Road vehicle

Abstract

A road vehicle includes: a vehicle body having ground wheels; an electric or hybrid powertrain adapted to drive rotation of at least one of the ground rest wheels; an electrical energy accumulator capable of internally storing a given amount of electrical energy to be supplied to the powertrain; a charging unit adapted to charge the electrical energy accumulator when the road vehicle is connected to an external electrical energy source; and an electrical connection interface allowing the charging unit to be connected to the external electrical energy source, the electrical connection interface comprising: an upper frame or panel located on or within the vehicle body and defining a through opening; and a socket holder under the upper frame or panel, the socket holder supporting a plurality of recharging electrical sockets and being movable under the upper frame or panel so as to be able to place any one of the recharging electrical sockets in front of the through opening of the upper frame or panel, the recharging electrical socket is accessible from the outside through the through opening.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This utility model application claims priority to Italian Patent Application No. 102023000027837, filed on December 22, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This utility model relates to road vehicles propelled by electric or hybrid power.

[0004] More specifically, this invention preferably relates to high-performance electric or hybrid-powered vehicles, and the following disclosure will be specifically referenced to such vehicles without losing its generality. Background Technology

[0005] As is well known, most electric or hybrid-powered vehicles on the market today include: a powertrain with at least one AC electric motor capable of driving the vehicle's drive wheels, and in the case of a hybrid vehicle, in addition to or as a replacement for the electric motor, an internal combustion engine capable of driving the vehicle's drive wheels; a rechargeable battery pack capable of storing a given amount of electrical energy to be supplied to one or more electric motors in the powertrain; and an electronically controlled power supply unit, which is inserted between the battery pack and the electric motors and is adapted to convert DC power from the battery pack into AC power suitable for one or more electric motors in the powertrain based on commands given by the vehicle's driver.

[0006] In addition, plug-in hybrid or electric propulsion vehicles also include: an electronically controlled battery charging unit adapted to charge the battery pack when the vehicle is connected to an external electrical energy source, such as a charging station for motor vehicles or a conventional household power grid; and a rechargeable socket located on the vehicle body for external access and allowing the battery charging unit to be directly connected to the external electrical energy source.

[0007] More specifically, the vehicle battery charging unit inserts itself between the battery pack and the external electrical energy source and is adapted to control the flow of electrical energy from the external electrical energy source to the battery pack in order to charge the battery pack in the shortest possible time without compromising its structural integrity.

[0008] On the other hand, rechargeable power outlets are typically placed on a support panel located in a small service compartment that can be accessed from the outside by opening a small protective door.

[0009] Currently, the most widely available charging stations for motor vehicles in urban areas are of two types: AC charging stations (i.e. using alternating current) and DC charging stations (i.e. using direct current).

[0010] AC charging stations are able to supply electrical energy to the vehicle with single-phase or three-phase alternating current, usually having a nominal voltage of 110 volts (single-phase), 220-240 volts (single-phase) or 380-400 volts (three-phase) according to the country.

[0011] On the other hand, the most popular DC charging stations are able to supply direct current electrical energy to the vehicle with a nominal voltage of up to about 400-500 volts.

[0012] Obviously, the connection cables and electrical connectors required to connect a plug-in hybrid or electrically propelled car to a DC charging station are structurally different from the connection cables and electrical connectors required to connect the same car to an AC charging station.

[0013] In addition, if the charging station is a single-phase or three-phase charging station, the connection cables and electrical connectors that allow a plug-in hybrid or electrically propelled car to be connected to an AC charging station vary.

[0014] Obviously, in the vehicle, the various types of electrical connectors require dedicated recharging electrical outlets that are not compatible with each other.

[0015] In order to make the charging of the battery pack easier, some manufacturers of plug-in hybrid or electrically propelled cars have chosen to equip their vehicles with two different recharging electrical outlets obviously suitable for operating with different types of charging stations.

[0016] Obviously, this choice is only feasible when the body of the vehicle allows the manufacturer to form a large service room capable of housing two different recharging electrical outlets or two small service rooms each capable of housing a single recharging electrical outlet.

[0017] Unfortunately, in high-performance cars, the shape of the body is determined by the aerodynamic needs and / or incorporates many aerodynamically effective surfaces, so the available space is minimal, usually sufficient for a single recharging electrical outlet, with all the limitations that this entails. SUMMARY

[0018] The aim of the present invention is to make it possible to install a plurality of recharging electrical outlets in a car whose body has very little space available for placing said electrical outlets.

