type (s). For recharging, these vehicles are still provided with an electrical connector which is associated with the accumulator means and which is electrically connectable to a complementary connector equipping a stationary loading station. However, these electric vehicles are not yet widespread, especially because of problems related to reloading their accumulator means. To date, the charging of electric vehicles is carried out by techniques of the slow recharging type, by means of low power stations, that is to say of the order of 3 to 25 kilowatts.

However, this type of solution imposes a long charging time, usually several hours, during which the vehicle is immobilized. And the electricity supply networks for electric vehicles require a large number of charging stations to allow the reception of a large number of simultaneously loading vehicles.

A more interesting solution provides the use of fast charging type techniques, implementing high power stations, that is to say of the order of more than 125 kilowatts (up to several hundred kilowatts) ). This type of installation allows a quick recharging of the accumulator means of the vehicle, advantageously in a few minutes (for example, an accumulator with a capacity of 40 kilowatt hours recharges in about 10 minutes, with an electric power of about 250 kilowatts; As an indication, the new generations of batteries based on lithium technologies are able to take advantage of such powers). This technology has the advantage of immobilizing the vehicles for a short time, and thus makes it possible to limit the size and the number of loading stations.

However, these fast charging techniques also have certain disadvantages, particularly related to the electrical powers used and the equipment they require. On the one hand, high electrical powers require thick conductors and insulators, as well as solid and secure connectors, that is to say heavy, expensive and impractical to use (especially for a senior). In addition, electrical hazards for individuals are very important; this is particularly the case if a person must intervene to electrically connect the vehicle and the charging station. In particular, among the most important risks, there is the case where the road vehicle would move, for whatever reason, while the loading is in progress, causing the deterioration of the electrical connection system. People around the connection system could then run into serious danger. Moving the vehicle would also be likely to cause irreversible damage to both the vehicle and the loading station.

The object of the invention is to meet the need for a simple, efficient and secure electrical connection between the electric vehicle and the fixed loading station, in particular allowing the connectors to be disconnected at any time, without any risk of failure. damage to the vehicle or station. Another object is to also allow such an electrical connection without the need for an individual to manually manipulate the cables or connectors of the vehicle or the station. Another objective is to authorize the use of high electrical powers, to ensure the quick recharging of accumulator means equipping the vehicle. For this, the electrical connection system according to the invention comprises at least one male connector and at least one female connector, which connectors are provided with terminals for their electrical connection. One of these connectors is fixed at the lower part of the chassis of the vehicle, coming from the ground, and the other is located at ground level so as to be covered by said lower frame part; the male connector is carried by support means allowing its maneuver height between two positions: - a retracted position, at rest, and - an extended position, adapted to cooperate with the complementary female connector; and the female connector comprises at least one charging housing provided with at least one opening opening through which said male connector penetrates, which charging housing is equipped with at least one of said electrical connection terminals and is delimited by walls arranged on the one hand, to allow translational movements of said associated male connector along said load housing, and on the other hand, to guide said associated male connector in the deployed position. Preferably, the walls delimiting the load housing are further arranged to form a stop ensuring the locking in the extended position of said associated male connector.

These means make it possible in particular to place the female connector or connectors out of reach, in a housing formed in the ground, to walk and drive over, without risk. According to a particular embodiment, the connection system comprises - two separate male connectors each consisting of a support member fixed on said support means and equipped with one of the electrical connection terminals, and - two female connectors each comprising a housing load adapted to receive one of said male connectors. In this case, the support means of the male connectors advantageously comprise two movable arms which each have (i) a first end on which is reported one of said male connectors, and (ii) a second end assembled with the lower part of the frame of vehicle through a joint; the movable arms cooperate, on the one hand, with means ensuring their operation at their respective articulation between the retracted and deployed positions, and secondly, with means allowing adjustment of the spacing between their associated male connectors while maintaining a minimum distance between them. According to another characteristic, the opening opening of the female connector (s) is delimited by convergent guide walls which are arranged to ensure the positioning of said associated male connector facing the load housing, during its translational path towards said housing. ; and the support means of the male connector or connectors comprise means allowing adjustment of the spacing between their associated male connectors while maintaining a minimum distance between them. In this case, the load housing of the female connector or connectors advantageously comprises a second opening opening which is arranged opposite the opening opening guide, so as to allow the arrival of the vehicle on one side of the or female connectors and his departure on the other side.

