Charging equipment for motor vehicles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a charging device for a motor vehicle (1), in particular an electric motor vehicle or a hybrid motor vehicle. The charging device is equipped with a charging socket (2) on the vehicle side and a charging plug (3) on the charging station side, or vice versa. A locking element (4) is also provided, which can be electrically driven by a drive device (5, 6) for releasably locking the charging plug (3) in the charging socket (2). The drive device (5, 6) is arranged in a housing (7, 8), and the locking element (4) emerges from the housing with an adjustment stroke (S) that can be changed by the drive device (5, 6). In order to urgently unlock the locking element (4), an actuating element (12, 12) that can be manually loaded with the aid of a tool (11) is provided. According to the present invention, the actuating element (12, 12') is indirectly and / or directly connected to the locking element (4) inside the housing (7, 8).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging device for a motor vehicle, in particular an electric motor vehicle / electric vehicle or a hybrid motor vehicle / hybrid vehicle, which has a charging socket on the vehicle side and a charging plug on the charging station side, or vice versa, a charging plug on the vehicle side and a charging socket on the charging station side, and also has a locking element that can be driven by a drive motor, wherein the locking element is used to releasably lock the charging plug in the charging socket, wherein the drive is arranged in a housing, and the locking element extends from the housing with an adjustment stroke that can be changed by the drive, wherein an actuating element that can be manually applied by means of a tool is provided for emergency unlocking of the locking element. Background Art

[0002] The batteries of electric or hybrid vehicles must be regularly supplied with electrical energy. This occurs using a charging infrastructure, typically consisting of one or more charging stations. To charge with electrical energy, the charging plug of the charging station is usually connected to a charging socket on the vehicle. However, the reverse can also be true, with the vehicle's charging plug connected to the charging socket of the charging station. In this case, the charging station is equipped with a charging socket, while the vehicle is provided with a charging plug.

[0003] The charging plug needs to be releasably locked to the charging socket, for example, to avoid health hazards to the user. This is because high voltages, which can reach several hundred volts, are often used. Furthermore, locking ensures that only previously identified users can legally access the energy provided by the charging station, thus preventing misuse. For this purpose, operator identification and authorization checks are often performed prior to such charging processes using an identification signal, as is generally described in WO 2010 / 149426 A1.

[0004] In the prior art according to document CN 2029695855 U, the locking element is typically adjusted by means of an electric drive. The electric drive itself consists of an electric motor and a subsequent, usually multi-stage transmission mechanism. The multi-stage transmission mechanism itself acts on the locking element via a cam.

[0005] Furthermore, a solution is known from the prior art according to document DE 10 2011 10 809 A1, in which a locking device is implemented that operates with a mechanical locking pin. The mechanical locking pin can be actuated electrically. In this way, the mechanical locking pin engages a groove on the charging plug and thus locks the plug or charging plug inside the charging socket by means of the locking device.

[0006] Another locking device, particularly for charging plugs, is disclosed in the similar document DE 10 2011 050 783 A1. In this case, an electromechanical drive for the locking element is also provided, which enables the locking element to be switched between a locked and unlocked position. Furthermore, an emergency release is provided for emergency situations. Within the scope of this emergency release, the locking mechanism is moved from the locked position to its unlocked position.

[0007] Furthermore, such emergency or emergency unlocking devices are necessary if the vehicle electronics or the drive for the locking element or latching device fail. Consequently, the charging plug can no longer be removed from the vehicle, making it virtually impossible to continue driving or even towing the vehicle.

[0008] Finally, document DE 10 2011 050 783 A1 uses a pulling member for emergency unlocking, by means of which at least a portion of the locking element can be moved in an emergency. The pulling member can be a rope, a Bowden cable, or a pull rod or an operating lever that terminates in the vehicle interior, allowing the pulling member to be operated by the user in an emergency. In this regard, the pulling member, for example, combined with the operating lever, forms the aforementioned tool and thus a manually actuatable actuating element. This solution is structurally complex. Furthermore, in this case, emergency unlocking can only be performed from the interior of the vehicle, not from the outside. This can be problematic if the vehicle can no longer be opened.

[0009] To this end, another prior art, according to document DE 10 2013 222 509 A1, proposes a charging module for charging an electrical storage medium of an electrically driven motor vehicle. Here, an emergency unlocking device is provided that can be manually actuated by means of an actuating element, by means of which a locking element can be moved into its unlocked position. Furthermore, a tool is proposed by means of which a manual actuating force can be transmitted to the actuating element of the emergency unlocking device.

