WO2020058525A1

WO2020058525A1 - Charging device for charging an electric vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2020058525A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/075477
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christian Rudolfi; Magnus Sviberg; Sebastian Kloss; Tim GÄRTNER; Thomas Schütt
Original assignee: Webasto SE
Priority date: 2018-09-21
Filing date: 2019-09-23
Publication date: 2020-03-26
Also published as: DE102018123350A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a charging device (1) for charging a traction battery (110) of an electric vehicle (100), comprising a base unit (2) which is designed and equipped to be arranged in the region of a lane for the electric vehicle (100) and provide a charging current. The charging device additionally comprises a vehicle unit (3) which is designed and equipped to be arranged in the underbody (120) of the electric vehicle (100) and which is connected to the traction battery (110) in order to supply a charging current. The charging device also comprises a coupling device (4) which is designed and equipped to automatically couple together the base unit (2) and the vehicle unit (3) in order to transmit a charging current, wherein the coupling device (4) is designed and equipped such that the coupling process is achieved by a relative movement between the base unit (2) and the vehicle unit (3) in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

Description

Charging device for charging an electric vehicle

Technical field

The present invention relates to a charging device for charging an electric vehicle at a charging station, which in particular enables automatic charging or an automatic connection of the electric vehicle to a charging station.

PRIOR ART When using electric vehicles powered by batteries, it is necessary that the

Charging electric vehicle batteries, which are provided to supply the electric drive of the electric vehicle, when the energy stored in the battery is running low. The respective ranges of the electric vehicles and the respective driven

The number of kilometers corresponds to the need for more or less frequent charging of the electric vehicle.

In conventional electric vehicles, the charging of the batteries is achieved by the electric vehicle being parked on a charging station or a wall box and then the user establishing a connection between the charging station or the wall box and the electric vehicle by manually inserting an appropriate charging cable. Then the actual loading process can be started.

At present, the ranges that can be achieved with a battery charge are often still lower than the ranges that can be achieved with a tank filling of a conventional vehicle with an internal combustion engine, so that the resultant need for more frequent charging can be regarded as a loss of convenience for the consumer.

To complete the process of connecting the electric vehicle to a charging station or wallbox automate, and in this way to save time and effort of the user and increase comfort, different devices for automated connection of electric vehicles with charging devices are known. For example, DE 10 2016 008 982 A1 discloses a charging arrangement for automatically charging an electrical energy store in a motor vehicle, in which a contact element of a charging station arranged under the motor vehicle is raised substantially perpendicular to the underbody of the motor vehicle correctly positioned above it, thereby contacting one corresponding socket provided in the underbody of the motor vehicle is made possible.

DE 10 2014 226 371 A1 discloses a charging station for charging an energy store in a vehicle, in which contact is also made with the energy store in the motor vehicle by moving a contact head into a charging socket arranged in the underbody of a vehicle in that the movement is vertical to the level formed by the sub-floor.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION Starting from the known prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a charging device for charging an electric vehicle, which enables a further simplified automatic contacting of the vehicle.

This object is achieved by a loading device with the features of claim 1.

Further developments result from the subclaims, the present description and the attached figures.

Accordingly, a charging device for charging a traction battery of an electric vehicle is proposed, comprising a floor unit which is designed and set up to be arranged in the area of a roadway for the electric vehicle and to provide a charging current, further comprising a vehicle unit which is designed and set up for this is to be arranged in the underbody of the electric vehicle and which is connected to the traction battery for supplying a charging current, and further comprising one

Coupling device, which is designed and set up, the floor unit and To electrically couple the vehicle unit for transmitting a charging current to one another. According to the invention, the coupling device is designed and set up so that the coupling by a relative movement of the floor unit and the vehicle unit in

Longitudinal vehicle direction is reached.

Because the coupling device is set up in such a way that the floor unit is coupled to the vehicle unit by a relative movement of the floor unit relative to the vehicle unit in the vehicle longitudinal direction, contact can be made during the regular process of parking or parking an electric vehicle which is moving in its vehicle longitudinal direction getting produced.

Accordingly, additional movements of the electric vehicle to manufacture the

Contacting or additional movements of the contacting element in other directions are no longer necessary.