According to a particular embodiment, the male connector or connectors have a generally cylindrical shape delimited by two end surfaces connected by a circular or at least substantially circular peripheral surface; and the at least one female connector comprises a generally square or rectangular cross-section charge housing which is delimited by at least two facing lateral walls between which a transverse closing wall extends; this transverse wall comprises a longitudinal opening for the circulation of the associated male connector support means (s). The electrical connection terminals of said one or more male connectors are provided at their upper end surface or at their peripheral surface; and the electrical connection terminals of the female connector or connectors are arranged facing each other, respectively at their transverse wall or at their side walls. According to yet another characteristic, elastic return means are interposed between the male connector (s) and their support means, which return means tend to place said connector or connectors in alignment or substantially in alignment with said support means. Such means make it possible to limit the size of the male connectors when they are in the retracted position, that is to say when they have no contact with the ground or with the load receptacles. In the deployed position, when said male connectors come into contact with the ground or with the load receptacles, they have the possibility of automatically positioning themselves correctly, to obtain the desired electrical contacts. According to another feature, the male connector or connectors comprise means allowing the free rotation of at least their peripheral surface around their respective axis of symmetry. According to a preferred embodiment, the male connector or connectors are carried by the vehicle, and the female connector or connectors are located on the ground. The invention also relates to the electric vehicle comprising a chassis 30 equipped in particular with an electric motor, means for accumulating electrical energy for powering said motor, and at least one male connector as described above. . It also relates to the fixed loading station equipped with at least one female connector as described above. The invention will be further illustrated, without being limited in any way, by the following description of an embodiment given by way of example only, which is diagrammatically illustrated by the appended drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view general and in perspective of a loading station, equipped with the female connectors of the electrical connection system according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a view from above of the female connectors of FIG. 1; - Figure 3 shows schematically the male connectors of the electrical connection system according to the invention, intended to equip the electric vehicle and shown in the deployed position; - Figure 4 shows, seen from the side, one of the male connectors of Figure 3 in the deployed position; - Figure 5 corresponds to the male connector of Figure 4, in the deployed positions (Figure 5A) and folded (Figure 5B); - Figure 6 is a top view of a male connector, showing its internal structure; - Figure 7 shows, seen from the side, the path of one of the male connectors equipping the electric vehicle, within one of the female connectors constituting the fixed loading station; - Figure 8 corresponds substantially to a top view of Figure 7, showing the path of the male connectors along the complementary female connectors.

The system according to the invention is intended to provide an electrical connection between (i) a fixed charging station S (shown schematically in FIGS. 1 and 2), and (ii) an electric vehicle, in particular an electric road vehicle, comprising a chassis C (of which only the lower part is shown very schematically in Figures 3 and 4 by a single line).

By electric road vehicle is meant a vehicle which is equipped with electrical means (not shown) ensuring its movement on the road, namely in particular an electric motor and accumulator means of electrical energy for the supply of said motor (for example battery type (s)). This type of vehicle is relatively conventional, and is well known in the state of the art. The electrical connection system according to the invention is particularly adapted to allow the use of high power, ranging for example from 125 to several hundred kilowatts, used in fast charging techniques. It consists of complementary electrical connectors, in this case the number of two pairs: - a pair of female connectors 1, equipping the charging station S (FIGS. 1 and 2), and - a pair of male connectors 2, carried by the vehicle chassis C with a possibility of maneuvering between inactive active and retracted inactive positions (FIGS. 3 to 5). The loading station S and its constituent female connectors 1 are illustrated in particular by FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the female connectors 1 are located at ground level. They are here reported in a trench T so that their top faces extend in the general horizontal plane of the ground, or at least substantially at this level.

In an alternative embodiment, the load housing can be implanted directly on the ground, in a slightly elevated position. The trench bottom T is advantageously covered with a coating with a low coefficient of friction and electrical insulation, useful for the routing of the male connectors 2 as described below.

