Electric vehicle provided with an adapter for charging the battery

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle (1) comprising a battery and an electrical socket (10) for supplying power to the battery, the socket (10) being positioned in a body element (13) delimiting the vehicle (1) so as to be accessible from the outside of the vehicle (1). According to the invention, the socket (10) comprises guide means (50, 51) for guiding an end piece (11) of a supply nozzle (12) opposite the socket (10) so that the end piece (11) can be inserted into a receiving region (15) of the socket (10) in order to ensure charging of the battery.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric vehicle equipped with an adapter for charging a battery. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, someone wishing to charge their vehicle's battery grips a power nozzle with a terminal and then inserts this terminal into their vehicle's electrical outlet. Because this power nozzle is connected to an external power source, the person charges their vehicle's battery by keeping the terminal in the outlet until it is fully charged. They then remove the nozzle, and the vehicle can leave with the fully charged battery. To alleviate any ambiguity, this method of charging the battery is achieved without having to move the battery within the vehicle or remove it from the vehicle. The terminal is represented by an electrical connector.

[0003] In such individual cases, the person may spend some time conducting a series of trial and error experiments to adjust the position of the electrical supply nozzle end piece before introducing the end piece into their vehicle's socket.

[0004] However, with robots automating vehicle battery charging, the aforementioned trial-and-error experiments performed when a human manipulates the power supply nozzle are no longer possible. Consequently, it becomes difficult to systematically and correctly position the nozzle end relative to the vehicle's socket, leading to uncertainty in battery charging. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The vehicle according to the invention has an electrical socket for the vehicle's battery, the socket being configured to allow the end of the electrical supply nozzle to always be in a satisfactory position facing the socket in order to systematically ensure battery charging.

[0006] The subject of this invention is a vehicle that includes a battery and an electrical outlet for supplying power to the battery, the outlet being disposed in a body element defining the vehicle so as to be accessible from the outside of the vehicle.

[0007] According to the invention, the socket includes guiding devices designed to guide the end of an electrical supply nozzle to the correct position facing the socket, allowing the end to systematically penetrate the receiving area of ​​the socket to ensure battery charging. Preferably, the receiving area includes a plurality of parallel channels intended to be occupied by tubular and straight rods of the end of the supply nozzle to ensure battery charging. In this way, even when the end of the supply nozzle is positioned slightly off-center relative to the receiving area of ​​the socket, it is sufficient to push the end toward the socket, allowing the guiding element to orient the movement of the end toward the receiving area of ​​the socket. By pushing the end toward the socket, it initially abuts against the guiding element and then slides along the guiding devices to be positioned facing the receiving area. These guiding devices are positioned around the receiving area and preferably consist of recesses and / or bosses placed on the socket. Advantageously, these guiding devices are composed of protruding elements (e.g., flat walls) whose orientation allows them to guide the end of the supply nozzle toward the receiving area of ​​the socket. The term "systematically" should be interpreted as "each time". A terminal is an electrical connector, and the terminal extends into the receiving area to ensure electrical contact between the terminal and the receiving area.

[0008] According to one possible feature of the invention, the guiding device is composed of a wall forming a funnel, the wall defining a flared end opening and a constricted end opening positioned around a receiving area of ​​the socket, the flared end opening being positioned more towards the outside of the vehicle than the constricted end opening.

[0009] In this manner, the end piece of the supply nozzle will first encounter the flared end area, and then, by pushing the end piece toward the socket, it will be guided toward the narrowed end opening in the wall, which tightly surrounds the receiving area of ​​the socket. Once the end piece is correctly positioned facing the receiving area, it is sufficient for the end piece of the supply nozzle to slide into the receiving area to ensure battery charging.

[0010] According to one possible feature of the invention, the portion of the wall that defines the narrowed end opening surrounds the receiving area so that no space is left relative to said receiving area. In this way, the end piece will always be ideally positioned in front of the receiving area before being pressed into it, without the risk of slight misalignment relative to said receiving area.

