Charging socket device for motor vehicle and method for emergency unlocking of charging plug connection

Abstract

The invention relates to a charging socket device for a motor vehicle and a method for emergency unlocking of a charging plug connection. The charging socket device has a locking unit with a locking element which can be adjusted between a locking position, in which the locking element protrudes out of a locking unit housing by a locking amount transversely to the longitudinal direction of the charging socket device, and a release position, in which the locking element protrudes out of the locking unit housing by a locking amount transversely to the longitudinal direction of the charging socket device. In the release position, the locking element protrudes from the shell by a distance smaller than the locking amount or is completely embedded into the shell; the sliding part is supported on the locking unit in a manner of translating between a dismounting position and a mounting position along the longitudinal direction, and the first guide groove element is fixed on the sliding part; the plug receiving unit and the second guide slot element are fixed on the plug receiving unit, one guide slot element is a guide slot, the other guide slot element is a guide slot pin, the guide slot elements form a guide slot mechanism of the charging socket device, and the guide slot is arranged obliquely relative to the longitudinal direction. Movement of the slider in the longitudinal direction causes movement of the locking unit in the height direction of the charging socket device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a charging socket device for an automobile and a method for emergency unlocking of the charging plug connection, wherein the automobile having the charging socket device or body component is initially connected to a charging point. Background Technology

[0002] There is a known need to ensure the security of charging connections to prevent unauthorized disconnection and theft of charging cables, in which the vehicle to be charged and the charging point for transmitting electrical energy are connected via a charging cable. Therefore, this charging connection has a locking mechanism to ensure that the charging plug of the charging cable in the charging socket on the vehicle side and / or the charging socket on the charging point side cannot be pulled out. This locking mechanism must be positioned with exceptional precision to ensure its trouble-free operation. Therefore, conventional locking mechanisms, particularly their actuators, are typically secured by threaded connections.

[0003] However, this threaded connection hinders quick emergency unlocking of the charging plug because loosening the locking mechanism is time-consuming and it's not always possible to access the threaded element without effort when removing the car (especially when the body shape is designed to be noticeably raised). Typically, the locking mechanism cannot be removed without disassembling the entire charging socket assembly. Instead, the simple installation of the locking mechanism often involves a specific installation sequence, where the charging socket unit and locking mechanism are first assembled as a component, and then the component is installed. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to simplify the installation and removal of the locking mechanism of the charging socket unit, and in particular to realize a particularly simple and implementable emergency unlocking of the charging plug connection.

[0005] According to the present invention, a charging socket device for an automobile with a locking unit is provided. The locking unit includes a locking element, which is configured, for example, as a locking pin that is translatably movable. The locking element is adjustable between a locked position and a released position. In the locked position, the locking element protrudes from the housing of the locking unit transversely to the longitudinal direction (x) of the charging socket device by a locking amount. In the released position, the locking element protrudes from the housing by a distance less than the locking amount or is completely submerged in the housing. The charging socket device also includes a slider supported on the locking unit in a manner that allows translational movement along the longitudinal direction (x) between a disassembled position and an installed position. A first guide groove element is fixedly positioned on the slider. Furthermore, the charging socket device has a plug receiving unit, on which a second guide groove element is fixedly positioned.

[0006] The guide element is designed as a guide channel, and the corresponding guide element is designed as a guide pin. A guide mechanism is formed by the guide elements, i.e., by the guide channel and the guide pin, which is achieved by engaging the two guide elements together, i.e., by inserting the guide pin into the guide channel. Once the two guide elements are engaged, i.e., once the guide pin is inserted into the guide channel, the guide mechanism is formed. The guide channel is arranged at an angle relative to the longitudinal direction (x), and is arranged such that movement of the slider in the longitudinal direction (x) causes movement of the locking unit in the height direction (z) of the charging socket device.