Furthermore, a particularly robust design of the

Coupling device possible, which, due to the reduced need for movements, can be made simpler than 3D robot arms or other contacting devices known from the prior art.

Furthermore, it is due to the coupling of the floor unit to the vehicle unit by a

Relative movement in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is possible to provide the contacts in the floor unit or in the vehicle unit and in the coupling device in an orientation which essentially runs in the plane of the vehicle underbody. As a result, the contacts can be made less susceptible to the stresses occurring in the vehicle underbody or less sensitive to being driven over or entering an arrangement on the floor.

In a preferred embodiment, the coupling device is accommodated in the vehicle unit, the coupling device having a coupling contact and being designed and set up to couple the coupling contact to a coupling device

To lower the floor contact area of the floor unit.

This means that the electric vehicle always carries the coupling device with it and through it the movement in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle which is carried out by the electric vehicle anyway, the coupling between the coupling unit and the floor unit can be established.

From this embodiment, in which the coupling device is provided in the vehicle unit, it also follows that no moving parts have to be provided in the floor unit, so that the floor unit can be made particularly robust and inexpensive. This is important, for example, if the floor unit is also to be provided in publicly accessible areas, for example in parking bays on the roadside. Accordingly, it is possible that the base unit can then be provided in a variety of ways due to the robust and cost-effective design, and accordingly an almost area-wide charging structure that enables automated charging of the electric vehicle is conceivable.

The coupling device can preferably comprise a coupling arm which is designed and set up to lower the coupling contact and to couple it to the ground contact region of the ground unit, the coupling arm preferably being designed to be elastic in the transverse direction of the vehicle. In this way, reliable contacting can be achieved.

In a further preferred embodiment, the floor unit has a floor contact area which is designed and set up with a coupling contact

Coupling device to be brought into electrically conductive contact, the

Ground contact area is preferably formed in the form of a contact rail. A particularly robust production of the contact can be achieved by the formation of the ground contact area. The floor unit particularly preferably has a catch area which is designed and set up to conduct a coupling contact of the coupling device such that it enters the ground contact area in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle when there is a relative movement between the floor unit and the vehicle unit. This can be a reliable one even with an offset

Contact can be made possible.

In an alternative, the coupling device can be accommodated in the base unit, the coupling device then having a coupling contact and being designed and set up to raise the coupling contact for coupling to a vehicle contact area of the vehicle unit. It will be an alternative, reliable and simple automatic Contacting possible, in which the floor unit does not have to be arranged under the vehicle, but can also be positioned in front of or behind the vehicle.

The coupling device preferably comprises a displacement arm which is designed and set up to move the coupling contact in the vehicle longitudinal direction and the

Coupling coupling contact with the vehicle contact area of the vehicle unit and wherein the coupling device comprises a lifting arm, which is designed and set up to raise the coupling contact, the displacement arm and / or the lifting arm preferably being designed as scissor arms

The design of the displacement arm enables a mechanically robust, inexpensive and reliable design of the coupling device.

One is preferred on the floor unit and / or on the vehicle unit

Cleaning device is provided, which prior to actually establishing the contact between the floor unit and the vehicle unit, a cleaning of the respective floor contact areas or vehicle contact areas or coupling contact is carried out. For example, cleaning can be achieved by providing a strong air flow, providing mechanical cleaning devices such as a brushing device or applying a corresponding water surge or water jet or by previously penetrating the respective contact areas using a cleaning mask.

Furthermore, a communication device for establishing communication between the floor unit and the vehicle unit can be provided, which for example is a

Authentication for the intended charging process enables as well as a more precise

Positioning of both the electric vehicle and the contacting device allows. In particular, an actuation of the cleaning device and / or the covering device and / or the coupling device can be controlled accordingly via a communication which detects the approach of the electric vehicle or the vehicle unit to the floor unit. In this way, for example, the coupling contacts can be brought closer to the ground contact area and / or to the vehicle contact area when the vehicle unit is at a certain distance from the floor unit. A cover device for covering the ground contact area and / or for is preferred

Covering the vehicle contact area and / or provided for covering the coupling contact. In this way, contamination of the contacts can be avoided or at least reduced in times when the floor unit is not coupled to a vehicle unit.

