Method for facilitating the installation of a charging and / or refueling interface in a vehicle, charging and / or refueling interface for a vehicle, and vehicle

Abstract

A method for mounting a charging and / or refueling interface in a vehicle comprises the steps of: providing a connection unit (16) for charging and / or refueling a vehicle (10); providing a cover pot (28) for mounting the connection unit (16) in the vehicle (10); provisionally securing the cover pot (28) to the outside of a frame element (21) of the vehicle (10); attaching the connection unit (16) to the inside of the frame element (21), wherein threaded pins (30) formed on the cover pot (28) are guided through one or more through openings (32) of the connection unit (16) and / or a support element (24) of the connection unit (16);and screwing the connection unit (16) and / or its support element (24) to the pins (30) protruding from the openings (32), applying a defined torque to pull the cover pot (28) against the connection unit (16) and / or its support element with the required assembly force.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for installing a charging and / or refueling interface in a vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to a charging and / or refueling interface for a vehicle, as well as to a vehicle. In particular, the invention facilitates the installation of a charging and refueling interface in a vehicle.

[0002] Charging and / or refueling interfaces for vehicles are designed for electrically charging the vehicle from a voltage source or for refueling the vehicle with fuel. In the case of electrically powered vehicles, the refueling and / or charging interfaces have an electrical connection element or charging coupling, such as a charging socket, through which a battery, for example, in the form of a high-voltage storage unit, can be charged.

[0003] Internal combustion engine-powered vehicles have a fuel inlet as a connection element, through which a fuel, such as gasoline or liquefied petroleum gas, is fed into a fuel tank. Hybrid vehicles, which have a fuel tank and a battery, accordingly have both a fuel inlet and an electrical connection element, both of which are located in a common charging and / or refueling interface on the vehicle.

[0004] During installation in the vehicle, the tank and tailgate systems are mounted to the vehicle's side frame with very high clip forces to ensure a seal with the dry space of the vehicle's side frame. Clipping in requires a very high level of force at each attachment point of the tank or tailgate system.

[0005] However, vehicle assembly requires high ergonomic requirements. Particularly in Germany and Europe, but also in other countries, the law stipulates various ergonomic requirements for vehicle assembly. In particular, in some countries, depending on the law, the physical effort required by an employee is limited, taking into account the number of assembly tasks. Improving ergonomics during the assembly of fuel tank and tailgate systems is therefore associated with increased costs.

[0006] The publication DE 10 2018 210 376 A1 describes a fuel tank coupling point for a vehicle, comprising a bracket with a fuel tank opening and / or an electric charging connector, as well as a cover pot attached to the bracket. The cover pot and the bracket are positively connected to each other by means of at least one positioning element. This enables vehicle installation with minimal effort, while the fuel tank coupling point can also be designed compactly.

[0007] DE 10 2012 102 419 A1 discloses a charging device for a motor vehicle for charging a vehicle-mounted battery, comprising a charging socket assembly consisting of a charging socket configured to receive a charging plug connected to a charging cable, and an adapter device for receiving the charging socket. The charging device further includes a charging cradle for sealing the charging socket against a body of the motor vehicle and a reinforcing element configured to receive the charging socket assembly. This is intended to create a simplified charging device.

[0008] DE 10 2011 120 518 A1 describes a module element with a fuel filler neck arranged thereon for a motor vehicle, wherein the module element can be arranged on a side wall of the motor vehicle and wherein the module element has an expandable sealing element on a side facing the side wall.

[0009] The object of the invention is to provide a charging and / or refueling interface for a vehicle that enables simplified installation in the vehicle and meets increased ergonomic requirements during installation. Furthermore, a method for installing a charging and / or refueling interface in a vehicle is to be specified that can be carried out more easily and meets increased ergonomic requirements.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the invention, a method for mounting a charging and / or refueling interface in a vehicle is provided, comprising: providing a connection unit for charging and / or refueling a vehicle; providing a cover pot for mounting the connection unit in the vehicle; temporarily securing the cover pot to the outside of a frame element of the vehicle; attaching the connection unit to the inside of the frame element, wherein threaded pins formed on the cover pot are guided through one or more openings in the connection unit and / or a support element of the connection unit; and screwing the connection unit and / or its support element to the pins protruding from the openings, wherein a defined torque is applied to pull the cover pot against the connection unit and / or its support element with the required mounting force.

[0011] Preferably, the cover pot is secured to the frame element with some play.

[0012] Preferably, vehicle tolerances are compensated when screwing the connection unit and / or its carrier element to the pins.

[0013] Preferably, the defined torque is selected such that the screwing creates the required contact pressure of a sealing element for sealing the cover pot against a dry space in the vehicle.

[0014] According to a second aspect of the invention, a charging and / or refueling interface for a vehicle is provided, comprising a connection unit for electrically charging and / or refueling a vehicle, and a cover pot for holding the connection unit in a frame element of the vehicle, wherein the cover pot comprises one or more pins provided with a thread on its side facing the connection unit, and the connection unit and / or a support element of the connection unit comprises one or more through holes for the pins to pass through in order to pull the cover pot against the connection unit and / or its support element by screwing it to the pins with a defined torque.

[0015] Preferably, the defined torque is so large that it ensures the required contact pressure of the cover pot against a sealing element for sealing the cover pot against a dry space of the vehicle.

[0016] Preferably, the sealing element is arranged between the connection unit and the cover pot, so that it is pressed together by the screwing of the connection unit to the pins.

