Charging station for different parking situations

Abstract

Charging station (10, 20, 30, 40, 70) for charging the battery of an electric or hybrid vehicle, including a. a basic body (12, 22, 32, 42) which accommodates system components; b. an interchangeable attachment (13, 23, 33, 43, 73) which has a boom (16, 26, 36, 46) which is rigidly arranged on the attachment (13, 23, 33, 43, 73), which boom (16, 26, 36, 46) has a front end (61) and is configured to carry at least one charging cable (14, 24, 34, 44, 66, 74) in order to keep it off the ground during the charging process; c. at least one charging cable (14, 24, 34, 44, 66, 74), wherein - the charging cable (14, 24, 34, 44, 66, 74) is fixed to the end (61) of the boom (16, 26, 36, 46), or - the charging cable (14, 24, 34, 44, 66, 74) extends through a recess (57) formed at the end (61) of the boom (16, 26, 36, 46) and is loosely guided in the recess (57), wherein the charging cable (14, 24, 34, 44, 66, 74) is fixed to the end (61) of the boom (16, 26, 36, 46), and wherein the charging cable (14, 24, 34, 44, 66, 74) is fixed by a ring (63) made of a polymer material which surrounds the charging cable (14, 24, 34, 44, 66, 74) and applies a defined pressure to the surface of the charging cable (14, 24, 34, 44, 66, 74).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging station for charging a battery arranged in an electric or hybrid vehicle, which can be used in different parking situations.

[0002] When charging an electric or hybrid vehicle at a charging station, a variety of different configurations can occur, as the parking situation and the position of the charging port on the vehicle vary. For example, parking spaces can be arranged parallel to each other, perpendicular or at an angle to the edge of the road, or one behind the other parallel to the road; the charging port on the vehicle can be located, for example, in the center of the front or on one side, or in the center of the rear or on one side; the vehicle can be parked facing forwards or backwards. Depending on the configuration, a different length of charging cable would be required to connect the charging station and the vehicle.

[0003] Current systems solve this problem by using a significantly longer charging cable. The charging cable lies on the ground and can therefore be driven over and become dirty. Damage to the charging cable is common.

[0004] Alternative concepts with swiveling arms or handling systems, where the charging cable is guided to the charging port by special devices, are known, but complex and therefore expensive. They are also prone to malfunctions and can freeze in winter.

[0005] DE 10 2012 221 128 A1 discloses a charging device for charging an electric or hybrid vehicle with a boom, a carriage movable on the boom and a charging unit arranged on the carriage and adjustable in height, wherein the charging unit can be coupled to a counterpart that interacts with the charging unit.

[0006] WO 2016 / 012 172 A1 shows a charging station with a boom, the boom having a rotatably mounted first element and a translationally adjustable second element adjoining it.

[0007] US Patent 2013 / 0229141A1 discloses an electric vehicle charging infrastructure in which a bollard-like assembly is connected to a roof structure via a structural trunk. A retractable device with a retractable strap is mounted to a support beam of the roof structure via a mounting bracket. A charging cable can be attached to the retractable strap so that, when needed, it can be moved to an electric vehicle by pulling the strap out of the retractable device.

[0008] The JP 2012 - 90 407 A shows a charging station with a movable arm, on the underside of which a fastening device is provided to which a charging cable is fixed.

[0009] German patent application DE 10 2017 115 640 A1 discloses a cooling unit for a charging station with a heat exchanger having first and second connections. The heat exchanger is designed to cool a closed secondary coolant circuit of the charging station when the first connections are connected to a common primary coolant circuit of the charging station and the second connections are connected to the secondary coolant circuit.

[0010] DE 10 2017 116 888 A1 shows a charging station for an electric vehicle charging point, which has an illuminated plug holder and is designed to illuminate the plug holder alternately depending on the state.

[0011] The present invention is based on the objective of providing a charging station that is simple and robust in design, not prone to errors, and can be adapted to all parking situations.

[0012] The present invention relates to a charging station for charging the battery of an electric or hybrid vehicle. The charging station according to the invention comprises a base body which accommodates system components. This base body is firmly connected to the ground or to a pedestal and is connected to a power source, e.g., the local power grid, a generator, a renewable energy source, etc.