Brief description of the figures

Preferred further embodiments of the invention are illustrated by the following

Description of the figures explained in more detail. Show:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the loading device with a floor unit and

Vehicle unit; Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of a floor unit;

Figure 3 is a schematic side view of the vehicle unit in combination with the

Coupling device and a schematically shown floor unit; FIG. 4 shows a schematic, perspective illustration of the vehicle unit, the floor unit and the coupling device during the process of connecting the vehicle unit to the floor unit;

Figure 5 is a schematic, perspective view of the connection process in a further embodiment, in which a slight offset between the base unit and the

Vehicle unit is present;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic side view of a loading device in a further embodiment, in which the coupling device is provided in the base unit;

Figure 7 is a schematic plan view of the loading device according to Figure 6, which with the

scissor-shaped displacement arm is formed;

Figure 8 is a schematic side view of the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7; Figure 9 is a schematic representation of the connection process between the vehicle unit and the contacting device of the floor unit in a further embodiment; Figure 10 is a schematic bottom view of the floor unit and the vehicle unit and the coupling device accommodated in the floor unit in a schematic representation, wherein the coupling device is still completely accommodated in the floor unit and, accordingly, a charging process has not yet begun; Figure 1 1 is a schematic representation of Figure 10, but now with the extended

Coupling device which electrically connects the floor unit to the vehicle unit.

Detailed description of preferred exemplary embodiments

Preferred exemplary embodiments are described below with reference to the figures. Identical, similar or equivalent elements in the different figures are provided with identical reference numerals, and a repeated description of these elements is partially omitted in order to avoid redundancies.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a charging device 1, by means of which an electric vehicle 100, also shown schematically, or a traction battery 110 accommodated in the electric vehicle 100 for providing energy for driving an electric drive can be charged.

The charging device 1 comprises a floor unit 2, which is arranged in the region of the roadway traveled by the electric vehicle 100 to be charged. The floor unit 2 can accordingly be provided, for example, in the area of a garage floor, a street, a parking bay, a parking space in a parking garage, etc.

The floor unit 2 is designed such that the electric vehicle 100 can drive over it without the electric vehicle 100 or the floor unit 2 being damaged thereby. In other words, the floor unit 2 builds completely in each of them

Electric vehicle 100 is not so high that the floor unit 2 with the Underbody 120 of the electric vehicle 100 would collide.

The floor unit 2 is designed and set up to provide a charging current for charging the electric vehicle.

The floor unit 2 can comprise a charging unit 200, which is correspondingly connected to a power supply or another energy supply, and which provides a charging current for charging the electric vehicle 100 or the traction battery 110 of the electric vehicle 100 on the floor unit 2.

In the loading unit 200, for example - as in a conventional wall box or

Charging station also - one or more of the voltage regulator, rectifier,

Charging control, communication unit, display for communicating the state of charge, fuse elements such as fuses, residual current circuit breakers or other fuse devices can be provided.

In the exemplary embodiment of the charging device 1 shown in FIG. 1, the charging unit 200 is provided in the form of a so-called wall box 210, which is correspondingly arranged on a wall, for example a garage or a wall delimiting a parking space. The charging unit 200 can also be in a for example on the roadside or on the edge of a

Parking space or a parking bay arranged charging station can be provided.

The charging unit 200 can also be completely integrated into the base unit 2, so that the base unit 2 provides a self-contained unit for providing, controlling and securing the charging current. In other words, the base unit 2 can be designed in such a way that it only has to be connected to a power grid.

In another development, assemblies of the loading unit 200 are provided in the base unit 2 and other assemblies of the loading unit 200 are provided in a wall box 210 arranged at a distance therefrom.

The charging device 1 further comprises a vehicle unit 3 arranged in the underbody 120 of the electric vehicle 100, which is provided in the area of the underbody 120 of the electric vehicle 100. The vehicle unit 3 stands with the traction battery 110 of the electric vehicle 100 in communication and enables the traction battery 110 of the electric vehicle 100 to be charged when the vehicle unit 3 is in electrical contact with the floor unit 2 and a charging current is released. The vehicle unit 3 can provide a charging control for the traction battery 110 of the electric vehicle 100, so that only an electrical connection has to be established between the floor unit 2 of the vehicle unit 3, a charging current has to be released by the floor unit 2 and the actual charging process of the traction battery 110 then of the

Vehicle unit 3 is controlled.