The female connectors 1 each define a longitudinal housing 3 which incorporates an electrical connection terminal 4 (shown in broken lines in Figure 2), and which is adapted to receive one of the male connectors 2 for charging operations. The load receptacles 3 are oriented parallel to one another, and they are arranged at a distance from each other. They are further arranged parallel to the general direction of the vehicle in the stationary loading station S; in FIGS. 1 and 2, this direction of travel of the vehicle is illustrated by the arrow marked A. Each longitudinal housing 3 is delimited by a set of walls arranged on the one hand, to allow the movements in translation of a male connector 2 along its length, and secondly, for guiding in its deployed position of said associated male connector 2. These walls are also arranged to place the female connector out of reach, to allow walking and driving over, without risk. In this case, the walls still form a stop ensuring the locking of said associated male connector 2, in its deployed position. For this, the load receptacle 3 here has a section of generally rectangular shape delimited by two lateral longitudinal walls 3a, vertical or at least substantially vertical, which are connected by an upper transverse longitudinal wall 3b, located opposite and distance from a bottom surface formed here by the surface of the trench T.

The electrical connection terminal 4 fitted to each of these two load receptacles 3 is in the form of an elongate conductive part, extending over a portion of the length of one of its side walls 3a. This terminal 4 preferably extends at a distance from all openings of the charging housing 3, to limit the electrical risks. This connection terminal 4 is moreover advantageously of the retractable type, so as to ensure an optimum electrical connection. At rest, it extends for this purpose divergently and projecting relative to the associated side wall 3a, in the upstream-downstream direction (in the direction of arrow A above).

The upstream end 4a of this terminal 4 is fixed on one of the side walls 3a of the associated housing 3, this by a pivot connection equipped with elastic return means in the deployed position. This pivot link is equipped with an electrical device type detector / switch (not shown) which signals to a central management system of the station S, the pivoting of the terminal 4 in the retracted position.

Its downstream end 4b extends away from the same housing side wall 3a. According to an alternative embodiment, these connection terminals 4 can equip the transverse wall 3b or the trench bottom T delimiting the load compartments 3.

The terminals fitted to the male connectors 2 are then arranged appropriately to take this position into account. The two connection terminals 4 of these female connectors 1 are further connected to the electric circuit (not shown) of the charging station S. This electrical circuit is connected to an electrical source or to a dedicated electrical network, providing preferably high electrical powers ranging from 125 kilowatts to several hundred kilowatts. Each charging housing 3 also has different openings, to allow its cooperation with one of the male connectors 2. In this case, this load housing 3 has two openings, each located at one of its longitudinal ends : one upstream 6 and the other downstream 7 (taking into account the direction of arrow A above). In practice, these upstream 6 and downstream 7 openings form the inlet and outlet ports, respectively, for one of the male connectors 2. The upstream opening 6 here forms a kind of collector or funnel, providing guiding of one of the male connectors 2 when it enters the load housing 3 (as described below in connection with Figures 7 and 8).

This upstream opening 6 is therefore delimited by two lateral walls 6a, vertical or at least substantially vertical, which converge towards each other in the upstream-downstream direction (in the direction of the arrow A above). These convergent side walls 6a here each extend one of the side walls 3a of the load housing 3, on the upstream side. The downstream opening 7 consists of a simple opening. According to an alternative embodiment, this downstream opening 7 may comprise a structure identical or similar to the upstream opening 6, with diverging sidewalls in the upstream-downstream direction. In this case, the male connectors 2 can enter their load receptacles 3 in both directions; terminal 4 will then have a suitable shape, for example a curved shape, allowing these inputs and outputs in both directions and the optimal electrical contacts. Each load housing 3 is also provided with a longitudinal opening 8, arranged along and on a median longitudinal axis of its transverse upper wall 3b. This transverse upper wall 3b is then divided into two panels, each of which extends one of the side walls 3a of the load housing 3. As described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, this upper longitudinal opening 8 is provided for allow the circulation of the support means which carry the male connectors 2. According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the two panels constituting the transverse upper wall 3b are each mounted on hinge, to allow their pivoting in a direction opposite to the ground to a raised position. This structure allows the output of the male connector 2 relative to the load housing 3, without passing through the downstream opening 7 or the upstream opening 6. The aforementioned panels can then be equipped with return means (spring type by example), to bring these panels back to the horizontal (lowered) position. These female connectors 1 can be made in one piece or from several parts assembled, that in a material with electrically non-conductive coating, so as to ensure in particular optimum electrical safety during charging. They can be associated with means ensuring their protection at rest. They can for this be mounted on means allowing their retraction in the ground, or be equipped with means of cover. These female connectors 1 are advantageously bordered by means for guiding the vehicle within the station S.

