Charging device for motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a charging device of a motor vehicle (1), which is equipped with a movable locking element (7), which is provided for detachably locking a charging plug (4) in a charging socket (3) or vice versa. Furthermore, an electric drive (8) is provided for adjusting the locking element (7) at least into its "unlocked" position and "locked" position. The locking element (7) is guided outwards through a seal (11) in the opening region of the housing (9). According to the invention, the locking element (7) is additionally equipped with a flexible hose sheath (12) protruding from the seal (11).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a charging device for a motor vehicle, the charging device having a movable locking element, which is configured to releasably lock a charging plug in a charging socket of the charging device, or conversely to lock the charging socket to the charging plug, the charging device also having an electric drive device, which is used to adjust the locking element at least into its "unlocked" position and "locked" position, wherein the locking element is guided outward through a seal in an opening area of ​​a housing. Background Art

[0002] Charging devices at and for motor vehicles are typically used to recharge the vehicle's own battery or storage battery or batteries via a charging infrastructure. Energy storage devices implemented in this way are usually used for the drive of the relevant motor vehicle, whether purely in electric vehicles or in combination with an additional (combustion-type) drive in hybrid vehicles. In principle, however, conventional batteries or general energy storage devices that are not suitable for driving can also be recharged with energy via such charging devices.

[0003] For this purpose, the charging infrastructure generally uses so-called charging posts, which are equipped with a cable and an associated charging plug. For this purpose, the charging plug is inserted into a charging socket on the motor vehicle. In order to prevent the electrical connection between the charging plug and the charging socket achieved in this way from being disconnected without authorization, the charging plug is releasably locked in the charging socket of the charging device. For this purpose, a locking element that can be adjusted by means of an electric drive is provided.

[0004] In the "unlocked" position of the locking element, the charging plug can be pulled out of the charging socket. In contrast, the "locked" position of the locking element corresponds to the charging plug being locked in the charging socket and the charging process taking place. For this purpose, a permission check can also be carried out in advance or generally a communication between the user who wants to charge and the charging post or the usual charging infrastructure. In principle, the opposite can also be done. In this case, the charging post is equipped with a charging socket, and the motor vehicle has a corresponding charging plug. In this case, locking between the charging socket and the charging plug also occurs in order to start the charging process.

[0005] Since the charging socket, which is usually located on or in a motor vehicle behind an associated charging cover, is exposed to environmental conditions and in particular to contaminants such as dust, rain, etc., there is a risk that water and dust will penetrate into the interior and in particular into the electric drive via the forced openings in the charging plug and the charging socket through which the locking element penetrates. For this purpose, a housing is provided on the one hand and a seal is provided on the other hand in the opening of the housing or in the region of the housing opening. The housing accommodates the electric drive in its interior.

[0006] Such a charging device is described in the related prior art according to DE 20 2013 009 554 A1. In this case, the locking unit and the actuator form an integral and sealed structural unit. In addition, a housing is provided for receiving the electric drive, which has a seal through which the locking element passes. This has proven to be advantageous in principle.

[0007] Independently of this, EP 3 729 566 B1 describes a locking device for a charging device of a motor vehicle and in particular of an electric or hybrid vehicle. In this case, too, a movable locking element is implemented, which is provided for releasably locking the charging plug in the charging socket of the charging device. In the known teaching, the locking element can additionally also be adjusted to a third position, “self-locking”, in addition to the “locked” position.

[0008] The prior art has been proven in principle, but still offers room for further improvement. Thus, depending on the position of the housing including the electric drive located therein, and despite the provision of a seal in the region of the housing opening of the housing, there is always the risk that water can penetrate into the relevant housing via the forced opening through which the locking element passes. The same applies to possible dust or other dirt. This affects the operation of the electric drive.

