WO2020021164A2

WO2020021164A2 - A displacement mechanism for a cover panel for a space accommodating an electric charging connector of an electric vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2020021164A2
Application number: PCT/FI2019/050559
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael M. Richardson; Aapo KANKAANPÄÄ
Original assignee: Retro-Ev Oy
Priority date: 2018-07-26
Filing date: 2019-07-25
Publication date: 2020-01-30
Also published as: WO2020021164A3

Abstract

A displacement mechanism for a cover panel for a space accommodating an electric charging connector of an electric vehicle, the displacement mechanism comprising at least one coupling bar, said coupling bar comprising a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is configured to be coupled to a cover panel and said second end is configured to be coupled to an electric vehicle, the displacement mechanism being configured to be operated from a first position to a second position, so that the cover panel is accordingly transposed from a closed position to an open position with respect to the electric vehicle, wherein in the closed position the cover panel is located so that it essentially covers an opening of the vehicle body and in the open position the opening is uncovered at least partly so that a charging plug residing in said opening may be exposed.

Description

A DISPLACEMENT MECHANISM FOR A COVER PANEL FOR A SPACE ACCOMMODATING AN ELECTRIC CHARGING CONNECTOR OF AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to electric vehicles in general. Particularly, the invention relates to electric vehicles with on-board energy storage means and a displacement mechanism for a cover panel for a space accommodating a connection to an electric charger for recharging the on-board energy storage means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With the development of technology and increasing concerns regarding the unsustainability of fossil fuel vehicles, electric vehicles are becoming more popular, and even mandated in some jurisdictions. Beyond just reducing greenhouse gas emissions, electric vehicles also offer many other operational advantages compared to internal combustion vehicles; including greatly reduced maintenance requirements and far higher operating reliability.

It is expected that the transition will occur in the near future from using conventional fossil-fueled vehicles to electrics such that most vehicles will be electric. With the vast amount of internal combustion vehicles already existing, simply abandoning these vehicles would be a waste of physical and monetary resources. Conversion of the existing conventional vehicles to electric vehicles is hence a viable and necessary alternative.

Upon conversion of a traditional internal combustion vehicle to an electric vehicle, one may, however, face a number of challenges. One of these challenges is where on the converted vehicle to place a suitable charging connector for charging the electric vehicle using publicly available infrastructure? Also, there is a need to protect these special connectors from road hazards and debris, etc. for durability and safety reasons. In another aspect, many automobile owners or purchasers are keen to drive classic vehicles, such as those manufactured during the period from the 1950’s to 1980’s. With such vehicles, it is generally desirable and considered better for maintaining valuation, to ensure that the original appearance of the vehicle is retained despite the conversion of the internal drive-train. Many enthusiasts wish to keep original parts of the vehicle that are seen as aesthetically pleasing, even though the vehicle may be in some way updated to make it more modern in improving the driving performance, making it more ecological, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to alleviate at least some of the problems relating to the known prior art. The object of the invention can be achieved by the features of the independent claims. One embodiment of the present invention provides a displacement mechanism for a cover panel for a space accommodating an electric charging connector of an electric vehicle. The displacement mechanism comprises at least one coupling bar, said coupling bar comprising a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is configured to be coupled to a cover panel and said second end is configured to be coupled to an electric vehicle. The displacement mechanism is configured to be operated from a first position to a second position, so that the cover panel is accordingly transposed from a closed position to an open position with respect to the electric vehicle. In the closed position the cover panel is located so that it essentially covers an opening of the vehicle body and in the open position the opening is uncovered at least partly so that a charging plug residing in said opening may be exposed.

Having regard to the utility of various embodiments of the present invention, resources may be saved by being able to convert an existing internal combustion vehicle into an electric vehicle by utilizing original parts of the vehicle, including a cover panel.

When converting a traditional internal combustion vehicle to an electric vehicle and when faced with the task of finding a place to locate a charging connector, one may cleverly find that a convenient space for accommodating the charging connector is found at the front end of the vehicle, namely behind the radiator grille. Also, one may astutely see that the grille, as already being a cover member for the radiator/engine space, could then serve as a movable cover panel for a charging connector.