The vehicle unit 3 can, however, also only be one of the floor unit 3

Provide the prepared and conditioned charging current to the traction battery 1 10. In other words, the vehicle unit 3 can either take over the charge control completely, or be provided only for contacting the traction battery 110, or fill in between stages between these two states and, for example, only charge current limitation

provide.

A coupling device 4 is provided, by means of which an electrical coupling between the floor unit 2 and the vehicle unit 3 can be established.

The coupling device 4 is in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG

Vehicle unit 3 is arranged such that a coupling contact 40 of the coupling device 4 is automatically lowered by the vehicle unit 3 when the vehicle unit 3 approaches the floor unit 2 to such an extent that the coupling contact 40 is brought into contact with a ground contact area 20 of the floor unit 2 when the vehicle unit 3 is moved relative to the base unit 2 in the direction of the vehicle longitudinal direction x.

In other words, there is contact between the vehicle unit 3 and the

Floor unit 2 by means of the coupling device 4 instead of the electric vehicle 100 moving forward in its vehicle longitudinal direction x, then when the vehicle unit 3 approaches the coupling contact 40 of the coupling device 4 downwards and then by the further movement of the electric vehicle 100 in

Vehicle longitudinal direction x a contact of the coupling contact 40 with the

Ground contact area 20 of the floor unit 2 takes place. In other words, the movement of the electric car 100 guides the coupling contact 40 and the ground contact area 20 through the resulting relative movement between the

Vehicle unit 3 and the floor unit 2 together so that an electrical connection between 2 and the vehicle unit 3 is established.

In Figure 2, the floor unit 2 is now shown in a schematic representation in a plan view.

In this embodiment, the ground contact area 20 is in the form of a rail and is partially covered or tunnel-shaped, so that the coupling contact 40 of the coupling device 4 can be inserted into the rail forming the ground contact area 20 by the movement of the electric vehicle 100 and in this way an electrical connection between the

Floor unit 2 and the electric vehicle 100 can be manufactured. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the base unit 2 is further formed with a catch area 22 which is funnel-shaped and by means of which it is possible to couple the coupling contact 40 which strikes the base unit 2 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle along appropriately designed guide surfaces 24 along the guide surfaces 24 into the ground contact region 20 to conduct when the coupling contact 40 is moved essentially by the movement of the floor unit 2 to the vehicle unit 3 by the movement of the electric vehicle 100 in the direction of the ground contact area 20.

The capture angle FW enclosed by the guide surfaces 24 can have an opening in the range from 60 ° to 150 °, preferably at an angle between 90 ° to 130 °, particularly preferably at an angle of 120 °.

In other words, it is possible by means of a relative movement of the vehicle unit 3 with the coupling device 4 arranged thereon and the base unit 2 in the vehicle longitudinal direction x and with the coupling contact 40 lowered, by means of the catch area 22 in the

To conduct ground contact area 20.

The floor unit 2 can, as is immediately apparent from FIG. 2, be made very flat and very robust, so that it can also be driven over by an electric vehicle 100 or another vehicle, and driving on the tires of the respective vehicle also does not lead to one Damage.

In particular, it is also provided that the floor unit 2 is designed in such a way that its surfaces 26, which are visible in FIG. In other words, the surfaces 26 can be roof-shaped, so that water, dirt or foreign objects possibly striking the floor unit 2 can slide off or drain off and at the same time the potential for damage when driving over the floor unit 2 with a vehicle remains low. The floor unit 2 can be largely passive and can be formed only from the body forming the floor unit 2, the catch area 22, the guide surfaces 24 and the floor contact area 22. None of the parts mentioned is designed to be movable.

