WO2023222615A1

WO2023222615A1 - Device and assembly for checking the functionality of a charging station

Info

Publication number: WO2023222615A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/062998
Authority: WO
Inventors: Holger-Max Emberger; Klaus UNMÜSSIG; Nebojsa NISEVIC
Original assignee: Hoover Dam Technology Gmbh
Priority date: 2022-05-18
Filing date: 2023-05-15
Publication date: 2023-11-23
Also published as: DE102022112463A1; DE102022112463B4

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (100) for checking the functionality of a charging station for electric vehicles. The device (100) has (a) a housing (110) with an input-side first end section (110a) and an output-side second end section (110b); (b) a plug connector (120), which is arranged on the first end section (110a), for electrically connecting to a charging station plug connector that complements the plug connector (110a), wherein the plug connector (120) comprises (b1) at least one charging voltage contact element (L1-L3) for transmitting an electric charging voltage, (b2) a first contact element (CP), and (b3) a second contact element (PE); (c) an output connection (130), which is arranged on the second end section (110b) and which is electrically connected to the charging voltage contact elements (L1-L3), for connecting an electric measuring tool (790) for detecting electric characteristics of the charging station in different operating states; (d) an electric circuit (340) which is arranged in the housing (110) and which comprises at least two electric resistors (R1, R2); and (e) a switch (150) which (e1) is attached to the housing (110), (e2) is electrically connected to the electric circuit (340), and (e3) has at least two switch positions. A first resistance value between the first contact element (CP) and the second contact element (PE) is set in a first switch position, and a second resistance value is set in a second switch position.

Description

Device and arrangement for checking the functionality of a charging station

Technical area

The present invention relates to the technical field of charging stations for electric vehicles. The present invention relates in particular to a device and an arrangement for checking the functionality of a charging station for an electric vehicle.

Background of the invention

With the expansion of electromobility, more and more charging stations for electric vehicles are needed. These must be checked for function and safety. The most important functional tests for such a charging station are:

(i) Does the charging station switch on?

(ii) Is there a correct voltage on at least one of the three-phase external conductors LI, L2 and L3 of the charging station?

(iii) Does the charging station switch off in the event of errors?

After the initial installation of a charging station, the safe electrical functionality of the charging station must also be checked. This includes measuring the grounding resistance and insulation resistance as well as a functional test of the FI switch of the charging station.

For most of these test tasks, the charging station must be switched on. For example, with an EN 62196 Type 2 plug type, this is done by a switch-on CP control signal on the so-called CP (Control Pilot) charging contact, via which standardized CP control signals are exchanged between the electric vehicle and the charging station during normal charging operation. CP control signals

PS: ko The CP charging contact is also used to switch the relevant charging station into different operating states. A corresponding signal is also used for charging stations for or with a Type 1 plug in accordance with the SAE J1772 standard.

Some of the necessary testing tasks can be carried out using existing measuring tools such as a voltage tester, multimeter or a so-called VDE 0100 tester, whereby the latter uses a standardized measuring sequence to check whether the charging station complies with the DIN standard VDE 0100 series, which is used for planning, construction and testing of low-voltage systems that operate with an alternating voltage of up to a maximum of 1000 V or a direct voltage of up to a maximum of 1500 V is relevant.

To test a charging station, an electrician needs two electrical measuring tools. A first electrical measuring tool is a so-called EV adapter, which has a standardized charging plug, for example a so-called EN 62196 Type 2 plug, which ensures a simulation of the CP control signals required for the test and which additionally has the charging contacts LI, L2, L3, N and PE are routed to sockets so that contact can be made using a downstream electrical measuring device. The second electrical measuring tool is the aforementioned downstream electrical measuring device, which is to be connected to the individual sockets of the EV adapter via measuring lines. The downstream electrical measuring device can be, for example, a VDE 0100 tester mentioned above. This means that to fully test a charging station, two measuring tools are always required, which must be handled by the testing electrician together with a charging plug that is connected to the EV adapter.

The invention is based on the object of creating a reliable, easy-to-use and safe measuring tool for testing charging stations for electric vehicles. Summary of the invention

This task is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are described in the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a device for checking the functionality of a charging station for electric vehicles is described. The device has (a) a housing with an input-side first end section and an output-side second end section; (b) a plug connector, which is arranged at the first end section and is designed for electrically connecting to a plug connector of the charging station that is complementary to the plug connector. The connector comprises (bl) at least one charging voltage contact element for transmitting an electrical charging voltage, (b2) a first contact element and (b3) a second contact element. The device described further has (c) an output connection, which is arranged on the second end section and which is electrically connected to the charging voltage contact elements, for connecting an electrical measuring tool for detecting electrical parameters of the charging station in different operating states; (d) an electrical circuit disposed in the housing and comprising at least two electrical resistors; and (e) a switch. The switch (el) is attached to the housing, (e2) is electrically connected to the electrical circuit and (e3) has at least two switch positions. According to the invention, a first resistance value is connected between the first contact element and the second contact element in a first switch position and a second resistance value is connected in a second switch position, which is different from the first resistance value.

