Charging cable assembly and charging station for vehicle
By designing a lightweight charging cable assembly and using guiding devices and control modules to automatically guide the charging cable connection, the problems of large weight and size in existing technologies are solved, improving user operation convenience and comfort, and promoting the popularization of electric vehicles.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202421989492.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-08-16
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-04
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-08-16
AI Technical Summary
Existing liquid-cooled charging cables and charging guns are heavy and bulky, making them inconvenient for users, especially female users, which affects the charging experience and may reduce their willingness to use them.
A charging cable assembly has been designed, including a charging gun, a guide device, and a control module. The guide device is independent of the charging cable, and the control module automatically guides the charging cable to move along the guide device to the charging gun interface, reducing the user's carrying burden.
A lighter and easier-to-use charging cable assembly has been achieved, improving the user experience, especially the charging convenience and comfort for female users, and promoting the popularization of electric vehicles.
Smart Images
Figure CN223508105U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application generally relates to the field of charging cable technology, and more specifically to a charging cable assembly for a vehicle and a charging station. Background Technology
[0002] With the rapid development of the electric vehicle (EV) market, the demand for high-power charging technology is increasing. Especially at public charging stations, user experience directly impacts the adoption and acceptance of electric vehicles. Current high-power charging solutions typically need to handle charging power up to, for example, 480kW and charging currents of, for example, 700A. These high-power charging systems usually employ liquid-cooled charging cables to effectively manage the heat generated during charging.
[0003] However, existing liquid-cooled charging cables and charging guns have significant drawbacks in terms of weight and size, causing inconvenience to users, especially female users. Currently, high-power charging cables on the market are generally heavy and have a large diameter, requiring users to expend considerable strength and effort when connecting and disconnecting charging. This cumbersome charging infrastructure not only affects the user's charging experience but may also reduce users' willingness to use public charging stations.
[0004] Therefore, the goal is to provide a lighter and easier-to-use charging cable assembly that can improve the user experience at public charging stations, especially for female users. Improving the convenience and comfort of the charging process will help promote the further popularization and application of electric vehicles. Utility Model Content
[0005] Therefore, the purpose of this application is to provide a charging cable assembly and charging station for vehicles that can overcome at least one defect in the prior art, thereby achieving the following beneficial effects: a lighter and easier-to-operate charging cable assembly, thereby allowing for an improved user experience at public charging stations, especially for female users. Improving the convenience and comfort of the charging process will help promote the further popularization and application of electric vehicles.
[0006] According to a first aspect of this application, a charging cable assembly for a vehicle is provided, the charging cable assembly comprising: a charging gun, a guide device, a charging cable, and a control module, wherein the charging gun includes a first interface for connecting to the vehicle and a second interface for connecting to the charging cable; the guide device is configured to be connected to the charging gun and to be pulled out independently of the charging cable while following the charging gun; the charging cable includes power lines for transmitting electrical energy and cooling lines for implementing cooling, and the charging cable also includes a charging cable interface for connecting to the second interface of the charging gun; the control module is configured to control the charging cable to move along the pulled-out guide device toward the charging gun, such that the charging cable interface connects to the second interface of the charging gun.
[0007] In some embodiments, the guiding device is configured as a guiding cable.
[0008] In some embodiments, the guide cable includes a communication cable that is connected to the charging gun on one side and to the control module on the other side.
[0009] In some embodiments, a wireless communication connection is established between the charging gun and the control module.
[0010] In some embodiments, the charging cable includes a hollow channel, and the charging cable is configured to move along the guide device toward the charging gun by means of the hollow channel, at least partially surrounding the guide device.
[0011] In some embodiments, the charging cable is configured to move along the guide device toward the charging gun while remaining beside the guide device.
[0012] In some embodiments, a guide rail device is provided between the charging cable and the guide device, so that the charging cable can move along the guide device toward the charging gun by means of the guide rail device.
[0013] In some embodiments, the guide rail device includes a rolling mechanism, such as a roller or roller mechanism, mounted on a charging cable, and a guide rail disposed on a guide device for supporting the rolling mechanism, such as the roller or roller mechanism.
[0014] In some embodiments, a sliding bearing device is provided between the charging cable and the guide device, so that the charging cable can move along the guide device toward the charging gun by means of the sliding bearing device.