[0013] The charging station according to the invention also includes an interchangeable attachment, which has a boom that is rigidly arranged on the attachment. The boom is configured to support at least one charging cable in order to keep it off the ground during the charging process. The interchangeable attachment is detachably connected to the base body. Different embodiments of interchangeable attachments are available, so that the most suitable embodiment can be selected and used for the respective parking situation (for example, the variants parking position perpendicular to the roadway, parking position parallel to the roadway, parking position at an angle to the roadway). If the arrangement of the parking spaces changes later, the attachment can be replaced, if necessary, with a different embodiment that is better suited to the changed parking situation. The attachments can be customized in shape and color.The cross-section of the attachment can be round, oval, or rectangular, and can remain the same or vary along its length. Furthermore, additional designs are available depending on the charging and connector type, for example, for CHAdeMO and CCS.

[0014] The arm's function is to support the charging cable(s) and keep them off the ground during the charging process. In one embodiment, the arm also incorporates a strain relief for the charging cable(s). In another embodiment, the arm is located at the upper end of the interchangeable attachment. It can be integrated with the attachment's housing or be a separate component.

[0015] In one embodiment, the height H of the base body with attachment is between 2.4 and 3.0 m; for example, 2.4 m, 2.6 m, 2.8 m, or 3.0 m. The height H is measured from the lower edge of the attachment, i.e., the joint with the base body, to the highest point of the attachment. In one embodiment, the highest point of the attachment is the tip of the boom.

[0016] In one embodiment, the length L of the boom is from 0.4 to 0.8 m; for example, 0.4 m, 0.6 m, or 0.8 m. The length L of the boom is measured from the tip of the boom to the point where the boom attaches to the base. The length L is therefore the length of the portion of the boom that extends beyond the outer edge of the base below the boom. In one embodiment, the boom forms an obtuse angle with the base. In one embodiment, the angle between the base of the charging station and the upper edge of the boom is from 90° to 135°, for example, from 110° to 120°.

[0017] The charging cable is routed within the boom. In one embodiment, at least one cross brace is arranged in the boom. The cross brace can run above or below the charging cable and touches it. In another embodiment, the boom has at least one cross brace that supports the cable from below to prevent sagging. In another embodiment, the boom has at least one cross brace that runs over the cable to control its bending radius and prevent kinking. In a further embodiment, the boom has several cross braces, at least one of which runs over the cable to control the bending radius and preferably to guide the cable between the two side walls of the boom, concealing it from view.

[0018] The charging station according to the invention also comprises at least one charging cable. In one embodiment, the charging station according to the invention comprises two charging cables.

[0019] In one embodiment, each charging cable is fixed to the boom at at least one point. In one embodiment, the fixing takes place at the end of the boom, particularly at the end of the boom, for example, on a front panel or a front plate of the boom. In one embodiment, the fixing includes strain relief. In another embodiment, the charging cable is fixed by a ring made of a polymer material that encloses the charging cable and applies a defined pressure to the surface of the charging cable. The charging cable is fixed due to the static friction between the cable sheath and the ring. The ring preferably consists of a material with high static friction in combination with the outer cable material and high elasticity.

[0020] In one embodiment, the polymer material is a plastic or rubber. In another embodiment, the ring has a hardness of less than 70 Shore A. In one embodiment, the ring is connected to the end face of the boom by a screw connection. In one embodiment, the screw connection of the charging cable engages, for example, in a sheet metal plate at the end of the boom. Additionally, a sealing ring can be arranged between the ring and the screw connection. Furthermore, or alternatively, a counter piece, which can be designed, for example, as a slotted ring with a conical profile, can be arranged between the ring and the end face.

[0021] In one embodiment, a recess is formed at the end of the boom through which the charging cable extends, with the charging cable being loosely guided in the recess. This effectively relieves stress on the charging cable.

[0022] In one embodiment, the edge of the recess is rounded to reduce the risk of damage to the charging cable.

[0023] In one embodiment, the surface of the boom in the area of ​​the recess is made of a low-friction material to reduce cable wear.

[0024] In one embodiment, the sheath of the charging cable contains polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, chloroprene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, poly(tetrafluoroethyleneco-hexafluoropropylene) or silicone.

[0025] In one embodiment, the length of the charging cable is from 3.8 to 6.0 m; for example, 4.8 m, 5.4 m, or 6.0 m.