Utilizing the space at the front of vehicle for placement of the charging connector may provide several advantages. The vehicle may then be parked at a charging station so that a relatively short charging cable may be utilized. Commonly, charging stations are arranged so that the vehicles are intended to be charged from their (front) ends and the parking spaces reside accordingly (i.e. with an electricity outlet being located at an end of a parking space).

In other embodiments, the cover panel may, however, reside elsewhere on the vehicle, such as on a side of the vehicle. In one embodiment, a fuel door covering a fuel tank cap may be used as a cover panel, where the charging connector of the electric vehicle may reside substantially in a place where a fuel tank cover has resided before conversion of an internal combustion vehicle into an electric vehicle.

With shorter charging cables, electrical losses may be minimized. Also, materials may be saved, and it is convenient to not have a cable going around the vehicle, and one may not for instance trip on the cable as easily. Guidelines or regulations may even limit the length of charging cable that may be used.

The use of a displacement mechanism associated with a cover panel may provide benefits, as a cover panel may ensure that the charging connector may be protected from damage and debris. Swift and straightforward displacement of the cover panel may ease the charging of the electric vehicle.

One embodiment of a displacement mechanism may be fully actuated manually by for instance a user/charger of the vehicle exerting a physical force on the associated cover panel. A user may essentially perform a lifting motion to lift the cover panel and actuate displacement of the displacement mechanism from the first position to the second position. Displacement from the second position to the first position may be actuated by the user exerting force on the cover panel either directly or via a coupled element to drive the cover panel back down to its closed position, covering the space accommodating the charging connector.

Also other ways may be used to actuate the displacement mechanism. For instance, the displacement may occur using partial power opening with gas struts and/or springs. The displacement mechanism may then be partially actuated also manually. In other embodiments, the displacement mechanism may be fully driven by a motor and using a crank/rocker mechanism. The motor may be a rotary motor or it may be a linear motor, and a link mechanism may also be utilized.

In yet other embodiments, the displacement mechanism may be fully driven/actuated by an air/hydraulic/electrical linear or rotary solenoid or it may be fully actuated by a rotary actuator and worm gear or a rack/pinion mechanism.

With the invention, being able to use a cover panel such as a grille, that has been originally designed for the vehicle in question, the aerodynamics of the vehicle may be retained as intended by the manufacturers of the vehicle.

Also, in the case of classic or vintage cars, the production lines or processes have many times been non-uniform or comprise many steps carried out by humans, leading to inconsistencies between vehicles. For instance, two vehicles may be of the same make and model, but some of their parts, e.g. radiator grilles and/or associated openings, may slightly differ from each other. In this case, if one where to attempt mass manufacture of a new grille or cover for the front opening of the vehicles, the new grille may not be a suitable fit for some of the vehicles. Providing a mechanism for using the existing cover panels, e.g. grilles, thus may bring about many benefits. In addition to avoiding wasting of materials by abandoning existing cover panels of vehicles, aesthetic considerations may be considerable in this case, as many people consider classic cars and their original parts to be visually pleasing, and also as a result, more valuable than other vehicles.

In embodiments of the invention, a displacement mechanism may be provided that is configured to be coupled to a protection element, where the protection element is configured to serve as a protector for the charging connector. This way, when the cover panel is in its first position, the protection element may protect the charging connector from soiling. Dust, mud, and/or insects that may otherwise be able to penetrate a cover panel, such as in the case of the front grille, may not reach the charging connector, or the charging connector may be at least more protected from soiling. Protection against damage, e.g. damage that may result from exposure to environmental conditions, may also be provided to at least some degree via a protection element. In an embodiment, a displacement mechanism comprises a frame element that is configured to be coupled to the at least one coupling bar and to a cover panel, thereby coupling the coupling bar to the cover panel.

A displacement mechanism may in some embodiments comprise a locking mechanism so that the position of the displacement mechanism may be locked into one or more positions. The displacement mechanism may, for instance, be locked or secured into its first position and/or its second position and/or an intermediate position. A locking mechanism may ensure that the displacement mechanism does not move into another position in situations where this is undesirable, such as during driving or during charging.

