FR3042072A1 - ADAPTER FOR CHARGING AN ELECTRIC OR HYBRID VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

Adapter for charging a battery of an electric or hybrid vehicle, comprising electrical contacts (N, GND, PH1) intended to be connected to a socket (3) of the vehicle's domestic type, electrical contacts (PP, CP , N, GND, PH1, PH2, PH3) for connection to a charging terminal. The integrated communication device (9) is able to ensure the transmission of recognition signals between said vehicle and said terminal to initiate charging.

Description

Adapter for charging an electric or hybrid vehicle

The present invention relates, in general, to electric and hybrid vehicles, and more specifically relates to battery charging devices for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The invention refers, more specifically, to an adapter for charging the batteries of these vehicles.

Electric and hybrid vehicles comprise at least one electric motor, powered by one or more electric batteries. Regular charging of the batteries is necessary, and it can be done via a public charging station or a terminal installed in the home of the user.

In general, the vehicle has a cable, the free end is provided with a socket. The connection of the vehicle socket to the socket of a charging terminal requires complementarity of their electrical contacts.

On the market, several types of plugs for electric vehicles exist, and are more or less widespread depending on the country. Each socket must be connected to a specific charging terminal.

Some models of vehicles have an ordinary household socket, widely used in homes, to charge electrical appliances. Other models feature more sophisticated outlets, allowing for faster battery charging, but requiring recognition between the vehicle and the kiosk to initiate charging. The recognition results in the transmission of electrical signals from the vehicle to the terminal, indicating in particular the value of the intensity of the current that can travel through the socket of the vehicle and the cable associated therewith. The communication makes it possible, among other things, to inform the vehicle of the available power of the terminal, to inform the terminal about the load power of the vehicle as well as the current allowed by the cable. These catches are called "communicating". In this respect, the user can often encounter the difficulty of accessing a charging terminal adapted to the decision of his vehicle.

The document FR2978877 discloses a modular electrical connection plug for electric vehicle, to adapt to various standards of sockets whose charging terminals are provided.

However, the card described in this document does not allow to connect a household type socket, which is "non-communicating", to a "communicating" type socket and initiate charging of the battery of a vehicle. The object of the invention is to remedy this drawback, and to propose an adapter making it possible to connect a "non-communicating" plug of a vehicle to a "communicating" power socket of a charging terminal, and to be able to initiate the recharging the vehicle battery more easily.

It is therefore proposed an adapter for the charging of an electric battery of an electric or hybrid vehicle, comprising electrical contacts to be connected to the vehicle and electrical contacts to be connected to a charging terminal.

In addition, an integrated communication device is able to ensure the transmission of recognition signals between said vehicle and said terminal to initiate charging.

According to another characteristic, the communication device is an electrical circuit comprising a first resistor corresponding to a cable accepting a maximum current of 13A and a second resistor corresponding to a vehicle battery whose charging power is low.

Advantageously, the circuit comprises at least one fuse for protecting the adapter from a short circuit.

The adapter may be provided with a device for detecting the connection of the vehicle socket to the adapter.

Preferably, the detection device is a contactor able to close the circuit when the terminal is connected to the adapter.

Moreover, the adapter may comprise a flap adapted to be folded over the electrical contacts intended to be connected to the vehicle, when said vehicle is connected.

In one embodiment, the adapter includes a locking system capable of holding the valve in the closed position when the vehicle is connected to the adapter.

Furthermore, the locking system may comprise a latching tongue fixed on the valve, a control rod located close to the electrical contacts intended to be connected to the charging terminal, and a pivoting hook capable of being actuated by the depression of the control rod.

In addition, the pivot hook may have a resilient tongue tending to maintain it in the unlocked position.

Preferably, the hook is made of a flexible synthetic material capable of deforming. Other objects, advantages and features will become apparent from the following description, given by way of purely illustrative example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a side view of an adapter according to FIG. invention; FIG. 2 represents the electric circuit which can be provided with the adapter according to the invention; - Figure 3 is a sectional view illustrating an example of a locking system of the adapter according to the invention, in the unlocked position; and - Figure 4 is a sectional view of the locking system illustrated in Figure 3, in the locked position.

As illustrated in Figures 1, 3 and 4 an adapter according to the invention, designated by the general reference numeral 1, is connected to a socket 2, which is equipped with a not shown charging terminal. The adapter 1 is further shown connected to a socket 3, itself connected by a cable 8 to an electric or hybrid vehicle not shown in the figures.

In the illustrated example, the socket 3 is a "domestic" socket, and the adapter 1 comprises two faces 4 and 5, advantageously opposite.