[0019] According to these purposes, the utility model provides a kind of electric or hybrid power propulsion road vehicle, it includes: with the body of ground resting wheel;It is suitable to drive the rotation of at least one ground resting wheel in the ground resting wheel of electric or hybrid power powertrain;The electrical energy storage device capable of storing the given amount of electrical energy to be supplied to the powertrain in its own internal;It is suitable to recharge the electrical energy storage device when the road vehicle is connected to external power source Charging unit;And allow the electrical connection interface of connecting the charging unit to the external power source.The electrical connection interface includes: upper frame or panel, the upper frame or panel is arranged on or in the body and defines through opening;And socket holder, the socket holder is arranged below the upper frame or panel, supports multiple recharging electrical socket, and can be moved below the upper frame or panel so as to arrange any one recharging electrical socket in front of the through opening of the upper frame or panel, so that the recharging electrical socket can be externally accessed via the through opening.

[0020] Preferably but not necessarily, the utility model further provides the following solutions:

[0021] The electrical connection interface further includes moving device, and the moving device is suitable for moving the socket holder according to command so as to selectively aim at any one recharging electrical socket in front of the through opening of the upper frame or panel, so that the recharging electrical socket can be externally reached via the through opening;

[0022] The socket holder is located below the upper frame or panel, partially substantially sweeps through the through opening, and is also advantageously dimensioned to substantially completely block the through opening;

[0023] The socket holder includes movable drum, and the movable drum is located below the upper frame or panel with its outer periphery facing the through opening, and can be rotated around a given reference axis so as to move its outer periphery to the front of the through opening of the upper frame or panel;The recharging electrical socket is distributed on the outer periphery of the movable drum so as to selectively and alternatively aim at the through opening;

[0024] The recharging electrical socket is substantially uniformly spaced on the outer periphery of the movable drum;

[0025] The movable drum has a plurality of accommodation seats, and a plurality of the accommodation seats are distributed on the outer periphery of the movable drum and each accommodation seat is dimensioned to accommodate a corresponding recharging electrical socket;

[0026] Each accommodation seat has substantially complementary shape with the through opening of the upper frame or panel so as to form its extension part;

[0027] said movable drum is substantially cylindrical in shape;

[0028] said electrical connection interface further comprises a local electronic control unit adapted to command said movement means on the basis of control signals from at least one manually operated command device;

[0029] said manually operated command device is a manually operated pushbutton or selector switch, and / or is placed on said upper frame or panel;

[0030] said electrical connection interface is recessed inside a service compartment implemented in said vehicle body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0031] The present utility model will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show non-limiting embodiments thereof, in which:

[0032] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view, partially transparent and with parts removed for clarity, of an electric or hybrid propulsion vehicle according to the teachings of the present utility model;

[0033] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the rear of the vehicle shown in Figure 1 , partially transparent and with parts removed for clarity;

[0034] Figure 3 and Figure 4 is a perspective view of the electrical interface of the vehicle shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , partially in cross-section and with parts removed for clarity;

[0035] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a variant of the electrical interface shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 , partially in cross-section and with parts removed for clarity. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] With reference to Figure 1 , reference 1 denotes an entire electric or hybrid propulsion road vehicle, which is provided with ground resting wheels and can be advantageously used for transporting objects and / or people.

[0037] In more detail, the road vehicle 1 is provided with a rigid body 2, preferably with a self-supporting structure, which rests on the ground by means of a plurality of ground resting wheels, advantageously equipped with tyres, and with a passenger compartment, the structure and dimensions of which are designed to accommodate the driver of the vehicle, i.e. the person who drives the road vehicle, and preferably also at least one passenger, advantageously seated next to the driver.

[0038] In addition, the road vehicle 1 also comprises a powertrain 3, which is located on the body 2 and comprises at least one electric motor 4 adapted to drive the rotation of at least one or, more conveniently, of at least one pair of said ground resting wheels, an electric energy accumulator 5 of the rechargeable type, which is located on the body 2 and is able to store inside it a given amount of electric energy to be supplied to the powertrain 3 or, more precisely, to the electric motor 4, and a power supply unit 6, which is placed on the body 2, interposed between the electric energy accumulator 5 and the powertrain 3 and adapted to control / adjust the flow of electric energy towards the powertrain 3 or, more precisely, towards the electric motor 4 of the powertrain 3, according to the commands given by the driver of the vehicle.

