FR3057408A1 - LOAD TERMINAL FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES WITH ERGONOMIC MAINTENANCE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a charging terminal (100) for an electric vehicle comprising: - a body (102) enclosing one or more functional elements that are not accessible to the users when using said terminal (100), - a part (104), said head, provided in the upper part of said body (102); characterized in that the head (104) is movable, by translation, relative to said body (102), between: - a closed position, in which it prevents access to at least one of said functional organs, and - an open position wherein it allows access to at least one of said functional organs.

Description

® FRENCH REPUBLIC

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY © Publication number: 3,057,408 (to be used only for reproduction orders)

©) National registration number: 16 59667

COURBEVOIE © IntCI ⁸

H 02 J 7/00 (2017.01), B 60 L 11/18

A1 PATENT APPLICATION

©) Date of filing: 06.10.16. ©) Applicant (s): 1st simplified joint stock company - ©) Priority: FR. ©) Date of public availability of the request: 04/13/18 Bulletin 18/15. @ Inventor (s): DEROUINEAU BASTIEN and ODEMER YOANN. ©) List of documents cited in the preliminary search report: See the end of this booklet (© References to other related national documents: ©) Holder (s): 1st simplified joint-stock company. ©) Extension request (s): ® Agent (s): PONTET ALLANO & ASSOCIES.

CHARGING TERMINAL FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES WITH ERGONOMIC MAINTENANCE.

FR 3,057,408 - A1 yv) The invention relates to a charging terminal (100) for an electric vehicle comprising:

a body (102) containing one or more functional organs which are not accessible to users when said terminal (100) is used,

- A part (104), said head, provided in the upper part of said body (102);

characterized in that the head (104) is movable, in translation, with respect to said body (102), between:

- a closed position, in which it prevents access to at least one of said functional organs, and

- an open position in which it gives access to at least one of said functional organs.

202

204

- i "Charging station for electric vehicles with ergonomic maintenance"

The present invention relates to a charging station for electric vehicles, ergonomically maintained.

The field of the invention is the field of charging stations for electric vehicles, in particular charging stations installed on the roads.

State of the art

The charging stations for electric vehicles are designed to be installed on the road for the electric charging of electric vehicles in an urban environment.

The charging stations are subject to degradation due to climatic conditions, such as corrosion, but also to degradation which may result from intensive use involving numerous charging cycles and which may for example cause heating or aging of different terminal organs.

In addition, due to their positioning on the roads, they may be damaged by passers-by or vehicles.

Consequently, the charging stations are subject to frequent maintenance operations, in particular on the internal organs of the charging stations, to keep them in a normal operating state.

However, currently, a maintenance intervention on the internal organs of a charging station requires disassembly of an access hatch, or of a wall, of the terminal, which makes the maintenance intervention not very ergonomic and time consuming. In addition, such disassembly requires most of the time to cut the electrical signal upstream of the charging station to avoid the risk of electric shock.

An object of the present invention is to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks.

Another object of the invention is to provide a charging station allowing maintenance work on the internal organs of

- 2 said terminal more ergonomic, and less time-consuming, for maintenance operators.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a charging station allowing maintenance work on the internal organs of the charging station without having to cut off the electrical signal at each intervention.

Statement of the invention

The invention proposes to achieve at least one of the aforementioned aims by a charging station for an electric vehicle comprising:

a body containing one or more functional organs which are not accessible to users when said terminal is used, and

- A part, said head, provided in the upper part of said body; characterized in that the head is movable, in translation, relative to said body, between:

- a closed position, in which it prevents access to said functional organs, and

- an open position in which it gives access to at least one of said functional organs.

Thus, the invention provides a charging station allowing access to at least part of the functional members, without having to dismantle an access hatch or a wall of the terminal. The charging terminal according to the invention allows access to at least certain functional members located in the terminal, from the upper part of the terminal, and by applying a translation to the head of the terminal. Such simplified access makes maintenance intervention less time-consuming and more ergonomic for maintenance operators.

In addition, in the terminal according to the invention, it is possible to access certain internal organs of the terminal without having to cut off the electrical signal because no wall of the terminal is removed, and therefore the risk of electrocution. is decreased.

Furthermore, by this design, the head participates in the structure of the terminal and therefore completes the locking of the body with the appropriate means (sealing, embedding, ...).

In an advantageous embodiment, the head of the terminal can form at least in part, an upper wall of the terminal, and can be movable in a vertical direction.

Access to the terminal's internal organs is even more direct and intuitive.