The first face 4 is preferably curved, and may comprise a recess 6. The face 4 has electrical contacts, preferably arranged in the recess 6, and corresponding, in the example shown, to the three contacts including a "domestic" socket Known can be endowed, that is to say a phase PHI, the neutral N and GND earth. Only the electrical contacts corresponding to the neutral N and GND earth are visible in Figure 1. The face 4 also comprises a device SW1 for detecting the presence of a socket on it, preferably mechanical, near direct electrical contacts N, GND and PHI The detection device SW1 illustrated is an electromechanical contactor.

The three electrical contacts N, GND and PHI are able to cooperate with three complementary contacts N, GND and PHI, whose socket 3 is provided.

The shape and size of the recess 6 are adapted to receive the plug 3. The switch SW1 is placed so that it can cooperate with the face 12 of the plug 3, when it is inserted into the adapter 1 .

The opposite face 5 of the adapter 1, comprises a protruding stud 7 whose role will be explained later and has electrical contacts. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, seven electrical contacts are provided on the opposite face 5, corresponding respectively to the neutral N, to the ground GND, to the first, second and third phases PHI, PH2 and PH3, and to two other contacts. communication capable of forming a "communicating" plug, capable of transmitting electrical signals, for charging an electric vehicle, as will be explained later. Only one of the communication contacts referenced PP, as well as the neutral N and one of the phases PH3 are visible in FIG. 1. It should be noted that in this embodiment the electrical contacts of the charging terminal are in conformity with one another. to Type 3 (IEC 62196 standard France), but the invention is easily transposable to Type 2 (Europe standard). The set of contacts of the face 4 are able to cooperate with complementary electrical contacts, which is provided with the socket 2 of the charging terminal.

In the example shown, the adapter 1 is provided with an integrated communication device 9, arranged between its two faces 4 and 5.

In the example shown, the adapter 1 also comprises a valve 10 pivotable about an axis 10a and having two lateral edges. The valve 10 is foldable on either side of the face 4. Only the side edge 31 is visible in Figure 1. The adapter 1 also preferably comprises a locking system 11 of the valve 10. A la 2 is illustrated by way of example, an integrated circuit 9a mounted in the communication device 9. The integrated circuit 9a comprises two resistors R1 and R2. The first resistor R1 advantageously connects the electrical contact PP intended to be connected to the socket 2 to the GND contact intended to be connected to the earth of the socket 3. The second resistor R2 connects the electrical communication contact CP of the socket 2 at the GND contact intended to be connected to the earth of the socket 3.

It should be noted that the PP and CP contacts correspond to the "PP" and "CP" connectors of the IEC 62196 standard: "PP" means "Proximity Pilot" and "CP" stands for "Control Pilot".

The value of the resistor RI is chosen so as to indicate to the charging terminal, the presence on the adapter 1 of a cable 8 accepting a current of 13A maximum, which allows the terminal to authorize and initiate load.

The value of the resistor R2 is chosen to indicate the presence of a vehicle whose battery has a low load power. In this case, a ventilation of the charging system is not required.

Indeed, in accordance with the IEC-61851 standard, the value of a resistance wired inside a connector of the charging cable of an electric vehicle (corresponding to RI in this embodiment) indicates to the charger the vehicle and at the charging terminal, the section of the cable. Similarly, the value of a switched resistor on the vehicle side mounted between the pilot line CP and the earth indicates to the charging terminal the permissible power. In this embodiment this resistance corresponds to R2 and performs the same function although not present in the vehicle itself.

Therefore, the circuit 9a is able to ensure the transmission of recognition signals between the vehicle and the charging terminal in order to deliver a current to the socket 3 and initiate charging according to the characteristics of the vehicle battery.

A diode DI is placed between the contact CP intended to be connected to the socket 2 and the second resistor R2, and passes the current of the charging terminal to the vehicle.

The contactor of the detection device SW1 is placed between the resistor R2 and the contact GND intended to be connected to the earth of the socket 3. It makes it possible to detect the connection of the socket 3 to the adapter 1, of do not operate the charging terminal permanently, and do not bring power to the terminals of the adapter 1 when the socket 3 is not connected. In this case indeed, the contactor is open, as shown in Figure 2 and interrupts the flow of current from the contact CP.

Preferably, a first fuse Fl is placed between the contact N intended to be connected to the socket 2 and the contact N intended to be connected to the socket 3.

A second fuse F2 can be placed between the contact PHI intended to be connected to the socket 2 and the contact PHI intended to be connected to the socket 3.