A cleaning device 5, indicated only schematically, is preferably provided, by means of which the catch area 22 and the ground contact area 20 can be kept clean. The cleaning device 5 can be designed, for example, in the form of a blower, which provides a directed air flow which ensures that the catching area 22 and the

Ground contact area 20 are blown free from objects lying on it. Furthermore, the cleaning device 5 can also be provided by providing brush devices, mechanical pushing devices or other mechanical cleaning devices, which can be provided for cleaning the catch area 22 and / or the ground contact area 20.

In order to avoid contamination of the ground contact area 20 and / or the catching area 22 when no electric vehicle 100 is connected, a covering device 7 is provided, which can then be guided over the relevant areas.

In order to avoid contamination of the coupling contact 40 when the electric vehicle 100 is not being charged, a covering device 8 is provided, which can then be guided over the relevant areas and accordingly closes the coupling device 4 in regular ferry operation.

In order to be able to establish communication between the electric vehicle 100 and in particular the vehicle unit 3 and the floor unit 2, the floor unit 2 can also be a Communication module 60 include, which can establish a communication connection to the vehicle unit 3, which is also provided with a communication module 62, for example by means of a radio connection, for example by means of Bluetooth. Through the communication device comprising the communication modules 60, 62, the vehicle unit 3 can on the one hand recognize when it has to extend the coupling device 4 downwards, that is to say a sufficiently small approach between the vehicle unit 3 and the floor unit 2 has taken place. The communication device 60, 62 can also inform the controller of the electric vehicle 100 in such a way that the last short piece of movement of the electric vehicle 100 for connecting the coupling contact 40 of the coupling device 4 to the ground contact area 20 is largely automated. In particular, driving of the electric vehicle 100 in the vehicle longitudinal direction X can also be controlled particularly preferably via the communication device 60, 62, in order in this way to enable automatic insertion and complete electrical connection of the coupling contact 40 to the ground contact area 20.

In addition, the communication device can also comprise, for example, light-emitting diodes which are arranged in predetermined areas of the base unit 2, in order to correspondingly when the vehicle unit 3 approaches in the electric vehicle 100 or in the vehicle unit 3

Vehicle unit 3 arranged camera to detect these light-emitting diodes and thereby support a control of the electric vehicle 100 either manually, for example by displaying on a screen of a navigation device of the electric vehicle 100, or automatically. FIG. 3 shows in a side view once again the movement of the coupling contact 40 in the vehicle longitudinal direction x, the coupling contact 40 being held on the vehicle unit 3 via the coupling device 4 and which has moved out of the vehicle unit 3. The coupling contact 40, when moving in the direction of the base unit 2, first strikes the catch area 22, and is then fed through the guide surfaces 24 to the ground contact area 20 and inserted therein, in order in this way to make electrical contact between the

To manufacture floor unit 2 and the vehicle unit 3.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, the insertion of the coupling contact 40 into the ground contact region 20 is shown once again in a schematic perspective illustration. Here is the Coupling contact 40 has not been moved into the base unit 2 exactly centered, but is centered in the catch area 22 along the guide surfaces 24 and then guided accordingly in the direction of the bottom contact area 20. A coupling arm 48 of the coupling device 4, which serves to lower the coupling contact 40, is preferably designed to be elastic in the transverse direction of the vehicle, so that lateral displacement of the coupling contact 40 by the guide surfaces 24 is easily possible.

In this way, it is possible to lower the coupling contact 40 from the vehicle unit 3 via the coupling device 4 when the electric vehicle 100 is entering a corresponding parking space, which is equipped with a floor unit 2, in such a way that it hits the catching area 22 and then from the guide surfaces 24 is guided into the ground contact area 20, while the vehicle unit 3 and the floor unit 2 move relative to one another in the vehicle longitudinal direction x due to the movement of the electric vehicle 100.

The method for establishing an electrical connection can also be described as follows:

Connect

When the vehicle unit 3 approaches the floor unit 2 by a few meters, the covering device 7 of the floor unit 2 is opened by means of a communication process. The cover device 7 is opened by a motor installed in the base unit 2 for actuating the cover device 7. Simultaneously or following the opening, the floor contact area 20 of the base unit 2 can be cleaned.

At the same time, a cover device 8 of the coupling device 4 is opened.