[0015] In some embodiments, a sliding cover is provided between the charging cable and the guide device, allowing the charging cable to move along the guide device toward the charging gun by means of the sliding cover.
[0016] In some embodiments, a magnetic sliding device is provided between the charging cable and the guide device, so that the charging cable can be magnetically levitated along the guide device toward the charging gun by means of the magnetic sliding device.
[0017] In some embodiments, the guiding device includes a Teflon coating or a polyethylene coating.
[0018] In some embodiments, the control module includes a control unit and a drive unit, wherein the control unit is configured to control the drive unit such that the drive unit moves the charging cable on the guide device.
[0019] In some embodiments, the control module includes a first drive unit mounted at a charging station, the first drive unit being configured to push a charging cable on a guide device.
[0020] In some embodiments, the control module includes a second drive unit mounted on a charging cable and configured to push the charging cable to move on a guide device.
[0021] In some embodiments, the control module includes a third drive unit and a drag line, the third drive unit being mounted at the charging gun and the drag line being connected between the charging gun and the charging cable, the third drive unit being configured to pull the charging cable on the guide device by means of the drag line.
[0022] According to a second aspect of this application, a charging station is provided, the charging station including one or more charging cable assemblies for vehicles according to some embodiments of this application, wherein the guide device is configured to be pulled out of the housing of the charging station independently of the charging cable following the charging gun, and the charging cable is configured to move along the pulled-out guide device toward the charging gun until the charging cable interface is connected to a second interface of the charging gun.
[0023] In some embodiments, the charging cable remains stationary inside the charging station housing as the guiding device is pulled out of the charging station housing along with the charging gun.
[0024] In some embodiments, the charging station includes a retaining device configured to securely hold the charging cable within the housing of the charging station and configured to release the charging cable under the control of a control module. Attached Figure Description
[0025] The present application will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. The schematic drawings are briefly described below:
[0026] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of a charging cable assembly in a first usage state according to some embodiments of this application;
[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a charging cable assembly in a second usage state according to some embodiments of this application;
[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a charging cable assembly according to some embodiments of this application in a third usage state;
[0029] Figure 4A This is a schematic diagram of the first assembly relationship between the charging cable and the guiding device of a charging cable assembly according to some embodiments of this application;
[0030] Figure 4B This is a schematic diagram of the second assembly relationship between the charging cable and the guiding device of a charging cable assembly according to some embodiments of this application;
[0031] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a first driving scheme for the charging cable of a charging cable assembly according to some embodiments of this application on a guiding device;
[0032] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a second driving scheme for the charging cable of a charging cable assembly according to some embodiments of this application on a guiding device. Detailed Implementation
[0033] The present application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate several embodiments of the present application. However, it should be understood that the present application can be presented in many different ways and is not limited to the embodiments described below; in fact, the embodiments described below are intended to make the disclosure of the present application more complete and to fully illustrate the scope of protection of the present application to those skilled in the art. It should also be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in various ways to provide more additional embodiments.
[0034] In the various embodiments described, the same reference numerals or element names are used for the same elements, and the disclosure contained throughout the specification can be applied semantically to elements with the same reference numerals or element names. Furthermore, in the various embodiments, the number, implementation, and / or arrangement of elements are not limited to the examples shown, but other numbers, implementations, and / or arrangements can be selected according to actual needs.
[0035] In this document, spatial relation terms such as "up," "down," "left," "right," "front," "back," "high," and "low" are used to describe the relationship between one feature and another in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that spatial relation terms include not only the orientation shown in the drawings but also different orientations of the device during use or operation. For example, when the device in the drawings is inverted, a feature previously described as "below" other features can now be described as "above" other features. The device can also be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), in which case the relative spatial relationships will be interpreted accordingly.
[0036] In this document, the term “A or B” includes both “A and B” and “A or B”, rather than exclusively including only “A” or only “B”, unless otherwise specified.
[0037] In this document, the terms "illustrative" or "exemplary" mean "used as an example, instance, or illustration," and not as a "model" to be precisely copied. Any implementation described herein by example is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Furthermore, this application is not limited to any stated or implied theory given in the foregoing technical field, background art, utility model content, or specific embodiments.
[0038] In this document, the term “substantially” means any minor variation caused by defects in design or manufacturing, tolerances of devices or components, environmental influences and / or other factors.
