Modular expandable charging terminal for electric vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular scalable charging terminal for an electric vehicle, comprising: a stationary chassis (30); a removable power distribution block (60) intended to be mounted on the fixed chassis (30); and a detachable mounting device, which is used for detachably mounting a detachable distribution block (60) on the fixed chassis (30).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a modular and expandable charging terminal for electric vehicles. Background Art

[0002] The emergence of electric vehicles as an alternative to thermal vehicles involves a rethinking of the energy supply infrastructure.

[0003] It is currently known that electric vehicles are charged from charging terminals. The number of available charging terminals is constantly increasing, thereby increasing the regional coverage and the flexibility of using electric vehicles.

[0004] In this context, the charging terminals currently in service have several drawbacks, including a complete lack of modularity and scalability. In particular, in the event of a terminal failure, an evolution of available technology or a change in legislation, the charging terminal needs to be completely replaced, which involves the mobilization of many operators.

[0005] Another disadvantage is that the number of charging points on the terminal cannot be modified. If the area covered by the terminal experiences an increase in the number of electric vehicles, a new terminal needs to be installed without being able to change the number of charging points on the terminal.

[0006] Another disadvantage arising from the two above mentioned is that the service is interrupted when maintenance actions are required, replacing hardware, modifying the number of charging points, etc. In particular, the operation of the terminal needs to be interrupted and the operator needs to be mobilized for a considerable period of time in order to repair and / or replace the charging terminal.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need to provide a charging terminal that solves at least some of the above-mentioned disadvantages, in particular with respect to the modification of the number of charging points. In fact, it is common that currently a collective (such as a community or a village) installs an electric vehicle charging terminal, which is expected to be used by a limited number of electric vehicles. As soon as the number of electric vehicles is about to increase, this same collective will have to install new terminals without being able to modify the previously installed terminals. In other words, there is no solution that will allow this collective to install a terminal that it knows can be modified in terms of the number of charging points, if necessary, without any specific problems. Summary of the invention

[0008] Purpose of the Invention

[0009] The present invention aims to provide a modular and expandable charging terminal for electric vehicles.

[0010] In particular, the present invention aims at providing, in at least one embodiment, a charging terminal that limits service interruption in the event of modification of the terminal.

[0011] In particular, the present invention is directed to providing, in at least one embodiment, a charging terminal that an operator can modify while limiting service interruptions to a maximum of 5 minutes.

[0012] The invention also aims at providing, in at least one embodiment, a charging terminal that allows the number of charging points to be modified without requiring any infrastructure work.

[0013] The present invention is also directed to providing, in at least one embodiment, a charging terminal that is easy to install, use, maintain, and / or modify.

[0014] Disclosure of the Invention

[0015] To this end, the present invention relates to a modular and expandable charging terminal for electric vehicles, the charging terminal comprising power and control equipment, the charging terminal being characterized by comprising:

[0016] -Fixed chassis, including:

[0017] ○ Base;

[0018] ○Anchoring device, used to anchor the base to the ground;

[0019] o a housing fixed to the base, the housing defining a receiving shell and an opening for accessing the receiving shell;

[0020] ○Connection pins for connection to the power distribution network;

[0021] - a detachable power distribution unit adapted to the shape of the receiving housing of the fixed chassis so as to be accommodated in the receiving housing, the detachable unit further comprising:

[0022] o a facade configured to close the opening once the detachable unit is accommodated in the receiving housing of the fixed chassis;

[0023] ○ a rigid frame supporting the facade;

[0024] o an electrical terminal block supported by the frame and configured to be electrically connected to the connection pins of the chassis;

[0025] o the power and control device, the power and control device being supported in its entirety by the frame and being electrically connected to the electrical terminal block;

[0026] o at least one charging socket supported by the frame and extending into a through opening provided in the facade, each charging socket being electrically connected to the power and control device and configured to be connectable to an electric vehicle to be charged;

[0027] - Removable mounting means for removably mounting the removable dispensing unit on said fixed chassis.

[0028] The charging terminal according to the invention therefore has specific characteristics formed by the following three main elements: a chassis, intended to be anchored to the ground and electrically connected to the electricity distribution network; a removable unit supporting power and control equipment, which are intended to be accommodated in the chassis; and a removable mounting device for removably mounting the unit on the chassis.

[0029] The removable power distribution unit contains all the power and control equipment. In other words, all the equipment required to distribute the power is contained in the removable unit, so that replacing the removable unit with another unit allows modifying the specifications of the charging terminal according to the invention.