[0039] In more detail, the road vehicle 1 is preferably provided with a motor control unit 7, which is located on the body 2, receives and processes the commands given by the driver of the vehicle, for example through an accelerator pedal (not visible in the figures), and is adapted to control the power supply unit 6 according to these commands.

[0040] With reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the road vehicle 1 also comprises a charging unit 8, which is located on the body 2 and is adapted to charge the electric energy accumulator 5 when the road vehicle 1 is connected to an external electric energy source, and a connection interface 9, which allows the road vehicle 1 or, more precisely, the charging unit 8 to be connected to said external electric energy source.

[0041] The external electric energy source can be an AC or DC charging station for road vehicles of the known type or a conventional domestic electrical network.

[0042] In more detail, the charging unit 8 is adapted to interpose itself between the electric energy accumulator 5 and said external electric energy source and is adapted to control the flow of electric energy from the external electric energy source to the electric energy accumulator 5 in order to charge the electric energy accumulator 5, preferably in the shortest possible time, advantageously preserving the structural integrity of the electric energy accumulator 5.

[0043] On the other hand, the connection interface 9 is preferably placed on the body 2 so as to be easily accessible from the outside of the vehicle and is configured to selectively establish a stable electrical connection between the charging unit 8 and said external electric energy source.

[0044] In more detail, the connection interface 9 is preferably in stable electrical continuity with the charging unit 8 and is configured to be coupled in a stable but easily removable manner to a (male) electrical connector of a known electrical connection cable connected on the other side to an external source of electrical energy, so as to allow the flow of electrical energy from the external source of electrical energy to the charging unit 8 and, if necessary, vice versa.

[0045] Furthermore, preferably, the powertrain 3 and / or the electrical energy accumulator 5 and / or the power supply unit 6 and / or the motor control unit 7 and / or the charging unit 8 are housed inside the vehicle body 2.

[0046] The connection interface 9, in turn, is preferably housed in the vehicle body 2, or rather recessed in the vehicle body 2, so as to be (selectively) at least partially exposed to the outside of the vehicle.

[0047] With reference to Figure 1 In the example shown, in particular, the vehicle body 2 is preferably made of metal and / or composite material, preferably shaped like an ellipse, and preferably rests on the ground with the aid of at least one pair of front wheels 10 and at least one pair of rear wheels 11.

[0048] Furthermore, preferably, the front wheels 10 and the rear wheels 11 are arranged in pairs on opposite sides of a vertical median plane of the vehicle, substantially at the vertices of a rectangle or an isosceles trapezium. Furthermore, the passenger compartment of the vehicle body 2 is preferably located between the front wheels 10 and the rear wheels 11.

[0049] In addition, the front wheels 10 are preferably non-powered steering wheels, while the rear wheels 11 are preferably drive wheels and, optionally, also steering wheels.

[0050] Therefore, the powertrain 3, or rather the electric motor 4, is preferably adapted to drive the rotation of the individual rear wheels 11.

[0051] However, in different embodiments, the front wheels 10 can also be drive wheels, in addition to or instead of the rear wheels 11.

[0052] In other words, the road vehicle 1 is preferably a passenger car, i.e. a motor vehicle for private transport of people.

[0053] Furthermore, in the example shown, the powertrain 3 is preferably located at the rear of the vehicle body 2. In addition, the electric motor 4 is preferably an alternating current electric motor of the multiphase (three-phase) type and is preferably connected to the drive wheels of the vehicle, or rather to the rear wheels 11, advantageously through a known gear reducer.

[0054] Therefore, the power supply unit 6 is preferably adapted to transform / convert the direct current electrical energy coming from the electrical energy accumulator 5 into alternating current electrical energy suitable for the powertrain 3, or rather for the electric motor 4.

[0055] Preferably, the electric motor 4 can also act as a generator.

[0056] In other words, the electric motor 4 is preferably a reversible electric machine for automatic traction, i.e. an electric machine that can work both as an electric motor that absorbs electric energy and generates mechanical torque and as a generator that absorbs mechanical energy and generates electric energy.

