FR3136321A1 - POWER OUTLET ADAPTER FOR ELECTRIC OR PLUG-IN HYBRID MOTOR VEHICLES - Google Patents

Abstract

Power socket adapter for electric or rechargeable hybrid motor vehicle, capable of delivering alternating current from the domestic electricity distribution network, comprising on a main housing (2) on one front side a connector for connection to an external socket of the vehicle (6), and comprising several power sockets intended to receive home network connectors (22), this adapter comprising domestic power sockets (22) which are different, intended to receive home network connectors according to different world standards . Figure 1

Description

POWER OUTLET ADAPTER FOR ELECTRIC OR PLUG-IN HYBRID MOTOR VEHICLES

The present invention relates to a power socket adapter for an electric or rechargeable hybrid motor vehicle, delivering alternating current, as well as a set of adapters having various connectors, and an electric or hybrid vehicle equipped with such an adapter.

Electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles have an external socket fixed to the bodywork, receiving a mobile connector fixed at the end of an electric cable connected to a charging station delivering direct electric current. These terminals deliver high electrical power with a voltage and intensity suitable for charging the vehicle's traction battery, allowing rapid charging of this battery.

These vehicles may include an on-board charger, called “OBC” for “On Board Charger” in English, comprising an AC/DC alternating-direct current converter which transforms the alternating current received from a domestic electricity distribution network, generally presenting a voltage of 110 or 220V depending on the country, in a direct current for charging the traction battery. In this case, a reduced intensity is delivered, for example 16 or 32A, giving a lower power but which allows the use of a large number of power outlets connected to a domestic network, which is present everywhere, particularly in private homes. .

Some AC/DC current converters can be used bidirectionally, by delivering a single-phase alternating current, which can be 110 or 220V, from the direct current supplied by the traction battery, allowing the use of different electrical devices operating on this current. voltage, or to recharge another motor vehicle or a light vehicle such as a bicycle then passing through its own current converter in order to power its traction battery.

A type of known adapter, presented in particular by the document CN-U-209336513, comprises a plug forming a movable connector connecting to the external power socket of the vehicle, connected to a cable having at its end a box comprising several sockets current suitable for different intensities.

In particular, the adapter comprises control means for powering two alternating current sockets of the domestic network type with a maximum intensity of 10A for one and 16A for the other, and two universal port sockets in series, of the type “USB” for “Universal Serial Bus” in English, delivering direct current with low voltage.

The adapter may be sold directly by the vehicle manufacturer, and kept in that vehicle for use at any time.

However, this type of adapter is intended for a type of domestic network plug following one of the particular standards used in a region of the world. For vehicles sold in several regions of the world with different plug standards, or vehicles traveling in several regions, it is then necessary to provide several adapter models suitable for these standards.

In certain vehicles, it is necessary to have several adapters which add mass, penalizing the autonomy of the vehicle, and additional bulk. In addition, we obtain a multiplication of adapter references, which complicates large-scale industrial manufacturing, increases the risk of assignment error, and leads to higher costs.

Another type of known adapter offered by certain manufacturers of electric vehicles comprising an external charging function from the vehicle, called "V2L" for "Vehicle to Load" in English, comprises on one side a connector which plugs into the exterior socket of the vehicle, and on the other side a single domestic power socket available for several standards.

The single domestic power socket brings together a range of standards with a sufficiently close geometry to allow simple and secure construction. In particular, some manufacturers offer access to the E, F, J and L standards in the domestic socket according to the classification defined by the United States Department of Commerce, which all have two pins for single-phase current with similar close spacings, and for the earth of varied geometries.

In this case the manufacturer must also provide several adapters to equip vehicles delivered to regions of the world using other standards. In addition, if the vehicle travels to regions using a standard not included in the range, it must then keep another adapter to use a local electrical device or connect to a domestic network, bringing additional mass and bulk into the environment. the vehicle.

The present invention aims in particular to avoid these problems of the prior art.

For this purpose, it offers a power socket adapter for an electric or rechargeable hybrid automobile vehicle, capable of delivering alternating current from a domestic electricity distribution network, comprising on a main housing on one front side a connector for connection to a socket exterior of the vehicle, and comprising several power sockets intended to receive domestic network connectors, this adapter being remarkable in that it comprises domestic power sockets which are different, intended to receive domestic network connectors according to world standards different.

An advantage of this adapter is that on the same single assembly which can be produced in large series in order to equip vehicles delivered in several regions of the world, the different sockets offered make it possible to adapt to a large number of regions.

In particular, for certain sockets, we can group together different fairly similar standards, with an embodiment that remains simple, which ensures safety and reduced cost. In addition, the multiplicity of socket models on the same adapter allows with a single device to use several standards with very different geometries,

The power socket adapter according to the invention may additionally comprise one or more of the following characteristics, which can be combined with each other.

Advantageously, the adapter includes home network connectors covering all standards B, E, F, I, J, K, L, M and O according to the classification defined by the United States Department of Commerce.

In particular, the main box may include at least one domestic power outlet on one side of the top behind a handle.

In particular, the main box may include household power sockets on side faces, or on a rear face which is opposite the connector.

According to one embodiment, the adapter comprises a single housing which is the main housing.

According to another embodiment, the adapter comprises a remote box presenting domestic power sockets, connected to the main box by an electrical cable.

In addition, the adapter may include a removable cover that can cover household power outlets.

Advantageously, the adapter comprises an integrated electronic circuit for commanding, monitoring or securing the current delivered by domestic power outlets.