[0009] In principle, it is even possible that water and possibly dirt penetrate into the gap between the seal and the locking element, thereby damaging the locking element (which is usually made of plastic) during the adjustment movement. This leads to an increased risk of failure overall and can lead to permanent damage to the locking device implemented in this way. This leads to complex repairs and at least temporary complete failure of a motor vehicle equipped with such a locking device, since in this case a possible recharging of the vehicle's own battery or energy storage unit is no longer possible. The present invention remedies this overall. Summary of the invention

[0010] The object of the present invention is to further develop such a charging device for a motor vehicle in such a way that permanent functionally reliable operation and a long service life are achieved.

[0011] In order to solve this technical problem, within the scope of the invention, a charging device of the generic type is characterized in that the locking element is additionally provided with a flexible hose sheathing which protrudes from the seal.

[0012] In addition to the prior art according to DE 20 2013 009 554 A1, a flexible hose sheathing is provided for the locking element in addition to the seal. Here, the flexible hose sheathing protrudes from the seal and ends in or on the locking element. For this purpose, the flexible hose sheathing is advantageously connected to the seal or a housing surrounding the seal on the one hand and to the locking element on the other hand. The end of the hose sheathing on the locking element side can be releasably connected to the locking element in this case, in order to simplify the installation of the flexible hose sheathing as a whole. In contrast, the end of the hose sheathing on the seal side is usually fixedly connected to the seal and / or the housing.

[0013] In addition, the flexible hose sheath is advantageously made of an elastomeric plastic. In addition, the flexible hose sheath is used to cover the locking element circumferentially from the seal to the joint where the hose sheath is wrapped on the locking element. That is, the flexible hose sheath is used to tightly seal the area from the joint where the hose sheath is wrapped on the locking element to the seal or to the housing surrounding the seal to prevent penetrating water, dirt, etc. or other environmental loads. Because the flexible hose sheath is designed as a mainly cylindrical continuous hose, the hose is sealedly connected to the seal or to the housing surrounding the seal on the one hand, and to the locking element on the other hand. As a result, foreign matter that may penetrate through the opening in the charging socket or the charging plug cannot reach the area of ​​the locking element. In particular, the opening in the seal for the locking element to pass through is protected from, for example, penetrating water, dirt, etc.

[0014] Thus, the electric drive, which is usually arranged inside the housing, is also tightly protected from possible water, moisture, other liquids, dust, etc., and the flexible hose element is used for corresponding covering and tight sealing. Due to the flexibility of the hose sheath, the adjustment movement of the locking element is simultaneously allowed without any problems. This is a major advantage of the invention.

[0015] According to another advantageous embodiment, the flexible hose sheath as a bellows is made, for example, of the elastomeric plastic already described above. Such a bellows also specifically exhibits the following properties of a flexible hose sheath, namely, it can be folded in an accordion-like manner. As a result, it is not difficult to allow an adjustment movement of the locking element (with which the associated bellows follows), and the bellows can follow this adjustment movement. In addition, any resistance of the hose sheath to the movement of the locking element is thereby minimized. More precisely, the overall design is such that the end of the hose sheath connected to the locking element on the locking element side can thus follow the adjustment movement of the locking element particularly simply and purposefully, because here, depending on whether the locking element occupies its "unlocked" position in the first case or its "locked" position in the second case, the individual folds of the bellows are superimposed on each other or pulled apart in an accordion-like manner.

[0016] As already explained, the hose sheath is fixedly connected to the seal or to the housing surrounding the seal on the one hand, and is releasably connected to the locking element on the other hand. It is also advantageous if the end of the hose sheath on the locking element side is releasably connected to the locking element. This allows for particularly simple assembly. This is usually done in such a way that the flexible hose sheath or the corrugated tube is connected to the seal or to the housing surrounding the seal. The end of the hose sheath on the locking element side is then releasably connected to the locking element.

[0017] There is even the possibility here of changing the axial distance of the end of the hose covering on the locking element side when it is fixed relative to the opening through which the locking element passes from the seal in the housing. For this purpose, the end of the hose covering on the locking element side usually engages detachably in at least one groove, in particular annular groove, of the locking element.