In advantageous embodiments of the invention, the displacement mechanism is configured to be transposed from a first position to a second position, displacing the cover panel from an open to a closed position, so that in the open and closed positions, the cover panel is at least vertically displaced with respect to the vehicle. Thus, the cover panel may be essentially lifted with respect to the vehicle. It may be possible that the cover panel is also concomitantly displaced e.g. horizontally and/or in some other direction at least slightly, i.e., it is not necessarily displaced only vertically. However, as the cover panel may be substantially only maneuvered vertically, the exposing of the charging connector may be carried out without taking space in other directions. This may enable charging of the electric vehicle in more confined or smaller spaces, and there may be e.g. objects, such as a charging station, located close to the vehicle, while the charging connector may still be exposed conveniently via the displacement mechanism. In other embodiments of the invention, the cover panel may be some other cover panel (apart from the front grille) that exists on a vehicle. Some other grille or separable panel element could be utilized, while a license plate, headlight or tail light, or bumper element of the vehicle could also serve as an option for a cover panel associated with the invention. In an embodiment, the displacement mechanism may be configured to be operated from a first position to a second position so that a cover panel coupled thereto, being displaced from a closed position to an open position, may be displaced at least with respect to an axis x that is essentially codirectional with a direction in which the vehicle is intended to propagate. In one embodiment, in the case of the cover panel being a license plate and the displacement mechanism being configured to displace the cover panel at least with respect to an axis x that is essentially codirectional with a direction in which the vehicle is intended to propagate, the cover panel may in the closed position be essentially perpendicular to the axis x. Then, in the open position, the cover panel may be displaced from the perpendicular position to form another angle (i.e., not 90°) with the axis x, and for instance it may be essentially codirectional with the axis x (i.e., form a 0 ⁰ angle with the axis x). In this case, the displacement mechanism may for example comprise a hinge mechanism e.g. comprising one or more bars that may be firstly configured to be coupled to the cover panel, e.g. license plate, for instance rotatably, on a right or left side of the license plate as viewed from a front direction of the vehicle, the displacement mechanism then being also configured to be coupled to the vehicle in order to be operated so that the cover panel may be displaced from a closed position to an open position and vice versa to cover and reveal a charging connector.

The coupling between different parts/elements of a displacement mechanism may be realized through various different types of coupling members, such as screws, pins or bolts. A displacement mechanism may comprise, in addition to the main constituents presented in e.g. the figures incorporated herein, various other constituents that may, as a skilled person may comprehend, enhance or be fundamental components of e.g. standard coupling or link arrangements, such as bearings, for instance, that may cleverly be utilized in this context.

The exemplary embodiments presented in this text are not to be interpreted to pose limitations to the applicability of the appended claims. The verb "to comprise" is used in this text as an open limitation that does not exclude the existence of unrecited features. The features recited in depending claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific example embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Next the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to exemplary embodiments in accordance with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a displacement mechanism in its first position according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2 shows a side view of a displacement mechanism in its second position according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention

Figure 3 illustrates one embodiment of a side view of a displacement mechanism in an intermediate position,

Figure 4 gives another view of a displacement mechanism, depicting also an exemplary protection element according to an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 5 shows one view of an exemplary displacement mechanism in its second position with coupled grille and vehicle (displacement mechanism mostly hidden from view),

Figure 6 shows another view of an exemplary displacement mechanism in its second position with coupled grille and vehicle,

Figure 7 shows an exemplary displacement mechanism in its first position with exemplary locking mechanism,

Figure 8 shows an exemplary displacement mechanism in its second position with exemplary locking mechanism,

Figure 9 shows an exemplary displacement mechanism in its second position with exemplary locking mechanism and spring element, Figure 10 gives an example of an actuation method and related equipment that may be utilized with one exemplary embodiment of a displacement mechanism, and

Fig 11 A-D show different perspectives of one other example of an actuation method and related equipment that may be utilized with one exemplary embodiment of a displacement mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows a side view of an exemplary displacement mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention. In Figure 1 , the displacement mechanism is its first position. In the embodiment of Figure 1 , the displacement mechanism comprises at least a first coupling bar 102 and a second coupling bar 104. A first end 102a of the coupling bars is configured to be coupled to a cover panel of a vehicle, here via a frame element 106 that is in turn configured to be coupled to a cover panel (not shown in the figure) The first end of the second coupling bar 104 is not indicated in the figure, as it is behind a side element of the frame element 106.

