WO2024046618A1

WO2024046618A1 - Current line arrangement and motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2024046618A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/067576
Authority: WO
Inventors: Benedikt Fella; Markus Vock; Christian Maier
Original assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2022-08-29
Filing date: 2023-06-28
Publication date: 2024-03-07
Also published as: DE102022121730A1

Abstract

A current line arrangement (10) for conducting electrical current from a charging socket (160) of a motor vehicle (100) to an energy storage device (150) of the motor vehicle (100) is provided, comprising a DC line (20) with two DC individual lines (21, 22) for conducting a direct current (DC) from a DC interface (120) of the charging socket (160) to the energy storage device (150), and an AC line (30) with a plurality of AC individual lines (31) for conducting an alternating current (AC) from an AC interface (130) of the charging socket (160) to the energy storage device (150), wherein the current line arrangement (10) has an AC plug-in connection (33) which is connectable to the AC line (30), wherein the AC plug-in connection (33) is designed for electrically connecting the current line arrangement (10) to the AC interface (160) and/or to the energy storage device (150).

Description

Power line arrangement and motor vehicle

The present disclosure relates to a power line arrangement for conducting electrical current from a charging socket of a motor vehicle to an energy storage device of the motor vehicle. The disclosure also concerns a motor vehicle.

The advancing mobility transition is a critical aspect in the context of the increasingly necessary sustainability for the environment. For this and other reasons, the production and use of electric vehicles are a central part of achieving more sustainable mobility. A central component of an electric vehicle is the charging chain or charging unit, which leads from an energy storage device via a power line arrangement to a charging socket. A charging station external to the vehicle can be connected to the charging socket in order to charge the energy storage device.

The charging unit includes the power line arrangement and a charging connection or an interface for connecting the power line arrangement to the charging socket and an interface to the energy storage device. The power line arrangement or cable line runs between the energy storage device and the charging socket. This loading unit is typically a coherent component.

The motor vehicle can typically be charged with either an alternating current (AC) or a direct current (DC) via an alternating current (AC) and a direct current (DC) cable harness.

According to the prior art, the DC cable harness typically consists of two round copper conductors. When transporting electricity, one of the round conductors is positively charged and one is negatively charged. Copper is suitable for round conductors because, in addition to the basic requirement of current-carrying capacity, it is mechanically flexible and can therefore compensate for tolerances in the arrangement of the charging unit or the charging socket and the energy storage device. However, copper has a comparatively high heat input with direct currents. Copper is comparatively expensive and has a comparatively high mass.

WO 2016/020512 A1 discloses a vehicle with a storage device for electrical energy that can be recharged using a charging cable and an external power supply and with a body that has at least one body opening that can be closed by a body flap, a charging cable being provided that is electrically conductive to the storage device is connected or connectable and which runs at least partially inside the body, is characterized in that the body opening is a luggage compartment opening or a door opening and the body flap is a luggage compartment flap or a door of the vehicle; that the charging cable is designed as a flexible ribbon cable or has at least one flexible ribbon cable section; that the flexible ribbon cable or the at least one flexible ribbon cable section can be passed through a body gap present between an edge of the body opening and the body flap and that the ribbon cable or the at least one flexible ribbon cable section has current-carrying conductors arranged next to one another, which are designed as flat, ribbon-shaped conductors and the are surrounded by a common, electrically insulating shell.

Typically, the power line arrangement according to the prior art comprises one or more intermediate pieces for electrically connecting the direct current line and/or the alternating current line to the charging socket and the energy storage device. Each of the intermediate pieces causes contact resistance and can contribute to contact difficulties and/or corrosion.

Against the background of this prior art, the object of the present disclosure is to provide an improved power line arrangement which is suitable for enriching the prior art. A specific embodiment of the disclosure can solve the problem of providing a cost-effective, lightweight and maintenance-friendly power line arrangement that avoids intermediate elements for electrical contacting. The task is solved by the features of the independent claim. The subclaims contain preferred developments of the disclosure.