[0030] Furthermore, the removable unit comprises a facade which closes the housing of the chassis. When the removable unit is taken out, only the housing and connection pins for connection to the electrical distribution network remain, the connection pins being preferably arranged near the anchoring means for the chassis.

[0031] When inserting the removable unit, the operator must simply connect the electrical terminal blocks of the removable unit to the connection pins of the chassis in order to be able to set the charging terminals to a state for delivering the charging current.

[0032] The detachable unit also includes at least one charging socket, which is supported by the frame. Each socket is electrically connected to the power and control equipment of the detachable unit and is configured to be connected to the electric vehicle to be charged. For example, the electrical socket can receive a charging cable, a first free end of the charging cable can be plugged into the charging socket, and the other free end of the charging cable can be plugged into the electric vehicle. This configuration is particularly suitable for terminals powered by alternating current. According to another variant, in particular for terminals powered by direct current, the charging socket of the terminal is fixed to the charging cable, and the free end of the charging cable can be plugged into the electric vehicle.

[0033] Whatever the embodiment, the number of charging points of the terminal can be easily modified by replacing the removable unit with another unit comprising a different number of charging sockets. Thus, a particular feature of the invention relates on the one hand to separating the chassis anchored to the ground from the power and distribution equipment, and on the other hand to grouping together all the power and distribution equipment within the same unit, which can be taken out as a single piece.

[0034] This separation between the chassis anchored to the ground and the power and distribution equipment supported by the removable unit allows the terminal to be modified quickly and without problems in case of regulatory changes, software updates, hardware modifications, etc. To this end, it is only necessary to replace the obsolete removable unit with a new one that complies with the new characteristics in order to have an updated terminal.

[0035] The removable unit may be inserted into the chassis as a single piece and may be removed from the unit as a single piece. However, nothing prevents the unit itself from being formed from a plurality of elements which are assembled together before being inserted into the chassis, for example by interlocking, clamping, screwing or any equivalent means.

[0036] The mechanical connection between the removable unit and the chassis is achieved by a removable mounting arrangement described below.

[0037] According to the present invention, advantageously, the terminal further comprises a locking device for locking the detachable unit to the fixed chassis, the locking device being configured to: prevent the detachable unit from being removed from the chassis at will in a locked position, and allow the detachable unit to be removed from the fixed chassis in an unlocked position.

[0038] The charging terminal according to this advantageous variant makes it possible to prevent any removal of the removable unit from the chassis when the locking device is in the locked position. This makes it possible in particular to ensure that only authorized operators can remove the removable unit from the chassis, for example by relying on a specific action of the operator and / or relying on the operator using a specific tool to transfer the locking device from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0039] According to this variant, advantageously, the locking means comprise mechanical locking means coupled to electronic locking means.

[0040] For example, the charging terminal according to this variant allows the locking device to be transferred from the locked position to the unlocked position in the event of a loss of voltage or by means of a remote control or by reading the identification of an authorized operator. In addition, this allows the charging terminal to be stabilized by making the unlocking of the terminal rely on a double action on the mechanical means and the electronic means.

[0041] For example, the mechanical locking device is formed by a mechanical lock having a cam and a master key, the mechanical lock being arranged at the rear of the chassis, wherein the cam of the mechanical lock can be moved by the action of the master key so as to be accommodated in a striker supported by a detachable unit.

[0042] According to the present invention, advantageously, the detachable mounting device for detachably mounting the detachable unit on the fixed chassis comprises a shaft and at least one fixing screw, the shaft being mounted to pivot freely on the detachable unit, the at least one fixing screw extending through a hole formed in the shaft, the hole being perpendicular to the pivot axis, the screw engaging with the base of the fixed chassis so that the detachable unit can pivot about the pivot axis relative to the chassis between an open position and a closed position, in which the detachable unit can be removed from the chassis by removing each fastening screw, and in the closed position the unit is completely accommodated in the receiving shell of the chassis.

[0043] According to this advantageous variant, the pivot axis is secured to the fixed chassis by at least one screw, preferably two screws, which passes through the axis and engages with the base of the chassis. In addition, the axis is freely mounted on the removable unit so that the removable unit can pivot relative to the axis. Since the axis is fixed relative to the base, the removable unit can pivot relative to the chassis. In other words, the combination of the axis that is freely pivotable relative to the removable unit and the screw for fastening the axis to the base forms a removable hinge for pivoting the removable unit on the chassis.

