Motor vehicle with hybrid drive

Abstract

motor vehicle - with an electric motor as the drive system for the motor vehicle as well as - optionally an internal combustion engine along with a tank for supplying fuel to the internal combustion engine and a fuel filler neck for filling the tank with fuel, - with a battery to power the electric motor, - with a recess (1) adjacent to the body of the motor vehicle, which can be closed with a flap (9), wherein in the recess (1) there are two connection options (6, 7, 10, 11) for two different energy carriers, wherein a charging socket (6) for direct current and a charging socket (7) for alternating current are arranged next to each other at different positions in the recess (1) and optionally the tank nozzle is also arranged in the recess.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle with an electric drive. Such a motor vehicle comprises an electric motor as its electric drive. It may be a hybrid motor vehicle.

[0002] A hybrid vehicle comprises both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. Both motors can power the vehicle, either independently or simultaneously. Generally, each motor type can directly propel the vehicle. However, it is also possible for the internal combustion engine, for example, to be used for electricity generation, thus indirectly contributing to the propulsion system.

[0003] A typical motor vehicle, directly powered by an internal combustion engine, includes a fuel tank for storing fuel, such as gas, gasoline, or diesel. The tank can be filled with fuel via an externally accessible filler neck. The outer end of the filler neck can be closed with a cap. This end, with the cap, is usually located within a recess adjacent to the inside of the vehicle's body. This recess can be closed with a lockable flap, which is pivotally mounted adjacent to the body. When closed, the flap appears as part of the vehicle's outer body surface.

[0004] The electric motor draws its power from a battery located in the vehicle. This battery must be recharged at a charging station after it has been discharged. To enable charging at the charging station, a vehicle equipped with an electric motor includes a charging socket connected to the battery, which can be connected to a corresponding charging plug on the charging station. Alternatively, the vehicle may include the charging plug and the charging station may include the corresponding charging socket.

[0005] When a motor vehicle is charged at a household socket, alternating current (AC) is used. In addition, there may be charging stations that can supply direct current (DC) at high amperages for particularly fast charging.

[0006] German patent application DE 10 2009 052 366 A1 describes a charging device for a motor vehicle powered by an electric motor, comprising a socket or charging port and a charging plug for charging the vehicle's battery. The charging plug and socket are located behind one or two covers in the vehicle's body. To charge the vehicle, the charging plug can be removed from the socket after opening the corresponding cover and inserted into the socket. Conversely, an external charging plug connected to an electrical cable can be inserted into the vehicle's socket to charge the vehicle.

[0007] DE 10 2009 016 895 A1 describes a charging connection device for a motor vehicle that is at least partially electrically powered and has a battery for powering the vehicle. DE 44 46 406 A1 discloses a power receiving plug that has a DC receiving section and an AC receiving section in a single structure. The AC receiving section is located inside the DC receiving section. DE 32 09 007 C1 describes a device for refueling motor vehicles that can be operated with both gasoline and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). EP 1 449 702 A2 discloses a fuel filling system for a vehicle that includes a movable flap covering a fuel filling opening. This provides access to separate fuel filling pipes for liquid fuel and for gaseous fuel.

[0008] The object of the invention is to provide a motor vehicle of the type mentioned above, which can be supplied with fuel for the combustion engine and with electricity for charging the battery of the electric motor by means of a charging station.

[0009] To solve the problem, the vehicle includes a recess adjacent to its body. Inside the recess is a charging socket connected to a battery. The battery provides power to the electric motor that propels the vehicle. Also within the recess is a fuel filler neck connected to a tank for refueling. In this case, the vehicle also includes an internal combustion engine for propulsion. Alternatively or additionally to the fuel filler neck, there is a second charging socket. If the recess has two electrical connection options, i.e., two charging sockets, one of them is configured and connected to the battery to charge it with direct current (DC). The other connection is configured for alternating current (AC).In total, the recess therefore contains at least two possibilities to supply the motor vehicle with two different energy carriers, selected from direct current, alternating current and fluid, i.e. gaseous and / or liquid fuel.