[0007] The installation or assembly of the charging socket device is as follows: The locking unit and the plug receiving unit are initially separated from each other and positioned relative to each other along the height direction (z) of the charging socket device. The sliding member is then first moved to the disassembled position. Then, the locking unit and the plug receiving unit move toward each other along the height direction (z) until the guide slot elements engage. Thus, during the disassembled position of the sliding member, the guide slot mechanism is formed by the opposing movement of the locking unit and the plug receiving unit, wherein the guide slot pin is inserted into the guide slot. By the movement of the sliding member along the installation direction, i.e., from its disassembled position to its installed position, the guide slot pin slides within the guide slot on the wall of the guide slot, thereby causing the movement of the sliding member along the longitudinal direction (x) toward the installed position to result in the movement of the locking unit along the height direction (z)—the locking unit and the plug receiving unit thus move toward each other. The first and second guide slot elements are positioned such that once the sliding members are nested together, the guide slot elements are fully moved to their installed position, and the locking unit and the plug receiving unit are arranged relative to each other in the intended installation position. Specifically, when the slider is fully moved to the mounting position with the guide groove elements nested together, the locking unit and the plug receiving unit are pressed against each other. In this way, the locking unit and the plug receiving unit can be effectively and securely connected by moving the slider to its mounting position. If the locking unit and the plug receiving unit are already connected as intended, a form-fit connection is established between the locking unit and the plug receiving unit by the guide groove mechanism, which prevents the locking unit and the plug receiving unit from moving apart in the height direction.

[0008] By positioning the locking unit and the plug receiving unit relative to each other for assembly or installation, a guide groove mechanism is first created, and then the locking unit and the plug receiving unit are pressed together by moving the slider from its disassembled position to its installed position using the guide groove mechanism. This eliminates the need for complex manual mutual orientation of the locking unit and the plug receiving unit. Because, by means of the guide groove mechanism—viewed relative to the plug receiving unit—the locking unit moves to the desired final position by moving the slider in the direction of the installation position. Furthermore, the use of a charging socket device eliminates the need for screws or other fastening elements for connecting the locking unit and the plug receiving unit. Further advantageously, due to the guide groove mechanism, the assembly of the locking unit and the plug receiving unit is particularly fast, and it should be noted that tools are advantageously not required to connect the locking unit and the plug receiving unit.

[0009] A particular advantage is that the charging socket device enables a remarkably simple emergency unlocking of the charging connection. Another subject of the invention is a method for emergency unlocking of a charging connection. The method is based on the following initial situation: First, in a charging connection, a vehicle with a charging socket device and a charging point (e.g., a charging pile) are interconnected via a charging cable. For this purpose, the charging plug and plug receiving unit of the charging cable are interconnected, wherein a locking element arranged in a locked position engages within a locking element receiving portion of the charging plug, thereby preventing the charging plug from being pulled out of the charging socket device in the longitudinal direction. In the method, a slider is now moved in the longitudinal direction (x) in the disassembly direction—that is, from its installation position toward its disassembly position—causing the locking unit and the locking element arranged in the locked position to move together in the height direction (z), thereby removing the locking element from the locking element receiving portion of the charging plug. Because the guide pin slides again against the wall of the guide groove when the slider moves in the direction of its disassembly position, but now slides in the opposite direction to the direction during assembly or installation of the charging socket. This causes the locking unit and the plug receiving unit to move away from each other.

[0010] If a malfunction occurs that prevents the locking element from being adjusted to its released position, such as a defective actuator used to adjust the locking element, the user can loosen the form-fitting lock on the charging plug. No special training is required for this; due to the simple construction of the charging socket device, anyone can perform this method. Furthermore, emergency unlocking is non-destructive, meaning the locking unit, plug receiving unit, and charging plug are not damaged. Additionally, installing a new or repaired locking unit according to the above installation procedure is particularly easy and effortless.

[0011] According to a first embodiment of the charging socket device, the first guide groove element arranged on the locking unit is designed as a guide groove, while the second guide groove element arranged on the plug receiving unit is designed as a guide groove pin. In a second embodiment of the charging socket device, different from the first embodiment, the first guide groove element arranged on the locking unit is designed as a guide groove pin, while the second guide groove element arranged on the plug receiving unit is designed as a guide groove. The improvements explained below apply to both the first and second embodiments of the charging socket device.