A frame element 106 may thus host or accommodate, or be coupled to a cover panel 106X for instance via coupling members such as screws or pins or the like, or a frame element may be configured to form a snap-on type coupling with a cover panel 106X, for example. The coupling between a cover panel such as a front grille (or comprising a front grille) of a vehicle and the frame element may be essentially fixed or it may be readily reversible so that the cover panel may be easily removed through a detaching mechanism for example. E.g. screws, bolts, adhesive or other fastening gear may be utilized. In some embodiments, the frame 106 may define or be the cover panel 106X (be monolithic therewith, for instance).

A frame element 106 may be an essentially frame-like structure with four sides defining an opening, one side 106a being indicated in Figure 1 (with the following figures depicting the shape of an exemplary frame element more clearly). The sides may have different dimensions, and a frame element may in some embodiments also comprise one, two, or three sides. A frame element 106 may also embody a differing shape, but the purpose being to serve as a part that may be coupled to or host a cover panel so that the cover panel may be moved into or retain a position where it essentially covers the vehicle opening as intended. Advantageously, a frame element 106 may be coupled to various types of cover panels, e.g. front grilles of different car types or models, so that one type of displacement mechanism with one type of frame element 106 may be used with various types of vehicles.

A displacement mechanism may comprise any number of coupling bars 102, 104. Even one coupling bar 102, 104 may be used, but for providing more stability and rigidness, a plurality of coupling bars is preferably provided.

In alternative embodiments, the one or more coupling bars may be configured to be directly coupled to a cover panel from a first end similarly to that of e.g. Figure 1. In some embodiments, a cover panel may comprise an integrated frame element 106 or a frame element 106 may be considered to be part of a cover panel.

The frame element 106 of Figure 1 may be configured to be coupled to a cover panel that is a radiator grille/mask for an electric vehicle, where a charging connector may be accommodated in a space that resides behind the radiator grille. In Figure 1 , the axis x indicates a direction with respect to an associated vehicle in which the vehicle is intended to propagate. As the displacement mechanism is in its first position, the associated cover panel or grille is then in a closed position, so that the cover panel is intended to cover an opening at the front of the vehicle body, so that a charging connector for the electric vehicle located therein may be covered.

The charging connector may be any type of charging connector that may be used to charge the electric vehicle, such as a Type 1 (Yazaki), Type 2 (Mennekes), Type 3 (scame), Type 4 (CHAdeMO), or combined charging system (CCS). The charging connector may in itself comprise an integrated cover element to protect the charging connector, i.e. in this case, to charge the vehicle, one should also open the integrated cover element after opening the cover panel via the displacement mechanism.

In the embodiment of Figure 1 , the displacement mechanism may also comprise e.g. third and fourth coupling bars that are configured to be coupled from their first ends to an opposite end of the frame element 106, which would not be visible in the figure, as a side view is given. It has been noticed that this configuration, with a total of four coupling bars is advantageous for use as a displacement mechanism for a radiator grille. The third and fourth coupling bars may be substantially similar to the depicted first and second coupling bars 102, 104 and be similarly coupled to a cover panel and vehicle.

In one other embodiment, a total of two coupling bars may be utilized at opposite ends of a cover panel and associated frame element 106, one at either end, e.g. so that a coupling bar corresponding to the first coupling bar 102 and/or second coupling bar 104 may be used at either end of a cover panel/frame element.

The coupling bars 102, 104 are preferably rotatably coupled to the frame element 106 at or around their first ends 102a. Coupling elements such as screws and/or bolts may be utilized.

A second end 102b of the coupling bars is configured to be coupled to a vehicle, directly or through one or more intermediate parts or elements that may be coupled e.g. to the vehicle chassis.

In the embodiment of Figure 1 , the coupling bars 102, 104 are coupled to a stand element 108. The stand element 108 may be configured to be coupled to a vehicle or it may be an integrated part of a vehicle. Thus, a stand element 108 may be considered to be comprised in a displacement mechanism or it may be considered to be part of the vehicle, also depending on the case, for instance. Again, the second end of the second coupling bar 104 is not indicated in the figure, as it resides behind the stand element 108. The first coupling bar 102 may thus, as in Figure 1 , be coupled to a stand element 108 from a different side than the second coupling bar 104. Also, the coupling between the coupling bars 102, 104 and frame element 106 may be from different sides of the frame element side 106a, as is indicated by the figures.