[0039] In this article, the term "part" can refer to any proportion. For example, it can be greater than 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90%.
[0040] Additionally, terms such as “first,” “second,” etc., may be used in this document for reference purposes only and are not intended to be limiting. For example, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the words “first,” “second,” and other such numerical terms relating to structures or elements do not imply order or sequence.
[0041] Reference Figure 1-3 The diagrams show schematic diagrams of a charging cable assembly 10 in a first use state, a second use state, and a third use state according to some embodiments of the present application.
[0042] This application proposes a lightweight and easy-to-operate charging cable assembly 10, which may include a charging gun 1, a guide device 2, a charging cable 3, and a control module 4. The charging gun 1 may include a first interface 11 for connection to a vehicle (more precisely, a vehicle charging port) and a second interface 12 for connection to the charging cable 3. The guide device 2 may be configured to be connected to the charging gun 1 and to be pulled out independently of the charging cable 3 along with the charging gun 1. Advantageously, the guide device 2 may be configured to provide guidance support for the charging cable 3. The charging cable 3 may include power lines for transmitting electrical energy and cooling lines for implementing cooling. Furthermore, the charging cable 3 may also include a charging cable interface 31 for connection to the second interface 12 of the charging gun 1. The control module 4 may be configured to control the charging cable 3 to move along the pulled-out guide device 2 toward the charging gun 1, such that the charging cable interface 31 connects to the second interface 12 of the charging gun 1.
[0043] When the charging cable assembly 10 is not in use, that is, when no user is using the charging cable assembly 10 to charge, the charging cable assembly 10 can be stored on the charging station 50. At this time, the charging gun 1 of the charging cable assembly 10 can be placed in the storage position of the charging station 50, and the guide device 2, the charging cable 3, and the possible control module 4 of the charging cable assembly 10 can be placed inside the charging station 50.
[0044] In the first state of use, such as Figure 1 As shown, the user takes the charging gun 1 of the charging cable assembly 10 and walks towards the vehicle. At this time, the guide device 2 of the charging cable assembly 10 can be pulled out independently of the charging cable 3 along with the charging gun 1. In other words, in the first state of use, the charging gun 1, together with the connected guide device 2, can be taken away from the charging station 50 and moved to the vehicle to be charged by the user, while the charging cable 3 of the charging cable assembly 10 and the possible control module 4 can still be housed inside the charging station 50 or at least partially housed inside the charging station 50. Advantageously, the charging station 50 may include a holding device, which can be configured to hold the charging cable 3 fixedly within the housing of the charging station 50 and configured to release the charging cable 3 under the control of the control module 4. Thus, during the process of the guide device 2 being pulled out of the housing of the charging station 50 along with the charging gun 1, the charging cable 3 remains stationary within the housing of the charging station 50 under the holding action of the holding device. Therefore, the user can very easily carry the charging gun 1 and the connected guide device 2 to the vehicle to be charged.
[0045] In the illustrated embodiment, the guide device 2 can be configured as a guide cable, the mass and / or volume of which can be less than or significantly less than the mass and / or volume of the charging cable 3. In some embodiments, the mass and / or volume of the guide cable can be less than one-half, one-third, one-quarter, or one-fifth of the mass and / or volume of the charging cable 3. In some embodiments, the guide cable may include a communication cable, which can be connected to the charging gun 1 on one side and to the control module 4 on the other side. Thus, the control module 4 can determine that the first interface 11 of the charging gun 1 has been plugged into the vehicle based on the activation signal from the communication cable. Further, the control module 4 can activate the movement control of the charging cable 3 based on the activation signal from the communication cable, so as to control the charging cable 3 to move along the pulled-out guide device 2 toward the charging gun 1, so that the charging cable interface 31 is connected to the second interface 12 of the charging gun 1. Alternatively or additionally, the guide device 2 can be configured as an elongated, preferably flexible guide rail without an integrated communication cable. In this case, the charging gun 1 can transmit the activation signal to the control module 4 via wireless communication.
[0046] In the second usage state, such as Figure 2 As shown, the charging cable 3 can move along the pulled-out guide device 2 towards the charging gun 1 under the control of the control module 4, so that the charging cable interface 31 is connected to the second interface 12 of the charging gun 1. In some embodiments, the control module 4 may include a control unit 41 and a drive unit 42. The control unit 41 may be configured to control the drive unit 42, so that the drive unit 42 drives the charging cable 3 to move on the guide device 2.
