Vehicle charging seat and vehicle

Abstract

A vehicle charging stand (16) for an at least partially electrically driven vehicle (10) has at least one direct current charging contact (38) which extends from a vehicle outside (22) towards an interior of the vehicle (10), the vehicle charging stand (16) having a cavity (30) in a charging stand housing (24), through which the at least one direct current charging contact (38) extends. The cavity (30) is designed as a cooling channel (32) having a first end (40) associated with the vehicle interior (20) and a second end (42) associated with the vehicle exterior (22). The vehicle charging stand (16) comprises a fan (44) associated with the cooling channel (32), which fan is designed to draw in air from the vehicle interior (20) via a first end (40) of the cooling channel (32) and to discharge the air via a second end (42) of the cooling channel (32) in order to cool the direct current charging contact (38). The invention further relates to a vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle charging stand for an at least partially electrically driven vehicle and to a vehicle having such a vehicle charging stand. Background Art

[0002] At least partially electrically driven vehicles generally have an electrically operated drive engine which is powered by a battery device, for example a rechargeable traction battery. To charge the battery device, it can be connected to an external charging device, for example a charging station. For this purpose, it is known to provide a vehicle charging station on the vehicle, which has charging contacts, with which the vehicle is electrically contacted with a corresponding charging device during the charging process.

[0003] Due to the current flow that occurs during the charging process, the charging contacts of the vehicle charging station heat up. This effect is particularly pronounced in the case of DC charging contacts, through which direct currents with current intensities of the order of magnitude of up to 200 amperes flow. In addition, for future requirements, current intensities of up to 500 amperes and more are expected for vehicle applications. If the temperature of the DC charging contacts rises too strongly, the current flow must be reduced in order to avoid exceeding a preset temperature threshold. However, this has an adverse effect on the charging duration of the vehicle or the battery device, so that the shortest charging time is limited by the temperature of the DC charging contacts.

[0004] It is known to equip a vehicle charging station with the possibility of cooling the DC charging contacts in order to suppress the heating of the DC charging contacts. For this purpose, the vehicle charging station can have a water-cooling, air-cooling or a cooling system based on phase change materials, which absorbs the heat of the DC charging contacts and releases it towards the vehicle interior, usually into the vehicle luggage compartment. However, a disadvantage of the known solutions is that the corresponding cooling systems are relatively complex and the heat released into the vehicle interior causes the vehicle interior to heat up. This leads to a higher energy consumption of the vehicle's air conditioning system in order to compensate for the heat additionally released into the interior. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a cost-effective vehicle charging stand for an at least partially electrically driven vehicle which allows efficient cooling of the DC charging contacts.

[0006] This object is achieved by a vehicle charging station for an at least partially electrically driven vehicle, the vehicle charging station having at least one DC charging contact, which extends from the outside of the vehicle toward the interior of the vehicle. The vehicle charging station has a cavity in the charging station housing, through which the at least one DC charging contact extends, wherein the cavity is designed as a cooling channel, which has a first end associated with the interior of the vehicle and a second end associated with the outside of the vehicle. The vehicle charging station includes a ventilator associated with the cooling channel, which is configured to draw air from the interior of the vehicle via the first end of the cooling channel and to discharge the air via the second end of the cooling channel in order to cool the DC charging contact.

[0007] The invention is based on the basic idea of ​​cooling the at least one DC charging contact by means of air drawn in from the interior of the vehicle. In contrast to the air supplied from outside the vehicle, the air in the interior of the vehicle generally has less moisture and fewer pollutants, so that the cooling channels are less polluted during operation of the vehicle charging station and moisture is less likely to accumulate in the cooling channels. At the same time, the vehicle charging station according to the invention is cost-effective and simple to manufacture, since only the ventilator has to be installed during assembly of the vehicle charging station.

[0008] The air sucked in by the ventilator flows directly around the at least one DC charging contact or the heat-conducting housing of the at least one DC charging contact, thereby ensuring efficient cooling by the generated air flow.

[0009] A first end of the cooling channel is fluidically connected to an interior of the vehicle in the installed position of the vehicle charging station, and a second end of the cooling channel is fluidically connected to an exterior of the vehicle in the installed position of the vehicle charging station.

[0010] The relationships between components of a vehicle charging socket and a vehicle given here and below refer to the installation position of the vehicle charging socket according to the invention in the corresponding vehicle.

[0011] In order to be able to draw in air particularly reliably from the interior of the vehicle, the ventilator can be arranged in the region of the first end of the cooling duct.

[0012] For example, the charging station housing can include a sealing surface which adjoins the interior of the vehicle and defines a cavity, wherein the ventilator is a component of the sealing surface. In other words, in this variant, the vehicle charging station in the installed position directly adjoins the interior of the vehicle, for example the luggage compartment of the vehicle, with its sealing surface.