[0010] Although known emergency unlocking devices are generally accessible from the outside when the flap covering the charging socket is open, the actuating element is a pivot lever connected to a locking element, which is externally mounted on a housing that accommodates the drive device and the locking element. In addition, a through-hole is provided for the tool, which is closed by a thin separating layer made of plastic film. The separating layer or the through-hole temporarily closes an additional guide. The guide is directed toward the actuating element or the pivot lever and is used for a limited translational movement of the tool. This results in a relatively high structural complexity. In addition, in the known teaching according to document DE 10 2013 222 509 A1, the guide must be adapted to the tool to be used and the vehicle itself, which makes universal emergency unlocking difficult. The present invention as a whole provides a remedy for this. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The object of the present invention is to further develop such a charging device for motor vehicles in such a way that the design complexity is reduced and emergency unlocking can be performed flexibly and simply on site using various available tools.

[0012] In order to solve this technical problem, the present invention proposes, in a generic charging device for a motor vehicle, that the actuating element is indirectly and / or directly connected to the locking element within the housing.

[0013] In this case, the actuating element can be connected to the drive device and / or the housing. This indirectly acts on the locking element for emergency unlocking. In this case, it has proven advantageous if the actuating element is designed, for example, as a crank mounted in a recess in the housing. This crank itself can then engage in the recess in the locking element and thereby indirectly act on the locking element via the actuating element. The crank, which is mounted in the recess in the housing and is thus, for example, always and according to the invention, is arranged invariably within the interior of the housing as the actuating element.

[0014] In this case, for example, the design can be such that, for supporting the actuating element designed as a crank, a recess is provided in the housing lower part, which in turn is covered by a cover or housing upper part. In principle, the recess for receiving the actuating element can also be formed as a component of the housing in or on the connecting part in the housing interior.

[0015] However, as an alternative or supplementary solution, the actuating element can also be designed as a profile or sculpted part on a transmission mechanism that is part of the drive. In this case, the locking element is also indirectly acted upon. As previously mentioned, a drive mechanism or electromechanical drive typically consists of an electric motor and a downstream single-stage or multi-stage transmission mechanism. For example, one of the transmission gears of the transmission mechanism can be equipped with a profile or sculpted part that, in turn, defines an actuating element, by means of which the locking element is indirectly acted upon for emergency unlocking.

[0016] Completely independently of this, and optionally, the actuating element can also be used to directly load the locking element and be designed for this purpose, more specifically, for the case where the actuating element is designed as a component of the locking element. It has proven advantageous to design the actuating element as a projection or recess integrally provided on the locking element. In other words, in this case, the actuating element is also a shaped portion or projection, or a profiled portion or recess. However, this shaped portion or profile is not implemented, for example, on a transmission gear, as in the previously described indirect loading of the locking element, but rather is an integral component of the locking element in the case of direct loading. In other words, the projection or recess is directly defined as the actuating element on or in the locking element during its manufacture. This is particularly simple to achieve because the locking element is advantageously made of plastic, so that the actuating element can be directly defined as an integral component of the locking element during the casting or injection molding process.

[0017] Alternatively or additionally, the transmission connected downstream of the motor can also be made of plastic, which offers similar advantages. This is because the corresponding moldings or shapings on the transmission or on the transmission gear can also be easily defined within the scope of the injection molding process for the transmission gear in question. A similar situation naturally applies when the transmission is made of metal.

[0018] All of the previously described embodiments have in common that the actuating element is arranged in the region of a temporarily closed opening of the housing. In practice, when viewing the temporarily closed opening, the actuating element is located behind the opening, i.e., according to the present invention, within the housing. To achieve a more detailed implementation of the temporarily closed opening, the opening is characterized by a closed and / or destructible region of reduced wall thickness.

[0019] Since the housing is typically designed as a plastic housing, the area of ​​reduced wall thickness of the opening can be easily defined for the housing or plastic housing, again during the manufacturing process. This means that the wall thickness of the housing can be easily reduced in the area of ​​the opening, for example to only half the original wall thickness. Preferably, the wall thickness can also be only one-third or even one-tenth of the typical wall thickness of the housing or plastic housing, so that for emergency release, this area of ​​reduced wall thickness can be easily broken with the aid of a tool, thereby providing access to the actuating element located behind it.