The device described is based on the knowledge that different electrical resistances can be switched between the two contact elements by simply pressing the switch by an operator. This has the advantage that, compared to the charging station, a resistance identifier can be easily implemented, which the charging station in Different operating states are offset or a transition between different operating states of the charging station is coded.

Against this background, the term “operating status” in this document should be interpreted broadly. An operating state can therefore not only be a current (static) operating state in which the charging station is at least for a certain period of time. An operating state can also be a transition between two operating states that are not inherently dynamic. A non-dynamic operating state is assumed by the relevant charging station for a certain period of time. In this context, a dynamic operating state is the state in which a change occurs between two non-dynamic operating states. A dynamic operating state can therefore theoretically only be assumed for a certain point in time and not for a certain minimum period of time.

The resistances of the electrical circuit can be chosen so that the device simulates the presence or "connectedness" of an electric vehicle to the charging station, which requires a certain operating state of the charging station for a charging process or (in accordance with known standards for charging electric vehicles) requires a sequence of operating states. It is expressly pointed out that the electrical circuit can also be configured such that a resistance value is zero ohms and/or a resistance value is infinite ohms. In the first case, the resistance value of zero is simply generated by a continuous conductor, in the second case, the resistance value of infinity results from an interruption in a conductor, which can be achieved in particular by an open switch.

The first contact element can, for example, be a control signal contact element, via which control signals can be exchanged in a manner known per se between an electric vehicle and the relevant charging station. The second contact element can, for example, be a neutral conductor contact element which is assigned to a non-live neutral conductor (related to the charging voltage contact elements). Alternatively, the second can Contact element can be a ground or grounding contact.

According to the invention, the output connection makes it possible to connect a measuring tool that is external to the device, with which the charging station can be checked or tested for its functionality in a manner known per se in different operating states, which are activated or encoded by different resistance values. The measuring tool can be any electrical measuring device that is suitable and known for checking the functionality of the charging station, for example the electrical measuring devices mentioned in the introduction to this document: voltage testers, multimeters and VDE 0100 testers. In particular, the (external) measuring tool can be used to measure the voltage levels required for the respective operating state on those contact elements of the charging station through which charging currents flow during a real charging process and which are electrically connected to the charging voltage contact elements of the device according to the invention in order to check the functionality of the charging station in question are. In addition, a suitable measuring tool, possibly similar to testing a power socket in a household, for example, can check electrical properties such as grounding resistance and insulation resistance. In contrast to checking such a socket, with a charging station it is usually necessary to switch the charging station on first. Such switching on can take place, as described in more detail below, by means of a suitable resistance identifier between the two electrical contact elements.

Another advantage of the described device for checking the functionality of a charging station is that various types of external measuring tools can be connected to the output connection. The device according to the invention can therefore be used in a variety of ways.

The charging voltage contact elements can, depending on the type of charging voltage or charging current, have one, two or three charging voltages. Include contact elements. In the case of charging with a two-phase alternating current, for example a simple household current, two charging voltage contact elements are sufficient. In the case of a typically significantly more powerful three-phase three-phase current, at least three charging voltage contact elements are required. When charging with direct current, which is often used for particularly high charging powers, two charging voltage contact elements are usually sufficient. As with a so-called CCS (Combined Charging System) plug, there can also be two DC charging contacts in addition to at least one AC charging contact.

In addition, the connector can also have a grounding contact element. In a known manner, this can ensure a high level of electrical operational safety, especially during a real charging process.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the switch further has a third switch position and is electrically connected to the electrical circuit in such a way that a third resistance value is connected between the first contact element and the second contact element in the third switch position, which is different from both the first resistance value as well as to the second resistance value.

To provide a third resistance value, the electrical circuit can have three resistors, with each resistor preferably being assigned exactly one resistance value between the two contact elements. Alternatively, the resistance value can also be provided by a combination of a series or series connection of exactly two resistors in one of the three switch states. The third switch position allows three resistance identifiers to be implemented in a simple manner, with two or three resistors.

The third resistance value can also encode a specific operating state of a charging station to be checked or be assigned to a third operating state of the charging station. For example, in accordance with one Standard for charging stations, a first resistance value RI encodes an operational state of the charging station. A second resistance value R2 can encode the start of a charging process and a third resistance value R3 can encode the end of a charging process.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the switch further has a fourth switch position and is electrically connected to the electrical circuit in such a way that a fourth resistance value is connected between the first contact element and the second contact element in the fourth switch position, which is different from both the first Resistance value, the second resistance value and the third resistance value.

