Charging device for an electric vehicle

Abstract

Charging device for an electric motor vehicle (100), comprising a connection device (40) that can be arranged on a body component (110) of the motor vehicle (100) with a charging cradle (42), a charging socket (44) arranged in the charging cradle (42) and a charging flap (46) which, in a closed position, closes the charging cradle (42) and, in an open position, releases the charging cradle (42) and the charging socket (44) arranged therein, wherein the charging device (20) further comprises a charging cable (60) with a charging plug (62) which is electrically and mechanically connected to the charging socket (44), and a power cable (64) connected to the charging plug (62) and a cover (80), characterized in that the cover (80) comprises a first retaining device (82) which is positively and / or force-fit connected to the charging tray (42), the cover (80) includes a second retaining device (84) which is positively and / or force-fit connected to the charging plug (62) and / or the power cable (64), the cover further comprises a cuff (86) which connects the first retaining device (82) to the second retaining device (84), the cuff (86) includes a viewing window (88) formed from a transparent material.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a charging device for an electric motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1 or 2 and to a motor vehicle comprising such a charging device.

[0002] Charging devices of the type mentioned above serve to establish an electrical connection to a charging station, by means of which a vehicle battery can be charged. During a battery charging process, a charging flap on the vehicle side is usually open. A vehicle-side charging cradle with a charging socket can be exposed to extreme weather conditions due to the open charging flap, which can cause the charging cradle to become stuck, for example, with snow or ice.

[0003] From DE 10 2010 053 137 A1, a charging device of the type mentioned above is known, which is provided with a charging flap that, according to one embodiment, has an upper cover part and a lower cover part. During a battery charging process, the upper cover part can rest on the plug of a charging cable to protect it from environmental influences.

[0004] A charging device for an electric motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1 or 2 is known from the publication DE 10 2014 111 273 A1.

[0005] DE 10 2009 053 673 A1 and US 2008 / 0 142 637 A1 reveal further state of the art.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a charging device for an electric motor vehicle which is particularly insensitive to external weather conditions during a battery charging process.

[0007] The problem is solved by a charging device according to claim 1 and claim 2 and by a motor vehicle according to claim 7.

[0008] The charging device according to claim 1 and claim 2 each comprises a connection device that can be arranged on a body component of the motor vehicle, comprising a charging cradle, a charging socket arranged in the charging cradle, and a charging flap that closes the charging cradle in a closed position and releases the charging cradle and the charging socket arranged therein in an open position. The charging device according to the invention further comprises a cover and a charging cable with a charging plug that is electrically and mechanically connected to the charging socket, and a power cable connected to the charging plug. The cover comprises a first retaining device that is positively and / or non-positively connected to the charging cradle. The cover further comprises a second retaining device that is positively and / or non-positively connected to the charging plug and / or the power cable.The cover also includes a cuff that connects the first holding device to the second holding device.

[0009] According to claim 1, the cuff comprises a viewing window formed from a transparent material. This design can allow a view of a display device arranged in the charging cradle, such as a battery status indicator.

[0010] According to claim 2, the cuff comprises a cover lip that can be applied to the exterior of the vehicle adjacent to the connection device. The cover lip is provided with a flocked coating. The flocking prevents the cover lip from freezing to the exterior of the vehicle.

[0011] Furthermore, the charging device is characterized by a high degree of resistance to external weather conditions. In particular, it prevents snow and / or ice from accumulating on the charging tray.

[0012] Preferably, the cover can also be permanently attached to the charging cable, i.e., the cover cannot be separated from the charging cable without being damaged.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the first retaining device is designed as a sealing ring. The sealing ring can seal the loading tray against the cover to protect it from external weather influences.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the charging device further comprises a charging flap cover that encloses the charging flap.

[0015] Preferably, the first holding device and / or the second holding device is designed as a plastic part or as a plastic-coated metal part.

[0016] The invention further relates to a motor vehicle comprising a charging device according to the invention.

[0017] Details and further advantages of the charging device and the motor vehicle according to the invention are explained with reference to the exemplary embodiments described below. These illustrate: Fig. 1: a charging device according to a first embodiment in a perspective view; Fig. 2: a charging device according to a second embodiment in a perspective view; Fig. 3: a charging device according to a third embodiment in a perspective view; and Fig. 4: A charging device according to a fourth embodiment in a perspective view.

[0018] The application relates to a charging device 20 for an electric motor vehicle 100. The charging device 20 comprises a connection device 40 which can be arranged on a body component 110 of the motor vehicle 100, with a charging tray 42, a charging socket 44 arranged in the charging tray 42 and a charging flap 46 which, in a closed position, closes the charging tray 42 and, in an open position, releases the charging tray 42 and the charging socket 44 arranged therein.

[0019] The charging device 20 further comprises a cover 80 and a charging cable 60 with a charging plug 62, which is electrically and mechanically connected to the charging socket 44, and a power cable 64 connected to the charging plug 62. The cover 80 comprises a first retaining device 82, which is positively and / or force-fit connected to the charging cradle 42.

[0020] The charging device 20 according to the invention is used for the method described below for charging a motor vehicle battery. The method comprises the following process steps: - Opening the charging port 46; - Inserting the charging plug 62 into the charging socket 44; - Pressing a charging button 48 of the motor vehicle 100; - Pulling the cover 80 over the charging plug 62; - Connecting the first holding device 82 to the charging cradle 42; - Charging the battery; - manual removal of snow and / or dirt from the cover 80; and - Removing the first holding device 82 from the charging cradle 42, in particular by axially pulling off the cover 80 from the charging cradle 42, and removing the charging plug 62 from the charging socket 44.

[0021] After removing the first holding device 82 from the charging cradle 42, the charging cable 60, including the cover 80, can be stored in a storage bag inside the vehicle. If necessary, the cover 80 can also be removed from the charging cable 60 and stored separately.

[0022] The first retaining device 82 can be designed as a sealing ring. The retaining device 82 can thus also serve to seal the charging tray 42 with the cover 80 against the environment.

[0023] The cover 80 of the charging device 20 can essentially have the form of a gear selector cover.

[0024] How in particular Fig. As can be seen from Figure 4, the first holding device 82 can be provided with a plurality of centering pins 83, which may, for example, be designed as spring hooks. The centering pins 83 serve to position the cover 80 and, in particular, the first holding device 82 of the cover 80 relative to the charging cradle 42, in order to facilitate connecting the first holding device 82 to the charging cradle 42.

[0025] The cover 80 further comprises a second retaining device 84, which is positively and / or force-fit connected to the charging plug 62 and / or the power cable 64. By means of the second retaining device 84, the cover 80 can also be permanently connected to the charging cable 60, meaning that the cover 80 cannot be separated from the charging cable 60 without being damaged. This prevents accidental loss of the cover 80.

[0026] Alternatively, the cover 80 can be detached from the charging cable 60. This design allows for easy cleaning of the cover 80 to remove dirt and deposits.

[0027] The cover 80 further comprises a cuff 86 that connects the first holding device 82 to the second holding device 84. According to claim 1, the cuff 86 includes a viewing window 88 formed from a transparent material. For example, the viewing window 88 can be formed from a transparent polyethylene film. The viewing window 88 is arranged such that it allows a user to see a status indicator located in the charging cradle 42.

[0028] Apart from the viewing window 88, the remaining part of the cuff 86 can be made of a flexible, waterproof material that is resistant to heat and cold. Such a material could, for example, be the material commonly used to manufacture truck tarpaulins. This allows the cover 80, and in particular the cuff 86 of the cover 80, to be repeatedly slid forward and backward without becoming brittle, cracking, yellowing, etc.

[0029] Preferably, the first retaining device 82 and / or the second retaining device 84 is sewn and / or glued to the cuff 86.

[0030] According to claim 2, the cuff 86 comprises a cover lip 90 that can be applied to a vehicle exterior A adjacent to the connection device 40. The vehicle exterior A can be formed by the body component 110. The cover lip 90 is provided with a flocked covering. In a preferred embodiment, the cover lip 90 projects approximately one thumb's width radially beyond the first retaining device 82.

[0031] How in particular the Fig. 2 and Fig. As indicated in Figure 3, the charging device 20 can be equipped with a charging flap cover 92 that encloses the charging flap 46. After connecting the first holding device 82 to the charging cradle 42, the charging flap 46 can be enclosed by the charging flap cover 92. The charging flap cover 92 prevents the charging flap 46 from freezing shut at low temperatures.

[0032] The cover 80 can also be designed to cover a hinge arm 47 of the loading flap 46.

[0033] The first holding device 82 and / or the second holding device 84 can be designed as a plastic part or as a plastic-coated metal part. The plastic used for the plastic part or the plastic-coated metal part can be, for example, polypropylene or polyamide. The first holding device 82 can have local supports for precisely positioning the cover 80 on the charging tray 44.

[0034] The cover 80 can be provided with a support bracket 94, which is positively connected to the charging plug 62. The support bracket 94 is also preferably materially bonded to the sleeve 86 of the cover 80. By means of the support bracket 94, the sleeve 86 is supported on the charging plug 62 in order to transfer the force acting on the sleeve 86 by any snow load into the charging plug 62. The support bracket 94 can be essentially U-shaped or omega-shaped. In the previously described method for charging a battery, the support bracket 94 can be positively connected to the charging plug 62 before the first holding device 82 is connected to the charging cradle 42.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the first holding device 82 is connected to the charging cradle 42 in such a way that the cover 80 cannot be removed without disconnecting the charging plug 62 from the charging socket 44. Preferably, the first holding device 82 centers itself automatically in the charging cradle 42.

[0036] The cover 80 can be attached to the charging cable 60 by means of the second retaining device 84 such that a band or ring is formed in the area of ​​the end of the charging plug 62 and is connected to the end of the charging plug 62 by means of a positive and / or non-positive connection. The diameter of the band or ring can be larger than the thicker end of the charging plug 62. Thus, the cover 80 can be detached from the charging cable 60.

[0037] The cover 80 is designed in such a way that it can be pushed far enough away from a side wall / fender / bumper of the motor vehicle 100 that the charging plug 62 can be properly inserted into the charging socket 44, that the charging button 48 can be pressed, and that the cover 80 can be safely removed after the charging process.

[0038] The application also concerns a motor vehicle 100 comprising a charging device 20 according to the application.

Claims

[1] Charging device for an electric motor vehicle (100), comprising a connection device (40) which can be arranged on a body component (110) of the motor vehicle (100) and has a charging cradle (42), a charging socket (44) arranged in the charging cradle (42) and a charging flap (46) which closes the charging cradle (42) in a closed position and releases the charging cradle (42) and the charging socket (44) arranged therein in an open position, wherein the charging device (20) further comprises a charging cable (60) with a charging plug (62) which is electrically and mechanically connected to the charging socket (44), and a power cable (64) connected to the charging plug (62), and a cover (80), characterized by , that the cover (80) comprises a first holding device (82) which is positively and / or non-positively connected to the charging cradle (42), the cover (80) comprises a second holding device (84) which is positively and / or non-positively connected to the charging plug (62) and / or the power cable (64), the cover further comprises a sleeve (86) connecting the first holding device (82) to the second holding device (84), the cuff (86) comprises a viewing window (88) formed from a transparent material. [2] Charging device for an electric motor vehicle (100), comprising a connection device (40) which can be arranged on a body component (110) of the motor vehicle (100) and has a charging cradle (42), a charging socket (44) arranged in the charging cradle (42) and a charging flap (46) which closes the charging cradle (42) in a closed position and releases the charging cradle (42) and the charging socket (44) arranged therein in an open position, wherein the charging device (20) further comprises a charging cable (60) with a charging plug (62) which is electrically and mechanically connected to the charging socket (44), and a power cable (64) connected to the charging plug (62), and a cover (80), characterized by , that the cover (80) comprises a first holding device (82) which is positively and / or non-positively connected to the charging cradle (42), the cover (80) comprises a second holding device (84) which is positively and / or non-positively connected to the charging plug (62) and / or the power cable (64), the cover further comprises a sleeve (86) connecting the first holding device (82) to the second holding device (84), the sleeve (86) comprises a cover lip (90) which can be applied to an outer side (A) of the vehicle adjacent to the connection device (40), the cover lip (90) is provided with flocking. [3] Charging device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the first holding device (82) is designed as a sealing ring. [4] Charging device according to claim 2, characterized by that the cuff (86) comprises a viewing window (88) formed from a transparent material. [5] Charging device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by a loading flap cover (92) which encloses the loading flap (46). [6] Charging device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the first holding device (82) and / or the second holding device (84) is designed as a plastic part or as a plastic-coated metal part. [7] Motor vehicle comprising a charging device (20) according to one of claims 1 to 6.

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