[0011] According to one possible feature of the invention, the portion of the wall that defines the narrowed end opening contacts the secondary wall that defines the receiving area. Due to this interaction between the portion of the wall forming the funnel and the secondary wall of the socket surrounding the receiving area, the end piece will be systematically and repeatedly positioned correctly in front of the receiving area.

[0012] According to one possible feature of the invention, the wall forming the funnel has an inclined surface connecting the flared end opening and the constricted end opening, the inclined surface opening into two receiving walls at the same level as the constricted end opening and covering two magnetized regions of the socket located on either side of the receiving region. The inclined surface is designed to guide the movement of the two end magnets of the supply nozzle end piece toward the two receiving walls. When the supply nozzle end piece is brought in front of the socket, the two end magnets of the end piece first contact the wall, thereby forming a funnel at the flared end opening. Thus, by pushing this end piece toward the receiving region of the socket, the two magnets of the end piece will slide along the inclined wall before reaching the two receiving walls. When the magnets occupy these receiving walls, the end piece will ideally be positioned in front of the receiving region of the socket. The end piece is positioned by the two magnets of the end piece. Advantageously, each of the two receiving walls forms a housing intended to receive the magnets of the end piece. Preferably, each of the two magnets is located at the end of a movable rod of the end piece and thus has a movable position relative to the end piece.

[0013] According to one possible feature of the invention, the two receiving walls are placed in the same plane, which corresponds to the plane in which the narrowed end opening is tangent.

[0014] According to one possible feature of the invention, each of the two receiving walls has a circular outline of a cylindrical magnet for accommodating the end piece of the supply nozzle.

[0015] According to one possible feature of the invention, the wall forming the funnel includes two planar stops positioned in the flared end opening and aligned along a vertical axis. The two stops are designed to block the movement of two movable rods of the end piece of the supply nozzle, with a spring wound around the rods.

[0016] According to one possible feature of the invention, the wall forming the funnel is an additional adapter capable of being fastened to the vehicle's electrical outlet without modifying the vehicle's structure. In this way, a function characteristic of the vehicle is sufficient to manufacture an adapter suitable for the vehicle so that the adapter can be fastened to the vehicle's electrical outlet without modifying the vehicle's structure in the outlet area.

[0017] Another aspect of the invention is a method for charging a vehicle battery via a supply nozzle according to the invention, the supply nozzle comprising an end member surrounded by two first movable rods and two second movable rods, two springs wound around the first movable rods, and each of the two second movable rods being terminated with a magnet.

[0018] According to the present invention, the method includes the following steps:

[0019] - The step of placing the end of the supply nozzle in front of the flared end opening in the wall forming the funnel.

[0020] - The step of pushing the end piece forward toward the receiving area of ​​the socket.

[0021] - The step of sliding the two magnets of the second rod along the inclined surface connecting the flared end opening and the narrowed end opening until the two magnets reach the receiving wall covering the two magnetized areas of the socket.

[0022] - The step of bringing the two first rods into contact with the two stops, with the two stops at the same level as the flared end opening.

[0023] - The step of pressing the end piece into the receiving area of ​​the socket, thereby causing the first rod to move relative to the end piece and thus compressing the spring.

[0024] - Steps for charging the vehicle's battery.

[0025] The vehicle according to the invention has the advantage that its battery can be satisfactorily recharged in each charging operation. It also has the advantage that the battery can be charged using a robot-controlled power supply nozzle, because even if the nozzle is not ideally positioned in front of the electrical outlet, the adapter allows the nozzle to be systematically inserted into the receiving area of ​​the vehicle's electrical outlet. Attached Figure Description

[0026] The following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the vehicle according to the present invention is given with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0027] [ Figure 1 A perspective view of a vehicle according to the present invention is shown.

[0028] [ Figure 2 A perspective view of a certain area is shown, which illustrates an electrical supply nozzle according to the invention and a vehicle socket, the nozzle being retracted from the socket;

[0029] [ Figure 3 It shows Figure 2 A three-dimensional view of the area, wherein the nozzle is connected to the socket.