The fourth resistance value between the two contact elements can encode a charging process as a fourth operating state of the charging station, which is required under certain conditions for reliable and operationally safe charging of an electric vehicle. For example, the fourth operating state can encode a (transition to) a charging process, which is required for safety reasons for charging a lead battery of an electric vehicle or for charging in an enclosed space.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the switch further has a fifth switch position and is electrically connected to the electrical circuit in such a way that a fifth resistance value is connected between the first contact element and the second contact element in the fifth switch position, which is indicative of a fault condition of the Charging station and/or, during a real charging process, for an error condition of the connected electric vehicle.

The fifth resistance value is in particular different from the first and second resistance values. Preferably it is also different from the third resistance value and more preferably it is also different from the fourth resistance value. The described fifth resistance value between the two contact elements can be used to check whether (in accordance with a standard) the charging station switches off or at least interrupts or cancels an electrical charging process. By providing the fifth resistance value, the operational safety of the charging station in question can be easily tested or checked.

It should be noted at this point that the fifth resistance value can be zero ohms. If the second contact element is, for example, a ground contact, the first contact element is short-circuited to ground in the fifth switch position.

It should be noted that the embodiment described here with the fifth resistance value represents an embodiment of the invention, which does not necessarily have the third switch configuration described above in connection with the third resistance value and also does not necessarily have the fourth switch configuration described above in connection with the fourth Resistance value required.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the fifth switch position is a resilient switch position, which is only assumed for a certain period of time when the switch is held in the fifth switch position using force (by an operator).

The force required for switching to the fifth switch position and/or for maintaining the fifth switch position can be applied by an operator and preferably by a hand or at least one finger of the operator. It is particularly advantageous if the switch is designed and attached to the housing in such a way that an operator can operate the switch ergonomically. This can also apply to transitions between the other switch positions described above. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the connector is an electrical plug and the complementary connector is an electrical socket or coupling. Alternatively, the connector is an electrical coupling and the complementary connector is an electrical plug. This has the advantage that both (i) charging stations where a socket is permanently installed and (ii) charging stations which have a permanently connected charging cable with a plug suitable for a socket of an electric vehicle can be tested in a simple manner.

In this document, a plug is understood to mean, in particular, a so-called “male plug” which has male contact pins that can be inserted into complementary female pin receptacles. A coupling is to be understood in particular as a “female plug connector” which, like a socket, usually has “female pin receptacles” into which male contact pins can be inserted.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the plug connector and at least part of the housing correspond to a standardized plug type for charging electric vehicles defined by a standard. This advantageously facilitates handling of the device described. In particular, it is ensured that the device can be connected as intended to a charging station designed in accordance with the standard.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the standard is the IEC 62196 (Type 2) standard, the SAEJ J1772 (Type 1) standard, the Tesla™ standard, or the Chademo (CHArge de MOve) standard. This has the advantage that the device described can be used to conveniently check the functionality of many common and therefore widespread charging stations worldwide.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the switch has an electrical switching element and an operating element, the electrical switching element being arranged within the housing and the operating element is arranged outside the housing and wherein the control element has an overlap with the outside of the housing.

Due to the overlap between the control element arranged outside the housing and the housing, depending on the degree of overlap, creepage distances for undesirable leakage currents can be shortened. This enables the strength of undesirable leakage currents to be reduced in a simple and efficient manner.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the overlap between the control element and the housing has an area of 3 cm ² (=3 cm x cm), preferably 4 cm ² and more preferably 5 cm ² .

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the operating element is linearly displaceable relative to the housing. The linear displaceability of the control element relative to the housing can be easily achieved using a conventional slide switch.

The linear displaceability described has the advantage that the different switch positions can be set by an operator in an ergonomically simple and convenient manner (with just one finger). This also applies to the resilient switch position described above. In particular, with a suitable attachment of the switch to the housing, the switch positions can be adjusted with the same hand that holds the entire device. This means that during the entire operation of the device described, an operator only needs one hand for the required operation and the operator can use his other hand for other activities if necessary.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the device has at least one mechanical stop element, which is arranged inside the housing and which is designed such that the switching element and / or the electrical circuit is arranged in a fixed space inside the housing. This advantageously enables a simple and at the same time safe mechanical and spatially fixed arrangement or positioning of the switch and/or the electrical circuit in or on the housing.

In particular, the device described can be manufactured in a simple and therefore cost-effective manner by having at least one mechanical stop element.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, at least part of the housing and the mechanical stop element are formed in one piece.