[0018] In order to change the axial "height" of the end of the hose covering on the locking element side which is detachably connected to the locking element, it is possible to provide a plurality of grooves and in particular annular grooves which are arranged axially one above the other or which are spaced apart from one another in the locking element. This can be realized and implemented particularly easily, since the locking element is typically made of plastic and can be easily equipped with the relevant grooves or annular grooves as an injection-molded part.

[0019] Furthermore, it has proven to be particularly advantageous in this case if the end of the hose covering on the locking element side has a compression ring or is designed as such. Accordingly, the end of the hose covering on the locking element side can be connected to the locking element particularly easily and releasably by means of the compression ring. For this purpose, it is only necessary to apply the compression ring to the desired groove or annular groove and to use it to releasably lock the end of the hose covering on the locking element side. It is also clear from this illustration that, depending on the design of the flexible hose covering or the bellows with the compression ring, the corresponding compression ring can also engage in annular grooves spaced apart axially, so that the bellows that are advantageously used can thus be "stretched" or "compressed" as required.

[0020] In order to fix the other end of the flexible hose covering or the corrugated tube, in most cases, a cover cap is provided for the end portion of the hose covering on the seal side. Here, the cover cap can be designed as a cover cap ring surrounding the hose covering. That is, the locking element together with the flexible hose covering detachably connected thereto is passed through the opening of the cover cap ring. The cover cap ring itself is used to fix the root of the flexible hose covering protruding in the circumferential direction by means of the cover cap ring.

[0021] In this case, the fixing can be implemented on the seal through which the locking element passes, on the housing surrounding the seal, or on both aforementioned components. Usually, for this purpose, the seal through which the locking element passes is equipped with a circumferentially protruding tab on the housing. Here, the tab can be engaged by a corresponding circumferential groove in the cover ring.

[0022] This provides the possibility of connecting the cover cap or the cover cap ring to the seal in a material-locking manner. In principle, a material-locking connection to the housing can also be realized in a similar manner. Combinations are also conceivable.

[0023] Now, the material connection between the protruding tab on the housing or the seal and the circumferential groove in the cover ring on the other hand is carried out in the installed state of the cover ring. For this reason, the cover ring is pushed onto the locking element with its opening on which the flexible hose sheath is installed, and is placed on the protruding tab with the circumferential groove. The tab and the circumferential groove can then be connected to each other by a plastic welding process. Here, the present invention proceeds from the following supplementary understanding, that is, the housing and the seal and the cover or cover ring are made of plastic as a whole, such as the flexible hose sheath. Here, the plastic welding realized at this position can be implemented as plastic friction welding or can also be implemented as ultrasonic welding.

[0024] In any case, the corresponding material (plastic in this example) is at least partially melted between the web and the circumferential groove and used for a material-locking connection. Of course, other connection methods between the cover cap or cover cap ring and the seal and / or the housing are also possible in this case.

[0025] For example, it is conceivable that the cover cap and the seal or the housing are adhesively connected to each other by means of an additional adhesive. In principle, screwing or riveting is also conceivable here. Combinations of the above-mentioned fixing methods are also conceivable. However, the plastic welding described above has also proven to be particularly advantageous, since no additional fixing elements or separately added adhesives are required here.

[0026] It is also particularly important that the housing is equipped with a preferably watertight pressure equalization membrane. Pressure fluctuations inside the housing can be equalized by means of the pressure equalization membrane. In practice, the housing itself, which is used to accommodate at least the electric drive for adjusting the locking element, is designed to be waterproof and is therefore typically designed to be tightly sealed. Since pressure fluctuations inevitably occur inside the housing with the adjustment movement of the locking element, a corresponding pressure equalization must be provided, since otherwise the adjustment movement of the locking element is made more difficult. This pressure equalization is now achieved with the help of the pressure equalization membrane.