[0026] In one embodiment, the charging cable has a charging plug at one end that can be connected to a corresponding charging socket of the vehicle whose battery is to be charged. Charging plugs conforming to a common standard, such as CHAdeMO or CCS, are used.

[0027] One advantage of the charging station according to the invention is that the charging cable and charging plug are not located on the ground and are therefore protected from being run over and from contamination. No additional handling system is required, which is susceptible to defects and damage.

[0028] In one embodiment, the charging station according to the invention has a service hatch facing the parking space. This offers the advantage that the sidewalk does not need to be closed for servicing. The parking space has to be closed for servicing anyway.

[0029] Another advantage is that the charging station can be placed directly against a wall. This allows for use in confined spaces, such as parking garages or public parking lots, or in city centers where space is limited. Two charging stations can also be installed back-to-back. This allows, for example, two parallel rows of parking spaces to be supplied via charging stations positioned between the rows. Even with this configuration, servicing and changing the charging unit are possible.

[0030] The invention is schematically illustrated with reference to embodiments in the drawings and is further described with reference to the drawings. It shows: Fig. 1 in a perspective view three different embodiments of the charging station according to the invention; Fig. 2 a side view of the three in Fig. 1 illustrated embodiments of the charging station according to the invention; Fig. 3 a top view of the three in Fig. 1 illustrated embodiments of the charging station according to the invention; Fig. 4 a front view of the three in Fig. 1 illustrated embodiments of the charging station according to the invention; Fig. 5 in a perspective view another embodiment of the charging station according to the invention; Fig. 6 in a perspective view an embodiment of a charging cable fixation in the charging station according to the invention; Fig. 7 a top view of a further embodiment of the charging station according to the invention.

[0031] Fig. 1 to Fig. Figure 4 shows three different embodiments 10, 20, 30 of the charging station according to the invention. Fig. 1. The charging stations in a perspective view, Fig. 2 in a side view, Fig. 3 in a top view and Fig. 4 in a front view.

[0032] On the left side of the illustration, a first embodiment 10 of the charging station is shown. A base body 12 is permanently connected to a plinth 11 and contains system components such as control electronics and communication equipment. An interchangeable attachment 13 is placed on the base body 12 and detachably connected to it. A boom 16 located at the upper end of the attachment 13 carries and guides a charging cable 14 within it. A charging plug 15 is attached to the end of the charging cable 14 and is located in a corresponding holder on the base body 12 when no vehicle is connected to the charging station 10. In the illustrated embodiment 10, the height of the base body 12 with attachment 13 is 2.6 m, and the length of the boom 16 is 0.4 m. The length of the charging cable 14 is 4.8 m. Embodiment 10 is particularly suitable for parking spaces arranged perpendicular to the direction of travel and for vehicles in which the charging socket is located in the front of the vehicle.

[0033] The attachment 13 is mounted by sliding it onto the base body 12 from above or from the front and connecting it to the base body 12. The attachment 13 preferably has lateral jaws that rest against and are connected to the base body 12. This ensures a stable connection between the attachment 13 and the base body 12.

[0034] In the center of the illustration, a second version 20 of the charging station is shown. A base body 22 is permanently connected to a plinth 21 and contains system components. An interchangeable attachment 23 is placed on the base body 22 and detachably connected to it. A boom 26 located at the upper end of the attachment 23 carries and guides a charging cable 24 within it. A charging plug 25 is attached to the end of the charging cable 24 and is located in a corresponding holder on the base body 22 when no vehicle is connected to the charging station 20. In the illustrated version 20, the height of the base body 22 with the attachment 23 is 2.8 m, and the length of the boom 26 is 0.6 m. The length of the charging cable 24 is 5.4 m. Version 20 is particularly suitable for parking spaces arranged perpendicular to the direction of travel and for vehicles in which the charging socket is located in the rear of the vehicle.