[0020] Within the scope of a reusable solution, the temporarily closed opening is sealed, for example, with a rubber stopper, a threaded closure, an adhesive film, or the like. A tool is then inserted through the opening into the housing so that the actuating element can be loaded with the tool. Thus, the locking element, normally in its locked position, can be moved to its unlocked position during the emergency unlocking process. This applies both to indirect loading of the locking element for emergency unlocking and to direct loading of the locking element for emergency unlocking.

[0021] The result is a charging device for motor vehicles that is distinguished by its simple design and the possibility of emergency unlocking the locking element using a completely different tool. The present invention is based on the recognition that, unlike the prior art according to DE 10 2011 050 783 A1 or DE 10 2013 222 509 A1, a complex structure is not required. In particular, emergency unlocking from the vehicle interior is eliminated. This is because, in the event of a malfunction in the vehicle's electronics, access to the vehicle interior is often impossible or difficult. The present invention therefore provides an emergency unlocking device that is implemented directly from the outside.

[0022] Because the drive and movable locking element, along with the housing that accommodates both components, are typically located in the area of ​​a recess in the vehicle body that is sealed in the manner of a "fuel tank cap," they are generally accessible from the outside. The charging socket is located in a recess that is sealed by a flap, and the housing that accommodates the drive and locking element is provided adjacent to this recess. Since emergency unlocking is typically required only when the charging plug cannot be unlocked relative to the charging socket—that is, when the locking element cannot be mechanically moved from its locked to unlocked position—this corresponds to a functional position in which the recess is accessible and the flap is open. This is because the charging plug is currently plugged into the charging socket.

[0023] According to the present invention, the housing that accommodates the drive and locking elements is now standardized because, unlike the prior art according to DE 10 2013 222 509 A1, neither additional guides for tools nor a separating layer to close the through-opening is required. Both the guides and the separating layer require a special structural design in the vehicle's recessed area, which is closed by the flap. The present invention explicitly dispenses with such vehicle-specific designs because the actuating element is arranged inside the housing that accommodates the drive and locking elements and, when necessary, can be accessed with a tool through a temporarily closed opening in the housing. This means that the charging device according to the present invention can be installed or incorporated universally without requiring additional adaptation to the correspondingly equipped vehicle.

[0024] As a further advantage, different tools can be used for emergency release. For example, a simple screwdriver can be used, which engages from below a projection on the locking element, which serves as an actuating element for emergency release, thereby moving the locking element from its locked position to the unlocked position. The temporarily closed opening or its edge can serve as a seat for the screwdriver.

[0025] Alternatively, the actuating element can be a profile formed on the transmission gear of the drive. This profile, for example, with a hexagonal hollow hole, allows the use of an Allen key for emergency release, if necessary. In other words, the manufacturer typically provides for possible adaptation to the corresponding tool used for emergency release by designing the actuating element accordingly. No additional adaptation on the vehicle side is required.

[0026] Overall, the design complexity is significantly reduced compared to the prior art. Consequently, cost reductions are also expected. Furthermore, a universal solution is provided that can be used independently of the vehicle. This is a major advantage of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of the accompanying drawings, which illustrate only one exemplary embodiment;

[0028] Figure 1 A first embodiment of a charging device is shown in perspective and partially in section,

[0029] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 Part of

[0030] Figure 3 Another second embodiment variant is shown in perspective,

[0031] Figure 4 Shows the open state according to Figure 3 theme. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The accompanying drawings show Figure 1 The charging device of the motor vehicle 1 shown in FIG. The motor vehicle 1 is an electric motor vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. The motor vehicle 1 is equipped with a vehicle-side charging socket 2. In addition to the vehicle-side charging socket 2, the charging device also includes a charging plug 3 on the charging pile side. Figure 1 As shown, the charging plug 3 can be releasably locked in the charging socket 2. A locking element 4 is used for this purpose.

[0033] The locking element 4 is moved electrically by a drive device 5, 6. The electromechanical drive device 5, 6 essentially comprises a motor 6 and a single-stage or multi-stage transmission mechanism 5 connected downstream of the motor. The transmission mechanism 5 is equipped with different, e.g. Figure 4 According to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As can be clearly seen in FIG, the end-side transmission gear 5 engages by means of a pin Z in a recess 4 ′ of the locking element 4 .

[0034] The locking element 4 can thus be moved in the charging socket 2 by means of the drive devices 5, 6 in order to releasably lock the charging plug 3, more precisely, by the movement of the locking element. Figure 1 . The locking element 4 can thus be moved by means of the drive devices 5, 6 from the unlocked position, shown in solid lines, to the locked position, shown in dashed lines, and vice versa. In the locked position of the locking element 4, the charging plug 3 is locked in the charging socket 2. To unlock the charging plug 3 relative to the charging socket 2, the locking element 4 must be moved to its unlocked position, shown in solid lines.