The task is then achieved by a power line arrangement for conducting electrical current from a charging socket of a motor vehicle to an energy storage device of the motor vehicle. The power line arrangement comprises a direct current line with two direct current individual lines for conducting a direct current from a direct current interface of the charging socket to the energy storage device, and an alternating current line with a plurality of alternating current individual lines for conducting an alternating current from the alternating current interface of the charging socket to the energy storage device. Each of the individual direct current lines has an aluminum profile as an electrical conductor for conducting the direct current.

The power line arrangement is thus arranged between the charging socket and the energy storage device within the motor vehicle. The power line arrangement includes the DC line and the AC line to enable combined charging. This allows both a direct current and an alternating current charging method to be implemented for charging the energy storage device.

The direct current line has the two direct current individual lines, with one of the direct current individual lines corresponding to a positive pole and the other of the direct current individual lines corresponding to a negative pole.

The alternating current line has the plurality of individual alternating current lines. This means that charging can take place with a multi-phase alternating current and/or a three-phase current.

The direct current line and the alternating current line are each set up to be connected to the energy storage device via a corresponding interface. To charge battery cells of the energy storage device, the energy storage device can have a Have power electronics for converting the direct current and / or the alternating current.

The power line arrangement has an alternating current plug connection that can be connected to the alternating current line, the alternating current plug connection for electrically connecting the power line arrangement to the

AC interface and / or is set up with the energy storage device. This makes assembly and/or disassembly of the AC line effectively possible since the AC line and the charging socket are not firmly connected to one another. This makes it possible to exchange individual components, which achieves more effective variant management, for example in order to be able to take into account vehicle-specific length differences in the AC line. This reduces the complexity and costs of the power line arrangement and simplifies assembly and service of the power line arrangement. The AC plug connection makes it possible to avoid further intermediate pieces between the AC line and the charging socket and/or the energy storage device, since the AC plug connection can be connected directly to the charging socket and/or the energy storage device.

Each of the individual direct current lines can have an aluminum profile as an electrical conductor for conducting the direct current. This provides an aluminum profile for conducting the direct current. Aluminum is lighter than copper and is cost-effectively accessible due to effective recyclability. Furthermore, aluminum has a comparatively high thermal conductivity. The shape of the individual direct current lines as a profile can improve the heat radiation and/or heat conduction of a heated direct current line and thus bring about effective cooling of the direct current line. This allows a charging time for charging the energy storage device to be reduced. A profile is a part formed, for example, from a flat piece. The direct current line can be set up to be fastened in an electrically conductive manner to the direct current interface and/or the energy storage device by a screw connection having a plurality of screws. The screws thereby serve as fasteners between the direct current line and the charging socket and/or the energy storage device and at the same time as a transmission element electricity. The screw connection makes it possible to avoid placing an intermediate piece on the DC interface. Welding for the connection is unnecessary. Therefore, the piping arrangement is easier to assemble and more cost effective.

When assembled, each of the screws can be arranged perpendicular to one of the aluminum profiles in order to achieve an effective and reliable screw connection.

Each of the screws can make electrically conductive contact with exactly one of the aluminum profiles. This allows a well-defined assignment of the screws to the poles or to the individual direct current lines.

Each of the aluminum profiles can have a first through opening and a second through opening each for passing through one of the screws. This allows the aluminum profiles to be arranged effectively together with the screws.

The through openings of each of the aluminum profiles can have different diameters. This allows a screw to be screwed into one of the aluminum profiles, while contact between the screw and another of the aluminum profiles can be avoided.

