Automatic charging device for conductive charging of battery electric vehicles

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement (100) for establishing, preferably automatically establishing, a plug-in connection between a charging station (101) and a vehicle (102) for transferring energy, preferably electrical energy, to an energy storage device of the vehicle (102). Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for establishing a plug-in connection between a charging station (101) and a vehicle (102) for transferring energy, preferably electrical energy, to an energy storage device of the vehicle (102).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an arrangement for establishing, preferably automatically establishing, a plug-in connection between a charging station and a vehicle for transferring energy, preferably electrical energy, to an energy storage device of the vehicle. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for establishing a plug-in connection between a charging station and a vehicle for transferring energy, preferably electrical energy, to an energy storage device of the vehicle. Background Art

[0002] The prior art discloses arrangements, systems, and methods for automated conductive charging of battery electric vehicles. Conductive charging is a charging technology for electric vehicles (i.e., electrically driven vehicles), such as battery electric passenger vehicles or commercial vehicles (trucks, buses, etc.), in which energy is transferred via cables and / or contacts.

[0003] The charging interface between the charging station and the vehicle usually forms a unit consisting of a charging plug and a charging socket, wherein the charging plug can be inserted into the charging socket in order to transfer energy, preferably electrical energy, to an energy storage device (such as a battery, supercapacitor, etc.) of the vehicle.

[0004] Combined charging methods are often used, in which the unit consisting of a charging plug and a charging socket can transmit both low and high powers (AC and DC charging methods). Furthermore, these charging methods are designed to be at least partially automated with respect to the plug-in connection between the charging plug and the charging socket, i.e., the automatic connection of the charging plug and the charging socket is achieved by robots, cameras, sensors, signal transmitters, etc.

[0005] For example, DE 10 2018 006 749 A1 describes a first plug connector unit having a camera and a second plug connector unit having features to be detected by the camera, such as light-emitting diodes. The camera is connected to a charging station so that it can be pivoted by means of a robot, while the second plug connector unit with its charging socket is arranged outside the passenger vehicle. The position of the second plug connector unit is determined using triangulation, with the plug connector unit having three light-emitting diodes for this purpose.

[0006] DE 10 2017 121 854 A1 discloses a charging socket with three integrated optical transmitters, the position of which is detected by means of a camera in order to subsequently align the charging plug according to the position of the charging socket.

[0007] DE 10 2015 215 127 A1 describes the detection of light signals by a camera and the automatic localization of a vehicle based on this detection when the vehicle approaches an object. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved arrangement for automatically conducting charging of a vehicle, preferably a battery-electric vehicle. Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method for automatically conducting charging of such a vehicle.

[0009] The solution for achieving the above-mentioned object of the present invention lies in the configuration according to the present invention and the method according to the present invention. Other embodiments and applications of the present invention are described in detail in the following description, partly in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0010] According to a first general aspect, the present invention relates to an arrangement or a system for establishing, preferably automatically establishing, a plug-in connection, preferably a releasable and / or form-fitting plug-in connection, between at least one charging station and at least one vehicle for transferring energy, preferably electrical energy, to an energy storage device of the vehicle. The arrangement or system comprises a first plug-in device, preferably a translatable and / or rotatable and / or pivotable plug-in device, which is connectable to or connected to at least one charging station, preferably a charging station. The arrangement or system comprises a second plug-in device that is connectable to or connected to at least one vehicle, wherein the second plug-in device comprises at least one signal transmitting unit, and the first plug-in device comprises at least one signal receiving unit for receiving at least one signal (transmitted) by the at least one signal transmitting unit.

[0011] The configuration or system is characterized in that at least one signal receiving unit and at least one signal transmitting unit are arranged on the first and second plug-in devices in such a manner and are configured relative to each other, preferably configured in a communicating manner relative to each other, so that the at least one received signal is suitable for orienting and / or positioning the first plug-in device relative to the second plug-in device, and at least for establishing a plug-in connection between the first and second plug-in devices, preferably during the establishment of this plug-in connection, a preferably uninterrupted or unobstructed line of sight connection and / or a preferably uninterrupted or unobstructed signal connection is established between the at least one signal receiving unit and the at least one signal transmitting unit, preferably until the establishment of the plug-in connection is completed and / or in addition, for example at least until the energy transfer process of transferring energy to the energy storage device of the vehicle is completed.

[0012] The first plug-in device can be designed as a charging plug, for example, or can include a charging plug, for example. The second plug-in device can be designed as a charging socket into which the charging plug can be inserted, for example, or can include a charging socket.

[0013] The at least one signal receiving unit can be designed as a camera, for example, or can include a camera, which is preferably arranged on the plug side, ie, on the side of the first plug device suitable for establishing a plug connection.

[0014] The at least one signal transmitting unit can be, for example, a transmitter of electromagnetic radiation (i.e., at least one electromagnetic radiation signal) or can, for example, include a transmitter of electromagnetic radiation, which is preferably arranged on the plug-in side, i.e., on the side of the second plug-in device suitable for establishing a plug-in connection.

[0015] The at least one signal may, for example, comprise a position signal and / or a direction signal and / or a distance signal which indicates the (spatial) position and / or (spatial) orientation and / or (spatial) distance of the second plug-in device relative to the first plug-in device.

[0016] The arrangement and / or configuration of the at least one signal transmitting unit and the at least one signal receiving unit relative to one another, i.e., a continuous, i.e., uninterrupted, line-of-sight and / or signal connection, at least during the establishment of the plug connection, allows, for example, a more precise process for establishing the plug connection. In other words, the establishment of the plug connection, i.e., the pushing together of the first and second plug connectors or the insertion of the first plug connector into the second plug connector, can be monitored or controlled, for example, by a connected electronic processing unit with a correspondingly running software program.

