Charging port device

Abstract

The invention relates to a charging connection device (100) for an electrically powered or powered vehicle with a charging recess (20) having at least one charging connection (10) for charging plugs (30) and with an automatically opening and closing charging connection cover (40). The charging recess (20) has at least one lighting device (50) which is configured to at least partially graphically animate a function and / or status of the charging connection cover (40).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a charging connection device for an electrically powered or drivable vehicle.

[0002] Light signals for indicating the status of charging ports and charging bays of electrically powered or driveable vehicles are known.

[0003] DE 10 2016 223 010 A1 discloses a closure device for concealing and uncovering a charging interface of a motor vehicle, which comprises a lighting device and in which the cover element is designed to be at least partially translucent for the light emitted by the lighting device, at least in some regions. The lighting device can provide, for example, a search light and / or a function light or a function or status indicator. The search light can be used to illuminate the charging interface and any control elements present. The function light can indicate a charging state. For example, a low charging state can be indicated by a red light, a high charging state by a green light, and / or charging activity by a flashing or intermittent light.

[0004] An object of the invention is to provide an improved charging connection device for an electrically powered or drivable vehicle.

[0005] The above-mentioned problem is solved by the features of the independent claim.

[0006] Advantageous embodiments and advantages of the invention emerge from the further claims, the description and the drawing.

[0007] According to one aspect of the invention, a charging connection device is proposed for an electrically powered or drivable vehicle, comprising a charging cradle with at least one charging connection for a charging plug and an automatically opening and closing charging connection cover. The charging cradle has at least one lighting device configured to display a function and / or status of the charging connection cover in an at least partially graphically animated manner.

[0008] The proposed charging connector device enables clear communication between a system function of the charging connector device and the driver based on the lighting device.

[0009] The lighting system, with at least partial graphic animation, can advantageously be used to visualize the status of an automatically opening and closing charging port cover, which can be displayed and announced in advance. This allows the driver to clearly understand the process and timing behind the closing function. This prevents unexpected closures of the charging port cover. Pinching when the charging port cover is about to close can be avoided.

[0010] Electrically powered tailgates usually have a so-called anti-blocking device, which is designed to prevent damage or injury to the charging port cover, its drive, or operators or objects when opening or closing. A blockage causes the drive to stop and, if necessary, reverse. If there is no clear reason for this blockage, for example, if icing is the cause, the lighting device can be used to clearly illustrate why the lighting device is exhibiting this behavior. The same applies, of course, to common blockages. This also has the added benefit of attracting the attention of people nearby.

[0011] Furthermore, electrically powered charging port covers encourage users to perform multiple consecutive activations, which places unnecessary strain on the mechatronics. To protect the mechatronics from excessive stress, a so-called backlash protection is often implemented in the control system, which prevents further activations after a specified number of activations.

[0012] In the proposed charging connection device, the activation of the backlash protection can be detected by the lighting device, thus avoiding the detection of a supposed malfunction.

[0013] Graphic symbols such as rotating light points, light patterns, flashing, color changes, brightness changes, light patterns rotating around the charging port, timer representations can be used as graphic animations to indicate, for example, the automated opening and / or closing function of the charging connection device, the blocking protection or the play protection.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the charging connection device, the lighting device can be arranged surrounding the charging connection, in particular in a ring-shaped manner. This can advantageously indicate that an automated function of the charging connection is running.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the charging connection device, the lighting device can comprise optical fibers and / or light-emitting diodes. Such a lighting device can advantageously have low energy consumption and a long service life.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the charging connection device, a display of the lighting device can comprise at least one of a light point, a light pattern, a flashing light, a color change, a brightness change, a light pattern encircling the charging connection, or a timer display. Such graphic elements have a high attention-grabbing potential and are easy and intuitive to understand for the driver.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the charging connection device, the lighting device can be configured to indicate the automated closing of the charging connection cover when the charging plug is removed or after the charging plug has been removed. This allows the driver to clearly understand the process and timing behind the closing function. There are no unexpected closures of the charging connection cover. Pinching when the charging connection cover is about to close can be avoided.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the charging connector device, a rotating light pattern and / or a timer display can be displayed until a closing function of the charging connector cover is initiated. This can draw attention to the closing function, and the timer display reliably indicates the time remaining until the charging connector cover is moved.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the charging connection device, the lighting device can be configured to indicate a blockage of the charging connection cover as well as a restored functional readiness of the charging connection cover. In this way, the cause of the blockage can be more easily identified and possibly eliminated.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment of the charging connection device, the lighting device can be configured to indicate the blocking of the charging connection cover during retraction of the charging connection cover and, when the charging connection cover is retracted, to indicate the restored functionality, in particular by changing the color of the display. This allows the driver to be signaled whether the cause of the blockage has been successfully eliminated.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment of the charging connection device, the lighting device can be configured to indicate a temporary deactivation of the charging connection cover's function, particularly due to repeated actuation of a drive of the charging connection cover, in particular by means of a timer display. In this way, misinterpretation of a supposed malfunction of the charging connection device can be advantageously avoided. At the same time, the drive of the charging connection cover can be effectively protected against overload.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment, the charging connector device can have an electronic control unit with software configured to detect repeated actuation of the charging connector cover drive. In this way, the detection of repeated actuation can be easily improved through software modifications. Options for self-adaptation of the function are also advantageously provided.

