Charging station for electric charging of a vehicle

Abstract

Charging station (1) for electrically charging a vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle, hybrid vehicle or the like, with at least one vehicle-external part (2) of a charging connector (2,3), wherein the vehicle-external part (2) of the charging connector (2,3) is covered or can be covered by an adjustable cover (4), characterized in that the entire cover (4) is arranged on the inside of a housing wall (5) of the charging station (1) having an access opening (6), wherein the cover (4) has an opening (8) which can be brought into a position overlapping with the access opening (6) of the housing wall (5) and with the vehicle-external part (2) of the charging connector (2,3).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a charging station for electrically charging a vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle, hybrid vehicle or the like, according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0002] Vehicles that can be driven with alternative drives represent an important cornerstone in the future of automotive technology. In particular, e-vehicles (electric vehicles) or hybrid vehicles (combination of electric drive with a conventional engine, such as a combustion or diesel engine) are powered by high AC (alternating current) and DC (direct current) services must be charged so that the charging process can take place quickly and is accepted by the customer.

[0003] Appropriate infrastructure is required for charging such vehicles and there will therefore be more and more public or semi-public charging stations.

[0004] The charging plugs used must essentially comply with known standards such as JEVS G105-1993 (DC charging), SAE J1772 or IEC 621196-2 Type 1 (AC 1-phase), IEC 62196-2 Type 2 and 3 ( AC 3-phase).

[0005] In order to establish an electrical connection between the vehicle to be charged and the charging station for the purpose of the desired charging, it is necessary for the user to plug a part of a charging connector on the vehicle into a part of the charging connector that is external to the vehicle.

[0006] The vehicle-external part of the charging connector is usually part of a charging station, with charging stations (similar to conventional gas stations) being provided in places that are easily accessible to everyone.

[0007] Due to the good accessibility to be provided, such charging stations are sometimes also preferred objects for vandalism.

[0008] In order to counteract this problem, US Pat. No. 7,952,325 B2, which forms the features of the preamble, proposes a charging station with a pivotable flap for covering a part of a charging connector that is external to the vehicle. In addition, locking elements are provided which can hold the flap in a closed position or in a loading position without the need for a power supply.

[0009] Although this solution represents a certain protection against vandalism, the disadvantage here is that the flap is easily accessible and thus offers good points of attack for vandalism purposes, particularly when the flap is in a slightly open loading position.

[0010] It is the object of the invention to bring about an improvement here.

[0011] This object is achieved with the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments or developments of the invention can be found in the respective dependent claims.

[0012] The invention is therefore based on a charging station for electrically charging a. Electric or hybrid vehicle, with at least one vehicle-external part of a charging connector, wherein the vehicle-external part of the charging connector is covered by an adjustable cover or can be covered.

[0013] According to the invention, it is now provided that the cover is arranged on the inside of a housing wall of the charging station that has an access opening.

[0014] The cover is therefore not part of the housing wall as in the prior art, but is positioned behind it with difficult or hardly accessible access. The risk of damage from vandalism is therefore greatly reduced.

[0015] A development of the invention provides that the cover is held in the charging station so that it can be moved.

[0016] In this way, a particularly simple, space-saving and robust mechanism is possible.

[0017] The cover can preferably be held in lateral guide rails and moved into the desired position by a suitable drive (for example an electric motor).

[0018] However, instead of displaceability, other types of mechanisms are also conceivable. For example, pivoting or twisting is also possible. In order to improve a sealing effect between the housing wall and the cover, at least one sealing means is preferably provided between the housing wall and the cover. This can be done, for example, in the form of a circumferential O-ring or in the form of a hollow rubber profile. A seal with a labyrinthine cross section is also conceivable.

[0019] According to a further embodiment of the idea of ​​the invention, the cover has an opening which can be brought into a position overlapping with the access opening of the housing wall and with the part of the charging connector that is external to the vehicle.

[0020] This has the advantage that the cover has to be moved a comparatively shorter distance from the charging connector in order to release the vehicle-external part, and the cover can nevertheless have a sufficient “safety distance” on all sides of the access opening.

[0021] If the opening of the housing wall narrows conically in the direction of the cover in an expedient embodiment of the invention, it is easier to insert the charging connector on the vehicle in the direction of the part of the charging connector that is external to the vehicle.

[0022] According to a further expedient development of the invention, the cover is designed to partially interact with the vehicle-side part of the charging connector.