[0012] In a possible improvement to the charging socket device, the guide groove and the longitudinal direction form an angle of up to 45 degrees. This angle is, for example, 30 degrees. This angle allows the force that causes the sliding member to move in the installation or disassembly direction to be converted particularly effectively into a force that causes the locking unit to move in the height direction (z) toward the plug receiving unit. This achieves a force transmission mechanism that advantageously allows the user to securely install the locking unit with minimal force. Due to the force transmission provided by the guide groove mechanism, resistance encountered when the locking unit moves toward the plug receiving unit, such as the installation resistance of placing the seal within its sealing seat, can be overcome particularly easily or with minimal effort. Similarly, the user only needs to apply a very small force to disassemble the locking device, supporting the concept of particularly simple operation and easy release for emergency unlocking. If the locking unit adheres undesirably to the plug receiving unit, for example due to dirt or hardened sealing elements, this adhesion force is easily overcome when the sliding member moves in the direction of disassembly, thanks to the guide groove arranged obliquely to the longitudinal axis.

[0013] According to possible improvements, the charging socket device has a locking unit by which a sliding member can be locked in its mounting position to prevent longitudinal movement. The locking unit has a locking element disposed on or within a guide groove. By means of the locking element, the guide pin can be locked in a position within the guide groove associated with the mounting position. For example, the locking element is designed such that the boundary of the guide groove wall is limited to a local bulge, or the boundary of the guide groove is limited to a local narrowing, such that when the sliding member moves to its mounting position, a locking force must be applied to the sliding member to overcome the locking element so that the locking element passes through with the guide pin. The locking force is higher than the kinetic force that would allow the sliding member to move when the guide pin and the locking element are not in contact. Because the locking element secures the guide pin within the mounting position of the sliding member in the guide groove to prevent movement, it ensures that the sliding member does not accidentally loosen from the mounting position, for example, due to vibrations occurring during the operation of a vehicle equipped with the charging socket device that affect the charging socket device.

[0014] The charging socket device has a centering unit—as provided by another possible configuration—with a first centering element or two or more first centering elements on the locking unit. According to this configuration, the locking unit has a second centering element or two or more second centering elements on the plug receiving unit. The centering elements are arranged in pairs (one of each first centering element is connected to one of each second centering element) to form a corresponding form-fit connection, which prevents movement of the locking unit relative to the plug receiving unit in both the longitudinal and lateral (y) directions of the charging socket device. Specifically, for assembling / installing the charging socket device, one or more of these form-fit connections are first manufactured, which then serve as linear guides for moving the locking unit and the plug receiving unit toward each other. Therefore, the locking unit and the plug receiving unit can be aligned with particular precision for assembling the charging socket device. Furthermore, due to the nested centering elements, the locking unit and the plug receiving unit are particularly firmly fixed in position relative to each other, making it possible to prevent relative movement of the locking unit relative to the plug receiving unit as needed.

[0015] According to another possible embodiment of the charging socket device, apart from the guide mechanism, the charging socket device does not include any other force transmission mechanisms designed to move the entire locking unit relative to the plug receiving unit. This excludes adjusting actuators designed to adjust the locking element, as adjusting actuators only move the locking element and not the entire locking unit. Therefore, only the movement of the guide mechanism is required for both installing and removing the locking device, making installation and removal particularly simple. In particular, Bowden control lines and spur gear drives are eliminated, as they have many individual components and are particularly complex to assemble and prone to failure.

[0016] To further simplify emergency unlocking for users, another possible implementation specifies that the operating portion of the slider, such as a handle, can be reached without tools within an accessible area on the inside of the vehicle body component, in the intended installation location of the charging socket device. In other words, if the charging socket device is installed as intended in the vehicle, the operating portion of the slider is located on the interior space side of the vehicle. For example, it is conceivable to arrange the operating portion within the wheel arches of the vehicle. To protect the operating portion of the slider from unauthorized access, a possible improvement specifies that the operating portion of the slider is arranged in the intended installation location of the charging socket device within an area on the interior space side of the vehicle, an area that can only be unlocked by the vehicle's unlocking element, such as a key element coded according to the vehicle, which is typically used to unlock or lock the passenger area of ​​the vehicle and / or to activate the vehicle. It should be understood that the unlocking element or key element is not a tool, i.e., not a screwdriver or other tool, but a component used by the end user of the vehicle for the normal operation of the vehicle.