The coupling bars 102, 104 are preferably rotatably coupled to the stand element 108. Coupling elements such as screws and/or bolts may be utilized.

The coupling bars 102, 104 preferably comprise a durable material such as metal. The same material or a similar material may be utilized in a stand element 108 and/or a frame element 106.

First and second coupling bars 102, 104 may optionally be configured to be coupled to the frame element 106 and stand element 108 so that the coupling bars are displaced with respect to each other. Referring to Figure 1 , the displacement is at least in the indicated directions x and y, while the coupling may be carried out so that the coupling bars 102, 104 reside on both sides of a side 106a of the frame element 106 and the stand element 108 (thus leading to displacement also in a third, orthogonal direction). In some embodiments, such as that shown in Figure 1 , the coupling bars embody a shape where a first bar portion A and a second bar portion B form an angle a. A suitable angle a may for instance be determined by the coupling locations on the cover panel/frame element and/or vehicle/stand element 108. As seen in Figure 1 , an angle a at or near essentially 90° (or between 60 ⁰ and 110 °, for instance) may be a suitable angle. The first and second bar portions may be essentially straight or they (one or more of the portions A, B) may form slight curves. The coupling bars 102, 104 may be essentially I- shaped, for example. In some embodiments, the first bar portions A and second bar portions B may be separate entities that are joined together to form a coupling bar 102, 104.

The angles a for different coupling bars 102, 104 if a plurality are utilized, may be different for the different coupling bars.

In embodiments where a plurality of coupling bars 102, 104 are utilized, the coupling bars may be similar in shape and have similar first and second bar portions A, B, or the coupling bars may differ from each other.

Figure 2 gives a side view of an embodiment (essentially corresponding to the embodiment of Figure 1 ) of a displacement mechanism in its second position. First and second coupling bars 102, 104, are shown, along with a frame element 106 and a stand element 108.

With the displacement mechanism in its second position, the associated cover panel is in an open position. In this second/open position, related to an embodiment where the cover panel is a radiator grille, an opening at the front of the vehicle may be at least partly uncovered, so that a charging connector located in the opening may be exposed. The associated electric vehicle may then be charged via the charging connector.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, in the open and closed positions, the cover panel is at least vertically displaced with respect to the vehicle, i.e., displaced at least in the y direction. The cover pane and/or frame element 106 may then be essentially lifted from on top of the opening of the vehicle.

In other embodiments, the cover panel and/or frame element 106 may be displaced in some other direction. For example, the cover panel may be displaced from a position where the cover panel resides essentially perpendicular to the axis x to a position where it is codirectional or nearly codirectional with the axis x. Figure 3 gives one embodiment, essentially corresponding to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, of a side view of the displacement mechanism in an intermediate position, the intermediate position being a position that is between the first and second positions and is arrived at while actuating from the first position to the second position or vice versa. Rotatable coupling between the coupling bars 102, 104 and the frame element 106 and also between the coupling bars 102, 104 and the vehicle/stand element 108 may enable movement of the mechanism as is indicated by the figures.

Figure 4 shows another view of a displacement mechanism, depicting also an exemplary protection element 402 according to an embodiment of the invention. Third and fourth coupling bars corresponding to the coupling bars 102 and 104 may be provided also on the other side of the frame element 106 and be configured to be coupled to an opposite side of the frame element corresponding to the coupling of side 106a. Also a corresponding second stand element may be provided for coupling to the second ends of the coupling bars.

The displacement mechanism may be configured to be coupled to the protection element 402 so that the protection element 402 may, when the displacement mechanism is in its first position, essentially cover the charging connector (and a possible integrated cover element thereof) that resides in the opening of the vehicle.

In an embodiment, a displacement mechanism may comprise a support bar 404 that is coupled to the second coupling bar 104, preferably at a first end of the second coupling bar 104. The coupling may essentially correspond to the location where the second coupling bar is coupled to the frame element 106. The support bar 404 may from its other end be coupled to a corresponding first end of a second coupling bar that is coupled to a side of the frame element that is opposing the side 106a. A support bar 404 may provide more rigidity and durability for a displacement mechanism.