[0035] The locking element 4 together with the drive means 5, 6 is at least partially received in a housing 7, 8, which in this embodiment is a plastic housing. The housing 7, 8 consists of a lower housing 8 and an upper housing 7. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The illustration in FIG is designed such that the upper housing 7 or the housing upper part covers the lower housing 8 or the housing lower part.

[0036] The locking element 4 can protrude more or less from the housing 7, 8 relative to the opening 10 of the housing 7, 8 closed by the seal 9. Figure 1 The adjustment stroke S shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to this and is changed by the drive devices 5, 6. The adjustment stroke S is adjusted between the unlocked position and the locked position of the locking element 4. Here, the locking element 4 is more or less exposed from the housing 7, 8 or its opening.

[0037] According to the invention, an emergency unlocking of the locking element 4 is now additionally realized. This emergency unlocking of the locking element 4 is carried out with the aid of a tool 11, which is Figure 1 and Figure 2 The scope of the variant is a screwdriver. Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the embodiment shown, tool 11 is designed as an Allen key. Tool 11 is used to load actuating elements 12, 12'. According to the invention, actuating elements 12, 12' are located inside housings 7, 8. Furthermore, actuating elements 12, 12' are indirectly and / or directly connected to locking element 4.

[0038] In accordance with Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the variant shown in the figure, the actuating element 12 is constructed as a projection 12 which is integrally formed on the locking element 4. Alternatively, a recess can also be provided on the locking element 4. Thus, the locking element 4 can be loaded directly by means of the actuating element or the projection 12. This is achieved in that the tool 11 or the screwdriver is pressed against the locking element 4 according to the embodiment of the invention. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the variant, as shown, the projection 12 configured as an actuating element 12 engages from below and conveys the locking element 4 from the locking position shown by dashed lines into the unlocking position shown by solid lines, ie, upwards according to this embodiment.

[0039] In accordance with Figure 3 and Figure 4 In a variant of the invention, the actuating element 12' acts relatively indirectly on the locking element 4. In fact, in this variant, the actuating element 12' is connected to the drive device and / or the housing 7, 8. Figure 4 As can be seen in the detailed illustration of FIG1 , the actuating element 12′ is designed as a crank 12′ mounted in a recess 13 in the housings 7 , 8 , specifically in the lower housing 8 . The crank 12′ additionally has a tool-side projection, which, according to this exemplary embodiment, is designed as a hollow hexagon for engaging an Allen key as the tool 11 . The crank or actuating element 12′ engages on the locking element side with a pin in a recess in the locking element 4 , so that in this example the actuating element 12′ or crank 12′ can be rotated with the aid of the tool 11 or the Allen key, and in this way, the locking element 4 can be moved as desired with the aid of the tool 11 during emergency unlocking from its locked position, shown in dashed lines, into its unlocked position, shown in solid lines.

[0040] Another possibility, not shown, is that the tool 11 or more precisely a flat-head screwdriver is placed, for example, on a shaped portion on the transmission gear 5 as an actuating element 12' and in this way serves for emergency unlocking of the locking element 4. The transmission gear 5 can also be equipped with only a shaped portion as an actuating element 12. Figure 3 and Figure 4 Within the scope of the illustration, all variants have in common that Figure 1 and 2 In contrast to the embodiment variant of , the associated actuating element 12 is not arranged directly and immediately adjacent to the locking element 4 in the longitudinal direction or is integrally formed thereon. Rather, the movement of the actuating element 12 is indirectly transmitted to the locking element 4 in the axial direction for emergency unlocking. This can be achieved by Figure 4 The crank 12 ′ shown in FIG. 1 is realized by a shaping or forming on the transmission gear 5 or also by another type of loading of the output shaft of the electric motor 6 .

[0041] On the one hand, according to Figure 1 、 2 On the other hand, according to Figure 3 、 4 Both embodiments have in common that the respective actuating element 12, 12' is arranged in the region of the temporarily closed opening 14 of the housing 7, 8. In fact, in a front view looking towards said opening, the actuating element 12, 12' is arranged in the housing 7, 8 behind the opening 14, i.e. inside the housing 7, 8. The opening 14 is now temporarily closed, that is to say only for a certain time.