[0017] The electronic processing unit can preferably be designed as a regulating and / or control unit.

[0018] The charging station can, for example, include a handling device for orienting and / or positioning the first plug-in device relative to the second plug-in device, or be connected to such a handling device. This handling device can preferably be controlled and / or regulated by means of an electronic processing unit with a correspondingly executed software program and can include at least one robot for orienting and / or positioning the first plug-in device relative to the second plug-in device.

[0019] The at least one signal transmitting unit and the at least one signal receiving unit can preferably be arranged on end faces of the first and second plug-in devices, respectively, which are in contact or at least arranged opposite each other in the established plug-in connection state.

[0020] By means of a continuous or permanent functional connection in the form of a line-of-sight connection and / or a signal connection between at least one signal transmitting unit and at least one signal receiving unit, it is possible, for example, to determine the geometric orientation and / or position of the first plug-in device relative to the second plug-in device with sufficient accuracy during the entire plug-in process, which, for example, also increases the safety, reliability and / or fault detection of the plug-in connection.

[0021] Completing the establishment of the plug connection may preferably mean that the plug connection is brought into engagement according to predeterminable or defined criteria, preferably geometric criteria, such as a test distance between the first and second plug devices, measurable at a specific position with a tolerance range.

[0022] According to another aspect of the present invention, the at least one signal emitting unit may comprise at least one light source for emitting at least one signal, preferably at least one infrared light source.

[0023] The at least one light source can preferably be designed as a light emitting diode (LED), since it has, for example, a compact design and therefore requires less space. Furthermore, for example, no additional safety glass is required.

[0024] The at least one signal emitting unit may comprise a second light source, preferably a second infrared light source, for emitting a second signal, wherein the first and the second light source are arranged at a distance from each other in the at least one signal emitting unit, preferably at a defined light source distance from each other.

[0025] The second light source can also be designed as a light emitting diode (LED), for example.

[0026] During the plugging process, i.e., while establishing the plug-in connection, a signal receiving unit (e.g., a camera) can be moved toward the two light sources, for example. In this case, the distance between the first and second plug-in devices decreases, thereby simultaneously causing the distance between the two light sources to increase in the image, preferably an optical image, received and / or measured by the camera. The distance between the first and second light sources detected in the image and / or measured thereby can be used to determine the plug-in depth, i.e., the distance between the first and second plug-in devices. Since the optical distance increases as the insertion depth of the first plug-in device into the second plug-in device increases, measurement accuracy is improved.

[0027] According to another aspect of the present invention, the at least one light source may have a substantially circular outline in cross section or view or a punctiform outline in cross section or view.

[0028] In this way, for example, at least one uniform signal can be generated and emitted to at least one signal receiving unit.

[0029] According to another aspect of the invention, the at least one light source can be divided by an aperture into a first and a second aperture or light spot in a cross section or view, and the first and second apertures or light spots are preferably arranged at a certain distance from each other, preferably at a defined aperture distance from each other.

[0030] By providing an aperture for dividing one light source into preferably two apertures or two light spots, for example the number of required light sources can be reduced, which preferably leads to a reduced probability of errors or failures of the arrangement according to the invention.

[0031] According to another aspect of the invention, the second plug-in device may preferably include a second and a third signal-emitting unit, and the first, second and third signal-emitting units are preferably arranged at a certain distance from each other, so as to preferably determine the position of the first plug-in device relative to the second plug-in device by means of triangulation and / or orient and / or position the first plug-in device relative to the second plug-in device.

[0032] For example, the geometric position of the light sources emitting signals via the camera can be compared with a defined and / or known distance and / or a defined and / or known angle between the light sources, for example by an electronic processing unit connected to the camera and having a corresponding software program running. Thus, for example, the orientation and / or position of the second plug-in device can be determined, and the first plug-in device can then be oriented and / or positioned accordingly to establish the plug-in connection, preferably by means of the connected electronic processing unit with a corresponding software program running.

[0033] According to another aspect of the present invention, the first, second and third signal transmitting units can be arranged on the second plug device, preferably on the plug side of the second plug device, in such a way that they form a triangular shape, preferably an uneven triangular shape, in cross section or view.

[0034] This plug side can preferably be the end side of the second plug device. As a supplement or alternative, this plug side can have a substantially flatter surface or at least one substantially flatter surface section.

[0035] For example, a non-uniform orientation or arrangement of the signal-emitting unit (preferably including the light source) can be used to more precisely determine the geometric orientation and / or position of the first plug-in device relative to the second plug-in device, and / or vice versa, since preferably no axis of symmetry is provided. This is advantageous, for example, in the case of a second plug-in device that is arranged in a more or less non-vertical manner on the vehicle, such as in an electric sports car.

[0036] The at least one signal may include at least one light beam and / or at least one signal emitting unit, preferably the at least one light source is configured in some manner and / or controllable in some manner to emit at least one light beam with different wavelengths and / or different frequencies, preferably with variable pulse frequencies and / or pulse durations, preferably with different durations.

[0037] This wavelength can, for example, be specific, i.e. defined, or can be variable, preferably temporally variable, for example during the orientation and / or positioning of the first plug-in device relative to the second plug-in device for establishing the plug-in connection and / or during a charging phase of the vehicle.

[0038] The first, second and third light sources may be configured, for example, in such a way that they emit first, second and third light beams, respectively having different wavelengths.

[0039] If the signal transmission unit is configured in such a way that it comprises, for example, at least three infrared light sources with different wavelengths that can be displayed or transmitted, the relative position of the second plug-in device relative to the first plug-in device can be determined based on a single infrared light source. Thus, for example, the search for a first plug-in device with a defined directional control can be improved.

