Charging equipment for an electric vehicle

Abstract

Charging equipment (1) for an electric vehicle (20), comprising a charging cable (10) for connecting the electric vehicle (20) to a charging source, the charging cable (10) having an at least partially flexible cable body (13), characterized in that the cable body (13) has a plurality of predetermined bending regions (14), each of which has a stable bending state (B) with greater curvature and can be brought from the bending state (B) to a stable stretching state (S) with less curvature by elastic deformation, wherein the cable body (13) contains a bistable spring element (18) in at least one predetermined bending region (14), and wherein the at least one predetermined bending region (14) with the bistable spring element (18) behaves mechanically bistable.so that, starting from the bending state (B) or the stretching state (S), elastic reshaping occurs during deformation up to a reversal state, and during deformation beyond the reversal state, a spontaneous transition to the other stable state (B, S) occurs.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a charging equipment for an electric vehicle with the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] As an alternative to vehicles with combustion engines, electric vehicles are becoming increasingly important. Besides vehicles that draw their energy from fuel cells, electric vehicles with a rechargeable battery (or usually multiple rechargeable batteries or battery packs) are particularly widespread. These are called battery electric vehicles or BEVs (battery electric vehicles). To charge, the electric vehicle is connected to a charging source via a cable, and different charging modes with correspondingly different cables are possible. The international standard IEC 61851 defines four different charging modes, often referred to as Mode 1 to Mode 4 (or charging modes 1 to 4).While in Mode 1 the cable serves solely for energy transmission (and usually for grounding), in Mode 2 the cable has a signaling device (resistance coding) that specifies the current limit of the charging source to the vehicle's charging electronics. Mode 3 additionally allows two-way communication between the charging source and the vehicle via the charging cable. Mode 4 is intended for DC charging methods, which also involve two-way communication between the vehicle and the charging source. While Mode 1 is rarely used, Mode 2 and Mode 3 are currently of particular economic importance, in addition to Mode 4, which offers advantages in terms of achievable charging power. Public charging stations, where the charging cable may also be permanently connected to the charging source, use Mode 3 (and / or Mode 4), while Mode 2, for example, allows charging of the electric vehicle via a standard household outlet.according to UK or CEE standards, is possible.

[0003] If the charging station or charging source does not provide a charging cable, at least one such cable must be carried in the electric vehicle. To enable charging at different infrastructures, electric vehicles are usually equipped with (at least) two different charging cables: a Mode 2 charging cable and a Mode 3 charging cable. Storing even one charging cable takes up a lot of space in the trunk; this is even more true for storing two. The problem of cable storage can be partially alleviated by using a helically wound, flexible charging cable. This type of cable can be unwound for use and returns to its space-saving helical shape without any external force. The elastic properties are usually primarily due to the cable's sheathing or insulation.A disadvantage is that the increasing restoring forces associated with cable deflection make handling the cable more difficult. Furthermore, due to the mechanical tension, the charging cable can hardly be routed close to the ground, meaning it practically always presents an obstacle between the charging source and the electric vehicle.

[0004] The closest related patent to the invention, FR 2 990 049 A3, relates to a charging cable for an electric vehicle, each end of which is provided with an electrical connector, with a plurality of sheaths made of polymer material that surround the charging cable over a predetermined length, wherein the sheaths are firmly attached to the charging cable and spaced apart from one another along the length of the charging cable. Each sheath includes temporary fastening means shaped to cooperate with an adjacent sheath to hold two adjacent sheaths together along their length, wherein two adjacent sheaths are separated from each other by a length of the charging cable sufficient to allow the charging cable to fold when the two adjacent sheaths are attached to each other, but shorter than the length of each of the adjacent sheaths.

[0005] US Patent 2017 / 0158068A1 discloses a vehicle charging cable that assumes a slack state during vehicle charging. The cable comprises a body, one or more wires embedded in the body, a first pretensioner for pretensioning a body segment, and a second pretensioner for pretensioning at least a portion of the body segment. The second pretensioner responds to an external stimulus and serves to counteract the pretension of the first pretensioner, causing the vehicle charging cable to assume a slack state. The second pretensioner can, for example, comprise a shape-memory alloy that is activated by the flow of an electric current.