[0010] The opening of the recess can be closed with a flap, which is preferably pivotally mounted on or adjacent to the vehicle body. Alternatively, the flap can be slidably mounted so that the recess opening can be opened or closed by sliding the flap. When closed, the flap appears as part of the vehicle body. There is also a cover for the fuel filler neck, which can be used to seal the filler neck in a fluid-tight, and in particular liquid-tight, manner. Preferably, there is also a cover for sealing the charging port, in particular to prevent dust and / or moisture from entering.

[0011] This arrangement ensures that neither the fuel filler neck nor the charging port protrudes from the vehicle body. The fuel filler neck cover prevents unintended fuel leakage from the tank. The flap, which is pivotally mounted on or near the vehicle body, serves as an outer cover, providing initial protection against unauthorized use. This flap can therefore be locked in the closed position to prevent unauthorized access.

[0012] For locking this flap, an actuator is preferably provided which includes a movable bolt. Once the flap is closed, the bolt is moved into an eyelet, behind a bolt, or a similar element of the flap to lock it. Moving the bolt into the locking position can be motor-driven, particularly with an electric motor. Alternatively, the bolt can be spring-loaded towards the locking position. The spring force is then used to move the bolt into the locking position and thus lock the flap. The bolt can have a bevel at its end, which moves into the aforementioned eyelet or behind a bolt or similar locking element. When the flap is closed, the bevel acts as a ramp to push the bolt back from the locking position towards the actuator housing.The principle is similar to that of a door lock latch.

[0013] To unlock, the bolt is preferably moved back from the locking position using an electric motor or a shape memory alloy, in the direction of the actuator housing.

[0014] The actuator preferably includes an emergency release device with which the bolt can be mechanically moved out of its locked position. Preferably, the emergency release device can only be operated from inside the vehicle to prevent unauthorized opening of the cover.

[0015] In one embodiment of the invention, the charging socket can also be sealed with a cover to be dustproof and / or moisture-proof, in order to protect the charging socket from contamination and corrosion.

[0016] In one embodiment of the invention, the flap, which is preferably rotatably mounted adjacent to the vehicle body, is elongated, for example rectangular. In the case of a rectangular shape, it has two long and two short sides. The flap can then preferably be pivoted around one long side. On the one hand, the flap can then conceal two adjacent components (fuel filler neck and charging socket or plug for direct or alternating current) with minimal material expenditure. On the other hand, the flap does not protrude unnecessarily far from the vehicle body when it is opened.

[0017] The charging socket or plug of an electric vehicle can be either retractable from the recess or fixed within it. If a charging plug or socket can be pulled out, it has a retractable electrical cable that, when not pulled out, is stored inside the vehicle.

[0018] In one embodiment of the invention, there is a sliding cover that can be moved back and forth between two positions. In one position, the cover covers one connection point for one energy source, and in the other position, it covers the other connection point for the other energy source. The cover ensures that both connection points are not accessible simultaneously, meaning that only one of the two connection points can be used at a time to refuel the vehicle or charge the vehicle's battery. This prevents simultaneous refueling and electrical charging, which could increase the risk of explosion.

[0019] The invention is explained in more detail below using figures.

[0020] They show: Fig. 1: Recess with two connection options Fig. 2: Recess with two connection options Fig. 3: Tray with flap and two connection options Fig. 4: Two connection options with hinged covers Fig. 5: Two connection options with sliding cover

[0021] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a top view of a recess 1 containing a first cover 2 and a second cover 3. The first cover 2 conceals a charging socket for charging the battery of the associated vehicle. The second cover 3 conceals the end of a filler neck for dispensing liquid fuel into an adjacent tank. Cover 2 seals the housing of a charging socket, at least dustproof and preferably also fluid-tight, with the electrical connections located within the housing. Cover 3 seals the filler neck fluid-tight, and in particular, liquid-tight.