A protection element 402 may from one end be coupled to a support bar 404. A protection element 402 may then from its other end be coupled to the frame element 106, at a side 106b that is adjacent to the side 106a. The coupling of the protection element may be essentially fixed or the protection element 402 may be detachable from the displacement mechanism and/or the frame element 106.

Coupling of a protection element 402 to the frame element 106 may for instance be realized through coupling to a reinforcement member 106z, referring back to Figure 3, where the reinforcement member 106z is more clearly visible. In embodiments where a support bar 404 is not provided or is otherwise not used for coupling of a protection element 402, a protection element 402 may be coupled to a frame element 106 from both ends. The stiffening member 106z may be a brace structure that extends outward from a plane essentially defining e.g. the side 106b of the frame element 106. The protection element 402 may be configured to, when the displacement mechanism is in its first position, reside over the charging connector (or at least an integrated cover element thereof) to substantially at least cover the charging connector from the environment. Thus, the charging connector may be protected from soiling (e.g. mud, dust) and/or humidity from e.g. rain. The charging connector may also be protected from wearing due to varying environmental conditions.

The protection element 402 may in some embodiments be configured to, when the displacement mechanism is in its first position, physically contact the charging connector (or at least an integrated cover thereof) to substantially seal the charging connector from the environment. Here, the charging connector may be even more effectively protected.

The protection element 402 may comprise a flexible material such as rubber or silicon. With such material choices, a protection element 402 may be easily cleaned, and/or attached/detached, and/or provide at least partial sealing from the environment.

A protection element 402 may be essentially flat and cover a surface area with respect to the cover panel so that at least the charging connector is covered when the displacement mechanism is in its first position. The protection element 402 may also cover a larger surface area, so that it substantially covers a large part of or the entire surface area of the cover panel, so that the protection element covers, when the displacement mechanism is in its first position, a substantial part of the opening in the vehicle. Thus the opening and its interior may be protected from soiling. Figures 5 and 6 show, partly, a displacement mechanism along with associated cover panel 500 and vehicle 502. The charging connector 504 may also be visible and is exposed from inside the vehicle opening, as the displacement mechanism is in its second position. The figures illustrate how the electric vehicle 502 may be charged via a charger 506. The cover panel 500 is conveniently displaced so that the charger 506 may be mated with the charging connector 504 for charging the vehicle 502. In Figures 5 and 6, the charging connector 504 has an integrated cover element which has been opened to reveal the charging pins through which the vehicle is charged.

Figure 7 shows an exemplary displacement mechanism in its first position with exemplary locking mechanism. A locking mechanism such as that of Figure 7 may be used to lock the displacement mechanism and cover panel 500 into at least the second/open position. The locking may be of such strength that the cover panel 500 may be held in its open position, but actuation from the open position to the closed position may be initiated for example by a user exerting a force exceeding a threshold value on the cover panel 500.

A locking mechanism may comprise a first locking bar 702 and a second locking bar 704 that may be rotatably coupled to each other at one of their respective ends, so that when the displacement mechanism is in its first position, the first locking bar 702 and the second locking bar 704 form an angle b. From their other ends, respectively, the fist locking bar 702 may be coupled to the stand element 108, while the second locking bar 704 may be coupled to the second coupling bar 104. With the configuration of locking bars such as that in Figure 7, the angle b is preferably an acute angle when the displacement mechanism is in its first position.

When the displacement mechanism is actuated from e.g. a first position to a second position, the locking bars of the locking mechanism may simultaneously be displaced with respect to each other as the second coupling bar 104 is displaced. Figure 8 illustrates an exemplary displacement mechanism in its second position with exemplary locking mechanism. Here, the first locking bar 702 and second locking bar 704 have been moved as a response to movement of the second coupling bar 104. With the displacement mechanism in its second position, the locking bars 102, 104 are essentially codirectional, with the angle b then becoming substantially close to 180°.