[0023] This is advantageous, for example, when the two parts of the charging connector are plugged together and the vehicle-side part of the charging connector is to be prevented from being pulled out of the charging station.

[0024] For example, by closing an electrical contact in the case of a correct plug-in connection, a movable part of the vehicle-side charging connector can be moved into a corresponding groove or recess in the cover and this. Locking can only be lifted at the request of an operator (e.g. when the loading process is aborted or completed).

[0025] In addition to positive locking, however, it is also conceivable for the vehicle-side part of the charging connector to be secured in this way by positive locking.

[0026] It has been shown that it contributes to simplicity, compactness and robustness if the cover is essentially plate-like and has at least two openings, with at least one pin-like locking element being present, which can be moved into the openings transversely to the surface extension of the cover.

[0027] Each of the openings represents a possible position (open or closed) of the cover. By moving in the locking elements, the cover can easily be adjusted in the respectively desired position.

[0028] It is expedient here if the pin-like locking element and the openings have conically extending, interacting surfaces, with the openings becoming smaller in the insertion direction of the locking element. As a result, the opening and the locking element can be self-adjusting to a certain extent, which contributes to increasing reliability.

[0029] Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description. The same reference symbols refer to the same ones; comparable or functionally identical components.

[0030] Show it, each schematically

[0031] figure 1 the partial section of the housing of a charging station in the area of ​​the charging connector,

[0032] figure 2 shows a simplified representation according to View II figure 1 and

[0033] figure 3 shows a sectional view according to section III figure 2.

[0034] In figure 1 is a charging station 1 on average, namely in the area of ​​a vehicle-external part 2 of a charging connector shown.

[0035] The charging station 1 has a housing with a housing wall5 on, with the necessary electrical and mechanical components to be protected being housed inside the housing.

[0036] However, only the components helpful for understanding the invention are shown in simplified form in the illustration.

[0037] So is the vehicle-external part 2 of the charging connector protected inside the charging station housing 1 , specifically behind the housing wall 5 arranged.

[0038] If the driver of a vehicle now wants to top up, he must first identify himself in a suitable manner, for example by entering a pin code or by inserting an identification card into a corresponding slot (not shown in detail).

[0039] After successful legitimation, a drive 7 (For example, an electric motor) controlled, which is in operative connection with an inside behind the housing wall 5 arranged, adjustable cover 4 stands.

[0040] The cover 4 is plate-like, roughly rectangular in plan and for reasons of stability (like the housing wall 5 ) preferably made of steel. It can be moved in elongated guide elements 11 held, which on the long sides of the cover 4 are arranged. The cover 4 However, it can also have other shapes (e.g. round shape) and be made of other resistant or hard materials. Their adjustability can also be realized by a wide variety of mechanisms, such as, for example, the ability to rotate or pivot.

[0041] For the purpose of easier mobility in the guide elements 11 , the cover can 4 be provided with a non-illustrated, friction-reducing coating.

[0042] It can also be seen that the cover 4 an opening 8 and the housing wall 5 an access opening 6 exhibit.

[0043] In the figure, a successful legitimation has already taken place and the cover 4 was by controlling the drive 7 driven into such a position, at the point of its opening 8 both with the access opening 6 as well as with the vehicle-external part 2 of the charging connector is at a height such that a vehicle-side part 3 of the charging connector unhindered in the vehicle-external part 2 of the charging connector can be plugged in.

[0044] So that the cover 4 can be securely fixed in this position are pin or bolt-like locking elements 10 provided, which in corresponding openings 9 the cover 4 can intervene.

[0045] It can be seen that both the openings 9 as well as the locking elements 10 conical surfaces 90 or. 100 have, which interact and by means of which a safe retraction of the locking elements 10 into the openings 9 or a self-adjustment of the same is made possible. Instead of conical formation of the surfaces 90 or. 100 other forms are also conceivable. These can, for example, have a simple circular-cylindrical shape.

[0046] The access opening is similar 6 with a conical surface 60 provided that an insertion of the vehicle-side part 3 of the charge connector into the access hole 6 should facilitate.

[0047] In addition, it is conceivable that the cover 4 and the vehicle-side part 3 to provide the charging connector with means which, in the assembled state of the charging connector, willful removal of the vehicle-side part, which is not desired by the vehicle driver 3 of the charging connector. For example, the cover 4 with a groove-like recess 12 and the vehicle-side part 3 of the charging connector with an electrically controllable, radially extendable locking element 30be provided. A reverse arrangement is also possible.