The electric vehicle 100 is manually driven to the floor unit 2. The catch area 22 for the coupling contact 40 located on the floor unit 2 is preferably at least 50 cm wide, so that a connection can also be established in the event of an offset between the vehicle unit 3 and the floor unit 2.

As soon as the coupling contact 40 is located over the catch area 22 of the base unit 2 it is released by means of the coupling arm 48 of the coupling device 4. The coupling arm 48 is rotatably and movably supported both at the upper and at the lower end, so that the coupling contact 40 can align itself over the floor unit 2 when the electric vehicle 100 is rotated or when it is not driven straight in.

If the coupling contact 40 is located with an offset above the catch area 22, this is correctly aligned by the travel movement in the catch area 22. At this point in time, the driving speed is already automatically electronically reduced by an interplay of the communication devices 60, 62.

The coupling contact 40 is then with the ground contact area 20 by the other

Movement brought into contact.

As soon as contact is established, the driver will be informed. The system is designed so that it is still possible to continue up to 50 cm after the first contact in order to avoid tearing off the coupling device. The electric vehicle is preferably automatically braked electrically.

Loading advance

Before the charging process begins, the electric vehicle is first electronically secured against moving away.

Then the vehicle unit 3 receives the approval that the charging may be activated. At this moment, charging communication is also activated and the charging process proceeds as usual.

End of the charging process The charging process is either ended automatically when the full charge is reached or by a command specified manually by the driver.

At this moment, the supply of electricity is interrupted and the charging lines are isolated. Since the physical connection between the vehicle unit 3 and the floor unit 2 continues to exist, the charging process could theoretically be reactivated. At the same time, the traction battery 110 of the electric vehicle is also available as a decentralized energy store during this time.

The separation of the connection between vehicle unit 3 and floor unit 2 is again with the help of a vehicle movement in the vehicle longitudinal direction by a pulling movement

reached at the coupling contact 40.

As soon as the coupling contact 40 has been completely removed from the ground contact area 20 and is again above the catching area 22, the vehicle unit 3 will automatically

Retract coupling contact 40 and close cover device 8. The vehicle is already ready to drive at this point, which means there is no delay when parking.

communication

The communication device 60, 62 can take on the following functions: connection establishment / start charging process

The communication modules 60, 62 - for example Bluetooth modules - are activated and are continuously in the search mode. As soon as the electric vehicle 100 with the built-in vehicle unit 3 is about 10 m

When the ground unit 2 approaches, the Bluetooth connection between the two units is automatically established. If the driver does not wish to charge automatically, there is still the option to deactivate the automatic charging. Then the registration of the vehicle unit 3 on the floor unit 2 is automatically established via the existing Bluetooth connection.

If a positive registration has been carried out, 2 LEDs can light up in the floor unit in order to guide the driver to “his” floor unit 2 if there are several floor units 2 in the Area there.

As soon as the electric vehicle 100 approaches the floor unit GU for a few meters, the corresponding cover flaps open and expose the floor unit 2 and vehicle unit 3 so that a coupling device 4 can carry out a coupling.

A light sensor can be activated in the vehicle unit 3, which searches for the illuminated LEDs of the floor unit 2 in order to then be able to establish an electrical connection in the manner described above.

As soon as the coupling contact 40 is electrically conductively connected to the ground contact area 20, communication between the charging unit 200 and the vehicle unit 3 is also activated via the electrical contact. Disconnection / Stop charging

The charging process is interrupted as soon as the driver sends the command to the electric vehicle 100. (e.g. by double pressing on the radio remote control). At the same moment, the LEDs of the base unit 2 are operated again.

The vehicle unit 3 thus opens the physical communication contacts via the electrical contact, as a result of which the charging process is ended. As soon as the end of the charging process has been recognized by the vehicle unit 3, the electric vehicle 100 becomes again

Shutdown released.

If it is recognized that the coupling contact 40 has left the ground contact area 20, the coupling device 4 can retract the coupling contact again.

As soon as it is established via the radio link that the vehicle has moved away from the floor unit 2, the LEDs on the floor unit 2 are switched off and the

Communication link goes back to the search mode for new vehicles.