The housing part mentioned can be, for example, a housing shell made up of a total of at least two housing shells. When the at least two housing shells are open or separated from one another, the switch or at least its electrical switching element can be mounted in or on a housing shell in a simple manner. The production of the device described is then continued by assembling the housing.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the electrical circuit has a printed circuit board (or circuit board) which is arranged inside the housing. This enables a simple spatial arrangement and electrical interconnection of the electronic resistance components required for the different resistance values. The circuit board is preferably arranged in a fixed space within the housing with the aid of at least one mechanical stop element. These elements are preferably formed (in one piece) on at least part of the housing.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the electrical circuit has contact areas which are open at the top and which are formed on an upper side of the circuit board. Furthermore, the switch has a resilient contact element which is electrically conductively connected to (i) at least one contact area and (ii) at least one of the first contact element and the second contact element.

The resilient contact element can be connected mechanically directly or indirectly The above-mentioned control element can be connected, so that from an operating position when the switch position changes, the resilient contact element is automatically transferred from a contact area that is open at the top (for an electrical contact) to another contact area that is open at the top, and so different electrical resistance values between the first contact element and provides the second contact element.

The contact areas can be conductor tracks or sections of conductor tracks which are formed on the surface of the circuit board.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the resilient contact element and the contact areas are configured such that the switch can be transferred from a first switching state to a second switching state without interruption. This has the advantage that during a transition between the two switching states, the charging station to be tested can be prevented from being placed in an undefined operating state.

The first switching state can in particular be linked to a first position of the operating element and the second switching state can be linked in particular to a second position of the operating element. Furthermore, the freedom from interruptions described can also be present during transitions between other switching states.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the electrical circuit has an electrical central conductor, which is in electrical contact with the resilient contact element regardless of the switching state. This has the advantage that the (electrical) switch can be implemented in a structurally simple manner.

The electrical central conductor, which can be implemented, for example, by means of an elongated conductor track on the above-mentioned circuit board, can be permanently in electrical contact directly or indirectly with the first contact element. Those required for the resistance identification described Electrical resistors are then connected between the second contact element and the different contact areas, which are contacted by the resilient contact element depending on the position of the switch or the control element.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the device further has a diode which is connected between the electrical central conductor and the first contact element. This has the advantage that, with a suitable polarity of the diode, undesirable voltage peaks at the first contact element are avoided. Without such a diode, such voltage peaks can be generated in particular when the switch transitions from the first switching state to the second switching state (or into further switching states), which could possibly lead to undefined operating states of the charging station to be tested.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the resilient contact element and the contact areas are configured such that during a transition between two switching states, the resilient contact element is in electrical contact with two (different) contact areas at the same time. This advantageously enables a particularly simple implementation of the above-described freedom from interruption of the switch.

According to a further aspect of the invention, an arrangement for checking the functionality of a charging station for electric vehicles is described. The arrangement according to the invention has (a) a device of the type described above and (b) the electrical measuring tool for detecting electrical parameters of the charging station in different operating states, the electrical measuring tool being connected to the output connection of the device.

The arrangement described is also based on the knowledge that different electrical resistances can be switched between the two contact elements by activating the switch. This means that resistance identification can be easily implemented in relation to the charging station, which puts the charging station into different operating states or causes a transition between different operating states of the charging station. To put it clearly, the arrangement described can be used to simulate the presence or "connectedness" of an electric vehicle, which sets the charging station into different operating states by means of a predetermined resistance value between the first contact element and the second contact element, which are determined by the connected electrical measuring tool Safety should be checked. This can be done, for example, by measuring the electrical potentials or the electrical voltages that are present at the charging voltage contact elements by the electrical measuring tool.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the device and the electrical measuring tool are electrically connected to one another via a detachable electrical connection structure. This has the advantage that the device described above can be connected or operated with a conventional measuring tool. To put it clearly, the device then simply represents an electrical adapter between the charging station in question and the electrical measuring tool, the adapter additionally having the functionality of bringing the charging station into different operating states one after the other by simply pressing the switch. The charging station can then be successively checked for correct function in the various operating states by the electrical measuring tool.

The electrical connection structure can have any contact elements, for example pins and complementary sockets. It is only necessary that the connection structure is not damaged by the voltages provided by the charging station.

Further advantages and features of the present invention emerge from the following exemplary description of currently preferred embodiments. Short description of the drawing

Figures la and lb show different views of a device for checking the functionality of a charging station, the device being physically designed in the form of a type 2 charging plug of the IEC 62196 standard.

Figure 2 shows the contact assignment of the standardized Type 2 plug.

Figure 3 shows the interior of the device shown in Figures la and lb.

Figure 4 shows an embodiment in which the device for checking the functionality of a charging station has a permanently connected connecting cable for an electrical measuring tool.

Figure 5a shows a perspective view of a switch and a circuit board of an electrical circuit, which are installed in the device for checking the functionality of a charging station.

Figure 5b illustrates the spatial arrangement and fixation of the circuit board on a housing of the device for checking the functionality of a charging station.

Figure 6 shows the switch in a perspective view from below.

Figure 7 shows an arrangement which has (a) the device for checking the functionality of a charging station and (b) a measuring tool, which are connected to one another via an electrical connection cable.