[0006] From DE 10 2019 003 460 A1, a device for positioning a charging cable for an electrically powered vehicle is known. This device includes, in addition to the charging cable, a cable channel in which the charging cable can be positioned, the charging cable being guided through a through-opening of several rounded segments. A predefined tensile force can be applied to the charging cable by means of a pulling device, whereby at the predefined tensile force a connector of the charging cable presses the rounded segments together so that the charging cable is straight in the cable channel.

[0007] US 10,720,266 B2 discloses a cable arrangement comprising a cable with a wire and an insulator surrounding the wire, the cable extending over a length between a first end and a second end and having a first stiffness. A sleeve surrounds the cable, and a cable stiffener is coupled to the sleeve, the cable stiffener being deformable into a shape-retaining form and having a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness to maintain the cable in the shape-retaining form. The cable stiffener comprises a first section and a separate second section, the first section extending along a first bend in the cable and the second section extending along a second bend in the cable.

[0008] JP 2010-179 784 A discloses a storage box component provided in a rear bumper section of an electric vehicle. The storage box component comprises a support element attached to a vehicle body, a box body attached to the support element, a bumper body with an opening, a reinforcing element attached to the bumper body, and a lid element that can be opened and closed. The reinforcing element is arranged around the opening of the bumper body. A charging cable for the electric vehicle can be stored in the housing.

[0009] Given the current state of the art, the stowability of a charging cable in or on an electric vehicle still offers room for improvement.

[0010] JP 2014-073034A describes a cable for a vehicle charging system. This cable comprises a loop cable, a charging connector located at one end of the loop cable, and a power connector located at the other end. The loop cable includes a flexible power cable and a stretchable loop-shaped section positioned and formed at a specified location within the power cable. The stretchable loop-shaped section is formed using heat-shrink tubing to maintain its loop shape during expansion and contraction.

[0011] The previously announced but subsequently published German patent DE 10 2020 202 537 A1 specifies a charging system for charging an electric vehicle with electrical energy. The charging system comprises: - a loading arm with a vertical loading arm section and a horizontal loading arm section - a charging cable or power rail which can be connected to the electric vehicle to be charged, wherein the horizontal charging arm part includes an extendable push chain by means of which a vehicle-side end of the charging cable or power rail can be moved onto the electric vehicle.

[0012] The invention is based on the objective of enabling efficient storage of a charging cable in or on an electric vehicle.

[0013] According to the invention, the problem is solved by a loading device with the features of claim 1.

[0014] A charging device for an electric vehicle is presented, comprising a charging cable for connecting the electric vehicle to a charging source. This charging cable has a cable body that is at least partially flexible. According to the invention, the cable body has a plurality of predetermined bending zones, each of which has a stable bending state with a higher degree of curvature and can be brought from the bending state to a stable stretching state with a lower degree of curvature by elastic deformation. The cable body contains a bistable spring element in at least one predetermined bending zone, and the at least one predetermined bending zone with the bistable spring element behaves mechanically bistable, such that, starting from the bending state or the stretching state, elastic reshaping occurs during deformation up to a reversal state, and during deformation beyond the reversal state, a spontaneous transition to the other stable state occurs.

[0015] The dependent claims relate to advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0016] It should be noted that the features and measures listed individually in the following description can be combined in any technically feasible manner and demonstrate further embodiments of the invention. The description further characterizes and specifies the invention, particularly in conjunction with the figures.

[0017] The invention provides charging equipment for an electric vehicle. The electric vehicle is typically a road vehicle, such as a car or truck, or possibly an electrically powered two-wheeler. In this sense, the term "electric vehicle" refers to both purely electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles. In any case, the electric vehicle has an electric motor that can be operated by at least one vehicle-integrated battery. Therefore, it can also be referred to as a battery electric vehicle (BEV).

[0018] The term "charging equipment" is to be interpreted broadly here. The corresponding charging equipment can comprise several components that are not (permanently) connected. At a minimum, the charging cable is used when connecting the electric vehicle to a charging source (charging station, household electrical grid, etc.) and during the charging process itself, while other optional components may not have a direct electrical function related to the charging process but may, for example, be accessories of the charging cable.

[0019] Although the text refers to a "charging cable" and the "charging" of the vehicle, it is not impossible that the electric vehicle, the charging cable, and a connected charging source are also designed for reverse energy transfer, whereby the electric vehicle can, for example, feed energy into the power grid (bidirectional charging).