6 to 11 show a further exemplary embodiment of the charging device 1, wherein here too an electric vehicle 100, which has a traction battery 110, is to be automatically coupled to a charging unit 200.

The charging device 1 in turn comprises a vehicle unit 3 which is arranged in the underbody area 120 of the electric vehicle 100 and which at least enables the traction battery 110 to be contacted in order to enable the traction battery 110 to be correspondingly charged when connected to the charging unit 200.

Furthermore, a floor unit 2 is also provided, by means of which a

Relative movement between the floor unit 2 and the vehicle unit 3 by means of a

Coupling device 4 an electrical contact between the floor unit 2 and the vehicle unit 3 can be made.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, a vehicle contact area 30 is provided in the vehicle unit 3, in which a coupling contact 40 of the coupling device 4 by a

Relative movement between vehicle unit 3 and floor unit 2 can be introduced.

The base unit 2 including the coupling device 4 is shown again in a top view in FIG. 7 and in a side view in FIG.

The coupling device 4 of the base unit 2 comprises a scissor-shaped one

Displacement arm 42, which can move a holding platform 44 in the vehicle longitudinal direction X, a further scissor-shaped lifting arm 46 being provided on the holding platform 44, by means of which the coupling contact 40 can be raised.

The coupling contact 40 can by means of the scissors-shaped displacement arm 42

Holding platform 44 can be positioned in the longitudinal direction x of the vehicle relative to the vehicle unit 3, and by appropriately lifting the coupling contact 40 by means of the lifting arm 46, the coupling contact 40 can be introduced into the vehicle contact area 30.

The vehicle contact area 30, together with the vehicle unit 3, is shown again in FIG. 9. A catch area 32 is provided on the vehicle contact area 30, which enables the coupling contact 40 to be inserted and caught when it is raised by the lifting arm 46 starting from the holding platform 44. The catch area can also be guiding surfaces 34 have. A movement of the coupling contact 40 in the vehicle longitudinal direction X can then take place through the scissor-shaped displacement arm 42, in order in this way to enable the coupling contact 40 to be introduced into the vehicle contact area 30. In FIGS. 10 and 11, the floor unit 2 and the vehicle unit 3 are shown again in the two possible end positions, namely in FIG. 10 in a position in which the coupling device 4 of the floor unit 2 is completely retracted into the floor unit 2, so that a Driving over the floor unit is collision-free and possible without any problems. Figure 1 1, however, shows the floor unit 2 with an extended displacement arm 42, which has moved the holding platform 44 into a position such that the coupling contact 40 is inserted into the vehicle contact area 30 of the vehicle unit 3 by means of the lifting arm 46.

Connect

The floor unit 2 was aligned once in the garage and the driver was parked

Electric vehicle 100 as usual.

The physical connection process between floor unit 2 and vehicle unit 3 therefore only takes place as soon as vehicle 100 has authenticated itself with floor unit 2, is in parking mode and the ignition is switched off. Then the vehicle is also electronically secured against driving away.

Positioning lighting is then activated on the vehicle unit 3 and can be evaluated by the floor unit 2. The positioning lighting is provided with individual LEDs, which show the position of the vehicle contact area 30.

With the help of motors on the displacement arm 42, the floor unit 2 now drives the

Coupling contact 40 under the vehicle.

With the aid of light sensors on the coupling contact 40, the base unit 2 is able to align the coupling contact 40 under the vehicle until the coupling contact 40 is located under a catch area 32 of the vehicle contact area 30. Then the coupling contact 40 is applied by the lifting arm 46 to the catch area 32 and the displacement arm 42 pulls the coupling contact 40 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is guided through guide surfaces 34 into the vehicle contact area 30 for establishing an electrical connection. The loading process is started in the following.

Loading advance

As soon as the contacting has been completed, the charging process can be started by

Vehicle unit 3 are released. The charging communication is also enabled and activated.

The charging process then proceeds as usual. The two scissor arms can be switched freely during the loading process, so that the vehicle can be loaded and unloaded even during the loading process.

Completion of the loading process The loading process is ended by user input or automatically.

