Charging connection device

Abstract

Charging connection device (100) for an electrically driven or drivable vehicle with a charging trough (20) with at least one charging connection (10) with at least two power contacts (14) for charging plugs, wherein the charging trough (20) has at least one heat-conducting region (22) and at least one temperature control device (30) which is thermally coupled to the at least two power contacts (14) and the at least one heat-conducting region (22), wherein a hot side (34) of the at least one temperature control device (30) is thermally coupled to the at least one heat-conducting region (22), and wherein a cold side (36) of the at least one temperature control device (30) is thermally coupled to the at least two power contacts (14), characterized in that the at least one temperature control device (30) is coupled to a control and / or regulating device of the charging connection device (100), which is designed to operate the at least one temperature control device (30) for a predetermined period of time.

Description

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

[0002] At low temperatures, charging connectors may be impaired in their accessibility and / or functionality due to snow and ice, as the charging socket cover and / or charging plug may freeze solid. On the other hand, when charging at high power, the power contacts of the charging connector may heat up quickly, necessitating a reduction in charging power.

[0003] Heated and cooled charging connectors for electrically powered or drivable vehicles are known.

[0004] DE 10 2016 122 009 A1 discloses a charging device for an electrically powered vehicle. This charging device comprises a charging cradle with a charging interface for coupling a charging plug for electrically charging a battery device of the vehicle. The charging cradle of the charging device comprises a heating device for heating the charging cradle during the charging process.

[0005] DE 10 2020 101 257 B4, for example, describes a charging cable comprising a charging plug with a housing and a temperature control device arranged inside the housing, wherein the housing has a handle. The charging plug further comprises a heat-conducting element arranged between the housing and the temperature control device. The temperature control device serves to cool the charging plug, in particular to cool the handle of the charging plug's housing.

[0006] DE 10 2016 211 464 A1 discloses a power contact system for a charging plug and / or charging socket, wherein the power contact system comprises at least one power contact with a first connection area for galvanic connection to an electrical energy receiver or energy transmitter and a second connection area for galvanic connection to a charging cable. The power contact system comprises a Peltier element, wherein a cold side of the Peltier element is in direct contact with the second connection area of ​​the power contact.

[0007] From the generic document US 2022 / 0 247 120 A1, an electrical connector assembly is known in which a housing and a cover enclose a cavity, whereby the electrical connections are protected and the heat in the cavity can be regulated via a thermal management mechanism with one or more liquid coolant connections.

[0008] DE 10 2019 218 029 A1 discloses a charging device with at least one first connector, which can be electrically connected to a complementary second connector. An electrical heating device is provided on the first connector, by means of which the charging device can be heated at least in the area of ​​the first connector.

[0009] The disclosure of CN 110 014 946 A describes a charging device for a vehicle, wherein the charging device has a heat dissipation base consisting of a bottom wall and a peripheral wall with a cooling duct. The cooling duct cools the heat dissipation base and the charging port.

[0010] A charging connector with an integrated heat dissipation device is known from CN 111 114 355 A. Installing the heat dissipation device on the charging connector ensures that the temperature of the charging connector does not become too high during battery charging. This ensures that the charging connector always remains within a safe temperature range, facilitating long-term battery charging, significantly extending the service life of the charger, and ensuring high safety and functionality.

[0011] DE 10 2016 101 115 A1 discloses a vehicle charging port for charging a traction battery of a vehicle, wherein a cooling system is designed to cool the charging port depending on a temperature of the charging port.

[0012] The content of EP 4 000 990 A1 shows a charging connector, in particular a charging plug for electric vehicles, with an outer housing for receiving a cable and power contacts, wherein the charging connector comprises an active cooling element.

[0013] DE 10 2021 134 200 A1 also discloses a charging device for electrically powered vehicles, which comprises a charging cable with a plug element and connection contacts arranged thereon. A receiving adapter for receiving the plug element in a rest position is provided on the housing of the charging device, wherein the receiving adapter has a cooling device for cooling the inserted plug. The cooling device comprises at least one heat pipe, wherein the connection contact engages around the heat pipe, thus allowing the heat of the connection contact to be dissipated at least partially through contact.

[0014] An object of the invention is to provide an improved charging connection device for an electrically driven or drivable vehicle with a charging recess with at least one charging connection for charging plugs.