[0017] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention can be obtained from the following description of possible embodiments and from the accompanying drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned in the description above, as well as the features and combinations of features shown separately in the description of the drawings and / or in the drawings below, can be used not only in their respective specified combinations, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0018] In the attached diagram:

[0019] Figure 1 The diagram and cross-sectional view of the charging socket device are shown, wherein the locking unit and the plug receiving unit of the charging socket device are separate from each other.

[0020] Figure 2 A schematic diagram and cross-sectional view of the charging socket device are shown, in which a guide groove mechanism is formed for assembling the locking unit and the plug receiving unit.

[0021] Figure 3 The diagram and cross-sectional view of the charging socket device are shown, in which the movement of the guide groove mechanism is converted into movement that causes the locking unit and the plug receiving unit to move toward each other.

[0022] Figure 4 A schematic diagram and cross-sectional view of the charging socket device are shown, wherein the slider of the locking unit is locked in the locked position.

[0023] Figure 5 A schematic diagram and cross-sectional view of a charging socket device in a fully installed state are shown, in which a charging plug into which a charging cable can be inserted are displayed.

[0024] Figure 6 The diagram and cross-sectional view of the charging socket device are shown, in which a charging plug is inserted and protected from being pulled out by a locking element of a locking unit.

[0025] Figure 7 A schematic diagram and cross-sectional view of another variant of the charging socket device are shown, wherein the locking unit and the plug receiving unit of the charging socket device are separate from each other, and

[0026] Figure 8 A schematic diagram and cross-sectional view of another variation of the charging socket device are shown, wherein the charging socket device is fully installed and a charging plug is inserted therein, and the charging plug is protected from being pulled out by a locking element. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The charging socket device 1, its installation, removal, and emergency unlocking method for the charging connection are described in the following common description. Identical and functional components in the figures have the same reference numerals.

[0028] Figures 1 to 5 The assembly process in which the locking unit 2 of the charging socket device 1 is interconnected with the plug receiving unit 3 of the charging socket device 1 is shown. For simplicity, it is assumed in the following description that the plug receiving unit 3 does not move during the assembly process. Furthermore, a coordinate system is established, based on which the longitudinal direction x, the lateral direction y, and the height direction z are defined for the charging socket device 1. Figure 1 A schematic diagram and cross-sectional view of the charging socket device 1 are shown, wherein the locking unit 2 and the plug receiving unit 3 of the charging socket device 1 are initially separated from each other.

[0029] As can be seen from the figure, the charging socket device 1 has a slider 4, which is capable of being in the detached position along the longitudinal direction x (see figure). Figure 1 , Figure 2 ) and installation location (see Figure 5 The slider 4 is supported on the locking unit 2, which in turn is supported on the housing 5 of the locking unit 2, allowing it to move translatably between the two components. For example, the slider 4 has a straight elongated hole 4a, into which the guide pin 5a of the housing 5 engages. This is provided only as an example; other and / or other types of linear supports can be conceived to support the slider 4 on the housing 5, such as guide grooves into which the slider 4 is slidably embedded. The first guide groove element 6 is fixedly positioned on the slider 4. Furthermore, the charging socket device 1 has a second guide groove element 7, which is fixedly positioned on the plug receiving unit 3. Figures 1 to 6The image shows a first variation of the charging socket device 1, wherein the first guide groove element 6 arranged on the locking unit 2 is designed as a guide groove 8, and the second guide groove element 7 arranged on the plug receiving unit 3 is designed as a guide groove pin 9. Figure 7 and Figure 8 A second variant of the charging socket device 1, different from the first variant, is shown. In the second variant of the charging socket device 1, the first guide groove element 6 arranged on the locking unit 2 is designed as a guide groove pin 9, and the second guide groove element 7 arranged on the plug receiving unit 3 is designed as a guide groove 8.