[0044] The extraction time of the removable unit thus corresponds to the time required to loosen the screws and the time required to detach the cables connecting the terminal block of the removable unit to the connection pins of the chassis. The removable unit can thus be extracted with an intervention time of less than 5 minutes.

[0045] According to this advantageous variant, the shaft also comprises a circlip arranged at each end of the shaft, which serves to block any translational movement of the removable unit along the pivot axis.

[0046] According to the present invention, advantageously, the terminal further comprises at least one retaining cable, preferably two cables, at least one retaining cable extending between the housing and the rigid frame and configured to keep the detachable unit suspended when the detachable unit is pivoted about the pivot axis and tilted to the open position.

[0047] According to this variant, the detachable unit remains suspended when the detachable unit is pivoted to the open position. Thus, the operator can continue the operation of unscrewing the screws of the hinge while holding the unit via the holding cables. Once the unscrewing is completed, the operator can detach the holding cables from the detachable unit and remove the unit. For example, these cables can each include an end provided with a round eyelet configured to engage in a lug supported by the housing and / or the detachable unit.

[0048] According to the invention, advantageously, the power and control equipment supported by the rigid frame of the removable unit comprises: at least one electronic control board of the terminal, called the main board; an electronic board of the human-machine interface, supported by the facade; at least one circuit breaker; at least one transformer; at least one differential switch; and, at least one electronic meter.

[0049] According to the invention, advantageously, the terminal also comprises a data terminal block supported by said facade and configured to be able to be connected to a computer network, for example by means of a terminal block fixed to said fixed chassis.

[0050] According to this advantageous variant, the terminal can be connected to a computer network of the Internet type in order to receive control instructions or software updates and to transmit operating information (consumption, charging, etc.).

[0051] According to the invention, advantageously at least one charging socket, preferably each charging socket, is provided with a protective flap which is pivotably mounted on the facade.

[0052] The charging terminal according to this variant allows the charging socket to be protected from inclement weather and allows direct exposure of the charging socket to be avoided.

[0053] According to the invention, advantageously, the terminal further comprises a handle for carrying said detachable unit mounted on said rigid frame and extending into said receiving housing once the detachable unit is mounted on said chassis.

[0054] The handle facilitates an operator to transport the detachable unit. For example, the carrying handle is directly formed by a portion of the frame of the charging terminal, the portion of the frame of the charging terminal being configured such that an operator can pass their hand through a portion of the frame.

[0055] The invention also relates to a charging terminal characterized by all or a combination of some of the characteristics mentioned above or below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent on reading the following description which is given by way of non-limiting example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0057] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a charging terminal according to the present invention, wherein an electric vehicle is connected to the charging terminal;

[0058] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a charging terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, the charging terminal having a single charging point;

[0059] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a charging terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, the charging terminal having three charging points;

[0060] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a charging terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the detachable unit is tilted to an open position to facilitate removal of the detachable unit;

[0061] Figure 5 is a schematic rear perspective view of a detachable unit of a charging terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the electrical device is not shown;

[0062] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A schematic front perspective view of a detachable unit;

[0063] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 and Figure 6 A schematic front view of a detachable unit;

[0064] Figure 8 yes Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 A schematic side view of a detachable unit of the present invention, the schematic side view also showing the electrical device;

[0065] Fig. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a detachable mounting device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the detachable mounting device is used to detachably mount a detachable unit on a chassis of a charging terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] In the drawings, for the sake of illustration and clarity, no strict adherence to size and proportion is made. Throughout the detailed description below with reference to the drawings, unless otherwise stated, each element of the charging terminal is described as being arranged when the charging terminal is anchored to the ground. This configuration is particularly useful in Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 Furthermore, in all the drawings, identical, similar or like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0067] Figure 1 An electric vehicle 10 is shown, which is connected to a charging terminal 20 by means of a cable 12 .

[0068] refer to Figures 2 to 9 The charging terminal 20 is described in more detail.

[0069] The charging terminal mainly includes a chassis 30 and a detachable unit 60, such as Figure 4 shown.

[0070] The fixed chassis 30 comprises a base 32 formed, for example, by a concrete foundation 36 and studs 34 for anchoring the base to the ground.

[0071] The chassis also comprises a housing 38, for example formed from sheet metal, and forming a receiving housing 40 for a removable unit 60. This housing 38 is secured to the base 32, for example, by means of a plate screwed onto the base. The receiving housing 40 is accessible through an opening 42 intended to be closed by a facade of the removable unit described below.

[0072] Finally, the chassis 30 comprises connection pins for connection to an electrical power distribution network (not shown in the figures).