The fuses Fl and F2 protect against risks in the event of a short circuit, in particular on the side of the socket 3 of the vehicle, the cable section of which can therefore be reduced compared to the cable section on the side of the socket. current 2 of the charging terminal.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the locking system 11 of the valve 10 of an adapter 1 according to the invention preferably comprises a movable control rod 13, a pivoting hook 14 and a fixed fastening tab 15 on the lateral edge 31 of the valve 10. The system 11 also advantageously comprises a structural element 20. The structural element 20 of the adapter 1 preferably comprises a first portion 22 and a second lower portion 23, located in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the first portion 22. The second portion 23 comprises a face 27 directed towards the inside of the adapter. An orifice 21 is formed in the structural element 20.

The control rod 13 may comprise two cylindrical portions 16 and 17 separated by a collar 18. The portion 17 can slide freely in the orifice 21 of the structural element 20. A spring 19 is arranged around the portion 17, and is held on this portion by the collar 18. On the opposite side, the spring 19 is supported on the structural element 20. The spring 19 therefore tends to move the rod 13 in the direction away from the face 5 of the adapter 1.

The hook 14, advantageously of flexible synthetic material capable of deforming slightly in an elastic manner, is pivotally mounted about an axis 14a integral with the structural element 20. The position of the axis 14a is such that the rod 13 is capable, when sufficiently pressed into the orifice 21, to come into contact with an edge 14b of the hook 14 by causing said hook to pivot about the axis 14a as will be seen later. The hook 14 has two portions 24, 25 and a head 26 in the form of a hook. The portion 24 is preferably of tapered shape to better deform and rests on the face 27 of the portion 23 of the structural member 20. However, it will be understood that this tapered shape is not essential. The portion 25 is located in a plane forming an obtuse angle with the plane of the portion 24 so that the portion 25 extends in the opposite direction to the face 27 of the element 20. The portion 25 is extended by the head 26 in the form of a hook.

The hooking tab 15 can be fixed on the side edge 31 of the valve 10, may comprise two portions 28, 29 and a hook-shaped head 30, adapted to cooperate with the hook-shaped head 26. The portion 28 This portion 28 is advantageously flared, which reinforces the attachment of the tongue 15 to the valve 10. In the example illustrated, the portion 28 is extended by the central portion 29, which is even terminated by the hook-shaped head 30.

The head 26 of the hook 14 and the head 30 of the tongue 15 are able to cooperate for mutual attachment and locking, and are preferably of complementary shape. In Figure 3, the locking system 11 is shown in the unlocked position, the valve 10 of the adapter 1 is already folded over the plug 3 which is connected, but the adapter is not yet connected to the socket 2 of the charging terminal.

In this position, the portion 17 of the rod 13 is slightly inserted into the orifice 21, so that the rod 13 is not in contact with the hook 14. The rod 13 is guided by the portion 22 of the structural element 20. Thanks to the elasticity of the tapered portion 24 which bears against the face 27, the hook 14 is in the relaxed position, that is to say out of any contact with the hook-shaped head 30 The spring 19 is, meanwhile, in the relaxed position.

Although the valve 10 is folded down, the head 30 of the latching tongue 15 and the head 26 of the hook 14 are not in contact. In FIG. 4, the locking system 11 is shown in the locked position, the valve 10 of the adapter 1 is always folded over the socket 3, and this time, the adapter 1 is connected to the socket 2 of FIG. the charging station.

In this position, the end of the portion 16 of the rod 13 has abutted on a structural element 32 mounted in the socket 2 of the charging terminal. The portion 17 of the rod 13 is largely inserted into the orifice 21, so that it comes into contact with the edge 14b of the hook 14. The hook 14 has pivoted about its axis 14a against the resisting torque created by the tapered portion 24 always bearing on the face 27 of the structural element 20. This movement is made possible by the elastic deformation of the portion 24. In this position, the plans of the portion 24 and the portion 25 are substantially orthogonal, and the complementary heads 26 and 30 in the form of hooks have nested one into the other.

The spring 19 is kept compressed between the collar 18 and the structural element 20.

When the user wishes to charge the batteries of his vehicle, he plugs the socket 3 on the adapter 1, so as to connect the electrical contacts N, GND and PHI of the socket 3 on the respective electrical contacts N, GND and PHI of the face 4 of the adapter 1.