[0023] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. The drawings illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The drawings, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. Those skilled in the art will also expediently consider the features individually and combine them into useful further combinations.

[0024] Showing: Fig. 1 a plan view of a charging connection device for an electrically driven or drivable vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention with a plugged-in charging plug; Fig. 2 the charging connection device according to Fig. 1 with charging plug removed; Fig. 3 the charging connection device with activated lighting device according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 4 the charging connection device with the lighting device still activated; Fig. 5 the charging connection device with activated lighting device at Start closing the charging port cover; Fig. 6 the charging connector device with the charging connector cover closed; Fig. 7 the charging connection device with activated lighting device according to a further embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 8 the charging connection device with activated lighting device according to a further embodiment of the invention.

[0025] In the figures, identical or similar components are numbered with the same reference numerals. The figures show only examples and are not to be understood as limiting.

[0026] Fig. 1 shows a plan view of a charging connection device 100 for an electrically powered or drivable vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention with plugged-in charging plug 30.

[0027] The charging connection device 100 has a charging recess 20 with a charging connection 10 for charging plug 30 and an automatically opening and closing charging connection cover 40. The drive of the charging connection cover 40 is not shown.

[0028] The charging cradle 20 has a lighting device 50, which, for example, comprises a display 52 surrounding the charging port 10, in particular in a ring shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the display 52 is a light strip surrounding the charging port 10. The light strip can be designed, for example, as a light guide and / or light-emitting diodes.

[0029] The lighting device 50 represents a function and / or a status of the charging port cover 40 in an at least partially graphically animated manner. A display 52 of the lighting device 50 may, for example, include light points, light patterns, flashing, color changes 56, brightness changes, light patterns 54 encircling the charging port 10, and timer displays 58.

[0030] In the Fig. 2 to 6 illustrate a function of the charging connector device 100 during the automated closing of the charging connector cover 40.

[0031] The functional objective of the charging connector device 100 in this embodiment is to visualize the automated closing of a vehicle's electrically powered charging connector cover 40. This ensures that the driver knows what the vehicle is doing and leads to fewer cases of incorrect operation.

[0032] The visualization can be achieved, for example, by switching on the display 52 of the lighting device 50 in a circular pattern. Alternative display types can include, for example, a faster flashing of the display 52, a color change, for example, from white to red, or a brightness change, for example, from light to dark.

[0033] Fig. 2 shows the charging connection device 100 with the charging plug 30 removed.

[0034] In the Fig. 3, the start of the automated closing of the charging port cover 40 is indicated by the timer display 58 being started as a circular light pattern 54 on the display 52 of the lighting device 50. The movement of the light pattern 54 is shown in Fig. 3 symbolized by the arrows.

[0035] The automated closing of the charging port cover 40 can be indicated, for example, as soon as the charging plug 30 is unplugged or after the charging plug 30 has been unplugged. For this purpose, a rotating light pattern 54 and / or a timer display 58 can be displayed until a closing function of the charging port cover 40 is initiated.

[0036] In Fig. 4, the timer display 58 is active further than the charging port 10 ring-shaped light pattern 54.

[0037] In Fig. 5, for example, the indicator 52 lights up fully in a ring shape to signal the start of the closing movement of the charging port cover 40. The beginning movement of the charging port cover 40 is shown in Fig. 5 marked as an arrow.

[0038] Fig. 6 shows the closed state of the charging port cover 40.

[0039] In Fig. Figure 7 shows the charging connection device 100 with the activated lighting device 50 according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. In this exemplary embodiment, the function of the lighting device 50 is shown within the scope of the anti-lock protection of the charging connection device 100.