[0057] The power supply unit 6, in turn, is preferably configured to control the flow of electric energy from the electric energy accumulator 5 to the electric motor 4 and vice versa.

[0058] In other words, the power supply unit 6 is preferably an electrostatic energy conversion unit of the bidirectional type.

[0059] Optionally, the powertrain 3 can also comprise an internal combustion engine adapted to drive the driving wheels, or more precisely the rear driving wheels 11, of the vehicle in combination with the electric motor 4 or as an alternative to the electric motor 4.

[0060] With reference to Figure 1 , the electric energy accumulator 5 is in turn preferably a rechargeable battery pack and is preferably located in the front part of the vehicle body 2.

[0061] In addition, the battery pack preferably has a nominal capacity greater than or equal to 50 kWh and / or a nominal voltage greater than 600 volts or more conveniently equal to about 800 volts.

[0062] In other words, the electric energy accumulator 5 is preferably a high-voltage battery pack.

[0063] On the other hand, the power supply unit 6 is preferably located close to the powertrain 3.

[0064] In more detail, the power supply unit 6 is preferably firmly fixed to the rigid casing of the electric motor 4.

[0065] Furthermore, preferably, the power supply unit 6 comprises at least one electronically controlled power inverter, advantageously of the bidirectional type, interposed between the electric energy accumulator 5 and the powertrain 3 or more precisely the electric motor 4 and adapted to convert the direct electric energy coming from the electric energy accumulator 5 or more precisely from the battery pack into alternating electric energy suitable for the electric motor 4, preferably by varying its frequency and / or voltage according to the signals coming from the motor control unit 7.

[0066] With reference to Figure 1 , the charging unit 8 is in turn preferably located / accommodated in the front part of the vehicle body 2, close to the battery pack 5, and is adapted to transform / convert the electric energy coming from said external source of electric energy into direct electric energy suitable for charging the electric energy accumulator 5 or more precisely the battery pack.

[0067] In greater detail, the charging unit 8 is preferably configured to be able to connect without differences to an AC charging station for road vehicles and / or to a DC charging station for road vehicles and / or to a domestic electrical network, and is preferably adapted to transform / convert the alternating or direct electrical energy coming from the charging station or from the domestic electrical network into direct electrical energy suitable for charging the battery pack.

[0068] The charging unit 8 is an electronic control device for the static conversion of electrical energy, which has been widely known and used in the field of electric or hybrid propulsion road vehicles, therefore it is not further described.

[0069] On the other hand, with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the connection interface 9 is preferably recessed in the rear part of the vehicle body 2, so as to be easily accessible from the outside.

[0070] In greater detail, the connection interface 9 is preferably located inside a small service room 12, which is self- formed on the vehicle body 2, so as to directly communicate with the outside of the vehicle through a mouth advantageously shaped substantially rectangular, and the connection interface 9 preferably also comprises a small movable door 13, advantageously manually and / or servo-assisted opening and / or closing, which is selectively adapted to close the mouth of the same service room 12.

[0071] In other words, the service room 12 is preferably a hidden room.

[0072] With reference to Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the connection interface 9 comprises: an upper covering / hiding frame 15, which is adapted to be fixed to the vehicle body 2, advantageously inside the service room 12, and is shaped so as to delimit a large through opening 16, preferably shaped substantially rectangular; and a socket holding body 17, which is located below the upper frame 15, i.e. inside the vehicle body 2, supports a plurality of known recharging electrical sockets 18, and is movable below the frame 15, so as to place any one of the recharging electrical sockets 18 in front of the through opening 16 of the upper frame 15, so that it can be directly accessed from the outside through the same through opening 16.

[0073] In addition, the connection interface 9 preferably also comprises mobile means 19, preferably electrically operated, which are adapted to move the socket holding body 17, so as to selectively align any one of the recharging electrical sockets 18 with the through opening 16 of the upper frame 15, so that it can be directly reached from the outside through the same through opening 16.

[0074] In more detail, the socket-holder body 17 is preferably configured to arrange a single recharging electrical socket 18 at a time in front of the through opening 16 of the upper frame 15.

[0075] In addition, the socket-holder body 17 is preferably located below the upper frame 15, partially substantially skimming the through opening 16 of the upper frame 15, and is also advantageously sized to substantially completely obstruct said through opening 16.