In other words and based on a specific embodiment, which is described as not limiting the present disclosure, what has been described above can be summarized as follows: According to the prior art, a loading unit from an OEM is installed, which is not a coherent component. The round cable lines are attached to the charging socket and the high-voltage battery using screws that conduct the electricity. In principle, the fewer separation points there are between the individual components, the better. It is therefore proposed to guide screws vertically through the flat profiles in such a way that a screw is connected to only one flat profile. The two screws are in contact with the different flat profiles. Both screws are guided through both flat profiles, but only enter one at a time one in contact. The connection between the screw and the flat profile for an electrical connection or separation is created by a small or large distance between the screw and the flat profile.

A motor vehicle is also provided. The motor vehicle includes a charging socket, an energy storage device and the power line arrangement described above.

The motor vehicle can be a passenger car, in particular an automobile. The motor vehicle can be an electrically powered motor vehicle. For this purpose, the motor vehicle can have an electric drive that can be supplied with electrical energy from the energy storage device in order to convert electrical energy into kinetic energy. The optionally automated motor vehicle can be designed to at least partially and/or at least temporarily take over longitudinal guidance and/or transverse guidance during automated driving of the motor vehicle. Automated driving can be carried out in such a way that the movement of the motor vehicle is (largely) autonomous. The automated driving can be controlled at least partially and/or temporarily by the data processing device. The motor vehicle can be a motor vehicle with autonomy levels 0 to 5.

What was described above with reference to the power line arrangement also applies analogously to the motor vehicle and vice versa.

An embodiment is described below with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

1 schematically shows a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

2 shows a perspective view of a power line arrangement according to an aspect of the disclosure;

3 shows schematically cross sections of a direct current line of a current conductor arrangement according to one aspect of the disclosure; and

4 shows schematically a screw connection of a current conductor arrangement according to one aspect of the disclosure. Figure 1 shows schematically a motor vehicle 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

The motor vehicle 100 includes a charging socket 160, an energy storage device 150 and a power line arrangement 10. The charging socket 160 is set up to establish an electrical connection between the motor vehicle 100 and a charging station 200 external to the vehicle. In addition, the motor vehicle 100 or its energy storage device 150 can be supplied with an electrical current and charged.

For this purpose, the charging socket 160 is connected to the energy storage device 150 for conducting electrical current via the power line arrangement 10. The power line arrangement 10 is designed to conduct electrical current from the charging socket 160 to the energy storage device 150.

The power line arrangement 10 includes a direct current line 20 and an alternating current line 30.

The direct current line 20 is designed to conduct a direct current DC from a direct current interface 120 of the charging socket 160 to the energy storage device 150. The alternating current line 30 is designed to conduct an alternating current AC from the alternating current interface 130 of the charging socket 160 to the energy storage device 150.

The alternating current line 30 has several individual alternating current lines 31 (only one individual alternating current line 31 is illustrated for the sake of clarity).

The power line arrangement 10 is also described with reference to Figures 2 to 4.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a power line arrangement 10 according to one aspect of the disclosure. The power line arrangement 10 is a power line arrangement 10 for a motor vehicle 10. Such a motor vehicle 10 described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 2 is described with reference to Figure 1 and its description.

The alternating current line 30 according to Figure 2 comprises the plurality of individual alternating current lines 31 arranged in a casing 38 and electrically insulated from one another. The individual alternating current lines 31 are made of copper, for example, and each have a round cross section. The casing 38 is electrically insulating and made, for example, from a plastic.

The power line arrangement 10 has an AC plug connection 33 which can be connected to the AC line 30. The AC plug connection 33 is designed to connect the power line arrangement 10 to the AC interface 160. The AC connector 33 has a plug and an associated socket (not shown). At an end, not shown, of the AC line 30, the power line arrangement 10 has a further AC plug connection 33, which is designed to connect the power line arrangement 10 to the energy storage device 150. This means that the energy storage device 150 can be electrically connected to the charging socket 160 for transmitting an alternating current AC via the AC plug connection 33 and the AC line 30.