Preferably, the movable head forms the whole of an upper wall of the terminal.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the terminal according to the invention may also comprise means for holding the movable head in the open position, and more particularly in the extension of the body in the direction of translation.

Thus, during his intervention on an organ of the terminal, the operator does not have to worry about the head of the terminal, the latter being maintained in the open position, in the extension of the body, without any intervention on his part. .

Advantageously, the means for holding in the open position can be arranged / chosen to keep the head open in several positions.

Thus, it is possible to adjust the open position of the terminal head according to the nature of the intervention and the organ concerned by the intervention, which allows greater flexibility during an intervention of maintenance.

According to a particular embodiment, but in no way limiting, the means for holding the head in open position (s) may comprise a ratchet rack connected on the one hand to the movable head and on the other hand to the body of said terminal.

Such a ratchet rack is easy and intuitive to use and has a low cost.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the terminal according to the invention may comprise a means for guiding the head during its translation.

- 4 Thus, the translation of the head can be achieved more easily while reducing the risk of damage to the head of the terminal or the body of the terminal, during the opening or closing of the movable head.

According to a nonlimiting exemplary embodiment, the guide means may comprise at least one rod secured to the head, respectively of the body, provided movable in at least one bearing, or a ring, secured to the body, respectively of the head.

The rod can be provided movable in the bearing, or the ring, with a non-zero clearance, to facilitate the translation of the terminal head in one direction as in the other.

Such an architecture of the guide means is simple, robust and inexpensive.

In addition, the rod may have a section, for example rectangular, making it possible to index the orientation of the terminal head relative to the body of the terminal in a plane perpendicular to the direction of translation, or to said rod.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the guide means can in particular comprise:

- two rods integral with the head, and

- For each rod, a pair of bearings, aligned in the direction of translation, and in which each rod is free in translation, in particular with a non-zero clearance;

the pairs of bearings being provided on a common part, in particular in the form of an arch, integral with the body of said terminal.

Such an architecture allows greater balance of the head of the terminal on the body of the terminal, which facilitates the translation of the head of the terminal and reduces the risk of degradation of the terminal during translation operations.

The rods can be arranged so that they are sufficiently spaced from one another to limit the overhang with respect to the head and to distribute the holding / sliding forces well.

- 5 In addition, the rods can be arranged in a plane transverse to the terminal and receding from the central axis of the terminal and therefore relative to the equipment / electrical components of the terminal.

In addition, the positions of the rods can be chosen to index the positioning of the terminal head relative to the terminal body, in particular in a plane perpendicular to the direction of translation, or to the rods.

In addition, the common arch-shaped part can be fixed to the terminal body on a chassis of the terminal body.

Alternatively, the common arch-shaped part can be fixed to a central duct or column (e) provided in the terminal body.

The arched common part can be attached using:

- two forks, called lower, each provided on a lower end of one of the two lateral arms of the arch,

- two forks, called upper, provided on the central arm, connecting together, said two lateral arms of the arch;

said lower forks being oriented and placed in a direction perpendicular to that of said upper forks.

The lower forks can be provided to be fixed in a direction parallel to the direction of translation of the head relative to the body of the terminal.

The upper forks can be provided to be fixed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of translation of the head relative to the body of the terminal.

Under these conditions, the common part is positioned in the following manner. First, the lower forks are put in place, for example on threaded receiving supports inserted into the lower forks, and provided on the body of the terminal. Then, the central part is tilted slightly to put the upper forks in place, for example on threaded receiving supports fitting into the upper forks.

Each fork is then locked by a nut which is screwed onto the threaded support.

- 6 Thus, the assembly and disassembly of the central part, in the event of intervention or maintenance, are facilitated.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the terminal according to the invention may comprise means for locking the head with the body, in the closed position.

Such a locking means can comprise a hook provided on the head of the terminal, respectively on the body of the terminal, and intended to cooperate with a lug, or an opening, provided on the body of the terminal, respectively on the head of terminal.

In a particularly advantageous version, at least one functional member can be secured to the head, so that, when the head is brought into translation, said functional member is also put into translation.

Thus, access to said functional organ is facilitated and more ergonomic.

Advantageously, at least one functional member can be in the immediate vicinity, or in contact, of the head of the terminal so that, when the head is in the open position, said functional member is, at least in part, outside said body.

Thus, the intervention on said functional member is more ergonomic and faster because the maintenance operator can intervene on the functional member outside the body of the terminal.

Advantageously, at least one functional member can be an electronic terminal management module, or at least one terminal member.