[0030] [ Figure 4 A perspective view of a vehicle socket according to the present invention is shown.

[0031] [ Figure 5 An enlarged perspective view of the electrical supply nozzle and the vehicle's electrical socket according to the present invention is shown;

[0032] [ Figure 6 The image shows a front view of a wall forming a funnel according to the invention and intended to be fastened to an electrical socket in a vehicle;

[0033] [ Figure 7 It shows Figure 6 A three-dimensional view of the wall in the middle;

[0034] [ Figure 8 It shows Figure 6 and Figure 7 Side view of the component in the middle.

[0035] [ Figure 9 It shows Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 A top view of the components. Detailed Implementation

[0036] refer to Figure 1 The vehicle 1 according to the invention is an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle that includes a battery and is capable of being, for example, a multi-purpose vehicle. Figure 1 The vehicle shown has a control compartment 2, with a loading platform 3 designed for storing goods or various objects extending to the rear of the control compartment. The control compartment 2 includes a driver's seat and at least one passenger seat located next to the driver's seat. A first side door 4 allows access to the driver's seat, and a second side door (not visible in the figure) allows access to the at least one passenger seat.

[0037] refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 The vehicle 1 has an electrical socket 10 connected to the battery of the vehicle 1, and the end piece 11 of the power supply nozzle 12 is designed to be inserted into the electrical socket to ensure battery charging. The electrical socket 10 is located in a body element 13 of the vehicle, situated at the rear of the first side door 4. The electrical socket 10 is flush with the outer surface of the body element 13 so that it can be accessed from the outside of the vehicle 1.

[0038] refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 The power supply nozzle 12 is electrically connected to the power storage facility 14 outside the vehicle 1.

[0039] refer to Figure 2 When it is intended to charge the battery of vehicle 1, the electrical supply nozzle 12, which has its end piece 11, is directed to face the electrical socket 10 of the vehicle. The end piece 11 serves as an electrical connector intended to be inserted into the electrical socket 10 of vehicle 1 to establish electrical contact and ensure battery charging.

[0040] refer to Figure 3 Once the supply nozzle 12 is correctly positioned in front of the socket 10, it translates along a generally horizontal axis in such a way that its end piece 11 passes into the receiving area 15 of the socket 10. Thus, the battery of the vehicle 1 can be charged while it remains in its position within the vehicle.

[0041] refer to Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 The supply nozzle 12 schematically includes a body 16, preferably cylindrical, extending via an end piece 11, which itself is advantageously cylindrical and has a diameter substantially equal to that of the body 16. Two first movable rods 17, 18 extend on either side of the body 16 via a longitudinal axis parallel to the body 16. Thus, the two first rods 17, 18 are arranged radially opposite to the body 16. They are each mounted to be translatably movable on a first support 19 protruding from the body 16, and a helical spring 20 is inserted between the first protruding support 19 and the widened ends 30 of the rods 17, 18, which are intended to abut against stops 21, 22 of the socket 10. When the ends 30 abut against the stops 21, 22 of the socket, the first rods 17, 18 move relative to the body 16 along the longitudinal axis of the body 16 by compressing the spring 20. The two first rods 17, 18 are aligned in a vertical plane.

[0042] refer to Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 Two second movable rods 23 and 24 extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body 16 on both sides of the body 16. Therefore, these two second rods 23 and 24 are arranged radially opposite to each other around the body 16. These two second rods 23 and 24 are aligned in a horizontal plane. They are each mounted to be translatably movable on a second support 25 protruding from the body 16, and each has an end that terminates with a magnet 26. These second rods 23 and 24 can be moved in two directions along the longitudinal axis of the body 16 by an actuator 27 carried by each of the second rods 23 and 24.

[0043] The method for connecting the end piece 11 of the supply nozzle 12 in the receiving area 15 of the electrical socket 10 follows these steps:

[0044] - The steps of directing the power supply nozzle 12 to the front of the vehicle's power socket 10.