[0013] Preferably, the first end of the cooling channel is arranged geodesically above the second end of the cooling channel. In this way, the air flow caused by the ventilator passes from top to bottom. This makes it possible for the second end of the cooling channel, that is, the end associated with the outside of the vehicle, to have a downwardly directed outlet opening, through which the air flow is discharged via the outside of the vehicle. It is therefore not necessary to provide an upwardly directed outlet opening, into which dirt and / or moisture (for example due to rain) could enter and thus into the cooling channel.

[0014] In one variant, the cooling channel runs in the region of the at least one DC charging contact perpendicularly to the at least one DC charging contact. In this way, a particularly compact design of the vehicle charging station is achieved.

[0015] In addition, at least a portion of the cooling channel can be a drain port of the vehicle charging station housing or extend parallel to the drain port of the vehicle charging station housing. In other words, the drain port already provided for moisture protection can be used as a cooling channel at the same time, thereby further minimizing the structural space requirement of the vehicle charging station.

[0016] In order to be able to regulate the temperature of the at least one DC charging contact even better, the rotational speed of the fan can be regulated as a function of the instantaneous temperature of the at least one DC charging contact.

[0017] In particular, the vehicle charging station comprises a control unit which is configured to adjust the rotation speed of the ventilator.

[0018] Alternatively, the ventilator of the vehicle charging station may be connected to a control unit of the vehicle, which control unit is configured to adjust the rotation speed of the ventilator.

[0019] For example, the rotational speed of the fan can be increased when the instantaneous temperature of the at least one DC charging contact increases, and the rotational speed of the fan can be reduced when the instantaneous temperature of the at least one DC charging contact remains constant or decreases.

[0020] A temperature threshold value of the at least one DC charging contact can be stored in the control unit, and the rotation speed of the ventilator can be adjusted according to the temperature threshold value. In other words, the ventilator can be adjusted in such a way that the at least one DC charging contact is not heated to a temperature exceeding the temperature threshold value.

[0021] For example, the temperature threshold is a temperature of 90°C.

[0022] The vehicle charging station can have a sensor unit which is provided to determine the instantaneous temperature of the at least one DC charging contact and transmit it to the control unit.

[0023] The ventilator can also be adjusted in such a way that the ventilator can be completely closed. This is particularly advantageous if the vehicle charging station has at least one AC charging contact in addition to the at least one DC charging contact, so that an AC charging operation is possible. The current flowing through the at least one AC charging contact during AC charging operation is less than the current flowing through the at least one DC charging contact during DC charging operation. In this case, it is desirable to be able to disconnect as many electrical consumers as possible in the vehicle in order to keep the electrical power loss as low as possible during the charging process.

[0024] The ventilator can have a maximum power consumption of 5 Watts or less, in particular 2 Watts or less, for example 1.5 Watts. In this way, the energy requirement of the ventilator is extremely low. In addition, such a ventilator can be used cost-effectively worldwide and has a small installation space requirement.

[0025] It is known that a correspondingly dimensioned ventilator is sufficient to achieve the desired cooling effect on the at least one DC charging contact, because the temperature difference between the air in the interior space and a temperature threshold value (i.e. the maximum expected temperature of the at least one DC charging contact) is high enough to reliably cool the at least one DC charging contact using the air flow that can be generated by such a ventilator.

[0026] For example, when the internal space temperature is in the range of 20 to 40°C and the temperature threshold is 90°C, the temperature difference is in the range of 50 to 70°C.

[0027] Furthermore, the ventilator can have an operating voltage of 12 volts, so that the ventilator can be operated via the vehicle's onboard electrical system. Thus, a converter for operating the ventilator can be dispensed with, thereby further reducing the costs and / or space requirements of the vehicle charging station.

[0028] This object is also achieved according to the invention by a vehicle having a vehicle charging station as described above.

[0029] The advantages and properties of the vehicle charging stand according to the invention apply analogously to the vehicle according to the invention and vice versa, and reference is made to the above-described embodiments.

[0030] In particular, the vehicle is an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Further advantages and features of the invention are apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments, which are not to be understood in a restrictive sense, and from the drawings. In these drawings:

[0032] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a vehicle according to the invention; and

[0033] Figure 2 A perspective sectional view of a vehicle charging stand according to the invention is shown, as it is shown in FIG. Figure 1 as used in vehicles. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Figure 1 A vehicle 10 according to the invention is shown schematically. The vehicle 10 is an at least partially electrically operated vehicle, for example a plug-in hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle.