Figure 8 shows an electrical circuit diagram for implementing an electrical circuit and switch using an elongated electrical central conductor.

Detailed description

It should be noted that in the following detailed description, features or components of different embodiments are used with the corresponding features or components of another Embodiment according to the same or at least functionally identical, are provided with the same reference numerals or with reference numerals, which in the last two numbers are identical to the reference numerals of corresponding identical or at least functionally identical features or components. To avoid unnecessary repetition, features or components already explained using a previously described embodiment will no longer be explained in detail at a later point.

It should also be noted that the embodiments described below represent only a limited selection of possible embodiment variants of the invention. In particular, it is possible to combine the features of individual embodiments with one another in a suitable manner, so that a large number of different embodiments can be viewed as obviously disclosed by the person skilled in the art with the embodiment variants explicitly shown here.

Figures la and 1b show different views of a device 100 for checking the functionality of a charging station. According to the exemplary embodiment shown here, the device 100 is spatially physically designed in the form of a type 2 charging plug of the IEC 62196 standard. As a result, it can be easily and conveniently handled by an operator like a normal type 2 charging plug and, in particular, can be plugged into a complementary charging socket of the charging station to be tested in a simple and electrically and mechanically error-proof manner.

The device 100 has a housing 110 which has the external dimensions of a conventional type 2 charging plug. As can best be seen from Figure la, the housing 100 has a first end section 110a and a second end section 110b. A plug connector 120 is formed on the first (input side) end section 110a, which is designed to be electrically and mechanically complementary to a charging socket of the charging station to be tested, not shown. At the second (output side) end section 110b there is an electrical output connection 130, which is only shown schematically in figures la and lb. Via this output connection 130, the device 100 can be connected to an electrical measuring tool that is external to the device 100 and is not shown here.

A profile 116 is formed on the outer surface of the device 100 near the second end section 110b (in a manner known for a type 2 charging plug). This profiling makes it easier for an operator to handle the device 100.

As can be seen from FIG Switch 115 is designed as a slide switch and can be operated by an operator with a finger of the hand that is also holding the device 100.

Furthermore, as can also be seen from Figure 1b, the device 100 has a latching recess 122 on the outer wall of the plug-in user 120. This locking recess 122 serves, in a similar manner to a type 2 charging plug, to fix the device 100 to the relevant charging station.

Figure 2 shows the contact assignment of the standardized Type 2 plug. The plug initially has three current-carrying contacts LI, L2 and L3, a neutral contact N and a ground contact PE. In addition, the type 2 plug also has two communication contact elements CP and PP in a known manner, which are used for communication between the charging station to be tested and the device 100. As already explained above, for example, a resistance identifier is used on the communication contact element or the first contact element CP or, more precisely, a resistance identifier, according to which a predetermined one is used Resistance is switched between (a) the communication contact element or the first contact element CP and (b) the ground contact or the second contact element PE, to put the charging station (during testing) into predetermined operating states.

Figure 3 shows the interior of the device shown in Figures la and lb. For this purpose, the front second housing shell 114 was removed compared to the illustration in Figure la. To remove the housing shell 114, connecting elements 318 designed as screws or rivets were opened.

Plug connector connection contacts 328 can be seen in the first end section 110a on the input side. A connector connection contact 328 is assigned to one of the contacts LI, L2, L3, N, PE, CP and PP shown in FIG. In the output-side second end section 110b there are only schematically illustrated output-side connection contacts 329, via which a measuring tool connected downstream of the device 100 can be electrically connected to the device 100.

In the area of the switch 150, the device 100 (inside it) has an electrical circuit 340. According to the exemplary embodiment shown here, the circuit 340 comprises (a) a printed circuit board or circuit board 342 and (b) electrical resistors RI, R2, R3, R4 and R5, which are only shown schematically. According to the exemplary embodiment shown here, the circuit 340 therefore comprises a total of five resistors RI, R2, R3, R4, R5, with each resistor being assigned to exactly one resistance identifier. It should be noted that one of the five resistors RI, R2, R3, R4, R5 can also be an open line, that is, a resistance of infinity. Furthermore, one of the five resistors RI, R2, R3, R4, R5 can also be a resistance of zero, for example realized by a wire or a conductor track on the circuit board 342. In addition, three resistances that are different from zero and infinite can also be used by a suitable combination of two resistance components in a parallel and/or series connection. The switch 150 can also be designed as a so-called uninterruptible switch, as will be explained in more detail below. This means that there is never an undefined resistance between the two contact elements CP and PE between two switching states of the switch 150.

As can be seen from Figure 3, the switch 150 includes an operating element 354, which is located outside the housing 110, and an electrical switching element 352, which is located inside the housing 110. The operating element 354 and the switching element 352 are mechanically connected via a coupling element, for example a web.