[0073] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the removable unit 60 comprises a facade 62 intended to close the opening 42 of the receiving housing 40 of the chassis once the unit is housed in the chassis.

[0074] The removable unit 60 also includes a rigid frame 64 that supports the facade 62 and the power and control equipment.

[0075] Figure 5 and Figure 6 The rigid frame 64 and the facade 62 of the detachable unit are shown without the power and control devices. The two figures also show an opening 68 provided in the facade 62, the opening 68 is intended to allow the passage of a charging socket 84, which is intended to receive a cable 12 for charging the electric vehicle 10. These figures also show an opening 69, which is intended to receive a human-machine interface module 50, which is configured to control the charging terminal. The human-machine interface module 50 can be of any known type. The human-machine interface module 50 includes an interface for interacting with an electronic board, which itself is connected to various items of power and control equipment to ensure the charging of the electric vehicle connected to the charging terminal by means of a charging cable.

[0076] Figure 8 The unit is shown being provided with power and control equipment.

[0077] For example, the power and control equipment includes a contactor 70, a meter 72, a circuit breaker 74, a transformer 76, a differential switch 78 and a differential circuit breaker 80. Of course, other power and control equipment can be provided according to the target electrical characteristics of the charging terminal. Those skilled in the art will be able to easily determine the type of power and control equipment required to form a charging terminal. The core of the present invention is not the selection of power and control equipment, but the technical means for easily accommodating and removing the detachable unit from the chassis so as to form an expandable modular charging terminal.

[0078] For example, the rigid frame 64 supporting the electrical equipment may include a DIN rail for facilitating mounting of the equipment.

[0079] The rigid frame 64 also supports an electrical terminal block 82 intended to connect the removable unit to a connector of the chassis.

[0080] Finally, the detachable unit comprises a charging socket 84. The number of charging sockets depends on the target number of charging points. Each socket is electrically connected to the power and control device and is configured to be able to be connected to an electric vehicle to be charged, for example by means of a charging cable.

[0081] The charging terminal according to the present invention further comprises a detachable mounting device, which is used to detachably mount the detachable unit 60 on the fixed chassis 30 .

[0082] According to the embodiment of the figures, these removable mounting means are formed by a shaft 90 having two through-going openings and a nut system 92 housed in the openings so as to engage on the ground and thus be able to fix the shaft 90 relative to the ground and the chassis.

[0083] This shaft 90 is also freely mounted on the removable unit 60 , so that the removable unit can pivot about the shaft 90 when the shaft is fixed to the ground by means of a nut system 92 .

[0084] The pivot axis 90 is particularly Figure 7 and Fig. 9 Displayed in.

[0085] Thus, mounting the removable unit 60 on the chassis 30 includes inserting the screws 92 into the openings of the shaft 90 and engaging the screws on the ground, and then pivoting the removable unit 60 about the shaft so that the removable unit 60 is received in the receiving housing 40. Prior to pivoting the removable unit, the operator electrically connects the terminal blocks of the removable unit to the connecting pins of the chassis.

[0086] Therefore, the charging terminal according to this embodiment allows the detachable unit to be quickly and simply mounted on the chassis and accommodated in the receiving housing by simply pivoting the unit about the pivot axis. This operation can be performed by a single operator in less than 5 minutes.

[0087] According to other embodiments not shown in the figures, other detachable mounting means may be provided instead of the pivot axis, such as means for clamping the detachable unit into the housing of the chassis or means for screwing the detachable unit to the housing.

[0088] like Figure 4 As shown, the charging terminal according to this embodiment also includes a retaining cable 66, which extends between the housing 38 of the chassis 60 and the rigid frame 64 of the detachable unit 60. For example, the retaining cable 66 is a steel wire rope, which is intended to keep the detachable unit 60 suspended when the detachable unit 60 is in the open position (such as Figure 4 According to another variant, the terminal may comprise two cables, each extending between the casing and the removable unit, so as to balance the suspension of the unit on either side of the removable unit.

[0089] In order to secure the housing of the unit in the chassis, the terminal advantageously comprises locking means for locking the removable unit to the fixed chassis.

[0090] For example, these means are formed by an electromagnetic locking finger 86 configured to engage with the housing 38. In addition to this electromagnetic locking, the locking means may also comprise a mechanical lock with a cam and a master key, the mechanical lock being arranged at the rear of the chassis (not shown in the figures), wherein the cam of the mechanical lock can be moved by the action of the master key so as to be housed in a striker supported by a detachable unit.