The invention also relates to a set of adapters having any of the preceding characteristics, remarkable in that it comprises similar adapters having connectors according to several standards for external sockets for charging electric or hybrid vehicles.

The invention further relates to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising an external charging socket and a bidirectional on-board charger, remarkable in that it is equipped with an adapter having any of the preceding characteristics.

The invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will appear more clearly on reading the description below given by way of example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

is a view of an adapter according to the invention comprising power sockets on an exterior casing;

is a view of an adapter according to a variant comprising side power sockets on its housing; And

is a view of a variant adapter having power sockets on the top of its housing.

Throughout the document the upper or upper side relates to an adapter in its operating position, connected to the side of a motor vehicle placed on a horizontal ground, the external socket of this vehicle being in a substantially vertical plane.

There presents a power socket adapter in its position of use on the vehicle, comprising a main housing 2 formed by covers molded from plastic and assembled, comprising a body inclined downwards 4 ending in the upper part, towards one direction front indicated by the arrow AV, by a vertical face receiving a connector 6 for connection with the exterior socket of the vehicle.

Alternatively, the body of the adapter 4 may not be inclined, remaining straight and arranged substantially horizontally

Connector 6 includes connection pins transmitting electrical power and communication and control signals, and a mechanical locking system, to meet one of the vehicle exterior socket standards. In particular, similar adapters can be made with variants of connectors 6 corresponding to the different standards for combined charging systems for electric or hybrid vehicles, called "CCS" for "Combined Charging System" in English, depending on the type of external socket that the vehicle manufacturer uses.

The housing of the adapter 2 comprises on the upper face 16 of the inclined body 4 a handle 8 which extends over its length, allowing it to be held in the hand and facilitating the pushing of this housing forward in the axis of the connector 6 to fit it into the vehicle socket. The front part of the handle 8 includes unlocking buttons 10 of the connector 6 on the vehicle.

The rear vertical face of the housing 12 comprises an electrical cable 18 connected to one end of a remote housing 20, having an elongated parallelepiped shape produced by covers molded from plastic material and assembled.

The remote box 20 has on its upper face three aligned domestic power sockets 22, which are different, each offering the possibility of receiving several sufficiently close domestic socket standards. We obtain for each domestic socket 22 a flexibility of adaptation to different standards, which allows with several sockets, three for example in this case, to meet a large number of domestic socket standards with the same adapter.

In particular, we can provide the same flexible domestic power outlet 22, compatible with standards E, F, J and L according to the classification of the United States Department of Commerce, which makes it possible to cover Europe as well as a good part of Africa and the Middle East.

In this way three or four domestic power outlets 22 make it possible to cover all the world standards generally used, i.e. standards B, E, F, I, J, K, L, M and O according to the classification defined by the Department of Commerce the United States.

We obtain a single adapter provided with its particular connector 6 for a type of vehicle exterior socket used by a car manufacturer, which gives access to a large number of domestic power socket standards used around the world, or even all the standards used.

The manufacturer can thus offer a single adapter model for its vehicles making it possible to provide optimized industrial means of production guaranteeing quality and lower costs, to equip all vehicles with a bidirectional on-board charger. The load and bulk in the vehicle are reduced.

The remote box 20 connected to the main box by the electrical cable 18 makes it possible to have domestic power outlets 22 distant from the vehicle to connect an electrical appliance, another electric vehicle to be recharged, or even to power an independent electrical distribution network. 'a home for example.

The adapter can include in its housing 2 any type of electronic command or control circuit, allowing for example to activate or deactivate the power supply remotely, or to ensure safety with in particular an automatic cut-off function in case of too high intensity.

There presents an adapter comprising on the rear face of the body 12 a domestic power socket 22, and on the left side face 14 of this body three aligned domestic power sockets which are different and each adapted for several standards.

This adapter comprising a single housing 2 has a reduced size and a limited cost. However, we must connect the electrical device or the vehicle to be recharged to box 2 which is then located directly on the side of the vehicle delivering its current.

There presents an adapter comprising on an inclined plane 30 arranged on the top of the housing 2, behind the handle 8, two different household current sockets 22 which are aligned.

A removable cover 32 connected by a plastic tab 34 to the front edge of the inclined plane 30, makes it possible to close this plane to protect the domestic power outlets 22 by covering them when they are not in use.

This adapter also comprising a single housing 2, has the domestic power sockets 22 on the top which can facilitate the connection of the connectors coming to these sockets.

Claims (8)

Power socket adapter for electric or rechargeable hybrid motor vehicle, capable of delivering alternating current from the domestic electricity distribution network, comprising on a main housing (2) on one front side a connector for connection to an external socket of the vehicle (6), and comprising several power sockets intended to receive domestic network connectors (22), characterized in that it comprises domestic power sockets (22) which are different, intended to receive different domestic network connectors . Adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that the main housing (2) comprises at least one domestic power socket (22) on one face of the top (30) behind a handle (8). Adapter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main housing (2) comprises domestic power sockets (22) on side faces (14), or on a rear face (12) which is opposite the connector (6). Adapter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a single housing which is the main housing (2). Adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a remote box (20) having domestic power sockets (22), connected to the main box (2) by an electrical cable (18). Adapter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a removable cover (32) which can cover the domestic power sockets (22). Adapter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an integrated electronic circuit for controlling, controlling or securing the current delivered by the domestic power outlets (22). Electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising an external charging socket and a bidirectional on-board charger, characterized in that it is equipped with an adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 7.