As already explained above, according to the exemplary embodiment shown here, the switch is a slide switch 150. Accordingly, the control element 354 is a simple slider.

The switching element 352 has on its underside a missing contact element (not shown in FIG. 3). Depending on the switch position of the electrical switch 150, different resistance values are connected between the two contact elements CP and PE.

Figure 4 shows a device 400 for checking the functionality of a charging station, which has a permanently connected connection cable 460 instead of the connection contacts 329 on the output side. The connecting cable 460 is firmly connected to a measuring tool. Alternatively, the measuring tool can also be electrically connected to the device 400 in a suitable manner via a plug connection (not shown) between (i) the connecting cable 460 and (ii) a corresponding plug and/or a corresponding socket of the measuring tool.

Figure 5a shows a perspective view of the switch 150 and the circuit board

342 of the electrical circuit 340. The housing shells are for reasons of Not shown here for clarity. When installed, the control element 354 is located outside the housing, as can be seen, for example, from Figure 1b. The electrical switching element 352, which is mechanically connected to the operating element 354 via a web, slides along the surface of the circuit board 342 when the switch 150 is operated. On the underside of the electrical switching element 352 there is a resilient contact element that cannot be seen in FIG. 5a. Depending on the position of the switch 150, the resilient contact element comes into contact with various electrical contact areas 544 formed on the surface of the circuit board 342. Depending on the position of the switch 150, different electrical contact areas 544 are electrically connected to one another. As a result, resistors not shown in FIG. 5a are connected on the underside of the circuit board 342 in FIG. 5a, possibly in a suitable combination of a series and/or parallel connection, between the two contact elements CP and PE, also not shown here.

As can also be seen from Figure 5a, the electrical switching element 352 is in mechanical contact with a spiral spring 556. The spiral spring 556 serves to ensure that at least one switch position of the switch 150 is only permanently assumed when a holding force that compensates for the spring force of the spiral spring 556 is applied to the control element 354 by an operator.

A resiliently mounted latching element 553 is located on or partially in the electrical switching element 352. A front hemispherical end face 553a of the latching element 553 engages in corresponding engagement openings, not shown, in a permanent switch position, i.e. in a switch position that can be maintained without an operating force.

Figure 5b illustrates the spatial arrangement and fixation of the circuit board 342 on the housing or on one of the two housing shells 112. According to the exemplary embodiment shown here, the circuit board 342 rests on two stop points. elements 517 and is engaged by a projection 519, which also serves to guide the spiral spring 556. According to the exemplary embodiment shown here, both stop elements 517 and the projection 519 (in one piece) are each part of the housing.

The electrical switching element 352 is not shown in FIG. 5b. The resilient contact element explained above can be seen, which is marked with the reference number 558.

Figure 6 shows the switch 150 in a perspective view from below. In particular, the above-mentioned components control element 354, switching element 352 and resilient contact element 558 can be seen. Furthermore, a guide structure 655 is shown, along which the switching element 352 slides when the control element 354 is displaced. According to the exemplary embodiment shown here, the guide structure 655 (in one piece) is part of the housing.

The control element 354 is designed so wide that it has a large overlap with the housing, not shown here. This makes it possible to extend creepage distances for undesirable leakage currents and thus reduce the current intensity of such leakage currents. In addition, the wide control element 354 can reduce unwanted air exchange between the environment and the interior of the housing.

Figure 7 shows an arrangement 780, which has (a) the device 100 for checking the functionality of a charging station and (b) an electrical measuring tool 790, which are connected to one another via an electrical connecting cable 460. According to the exemplary embodiment shown here, the device 100 and the electrical measuring tool 790 are firmly connected to one another via the connecting cable 460. In other embodiments, a detachable electrical plug connection is provided between the device 100 and the electrical measuring tool 790. This allows the two of them Components device 100 and measuring tool 790 can be separated from each other if necessary.

Figure 8 shows an electrical circuit diagram for a currently preferred implementation of electrical circuit 340 and switch 150. For this purpose, an elongated electrical central conductor 846 is used, which is connected to the first contact element or communication contact element CP. According to the exemplary embodiment shown here, the central conductor 846 is connected to the first contact element CP via a diode 848. The diode 848 ensures that undesirable voltage peaks at the first contact element CP are prevented, which could occur during a switching process and, under certain circumstances, would put the charging station under test in an undefined operating state. The central conductor 846 can be realized, for example, by means of an elongated conductor track, which is formed together with the contact areas 544 on the top of the circuit board 342 (see Figures 5a and 5b).

As can be seen from Figure 8, various contact areas (on the top of the circuit board 342) are arranged next to the central conductor 846. Each contact area consists of a pair of two contact sub-areas, with one contact sub-area being arranged on one side of the central conductor 846 and the other contact sub-area on the opposite other side of the central conductor 846. The different pairs of contact portions are provided with the reference numbers 844A1/844A2, 844B1/844B2, 844C1/844C2 and 844D1/844D2 in FIG.