Figure 9 shows an exemplary displacement mechanism in its second position with exemplary locking mechanism with spring element 902. The locking mechanism may thus have a spring element 902, such as a helical or coil spring, e.g. extension spring, that is coupled from its one end to the first locking bar 102 and from its other end to the second locking bar 104. As the displacement mechanism is transposed from a fist position to a second position, the spring element 902 may be simultaneously translated from a bended state to a straightened state. Also other types or variations of locking mechanisms may be utilized with a displacement mechanism. A locking mechanism may in some embodiments enable locking of the displacement mechanism e.g. in an intermediate position between the first and second positions. A locking mechanism may be realized so that the locking may be actuated by a user and the displacement mechanism may be locked into a position of choice, which may be at first or second positions or anywhere between the two.

Of course, having regard to Figures 7-9, a locking mechanism may also be realized so that locking bars are coupled at different locations of a coupling bar 102, 104 and/or a stand element 108. The locking bars 702, 704 may vary in length, and a second coupling bar may be coupled to a first coupling bar 102 and/or the coupling may be from a different side than in the figures.

The previous figures have depicted displacement mechanisms that may be operated manually by a user exerting force e.g. on the cover panel the operation or actuation of the displacement mechanism from one position to another may also be carried out using some other means, as has been described also previously.

Figure 10 shows one method and related equipment for actuation of an embodiment of a displacement mechanism, the displacement mechanism being shown partly in the figure. Here, the displacement mechanism may be actuated using an electric motor 1002, such as a rotary motor or servomotor, and link mechanism. A link mechanism may comprise e.g. a first link 1004 and a second link 1006 that are rotatably coupled to each other and the first link 1004 from another end to the motor and the second link 1006 from its respective other end to the second coupling bar 104.

As a skilled person may easily understand, e.g. rotational motion from the electric motor 1002 may then be used to drive the displacement mechanism from a first position to a second position and/or vice versa. To elaborate, rotation of a shaft of the electric motor 1002 in a clockwise direction as seen from Figure 10 may, when the shaft of the electric motor 1002 is coupled to the first link 1004, cause the links 1004 and 1006 to move, so that the second coupling bar 104 is shifted in a direction that may lead to transitioning of the displacement mechanism from a first position to a second position. Counter clockwise rotation may then achieve the opposite. Referring to actuation of the displacement mechanism through electric motor and link mechanism, a different number of links may be utilized in other embodiments and they may be coupled in different configurations, e.g. to the first coupling bar 102 (not shown in Figure 10).

Figures 11 A-1 1 D show one other method and related equipment for actuation of an embodiment of a displacement mechanism. An electric motor 1002 and worm gear mechanism may be used to actuate or drive the displacement mechanism. An electric motor 1002 may be a rotary motor and a skilled person may appreciate how e.g. worm gear arrangements/worm drives may be used to translate the rotational motion of one direction to that of another direction, and thereafter how e.g. a bell crank or corresponding type linkage may translate to motion that may actuate a displacement mechanism.

In Figures 11A-11 D, an electric motor 1002 may be coupled to a worm gear 1102. The electric motor 1002 may be provided with a worm, for instance at its shaft (not shown in the figures), so that rotation of the shaft/worm may rotate the worm gear 1 102, thereby rotating e.g. a shaft 1104 coupled to the worm gear 1102. The shaft 1 104 may be coupled to a coupling bar of the displacement mechanism, e.g. a first coupling bar 102.

In the embodiment of Figures 11A-11 D, the shaft 1104 is coupled to the first coupling bar 102 at a location where the first coupling bar is also coupled to the stand element 108, which may be seen e.g. in Figure 11 B. Then, a clockwise rotation of the shaft 1104, along with the worm gear 1102 may actuate transition of the displacement mechanism from its first position to its second position, while counter-clockwise rotation may lead to the displacement mechanism transitioning from a second position to a first position.

Displacement mechanisms operated/actuated through use of electric motors, such as those in Figures 10-11 , may e.g. operate so that a user initiates transition between the first and second positions (fully closed and fully open), or, additionally or alternatively, it may be possible that a user may initiate transition between any intermediate position.

The invention has been explained above with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, and several advantages of the invention have been demonstrated. It is clear that the invention is not only restricted to these embodiments, but comprises all possible embodiments within the spirit and scope of inventive thought and the following patent claims.

The features recited in dependent claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated.