These guide means here consist of two rails R, each located on one side of the female connectors 1 and oriented in the direction of the arrow A above. The wheels of the vehicle are guided along these rails R. According to an alternative embodiment, not shown, these female connectors 1 can be installed on rails in a manner allowing lateral movement transversely with respect to the upstream-downstream direction. (arrow A), to reduce the mechanical forces between the male and female connectors when they are not correctly aligned from the beginning. Spring-type means may be added, allowing the female connectors 1 to return to their initial position after the output of the male connectors 2 of the load cells 3. In FIG. 1, an interface I equipping the charging station S can be seen , by means of which the customer can identify himself in particular to initiate the charging operations of his vehicle. Alternatively, this interface I can directly equip the vehicle. This charging station S further comprises a central management system (not shown) of the electronic / computer system type. The male connectors 2 are detailed below in relation to FIGS. 3 to 6.

These male connectors 2 each consist of a support member 2a, preferably made of electrical insulating material, having a generally cylindrical or roller shape. These male connectors 2 are each delimited by two front surfaces, one upper 2a1 and the other lower 2a2, connected by a circular peripheral surface 2a3. In particular, these front surfaces 2a1 and 2a2 are made of an electrical insulating material. The circular surface 2a3 carries the electrical connection terminal 2b of the male connector 2, here in the form of a peripheral conductive ring.

This electrical connection terminal 2b is connected to the electrical circuit of the vehicle, by a suitable conductive wiring 2c (illustrated in FIG. 4). As shown diagrammatically in FIG. 3, these male connectors 2 are fixed at the level of the lower part of the vehicle chassis C, intended to face the ground and above the female connectors 1.

The two male connectors 2 are carried by support means 12 adapted to ensure their maneuver height and advantageously also to allow their lateral displacement (that is to say transversely to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle). For this, these support means 12 here comprise two movable arms 13 of which: - the upper end 13a is connected to the frame C by an upper articulation 14a type ball joint, and - the lower end 13b is assembled with one of the male connectors 2a also through a lower articulation 14b type ball joint. These movable arms 13 are oriented so that their upper 13a and lower 13b ends are, respectively, the front and rear side of the equipped vehicle. They advantageously incorporate a conductive wiring 2c, allowing the electrical connection of their respective terminals 2b with the electric circuit of the vehicle. According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the movable arms 13 and the male connectors 2 may themselves serve as an electrical conductor, coated or not with an electrical insulating material. The connection by ball joints of the movable arms 13 with the chassis C confers including two axes of movement at their lower ends 13b and their associated male connectors 2: in height and laterally (transversely to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle). In particular, the lower end 13b of the arms 13 and their associated male connectors 2 are operable in height by a pivoting operation of these arms 13 at their upper ball joints 14a. This pivoting takes place around a transverse pivot axis 14a 'passing through their respective upper ball joints 14a, and extending perpendicularly or at least substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the equipped vehicle. This pivoting operation of the movable arms 13 is controlled by operating means 15, for example of the electric or hydraulic cylinders type.

These actuating cylinders 15, two in number, are assembled on the vehicle with, on the one hand, an upper end 15a connected to the frame C by an upper articulation 16 ball-type, and on the other hand, a lower end 15b assembled with one of the movable arms 13 by means of a lower hinge 17 also in the form of a ball joint.

According to an alternative embodiment, one or more articulations 14a, 14b or 17 consist of simple pivot links.