[0035] The vehicle 10 has a rechargeable battery device 12 which is connected to an electrically operated drive device 14 , by means of which the vehicle 10 can be driven.

[0036] The vehicle 10 also has a vehicle charging station 16 according to the present invention, which is arranged in the area of ​​the luggage compartment 18 of the vehicle 10. It is understood that the vehicle charging station 16 can also be arranged in a different area of ​​the vehicle 10. Figure 1 At the location shown.

[0037] Figure 2 A perspective sectional view of a vehicle charging station 16 according to the invention is shown, wherein the sectional plane runs perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle 10, so that the interior space 20 of the vehicle 10 is Figure 2 The vehicle charging station 16 is shown adjacent to the left side of the vehicle 10, and the outer side 22 of the vehicle 10 is shown adjacent to the vehicle charging station 16. Figure 2 The vehicle charging station 16 is adjacent to the illustrated vehicle charging station 16 on the right.

[0038] The vehicle charging station 16 has a charging station housing 24 which adjoins the interior 20 of the vehicle 10 with a sealing surface 26 and is closed with an outer surface 28 toward the outer side 22 of the vehicle 10 .

[0039] A cavity 30 is provided within the charging station housing 24 and is configured as a cooling channel 32 as will be described in greater detail later.

[0040] The vehicle charging station 16 also has a charging interface 34, which includes a plurality of AC charging contacts 36 and two DC charging contacts 38. Figure 2 In the cross-sectional view shown, only a portion of the AC charging contact 36 and the DC charging contact 38 can be seen.

[0041] In the embodiment shown, the charging interface 34 is designed according to the CCS standard (Combined Charging System in English). However, according to the invention, other arrangements of the AC charging contacts 36 and the DC charging contacts 38 can also be provided in principle, as long as at least one DC charging contact 38 is present.

[0042] Each AC charging contact 36 and DC charging contact 38 is parallel to Figure 2 The illustrated section plane extends, that is to say, from an exterior side 22 of the vehicle 10 toward an interior 20 of the vehicle 10 .

[0043] In the interior 20 , the AC charging contacts 36 and the DC charging contacts 38 lead to electrical lines 39 (see FIG. 1 ) which are connected to the battery device 12 . Figure 1 ).

[0044] The cooling channel 32 extends from a first end 40 associated with the interior 20 to a second end 42 associated with the exterior 22 .

[0045] Associated with the first end 40 is a ventilator 44 which establishes a fluid connection between the air environment in the interior 20 of the vehicle, ie the air environment in the luggage compartment 18 , and the cooling duct 32 .

[0046] In other words, in the illustrated embodiment, the ventilator 44 forms the inlet 46 of the cooling passage 32 .

[0047] Ventilator 44 has a maximum power consumption of 5 Watts or less, in particular 2 Watts or less, for example 1.5 Watts, and has an operating voltage of 12 Volts, so that ventilator 44 can be operated with a low energy requirement and via the onboard electrical system of vehicle 10 .

[0048] The second end 42 is formed by a shaft 48 which runs obliquely downward and thus serves as an outlet 50 for the cooling channel 32 .

[0049] The shaft 48 simultaneously forms a water discharge opening 52 of the charging base housing 24. This means that if water accumulates in the cavity 30, this water can be discharged to the outside via the shaft 48.

[0050] The working mode of the vehicle charging station 16 according to the present invention will be explained in more detail below.

[0051] The vehicle charging station 16 is capable of implementing a variety of different modes to charge the battery device 12 based on the available electrical contacts.

[0052] On the one hand, vehicle charging station 16 can be used in alternating current charging mode (also referred to as AC charging mode) via alternating current charging contacts 36. In AC charging mode, battery device 12 is charged with relatively low currents, for example up to 80 amperes.

[0053] On the other hand, vehicle charging station 16 can be used in direct current charging operation (also referred to as DC charging operation) via direct current charging contacts 38. In alternating current charging operation, relatively high currents of up to 500 amperes, for example 200 amperes, are used to charge battery device 12.

[0054] Due to the current flow during the charging process, the AC charging contacts 36 and the DC charging contacts heat up, wherein the temperature of the AC charging contacts 36 and the DC charging contacts 38 must be kept below a predefined temperature threshold in order to ensure the safety and reliability of the vehicle charging station 16. As a result, in the DC charging operation, the current intensity that is actually available during the entire charging process of the battery device 12 and thus the total duration of the charging process is limited in particular by the temperature of the DC charging contacts 38.

[0055] In particular, the instantaneous temperature, ie the temperature at a specific time during the charging process, must remain below a predefined temperature threshold, for example a maximum of 90° C. If this temperature threshold is exceeded, the current intensity must be reduced.