[0042] For this purpose, the opening 14 can be closed in the concrete case by a closure 15 , wherein the closure 15 , for example a rubber stopper, can be removed when necessary in order to ensure access to the actuating element 12 , 12 ′ via the opening 14 . Figure 3 and Figure 4 An embodiment variant of is shown.

[0043] In accordance with Figure 1 and Figure 2Within the scope of this embodiment variant, the opening 14 is temporarily closed again, specifically not by a closure element 15, but rather by designing a region of reduced wall thickness 16. This region of reduced wall thickness 16 is a region of the housing 7, 8, specifically of the lower housing 8, that has a reduced wall thickness compared to the rest of the housing 7, 8 outside the opening 14. In practice, this region of reduced wall thickness 16 can be provided with a wall thickness that is less than half, preferably even less than one-tenth, of the wall thickness of the rest of the housing 7, 8 outside the opening 14. This region of reduced wall thickness 16 can be easily defined in the housing 7, 8, since the housings 7, 8 or the components 7, 8 are each injection-molded parts. The locking element 4 is also typically designed as an injection-molded part.

[0044] In order to open the region 16 of reduced wall thickness, it is now possible to pierce or destroy this region simply and easily, more precisely by means of a tool 11, such as Figure 1 . This allows access to the actuating element 12 there, which is designed as a projection 12 and is connected to the locking element 4. In practice, in this embodiment variant, the projection 12 is molded onto the locking element 4, which is made of plastic. In any case, the actuating element 12 is accessible in this case so that within the scope of this embodiment variant, a tool 11 or a screwdriver can engage the correspondingly designed projection 12 from below, thereby allowing the locking element 4 to be moved from its locked position, shown in dashed lines, to its unlocked position, shown in solid lines, using the tool 11. To this end, in this embodiment, the lower edge of the opening 14 can serve as a seat for the tool 11. Due to this emergency release, the locking element 4 can be brought into its unlocked position, allowing the charging plug 3 to be removed from the charging socket 2.

[0045] All of this can be easily and easily accomplished from the outside of motor vehicle 1 . This is because, in the locked state, the recess in the vehicle body of motor vehicle 1 that accommodates charging socket 2 and is usually closed with a flap is accessible. To this end, in the locked state, the corresponding flap (not shown) is opened and charging plug 3 is locked in charging socket 2 , that is, with locking element 4 in the locked position. From this point on, emergency unlocking can then be performed as described.

[0046] List of reference numerals:

[0047] 1 Motor Vehicle

[0048] 2 charging sockets

[0049] 3 Charging plug

[0050] 4 Locking elements

[0051] 4' recess

[0052] 5 Transmission mechanism

[0053] 6 Motor

[0054] 7 Upper shell

[0055] 8 Lower housing

[0056] 9 Seals

[0057] 10 Opening

[0058] 11 Tools

[0059] 12, 12' Actuating element

[0060] 13 recess

[0061] 14 Opening

[0062] 15 Closure

[0063] 16 (reduced wall thickness) area

[0064] Z pin

[0065] L Longitudinal direction

[0066] S Adjustment stroke

Claims

1. A charging device for a motor vehicle (1), comprising a vehicle-side charging socket (2) and a charging plug (3) on a charging station side, or vice versa, a vehicle-side charging plug and a charging socket on a charging station side, the charging device further comprising a locking element (4) which can be moved electrically by a drive device (5, 6) for releasably locking the charging plug (3) in the charging socket (2), wherein: A drive device (5, 6) is arranged in a housing (7, 8), and a locking element (4) emerges from the housing with an adjustment stroke (S) that can be changed by the drive device (5, 6), wherein, for emergency unlocking of the locking element (4), an actuating element (12, 12') that can be manually loaded by means of a tool (11) is provided, characterized in that the actuating element (12, 12') is indirectly and / or directly connected to the locking element (4) inside the housing (7, 8), wherein the actuating element (12, 12') is arranged in the area of ​​a temporarily closed opening (14) of the housing (7, 8), the actuating element (12, 12') is constructed as a protrusion integrally provided on the locking element (4) for directly loading the locking element, and the tool (11) can engage the protrusion from below and transfer the locking element (4) from the locked position to the unlocked position.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The opening (14) is temporarily closed by a closure element (15) and / or a destructible region (16) of reduced wall thickness.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The housing (7, 8) is designed as a plastic housing.

4. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The locking element (4) and / or the transmission mechanism of the drive device (5, 6) are made of plastic.

5. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The motor vehicle (1) is an electric motor vehicle or a hybrid motor vehicle.

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