[0048] If the charging process is to be terminated or aborted at the request of the vehicle driver, then the locking is a corresponding one 12 , 30 releasing signal can be generated and the vehicle-side part 3 of the charging connector can be removed from the charging station 1 be pulled out again.

[0049] At this moment, the drive is also automatically switched on 7 driving signal generated, whereupon the cover 4 back up, into a position 4' is moved, giving access to the vehicle-external part 2 of the charge connector through the one behind the access hole 6 located cover 4 is locked. Before this shifting movement, however, were the locking elements 10 back out of the openings 9 pulled out and after reaching the position 4' in the lower openings 9 plugged in again. Such is the coverage 4 also in the upper one, the access opening 6 locking position held securely.

[0050] In the figure 1 to figure 3 is also a circumferential groove 50 the housing wall 5 can be seen in which a sealing element 13 is inserted in the manner of an O-ring.

[0051] The sealing element 13 is, as can be seen, around the access opening 6 stationary in the housing wall 5 positioned and sealed with access port closed 6 the interior of the charging station 1 effective against the environment.

[0052] Deviating from the exemplary embodiment, however, more or fewer of the pairings can also have openings 9 / locking element 10 be provided. For example, it is conceivable laterally above the opening 8 more openings 9 and corresponding locking elements 10 (In the manner of the apparent in the figure) to arrange.

[0053] It should be noted that the cover 4 through the guide elements 11' and the locking elements 10 so close to the case wall 5 is maintained that no or only such a small space remains between these components, so that willful manipulation of the charging station is prevented. Out figure 2 it can be seen that four openings 9 are provided, the openings 9 side of the access opening 6 are arranged. This configuration leads to a more stable adjustment of the cover 4 and reduces sealing problems. Reference List 1 charging station 2 Vehicle-external part of the charging connector 3 vehicle-side part of the charging connector 30 locking element 4, 4' adjustable cover 5 housing wall 50 circumferential groove 6 access hole 60 conical surface 7 drive 8 Cover opening 9 openings 90 conical surface 10 locking elements 100 conical area 11 elongated guide elements 12 recess 13 sealing element QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

[0054] This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Patent Literature Cited

[0055] US7952325B2

[0008] Non-patent Literature Cited

[0056] SAE J1772

[0004] IEC 621196-2 Type 1 (AC 1-phase)

[0004] IEC 62196-2 Type 2 and 3 (AC 3-phase)

[0004]

Claims

[1] Charging station ( 1 ) for the electrical charging of a vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle, hybrid vehicle or the like, with at least one part external to the vehicle ( 2 ) of a charging connector ( 2 , 3 ), wherein the vehicle-external part ( 2 ) of the charging connector ( 2 , 3 ) by means of an adjustable cover ( 4 ) is covered or can be covered, characterized by , that the cover ( 4 ) inside of an access opening ( 6 ) housing wall ( 5 ) the charging station ( 1 ) is arranged. [2] Charging station ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover ( 4 ) movable in the charging station ( 1 ) is held. [3] Charging station ( 1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that between the housing wall ( 5) and the cover at least one sealant ( 13 ) is planned. [4] Charging station ( 1 ) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover ( 4 ) an opening ( 8 ) which features an opening connected to the access opening ( 6 ) the housing wall ( 5 ) and with the vehicle-external part ( 2 ) of the charging connector ( 2 , 3 ) overlapping position is possible. [5] Charging station ( 1 ) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening ( 6 ) the housing wall ( 5 ) towards the cover ( 4 ) conically reduced in size. [6] Charging station ( 1 ) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover ( 4 ) for partial cooperation ( 12 , 30) with the vehicle-side part ( 3 ) of the charging connector ( 2 , 3 ) is trained. [7] Charging station ( 1 ) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover ( 4 ) is essentially plate-like and has at least two openings ( 9 ) having at least one pin-like locking element ( 10 ) is present, which is perpendicular to the surface area of ​​the cover ( 4 ) into the openings ( 9 ) is driveable. [8] Charging station ( 1 ) according to claim 7, characterized in that the pin-like locking element ( 10 ) and the openings ( 9 ) conically sloping, interacting surfaces ( 90 , 100 ) exhibit, with the openings ( 9 ) in the insertion direction of the locking element ( 10 ) reduce.

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