[0076] On the other hand, the mobile device 19 is preferably configured so as to selectively and alternatively arrange the socket-holder body 17 into a plurality of different operating positions, in each of which a single recharging electrical socket 18 is aligned with, or rather arranged at, the through opening 16 of the upper frame 15 so as to be directly reachable from the outside through this through opening 16.

[0077] Furthermore, preferably, the connection interface 9 also comprises a local electronic control unit 20, which is located inside the vehicle body 2 and is adapted to control the mobile device 19 on the basis of control signals preferably reached from at least one pushbutton 21, selector or other manually operated control device, advantageously located on the upper frame 15.

[0078] Obviously, the pushbutton 21, selector or other manually operated control device can also be located inside the passenger compartment.

[0079] For example, the manually operated control device can be a touch screen located in the dashboard of the vehicle.

[0080] With reference to Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 , in the example shown, in particular, the upper frame 15 preferably has a shape substantially complementary to that of the mouth of the service compartment 12 and is adapted to be rigidly fixed inside the vehicle body 2, or rather inside the service compartment 12.

[0081] In addition, the upper frame 15 preferably also has a substantially rectilinear tubular shape, which advantageously converges towards the through opening 16 so as to cantilever into the service compartment 12.

[0082] Therefore, the through opening 16 of the upper frame 15 is preferably located inside the service compartment 12, spaced from the mouth thereof.

[0083] On the other hand, the socket-holder body 17 is preferably substantially cylindrical in shape and is fixed inside the vehicle body 2 in a manner such as to be able to rotate about its central axis.

[0084] In other words, the socket-holder body 17 preferably comprises a substantially cylindrical drum 22, preferably hollow internally, located directly below the upper frame 15 with its outer periphery facing or more advantageously skimming the through opening 16, and able to rotate freely about its central axis A so as to move its outer periphery in front of the through opening 16.

[0085] The recharging electrical sockets 18, in turn, are preferably distributed on the outer periphery of the rotatable drum 22 so as to be selectively and alternatively aligned with the through opening 16 of the upper frame 15.

[0086] In more detail, the recharging electrical sockets 18 are preferably substantially uniformly spaced on the outer periphery of the rotatable drum 22.

[0087] In addition, with reference to Figure 3 and Figure 4 the rotatable drum 22 preferably has a plurality of housing seats 23, preferably distributed in a uniform manner on its outer periphery and each sized to house a respective recharging electrical socket 18 of known type.

[0088] Furthermore, each housing seat 23 preferably has a shape substantially complementary to the through opening 16 of the upper frame 15 so as to form an extension thereof when it is aligned with the through opening 16, while the recharging electrical sockets 18 are preferably each substantially located at the center of the respective housing seat 23.

[0089] The recharging electrical sockets 18 are standard components already widely known and used in the field of electrically or hybridally propelled road vehicles, so they are not further described.

[0090] Obviously, the recharging electrical sockets 18 present on the socket-holder body 17 or, more precisely, on the outer periphery of the rotatable drum 22 are advantageously configured to couple each recharging electrical socket 18 to a power connector of respective model uniquely associated with a specific type of AC or DC charging station for vehicles or with a conventional domestic electrical network (single-phase and / or three-phase).

[0091] Furthermore, preferably, at least a portion of the recharging electrical sockets 18 present on the outer periphery of the rotatable drum 22 are electrically continuous with the charging unit 8 via one or more slip-ring electrical connections 24, preferably located on one or more support pins 25 extending coaxially with the central axis A and allowing the rotatable drum 22 to rotate freely about the same axis.

[0092] In the example shown, in particular, the support pins 25 protrude from opposite sides of the rotatable drum 22 while remaining partially coaxial with the central axis A and are preferably also integral with the rotatable drum 22.

[0093] More in detail, at least one of the recharging electrical sockets 18 present on the outer periphery of the rotatable drum 22 is a DC recharging electrical socket (for example a CHAdeMO electrical socket) dedicated to DC charging stations (i.e. in direct current) and the support pin 25 is configured to join two poles of the DC recharging electrical socket to a section of electrical conductor of the charging unit 8 for high current.

[0094] More in detail, the support pin 25 is preferably made substantially entirely of electrically conductive material, so as to allow particularly high electric currents to flow, and the slip ring electrical connection 24 slides directly on the outer surface of the support pin 25.