Such an electronic module can include one or more wired communication ports, respectively diagnostic, allowing to perform maintenance, respectively diagnostic, electrical and / or electronic and / or computer.

In particular, the electronic module can be integral with the head and be in the immediate vicinity, or in contact with the head, so that,

- 7 when the terminal head is in the open position, the wired communication port or ports are outside the body of the terminal.

The terminal according to the invention can also comprise:

- a display screen, and / or

- a reader of an identification means, for example of the RFID type;

arranged on an external wall of the head, in particular on a wall of the head forming an upper wall of the terminal.

In addition, the head can be connected to the body by a removable / removable connection, accessible when the head is in the open position, so that said head can be completely detached from said body.

Thus, during his intervention, the maintenance operator can first position the head in the open position to access the at least one removable link. Once the link has been dismantled, the head can be completely separated from the body of the terminal, which allows wider access to the interior of the body of the charging station.

In addition to the movable head, the terminal according to the invention may comprise a removable or removable cover, or a removable or removable wall, at the level of the body of the terminal, for accessing the interior of the body of said terminal.

Description of the figures and embodiments

Other advantages and characteristics will appear on examining the detailed description of nonlimiting embodiments, and the appended drawings in which:

- FIGURE 1 is a partial schematic representation of an example of a charging terminal according to the invention with the terminal head in the closed position;

- FIGURE 2 is a schematic representation of the terminal of FIGURE 1 with the terminal head in an open position, in a side view;

- 8 - FIGURE 3 is a schematic representation of the head of the terminal of FIGURES 1 and 2, according to a view from below;

- FIGURE 4 is a simplified schematic representation of the body of the terminal of FIGURES 1 and 2; and

- FIGURE 5 is a representation of a nonlimiting exemplary embodiment of a fixing and guiding means which can be implemented in a terminal according to the invention.

It is understood that the embodiments which will be described below are in no way limiting. One can in particular imagine variants of the invention comprising only a selection of characteristics described below, isolated from the other characteristics described, if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from of the prior art. This selection comprises at least one preferably functional characteristic without structural details, or with only a part of the structural details if it is this part which is only sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the state of the prior art.

In particular, all the variants and all the embodiments described can be combined with one another if there is nothing technically opposed to this combination.

In the figures and in the following description, the elements common to several figures keep the same reference.

FIGURE 1 is a schematic representation of an example of a charging terminal according to the invention with the terminal head in the closed position.

FIGURE 2 is a schematic representation of the terminal of FIGURE 1, with the terminal head in the open position, in a side view.

The terminal 100 shown in FIGURE 1 is in the form of a vertical monobloc cylinder of circular section.

Terminal 100 has a beveled upper end.

It comprises a body 102 and a head 104, arranged in the upper part of the body 102.

- 9 The head 104 forms the whole of an upper wall 106 of the terminal 100. The head 104 comprises a display screen 108 and a means 110 for wireless reading of an identification means, such as a card RFID, fitted in the upper wall 106.

The body 102 includes one or more electrical interfaces 112, such as electrical plugs, for electrically connecting the terminal 100 to a vehicle to be charged during a charging operation, using a charging cable for example.

To pass from the closed position to the open position, the head 104 is free in translation in a vertical direction 202. The vertical direction 202 corresponds to the main direction in which the terminal 100 is extended.

The head 104 may be integral with a functional member, which, in the configuration of use, is normally located in the body 102 of the terminal 100 so that it is put into translation when the head 104 is put into translation.

In the example shown in FIGURES, the head 104 is secured to an electronic module 204 for managing the terminal 100, visible in FIGURE 2. The electronic module 204 includes wired communications ports 206, such as for example USB or RJ45 ports, allowing diagnostic and / or maintenance of the electronic module 204, and possibly other components connected to the electronic module 204.

The electronic module 204 being integral and in contact with the head 104, it is put into translation when the head 104 is put into translation. In addition, being integral and in contact with the head 104, the electronic module 204 is located outside the body 102 of the terminal 100 when the head 104 is in the open position. Even more, the wired communication ports 206 are also located outside the body 102 of the terminal 100, as visible in FIGURE 2. The electronic module 204, and in particular each wired communication port 206, is therefore easily and directly accessible. at

- 10 a maintenance operator, thus facilitating the performance of a maintenance / diagnostic operation.

FIGURE 3 is a schematic representation of the terminal head of FIGURES 1 and 2, in a view from below.

FIGURE 4 is a simplified schematic representation of the body of the terminal of FIGURES 1 and 2.