[0027] For this purpose, the pressure-balancing membrane can be arranged, for example, on the bottom surface opposite the top surface of the housing provided with the seal for the locking element. Of course, other types of mounting for the pressure-balancing membrane are also conceivable. In addition, the pressure-balancing membrane is simultaneously designed to be watertight or at least hydrophobic, so that any possible ingress of water or also dirt or dust into the interior of the housing and thus into the electric drive can be avoided in any case. For this purpose, the pressure-balancing membrane can be adhesively connected, for example, to the bottom surface.

[0028] Such watertight pressure equalizing membranes are generally known and are described, for example, in EP 0 377 067 A1. This also relates to a locking device for sealing a housing, which is equipped with a membrane that is designed to be gas-permeable but water-tight. Such a membrane can be made of PTFE material (polytetrafluoroethylene) and is generally known under the brand name "Gore-Tex".

[0029] The subject matter of the invention is also a motor vehicle equipped with a charging device described in detail above. As a result, particularly functionally reliable operation is achieved, since the locking element is optimally protected against any infiltrating moisture and / or dirt etc. by means of the flexible hose covering. The installation of the flexible hose covering is simple and easy to assemble, and has the additional advantage that the production costs can be kept low. This is a major advantage of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings which show only one embodiment; the drawings show:

[0031] Figure 1 The charging device according to the invention is shown in an overview diagram,

[0032] Figure 2 An exploded view of the locking element including the electric drive and the associated housing is shown,

[0033] Figure 3 Shown in assembled state Figure 2 object,

[0034] Figure 4 A schematic longitudinal section showing a locking element including a flexible hose sheath,

[0035] Figure 5 Shown from the bottom of the direction X according to Figure 3 A view of the housing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The accompanying drawings show only Figure 1. In practice, only the outer shell of the vehicle body is visible from the motor vehicle 1 and is schematically shown. For this purpose, the charging device comprises, on the one hand, a charging socket 3 which is inserted into an opening 2 of the motor vehicle 1 and, on the other hand, a charging plug 4 which can be inserted into the charging socket. The charging socket 3 is therefore a component of the motor vehicle 1 according to this exemplary embodiment, while the charging plug 4 belongs to a charging infrastructure which is not described in detail and which is explained in the introduction to the description.

[0037] Once the charging plug 4 has been inserted into the charging socket 3, the charging plug 4 can be locked in the charging socket 3. This is necessary to ensure a reliable current transmission from the charging infrastructure to the energy storage device on the vehicle body. For this purpose, the openings 5, 6 are realized on the one hand in the charging socket 3 and on the other hand in the charging plug 4. Here, in the state where the charging plug 4 is inserted into the charging socket 3, the opening 5 in the charging plug 4 and the opening 6 in the charging socket 3 overlap and are penetrated by the locking element 7 for mutual locking. For this purpose, the locking element 7 is moved into its "locked" position. If, on the contrary, the locking element 7 occupies its "unlocked" position, the charging plug 4 can be removed from the charging socket 3.

[0038] In order to realize the displacement movement and adjustment of the locking element 7, an electric drive 8 is implemented. The electric drive 8 is located in the corresponding housing or drive housing 9. The detailed structure of the electric drive 8 can be realized and implemented as described in principle in EP 3 729 566 B1 cited at the beginning. That is, the electric drive 8 usually has an electric motor and an output gear meshing therewith, the rotational movement of which is converted into a linear movement of the locking element 7.

[0039] The charging socket 3 can additionally have its own housing or socket housing 10. In principle, however, the drive housing 9 for receiving the electric drive 8 on the one hand and the socket housing 10 for receiving the charging socket 3 on the other hand can also be completely or partially combined with each other or transition into each other. However, according to this embodiment, the two housings 9, 10 are separated from each other in terms of position and function.