As can also be seen from Figure 8, the resilient contact element 558 can be displaced along the longitudinal extent of the central conductor 846. A central contact point 859 of the resilient contact element 558 is always in contact with the central conductor 846.

In addition to the central contact point 859, the resilient contact element 558 has four further (peripheral) contact points 859a, 859b, 859c and 859d. At When the resilient contact element 558 is moved, these four contact points 859a-d sequentially come into contact with the different pairs of contact portions. The contact points 859a-d are arranged in such a way that during a switching process between two adjacent pairs of contact partial areas there are always at least two contact points 859a, 859c or 859b, 859d that are opposite to each other with respect to the central conductor 846, with two mutually opposite contact partial areas of the two pairs in question of contact areas are in electrical contact.

In Figure 8, the contact element 558 is shown in dashed lines in a position in which it is located between the two pairs of contact portions, which are provided with the reference numbers 844B1 / 844B2 and with the reference numbers 844C1 / 844C2. In this “intermediate position”.

• the central contact point 859 (as always) connected to the central conductor 846,

• the contact point 859a is connected to the contact portion 844B1,

• the contact point 859b is connected to the contact portion 844C1,

• the contact point 859c is connected to the contact portion 844B2 and

• the contact point 859d is connected to the contact portion 844C2.

As can be seen from Figure 8, the contact portions 844B1 and 844C1 are connected to the second contact element or ground contact PE via a resistor RI. Furthermore, the contact section 844D1 is connected directly, i.e. without an intermediate resistor, to the ground contact PE. The contact subarea 844A1 is not connected to any other element of the circuit and therefore represents a so-called “floating” contact subarea.

On the other side of the central conductor 846, the two contact areas 844A2 and 844B2 are so-called “floating” contact areas. Furthermore, the contact portion 844C2 is connected to the second contact element or ground contact PE via a resistor R2, and the contact portion 844D2 is connected directly, ie without an intermediate resistor, to the ground contact PE. The configuration described here of the resilient contact element 558 and the conductor track structures (i) electrical central conductor 846 and (ii) contact sections 844A1 / 844A2, 844B1 / 844B2, 844C1 / 844C2 and 844D1 / 844D2 can be reliably prevented a transition from one switching state to another switching state occurs to an undefined intermediate state. This prevents the device from sending undefined signals or information to the charging station to be tested.

According to the exemplary embodiment shown here, there are five (and not just four) states from the perspective of the charging station to be tested:

1. In a first state 1, the resilient contact element 558 is located exactly between the two contact portions 844A1 and 844A2. The resistance between CP and PE is therefore infinite.

2. In a second state 2, the resilient contact element 558 is located exactly between the two contact portions 844B1 and 844B2. The resistance between CP and PE is the resistance value of RI.

3. In a third state 3 (illustrated by the resilient contact element shown in dashed lines), the resilient contact element 558 is located both between the two contact portions 844B1 and 844B2 and between the two contact portions 844C1 and 844C2. The resistance between CP and PE is defined by an electrical parallel connection of RI and R2.

4. In a fourth state 4, the resilient contact element 558 is located exactly between the two contact portions 844C1 and 844C2. The resistance between CP and PE is the resistance value of R2.

5. In a fifth state 5, the resilient contact element 558 is located exactly between the two contact portions 844D1 and 844D2. In this state the two contact elements are CP and PE short-circuited. The condition can simulate a loss of communication link between the charging station under test and an electric vehicle. It is noted that the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements and that the "a" does not exclude a plural. Elements that are described in connection with different exemplary embodiments can also be combined. It should also be noted that reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

REFERENCE SYMBOLS:

100 device

110 housing

110a first end section

110b second end section

112 first housing shell

114 second housing shell

116 Profiling

120 connectors

122 snap recess

130 output port

150 switches

L# live contact (# = 1, 2, 3)

N Neutral conductor contact

PE ground contact / second contact element

CP communication contact element / first contact element

PP communication contact element

318 fasteners (screws/rivets)

328 connector terminal contacts

329 output-side connection contacts (for measuring tool)

340 electrical circuit

342 printed circuit board / circuit board

352 electrical switching element

354 control element

R# electrical resistances (# = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

400 device (with permanently connected connection cable for measuring tool)

460 connection cables Stop element projection latching element a hemispherical end face contact areas spiral spring resilient contact element guide structure arrangement electrical measuring tool A1/2 first contact sub-areasB1/2 second contact sub-areasC1/2 third contact sub-areasD1/2 fourth contact sub-areas electrical central conductor diode central contact point ad contact points

Claims

P atent claims

1. Device (100) for checking the functionality of a charging station for electric vehicles, the device (100) comprising a housing (110) with an input-side first end section (110a) and an output-side second end section (110b); a plug connector (120), which is arranged and designed on the first end section (110a), for electrically connecting to a plug connector of the charging station that is complementary to the plug connector (110a), the plug connector (120).