[0040] This frequency can be specific, ie defined, for example, or can be variable, preferably variable over time, for example during a charging phase of the vehicle.

[0041] This makes it possible to further simplify the determination of the orientation and / or position of the second plug-in device based on the different wavelengths and / or frequencies.

[0042] The duration can be related, for example, to the current establishment state of the plug connection between the first and second plug-in devices. In other words, the at least one light beam can be designed in a temporally variable manner with respect to wavelength and / or frequency.

[0043] This also allows, for example, improved identification and / or communication between the signal transmitting unit and the signal receiving unit. This allows other (i.e., external) signal transmitting units to be identified and thus avoided, so that, for example, confusion does not occur. Furthermore, this also allows for the demarcation of (external) signal transmitting units, preferably light sources, in the surroundings (i.e., the environment).

[0044] For example, a specific wavelength can be used to trigger an automatic search process for the orientation and / or position of the second plug-in device.

[0045] For example, the pulse frequency can be reduced and / or the pulse duration can be shortened during the search process or the plugging process in order to avoid overexposure of the signal receiving unit, ie preferably a camera. This can preferably increase the position accuracy of the first plug-in device relative to the second plug-in device.

[0046] According to another aspect of the invention, the at least one signal receiving unit may include a camera, preferably an infrared camera, whose light sensitivity can be adjusted, preferably time-dependently and / or according to the orientation and / or position relative to the second plug-in device and / or according to environmental conditions (e.g. temperature, air humidity, air pressure, etc.).

[0047] Additionally or alternatively, the at least one signal emitting unit may comprise at least one light source, the luminous flux of the at least one light source being adjustable, preferably adjustable to a set light sensitivity of the camera.

[0048] The luminous flux can preferably be regulated time-dependently and / or as a function of the orientation and / or position relative to the first plug-in device and / or as a function of ambient conditions (eg temperature, air humidity, air pressure, etc.), preferably by a connected regulating and / or control unit.

[0049] During the plugging process, ie while the plug connection is being established, the luminous flux of the at least one light source can preferably be reduced in order to avoid overexposure of the camera at close range as the first plug device approaches the second plug device.

[0050] During the plugging process, ie while the plug connection is being established, the luminous flux can also be increased, for example, in order to improve the “visibility”, ie the receivability of the light source, preferably the infrared light source, under brighter ambient conditions.

[0051] Additionally or alternatively, for at least one signal receiving unit (ie, camera), during the plugging process, ie while establishing the plug connection, the light sensitivity can be increased, for example by adjusting values, in order to avoid overexposure of the camera.

[0052] For at least one signal receiving unit (i.e. a camera), during the plugging process, i.e. while establishing the plug-in connection, the light sensitivity can also be reduced, for example by adjusting values, in order to preferably increase the "visibility", i.e. the receivability of the light source, preferably an infrared light source, under brighter ambient conditions.

[0053] During the plugging process, ie during the establishment of the plug connection, the luminous flux is reduced at the close distance between the first and second plug devices. This allows, for example, the identification of the limit position by the size of the luminous area of ​​the light source, preferably a light-emitting diode.

[0054] According to another aspect of the invention, the first and second plug-in devices for establishing a plug-in connection, preferably in a plug-in direction, can include plug-in areas that are at least partially cylindrically configured relative to one another in order to ensure selective flexibility during the establishment of the plug-in connection and / or after the establishment of the plug-in connection, preferably during the charging of the vehicle.

[0055] This allows, for example, for offsets and / or angular deviations to be compensated when establishing the plug-in connection, i.e., during the establishment of the plug-in connection. This also reduces the insertion force and / or reduces wear, for example.

[0056] On the other hand, due to the larger tolerance range for offsets and / or angular deviations, the accuracy requirements for the orientation and / or positioning of the first plug-type device can be reduced.

[0057] As a supplementary solution, even after the first plug-in device is locked to the second plug-in device (in a plug-in connection state), flexibility can be achieved and, for example, the first plug-in device can be mechanically decoupled from the charging station or the transport device with the first plug-in device can be mechanically decoupled from the charging station, so that, for example, after the vehicle charging process is completed, the first plug-in device can be decoupled from the second plug-in device again or the first plug-in device can be removed from the second plug-in device. This also prevents damage to the first and / or second plug-in device due to the action of forces, for example.

[0058] A second general aspect of the present invention relates to a method for establishing, preferably automatically establishing, a preferably releasable and / or form-fitting plug-in connection between a charging station and a vehicle for transferring energy, preferably electrical energy, to an energy storage device of the vehicle, preferably using the configuration disclosed herein, wherein a first plug-in device is connected to the charging station and a second connector is connected to the vehicle, and the second plug-in device includes at least one signal transmitting unit, and the first plug-in device includes at least one signal receiving unit for receiving at least one signal (transmitted) by the at least one signal transmitting unit. The method according to the invention is characterized in that the at least one signal receiving unit and the at least one signal transmitting unit are arranged in a certain manner on the first and the second plug-in device and are configured relative to each other, preferably in a communicating manner, so as to process and preferably analyze at least one received signal for orienting and / or positioning the first plug-in device relative to the second plug-in device and, at least in order to establish a plug-in connection between the first and the second plug-in device, preferably at least during the establishment process, to form a preferably uninterrupted or unobstructed line of sight connection and / or a preferably uninterrupted or unobstructed signal connection between the at least one signal receiving unit and the at least one signal transmitting unit, preferably until the establishment of the plug-in connection is completed and / or in addition, for example, at least until the energy transfer process of transferring energy to an energy storage device of the vehicle is completed.