[0030] When assembling the charging socket device 1, the guide groove mechanism 10 is always formed by guide groove elements 6 and 7 (i.e., by guide groove 8 and guide groove pin 9). This is achieved by engaging the two guide groove elements 6 and 7 together, as shown in... Figure 2 As illustrated in the diagram. For this purpose, the locking unit 2 moves along the longitudinal direction x toward the plug receiving unit 3, thereby engaging the guide slot elements 6 and 7 and thus forming the guide slot mechanism 10. Therefore, in this state, the guide slot pin 9 is inserted into the guide slot 8.

[0031] As can also be seen from the figure, the charging socket device 1 has a centering unit 11, which has a first centering element 12 disposed on the locking unit 2. In this example, the first centering element 12 is designed as a centering flange 12a. The centering unit 11 also includes a second centering element 13 corresponding to the first centering element 12, which is disposed on the plug receiving unit 3. Since the first centering element 12 is designed as a centering flange 12a protruding from the housing 5 of the locking unit 2 in this example, the second centering element 13 is designed as a centering flange receiving portion 13a of the plug receiving unit 3. To further facilitate the movement of the locking unit 2 toward the plug receiving unit 3, it is also specified in the example described here that the centering unit 11 has another first centering element 12 and a corresponding second centering element 13. Therefore, as can be seen from the figure, one of the other first centering elements 12 is designed as a centering pin 12b, and one of the other second centering elements 13 is designed as a centering pin receiving portion 13b. Through the cooperation of the centering pin 12b and the centering pin receiving part 13b, the locking unit 2 is guided to move relative to the plug receiving unit 3 along the height axis z—specifically, at this time, the centering flange 12a and the centering flange receiving part 13a are not yet in contact with each other. The centering elements 12b and 13b—and once in contact—also serve as a pair of linear guides for mounting the charging socket device 1. It can be seen that the centering elements 12 and 13 of the centering unit 11 form a form-fit connection, which prevents the locking unit 2 from moving relative to the plug receiving unit 3 in the longitudinal direction x and the lateral direction y. This applies both during the installation of the charging socket device 1 and in the fully installed state of the charging socket device 1.

[0032] exist Figure 2 As shown in the diagram, the slider 4 is removed from its detached position for further assembly of the charging socket assembly 1 (see [reference]). Figure 1 , Figure 2 ) disengages, which is achieved by the slider 4 along the longitudinal direction x toward the mounting position, i.e., along the mounting direction (see Figure 5 This is achieved through movement. Consequently, the first guide groove element 6 (guide groove 8 in this variant), whose position is fixed on the slider 4, moves along the longitudinal direction x. In this respect... Figure 3 A charging socket device 1 is shown, wherein the movement of the guide groove mechanism 10 is converted into the movement of the locking unit 2 toward the plug receiving unit 3. It is evident that the guide groove 8 is arranged obliquely relative to the longitudinal direction x, such that the movement of the slider 4 along the longitudinal direction x causes the locking unit 2 to move along the height direction z. More precisely: by moving the slider 4 from its dismounted position (… Figure 1 , Figure 2 ) Move to its installation position ( Figure 5 The guide pin 9, which is engaged in the guide groove 8, slides along the wall of the guide groove 8. Thus, the movement of the sliding member 4 in the longitudinal direction x toward the installation position is converted into the movement of the locking unit 2 in the height direction z, that is, the movement toward the plug receiving unit 3, which in this case is the movement opposite to the height direction z. Figure 3 The charging socket device 1 is shown in its state during assembly, with the slider 4 in the detached position. Figure 1 , Figure 2 It has detached, but is not yet fully positioned in its installation location. Figure 5 The guide groove 8 forms an angle α with the longitudinal direction x, with a maximum angle of 45 degrees. In this example, the angle is 30 degrees. Thus, the force causing the slider 4 to move along the installation direction is particularly effectively converted into a force causing the locking unit 2 to move against the height direction z towards the plug receiving unit 3.