The electrical connection between the vehicle unit 3 and the floor unit 2 is interrupted at this moment and thus also the charging communication is interrupted. The scissor arms are then reactivated and the coupling contact 40 is moved out of the vehicle contact area 30 by moving the displacement arm 42 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

The scissor arms are then retracted again and the electric vehicle is not released until the scissor arms have been completely retracted into the base unit 2.

As far as applicable, all individual features that are shown in the exemplary embodiments can be combined and / or exchanged with one another without leaving the scope of the invention. 20th

Reference list

1 loading device

100 electric vehicle

1 10 traction battery

120 Underbody of the electric vehicle

2 floor unit

20 ground contact area

22 catch area

24 guide surface

26 roof area

3 vehicle unit

30 vehicle contact area

32 catch area

34 guide surface

4 coupling device

40 coupling contact

42 displacement device

44 plate

46 lifting device

5 cleaning device

60, 62 communication device

7 cover device

8 Cover device X vehicle longitudinal direction

Claims

Expectations

A charging device (1) for charging a traction battery (1 10) of an electric vehicle (100), comprising:

a floor unit (2) which is designed and set up to be arranged in the region of a roadway for the electric vehicle (100) and to provide a charging current,

a vehicle unit (3) which is designed and set up to be arranged in the underbody (120) of the electric vehicle (100) and which is connected to the

Traction battery (1 10) is connected to supply a charging current, and

a coupling device (4) which is designed and set up for this purpose

Automatically coupling the floor unit (2) and the vehicle unit (3) for the transmission of a charging current, characterized in that the coupling device (4) is designed and set up so that the coupling is caused by a relative movement of the floor unit (2) and the vehicle unit (3 ) in

Longitudinal vehicle direction is reached.

2. Loading device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the

Coupling device (4) is accommodated in the vehicle unit (3), the

Coupling device (4) has a coupling contact (40) and is designed and set up to lower the coupling contact (40) for coupling to a ground contact area (20) of the ground unit (2).

3. Loading device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the

Coupling device (4) comprises a coupling arm (48) which is designed and set up to lower the coupling contact (40) and to couple it to the ground contact region (20) of the ground unit (2), the coupling arm preferably in

Vehicle transverse direction is elastic.

4. Loading device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the floor unit (2) has a floor contact area (20) which is designed and set up with a coupling contact (40) of the Coupling device (4) to be brought into electrically conductive contact, the ground contact region (20) preferably being in the form of a contact rail.

5. Charging device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the base unit (2) has a catch area (22) which is designed and set up to conduct a coupling contact (40) of the coupling device (4) so that it a relative movement between the floor unit (2) and the vehicle unit (3) in

Longitudinal vehicle enters the ground contact area (20).

6. Loading device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the

Coupling device (4) is accommodated in the base unit (3), the

Coupling device (4) has a coupling contact (40) and is designed and set up for this purpose, the coupling contact (40) for coupling to a

Lift vehicle contact area (30) of the vehicle unit (30).

7. Loading device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the

Coupling device (4) comprises a displacement arm (42) which is designed and set up to move the coupling contact (40) in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and to couple the coupling contact (40) to the vehicle contact area (20) of the vehicle unit (2), and wherein the coupling device (4) comprises a lifting arm (46) which is designed and set up to raise the coupling contact (40), the displacement arm (42) and / or the lifting arm (46) preferably being designed as scissor arms.

8. Loading device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that a cleaning device (5) is provided on the floor unit (2) and / or on the vehicle unit (3), which is used to clean a

Ground contact area (20) and / or a vehicle contact area (30) and / or a coupling contact (40) is formed and set up and preferably applies an air flow, a brushing movement, a water surge or a water jet or achieves cleaning by actuating a cleaning mask.

9. Loading device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that a cover device (7) for covering the

Ground contact area (20) and / or for covering the vehicle contact area (30) and / or for covering the coupling contact (40) is provided.

10. Loading device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a communication device (60, 62) is provided, which is set up and designed to establish communication between the floor unit (2) and the vehicle unit (3), preferably an authentication of the vehicle for the intended charging process, a more precise positioning of the floor unit (2) with respect to the vehicle unit (3) or a release of the vehicle (100) after the charging process is complete.