[0045] -The step of bringing the magnets 16 of the second rods 23 and 24 into contact with the two magnetized areas of the electrical socket 10 of the vehicle 1 by moving the two second rods 23 and 24.

[0046] -The step of making the two first rods 17 and 18 abut against the stops 21 and 22 of the socket 10.

[0047] - The step of moving the body 16 of the nozzle 12 toward the electrical socket 10 so that the end piece 11 is inserted into the receiving area 15 of the socket 10.

[0048] - The step of moving the two first rods 17, 18 relative to the body 16 of the supply nozzle 12 to cause compression of the two springs 20.

[0049] However, when the power supply nozzle 12 is controlled by a robot, it is common for the nozzle 12 to be incorrectly positioned relative to the power socket 10, and therefore the connection between the end piece 11 of the nozzle 12 and the receiving area 15 of the power socket 10 cannot be achieved under proper conditions, thus hindering battery charging.

[0050] To prevent any misalignment of the power supply nozzle 12 relative to the power socket 10, the vehicle 1 according to the invention includes an adapter 50 designed to be fastened to the vehicle's power socket 10 and configured to guide the end piece 11 of the power supply nozzle 12 toward the receiving area 15 of the socket 10.

[0051] refer to Figures 6 to 9 The adapter 50 includes a wall 51 forming a funnel, which defines a flared end opening 52 and a constricted end opening 53, the constricted end opening 53 being smaller than the flared end opening 52. This funnel-forming wall 51 has inclined surfaces 54 and 55 connecting the flared end opening 52 and the constricted end opening 53, the inclined surfaces 54 and 55 opening into two receiving walls 56 and 57, which are positioned at the same level as the constricted end opening 53. In other words, the constricted end opening 53 is inscribed in a vertical plane, and the two receiving walls 56 and 57 are substantially inscribed in the same plane. Each of the two receiving walls 56 and 57 has a circular profile and defines a cylindrical housing.

[0052] refer to Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 The wall 51 of the adapter 50 includes two stops 21, 22, each of which has a surface 35 that is flush with the vertical plane in which the flared end opening 52 is inserted.

[0053] refer to Figure 5 and Figure 7 The adapter 50 is fastened to the vehicle 1, for example, by a threaded connection, to cover the electrical socket 10 of the vehicle 1. This adapter 50 is disposed on the vehicle such that:

[0054] - The two stoppers 21 and 22 are aligned along the vertical axis.

[0055] - The two receiving walls 56 and 57 are aligned along the horizontal axis and cover the two magnetized areas of the socket 10.

[0056] - By tightly sealing the receiving area 15, in other words, without creating any space relative to the receiving area 15, the narrowed end opening 53 is positioned around the receiving area 15 of the socket 10.

[0057] - The flared end opening 52 is flush with the outer surface of the vehicle body element 13 in which the electrical socket 10 is placed, and the narrow end opening 53 is positioned more towards the interior of the vehicle than the flared end opening 52.

[0058] The method for charging the battery of vehicle 1 according to the present invention includes the following steps:

[0059] - The step of placing the end piece 11 of the supply nozzle 12 in front of the flared end opening 52 in the wall 51 forming the funnel.

[0060] - The step of pushing the end piece 11 forward toward the receiving area 15 of the socket 10 located in the narrow end opening 53.

[0061] - The step of sliding the two magnets 26 of the two second rods 23, 24 along the inclined surfaces 54, 55 connecting the flared end opening 52 and the narrowed end opening 53 until the two magnets 26 reach the receiving walls 56, 57 covering the two magnetized areas of the socket 10.

[0062] - The step of bringing the two first rods 17 and 18 into contact with the two surfaces 35 of the two stops 21 and 22 that are flush with the flared end opening 52.

[0063] - The step of pressing the end piece 11 into the receiving area 15 of the socket 10, thereby causing the first rods 17, 18 to move relative to the body 16 of the power supply nozzle 12 and thus causing the spring 20 to compress.

[0064] - Steps for charging the battery of vehicle 1.