The terminal 100 includes a means for guiding the head 104 relative to the body 102, during its translation between the closed position and the open position, and vice versa.

In the example shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, the guide means comprises two rods 302 and 304 secured to the head 104, and visible in FIGURE 2.

The rod 302 is provided to slide, in the direction of translation 202, in two bearings 402i and 4022, integral with the body 102 of the terminal 100, and visible in FIGURE 4. The bearings 402i and 4022 are aligned in the direction of translation 202. In addition, the rod 302 and the bearings 402i, 4022 are dimensioned in such a way that there is a non-zero clearance when the rod 302 is inserted in the bearings 402i, 4022.

Similarly, the rod 304 is provided to slide, in the direction of translation 202, in two bearings 404i and 4042, integral with the body 102 of the terminal 100, and visible in FIGURE 4. The bearings 404i and 4042 are aligned in the direction of translation 202. In addition, the rod 304 and the bearings 404i-4042 are dimensioned in such a way that there is a non-zero clearance when the rod 304 is inserted in the bearings 404i, 4042.

The rods 302 and 304 are arranged so that they are sufficiently spaced from one another to limit the overhang relative to the head 104 and to distribute the holding / sliding forces well.

In addition, the rods 302 and 304 are arranged in a plane transverse to the terminal 100 and receding with respect to the central axis of the terminal 100 and therefore with respect to the electrical equipment / members of the terminal 100.

Furthermore, the positions of the rods 302 and 304 can be chosen to index the positioning of the head 104 relative to the body 102 of the terminal 100, in particular in a plane perpendicular to the direction of translation, or to the rods 302 and 304.

The bearings 402i, 4022 and 404i, 4042 are provided on a common part 406, in the form of an arch (or an "U") inverted viewed from the side of the movable head 104, fixed on the body 102 of the terminal 100 , by each of its ends.

The head 104 includes a seal 306, visible in FIGURE 3, disposed over the entire periphery of the head 104, and designed to seal between the head 104 and the body 102 of the terminal 100, when the head is in the closed position.

Furthermore, the terminal 100 comprises a means for locking the head 104 on the body 102 of the terminal 100.

In the example shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, the locking means comprises two locking tabs 308 and 310 (visible in FIGURE 3), integral with the head 104.

The locking tab 308 is designed to receive a locking hook 408 (visible in FIGURE 4) secured to the body 102 of the terminal 100. The hook 408 is provided for rotation by a quarter turn to pass from a locked position in which it is in the tab 308, and therefore prohibits the translation of the head 104, in an unlocked position in which it is outside of the tab 308, and therefore allows the translation of the head 104. The rotation of the hook 408 can be produced by means of a key inserted in a lock 412, associated with said hook 408.

Similarly, the locking tab 310 is designed to receive a locking hook 410 (visible in FIGURE 4) secured to the body 102 of the terminal 100. The hook 410 is provided for rotation by a quarter turn to pass from one locked position in which it is in the lug 310, and therefore prohibits the translation of the head 104, to an unlocked position in which it is outside the lug 310, and therefore allows

- 12 the translation of the head 104. The rotation of the hook 410 can be achieved by means of a key inserted in a lock (not visible) associated with said hook 410.

The terminal 100 further comprises a means for holding the head 104 in the open position on the body 102 of the terminal 100 and, more particularly in the extension of the body 102 in the direction of translation 202.

In the example shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, the means for holding in the open position comprises a ratchet rack 414 connected on the one hand to the head 104 and on the other hand to the body 102 of the terminal 100. The rack ratchet 414 keeps the head 104 in a plurality of open positions.

In addition, the ratchet rack 414 is connected to the head 104 by a screw or bolt 314 (visible in FIGURE 3) which can be disassembled so as to separate and completely separate the head 104 from the body 102 of the terminal 100.

FIGURE 5 is a schematic representation of the common arch-shaped part 406, visible in FIGURE 4 with the ratchet rack 414.

The arch-shaped common part 406 is fixed, as shown in FIGURE 4, to a central column 416, provided in the body 102 of terminal 102.

The fixing of the common part in the shape of an arch 406 is carried out thanks to:

- two forks 502i-5022, called lower, each provided on a lower end of one of the two lateral arms, respectively 504 and 506, of the arch,

- two forks 508i-5082, said to be upper, provided on a central arm 510, connecting together, the two lateral arms 504 and 506 of the arch 416.

- 13 The lower forks 502 can be provided to be fixed in a direction parallel to the direction of translation of the head 104 relative to the body 102 of the terminal 100.