[0095] In other words, the section of the electrical conductor for high current advantageously coincides with the section of the respective support pin 25.

[0096] Obviously, the electrical connection between the recharging electrical socket 18 or some of the recharging electrical sockets 18 and the charging unit 8 can also take place via a general suitable insulated electrical cable that comes out from one or more access openings present on at least one head of the socket holder 17 or rather from at least one head of the rotatable drum 22.

[0097] On the other hand, with reference to Figure 2 and Figure 3 the mobile means 19 are adapted to rotate the rotatable drum 22 around the axis A on command. Moreover, preferably, the width of rotation around the axis A is less than or equal to 360°.

[0098] More in detail, the mobile means 19 are adapted to rotate the rotatable drum 22 around the axis A on command so as to arrange the rotatable drum 22 in a plurality of predetermined angular positions, in each of which the rotatable drum 22 aligns a particular recharging electrical socket 18 or rather a particular housing seat 23 present on the outer periphery of the drum with the through opening 16 of the upper frame 15.

[0099] In the example shown, in particular, the mobile means 19 preferably comprise a small electric power rotary actuator 26 mechanically coupled to the rotatable drum 22 so as to drive the rotatable drum 22 in rotation around the axis A; the mobile means 19 optionally also comprise an angular position transducer able to determine the angular position of the rotatable drum 22 with respect to a fixed angular reference.

[0100] The local electronic control unit 20 in turn is preferably adapted to command the electric actuator 26 on the basis of signals coming from the angular position transducer and / or from the pushbutton 21 or other manually operated control means or selector.

[0101] The operation of the road vehicle 1 can be easily inferred from the above description and does not require further explanations.

[0102] As regards the operation of the vehicle connection interface 9, when it is necessary to connect the road vehicle 1 to a charging station for road vehicles, the person selects the recharging electrical outlet 18 suitable for the selected charging station by acting on the button 21 or on other manually operated control members or selectors.

[0103] The mobile means 19 in turn move the outlet holding body 17, or rather the rotatable drum 22, so as to place the selected recharging electrical outlet 18 at the through opening 16 of the upper frame 15.

[0104] Optionally, the local electronic control unit 20 can be programmed / configured to automatically determine or identify the correct recharging electrical outlet 18 to be arranged at the through opening 16 of the upper frame 15 and then command the mobile means 19 in an autonomous manner to arrange said recharging electrical outlet 18 at the through opening 16 of the upper frame 15.

[0105] In greater detail, the local electronic control unit 20 can be able to electronically communicate with the charging station (for example, through radio signals) in order to determine the recharging electrical outlet 18 required by the charging station itself.

[0106] The advantages related to the particular structure of the connection interface 9 are significant.

[0107] First of all, the connection interface 9 minimizes the space occupied by the recharging electrical outlets on the outer surface of the vehicle body 2.

[0108] In addition, the connection interface 9 also simplifies the electrical circuit that connects the different recharging electrical outlets 18 to the charging unit 8.

[0109] In fact, in electric or hybrid propulsion vehicles provided with two or more recharging electrical outlets simultaneously accessible from the outside, for safety reasons each recharging electrical outlet must be internally equipped with an electrically controlled disconnection switch able to isolate the poles of the electrical outlet when it is not in use.

[0110] Conversely, in the connection interface 9, the recharging electrical outlets 18 that are not in use are not accessible since they are enclosed within the vehicle body 2. Therefore, the presence of a disconnection switch within the recharging electrical outlet 18 is no longer necessary since the risk that a person can come into contact with electrically conducting electrical conductors is zero.

[0111] Last but not least, the arrangement of the pushbutton 21 or other manually operated control means on the frame 15 below the movable door 13 avoids undesired activation of the pushbutton 21 by third parties, while protecting the pushbutton 21 from dirt and / or tampering. In fact, the opening of the movable door 13 is advantageously controlled by electromechanical locking means that can be commanded from inside the vehicle and / or are easy to operate on the door.

[0112] Finally, it is clear that modifications and variations can be made to the road vehicle 1 and to the connection interface 9, without departing from the scope of the present utility model.

[0113] For example, the upper frame 15 can be replaced by a panel provided with a large through hole that forms the through opening 16.

[0114] In addition, with reference to Figure 5 In different embodiments, the socket holder 17 is preferably substantially semicylindrical in shape and is fixed inside the vehicle body 2 in a manner that allows it to rotate about the central axis of the cylinder.