[0040] The functional objective of the charging connector device 100 in this exemplary embodiment is to visualize the blockage of an electrically driven charging connector cover 40 of a vehicle. This is intended to ensure that the driver knows what the vehicle is doing, which should lead to the assured function and closing / opening of the charging connector cover 40.

[0041] The starting point is again the open charging port cover 40 with the charging plug 30 removed. Normally, the automated closing function of the charging port cover 40 would now start, indicated by the arrow in the illustration for the beginning movement of the charging port cover 40, during which the indicator can, for example, light up yellow.

[0042] If an object, for example, an operator's hand, is detected in the area of ​​the loading cradle 20, the lighting device 50 changes color from yellow to red, for example. Flashing of the indicator 52 can also indicate a blockage.

[0043] Thus, the blockage of the charging port cover 40 can be indicated during retraction of the charging port cover 40. When the charging port cover 40 is retracted and the blocking obstacle is removed, the restored functionality can be indicated, in particular, by a color change 56 of the display 52, for example, from red to green.

[0044] In Fig. 8 shows the charging connection device 100 with activated lighting device 50 according to a further embodiment of the invention.

[0045] The functional purpose of the charging connector device 100 in this exemplary embodiment is to make the so-called play protection of an electrically driven charging flap of a vehicle visible. The play protection ensures that numerous consecutive actuations and movements of the mechatronics do not lead to damage, for example, due to overheating, and temporarily deactivates the automated mechanism of the charging connector cover 40.

[0046] This temporary deactivation of the function of the charging port cover 40, in particular due to repeated actuation of a drive of the charging port cover 40, can be indicated, for example, by a timer display 58.

[0047] Visualizing this backlash protection through this timer display 58 ensures that the operator knows what the vehicle is doing, resulting in less confusion about vehicle behavior as well as fewer false diagnoses of a supposedly defective charging port cover 40.

[0048] This also allows the deactivation of the game protection to be displayed after the timer display 58 has expired.

[0049] Possible display types can be, for example: switching on the display 52 in a circular pattern, flashing the display more quickly, changing the color of the display 52, for example from red to green, or changing the brightness, for example from light to dark.

[0050] As in Fig.As can be seen from Figure 8, the charging connection device 100 can have an electronic control unit 80, which has software configured to detect repeated actuation of the drive of the charging connection cover 40. In this way, the detection of repeated actuation can be easily improved through software changes. Options for self-adaptation of the function can also advantageously be provided. List of reference symbols 10 Charging port 20 loading trough 30 charging plugs 40 Charging port cover 50 lighting equipment 52 ad 54 circular light pattern 56 Color change 58 Timer display 80 control unit 100 charging connection device QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2016 223 010 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Charging connection device (100) for an electrically driven or drivable vehicle, comprising a charging recess (20) with at least one charging connection (10) for a charging plug (30) and with an automatically opening and closing charging connection cover (40), wherein the charging recess (20) has at least one lighting device (50) which is designed to display a function and / or a status of the charging connection cover (40) in an at least partially graphically animated manner. [2] Charging connection device according to claim 1, wherein the lighting device (50) is arranged surrounding the charging connection (10), in particular in a ring-shaped manner. [3] Charging connection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lighting device (50) comprises light guides and / or light-emitting diodes. [4] Charging connection device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a display (52) of the lighting device (50) has at least one of a rotating light spot, a light pattern, flashing, a color change (56), a brightness change, a light pattern (54) rotating around the charging connection (10), and a timer display (58). [5] Charging connection device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lighting device (50) is designed to indicate an automated closing of the charging connection cover (40) when the charging plug (30) is removed or after the charging plug (30) has been removed. [6] Charging connector device according to claim 5, wherein a rotating light pattern (54) and / or a timer display (58) is displayed until a closing function of the charging connector cover (40) is started. [7] Charging connection device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lighting device (50) is designed to indicate a blocking of the charging connection cover (40) as well as a restored functional readiness of the charging connection cover (40). [8] Charging connection device according to claim 7, wherein the lighting device (50) is designed to indicate the blocking of the charging connection cover (40) during retraction of the charging connection cover (40) and to indicate the restored functional readiness when the charging connection cover (40) is retracted, in particular by a color change (56) of the display (52). [9] Charging connection device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lighting device (50) is designed to indicate a temporary deactivation of the function of the charging connection cover (40), in particular due to repeated actuation of a drive of the charging connection cover (40), in particular by means of a timer display (58). [10] Charging connection device according to claim 9, comprising an electronic control unit (80) which has software which is designed to detect the repeated actuation of the drive of the charging connection cover (40).

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