[0059] In addition, according to another aspect of the present invention, wireless communication can be established between the vehicle's transmitting / receiving unit and the transmitting / receiving unit of the charging station; and / or the vehicle makes a request to the transmitting / receiving unit of the charging station via the vehicle's transmitting / receiving unit to charge the vehicle's energy storage device, preferably conductively; and / or the request is confirmed and a charging position is allocated by the charging station; and / or a first plug-in device is provided at the charging station, and a second plug-in device is provided at the vehicle located at the charging position of the charging station, which preferably has a controllable manipulator and manipulator joint that can perform translational and / or rotational movement.

[0060] At least one signal transmitting unit can be activated and emit at least one signal, wherein the pulse duration and frequency of the at least one signal transmitting unit or the at least one signal can preferably be preset by the charging station and are specific to the current charging process; and / or the at least one emitted signal is received by at least one signal receiving device, preferably once the pulse duration and frequency are preset by the charging station, a target value / actual value comparison is used as a further option for identifying the vehicle; and / or by processing and / or analyzing the at least one received signal, preferably by an electronic computing unit at the charging station, the position of the second plug-in device is determined; and / or the determined position relative to the second plug-in device The first plug-in device is oriented and / or positioned until a defined position of the first plug-in device relative to the second plug-in device is achieved, preferably by an electronic computing unit at the charging station; and / or a plug-in connection between the first and second plug-in devices is established by inserting the first plug-in device into the second plug-in device, wherein at least for establishing the plug-in connection between the first and second plug-in devices, a preferably uninterrupted or unobstructed line of sight connection and / or a preferably uninterrupted or unobstructed signal connection is established between the at least one signal receiving unit and the at least one signal transmitting unit, preferably until the plug-in connection is established and / or in addition, for example, at least until the energy transfer process of transferring energy to an energy storage device of the vehicle is completed.

[0061] Completion of the plug connection can be, for example, a defined or predefined end state of a first plug-in device that is plugged into a second plug-in device.

[0062] To avoid repetitions, features disclosed solely for the configuration according to the invention and / or related thereto should also be considered disclosed and claimable for the method according to the invention, and vice versa. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0063] The above embodiments and features of the present invention can be combined with each other in any way. Further or other details and advantageous effects of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0064] in:

[0065] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a first plug-in device;

[0066] Figure 2 A perspective view of an embodiment of a second plug connector together with a schematically illustrated signal receiving unit of a first plug connector;

[0067] Figure 3A for Figure 2 A front view of the second plug-in device shown;

[0068] Figure 3B for Figure 2 A side view of the second plug-in device shown;

[0069] Figure 4 for Figure 2 An enlarged view of a partial area of ​​the second plug-in device;

[0070] Figure 5 An embodiment of a signal transmitting unit having two light sources;

[0071] Figure 6 Another embodiment of a signal transmitting unit having a light source and an aperture;

[0072] Figure 7 is an embodiment of a configuration according to the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0073] The same or functionally equivalent components or elements are marked with the same reference numerals in the figures. The description of these components or elements also partially refers to the description of other embodiments and / or drawings to avoid repetition.

[0074] The following detailed description of the embodiments shown in the drawings is intended to provide a more detailed explanation or interpretation and should not limit the scope of the present invention.

[0075] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of an embodiment of the first plug-in device (10).

[0076] The first plug-in device (10), also known as a plug-in connector, a charging plug or a connector, comprises a housing (14) made of an insulating material (such as insulating plastic) and has a first plug-in area (11), i.e. a first plug-in face, and a second plug-in area (12), i.e. a second plug-in face, for forming a plug-in connection.

[0077] In the first plug-in area (11) and the second plug-in area (12), the electrical conductors and / or contacts (not in Figure 1 ) are located in preferably symmetrically arranged cylindrical housing wall segments which serve to transmit electrical energy, ie electric current.

[0078] The first plug-in area (11) and the second plug-in area (12) as well as the cylindrical housing wall section with integrated electrical conductors and / or contacts are designed or constructed in such a way that they can be inserted or plugged into the corresponding second plug-in device (20) (see Figure 2 ) to establish a plug-in connection, and preferably to form a releasable form-fit connection.

[0079] The first plug-in device (10) is preferably connected to the charging station (not in the charging station) via at least one cable (16) for energy transmission and preferably via at least one cable (17) for signal and / or data transmission. Figure 1 ) is connected, preferably to the electronic computing unit of this charging station (not shown in Figure 1 ) connection.

[0080] This electronic computing unit can be designed, for example, as a control and / or regulating unit.

[0081] On the end side or plug-in side, i.e., on the side of the first plug-in device (10) to be plugged in, a signal receiving unit (13) is arranged on the end face (15) of the first plug-in device (10), i.e., arranged in the housing (14) facing the end face (15), and this side to be plugged in corresponds to a second plug-in device (20) corresponding to this first plug-in device by means of first and second plug-in areas (11, 12).

[0082] The signal receiving unit (13) is designed as a camera, preferably as an infrared camera or includes such a camera. In this case, the camera is oriented and / or positioned in such a way that it "looks" in the direction of the plug connection established with the second plug-in device (20). In other words, the camera is arranged in such a way that it is exposed on or in the housing (14) of the plug-in device (10) so that it can continuously record or receive the signal transmitting unit (31, 32, 33) of the second plug-in device (20) (see Figure 2 ) signal, such as a light beam.

[0083] The signal receiving device (13), i.e. the camera, is preferably arranged at a distance near the first and second plug-in areas (11, 12) and at a distance from the edge area of ​​the housing (14), thereby achieving, for example, a compact size of the first plug-in device (10).