[0020] The cable body typically has a permanently attached charging plug designed for direct connection to the charging source. This charging plug is, of course, designed for connection to a specific type of charging source. For example, it could be a Type 1 plug or a Type 2 plug (Mennekes plug) designed for Mode 3 charging and connected to a corresponding charging station. Alternatively, the charging plug could be intended for connection to a household electrical grid, such as a 230 V AC mains supply, and could be a Europlug, Schuko plug, or similar. Here and in the following, the term "connect" is used synonymously with "connect," in particular "detachably connect."

[0021] Within the scope of the invention, it would be conceivable for the charging cable to be permanently connected to the electric vehicle. Normally, however, the charging cable has a vehicle connector that can be connected to (and disconnected from) a charging socket of an electric vehicle. The vehicle connector is compatible with the charging socket. For example, it could be a Type 1 or a Type 2 connector.

[0022] While the charging plug and, if present, the vehicle connector are normally mechanically inflexible or rigid, the cable body, which usually comprises the majority of the charging cable, is flexible. This means that at least parts of the cable body are not rigid but can be (significantly) deformed non-destructively by applying force. The cable body contains multiple conductors that can perform various functions. In particular, at least one live conductor and one neutral conductor are necessary for power transmission, as well as a protective earth conductor for safety reasons. Furthermore, a proximity pilot signal conductor and a control pilot signal conductor may be provided—for example, in a Type 1 or Type 2 connector. Each of these conductors corresponds to a contact in at least one of the aforementioned connectors. The control pilot signal conductor, of course, serves to transmit a control pilot signal.The proximity pilot signal conductor is used to transmit a proximity pilot signal. This signal, also known as a presence or proximity signal, allows the electric vehicle to detect its connection to a charging station. Additionally, the proximity pilot signal typically provides further information about the charging station's characteristics and / or the charging cable being used, such as the maximum permissible current. The individual conductors are, of course, electrically insulated from each other and usually enclosed in an additional sheath that provides electrical and mechanical protection while maintaining the cable's flexibility.

[0023] As mentioned above, the cable body has multiple defined bending zones, each of which has a stable bending state with a greater degree of curvature. These zones can be elastically deformed from the bending state into a stable stretched state with lesser curvature. In the stretched state, the defined bending zone is stabilized to such an extent that a spontaneous transition back to the bending state is impossible. When a defined bending zone is in a bending state, the cable body is bent within that zone, meaning it has a curvature greater than that in the stretched state, which will be described later. In the bending state, the curvature typically corresponds to a change in direction of at least 45°, but under certain circumstances, it can be at least 90°, for example, 180° (corresponding to a U-shape).

[0024] Elastic deformation can cause the intended bending area to be brought out of its bent state. This means that, for example, if a user applies a force (or bending moment) to the intended bending area, a deformation occurs, which is elastic. Accordingly, a restoring force or moment is present, which tends to return the intended bending area to its bent state. Therefore, the bending state can be described as "stable".

[0025] However, by further deformation of the intended bending area, it is possible to transform it into an equally stable stretched state. In the stretched state, the intended bending area is less curved than in the bent state, which includes the possibility that it can be completely straight. It can also be curved in the opposite direction. In the stretched state, the intended bending area is stabilized to such an extent that it can no longer spontaneously deform back into the bent state, i.e., without the influence of external forces or bending moments. One could also say that the intended bending area stabilizes itself in the stretched state.

[0026] If the user deforms a designated bending area, starting from, for example, the bending state, to the point where the stretched state is reached, the designated bending area remains in this stretched state as long as it is not subjected to external forces of sufficient magnitude to cause it to return to the stretched state. Therefore, no permanent bending moment needs to be applied to the designated bending area to prevent it from returning to the bending state. When the bending state is reached, the designated bending area defines (at least partially) a shape of the charging cable that exhibits multiple bends and is thus well-suited for storing the charging cable. In particular, the defined position of the designated bending areas makes it easy for the user to see where the charging cable should be bent to achieve a convenient storage shape (hereinafter referred to as the "compact shape").When the charging cable is used to connect the electric vehicle to the charging source, all designated bending areas can be in their respective stretched states, thus achieving maximum cable reach. By applying a force or bending moment to these designated bending areas, the user can easily return them to their original bending states after use. This deformation is at least supported or even caused by the aforementioned elastic restoring force. In other words, the user doesn't have to think about where to bend the cable for optimal storage every time they fold it up; this is predetermined by the designated bending areas. Since the designated bending areas are stabilized in their respective stretched states, the problem associated with elastic cables, for example, does not arise.helical cables in the state of the art are constantly under mechanical tension when deflected, which makes them significantly more difficult to handle.