[0022] Between the two covers 2 and 3 there is a bridge 4, which spatially separates the two connection options with the covers 2 and 3.

[0023] The recess 1 is designed as a self-contained component that can be connected to the body of an electric vehicle or a motor vehicle. Attachment points 5 are provided for this purpose. Attachment can be achieved by welding, soldering, or using bolts or screws.

[0024] In the Fig. Figure 2 shows a further embodiment of the invention in part. A body panel comprises a one-piece connected recess 1. There are two different connections for charging a battery. Firstly, there is a high-current connection 6 in the form of a charging socket, which allows the battery to be charged very quickly using direct current. The other charging socket 7, which includes an inserted plug and electrical cable, is used to charge the battery via a conventional household socket using alternating current.

[0025] The Fig. Figure 3 shows a section of a body 8 equipped with a rotating flap 9. The flap 9 is shown in the open position, swung away from the body 8, revealing two connection points 10 and 11. These are two electrical connections for charging a battery with either direct current or alternating current. Alternatively, one connection could be a power outlet with a cover and the other a cover with a fuel filler neck. The flap 9 is elongated and can be pivoted about an axis that runs parallel to one of its long sides.

[0026] In the Fig. Figure 4 shows an embodiment with two connection options. Hinged covers 2 and 3 allow the housings of the two connection options to be closed. Each cover 2 or 3 can be folded towards the other connection option or cover. If one cover is open, the other cover must be closed. This prevents the simultaneous use of two connections, which could lead to malfunctions or damage.

[0027] The hinged lids 2 and 3 can preferably be opened and closed electrically.

[0028] In the Fig. Figure 5 shows two connection options, 6 and 7, which can optionally be covered with a sliding cover 12. In the case of the Fig.The connection option 7 shown on the right is covered by the cover 12. When the cover 12 is moved to the left, connection option 7 is finally exposed and connection option 6 is covered. This prevents both connection options 6 and 7 from being accessible and thus used simultaneously. Reference symbol list: 1 trough 2 lids 3 lids 4 Bridge 5 attachment points 6 charging socket 7 Charging socket 8 Bodywork cutout 9th flap 10 connection options 11 connection option 12 sliding lids

Claims

Motor vehicle- with an electric motor as a drive for the motor vehicle and- optionally an internal combustion engine together with a tank for a fuel supply of the internal combustion engine and a fuel filler neck for filling the tank with fuel,- with a battery for a power supply of the electric motor,- with a recess (1) adjacent to the body of the motor vehicle, which can be closed with a flap (9), wherein in the recess (1) there are two connection options (6, 7, 10, 11) for two different energy carriers, wherein a charging socket (6) for direct current and a charging socket (7) for alternating current are arranged next to each other at different positions of the recess (1) and optionally the fuel filler neck is also arranged in the recess. Motor vehicle according to claim 1 with a locking device and an actuator with a movable latch for locking the flap. Motor vehicle according to the preceding claim, wherein the bolt is electrically movable, in particular by means of an electric motor or by means of a shape memory alloy. Motor vehicle according to one of the two preceding claims with an emergency release device by which the bolt can be mechanically moved from the interior of the vehicle out of its locking position. Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims with at least one cover (2, 3) for closing the fuel filler neck or the charging sockets (6, 7). Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the flap (9) is rotatably mounted and is elongated in view of the flap (9) and in particular has two long and two narrow sides, wherein the axis of rotation of the flap (9) runs parallel to a long side of the flap. Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, in which the charging sockets (6,7) are removable and mounted in the recess (1). Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, in which two hinged covers (2, 3) for closing fuel filler necks or charging sockets (6, 7) are arranged such that one cover can be opened towards the other cover. Motor vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 7 with a sliding cover which can be moved back and forth between two positions, wherein in one position the cover covers one connection option (6, 10) for one energy carrier and in the other position covers the other connection option (7, 11) for the other energy carrier.

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