[0047] At this time, the charging cable 3 of the charging cable assembly 10 and the possible control module 4 can be automatically removed from inside the charging station 50 and moved along the guide device 2 toward the charging gun 1. Since the movement of the charging cable 3 is automatically achieved by the control module 4, the user's carrying burden is significantly reduced.
[0048] In the illustrated embodiment, the charging cable 3 can be wrapped around the guide device 2. For example... Figure 4A The diagram illustrates a first assembly relationship between the charging cable 3 and the guide device 2. Here, the charging cable 3 and the guide device 2 can form a donut-shaped structure. The charging cable 3 may include a hollow channel, and the charging cable 3 can be configured to partially or completely surround the guide device 2 by means of the hollow channel.
[0049] In other alternative embodiments, such as Figure 4BThe diagram illustrates a second assembly relationship between the charging cable 3 and the guide device 2, wherein the charging cable 3 can be configured to move along the guide device 2 toward the charging gun 1. Here, the charging cable 3 can be arranged on one side of the guide device 2 by means of a support mechanism and move along the guide device 2 toward the charging gun 1 under the guidance and support of the guide device 2.
[0050] To allow for more efficient movement of the charging cable 3 on the guide device 2, a guide rail device 20 may be provided between the charging cable 3 and the guide device 2, allowing the charging cable 3 to move along the guide device 2 toward the charging gun 1 by means of the guide rail device 20. Alternatively, a sliding bearing device may be provided between the charging cable 3 and the guide device 2, allowing the charging cable 3 to move along the guide device 2 toward the charging gun 1 by means of the sliding bearing device. Alternatively, a sliding cover may be provided between the charging cable 3 and the guide device 2, allowing the charging cable 3 to move along the guide device 2 toward the charging gun 1 by means of the sliding cover. The sliding cover may be, for example, a Teflon cover or a polyethylene cover. Alternatively, a magnetic sliding device may be provided between the charging cable 3 and the guide device 2, allowing the charging cable 3 to move magnetically levitated along the guide device 2 toward the charging gun 1 by means of the magnetic sliding device.
[0051] like Figure 5-6 As shown, an exemplary guide rail device 20 is illustrated within a hollow channel between the charging cable 3 and the guide device 2. The control module 4, or a part thereof, namely the drive unit 42, can be configured to drive the charging cable 3 to move along the guide rail device 20 on the guide device 2. In some embodiments, the guide rail device 20 may include, for example, a roller or roller mechanism mounted on the charging cable 3 and a guide rail disposed on the guide device 2 for supporting the roller or roller mechanism.
[0052] In some embodiments, the drive unit 42 may be configured as an electric drive unit. In some embodiments, the drive unit 42 may be configured as a hydraulic drive unit. It should be understood that the implementation of the drive unit 42 can be varied and is not limited to the current embodiment. In some embodiments, such as when driving is achieved by means of magnetic levitation and / or by means of material sliding, the drive unit may be implemented as a magnetic component or a sliding coating.
[0053] like Figure 2 As shown, the control module 4 may include a first drive unit, which may be installed at the charging station 50 and configured to move the charging cable 3 on the guide device 2. For example, the first drive unit may push the cable body of the charging cable 3.
[0054] Additional or alternative land, such as Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, the control module 4 may include a second drive unit, which can be mounted on the charging cable 3 and configured to move the charging cable 3 on the guide device 2. For example, the second drive unit can drive the charging cable interface 31 of the charging cable 3.
[0055] Additional or alternative land, such as Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, the control module 4 may include a third drive unit and a drag line 41. The third drive unit may be installed at the charging gun 1, and the drag line 41 connects the charging gun 1 and the charging cable 3. The third drive unit may be configured to pull the charging cable 3 on the guide device 2 by means of the drag line 41. Advantageously, multiple drag lines 41 may be distributed circumferentially along the charging cable 3 between the charging gun 1 and the charging cable 3, thereby ensuring efficient and stable movement.
[0056] In the third usage state, such as Figure 3 As shown, the charging cable 3 can move along the pulled-out guide device 2 towards the charging gun 1 under the control of the control module 4 until the charging cable interface 31 is connected to the second interface 12 of the charging gun 1. Once the charging cable interface 31 is connected to the second interface 12 of the charging gun 1, the subsequent formal charging process can be started.