As illustrated in FIG. 5 and in practice, the mobile arms 13 are pivotally maneuvered about their respective transverse pivot axes 14a ', between two end-of-travel positions: an active deployed position when the operating cylinders 15 are deployed (Figure 5A), wherein the movable arms 13 are inclined and their male connectors 2 are spaced apart from the frame C (or close to the ground) to cooperate with the female connectors 1, and - a retracted position at rest when the actuating cylinders 15 are retracted (Figure 5B), in which the arms 13 are horizontal (or almost horizontal) and their male connectors 2 are positioned at the lower part of the frame C. Advantageously, the vehicle is equipped with an interface enabling the driver to steer the movable arms 13 between their deployed and retracted positions. It can also be provided that the reverse of the vehicle can not be engaged when the male connectors 2 are in the deployed position, in particular to reduce the risk of damage. In addition, as discussed above, each movable arm 13 is adapted to move in a given angular sector a (delimited by the broken lines in Figure 3) about a longitudinal pivot axis 14a "through their upper ball joints 14a respectively, and extending parallel to or at least substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle equipped, including function of the structure of the upper joints 14a.This feature allows the lateral displacement of the associated male connectors 2. These lateral movements of the mobile arms 13 are however limited here by means 20 interposed between these arms 13, to ensure an adjustment of the spacing of their male connectors 2 while maintaining a minimum distance between the latter. for example in a cylinder 20 of the pneumatic kind, arranged transversely and whose ends are fixed on the arms 13 by r through articulations of the ball joint type. This adjustment jack 20 is chosen so that its retracted end-of-stroke configuration allows the aforementioned minimum distance to be maintained between the male connectors 2. According to an embodiment variant, not shown, these adjustment means consist of a limiter of race implanted at the vehicle frame, between the two arms 13; this limiter, of defined width, a little smaller than the distance separating said arms 13, is slidably mounted in a direction parallel to the axes 14a '(that is to say perpendicular to the deployment / folding plane of the arms 13). The ends of this limiter cooperate with the movable arms 13 to prevent their bringing closer to its width. Its ends are arranged to follow the trajectory of a fixed point on the movable arms 13 during their movement of deployment and folding; they can have for this a general shape in an arc. The movable arms 13 and their respective male connectors 2 are further connected by means 21 which tend to place the plane of the male connectors 2 in alignment or substantially in alignment with said arms 13.

These holding means 21 consist for example of a pair of spring members located on either side of each movable arm 13. As can be seen in FIG. 5, in the folded position, the springs 21 maintain the connectors males 2 in a horizontal plane or at least substantially horizontal, as the arms 13; and the set thus occupies a minimal place (Figure 5B). After the deployment of the arms 13, the connectors 2 come into contact with the ground or with their charging housing and this contact ensures their correct positioning (here in the horizontal-figure 5A) to ensure proper entry into the housing of load and optimum electrical contact.

These particular means aim at optimizing the positioning of the male connectors 2 both in the retracted position for their storage, and in the deployed position, with respect to the complementary female connectors 1. FIG. 6 shows again schematically the structure of a male connector 2, of which the peripheral surface 2a3 is pivotable about its axis of symmetry 2a3 '. This structural feature is useful for reducing friction, and for facilitating the routing of the male connectors 2 in their respective load housing 3. This male connector 2 advantageously comprises a support member 2a which consists, on the one hand, of a cylindrical central portion 2a ', fixed to the lower hinge 14a of one of the movable arms 13, and other part of an annular peripheral portion 2a ", freely pivotally mounted around said central portion 2a ', for example by means of bearings 2a"'. More generally, it can be provided, in addition, an electrical circuit breaker device on the vehicle and / or within the charging station S, intended to ensure the interruption of the electrical circuit if necessary. Communication means may also be provided between the vehicle and the charging station S, for example means using the carrier current technique.

These communication means may be useful for example to open the vehicle's electrical circuit when the accumulator means reach a maximum safety temperature. On the other hand, it can be provided safety means to cut off the power supply of the terminals 4 of the female connectors 1, especially in the case where the latter remain in the retracted position for a maximum period of safety, corresponding to a situation of blocking the pivot connection of said terminals 4. In operation, when a customer arrives with his electric vehicle at the loading station S, he stops his vehicle next to the user interface 1. This client can then identify and choose the method of payment. After verification of the payment authorization, the charging station S is put into service, and the signals of the switch / detector devices associated with the terminals 4 of the female connectors 1 can directly trigger the closure of the load circuit controlled by the management system. central.