[0115] In other words, the socket holder 17 preferably comprises a drum 220 that is substantially semicylindrical in shape, is located directly below the upper frame 15 with the outer cylindrical surface skimming the through opening 16 of the upper frame 15, and can rotate or, more precisely, tilt about an axis of rotation B that coincides with the axis of symmetry of the cylinder.

[0116] Also in this embodiment variant, the recharging electrical sockets 18 are preferably distributed in a substantially uniform manner on the outer cylindrical surface of the tiltable drum 220, advantageously within special housings 230, so as to align them from time to time with the through opening 16 of the upper frame 15.

[0117] Also in this embodiment variant, moreover, the movement means 19 are adapted to rotate the tiltable drum 220 about the axis of rotation B on command. Obviously, the width of the rotation is preferably less than or equal to 180°.

[0118] Moreover, in this embodiment variant, one or more slip ring electrical connections 24 can advantageously be reserved for a separate one or more recharging electrical sockets 18 dedicated to DC charging stations, i.e., using direct current.

[0119] In other words, the tiltable drum 220 preferably also has a pair of support pins 250 that project cantilevered from opposite sides of the drum, while remaining coaxial with the axis B, and house one or more slip ring electrical connections 24.

[0120] Obviously, the socket holding body 17 can also have substantially the shape of a cylindrical sector or of a regular prism, i.e. a right prism having as base a regular polygon.

Claims

1. A road vehicle (1), comprising: A vehicle body (2) having ground-mounted wheels (10, 11); an electric or hybrid powertrain (3) adapted to drive at least one of the ground-mounted wheels (10, 11) to rotate; an energy storage device (5) capable of storing a given amount of electrical energy to be supplied to the powertrain (3) within itself; a charging unit (8) adapted to recharge the energy storage device (5) when the road vehicle (1) is connected to an external electrical energy source; and an electrical connection interface (9) allowing the charging unit (8) to be connected to the external electrical energy source. The road vehicle (1) is characterized in that the electrical connection interface (9) includes: an upper frame or panel (15) disposed on or in the vehicle body (2) and defining a through opening (16); and a socket holder (17) disposed below the upper frame or panel (15), supporting a plurality of rechargeable sockets (18), and movable below the upper frame or panel (15) to arrange any one of the rechargeable sockets (18) in front of the through opening (16) of the upper frame or panel (15), such that the rechargeable socket (18) can be accessed from the outside via the through opening (16).

2. The road vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electrical connection interface (9) further includes a moving device (19) adapted to move the socket holder (17) according to a command so as to selectively align any one of the rechargeable sockets (18) with the through opening (16) of the upper frame or panel (15) so that the rechargeable socket (18) can be accessed from the outside through the through opening (16).

3. The road vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The socket retainer (17) is located below the upper frame or panel (15), partially and substantially across the through opening (16), and is advantageously sized to substantially completely block the through opening (16).

4. The road vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The socket holder (17) includes movable drums (22, 220) positioned below the upper frame or panel (15) with their outer periphery facing the through opening (16) and rotatable about a given reference axis (A, B) to move their outer periphery in front of the through opening (16) of the upper frame or panel (15); the rechargeable socket (18) is distributed on the outer periphery of the movable drums (22, 220) to selectively and alternatively align with the through opening (16).

5. The road vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that, The rechargeable sockets (18) are spaced substantially evenly on the outer periphery of the movable drums (22, 220).

6. The road vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that, The movable drum (22) has a plurality of receiving seats (23) distributed on the outer periphery of the movable drum (22) and each receiving seat (23) is sized to accommodate a corresponding rechargeable socket (18).

7. The road vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that, Each receiving seat (23) has a shape substantially complementary to the through opening (16) of the upper frame or panel (15) in order to form its extension.

8. The road vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that, The movable drum (22) is basically cylindrical in shape.

9. The road vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that, The electrical connection interface (9) also includes a local electronic control unit (20) adapted to command the mobile device (19) based on control signals from at least one manually operated command device (21).

10. The road vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that, The manually operated command device (21) is a manually operated button or selector switch, and / or is placed on the upper frame or panel (15).

11. The road vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The electrical connection interface (9) is recessed into the service compartment (12) realized in the vehicle body (2).

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