[0065] The inclined surfaces 54 and 55 of the adapter 50 allow the magnets 26 to be guided until they reach the receiving surfaces 56 and 57. Guiding these magnets 26 allows the charging nozzle 12 to be positioned correctly in the vehicle-facing electrical socket 10, in such a way that the connecting end piece 11 can be systematically introduced into the receiving area 15 of the socket 10.

Claims

1. A vehicle (1) comprising a battery and an electrical outlet (10) for supplying power to the battery, the electrical outlet (10) being disposed in a body element (13) defining the vehicle (1) so as to be accessible from the outside of the vehicle (1), characterized in that, The electrical socket (10) includes guide devices (50, 51) designed to guide the end piece (11) of the power supply nozzle (12) to the correct position facing the electrical socket (10), allowing the end piece (11) to systematically penetrate the receiving area (15) of the electrical socket (10) to ensure battery charging. These guide devices are formed by walls (51) that create a funnel, defining a flared end opening (52) and a narrowed end opening (53) positioned around the receiving area (15) of the electrical socket (10). The walls (51) also have inclined surfaces (54, 55) connecting the flared end opening (52) and the narrowed end opening (53), the flared end opening (52) being positioned further outwards from the vehicle (1) than the narrowed end opening (53). The inclined surfaces (54, 55) are located between the two receiving walls. The openings (56, 57) are located at the same level as the narrow end opening (53) and cover the two magnetized areas of the electrical socket (10), which are located on both sides of the receiving area (15). The inclined surfaces (54, 55) are designed to guide the movement of the two end magnets (26) of the end piece (11) of the electrical supply nozzle (12) to guide them toward the two receiving walls. The wall (51) forming the funnel includes two planar stops (21, 22, 35) which are located in the flared end opening (52) and aligned along the vertical axis. The two planar stops (21, 22, 35) are designed to block the movement of the two movable rods (17, 18) of the end piece (11) of the electrical supply nozzle (12), and a spring (20) is wound around the two movable rods.

2. The vehicle as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The portion of the wall (51) that defines the narrowed end opening (53) surrounds the receiving area (15) so that no space is left relative to the receiving area (15).

3. The vehicle as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The portion of the wall (51) that defines the narrowed end opening (53) contacts the secondary wall that defines the receiving area (15).

4. The vehicle as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The two receiving walls (56, 57) are placed in the same plane, which corresponds to the plane in which the narrowed end opening (53) is inscribed.

5. The vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 1 and 4, characterized in that, Each of the two receiving walls (56, 57) has a circular outline of a cylindrical magnet (26) for accommodating the end piece (11) of the electrical supply nozzle (12).

6. The vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The wall (51) forming the funnel is an additional adapter (50) that can be fastened to the electrical socket (10) of the vehicle (1) without modifying the structure of the vehicle (1).

7. A method for charging a battery of a vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 via an electrical supply nozzle (12), the electrical supply nozzle comprising an end piece (11) surrounded by two first movable rods (17, 18) and two second movable rods (23, 24), two springs (20) wound around the two first movable rods, each of the two second movable rods being terminated with a magnet (26), characterized in that, The method includes the following steps: - The step of placing the end piece (11) of the electrical supply nozzle (12) in front of the flared end opening (52) in the wall (51) forming the funnel, - The step of pushing the end piece (11) forward toward the receiving area (15) of the electrical socket (10), -The step of sliding the two magnets (26) of these second movable rods (23, 24) along the inclined surfaces (54, 55) connecting the flared end opening (52) and the narrowed end opening (53) until the two magnets (26) reach the receiving walls (56, 57) covering the two magnetized areas of the electrical socket (10), - The step of bringing the two first movable rods (17, 18) into contact with the two planar stops (21, 22, 35), wherein the two planar stops are at the same level as the flared end opening (52). - The step of pressing the end piece (11) into the receiving area (15) of the electrical socket (10) so that the first movable rods (17, 18) move relative to the end piece (11) and thus cause the compression of the springs (20), - The steps for charging the battery of the vehicle (1).

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