Claims

1. A displacement mechanism for a cover panel for a space accommodating an electric charging connector of an electric vehicle, the displacement mechanism comprising at least one coupling bar, said coupling bar comprising a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is configured to be coupled to a cover panel and said second end is configured to be coupled to an electric vehicle, the displacement mechanism being configured to be operated from a first position to a second position, so that the cover panel is accordingly transposed from a closed position to an open position with respect to the electric vehicle, wherein in the closed position the cover panel is located so that it essentially covers an opening of the vehicle body and in the open position the opening is uncovered at least partly so that a charging plug residing in said opening may be exposed.

2. The displacement mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the displacement mechanism additionally comprises at least one frame element that is configured to be coupled to the second end of the at least one coupling bar, the frame element also being configured to host or be coupled to the cover panel, thereby operatively coupling the at least one coupling bar to the cover panel.

3. The displacement mechanism of any previous claim, wherein the displacement mechanism additionally comprises at least one stand element that is configured to be coupled to the first end of the at least one coupling bar from at least a first location on the stand element, the stand element being configured to be coupled to the vehicle from at least a second location on the stand element, thereby coupling the at least one coupling bar to the vehicle.

4. The displacement mechanism of any previous claim, wherein in the open and closed positions, the cover panel is at least vertically displaced with respect to the vehicle.

5. The displacement mechanism of any previous claim, wherein the first end of the at least one coupling bar is rotatably coupled to the cover panel and the second end of the at least one coupling bar is rotatably coupled to the vehicle.

6. The displacement mechanism of any previous claim, wherein the at least one coupling bar embodies a shape where a first bar portion and a second bar portion form an angle.

7. The displacement mechanism of any previous claim, wherein the displacement mechanism comprises two coupling bars, wherein coupling bars are utilized at opposite ends of the cover element.

8. The displacement mechanism of any previous claim, wherein the displacement mechanism comprises four coupling bars, wherein two coupling bars are utilized at each of the opposite ends of the cover element.

9. The displacement mechanism of any previous claim, wherein the displacement mechanism is for a cover panel of an internal-combustion engine vehicle that has been converted into an electric vehicle.

10. The displacement mechanism of any previous claim, wherein the displacement mechanism is for a cover panel that is a front grille of an electric vehicle, wherein the space behind the front grille accommodates an electric charging connector.

11. The displacement mechanism of any previous claim, wherein the displacement mechanism comprises a support rod that is coupled from each end to coupling bars that are utilized on opposite sides of the cover panel.

12. The displacement mechanism of any previous claim, wherein the displacement mechanism comprises a protection element, wherein in the first position, the protection element essentially covers the electric charging connector and in the second position, the protection element is displaced so that the charging connector is exposed.

13. The displacement mechanism of claims 11 and 12, wherein the protection element is adapted to be coupled to the support rod from its first end and to the cover panel from its second end.

14. The displacement mechanism of claim 1 1 wherein the protection element is adapted to be coupled to one side of the cover panel from its first end and to an opposing side of the cover panel from its second end.

15. The displacement mechanism of any of the claims 12-14, wherein the protection element comprises a flexible material selected from the group of silicon or rubber.

16. The displacement mechanism of any previous claim, wherein actuation or driving of the displacement mechanism is fully manual.

17. The displacement mechanism of any previous claim, wherein actuation or driving of the displacement mechanism is partial power open with gas struts and/or springs.

18. The displacement mechanism of any previous claim, wherein actuation or driving of the displacement mechanism is fully driven by rotary motor and link and/or crank/rocker mechanism.

19. The displacement mechanism of any previous claim, wherein actuation or driving of the displacement mechanism is fully driven by linear motor and link and/or crank/rocker mechanism.

20. The displacement mechanism of any previous claim, wherein actuation or driving of the displacement mechanism is fully driven by air/hydraulic/electrical linear or rotary solenoid.

21. The displacement mechanism of any previous claim, wherein actuation or driving of the displacement mechanism is fully driven by rotary actuator and worm gear or rack/pinion mechanism.

22. The displacement mechanism of any previous claim, wherein the displacement mechanism additionally comprises a locking mechanism that is configured to secure the displacement mechanism into its first position and/or its second position and/or an intermediate position.