[0040] It can be seen that the locking element 7 is guided to the outside of the drive housing 9 through the seal 11 in the housing or the opening of the drive housing 9 or in the region of the housing opening. As a result, the locking element 7 can be carried out in its axial direction A. Figure 3. The exposed and pulled-out position of the locking element 7 here belongs to the "locked" functional position and results in the locking element 7, in the inserted state, passing through two holes or openings 5, 6 aligned with one another in the charging socket 3 on the one hand and the charging plug 4 on the other hand. As a result, the current is now transmitted via the charging plug 4 into the charging socket 3 and thus to the energy storage device on the motor vehicle. In contrast, the retracted position of the locking element 7 in its "unlocked" functional position corresponds to the current flow being interrupted and the charging plug 4 being able to be pulled out of the charging socket 3.

[0041] Now, of particular inventive significance is the fact that the locking element 7 is not only inserted into the housing or drive housing 9 through the opening in the seal 11. Furthermore, the locking element 7 is additionally provided with a flexible hose covering 12 extending from the seal 11. According to this embodiment, the hose covering 12 is made of an elastomeric plastic. The housing or drive housing 9 is also made of a (rigid) thermoplastic.

[0042] According to this embodiment and in particular Figure 2 In the exploded view in FIG. 1 , it can be seen that the flexible hose sheath 12 is designed as a corrugated tube 12 made of an elastomeric plastic, for example. In addition, it can be designed so that the hose sheath 12 is connected to the seal 11 on the one hand and to the locking element 7 on the other hand. For this purpose, on the one hand, the end of the hose sheath 12 on the locking element side is detachably connected to the locking element 7. In contrast, on the other hand, the end of the flexible hose sheath 12 on the seal side is permanently connected to the seal 11 in an irremovable manner, as will be explained in detail below. In principle, the flexible hose sheath 12 or its end on the seal side can also be connected to the drive housing 9, which surrounds the seal 11. A combined method is also conceivable.

[0043] The end of the tube covering 12 on the locking element side is detachably connected to the locking element 7. This can be done by means of Figure 4 . With the aid of this illustrated description it can be clearly seen that for this purpose the locking element 7 is provided with at least one groove 7a. In fact, according to this embodiment, a plurality of annular grooves 7a are provided, which are spaced apart from one another in the axial direction A. A compression ring 12a as part of the flexible hose sheath or bellows 12 can be releasably engaged in the groove or annular groove 7a. According to this embodiment, the relevant compression ring 12a is embedded in the hose sheath 12 at the end on the locking element side. Of course, it is also possible to work with a separately constructed compression ring 12a as an alternative.

[0044] In this way, it is possible to change the axial distance of the end of the hose covering 12 on the locking element side relative to the seal 11 penetrated by the locking element 7. As a result, the flexible hose covering 12 or the corrugated tube 12 realized according to this embodiment can be "stretched" or "compressed" as required.

[0045] In contrast, a cover cap 13 is provided for the end portion of the hose covering 12 on the seal side. According to this embodiment, the cover cap 13 is designed as a cover cap ring 13 surrounding the hose covering 12. In particular, according to Figure 2 The decomposition diagram and the basis Figure 3 Compared with the assembly position of the cover cap 13, it is clear that the cover cap 13 is fitted with the locking element 7 and the flexible hose sheath 12 mounted on the locking element for assembly. In addition, according to this embodiment, the cover cap ring 13 is placed on the seal 11 and connected to it. For this purpose, the seal 11 and the cover cap ring 13 are respectively made of plastic.

[0046] In fact, according to this exemplary embodiment, the cover cap 13 is connected in a materially bonded manner to the seal 11. In principle, the cover cap or the cover cap ring 13 can also be connected to the housing 9, more precisely also in a materially bonded manner, but this is not shown.

[0047] It can be seen that for this purpose, the seal 11 is provided with circumferentially protruding tabs 14. Here, the tabs 14 engage in circumferential grooves of the cover cap ring 13, which are not explicitly shown. However, according to this embodiment, the opposite is done. In this case, the cover cap ring 13 is provided with relevant circumferentially side tabs, which engage in the grooves formed between the circumferentially side tabs 14 of the seal 11. In this way, the cover cap ring 13 on the one hand and the seal 11 on the other hand can be connected to each other in a material-locking manner, for example, by a plastic welding process. In this case, friction welding processes or ultrasonic welding processes are usually used.