[0033] In this state of the charging socket device 1—the slider 4 moves from the disassembled position through the guide groove elements 6 and 7 that are nested and engaged with each other until… Figure 4 In the connection position shown, locking unit 2 and plug receiving unit 3 are connected to each other and pressed against each other along the height direction z. From Figure 4 As can be seen, the guide groove elements 6 and 7 are arranged in such a way that when the guide groove elements 6 and 7 are engaged with each other, once the guide groove elements 6 and 7, which are nested together with each other, move to their connection position, the locking unit 2 and the plug receiving unit 3 are arranged opposite each other in the expected installation position.

[0034] According to this example, the charging socket device 1 also has a locking unit 14 by which the slider 4 can be locked in its mounting position to prevent movement in the longitudinal direction x. The locking unit 14 has a locking element 15 arranged on or within the guide groove 8. By means of the locking element 15, the guide pin 9 is locked in the guide groove 8 at a position associated with the mounting position of the slider 4. In this example, the locking element 15 is designed such that the boundary of one of the walls of the guide groove 8 is limited to a local bulge, thereby causing a local narrowing of the guide groove 8 at the bulge location. When the slider 4 moves to the assembled position, a locking force is applied to the slider 4 in the longitudinal direction x, the locking force being greater than the force required to move the slider 4 past the locking element 15. It may be specified that the locking unit 14 has an additional locking element. Thus, as can be seen by way of example in the figure, the additional locking element 15a is designed such that another boundary of the elongated hole 4a is limited to a local bulge.

[0035] Figure 5 The fully assembled charging socket device 1 is shown, wherein the slider 4 is fully arranged in the installation position, such that, on the one hand, the locking unit 2 and the plug receiving unit 3 are pressed against each other in the height direction z by the guide groove mechanism 10, and on the other hand, the relative movement between the guide groove pin 9 engaged in the guide groove 8 and the guide groove 8 is locked by the locking unit 14. Figure 5 The diagram further illustrates a charging plug 16 as part of a charging cable. The charging plug 16 can be inserted into the charging socket device 1, specifically into the plug receiving unit 3 of the charging socket device 1, to establish a charging connection 17. Through this charging connection, a vehicle equipped with the charging socket device 1 that can be driven purely electric or in a hybrid configuration (i.e., its traction battery) and a charging point (e.g., a charging station) are coupled together to transfer electrical energy. The charging connection 17... Figure 6 As shown in the image.

[0036] Locking unit 2 has a locking element 18, which is designed as a translationally movable locking pin. The locking element 18 can be adjusted between a released position and a locked position by an adjusting actuator (not shown; arranged within the housing 5 of locking unit 2). In the locked position, the locking element 18 protrudes from the housing 5 of locking unit 2 laterally in the longitudinal direction x by a locking amount. In the released position, the locking element 18 protrudes from the housing 5 by a distance less than the locking amount, or is completely submerged within the housing 5. Figure 5 As can be seen, the locking element 18 is arranged in the released position to allow the charging plug 16 to be inserted into the plug receiving unit 3. In the charging plug connection 17—see… Figure 6- The locking element 18 is arranged in the locking position and penetrates the locking element opening 19 of the plug receiving unit 3 along the height direction z, wherein the locking element 18 is engaged with the locking element receiving portion 20 of the charging plug 16 in a form-fit manner. Thus, the charging plug 16 is fixed in the plug receiving unit 3.

[0037] Therefore, the locking element 18 (here, the locking pin) must be removed from the locking element receiving part 20 of the charging plug 16 so that the charging plug 16 can be pulled out of the charging socket device 1 without damage. When the charging socket device 1 is functioning normally and without faults, the adjusting actuator is controlled accordingly so that the locking element 18 is adjusted to the release position by the adjusting actuator.