[0035] On the right side of the illustration, a third version 30 of the charging station is shown. A base body 32 is permanently connected to a plinth 31 and contains system components. An interchangeable attachment 33 is placed on the base body 32 and detachably connected to it. A boom 36 located at the upper end of the attachment 33 carries and guides a charging cable 34 inside it. A charging plug 35 is attached to the end of the charging cable 34 and is located in a corresponding holder on the base body 32 when no vehicle is connected to the charging station 30. In the illustrated version 30, the height of the base body 32 with the attachment 33 is 3.0 m and the length of the boom 36 is 0.8 m. For clarification, Fig. 4 the height H of the base body 32 with the attachment 33 and in Fig. Figure 2 shows the length L of the boom 36. The length of the charging cable 34 is 6.0 m. Version 30 is particularly suitable for parking spaces arranged diagonally to the direction of travel and for vehicles where the charging socket is located in the rear of the vehicle.

[0036] Fig. Figure 5 shows another embodiment 40 of the charging station in a perspective view. A base body 42 is permanently connected to a plinth 41 and contains system components. An interchangeable attachment 43 is placed on the base body 42 and detachably connected to it. A boom 46 located at the upper end of the attachment 43 carries and guides two charging cables 44 within it. A charging plug 45 is attached to the end of each charging cable 44 and is located in a corresponding holder on the base body 42 when no vehicle is connected to the charging cable 44.

[0037] Fig. Figure 6 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a charging cable fixation in the charging station according to the invention. The charging cable 66 is fastened in a fixed part 61 of the boom, which has an internal thread. This can be, for example, a front panel of the boom or another part arranged at the end of the boom. The fixed part 61 can be a sheet of iron, steel, another metal, or plastic. The charging cable 66 is fixed by a ring 63, which can be a plastic or rubber ring with high static friction. The ring 63 is fastened and pressurized by a screw 65 that engages in the internal thread of the fixed part 61. In the illustrated embodiment of the charging cable fixation, a sealing ring 64 is arranged between the screw 65 and the ring 63, which additionally seals the screw 65.Between the ring 63 and the fixed part 61 there is a conical, slotted ring 62, which acts as a counterpiece to ensure that the ring 63 exerts sufficient pressure on the surface of the charging cable 66 to fix it in place.

[0038] Fig. Figure 7 shows a top view of a further embodiment 70 of the charging station according to the invention. Two cross braces 76 and 77 are arranged inside the arm of the attachment 73. The cross brace 76 runs below the charging cable 74 and supports it so that it cannot sag. The cross brace 77 runs above the charging cable 74 and limits its bending radius so that it cannot kink. Together, the cross braces 76 and 77 also guide the charging cable 74 inside the attachment 73 so that it is not visible from the side. The charging cable 74 terminates in a charging plug 75, which is located in a corresponding holder in one side of the attachment 73.

[0039] Fig. Figure 8 shows a cantilever 56 in a partially cutaway view. The charging cable 54 is loosely guided in a recess 57. The degrees of freedom perpendicular to the extension of the charging cable 54 are thus limited. The recess 57 is preferably provided at the end 51 of the cantilever 56. The recess 57 is defined in some areas by at least two struts 58, which are preferably rounded at least on their side facing the charging cable 54 to reduce the risk of damage to the cable. The cantilever 56 can also be rounded laterally to reduce the risk of damage.

[0040] The recess 57 is preferably larger than the cross-section of the charging cable 54.

[0041] The surface of the attachment 56 at the perimeter of the recess 57 is preferably made of a low-friction material which, in conjunction with the charging cable 54, exhibits low friction and high wear resistance. Suitable materials include, for example, Teflon or PBT.

[0042] The design of the recess 57 shown can also be combined with a fixation in another area.

[0043] Fig. 9 shows a variant of Fig. 8, in which the recess 57 is round or curved. Here too, the edge of the recess 57 is preferably rounded to reduce the risk of damage to the charging cable 54.