[0084] The camera is preferably connected to at least one cable (17) for signal and / or data transmission, preferably also for powering the camera, so that the signals (S31) received by the camera and converted as appropriate can be forwarded for processing and / or analysis, preferably to an electronic computing unit designed as a regulation and / or control unit.

[0085] Figure 2 A schematically shown signal receiving unit (13) is provided for an embodiment of a second plug-in device (20), in particular for connection to a first plug-in device (10) (see also Figure 1 ) perspective view.

[0086] The second plug-in device (20), also known as a charging socket or an insertion port, comprises a housing (24) made of an insulating material (such as insulating plastic) and has a first plug-in area (21), i.e. a first plug-in surface, and a second plug-in area (22), i.e. a second plug-in surface, for forming a plug-in connection.

[0087] In the first plug-in area (21) and the second plug-in area (22), the electrical conductors and / or contacts (not in Figure 2 ) are located in preferably symmetrically arranged cylindrical housing wall segments which serve to transmit electrical energy, ie electric current.

[0088] The first plug-in area (21) and the second plug-in area (22) as well as the cylindrical housing wall section with integrated electrical conductors and / or contacts are designed or constructed in such a way that they can be inserted or plugged into the corresponding first plug-in device (10) (see Figure 1 ) to establish a plug-in connection, and preferably to form a releasable form-fit connection.

[0089] from Figure 1 and Figure 2 The overview shows, for example, that the two plug-in areas (11, 12) of the first plug-in device (10) and the two plug-in areas (21, 22) of the second plug-in device (20) are designed to be pluggable to each other, preferably translationally displaceable in the plug-in direction (X), in order to establish a plug-in connection.

[0090] To further explain this, Figure 2 A section of a second plug region (12) of a first plug connector (10) is shown, which is located on a corresponding opposite or corresponding plug region (22) of a second plug connector (20).

[0091] The second plug-in device (20) is detachably fixed to a vehicle, preferably an electric vehicle (not in Figure 2 shown in ).

[0092] Furthermore, the second plug-in device (20) is preferably connected to the energy storage device of the vehicle via at least one cable (25) for energy transmission and preferably to the vehicle (not in the vehicle) via at least one cable (26) for signal and / or data transmission. Figure 2 ) is connected, preferably to the vehicle's electronic computing unit (not shown) Figure 2 ) connection.

[0093] This electronic computing unit can be designed, for example, as a control and / or regulating unit.

[0094] On the end side or plug-in side, i.e., on the side of the second plug-in device (20) to be plugged in, on the end face (23) of the second plug-in device (20), i.e., in the housing (24) facing the end face (23), three signal transmitting units (31, 32, 33) for transmitting at least one signal (S31, S32, S33) are arranged. This side to be plugged in corresponds to a first plug-in device (10) corresponding to this second plug-in device by means of a first and a second plug-in area (21, 22).

[0095] The three signal transmitting units (31, 32, 33) preferably each include a light emitting diode (LED) as a light source (Q31, Q32, Q33). The first, second and third light emitting diodes are preferably configured or controlled in a certain manner so as to emit at least one signal in the form of an infrared light beam.

[0096] In another embodiment of the present invention, it can also be set, for example, that the light sources (Q31, Q32, Q33) are not arranged on the end face (23) or flush with the end face (23), but are arranged inwardly offset, that is, arranged in a manner offset into the housing (24), and at least one signal, preferably in the form of an infrared light beam, is guided to a corresponding light-emitting position on the end face (23) by means of an optical conductor.

[0097] Furthermore, the first, second and third light emitting diodes may be configured or controlled in such a way that they emit infrared light beams of different wavelengths and / or different frequencies, preferably in a time-dependent manner or depending on environmental conditions.

[0098] The three light-emitting diodes can preferably be controlled and / or powered via at least one cable (26) for signal and / or data transmission.

[0099] In addition, as far as the camera is concerned, Figure 2 The detection range (ER13) of the camera for the emitted signal, ie the light beams of three light-emitting diodes, is shown by way of example.

[0100] The three signal transmitting units (31, 32, 33) with light emitting diodes are preferably arranged at a distance near the first and second plug-in areas (21, 22) and at a distance from the edge area of ​​the housing (24), thereby achieving, for example, a compact size of the second plug-in device (20).

[0101] In this case, due to the exposed positions of the three signal transmitting units ( 31 , 32 , 33 ) and the three light emitting diodes, the camera is in a continuous, ie uninterrupted or unobstructed visual and / or signal connection with the light emitting diodes.

[0102] For clarity, Figure 3A Show Figure 2 A front view of the second plug-in device (20) is shown, Figure 3B Show Figure 2 A side view of the second plug-in device (20) is shown.

[0103] To avoid repetition, the components and / or elements already shown will not be described in detail below.

[0104] from Figure 3AIt can be clearly seen in this view that the three light-emitting diodes are arranged in a certain manner in the housing (24) of the second plug-in device (20) and are spaced apart from each other, or are arranged in a certain manner on the end face (23) of the second plug-in device (20) and are spaced apart from each other, so that these light-emitting diodes form a non-uniform triangle, that is, a triangle with three different side lengths.

[0105] The three light-emitting diodes are arranged on a side of the second plug-in device (20) which, in the plugged-in state, is opposite and / or in contact with the side of the first plug-in device (10) having the camera. This ensures a continuous line-of-sight connection between the camera and the components of the three light-emitting diodes that communicate with each other (i.e., are in line-of-sight and / or signal connection).

[0106] from Figure 3B The side view in FIG also shows that the second plug device (20) has a coupling structure (80) on the side opposite the first and second plug-in areas (21, 22) for releasable coupling to a vehicle, preferably an electric vehicle.

[0107] Figure 4 for Figure 2 An enlarged view of a partial area of ​​the second plug-in device (20) is shown, which has a first signal-transmitting unit (31), a second signal-transmitting unit (32) and a third signal-transmitting unit (33).

[0108] The first, second and third signal transmitting units (31, 32, 33) each include a light emitting diode, which are arranged at a certain distance from each other and form a non-uniform triangle as described above.

[0109] In this case, the angles α, β and γ shown between the alternately drawn sides connecting the individual light-emitting diodes are different and are known, i.e., defined. The first light-emitting diode (Q31) is arranged at a first distance (I_12) from the second light-emitting diode. The second light-emitting diode is arranged at a second distance (I_23) from the third light-emitting diode, and the third light-emitting diode is arranged at a third distance (I_13) from the first light-emitting diode (31).

[0110] Knowing the lengths of the first distance (I_12), the second distance (I_23) and the third distance (I_13) as well as the angles α, β and γ, it is possible to use triangulation, i.e. angle measurement, in combination with the light beam received by the camera (see Figure 2 ) to determine the orientation and / or position of the second plug-in device (20).

[0111] Preferably, when using a control and / or regulating unit, the beam direction of one or more light beams and / or the distance between the camera and the light-emitting diode can be continuously measured, for example, by means of a camera, and thus the orientation and / or position of the first plug-in device (10) relative to the second plug-in device (20) can be determined.

[0112] Figure 5 An embodiment of a signal transmitting unit (34) is shown, which has a first light source (Q34_1), preferably a first light-emitting diode, and a second light source (Q34_2), preferably a second light-emitting diode, wherein the first light-emitting diode is arranged at a distance (I34_12) from the second light-emitting diode.

[0113] The first and second light emitting diodes are preferably configured in such a way that they can emit at least one signal in the form of an infrared light beam (S34_1, S34_2).

[0114] The orientation and / or position of the second plug-in connector (20) can also be determined by triangulation between the camera and the signal transmitting unit (34). This is particularly advantageous because only one signal transmitting unit (34) must be mounted on the second plug-in connector (20), i.e., integrated into the housing (24) of the second plug-in connector (20).

[0115] also, Figure 5 The center of the recording area of ​​the camera and its position, which were set during the establishment of the plug-in connection, are shown by a star symbol ( Z13 ).

[0116] Figure 6 A further embodiment of a signal transmitting unit (35) is shown, which has a single light source (Q35) and an aperture (B35) preferably positioned in the beam direction, which aperture has two essentially circular holes or recesses for dividing the light source (Q35) into two apertures or light spots (P35_1, P35_2) spaced apart by an aperture distance (I35_12).

[0117] The light source (Q35) is preferably designed as a light emitting diode (Q35) and is configured in such a way that it emits light beams (S35_1, S35_2) preferably of different wavelengths and / or different frequencies in the infrared range.

[0118] Furthermore, the light emitting diode (Q35) can be configured or controlled in different ways depending on ambient conditions and / or time-dependently, for example during the charging process of the vehicle.

[0119] With the aid of such a signal transmitting unit (35) and a camera, the orientation and / or position of the second plug-in unit and / or the first plug-in unit can also be determined by triangulation in order to subsequently bring the first plug-in unit into a corresponding orientation and / or position in which a plug-in connection can be established.

[0120] also, Figure 6 The center of the recording area of ​​the camera, which was set during the establishment of the plug-in connection, and its position are also shown by a star symbol ( Z13 ).

[0121] Figure 7 An embodiment of an arrangement (100) according to the invention is shown, comprising a first and a second plug-in device (10, 20), for establishing a plug-in connection between the first and the second plug-in device (10, 20) for transmitting energy, preferably electrical energy, from a charging station to an energy storage device (not shown) of a vehicle (102). Figure 7 shown in ).

[0122] Figure 7 A vehicle (102) and a second plug-in device (20) detachably fixed to the vehicle as well as other components and elements are schematically shown.

[0123] In addition, for the sake of clarity, Figure 7 1 and 2. Further components and / or elements (eg cables, energy storage devices, electronic computing units, transmitting / receiving units, regulating and / or control units, communication devices, etc.) of a preferred vehicle (102) and a charging station (101) are shown.

[0124] The second plug-in device (20) comprises a signal transmitting unit (34), which is preferably composed of two light emitting diodes. The two light emitting diodes are spaced apart by a defined light source distance (I34_12) (at Figure 7 The two light emitting diodes are arranged side by side in the signal transmitting unit (34) in a manner not visible in the image sensor, so that the two light emitting diodes emit two signals in the form of light beams (S34_1, S34_2) at a certain distance from each other in the direction of the camera, that is, into the detection space of the camera on the first plug-in device (10).

[0125] The first plug-in device (10) with the camera can be translated and / or rotated by the system consisting of the robot (50) and the robot joint (40) (for the purpose of illustrating the freedom of movement of the first plug-in device (10) by the system consisting of the robot (50) and the robot joint (40), see the dashed line with arrows).

[0126] The manipulator (50) is in turn connected via a manipulator joint (40) to a slide (60), which is designed to be movable along a rail (70) of the charging position of the charging station (101) (see movement direction Y).

[0127] Therefore, the first plug-in device (10) can adopt different orientations and / or positions

[0128] The camera receives the emitted light beams (S34_1, S34_2), which may have, for example, different wavelengths and / or different frequencies. The wavelength and / or frequency may vary over time and may, for example, be related to environmental conditions and / or the state of an energy storage device, preferably of the vehicle (102).

[0129] By means of a regulating and / or control unit (not shown) of the charging station (101) connected, for example, to a camera Figure 7 ), based on the received light beams (S34_1, S34_2) and the defined light source distance (I34_12) between the two light-emitting diodes, the orientation and / or position of the second plug-in device (20) relative to the first plug-in device (10) can be determined by means of triangulation, or the orientation and / or position of the first plug-in device relative to the second plug-in device can be determined, and the first plug-in device (10) is then adjusted according to the orientation and / or position of the second plug-in device (20), and subsequently the first plug-in device is moved in the direction of the plug-in device (20).

[0130] In this case, the camera (13) is continuously in "eye contact", i.e. in line of sight and signal connection with the two light-emitting diodes, preferably until the plug connection between the first plug-in device (10) and the second plug-in device (20) is established and / or further, for example, at least until the charging process of the vehicle's energy storage device is completed.

[0131] As described above, the present invention provides a configuration, namely a plug-in connection system for conductive charging of electric vehicles, which is improved with regard to establishing a plug-in connection between an electric vehicle and a charging station.

[0132] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Rather, a number of variants and further developments are possible, which also employ the concept of the present invention and therefore fall within the scope of protection.

[0133] Description of Reference Numerals

[0134] 10 First plug-in device

[0135] 11 First plug-in area of ​​the first plug-in device

[0136] 12 Second plug-in area of ​​the second plug-in device

[0137] 13 Signal receiving unit, camera

[0138] 14 Housing of the first plug-in device

[0139] 15 End face of the first plug-in device

[0140] 16 Cables for energy transmission

[0141] 17 Cables for signal and / or data transmission

[0142] 20 Second plug-in device

[0143] 21 First plug-in area of ​​the second plug-in device

[0144] 22 Second plug-in area of ​​the second plug-in device

[0145] 23 End face of the second plug-in device

[0146] 24 housing of the second plug-in device

[0147] 25 Cables for energy transmission

[0148] 26 Cables for signal and / or data transmission

[0149] 31 First signal transmitting unit

[0150] 32 Second signal transmitting unit

[0151] 33 Third signal transmitting unit

[0152] 34 Signal transmitting unit with two light sources

[0153] 35 Signal transmitting unit having a light source and an aperture

[0154] 40 robotic arm joints

[0155] 50 Robot

[0156] 60 Slide

[0157] 70 tracks

[0158] 80 Coupling structure of the second plug-in device

[0159] α angle

[0160] β angle

[0161] γ angle

[0162] B35 aperture

[0163] I_12 First distance

[0164] I_23 Second distance

[0165] I_13 The third distance

[0166] I34_12 Light source distance

[0167] I35_12 Aperture distance

[0168] P35_1 Aperture, Light Spot

[0169] P35_2 Aperture, Light Spot

[0170] Q31 First light source / light emitting diode

[0171] Q32 Second light source / light emitting diode

[0172] Q33 Third light source / light emitting diode

[0173] Q34_1 First light source / light emitting diode

[0174] Q34_2 Second light source / LED

[0175] Q35 Light Source / LED

[0176] S31 beam / infrared beam

[0177] S32 beam / infrared beam

[0178] S33 beam / infrared beam

[0179] S34_1 Beam / Infrared Beam

[0180] S34_2 beam / infrared beam

[0181] S35_1 Beam / Infrared Beam

[0182] S35_2 beam / infrared beam

[0183] X plug-in direction

[0184] Y slide movement direction

[0185] Z13 Signal receiving unit / center of the camera's recording area

Claims

1. An arrangement (100) for establishing a plug-in connection between a charging station (101) and a vehicle (102) for transferring electrical energy to an energy storage device of the vehicle (102), comprising: A first plug-in device (10) connectable to the charging station (101) or to the charging station; a second plug-in device (20) connectable to or connected to the vehicle (102), The second plug-in device (20) includes at least one signal transmitting unit, and the first plug-in device (10) includes at least one signal receiving unit (13) for receiving at least one signal (S31) from the at least one signal transmitting unit. It is characterized by: The at least one signal receiving unit (13) and the at least one signal transmitting unit are arranged on the first and second plug-in devices (10, 20) in a certain manner and are configured relative to each other so that the at least one received signal (S31) is suitable for orienting and / or positioning the first plug-in device (10) relative to the second plug-in device (20), and at least in order to establish a plug-in connection between the first and second plug-in devices (10, 20), a line-of-sight connection and / or a signal connection is formed between the at least one signal receiving unit (13) and the at least one signal transmitting unit, wherein the at least one signal transmitting unit includes at least one light source for transmitting the at least one signal, wherein the at least one light source is divided into a first and a second aperture or light spot in a cross section by an aperture (B35), and the first and the second aperture or light spot are arranged at a certain distance from each other.

2. The configuration (100) according to claim 1, wherein, at least in order to establish a plug-in connection between the first and the second plug-in devices (10, 20), a line-of-sight connection and / or a signal connection is formed between the at least one signal receiving unit (13) and the at least one signal transmitting unit until the establishment of the plug-in connection is completed.

3. The arrangement (100) of claim 1, wherein the light source is an infrared light source.

4. The arrangement (100) according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second apertures or light spots are arranged at a defined aperture distance (I35_12) from each other.

5. The arrangement (100) according to claim 1, The at least one signal emitting unit (34) comprises a second light source (Q34_2) for emitting a second signal (S34_2), wherein the first and second light sources (Q34_1, Q34_2) are arranged in the at least one signal emitting unit (34) at a distance from each other.

6. The arrangement (100) according to claim 5, The second light source (Q34_2) is a second infrared light source.

7. The arrangement (100) according to claim 5, The first and second light sources (Q34_1, Q34_2) are arranged at a defined light source distance (I34_12) from each other.

8. The arrangement (100) according to claim 5, In this case, the at least one light source has a circular contour in cross section or a punctiform contour in cross section.

9. The arrangement (100) according to claim 1, The second plug-in device (20) comprises a second and a third signal-emitting unit (32, 33), and the first, second and third signal-emitting units are arranged at a certain distance from each other so as to determine the position of the first plug-in device (10) relative to the second plug-in device (20) by means of triangulation and / or to orient and / or position the first plug-in device (10) relative to the second plug-in device (20).

10. The arrangement (100) according to claim 9, The first, second and third signal transmitting units are arranged on the second plug-in device (20) in a certain manner so that the first, second and third signal transmitting units form a triangle shape in a view.

11. The arrangement (100) according to claim 10, The first, second and third signal transmitting units are arranged in some manner on the plug side (23) of the second plug device (20).

12. The arrangement (100) according to claim 10, The triangular shape is an uneven triangular shape.

13. The arrangement (100) according to claim 1, Wherein the at least one signal (S31, S32, S33) comprises at least one light beam and / or the at least one signal transmitting unit is configured in some manner and / or controllable in some manner so as to transmit at least one light beam having a different wavelength and / or a different frequency.

14. Arrangement (100) according to claim 13, The at least one light beam is emitted with different durations.

15. The arrangement (100) according to claim 1, The at least one signal receiving unit (13) comprises a camera whose light sensitivity can be adjusted, and / or the at least one signal transmitting unit comprises at least one light source whose luminous flux can be adjusted.

16. Arrangement (100) according to claim 15, The luminous flux of the at least one light source can be adjusted to a set light sensitivity of the camera.

17. The arrangement (100) according to claim 1, The first and second plug-in devices (10, 20) for establishing the plug-in connection comprise plug-in areas (11, 21; 12, 22) which are at least partially cylindrically configured relative to one another in order to ensure selective compliance during and / or after establishing the plug-in connection.

18. Arrangement (100) according to claim 17, The plug-in areas (11, 21; 12, 22) are at least partially cylindrically configured relative to one another in order to ensure selective flexibility during the charging process of the vehicle.

19. A method for establishing a plug-in connection between a charging station (101) and a vehicle (102) for transferring electrical energy to an energy storage device of the vehicle (102) by means of an arrangement (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The first plug-in device (10) is connected to the charging station (101); The second plug-in device (20) is connected to the vehicle (102), The second plug-in device (20) includes at least one signal transmitting unit, and the first plug-in device (10) includes at least one signal receiving unit (13) for receiving at least one signal (S31) from the at least one signal transmitting unit. It is characterized by: The at least one signal receiving unit (13) and the at least one signal transmitting unit are arranged on the first and second plug-in devices (10, 20) in such a manner and configured relative to each other that the at least one received signal (S31) is processed to orient and / or position the first plug-in device (10) relative to the second plug-in device (20) and that a line-of-sight connection and / or a signal connection is formed between the at least one signal receiving unit (13) and the at least one signal transmitting unit, at least for establishing a plug-in connection between the first and second plug-in devices (10, 20).

20. The method according to claim 19, At least in order to establish a plug-in connection between the first and the second plug-in device (10, 20), a line-of-sight connection and / or a signal connection is formed between the at least one signal receiving unit (13) and the at least one signal transmitting unit until the establishment of the plug-in connection is completed.

21. The method according to claim 19, in establishing wireless communication between the transmitting / receiving unit of the vehicle (102) and the transmitting / receiving unit of the charging station (101); and / or The vehicle (102) submits a request to charge the energy storage device of the vehicle (102) to the transmitting / receiving unit of the charging station (101) via the transmitting / receiving unit of the vehicle (102); and / or confirming the request and allocating a charging location via the charging station (101); and / or A first plug-in device (10) is provided at the charging station (101), and a second plug-in device (20) is provided at a vehicle (102) located at a charging position of the charging station (101).

22. The method according to claim 21, The charging is conductive charging.

23. The method according to claim 20 or 21, in activating the at least one signal transmitting unit and transmitting at least one signal (S31, S32, S33), wherein a pulse duration and a frequency of the at least one signal transmitting unit can be predefined by the charging station and are specific to the current charging process; and / or Receiving the at least one transmitted signal (S31, S32, S33) by the at least one signal receiving device; and / or determining the position of the second plug-in device (20) by processing and / or analyzing the at least one received signal (S31, S32, S33); and / or Orienting and / or positioning the first plug-in device (10) relative to the determined position of the second plug-in device until a defined position of the first plug-in device (10) relative to the second plug-in device (20) is achieved; and / or A plug-in connection between the first and second plug-in devices (10, 20) is established by inserting the first plug-in device (10) into the second plug-in device (20), wherein at least for establishing the plug-in connection between the first and second plug-in devices (10, 20), a line-of-sight connection and / or a signal connection is formed between the at least one signal receiving unit (13) and the at least one signal transmitting unit.

24. The method according to claim 23, In this case, once the pulse duration and frequency are specified by the charging station, a target value / actual value comparison is used as a further option for identifying the vehicle.

25. The method according to claim 23, The position of the second plug-in device (20) is determined by an electronic computing unit at the charging station (101).

26. The method according to claim 23, The first plug-in connection device (10) is oriented and / or positioned by means of a determined position of an electronic computing unit at the charging station (101) relative to the second plug-in connection device.

27. The method according to claim 23, At least in order to establish a plug-in connection between the first and the second plug-in device (10, 20), a line-of-sight connection and / or a signal connection is formed between the at least one signal receiving unit (13) and the at least one signal transmitting unit until the establishment of the plug-in connection is completed.

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