[0027] The behavior according to the invention can be realized in various ways, for example, by incorporating a releasable locking mechanism into each target bending area, by which the target bending area can be locked in the stretched state, for example, by means of a snap connector or the like. In this case, the locking mechanism will counteract the elastic restoring force, which tends to return the target bending area to the bent state. Another embodiment, already indicated above, provides that at least one target bending area behaves in a mechanically bistable manner, so that, starting from the bent state or the stretched state, elastic reshaping occurs during deformation up to a reversal state, and during deformation beyond the reversal state, a spontaneous transition to the other stable state occurs.In this case, the target bending range is not actually locked in the stretched state. Instead, as long as the target bending range lies between the stretched state and the inverse state, an elastic restoring force acts in the direction of the stretched state. With a sufficiently limited deflection from the stretched state, a spontaneous return to it occurs. The same applies to deformation from the bending state, as long as the inverse state is not exceeded. However, if the deformation exceeds the inverse state, further deformation into the other stable state occurs even without external forces. That is, the target bending range can alternatively assume two stable states, which are elastically stabilized and each corresponds to (local) energy minima of the deformation energy stored in the target bending range.The intermediate reversal state corresponds to a local energy maximum, from which either the stable stretching state or the stable bending state is sought.

[0028] To achieve the aforementioned effect, the cable body contains a bistable spring element in at least one of the intended bending zones. This spring element is, of course, made of an elastic material, such as spring steel or, if necessary, fiber-reinforced plastic. Such a bistable spring element could, for example, be integrated into or enclosed by the sheathing. However, it would also be conceivable for the bistable spring element to be positioned between different conductors within the sheathing. Since, as mentioned above, the conductors are each electrically insulated, an electrically conductive spring element would also be unproblematic in this respect. The bistable spring element can assume two stable states, one corresponding to the bending state and the other to the stretched state of the intended bending zone.

[0029] Preferably, the cable body has a normal zone between each of two adjacent bending zones. This means that the bending zones are not directly adjacent to each other, but are separated by an intervening normal zone. Firstly, for optimal stowage, it is generally unnecessary or even impractical for all optional bends of the charging cable to be adjacent to each other. Secondly, the described properties of a bending zone can usually only be achieved with increased effort and thus higher costs, which is why the bending zones should be limited to necessary positions.

[0030] The cable body can be designed to be either flexible or monostable in its normal range compared to the adjacent target bending ranges. In the former case, a bending moment acting on the normal range results in no significant restoring moment, at least with limited deformation. This means the normal range can be bent freely within certain limits, unlike the target bending ranges, which either generate a considerable elastic restoring force towards their respective stable state or where a locking mechanism in the stretched state must first be released. It is also conceivable that the normal range behaves monostablely, meaning it has a single "normal state" from which it can be elastically deformed.Regardless of the degree of deformation, the normal range in this case always strives to return to the same normal state, unlike the target bending ranges.

[0031] It is advantageous for the length of a designed bending section to be shorter than the length of an adjacent normal section. This applies to all designed bending and normal sections. Accordingly, the normal sections comprise the larger portion of the cable body. This is simpler and more cost-effective in terms of manufacturing the charging cable, and it can also make handling easier for the user, as the larger part of the charging cable behaves like a "normal" cable.

[0032] The distance between two designated bending zones, or the length of the intervening normal zone, can be selected differently. This ultimately defines the intended compact shape in which the charging cable can be stored. If, for example, the normal zones are to run parallel (or antiparallel) to each other when stored, so that the charging cable essentially runs back and forth, it can be advantageous if the lengths of two adjacent normal zones differ by no more than 20% or no more than 10%. Each designated bending zone should then correspond to a change in direction of approximately 180°. However, other shapes can also be defined through a different design, such as a rectangle with rounded corners, where each corner is represented by a designated bending zone and the sides of the rectangle correspond to the normal zones. Each designated bending zone would then correspond to a change in direction of approximately 90°.The lengths of adjacent normal regions can differ significantly (in the case of an irregular rectangle), while the length of one normal region is approximately equal to the length of the next-but-one normal region, since these correspond to opposite sides of the rectangle.