Claims

[1] Charging station (10, 20, 30, 40, 70) for charging the battery of an electric or hybrid vehicle, comprising a. a basic body (12, 22, 32, 42) which accommodates system components; b. an interchangeable attachment (13, 23, 33, 43, 73) which has a boom (16, 26, 36, 46) which is rigidly arranged on the attachment (13, 23, 33, 43, 73), which boom (16, 26, 36, 46) has a front end (61) and is configured to carry at least one charging cable (14, 24, 34, 44, 66, 74) in order to keep it off the ground during the charging process; c. at least one charging cable (14, 24, 34, 44, 66, 74), wherein - the charging cable (14, 24, 34, 44, 66, 74) is fixed to the end (61) of the boom (16, 26, 36, 46), or - the charging cable (14, 24, 34, 44, 66, 74) extends through a recess (57) formed at the end (61) of the boom (16, 26, 36, 46) and is loosely guided in the recess (57), wherein the charging cable (14, 24, 34, 44, 66, 74) is fixed to the end (61) of the boom (16, 26, 36, 46), and wherein the charging cable (14, 24, 34, 44, 66, 74) is fixed by a ring (63) made of a polymer material which surrounds the charging cable (14, 24, 34, 44, 66, 74) and applies a defined pressure to the surface of the charging cable (14, 24, 34, 44, 66, 74). [2] Charging station according to claim 1, wherein the boom (16, 26, 36, 46) is arranged at the upper end of the interchangeable attachment (13, 23, 33, 43, 73). [3] Charging station according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fixing has a strain relief (63). [4] Charging station according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the polymer material is a plastic or a rubber. [5] Charging station according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the ring (63) has a hardness of less than 70 Shore A. [6] Charging station according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the ring (63) is connected to the end face (61) of the boom (16, 26, 36, 46) by means of a screw connection (65). [7] Charging station according to claim 6, in which a sealing ring (64) is arranged between the ring (63) and the screw connection (65); and / or a counter piece (62) is arranged between the ring (63) and the end face (61). [8] Charging column according to one of the preceding claims, in which at least one crossbar (76, 77) is arranged in the boom (16, 26, 36, 46) which runs above or below the charging cable (14, 24, 34, 44, 66, 74) and touches it. [9] Charging station according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the height (H) of the base body (12, 22, 32, 42) with attachment (13, 23, 33, 43, 73) is from 2.4 to 3.0 m. [10] Charging station according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the length (L) of the boom (16, 26, 36, 46) is from 0.4 to 0.8 m. [11] Charging column according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the boom (16, 26, 36, 46) has lateral jaws which rest against and are connected to the base body (12, 22, 32, 42). [12] Charging station (10, 20, 30, 40, 70) for charging the battery of an electric or hybrid vehicle, comprising a. a basic body (12, 22, 32, 42) which accommodates system components; b. an interchangeable attachment (13, 23, 33, 43, 73) which has a boom (16, 26, 36, 46) which is rigidly arranged on the attachment (13, 23, 33, 43, 73), which boom (16, 26, 36, 46) has a front end (61) and is configured to carry at least one charging cable (14, 24, 34, 44, 66, 74) in order to keep it off the ground during the charging process; c. at least one charging cable (14, 24, 34, 44, 66, 74), wherein - the charging cable (14, 24, 34, 44, 66, 74) is fixed to the end (61) of the boom (16, 26, 36, 46), or - the charging cable (14, 24, 34, 44, 66, 74) extends through a recess (57) formed at the end (61) of the boom (16, 26, 36, 46) and is loosely guided in the recess (57), wherein the charging cable (14, 24, 34, 44, 66, 74) extends through the recess (57) formed at the end (61) of the boom (16, 26, 36, 46) and is loosely guided in the recess (57). [13] Charging station according to claim 12, wherein the rim of the recess (57) is rounded at least in some areas to avoid damage to the charging cable. [14] Charging station according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the charging cable (14, 24, 34, 44, 66, 74) has a sheath which sheath contains polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, chloroprene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, poly(tetrafluoroethylene-cohexafluoropropylene) or silicone. [15] Charging station according to one of claims 12 to 14, in which at least one crossbar (76, 77) is arranged in the boom (16, 26, 36, 46) which runs above or below the charging cable (14, 24, 34, 44, 66, 74) and touches it. [16] Charging station according to one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the height (H) of the base body (12, 22, 32, 42) with attachment (13, 23, 33, 43, 73) is from 2.4 to 3.0 m. [17] Charging station according to one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the length (L) of the boom (16, 26, 36, 46) is from 0.4 to 0.8 m. [18] Charging station according to one of claims 12 to 17, wherein the length of the charging cable (14, 24, 34, 44, 66, 74) is from 3.8 to 6.0 m. [19] Charging column according to one of claims 12 to 18, wherein the boom (16, 26, 36, 46) has lateral jaws which rest against and are connected to the base body (12, 22, 32, 42).

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