The customer can maneuver the male connectors 2 of his vehicle in the deployed position (Figure 5A); he is warned when the male connectors 2 are in position and he can then advance his vehicle so as to place his wheels in the lateral guide rails R. During this journey, the male connectors 2 circulate in the trench T, or by sliding on the bottom of this trench T is just above this trench bottom T. The vehicle, and the associated male connectors 2 in the deployed position, progressively advance in the upstream-downstream direction A illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. vehicle is guided in this upstream-downstream direction A, by the side rails R. The two male connectors 2 move synchronously until automatically entering the female connectors 1. For this and first of all, the male connectors 2 each reaches one of the upstream openings 6 of the load receptacles 3. As illustrated in the lower part of FIG. 8 in broken lines, the male connectors 2 have a lateral clearance of sitioning b, generated by the possibility of movement on the lateral angular sector has movable arms 13 (shown in Figure 3). These male connectors 2 are guided and each centered by the converging walls 6a of these upstream openings 6 to reach a position located in alignment with the load housing 3 (shown in the central portion of Figure 8, in solid lines).

In the case of rotary male connectors 2 as described above in connection with FIG. 6, these male connectors 2 have the advantage of rolling along the converging walls 6a.

Then, the male connectors 2 each enter one of the load housing 3, and they circulate and are guided along the latter (to the left of Figure 7, and at the top of Figure 8). The male connectors 2 are locked in the deployed position within these female connectors 1, to prevent risks of inadvertent disconnection which are particularly dangerous. For this, the peripheral surface 2a3 of the male connectors 2 is guided laterally by the side walls 3a of the load housing 3. The male connectors 2 are additionally locked in the deployed position by the upper transverse wall 3b, directly overlying the surface 2a1 upper male connectors 2. The carrier means 12 of the male connectors 2, and in particular the movable arm 13 / articulation 14b assembly, circulate within the longitudinal groove 8 without contact may cause damage. The vehicle advances until its lower chassis portion C comes to cover the female connectors 1 and that the connection terminals 2b of the male connectors 2 each come into direct contact with the connection terminal 4 of the associated female connector 1. Each male connector 2 then causes the pivoting of the connection terminal 4 in contact. This pivoting is permitted by the particular dimensions of the male connectors 2 and the load receptacles 3, and also because of the arrangement of the connection terminals 4 of these load receptacles 3. This charging position is signaled to the customer, for example to the customer. means of the visual device (for example of the kind tri-color equipping the charging station S or the user interface installed in the vehicle). The customer then stops his vehicle in this position. When the two terminals 4 of the female connectors 1 are rotated, the electric circuit of the charging station S is turned on. The charge cycle of the accumulator means equipping the vehicle is carried out until these accumulator means are fully charged.

The vehicle leaves the charging station while still traveling in the same direction illustrated by the arrow A. Its male connectors 2 then travel in their respective load compartments 3 until they come out at the downstream through openings 7. The connection terminals 4 released females return to the deployed position and their power supply is cut off. When the vehicle leaves the charging station S, the male connectors 2 are raised by the customer, in the retracted position which is adapted to the road.

The vehicle may be equipped with means reminding the driver to proceed to this operation of the male connectors 2 if the vehicle is moving forward. In all cases, the electric circuit of the charging station S is open when at least one of the terminals 4 returns to its deployed position. If the vehicle exits the charging station S while the accumulator means are being charged, the electric circuit is immediately opened. This characteristic is important to prevent the formation of an electric arc between the male connectors 2 and female 1, following their loss of contact. The vehicle can leave the charging station S at any time, safely and safely. If the customer has already visited the charging station S in advance, and if he has agreed to save his information for payment, he can maneuver the male connectors 2 in the extended position and advance directly towards the lateral guide rails R.

When it has succeeded in placing the male connectors 2 in the load receptacles 3, the pivoting of the connection terminals 4 signals the charging station S to carry out the identification of the vehicle by the line carrier means using a low current of permanence. Thus, the charging station S communicates with the vehicle to have the necessary identity information that can be connected with the information saved in the computer system of the charging station S during the last visit, and a code can be entered in the user interface. In the case where the information for the transaction is sufficient, the charging cycle can begin normally; if there is not enough information or if, for example, the credit card number has expired, the user interface informs the customer that the identification procedure must be carried out again, with a accepted method of payment. After an identification and a successful payment procedure, loading can begin normally. According to another alternative embodiment not shown, it can be provided to equip, on the one hand, the vehicle with the female connectors similar to those described above in relation to Figures 1 and 2, and secondly , the station S with the male connectors as described above in relation with FIGS. 3 to 6. In this case, the male connectors equipping the charging station are operable between two positions: a folded position in which the male connectors are located at or at least near the ground and - an extended position in which the male connectors are located above the ground, to cooperate with the female connectors of the vehicle.