The upper forks 508 can be provided to be fixed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of translation of the head 104 relative to the body 102 of the terminal 100.

Under these conditions, the common arch-shaped part 406 is positioned in the following manner. First, the lower forks 502i5022 are put in place, for example on threaded receiving supports 512i-5122, visible in FIGURE 4, fitting into the lower forks 502i-5022, and provided on the central column 416. Then, the common part 406 is tilted slightly to put the upper forks 508i-5082 in place, for example on threaded receiving supports 514i-5142, visible in FIGURE 4, fitting into the upper forks 508i-5082, and provided on the central column 416.

Each fork 502 and 508 is then blocked, for example by a nut which is screwed onto the threaded support.

Thus, the assembly and disassembly of the common part in the form of an arch 406, and therefore of the head 104, in the event of intervention or maintenance, are facilitated.

The terminal according to the invention thus makes it possible to facilitate and make less time consuming a maintenance intervention on a member of the terminal which is located in the terminal in the configuration of use.

In addition, the terminal according to the invention has a modular cutting, that is to say head module 104, arch module 406, etc., allowing replacement of each module only without change or complex intervention on the rest of the terminal 100.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described. For example, instead of, or in addition to, the electronic module, the head can be secured to another functional member of the terminal. Others

- 14 means for guiding and holding in the open position, as those described, can be used, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (16)

1. Charging station (100) for an electric vehicle comprising: a body (102) containing one or more functional members (204) which are not accessible to users when using said terminal (100), - A part (104), said head, provided in the upper part of said body (102); characterized in that the head (104) is movable, in translation, relative to said body (104), between: - a closed position, in which it prevents access to said functional organs (204), and - An open position in which it gives access to at least one of said functional organs (204). 2. Terminal (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the head (104) forms, at least in part, an upper wall (106) of the terminal (100), and is movable in a vertical direction (202) . 3. Terminal (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises means (414) for holding the movable head (104) in the open position. 4. Terminal (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the means for holding in the open position (414) is arranged / chosen to keep the head (104) open in several positions. 5. Terminal (100) according to any one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the means for holding in the open position of the head (104) comprises a ratchet rack (414) connected on the one hand to the head mobile (104) and on the other hand to the body (102) of said terminal (100). - 16 6. Terminal (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means (302, 304, 402, 404, 406) for guiding the head (104) during its translation. 7. Terminal (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the guide means comprises at least one rod (302, 304) integral with the head (104), respectively of the body, provided movable in at least one bearing (402i , 4022, 404i, 4042), or a ring, integral with the body (102), respectively with the head. 8. Terminal (100) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the guide means comprises: - two rods (302, 304) integral with the head (104), and - For each rod (302, 304), a pair of bearings (402i, 4022; 404i, 4042), aligned in the direction of translation (202), and in which each rod (302, 304) is free in translation, in particular with non-zero play; the pairs of bearings (402i, 4022; 404i, 4042) being provided on a common part (406), in particular in the form of an arch, integral with the body (102) of said terminal (100). 9. Terminal (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the common arch-shaped part (406) comprises: - two forks (502i, 5022), called lower, each provided on a lower end of one of the two lateral arms (504, 506) of the arch, and - two forks (508ι, 5082), called upper, provided on a central arm (510), connecting together, the two lateral arms (504, 506) of the arch; said lower forks (502i, 5022) being oriented in a direction perpendicular to that of said upper forks (508ι, 5Ο82). - 17 10. Terminal (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means (308, 310, 408, 410, 412) for locking the head (104) with the body (102), in closed position. 11. Terminal (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one functional member (204) is integral with the head (104), so that, when said head (104) is brought into translation, said functional member (204) is also put into translation. 12. Terminal (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least one functional member (204) is in the immediate vicinity, or in contact, of the head (104) of the terminal (100), so that, when the head (104) is in the open position, said functional member (204) is, at least in part, outside said body (102). 13. Terminal (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one functional member is an electronic module (204) for managing said terminal (100). 14. Terminal (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises: - a display screen (108), and / or a reader (110) of an identification means, for example of the RFID type; arranged on an external wall (106) of the head (104), in particular a wall of the head (104) forming an upper wall (106) of the terminal (100). 15. Terminal (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the head (104) is connected to the body (102) by a link (314) removable / removable, accessible when the head (104) is open position, so that said head (104) can be completely detached from said body (102). - 18 16. Terminal (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a removable or removable cover to access the interior of said terminal (100). 204