(i) at least one charging voltage contact element (LI, L2, L3) for transmitting an electrical charging voltage,

(ii) a first contact element (CP) and

(iii) a second contact element (PE); an output connection (130), which is arranged on the second end section (110b) and which is electrically connected to the charging voltage contact elements (LI, L2, L3), for connecting an electrical measuring tool (790) for detecting electrical parameters of the charging station in different operating states; an electrical circuit (340) which is arranged in the housing (110) and which comprises at least two electrical resistors (RI, R2); and a switch (150), which

(i) is attached to the housing (110),

(ii) is electrically connected to the electrical circuit (340) and

(iii) has at least two switch positions, wherein a first resistance value is connected between the first contact element (CP) and the second contact element (PE) in a first switch position and a second resistance value is connected in a second switch position, which is different from the first resistance value .

2. Device (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the switch (150) further comprises a third switch stable and is electrically connected to the electrical circuit (340) such that between the A third resistance value is connected to the first contact element (CP) and the second contact element (PE) in the third switch stable, which is different from both the first resistance value and the second resistance value.

3. Device (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the switch (150) further has a fourth switch position and is electrically connected to the electrical circuit (340) in such a way that between the first contact element (CP) and the second contact element (PE) In the fourth switch stable, a fourth resistance value is connected, which is different from both the first resistance value, the second resistance value and the third resistance value.

4. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the switch (150) further has a fifth switch position and is electrically connected to the electrical circuit in such a way that between the first contact element (CP) and the second contact element in the fifth switch position fifth resistance value is connected, which is indicative of an error state of the charging station and / or, in the case of a real charging process, of an error state of the connected electric vehicle.

5. Device (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the fifth switch position is a resilient switch position which is only assumed for a certain period of time when the switch (150) is held in the fifth switch position using a force.

6. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims,

(i) wherein the connector (120) is an electrical plug and the complementary connector is an electrical socket or coupling or

(ii) wherein the connector (120) is an electrical coupling and the complementary connector is an electrical plug.

7. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector (120) and at least part of the housing (110) correspond to a standardized plug type for charging electric vehicles defined by a standard.

8. Device (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the standard is the IEC 62196 standard, the SAEJ J1772 standard, the Tesla™ standard, or the Chademo standard.

9. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the switch (150) has an electrical switching element (352) and an operating element (354), the electrical switching element (352) being arranged within the housing (110) and the operating element (354) is arranged outside the housing (110) and wherein the operating element (354) has an overlap with the outside of the housing (110).

10. Device (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the overlap between the control element (354) and the housing (110) has an area of 3 cm ² , preferably 2 cm ² and more preferably 4 cm ² .

11. Device (100) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the operating element (354) is linearly displaceable relative to the housing (110).

12. Device (100) according to one of the three preceding claims, further comprising at least one mechanical stop element (517), which is arranged inside the housing (110) and which is designed such that the switching element (352) and / or the electrical Circuit (340) is arranged in a fixed space inside the housing (110).

13. Device (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein at least part of the housing (110) and the mechanical stop element (517) are formed in one piece.

14. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical circuit (340) has a circuit board (342) which is arranged inside the housing (110).

15. Device (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the electrical circuit (340) has upwardly open contact areas (544) which are formed on an upper side of the circuit board (342), and wherein the switch (150) has a resilient contact element ( 558), which is electrically conductively connected to (i) at least one contact region (544) and (ii) at least one of the first contact element (CP) and the second contact element (PE).

16. Device (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the resilient contact element (558) and the contact areas (544) are configured such that the switch (150) can be transferred from a first switching state to a second switching state without interruption.

17. Device (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the electrical circuit (340) has an electrical central conductor (846) which is in electrical contact with the resilient contact element (558) regardless of the switching state.

18. Device (100) according to the preceding claim, further comprising a diode (848) which is connected between the electrical central conductor (846) and the first contact element (CP).

19. Device (100) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the resilient contact element (558) and the contact areas (544) are configured such that During a transition between two switching states, the resilient contact element (558) is in electrical contact with two contact areas (844A1, 844A2; 844B1, 844B2; 844C1, 844C2; 844D1, 844D2) at the same time.

20. Arrangement (780) for checking the functionality of a charging station for electric vehicles, the arrangement comprising a device (100) according to one of the preceding claims and the electrical measuring tool (790) for detecting electrical parameters of the charging station in different operating states, wherein the electrical measuring tool (790) is connected to the output connection (130) of the device (100).

21. Arrangement (780) according to the preceding claim, wherein the device (100) and the electrical measuring tool (790) are electrically connected to one another via a detachable electrical connection structure.