[0091] The charging terminal according to the invention allows to quickly modify specific features of the charging terminal, such as the number of charging points of the charging terminal. For example, in order to transform a charging terminal from having one charging point to having three charging points, it is only necessary to remove the detachable unit with one charging point from the chassis of the detachable unit and to insert the detachable unit with three charging points in the chassis of the detachable unit. These detachable units can be designed in a workshop and replaced as required without any intervention on the chassis of the terminal. The detachable units thus form a "plug and play" type device. By way of example, Figure 2 A terminal with a single charging point is shown, and Figure 3 A terminal with three charging points is shown.

[0092] The removable unit 60 is preferably manufactured in such a way that its weight does not exceed 15 kg so that it can be taken out of the chassis and carried by a single operator. To this end, the rigid frame and facades are preferably made of 3 mm thick metal sheet. Of course, depending on the requirements and local restrictions, nothing prevents the use of other types of materials to form the removable unit.

[0093] Throughout the figures, the detachable unit is depicted as a single piece of equipment. In this case, according to other embodiments, the detachable unit may be formed by several different elements, which may be secured to each other (e.g., by interlocking) before being inserted into the receiving housing of the chassis.

Claims

1. A modular and expandable charging terminal (20) for an electric vehicle (10), the charging terminal comprising power and control equipment (70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 84), characterized in that: The charging terminal comprises: - A fixed chassis (30) comprising: ○ base (32); o Anchoring means (34) for anchoring the base to the ground; o a housing (38) secured to the base, the housing defining a receiving shell (40) and an opening (42) for accessing the receiving shell; ○Connection pins for connection to the power distribution network; - a detachable power distribution unit (60) adapted to the receiving housing (40) of the fixed chassis so as to be accommodated in the receiving housing, the detachable unit (60) further comprising: o a facade (62) configured to close the opening when the detachable unit is received in the receiving housing of the fixed chassis; o a rigid frame (64) supporting the facade (62); o an electrical terminal block (82) supported by the frame (64) and configured to be electrically connected to the connection pins of the chassis; o the power and control device (70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 84), the power and control device being supported as a whole by the frame and being electrically connected to the electrical terminal block (82); o at least one charging socket (84) supported by the frame (64) and extending into a through opening (66) provided in the facade (62), each charging socket being electrically connected to the power and control device and configured to be connectable to an electric vehicle to be charged; - removable mounting means (90, 92) for removably mounting the removable dispensing unit (60) on the fixed chassis (30).

2. The charging terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that: The charging terminal further comprises a locking device (86) for locking the detachable unit on the fixed chassis (30), wherein the locking device is configured to: prevent the detachable unit (60) from being removed from the chassis (30) at will in a locked position, and allow the detachable unit to be removed from the fixed chassis in an unlocked position.

3. The charging terminal according to claim 2, characterized in that: The locking device (86) includes a mechanical locking device coupled to an electronic locking device.

4. The charging terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The detachable mounting device for detachably mounting the detachable unit (60) on the fixed chassis (30) comprises: an axis (90) and at least one fixing screw (92), the axis being mounted to freely pivot on the detachable unit (60), the at least one fixing screw extending through a hole formed in the axis, the hole being perpendicular to the pivot axis, the screw engaging with the base of the fixed chassis so that the detachable unit (60) can pivot about the pivot axis (90) relative to the chassis between an open position and a closed position, in which the detachable unit can be removed from the chassis by removing each fastening screw, and in which the unit is completely accommodated in the receiving shell of the chassis.

5. The charging terminal according to claim 4, characterized in that: The charging terminal also includes at least one retention cable (66), preferably two cables, extending between the housing (38) and the rigid frame (64) and configured to keep the detachable unit (60) suspended when the detachable unit is pivoted about the pivot axis and tilted to the open position.

6. The charging terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The power and control equipment (70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 84) supported by the rigid frame (64) of the removable unit (60) includes: at least one electronic control board of the terminal, called the main board; an electronic board of the human-machine interface, supported by the facade; at least one circuit breaker; at least one transformer; at least one differential switch; and, at least one electronic meter.

7. The charging terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The charging terminal also includes a data terminal block supported by the facade and configured to be connectable to a computer network.

8. The charging terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: At least one charging socket (84), preferably each charging socket, is provided with a protective flap which is pivotably mounted on the facade.

9. The charging terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The charging terminal also includes a handle for carrying the detachable unit (60) mounted on the rigid frame and extending into the receiving housing when the detachable unit is mounted on the chassis.

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