As shown in Figure 2, the direct current line 20 is set up to be fastened in an electrically conductive manner to the direct current interface 120 by a screw connection 24 having a plurality of screws 23. Such a screw connection 24 is described in detail with reference to FIG. At an end of the direct current line 20, not shown in FIG. This means that the energy storage device 150 can be electrically connected to the charging socket 160 for transmitting a direct current DC via the screw connections 24 and the direct current line 20. The direct current line 20 is described in more detail with reference to FIG. As shown in Figure 2, the power line arrangement 10 has a mass 40 for connecting to the motor vehicle 100.

Figure 3 shows schematically cross sections of a direct current line 20 of a current conductor arrangement 10 according to one aspect of the disclosure. Figure 3 shows the current conductor arrangement 10 described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 3 is described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 and their descriptions.

Figure 3 shows four different embodiments of the direct current line 20 (Figures 3 (A), 3 (B), 3 (C) and 3 (D)).

According to Figure 3, the direct current line 20 has two individual direct current lines 21, 22 for conducting a direct current DC. Each of the individual direct current lines 21, 22 has an aluminum profile 25 as an electrical conductor for conducting the direct current DC. The aluminum profiles 25 are flat profiles 26. That is, each of the aluminum profiles 25 has two main directions of expansion, here horizontal and into the plane of the drawing, and a further direction of expansion, here vertical. The expansion of the aluminum profiles 25 is greater in the main expansion directions than in the further expansion direction. The aluminum profiles 25 can be produced, for example, by rolling and forming.

The aluminum profiles 25 of the individual direct current lines 21, 22 are arranged parallel to one another. The respective main directions of expansion of the aluminum profiles 25 define a plane in which the aluminum profiles 25 each have a most extensive area. The aluminum profiles 25 of the individual direct current lines 21, 22 are arranged in such a way that their largest surfaces are parallel to one another.

The direct current line 20 has insulation 28. The insulation 28 is arranged around the individual direct current lines 21, 22 and between the individual direct current lines 21, 22. The insulation 28 is electrically insulating and made, for example, from a plastic. Figure 3 (B) is described in terms of the differences from Figure 3 (A). According to Figure 3 (B), the direct current line 20 has insulation 28. The insulation 28 is arranged around the individual direct current lines 21, 22. An air gap is arranged between the insulation 28 of the individual direct current lines 21, 22. The air gap can achieve improved heat dissipation from the individual direct current lines 21, 22 into an environment.

Figure 3 (C) is described in terms of the differences from Figure 3 (A). According to Figure 3 (C), the direct current line 20 has a heat storage paste 27 arranged between the individual direct current lines 21, 22.

The heat storage paste 27 has a high heat capacity compared to aluminum and is designed to absorb heat generated in the direct current line 20 during a charging process. This means that the temperature of the direct current line 20 rises less, which can be helpful for charging.

The heat storage paste 27 has a pasty consistency. This allows the heat storage paste 27 to be effectively arranged on the possibly curved contour (see FIG. 2) of the direct current line 20.

The heat storage paste 27 contacts the direct current individual lines 21, 22 on one of their largest surfaces in order to enable effective transport of heat from the respective direct current individual lines 21, 22 to the heat storage paste 27. The heat storage paste 27 is electrically insulating and thus forms electrical insulation between the individual direct current lines 21, 22.

Figure 3 (D) is described in terms of the differences from Figure 3 (C). According to Figure 3 (D), the casing 28 is arranged to envelop the heat storage paste 27. The heat storage paste 27 has no direct electrical contact with the individual direct current lines 21, 22. This means that an electrically conductive heat storage paste 27 can also be used.

Figure 4 shows schematically a screw connection 24 of a current conductor arrangement 10 according to one aspect of the disclosure. Figure 4 shows the reference to Figures 1 to 3 described current conductor arrangement 10. Figure 4 is described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 and their descriptions.

The direct current line 20 is attached to the direct current interface 120 in an electrically conductive manner by a screw connection 24 having two screws 23. Each of the screws 24 is arranged perpendicular to one of the aluminum profiles 25 in the assembled state. Each of the screws 24 contacts exactly one of the aluminum profiles 25 in an electrically conductive manner.