[0057] Therefore, this application can achieve the following beneficial effects: it realizes a lighter and easier-to-operate charging cable assembly, thereby allowing for an improved user experience at public charging stations, especially for female users. Improving the convenience and comfort of the charging process will help promote the further popularization and application of electric vehicles.
[0058] While specific embodiments of this application have been described in detail by way of examples, those skilled in the art should understand that the above examples are for illustrative purposes only and not for limiting the scope of this application. The various embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in any way without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Those skilled in the art should also understand that various modifications can be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of this application. The scope of this application is defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A charging cable assembly for a vehicle, characterized in that, The charging cable assembly (10) includes: a charging gun (1), a guide device (2), a charging cable (3), and a control module (4). The charging gun (1) includes a first interface (11) for connecting to a vehicle and a second interface (12) for connecting to a charging cable (3). The guide device (2) is configured to be connected to the charging gun (1) and to be pulled out independently of the charging cable (3) along with the charging gun; The charging cable (3) includes a power line for transmitting electrical energy and a cooling line for implementing cooling, and the charging cable also includes a charging cable interface (31) for connecting to a second interface (12) of the charging gun (1). The control module (4) is configured to control the charging cable (3) to move along the pulled-out guide device (2) toward the charging gun (1), so that the charging cable interface (31) is connected to the second interface (12) of the charging gun.
2. The charging cable assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The guiding device is configured as a guiding cable.
3. The charging cable assembly for a vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that, The guide cable includes a communication cable, which is connected to the charging gun on one side and to the control module on the other side; and / or A wireless communication connection is established between the charging gun and the control module.
4. The charging cable assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The charging cable includes a hollow channel, and the charging cable is configured to move along the guide device toward the charging gun by means of the hollow channel, at least partially surrounding the guide device.
5. The charging cable assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The charging cable is configured to move along the guide device toward the charging gun while remaining beside the guide device.
6. The charging cable assembly for a vehicle according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, A guide rail device (20) is provided between the charging cable (3) and the guide device (2), so that the charging cable can move along the guide device toward the charging gun by means of the guide rail device.
7. The charging cable assembly for a vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that, The guide rail device includes a rolling mechanism mounted on the charging cable and a guide rail disposed on the guide device to support the rolling mechanism.
8. The charging cable assembly for a vehicle according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, A sliding bearing device is provided between the charging cable and the guide device, allowing the charging cable to move along the guide device toward the charging gun by means of the sliding bearing device; and / or A sliding cover is provided between the charging cable and the guide device, allowing the charging cable to move along the guide device toward the charging gun by means of the sliding cover; and / or A magnetic sliding device is provided between the charging cable and the guide device, so that the charging cable can be magnetically levitated along the guide device toward the charging gun by means of the magnetic sliding device.
9. The charging cable assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control module (4) includes a control unit (41) and a drive unit (42). The control unit is configured to control the drive unit so that the drive unit (42) drives the charging cable (3) to move on the guide device (2).
10. The charging cable assembly for a vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that, The drive unit is configured as an electric drive unit or a hydraulic drive unit.
11. The charging cable assembly for a vehicle according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The control module includes a first drive unit, which is installed at the charging station and configured to push the charging cable to move on the guide device. The control module includes a second drive unit, which is mounted on the charging cable and configured to push the charging cable to move on the guide device. and / or The control module includes a third drive unit and a drag line. The third drive unit is installed at the charging gun and the drag line is connected between the charging gun and the charging cable. The third drive unit is configured to pull the charging cable on the guide device by means of the drag line.
12. A charging station, characterized in that, The charging station (50) includes one or more charging cable assemblies (10) for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the guide device is configured to be pulled out of the housing of the charging station independently of the charging cable following the charging gun, and the charging cable is configured to move along the pulled-out guide device toward the charging gun until the charging cable interface is connected to the second interface of the charging gun.
13. The charging station according to claim 12, characterized in that, As the guiding device follows the charging gun out of the charging station housing, the charging cable remains stationary inside the charging station housing.
14. The charging station according to claim 13, characterized in that, The charging station includes a retaining device configured to securely hold the charging cable within the housing of the charging station and configured to release the charging cable under the control of a control module.