[0038] However, it is possible that the locking element 18 cannot be moved to the release position by the adjusting actuator, for example, if the adjusting actuator is defective, does not receive driving energy, or the adjusting element is mechanically jammed, making the adjusting force available by the adjusting actuator insufficient to move the adjusting element. This occurs when the sealing element 24—e.g., a sealing ring—is located, for example, on the outer periphery of the centering flange 12a and seals the centering flange receiving portion 12b during the assembly of the charging socket device 1 (see, for example, see...). Figure 4 It hardens and hinders simple movement of the centering flange 12a along the height direction.

[0039] In this situation, the emergency unlocking method for charging connector 17 comes into play, which is performed as follows: the slider 4 moves along the longitudinal direction x in a disassembly direction opposite to the installation direction (in this case, along the longitudinal direction x), i.e., from the installation position (see... Figure 4 Towards the disassembly location (see) Figure 1 The locking unit 2 moves along the height direction z together with the locking element 18 arranged in the locked position, thereby removing the locking element 18 from the locking receiver of the charging plug 16. Because the guide pin 9 slides again on the wall of the guide groove 8 when the slider 4 moves toward the disassembly position, and the current direction is opposite to the direction when assembling or installing the charging socket device 1. Therefore, the locking unit 2 and the plug receiver 3 move apart from each other and are thus disassembled from each other. In short, for emergency unlocking, the steps of assembling the charging socket device 1 are performed in reverse order. Since assembly (see above) does not require tools, emergency unlocking can also be performed without tools at all.

[0040] According to this example, it is further specified that, apart from the guide mechanism 10, the charging socket device 1 does not have any other force transmission mechanism designed to move the entire locking unit 2 relative to the plug receiving unit 3. This does not include adjustment actuators. In particular, the charging socket device 1 does not have Bowden control lines or spur gear drives, etc. Therefore, only movement of the guide mechanism 10 is required for installing and removing the locking unit 2.

[0041] Furthermore, it is stipulated that, in the intended installation location of the charging socket device 1, the operating portion 21 of the slider 4 can be reached within an accessible area on the inner side 22 of the body component 23 without the use of tools. The operating portion 21 is specifically designed as a handle or the like, allowing the user to grip it particularly easily. If the charging socket device 1 is installed in the vehicle as intended, the operating portion 21 of the slider 4 is located on the interior space side of the vehicle. In particular, the operating portion 21 is arranged in an area on the interior space side of the vehicle that can be unlocked by an unlocking element for the vehicle, such as an unlocking element or key element according to the vehicle code. The unlocking element or key element is not a tool.

[0042] exist Figure 7 and Figure 8 The second variant of the charging socket device 1 illustrated differs from the first variant of the charging socket device 1 currently explained in that the first guide groove element 6 arranged on the locking unit 2 is designed as a guide groove pin 9, while the second guide groove element 7 arranged on the plug receiving unit 3 is designed as a guide groove 8. Compared to the first variant, there are no other differences in installation and emergency unlocking, as well as in structure and function. Therefore, the above regarding... Figure 7 The state of the charging socket device 1 shown in the figure starts from Figure 8 The description of the assembly state of the charging socket device 1 shown in the figure applies similarly to the second variant. Furthermore, the above description of the emergency unlocking method for the charging plug connection 17 applies similarly to the second variant.

[0043] The charging socket device 1 according to the invention demonstrates a possible solution for simplifying the installation and removal of the locking mechanism of the charging socket unit. Furthermore, the charging socket device 1 allows for a particularly simple and convenient emergency unlocking method for the charging plug connection 17.

[0044] List of reference numerals

[0045] 1. Charging socket device

[0046] 2 Locking Unit

[0047] 3. Plug receiving unit

[0048] 4. Sliding component

[0049] 4a Long hole

[0050] 5. Housing

[0051] 5a Guide Pin

[0052] 6 First guide slot element

[0053] 7 Second guide slot element

[0054] 8 guide grooves

[0055] 9 Guide pins

[0056] 10 Guide groove mechanism

[0057] 11 Centering Unit

[0058] 12 First centering element

[0059] 12a Centering flange

[0060] 13 Second centering element

[0061] 13a Centering flange receiving part

[0062] 14 Locking Unit

[0063] 15 Locking elements

[0064] 15a Another locking element

[0065] 16 Charging plug

[0066] 17 Charging Plug Connection

[0067] 18 Locking elements

[0068] 19 Locking element opening

[0069] 20 Locking element receiving section

[0070] 21 Operation Section

[0071] 22 Inner side

[0072] 23 Body components

[0073] 24 Sealing elements

[0074] α angle

[0075] x Vertical direction

[0076] y (horizontal direction)