The plug 3 being connected to the face 4 of the adapter 1, the face 12 of the plug 3 actuates the switch SW1 which closes the integrated circuit 9 and allows the passage of the current from the socket 3 to the adapter 1. The The user then folds the valve 10 above the plug 3. The configuration of the locking system 11 is then similar to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 3. The user can then connect the adapter 1 to the socket 2 of the terminal. charge. The portion 16 of the rod 13 penetrates into a not shown housing of the socket 2 until it comes into abutment against the structural element 32 of the socket 2. The structural element 32 advantageously corresponds to a movable element of FIG. protection, usually arranged next to the electrical contacts of the socket 2 and protecting the user from dangerous exposure with the electrical contacts.

When the user connects the adapter 1, the stud 7 pushes the movable member 32 which is moved back to a stop not shown. The abutment position is illustrated in Figures 1 and 4.

The portion 17 of the rod 13 pushes the portion 25 of the hook 14, so that the latter engages in the latching tongue 15, and locks the system 11, as shown in Figure 4. The valve 10 is locked and can not be opened while the adapter 1 is connected to the socket 2 of the charging terminal. The system is therefore protected from malicious manipulation by a person other than the user. At the end of the load, when the user removes the adapter 1 from the socket 2 of the charging terminal, the structural element 32 of the socket 2 exerts more effort on the rod 13. The spring 19 returns to its relaxed position and the system is similar to the configuration shown in Figure 3.

The swivel hook 14 is advantageously of flexible synthetic material, allowing it to deform when the rod 13 exerts a force on its portion 25. The adapter 1 may also comprise a sealing device not shown in the figures.

Of course, it is not beyond the scope of the invention if the adapter 1 is provided with electrical contacts different from those described in the example shown in Figures 1 to 4.

In the case where the valve 10 is not closed prior to the connection of the adapter 1 to the socket 2, the hook 14 may be provided in sufficiently flexible material so that the valve 10 can still be folded. In the illustrated example, by folding the valve 10, the head 30 can push the head 26, so as to lift, so that finally the two heads can fit into one another, and lock the system 11 .

In other embodiments of the invention, the adapter 1 could be provided with a second locking system 11 on the opposite side of the adapter 1, which may include a hooking tab 15 attached to the opposite side edge of the adapter 1. valve 10. The adapter 1 according to the invention provides a simple way to connect a socket 3 of an electric or hybrid vehicle to a socket 2 of a charging terminal. The adapter 1 also makes it possible to transmit recognition signals between a "non-communicating" plug 3 and a "communicating" plug 2, without modifying the vehicle or the software. The locking system 11 of the adapter 1 secures the charging operation of the vehicle.

Claims (11)

1. Adapter for charging an electric or hybrid vehicle battery, comprising electrical contacts (N, GND, PHI) intended to be connected to a socket (3) of the vehicle's domestic type, electrical contacts (PP, CP , N, GND, PHI, PH2, PH3) intended to be connected to a communicating charging terminal, characterized in that it comprises an integrated communication device (9) capable of ensuring the transmission of recognition signals between said vehicle and said terminal for initiating charging. 2. An adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication device (9) is an electrical circuit (9a) comprising a first resistor (RI) corresponding to a cable accepting a maximum current of 13A and a second resistor (R2). ) corresponding to a vehicle battery whose charging power is low. An adapter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the circuit comprises at least one fuse (F1, F2) for protecting the adapter (1) from a short circuit. 4. Adapter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a detection device (SW1) of the connection of the terminal to the adapter (1). 5. An adapter according to claim 4, characterized in that the detection device (SW1) is a contactor adapted to close the circuit (9) when the plug (3) of the vehicle is connected to the adapter O) · 6. Adapter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises only passive components. 7. Adapter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a valve (10) adapted to be folded over the electrical contacts (N, GND, PHI) intended to be connected to the vehicle, when said vehicle is connected. 8. An adapter according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a locking system (11) capable of holding the valve (10) in the closed position when the vehicle is connected to the adapter (1). 9. Adapter according to claim 8, characterized in that the locking system (11) comprises a latching tongue (15) fixed on the valve (10), a control rod (13) located near the electrical contacts ( PP, CP, N, GND, PHI, PH2, PH3) for connection to the charging horn, and a pivotable hook (14) capable of being actuated by recessing the control rod (13). 10. An adapter according to claim 9, characterized in that the pivoting hook (14) has a resilient tongue (24) tending to keep it in the unlocked position when the adapter (1) is not connected to the charging terminal. 11. Adapter according to claim 10, characterized in that the hook (14) is made of a flexible synthetic material capable of deforming so that the valve (10) is adapted to be folded when the adapter (1) is connected at the charging terminal.