Each of the aluminum profiles 25 has a first through opening 29a and a second through opening 29b each for passing through one of the screws 24. The through openings 29a, 29b of each of the aluminum profiles 25 have different diameters D. In other words, each of the aluminum profiles 25 has a through opening 29a with a diameter D that is larger than a diameter D of the other through opening 29b. A tolerance range is provided for the through openings 29b, each with the smaller diameter D, i.e., the diameter D of the smaller through opening 29b is slightly larger than the diameter of the screws 24. The diameter D of the smaller through opening 29b is selected such that a reliable mechanical and electrical connection between the individual direct current lines 21, 22 and the charging socket 160 is achieved. The diameter D of the respective larger through-opening 29a is selected such that contact of the screw 24 with the respective direct current individual lines 21, 22 at the larger through-opening 29a is excluded. For example, the larger through opening 29a has a diameter D that is equal to a multiple of the diameter of the screws 24.

The screws 24 are guided vertically through the individual direct current lines 21, 22, so that a screw 24 is connected to only one individual direct current lines 21, 22. The two screws 24 are in contact with the different individual direct current lines 21, 22. Both screws 24 are guided through both individual direct current lines 21, 22, but only come into contact with one of the individual direct current lines 21, 22. The connection of Screw 24 and individual DC lines 21, 22 for an electrical connection or separation is created by a small or large distance between screw 24 and individual DC lines 21, 22, ie by the different diameters D of the through openings 29a, 29b.

The power line arrangement 10 has a cover cap 41 or a contact cap. The cover cap 41 is electrically insulating. The screw connection 24 can be protected from mechanical influences by the cover cap 41.

Reference symbol list

10 power line arrangement

20 DC line

21 DC single line

22 DC single line

23 screw connection

24 screw

25 aluminum profile

26 flat profile

27 heat storage paste

28 Insulation

29a first through opening

29b second through opening

30 AC line

31 individual AC lines

33 AC connector

38 wrapping

40 mass

41 top cap

100 motor vehicle

120 DC interface

130 AC interface

150 energy storage device

160 charging socket

200 charging station

AC alternating current

DC direct current

D diameter

Claims

Claims Power line arrangement (10) for conducting electrical current from a charging socket (160) of a motor vehicle (100) to an energy storage device (150) of the motor vehicle (100), comprising

- a direct current line (20) with two individual direct current lines (21, 22) for conducting a direct current (DC) from a direct current interface (120) of the charging socket (160) to the energy storage device (150), and an alternating current line (30) with several individual alternating current lines ( 31) for conducting an alternating current (AC) from an AC interface (130) of the charging socket (160) to the energy storage device (150), characterized in that

- the power line arrangement (10) has an alternating current plug connection (33) which can be connected to the alternating current line (30), the alternating current plug connection (33) for electrically connecting the power line arrangement (10) to the alternating current interface (160) and/or to the energy storage device (150) is set up. Power line arrangement (10) according to one of claims 1, wherein each of the individual direct current lines (21, 22) has an aluminum profile (25) as an electrical conductor for conducting the direct current (DC), and the direct current line (20) is set up to be at the direct current interface (120) and / or the energy storage device (150) to be fastened in an electrically conductive manner by a screw connection (24) having a plurality of screws (23). Power line arrangement (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the screws (24) is arranged perpendicular to one of the aluminum profiles (25) when assembled. Power line arrangement according to claim 2 or 3, wherein each of the screws (24) makes electrically conductive contact with exactly one of the aluminum profiles (25). Power line arrangement according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein each of the aluminum profiles (25) has a first through opening (29a) and a second through opening (29b) each for passing through one of the screws (24). Power line arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the through openings (29a, 29b) of each of the aluminum profiles (25) have different diameters (D). Motor vehicle (100), comprising a charging socket (160), an energy storage device (150) and a power line arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims.