Autonomous charging system for external mobile robots

Abstract

The invention relates to a charging point (1) for an electric vehicle (100), comprising: - a support (2) and - a charging terminal (3) designed for connection to a battery terminal (5) of the electric vehicle (100) such that the contact plane between the two terminals is vertical, characterized in that the charging point comprises a housing (6) surrounding the support (2), wherein the housing has a front opening facing the charging terminal (3) and the housing (6) is movable relative to the support (2) in a direction perpendicular to the contact plane between a neutral position, in which the opening is located at a neutral distance relative to the contact plane, and a charging position, in which the opening is located at a charging distance relative to the contact plane, the charging distance being smaller than the neutral distance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of charging points for electric vehicles, preferably for electric transport vehicles, and particularly for four-wheeled vehicle transporters or transport vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] Patent application DE102009023409 is known in the prior art and discloses a charging point for an electric vehicle, which is connected to a fixed vertical wall via a spring. An electric vehicle including an electrical contact protective cover can be directly coupled to the charging point immediately when the cover is in the open position.

[0003] Prior art also includes patent application US5462439, which discloses an extendable arm for an electric vehicle that provides electrical connection via coupling to a charging point for the electric vehicle. The arm extends via a cylinder arranged in a housing. The arm is translatably movable relative to the fixed housing.

[0004] Patent application FR3026570 is also known from the prior art, which discloses a cylinder equipped with an extendable arm that provides electrical connection by coupling a charging point for an electric vehicle to the electric vehicle. The cylinder is disposed within a protective housing on the charging point. The cylinder is slidably mounted relative to the housing. The housing is only capable of angular displacement.

[0005] Disadvantages of existing technology

[0006] However, there is still a desire to improve the protection of electrical component couplings while providing simpler and cheaper solutions in terms of manufacturing and maintenance.

[0007] The solution provided by this invention

[0008] In its most general sense, the present invention relates to a charging point for an electric vehicle, the charging point comprising:

[0009] -Charging terminal support

[0010] - A charging terminal, designed for connection to the battery terminal of an electric vehicle, wherein at least one charging terminal is arranged on the support such that the contact plane between the at least one charging terminal and the battery terminal is vertical.

[0011] The charging point is characterized in that it includes a housing surrounding the support member, the housing having an opening referred to as a front opening facing the charging terminal, the housing being movable relative to the support member in a direction perpendicular to the contact plane between a neutral position and a charging position, in the neutral position the front opening is located at a neutral distance relative to the contact plane, and in the charging position the front opening is located at a charging distance relative to the contact plane, the charging distance being less than the neutral distance.

[0012] The charging point according to the present invention has the following advantages: it protects the electrical terminals from splashes or severe weather, and its purchase and maintenance are more economical due to the absence of an actuator. Furthermore, the charging point proposed herein can be used in outdoor environments.

[0013] For the foregoing and the remainder of the specification, the term “terminal” is understood to mean one or more conductive contacts or one or more electrical conductors, whether convex or concave, designed to engage or couple with one or more contacts or one or more conductors of complementary type.

[0014] Preferably, the charging point includes means for translatably guiding the housing (the housing translates along at least one track). The means for translatably guiding the housing is arranged on both sides of the charging terminal support. Advantageously, the means for translatably guiding the housing consists of tracks and wheels connected to the housing, allowing the housing to run along the tracks and thus translate relative to the support.

[0015] According to an alternative embodiment, the charging point includes a return device connected to the housing and designed to return the housing to a neutral position when no charging operation is in progress or when no electric vehicle is coupled to the charging terminal. Advantageously, the return device includes at least one spring, which is arranged between the charging terminal support and the inner surface of the housing, extending in a direction parallel to the translational direction of the housing.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the charging point may include a baffle movable between a protected position and a connected position, in which the baffle covers the charging terminals and in which the baffle does not cover the charging terminals. This feature enhances the protection of the electrical contacts of the charging terminals. The baffle is disposed inside the housing. In the connected position, the baffle is at least partially folded rearward along the wall of the housing. The charging point includes a connecting means that allows the baffle to move relative to the housing.

[0017] According to an alternative embodiment, the charging point includes a connecting device and a guiding device located between the baffle and the housing, such that movement of the housing causes movement of the baffle. Preferably, the guiding device includes baffle guide rails arranged on both sides of the baffle. The guiding device includes a vertical rail and a horizontal rail fixed relative to the charging terminal support. The guiding device includes idler wheels arranged on the sides of the baffle and designed to insert into the baffle rails to allow the baffle to be raised and tilted like a lift-up garage door. The connecting device includes at least one pivoting mechanical connection between the baffle and the housing. Preferably, the connecting device may also include a pivoting flywheel supported by a shaft fixed relative to the support. The pivoting flywheel is arranged such that the baffle tilts while in contact with the wheel and moves in the direction of movement of the housing.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the baffle comprises two horizontal sections. These two horizontal sections are connected to each other by a pivoting link.

[0019] Preferably, the shape of the opening in the housing is similar to that of the battery terminals. The size of the opening is designed to allow the battery terminals protruding from the wall of the electric vehicle to pass through it. According to one embodiment, the opening in the housing is rectangular.

[0020] According to other alternative implementation schemes, charging points may include:

[0021] - A housing support surface or area arranged on the housing, which is designed to act as a support for the electric vehicle when the vehicle pushes the housing to place it in the charging position.

[0022] - A damping device arranged between the support and the charging terminal, the damping device corresponding to, for example, one or more springs.

[0023] - Positioning sensors in case the electric vehicle is poorly positioned relative to the charging point. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The invention will be better understood by reading the following description, which refers to a non-limiting exemplary embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] [ Figure 1 ] Figure 1 A schematic side view of a charging point according to one embodiment is shown, the charging point including a housing in a neutral position and shown in cross section;

[0026] [ Figure 2 ] Figure 2 It shows according to Figure 1 The charging point, in which the casing is in the charging position;

[0027] [ Figure 3 ] Figure 3The front of a housing according to one embodiment is shown, the housing having an opening. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Figure 1 and Figure 2 An electric vehicle 100 is shown, positioned in front of or at a charging location having a charging point 1. The electric vehicle has battery terminals 5 for charging its battery (not shown). The battery terminals 5 are arranged at the front of the vehicle 100.

[0029] Charging point 1 includes a charging terminal support 2 on which a charging terminal is arranged, the charging terminal being designed to connect to the battery terminal 5 of the electric vehicle 100. (Refer to...) Figure 2 When battery terminal 5 is coupled to charging terminal 3, the contact or coupling plane is vertical.

[0030] The charging point 1 includes a housing 6 surrounding the support member. The housing 6 is rectangular in shape. This housing protects the charging terminals from particularly harsh weather conditions. (See reference...) Figure 3 The housing 6 has an opening referred to as the front opening 7, which is formed in the front wall 7f of the housing 6. The front opening is designed to be located facing the charging terminal. The front opening 7 allows the battery terminal of the electric vehicle to be directly connected to the charging terminal 3 of the charging point. The shape of the front opening 7 is rectangular, similar to the shape of the charging terminal 3. The housing 6 has no other openings besides the front opening 7.

[0031] The charging point includes means for translatably guiding the housing. (See reference...) Figure 1 and Figure 2 The means for translatably guiding the housing 6 are straight guide rails arranged on both sides of the support 2. They allow the housing 6 to move from a neutral position (see...). Figure 1 Move to the charging position (see) Figure 2 ). Reference Figure 1 When the housing is in the neutral position, the front wall 7f of the housing 6 is located at a neutral distance dr from the contact plane. The neutral distance is approximately 50 cm, or between 40 cm and 80 cm.

[0032] When charging of the electric vehicle is required, the electric vehicle 100 moves and arrives in front of the charging point 1. The vehicle moves forward in a direction perpendicular to the contact plane and / or in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the housing 6 until it supports and abuts against the front wall 7f of the housing 6. Figure 3 In one embodiment shown, the vehicle is supported against the front wall 7f by a support surface or region 8 disposed on the outside of the front wall 7f. Finally, the vehicle pushes the housing 6 until the battery terminal 5 is coupled to the charging terminal 3, as shown. Figure 2 As shown. In the charging position, the distance between the front wall and the contact plane is less than 10 cm.

[0033] Charging point 1 includes a device for returning housing 6 to a neutral position when the electric vehicle is decoupled or disconnected from the charging point. The returning device is designed to apply a force, indicated by arrow Ft, to the housing, causing it to return to the neutral position. (Refer to...) Figure 1 and Figure 2 The return mechanism is represented by spring 10. Spring 10 is connected to the first support end 2 and to a second end on the rear wall 13 of the housing 6 opposite to the first end. It may also be composed of a cylinder.

[0034] Preferably, the charging point includes a baffle 9 disposed within the housing 6. The baffle can be in a protected position (see...). Figure 1 ) and connection location (see Figure 2 The baffle moves between the two positions. In the protective position, the baffle covers the charging terminal 3 or is located in front of the charging terminal. In the connected position, the baffle does not cover the charging terminal 3.

[0035] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The baffle 9 includes two horizontal parts 91 and 92, which are connected to each other by a pivoting link.

[0036] As not shown, the charging point includes means for guiding and connecting the baffle relative to the support, allowing the baffle to be raised and tilted to travel from the protected position to the connected position, and vice versa. Preferably, the connecting means includes a pivoting flywheel 11 supported by a shaft fixed relative to the support. The pivoting flywheel is arranged such that the baffle tilts while in contact with the wheel and moves in the direction of movement of the housing.

[0037] Additionally, the charging point includes a connecting device between the baffle 9 and the housing 6, such that movement of the housing 6 causes movement of the baffle 9. Specifically, a portion 92 of the baffle is connected to the housing 6.

Claims

1. A charging point (1) for an electric vehicle (100), the charging point comprising: Charging terminal support (2) A charging terminal (3) is designed to connect to a battery terminal (5) of an electric vehicle (100). At least one charging terminal (3) is arranged on the support (2) such that the contact plane between the at least one charging terminal (3) and the battery terminal (5) is vertical. The charging point includes a housing (6) surrounding the support (2), the housing (6) having an opening (7) referred to as the front opening, the opening facing the charging terminal (3). The housing (6) is movable relative to the support (2) in a direction perpendicular to the contact plane between a neutral position and a charging position. In the neutral position, the opening (7) is located at a neutral distance relative to the contact plane. In the charging position, the opening (7) is located at a charging distance relative to the contact plane, where the charging distance is less than the neutral distance. The charging point is characterized in that it includes a baffle (9) movable between a protected position and a connected position, wherein in the protected position the baffle (9) covers the charging terminal (3) and in the connected position the baffle (9) does not cover the charging terminal (3), and the charging point includes a connecting device located between the baffle (9) and the housing (6), such that movement of the housing (6) causes movement of the baffle (9), the baffle (9) being inside the housing (6).

2. The charging point (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The charging point includes a device (12) for translatably guiding the housing (6).

3. The charging point (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The charging point includes a return device (10) connected to the housing (6) and designed to return the housing (6) to the neutral position when no charging operation is in progress.

4. The charging point (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The baffle (9) includes two horizontal sections (91, 92).

5. The charging point (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The charging point includes a housing support surface arranged on the housing (6).

6. The charging point (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The charging point includes a shock-absorbing device arranged between the support (2) and the charging terminal (3).

7. The charging point (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The charging point includes a positioning sensor in case the electric vehicle (100) is poorly positioned relative to the charging point (1).

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