[0033] As already mentioned, the predetermined bending zones serve to create a defined compact shape in which the charging cable can ideally be stored in a specific, designated area. Preferably, the charging equipment includes a storage compartment within the electric vehicle in which the charging cable can be stored when all predetermined bending zones are in the bent state. If, for example, a rectangular shape is defined by the predetermined bending zones in the bent state, the storage compartment can also have a rectangular base, the dimensions of which are at least approximately adapted to those of the folded charging cable. If, as described above, the normal zones in the compact shape run approximately parallel to each other, the storage compartment can have an elongated shape adapted accordingly. In particular, the length of at least one normal zone can correspond to between 60% and 90% of a dimension of the storage compartment in the Y-axis direction.Naturally, the storage compartment can be designed to accommodate multiple charging cables for different types of charging sources.

[0034] The storage compartment could be located inside the cabin, for example, under a seat, or within the trunk. However, an advantageous embodiment provides that the storage compartment is formed in a pull-out container located below the trunk of the electric vehicle. The container is pull-out, meaning it can be extended like a drawer (usually longitudinally, against the direction of travel, to the rear). A wall of the container can form part of the vehicle's outer surface. By arranging it below the trunk, for example, in the area of ​​a rear bumper, no space is required within the trunk itself, and the charging cable remains accessible at all times, regardless of the trunk's current occupancy.

[0035] Further advantageous details and effects of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment illustrated in the figures. It shows Fig. 1A-1C a schematic representation of a charging cable of a charging equipment according to the invention in various states; Fig. 2A-2B a partial sectional view of a detail of the charging cable from Fig. 1A-1C in different states; Fig. 3A-3B Side views of an electric vehicle with a container of the charging equipment according to the invention; and Fig. 4 a top view of the rear of the electric vehicle Fig. 3A-3B.

[0036] In the different figures, identical parts are always provided with the same reference symbols, which is why they are usually only described once.

[0037] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a charging cable 10 as part of a charging device 1 according to the invention for an electric vehicle 20. The charging cable 10 has a flexible cable body 13, which has at each end a vehicle connector 11 for connecting to a charging socket of the electric vehicle 20 and a charging connector 12 for connecting to a charging station (not shown here). The two connectors 11 and 12 are designed here for Mode 3 and are configured as Mennekes connectors, but this is purely exemplary. In particular, the charging connector 12 could also be designed for Mode 2 and, for example, be configured as a Schuko connector.

[0038] The cable body 13 has, on the one hand, a plurality of intended bending zones 14 and, on the other hand, a plurality of normal zones 15, which may not be visually distinguishable from one another or may only be slightly different. In the present case, the intended bending zones 14 together comprise less than 20% of the total length of the cable body 13. While the normal zones 15 behave, as with a conventional charging cable, essentially with flexible bending or with slight elasticity, the intended bending zones 14 exhibit mechanically bistable behavior. Each of the intended bending zones 14 can assume a stretched state S as well as a bent state B. Fig. 1A all target bending areas 14 are in their respective stretched state S and exhibit a slight to negligible curvature. Accordingly, the charging cable 10 has a maximum range.

[0039] If only a minor external force or bending moment acts on a target bending area 14, the resulting elastic deflection is minimal, and the target bending area 14 is returned to the stretched state S by restoring forces. However, if the target bending area is deformed to such an extent that a reversal state is exceeded, there is no elastic return to the stretched state S, but rather a subsequent spontaneous transition to the bending state B, as shown in Fig. Figure 1B is illustrated using a target bending range 14. After exceeding the reversal state, the target bending range 14 is pulled into bending state B by elastic forces. Bending state B is also stable insofar as the target bending range 14 can only be pulled out of bending state B against an elastic restoring force. If the elastic deformation continues until the reversal state is finally exceeded, the target bending range 14 transitions back into the stable stretched state S. Fig. In section 1C, all the designated bending areas 14 are in bending state B, giving the charging cable 10 an overall compact form that is ideally suited for storage inside the electric vehicle 20. The normal bending areas 15 are arranged approximately parallel or antiparallel to each other, and each designated bending area 14 corresponds to a change in direction of approximately 180°, i.e., a reversal of direction. Apart from those normal bending areas 15 adjacent to the vehicle connector 11 and the charging connector 12, the lengths of most normal bending areas 15 are approximately identical and correspond to about four to five times the length of a designated bending area 14.