In this case, the female connectors would be oriented so that their convergent upstream openings 6 are oriented on the front side of the vehicle.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1.- System for the electrical connection between (i) an electric vehicle comprising a chassis (C) equipped in particular with an electric motor and electrical energy storage means for powering said engine, and (ii) a stationary loading station (S) for notably loading said accumulator means of the vehicle, which system comprises at least one female connector (1) and at least one male connector (2), which connectors (1, 2) are provided with terminals (4, 2b) allowing their electrical connection, characterized in that one of said connectors (2) is fixed at the lower part of said vehicle chassis (Ç), facing the ground, and the other one of said connectors (1) is implanted at ground level so as to be covered by said lower frame part (Ç), in that said male connector (2) is carried by support means (12) allowing its maneuvering in height between two positions: a retracted position, at rest, and an extended position, able to cooperate with said complementary female connector (1), and in that said female connector (1) comprises at least one housing of charge (3) provided with at least one opening opening (6a) through which said male connector (2) penetrates, which charging housing (3) is equipped with at least one of said electrical connection terminals (4) and is delimited by walls (3a, 3b) arranged on the one hand, to allow translational movements of said associated male connector (2) along said charging housing (3), and on the other hand, for guiding in the deployed position of said associated male connector (2). 2.- System according to claim 1, characterized in that the walls (3a, 3b) defining the load housing (3) are further arranged to form a stop ensuring the locking in the deployed position of said male connector (2) associated. 3.- System according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises - two separate male connectors (2) each composed of a support member (2a), fixed on said support means (12) and equipped with one of the electrical connection terminals (2b), and - two female connectors (1) each having a load receptacle (3) adapted to receive one of said male connectors (2). 4.- System according to claim 3, characterized in that the support means (12) of the male connectors (2) comprise two movable arms (13) which each have (i) a first end (13b) on which is reported the one of said male connectors (2), and (ii) a second end (13a) joined to the lower portion of the vehicle frame (5) through a hinge (14a), which movable arms (13) cooperate with, on the one hand, means (15) ensuring their maneuver at their respective articulation (14a) between the retracted and deployed positions, and secondly, means (14a, 20) allowing an adjustment of the spacing between their associated male connectors (2) while maintaining a minimum distance between them. 5.- System according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the opening opening (6) of the female connector or connectors (1) is delimited by converging guide walls (6a) which are arranged to ensure the positioning of said associated male connector (2) opposite the charging housing (3) during its translational path towards said charging housing (3), and in that the support means (12) of the male connector or connectors ( 2) comprise means (14a, 20) allowing an adjustment of the spacing between their associated male connectors (2) while maintaining a minimum distance between them. 6.- System according to claim 5, characterized in that the load housing (3) of the female connector (s) (1) comprises a second opening opening (7) which is arranged opposite the opening opening guiding (6), so as to allow the arrival of the vehicle on one side of the female connector (s) (1) and its departure on the other side. 7.- System according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the male connector or connectors (2) have a generally cylindrical shape delimited by two end surfaces (2a1, 2a2) connected by a peripheral surface (2a3) circular or at least substantially circular, and in that the female connector or connectors (1) comprise a load receptacle (3) with a cross section of generally square or rectangular shape which is delimited by at least two facing lateral walls (3a). between which extends a transverse closing wall (3b), which transverse wall (3b) has a longitudinal opening (8) for the circulation of the associated male connector (s) support means (12) (2), the electrical connection terminals (2b) of said one or more male connectors (2) being provided at their upper end surface (2a1) or at their peripheral surface (2a3), and the electrical connection terminals (2a); 4 ) or female connectors (1) being provided opposite, respectively at their transverse wall (3b) or at their side walls (3a). 8.- System according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises elastic return means (21) interposed between the male connector (s) (2) and their support means (12), which tend placing said one or more connectors (2) in alignment or substantially aligned with said support means (12) in the retracted position. 9.- System according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the male connector (s) (2) are carried by the vehicle, and the female connector (s) (1) are located on the ground. 10.- Electric road vehicle comprising a chassis (C) equipped in particular with an electric motor and electrical energy storage means for powering said engine, which vehicle further comprises at least one male connector (2) according to the any of claims 1 to 9.