[0077] z-axis

Claims

1. A charging socket device (1) for an automobile, the charging socket device (1) comprising: - A locking unit (2) having a locking element (18) adjustable between a locked position and a released position, wherein in the locked position the locking element (18) protrudes from the housing (5) of the locking unit (2) by a locking amount transverse to the longitudinal direction (x) of the charging socket device (1), and in the released position the locking element (18) protrudes from the housing (5) by a distance less than the locking amount or is completely submerged in the housing (5). - A sliding member (4) is supported on the locking unit (2) in a manner that allows it to move translatably between a disassembled position and an installed position along the longitudinal direction (x), and a first guide groove element (6) is fixedly positioned on the sliding member (4). - The plug receiving unit (3) and the second guide groove element (7) are fixed on the plug receiving unit (3). in, One of the guide elements (6, 7) is designed as a guide groove (8), and the other guide element (6, 7) is designed as a guide pin (9), thereby forming or being able to form a guide groove mechanism (10) of the charging socket device (1) by means of the guide elements (6, 7), and the guide groove (8) is arranged obliquely relative to the longitudinal direction (x), such that the movement of the slider (4) along the longitudinal direction (x) causes the locking unit (2) to move along the height direction (z) of the charging socket device (1).

2. The charging socket device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first guide groove element (6) arranged on the locking unit (2) is designed as a guide groove (8), while the second guide groove element (7) arranged on the plug receiving unit (3) is designed as a guide groove pin (9).

3. The charging socket device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first guide slot element (6) arranged on the locking unit (2) is designed as a guide slot pin (9), while the second guide slot element (7) arranged on the plug receiving unit (3) is designed as a guide slot (8).

4. The charging socket device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The guide groove (8) and the longitudinal direction (x) form an angle (α) of up to 45 degrees with each other.

5. The charging socket device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The locking unit (14) is capable of locking the slider (4) in its installation position to prevent movement along the longitudinal direction (x), wherein the locking unit (14) has a locking element (15) arranged on or within the guide groove (8), and the guide groove pin (9) is capable of being locked in the guide groove (8) in a position related to the installation position of the slider (4) by means of the locking element (15).

6. The charging socket device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, A centering unit (11) having a first centering element (12) on the locking unit (2) and a second centering element (13) on the plug receiving unit (3), the first centering element and the second centering element being configured to form a shape-fit connection with each other, the shape-fit connection preventing the locking unit (2) from moving relative to the plug receiving unit (3) along the longitudinal direction (x) and the transverse direction (y) of the charging socket device (1).

7. The charging socket device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The charging socket device (1) does not include any other force transmission mechanism for moving the entire locking unit (2) relative to the plug receiving unit (3).

8. The charging socket device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, In the intended installation position of the charging socket device (1), the operating part (21) of the slider (4) can be reached within the accessible area on the inside (22) of the body element (23) without the use of tools.

9. A method for emergency unlocking of a charging plug connection (17), wherein, A car having a charging socket device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and a charging point are first interconnected by a charging cable, which is achieved by interconnecting the charging plug (16) and the plug receiving unit (3) of the charging cable, wherein a locking element (18) arranged in a locking position engages in the locking element receiving portion (20) of the charging plug (16), thereby preventing the charging plug (16) from being pulled out of the charging socket device (1) in the longitudinal direction (x), wherein in the method a slider (4) moves in the longitudinal direction (x) from its mounting position toward its dismounting position, such that the locking unit (2) moves together with the locking element (18) arranged in the locking position in the height direction (z), thereby removing the locking element (18) from the locking element receiving portion (20) of the charging plug (16).

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