[0015] The above-mentioned problem is solved by the features of the independent claim.

[0016] Advantageous embodiments and advantages of the invention emerge from the further claims, the description and the drawing.

[0017] 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 with at least two power contacts for charging plugs. The charging cradle has at least one heat-conducting region and at least one temperature control device, which is thermally coupled to the at least two power contacts and the at least one heat-conducting region. A hot side of the temperature control device is thermally coupled to the at least one heat-conducting region, and a cold side of the temperature control device is thermally coupled to the at least two power contacts.

[0018] In the proposed charging connection device, the temperature control device is used to cool the heat loss during charging. A Peltier element, for example, can be used as a temperature control device, which can generate heating or cooling power by applying current, depending on the current direction.

[0019] In this case, the temperature control device is arranged between the charging cables that generate heat loss, for example, the power contacts of the charging port or busbars connected to the power contacts, and the charging cradle housing, serving as a heat dissipator and heat capacity. A Peltier element can be arranged as an electrically insulated temperature control device between the charging cables, either directly or via another heat line, and the front of the charging cradle. It can be used as a heat pump by supplying power. The cold side of the Peltier element acts as a heat sink for the charging cables, while the hot side is then cooled by the housing and / or front of the charging cradle, which itself is designed as a heat-conducting area and can radiate heat as a radiator.

[0020] The heat-conducting area itself also represents a heat capacity, which can at least buffer heat peaks and thus also enable charging processes with short charging peaks, which would otherwise not be possible for thermal reasons.

[0021] In a further embodiment, the thermal connection of the temperature control device with the charging lines themselves can be represented by an electrically insulated heat pipe, a so-called heat pipe

[0022] The proposed charging connector device advantageously allows the vehicle's battery to be charged at high current for longer periods, thus shortening the charging time. Heating the charging cradle via the temperature control device prevents the charging connector cover and / or charging plug from freezing at low ambient temperatures.

[0023] According to the invention, the tempering device is coupled to a control and / or regulating device which is designed to operate the tempering device for a predetermined period of time.

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment of the charging connection device, the temperature control device can be designed as a Peltier element. A Peltier element is a thermoelectric semiconductor that can be used advantageously as a temperature control device for heating and cooling. Whether the Peltier element heats or cools can be determined by the polarity of the electrical current. In this case, one side of the Peltier element is always warm, while the other side is cold. The Peltier element can be conveniently mounted in an electrically insulated manner on the housing or the front of the charging cradle.

[0025] According to an advantageous embodiment of the charging connection device, a front side and / or a housing of the charging cradle can be configured as a heat-conducting area. The heat-conducting area can thus be formed, for example, around the charging connection. If a temperature control device is attached to the heat-conducting area, freezing of the charging cradle cover and / or the charging plug can be advantageously prevented. Likewise, heat generated, for example, at the charging connection or connected busbars during vehicle charging can be radiated or dissipated via the temperature control device.

[0026] In an alternative embodiment of a charging connection device, the charging recess can be designed as a heat-conducting area. This allows for both effective heating of the charging recess and cooling via the temperature control device. Radiation of heat is also more effective due to the larger surface area of ​​the charging recess.

[0027] According to an advantageous embodiment of the charging connection device, the power contacts, in particular busbars connected to the power contacts of the charging connection, can be thermally coupled to the cold side of the temperature control device via a heat pipe. The heat from the hot charging lines can advantageously be transferred to the cold side of the temperature control device via a heat pipe. The temperature control device, in turn, dissipates the heat to the heat-conducting area of ​​the charging cradle. The power contacts or busbars are cooled in this way. The heat-conducting area can thus act as a radiator to radiate the heat loss during charging. Through this effective cooling of the heat pipe and additional dissipation of heat from the heat-conducting area by radiation, the heat pipe can operate more effectively and dissipate more heat.

[0028] The heat pipe is conveniently connected to the power contacts or busbars in an electrically insulated manner.

[0029] According to an advantageous embodiment of the charging connection device, the at least one heat-conducting region can be designed to radiate heat into the environment. In this way, the heat lost during charging of the vehicle can be efficiently dissipated and radiated into the environment.

[0030] According to an advantageous embodiment of the charging connection device, the temperature control device can be electrically coupled to a battery of the vehicle and / or, if the charging connection is connected to a charging station, to the charging connection. For example, the charging connection can be preheated with the battery's electrical power before the charging plug is plugged in to defrost the charging bay and thus make it accessible. During the charging process, the temperature control device can cool the charging connection, for example, using electrical power from the charging station.

[0031] For example, if the charging socket cover and / or charging plug are frozen, pre-conditioning can be activated to heat the charging bay and run for a specified period of time. After this heating cycle, a check can be made to see if the charging socket cover and / or charging plug are clear. If not, another heating cycle can be started.

[0032] During the charging process, for example, the cooling function of the temperature control device can be operated temporarily to dissipate the waste heat.

[0033] According to an advantageous embodiment of the charging connection device, the temperature control device can be coupled to a control and / or regulating device which is designed to automatically operate the temperature control device in a predetermined temperature range.

[0034] Before starting the vehicle and while the charging process is still in progress, if the ambient temperature is in a low range, for example, between -10°C and 5°C, the heating function of the temperature control device can be automatically activated for a predefined period of time, for example, 5 minutes, before departure. This ensures that the charging plug is free of ice and can be removed before departure.

[0035] According to an advantageous embodiment of the charging connection device, the at least one temperature control device can function as a heat pump. By means of the temperature control device, heat loss from the power contacts or busbars can be transported from the power contacts or busbars to the heat-conducting area, from which the heat can in turn be dissipated by radiation. Heat is thus transported from a higher-temperature area, the power contacts or busbars, to a lower-temperature area, the heat-conducting area of ​​the charging bay.

[0036] 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.

[0037] Showing: Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of a charging connection device for an electrically driven or drivable vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 2 the charging connection device according to Fig. 1 in a side view.

[0038] 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.

[0039] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a charging connection device 100 for an electrically driven or drivable vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention in plan view. In Fig. 2, the charging connection device 100 is shown in a side view.

[0040] The charging connection device 100 comprises a charging cradle 20 with a charging connection 10 with two power contacts 14 for charging plugs. As shown, the charging connection 10 can be configured, for example, for the so-called Combined Charging System (CCS).

[0041] The charging cradle 20 has at least one heat-conducting region 22. For example, the front side 24, for example, surrounding the charging port 10, and / or the housing 26 of the charging cradle 20 can be designed as a heat-conducting region 22. Optionally, the entire charging cradle 20 can also be designed as a heat-conducting region 22.

[0042] A temperature control device 30 in the form of a Peltier element 32 is mounted on each side of the housing 26 of the charging cradle 20. The temperature control device 30 can be integrated into the housing 26 of the charging cradle 20 and thus arranged in a space-optimized manner.

[0043] The Peltier element 32 has a hot side 34 and an opposite cold side 36. The Peltier elements 32 are, as in Fig. 1, each arranged with the hot side 34 on the heat-conducting area 22 of the loading trough 20.

[0044] The temperature control device 30 is thermally coupled to the at least two power contacts 14 and the at least one heat-conducting region 22. The hot side 34 of the temperature control device 30 is thermally coupled to the heat-conducting region 22, and the cold side 36 is thermally coupled to the at least two power contacts 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the power contacts 14 are thermally coupled to the cold side 36 of the temperature control device 30 via a heat pipe 40 via connected busbars 12.

[0045] In this way, the heat from the hot busbars 12 can be advantageously transferred via the heat pipe 40, a so-called heat pipe, to the cold side 36 of the temperature control device 30. The temperature control device 30, in turn, dissipates the heat to the heat-conducting region 22 of the charging cradle 20. The power contacts 14 and the busbars 12 are cooled in this way. The heat-conducting region 22 acts as a radiator to dissipate the heat loss during charging. Through this effective cooling of the heat pipe 40 and the additional dissipation of heat from the heat-conducting region 22 by radiation, the heat pipe 40 can be operated more effectively, and more heat can be dissipated.

[0046] The heat pipe 40 conducts the heat loss from the busbars 22 via the temperature control device 30 to the heat-conducting area 22, which radiates the heat to the environment. This cooling process is supported by the temperature control device 30, which additionally cools the heat pipe 40.

[0047] By means of the temperature control device 30, heat loss from the power contacts 14 or the busbars 12 can be transported from the power contacts 14 or the busbars 12 to the heat-conducting area 22, from which the heat can in turn be dissipated by radiation. Heat is thus transported from a higher-temperature area, the power contacts 14 or the busbars 12, to a lower-temperature area, the heat-conducting area 22 of the charging recess 20. In this respect, the temperature control device 30 with the heat pipe 40 functions as a heat pump.

[0048] The heat pipe 40 is expediently connected to the power contacts 14 or the busbars 12 in an electrically insulated manner.

[0049] In the illustrated embodiment, the temperature control device 30 in the form of the Peltier elements 32 is thermally coupled to the at least one heat-conducting region 22. With the appropriate polarity of the Peltier elements 32, the heat-conducting region 22 can be electrically heated at least temporarily via the temperature control device 30, thus preventing the charging bay cover and / or the charging plug from freezing or removing any possible icing.

[0050] The temperature control device 30 can be electrically coupled to a battery of the vehicle and / or, if the charging port 10 is coupled to a charging station, to the charging port 10. Thus, the charging port 10 can optionally be preheated with the electrical power of the battery before the charging plug is plugged in in order to defrost the charging recess 20 and thus make it accessible.

[0051] Furthermore, the temperature control device 30 can be coupled to a control and / or regulating device (not shown) which is designed to operate the temperature control device 30 for a predetermined period of time.

[0052] For example, if the charging socket cover and / or charging plug are frozen solid, pre-conditioning can be activated to heat the charging bay 20 and operated for a specified period of time. After this heating cycle, a check can be made to see whether the charging socket cover and / or charging plug are free of ice. If not, another heating cycle can be started.

[0053] Furthermore, the temperature control device 30 can be operated automatically within a predetermined temperature range using the control and / or regulating device.

[0054] Before starting the vehicle and while the charging process is still in progress, the heating function of the temperature control device 30 can be automatically activated for a predetermined period of time, for example, 5 minutes, before departure, if the ambient temperature is in a low range, for example, between -10°C and 5°C. This ensures that the charging plug can be removed before departure.

[0055] During the charging process, the temperature control device 30 can cool the charging port 10 using electrical power from the charging station. It may also be sufficient to operate this cooling function only temporarily to dissipate the lost heat. List of reference symbols 10 Charging port 12 Busbar 14 Power contact 20 loading trough 22 heat-conducting area 24 Front 26 housings 30 Tempering device 32 Peltier element 34 Hot side 36 Cold side 40 heat pipe 100 charging connection device

Claims

[1] Charging connection device (100) for an electrically driven or drivable vehicle with a charging recess (20) with at least one charging connection (10) with at least two power contacts (14) for charging plugs, wherein the charging trough (20) has at least one heat-conducting region (22) and at least one temperature control device (30) which is thermally coupled to the at least two power contacts (14) and the at least one heat-conducting region (22), wherein a hot side (34) of the at least one temperature control device (30) is thermally coupled to the at least one heat-conducting region (22), and wherein a cold side (36) of the at least one temperature control device (30) is thermally coupled to the at least two power contacts (14), characterized by , that the at least one temperature control device (30) is coupled to a control and / or regulating device of the charging connection device (100), which is designed to operate the at least one temperature control device (30) for a predetermined period of time. [2] Charging connection device (100) according to claim 1, characterized by that the at least one temperature control device (30) is designed as a Peltier element (32). [3] Charging connection device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that a front side (24) and / or a housing (26) of the charging recess (20) is designed as a heat-conducting region (22). [4] Charging connection device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the at least two power contacts (14), in particular busbars (12) connected to the at least two power contacts (14), are thermally coupled to the cold side (36) of the at least one temperature control device (30) via a heat pipe (40) of the charging connection device (100). [5] Charging connection device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one heat-conducting region (22) is designed to radiate heat to the environment. [6] Charging connection device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one temperature control device (30) is electrically coupled or can be coupled to a battery of the vehicle and / or, if the at least one charging connection (10) is coupled to a charging station, to the at least one charging connection (10). [7] Charging connection device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the at least one temperature control device (30) is coupled to one or the control and / or regulating device of the charging connection device (100), which is designed to automatically operate the at least one temperature control device (30) in a predetermined temperature range. [8] Charging connection device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one temperature control device (30) has a heat pump function.

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