[0040] As in Fig. 2 A and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2B, the bistable behavior of the respective target bending range 14 is achieved by a bistable spring element 18, which is incorporated into a sheath 16 of the cable body 13. The sheath 16 serves for the mechanical protection and additional insulation of a plurality of conductors 17 within the cable body 13. The conductors 17, which are connected to corresponding contacts in the vehicle connector 11 and the charging connector 12, have, in addition to three outer conductors, a neutral conductor, and a protective conductor, a proximity pilot signal conductor and a control pilot signal conductor. The spring element 18 is shown here within the sheath 16; however, it could also be arranged on an outer surface, an inner surface, or even between the conductors 17. The dimensions of the spring element 18 and the sheath 17 are not shown to scale here and may differ from the actual dimensions.In any case, the spring element 18 can be stabilized in two states (stretched or curved) due to its bistable properties, which in turn promotes the stabilization of the stretched state S and the bending state B of the target bending range 14.

[0041] Fig. 3A and Fig. Figure 3B shows side views of a rear section of the electric vehicle 20, which is designed here as a passenger car. Below a trunk 21, in the area of ​​a rear bumper, the electric vehicle 20 has a container 22, which is also part of the charging equipment 1 according to the invention. The container 22 can be opened, as shown in Fig. 3 B shown, pull out in the direction of the X-axis (vehicle longitudinal axis) to the rear, thereby making a storage compartment 23 inside the container 22 accessible. Fig. Figure 4 shows a simplified top view of the vehicle rear with the container 22 pulled out, with the charging cable 10 in its compact form accordingly. Fig.1C is housed in storage compartment 23. The shape of storage compartment 23 is adapted to the compact shape of the charging cable 10, insofar as its extension in the direction of the Y-axis (vehicle transverse axis) is significantly greater than in the direction of the X-axis. Thus, the charging cable 10, with its overall elongated shape, can be easily accommodated. To achieve optimal space utilization, the length of a standard section 15 in this case corresponds to approximately 70 to 80% of the extension of storage compartment 23 in the direction of the Y-axis. Reference symbol list: 1 Loading equipment 10 charging cables 11 vehicle connectors 12 charging plugs 13 cable bodies 14 Target bending range 15 Normal range 16 Sheathing 17 leaders 18 spring element 20 electric vehicles 21 trunk 22 containers 23 storage compartments B Bending condition S Stretched state X X-axis Y Y-axis Z Z-axis

Claims

[1] Charging equipment (1) for an electric vehicle (20), comprising a charging cable (10) for connecting the electric vehicle (20) to a charging source, the charging cable (10) having a cable body (13) that is at least partially flexible, characterized by, that the cable body (13) has a plurality of predetermined bending regions (14), each of which has a stable bending state (B) with greater curvature and can be brought from the bending state (B) to a stable stretching state (S) with lesser curvature by elastic deformation, wherein the cable body (13) contains a bistable spring element (18) in at least one predetermined bending region (14), and wherein the at least one predetermined bending region (14) with the bistable spring element (18) behaves mechanically bistable, such that, starting from the bending state (B) or the stretching state (S), elastic reshaping occurs during deformation up to a reversal state, and during deformation beyond the reversal state, a spontaneous transition to the respective other stable state (B, S) occurs. [2] Loading equipment according to claim 1, characterized by , that the cable body (13) has a normal area (15) between each of two adjacent target bending areas (14). [3] Loading equipment according to claim 2, characterized by , that the cable body (13) is designed to be flexible or monostable in bending stiffness in the normal areas (15) compared to the adjacent target bending areas (14). [4] Loading equipment according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized by , that the length of a target bending area (14) is smaller than the length of an adjacent normal area (15). [5] Loading equipment according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized by , that the lengths of two adjacent normal regions (15) differ by at most 20%. [6] Loading equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a storage compartment (23) inside the electric vehicle (20) in which the charging cable (10) can be accommodated when all target bending areas (14) are in the bending state (B). [7] Loading equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized bya storage compartment (23) which is formed in a pull-out container (22) arranged below a trunk (21) of the electric vehicle (20).

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