[0048] In both cases, the plastic of the cover cap ring 13 and / or the plastic of the seal 11 is at least partially melted, so that the two components 11, 13 are connected to each other in a materially bonded manner. Also conceivable is an adhesive connection or a connection using connecting means, such as screws.

[0049] In this way, on the one hand, the flexible hose sheath 12 is sealed with respect to the locking element 7. On the other hand, the housing 9 in which the electric drive 8 is accommodated is also additionally sealed. As a result, when the locking element 7 is adjusted in its axial direction A, the corresponding Figure 3 As shown in the illustration, pressure fluctuations occur inside the housing or drive housing 9.

[0050] Now in order to compensate for these pressure fluctuations, according to Figure 5 , the housing 9 is equipped with a pressure-balancing diaphragm 15. Here, according to this embodiment, the pressure-balancing diaphragm 15 is located in the bottom surface of the housing 9, which is oriented opposite to the top surface, which is equipped with a seal 11 and a locking element 7 passing through the seal 11. As a result, any possible ingress of moisture through the pressure-balancing diaphragm 15 is almost excluded. In addition, it is advantageous that the pressure-balancing diaphragm 15 is also preferably designed to be watertight. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the pressure-balancing diaphragm 15 is adhesively connected to the bottom surface of the housing or drive housing 9.

[0051] As soon as the previously mentioned adjustment movement of the locking element 7 relative to the housing or drive housing 9 occurs, this adjustment movement and the associated pressure fluctuations are compensated by the pressure compensation diaphragm 15. This is because any overpressure inside the housing 9 can be vented by the pressure compensation diaphragm 15. The same applies to any negative pressure.

[0052] List of reference numerals:

[0053] Motor Vehicle 1

[0054] Opening 2

[0055] Charging socket 3

[0056] Charging plug 4

[0057] Opening 5, 6

[0058] Locking element 7

[0059] Annular groove 7a

[0060] Drive device 8

[0061] Drive housing 9

[0062] Socket housing 10

[0063] Housing 9, 10

[0064] Seal 11

[0065] Hose wrap 12

[0066] Bellows 12

[0067] Compression ring 12a

[0068] Cover ring 13

[0069] Splice 14

[0070] Pressure balance diaphragm 15

[0071] Axial direction A

Claims

1. A charging device for a motor vehicle (1), comprising a movable locking element (7) which is provided for releasably locking a charging plug (4) in a charging socket (3) or vice versa, and further comprising an electric drive (8) for adjusting the locking element (7) at least into its "unlocked" position and its "locked" position, wherein: The locking element (7) is guided outward through a seal (11) in the opening region of the housing (9). It is characterized in that The locking element (7) is additionally provided with a flexible hose covering (12) which projects from the seal (11).

2. The charging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flexible hose covering (12) is designed as a bellows (12) made of an elastomeric plastic, for example.

3. The charging device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The hose covering (12) is connected on the one hand to the seal (11) or to a housing (9) surrounding the seal (11) and on the other hand to the locking element (7).

4. The charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The end of the hose covering (12) on the locking element side is detachably connected to the locking element (7) and preferably fixedly connected to the seal (11) and / or the housing (9).

5. The charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The end of the hose covering (12) on the locking element side engages detachably in at least one groove (7a), in particular a circumferential annular groove (7a), of the locking element (7).

6. The charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The end of the hose covering (12) on the locking element side has a compression ring (12a) or is designed as a compression ring.

7. The charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: A covering cap (13), in particular a covering cap ring (13) which surrounds the hose covering (12), is provided for the end section of the hose covering (12) on the seal side.

8. The charging device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The cover cap (13) is connected to the seal (11) and / or the housing (9) in a material-locking manner.

9. The charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The housing (9) is equipped with a preferably watertight pressure-balancing diaphragm (15).

10. A motor vehicle (1) having a charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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