[0056] In order to suppress this effect, according to the invention, air is sucked in from the interior of the vehicle 10 by the ventilator 44, which air typically has a temperature in the range of 20 to 40°C.

[0057] The air sucked in by the ventilator 44 flows from the first end 40 of the cooling channel 32 to the second end 42 of the cooling channel 32 and passes through the DC charging contact 38, as in Figure 2 In this way, heat can be dissipated from the DC charging contact 38 to the air flowing through the cooling channel 32 , so that the air has a higher temperature at the outlet 50 than at the inlet 46 , and the DC charging contact 38 is thus cooled.

[0058] In the region of the DC charging contacts 38 , the cooling channels 32 extend perpendicularly to the direction of extension of the DC charging contacts 38 , resulting in a compact design of the vehicle charging station 16 while at the same time ensuring a high cooling efficiency.

[0059] As in Figure 2 As can be seen in FIG. 5 , the DC charging contact 38 is surrounded by a housing 54 , which serves to protect the DC charging contact 38 from moisture and contamination. Accordingly, heat is transferred from the DC charging contact 38 via the housing 54 to the air flowing through.

[0060] In addition, Figure 2 The illustration in clarifies that the air flow in the cooling channel 32 passes from top to bottom, since the vehicle charging station 16 is installed in the vehicle such that the first end 40 of the cooling channel 32 is located geodesically above the second end 42 .

[0061] The ventilator 44 is also arranged such that the rotation speed of the ventilator 44 and thus the flow rate and / or volume of air per unit time can be adjusted according to the instantaneous temperature of the DC charging contact 38 .

[0062] For this purpose, vehicle charging station 16 has a control unit 56 , which is indicated only schematically and which can detect information about the instantaneous temperature of DC charging contacts 38 and is provided to transmit a control signal to ventilator 44 .

[0063] It is understandable that the control unit 56 may also be arranged in a different Figure 2 It is also possible that another control unit of the vehicle 10, such as the battery control unit 58 of the battery device 12 (see Figure 1 ) is responsible for adjusting the ventilator 44.

[0064] For example, when the instantaneous temperature of DC charging contact 38 approaches a temperature threshold value, the rotational speed of fan 44 is increased, and when the instantaneous temperature drops again, the rotational speed of fan 44 is reduced.

[0065] The control of the fan 44 is in particular dependent on that one of the DC charging contacts 38 which has the respectively higher instantaneous temperature, in order to ensure that no DC charging contact 38 exceeds a temperature threshold value.

[0066] If vehicle charging station 16 is operated in AC charging mode, ventilator 44 is in particular completely closed in order to minimize the number of electrical consumers in vehicle 10. This is possible because AC charging contacts 36 generally do not reach a temperature threshold value due to the lower current intensities in AC charging mode.

[0067] The vehicle charging station 16 according to the invention is distinguished by a particularly compact design, a simple construction and reliable cooling of the DC charging contacts 38 .

Claims

1. A vehicle charging station (16) for an at least partially electrically driven vehicle (10), the vehicle charging station (16) having at least one DC charging contact (38) extending from an outer side (22) of the vehicle (10) towards an interior of the vehicle (10), The vehicle charging station (16) has a cavity (30) in a charging station housing (24), the at least one DC charging contact (38) extending through the cavity, the cavity (30) being designed as a cooling channel (32), the cooling channel having a first end (40) associated with an interior (20) of the vehicle (10) and a second end (42) associated with an exterior (22) of the vehicle (10), The vehicle charging seat (16) comprises a ventilator (44) associated with the cooling channel (32), the ventilator being configured to draw air from an interior space (20) of the vehicle (10) via a first end (40) of the cooling channel (32) and to discharge the air via a second end (42) of the cooling channel (32) to cool the DC charging contact portion (38).

2. The vehicle charging station according to claim 1, wherein: The ventilator (44) is arranged in the region of the first end (40) of the cooling channel (32).

3. The vehicle charging station according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first end (40) of the cooling channel (32) is arranged geodetically above the second end (42) of the cooling channel (32).

4. A vehicle charging station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The cooling channel (32) extends in the region of the at least one DC charging contact (38) perpendicularly to the at least one DC charging contact (38).

5. A vehicle charging station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: At least a portion of the cooling channel (32) is a drain opening (52) of the charging base housing (24), or extends in parallel with the drain opening (52) of the charging base housing (24).

6. A vehicle charging station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The rotational speed of the fan (44) can be adjusted as a function of the instantaneous temperature of the at least one DC charging contact (38).

7. A vehicle charging station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The ventilator (44) has a maximum power consumption of 5 watts or less.

8. A vehicle charging station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The ventilator (44) has an operating voltage of 12 volts.

9. Vehicle (10) having a vehicle charging stand (16) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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