[0017] Preferably, the pins have a length that allows for compensation of the vehicle's manufacturing tolerances when screwing

[0018] According to a third aspect of the invention, a vehicle is provided which comprises a charging and / or refueling interface according to the invention and / or in which a charging and / or refueling interface has been mounted using the method according to the invention.

[0019] The invention significantly reduces the force required for installing the charging and / or refueling interface. In particular, the forces or locking forces between the vehicle's side frame and the connection unit can be reduced by up to 50%.

[0020] This makes it possible to meet the high requirements for tightness while at the same time significantly reducing the forces required for assembly.

[0021] Advantages, details, and features described in connection with the charging and / or tank interface also apply mutually to the other aspects of the invention.

[0022] The charging or refueling interface is formed, in particular, by a charging flap system. The connection element can be designed, in particular, as a charging socket. It can be attached or attachable to a carrier element or holder. The cover can be designed, for example, as a charging socket or similar.

[0023] In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 a vehicle in which a tank and / or charging interface according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is mounted; Fig. 2 a perspective view of the fuelling and / or charging interface mounted in the vehicle from its rear, i.e. viewed from the inside of the vehicle towards the outside of the vehicle; and Fig. 3 a longitudinal section of the Fig. 2 shown tank and / or charging interface from the vehicle interior (left) to the vehicle exterior (right).

[0024] In the figures, identical or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals and will therefore not be described again unless appropriate. The disclosures contained throughout the description apply analogously to identical parts with the same reference numerals or the same component designations.

[0025] Fig. 1 shows an electrically powered vehicle 10 comprising a charging and / or refueling interface 14 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0026] The vehicle 10 is equipped with a high-voltage storage unit 12, which provides the energy required to drive the vehicle 10. The charging and / or refueling interface 14 forms a charging interface here and serves to charge the high-voltage storage unit 12. It comprises a connection unit 16, which in this example is designed as a charging port for electrically charging the vehicle 10. The connection unit 16 is arranged behind an opening 18 in the outer skin of the vehicle 10, which is formed by a cutout in the side frame 22 of the vehicle 10.

[0027] The vehicle 10 may additionally or alternatively have an internal combustion engine and a tank containing liquid or gaseous fuel. In this case, the charging and / or refueling interface 14 forms a tank interface for refueling the vehicle or for loading the fuel into the tank. It comprises a connection unit 16 with a filler opening for loading the fuel into the tank, thus constituting another preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0028] The following explanations apply analogously to a charging interface that, in addition to or instead of a charging connection unit, has a tank opening as a connection unit 16. The term connection unit generally refers to both an electrical connection unit for charging the vehicle 10 with electrical current and a tank opening for filling the vehicle tank with fuel.

[0029] The charging and / or refueling interface 14 can be closed with a cover element 23, which is designed as a lid and forms a charging flap or fuel tank flap. This allows the opening 18 and the connection unit 16 arranged therein to be closed and opened again. In this way, the charging and / or refueling interface 14 forms a fuel tank flap system or charging flap system.

[0030] Based on the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, further details of the charging and / or refueling interface 14 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in a state mounted in the vehicle 10 are described below, as well as an example of a method for mounting the charging and / or refueling interface 14 in the vehicle 10. The charging and / or refueling interface 14 is designed here as a charging interface or as a charging flap system.

[0031] The charging and / or tank interface 14 comprises a charging socket as a connection unit 16, which is fastened, for example, to a holding element for the connection unit 16 designed as a carrier plate 24.

[0032] The charging and / or refueling interface 14 further comprises a cover pot 28, which is designed here as a charging pot. In other embodiments, the cover pot 28 can be designed as a refueling pot. In the assembled state, the cover pot 28 is attached to the outside of an outer frame element 21 of the vehicle 10 or is supported by it. The frame element 21 is formed by a part of the side frame 22 or the outer skin of the vehicle 10.

[0033] On the rear side of the cover pot 28, connecting pins 30 are formed, which, when the charging and / or tank interface 14 is mounted, protrude rearward, i.e., toward the vehicle interior, through through holes 32 formed in the charging socket 16. The cover pot 28 is located on the rear or inside of the frame element 21.

[0034] The through holes 32 can alternatively or additionally be formed in the holding element 24 of the charging socket 16, which is located together with the charging socket 16 attached thereto on the rear side of the frame element 21, in order to allow the plug-in pins or pins 30 of the cover pot 28 to project through.

[0035] Thus, the charging pot 28 is located on the outside of the outer side frame 22. The charging socket 16 is screwed onto the support plate 24 and is located on the inside of the side frame 22. The support plate 24 forms an inner plate.

[0036] The support plate 24 forms an inner plate. It is attached to the frame element 21, which is designed as a side frame plate or outer plate, with sometimes considerable tolerances. This means that the inner plate and the outer plate are not always in the same position in the XYZ direction of the vehicle 10.

[0037] To compensate for the tolerances between the carrier plate 24 and the frame element 21, which can sometimes be offset by several millimeters from vehicle to vehicle, the pin 30 protruding through the charging socket 16 and / or optionally through its carrier plate 24 has an excess length. Due to their excess length, the pins 30 can penetrate the charging socket 16 and / or the carrier plate 24 in all tolerance positions.

[0038] The charging socket 16 is attached to the carrier plate 24, for example, by screwing using bolts 36, which are formed on the rear side of the carrier plate 24 and are guided through corresponding further through holes or openings 38 in the charging socket 16. The charging socket 16 is screwed to the bolts 36 of the carrier plate 24 using nuts not shown in the figure.

[0039] The holes 38 have a diameter larger than the diameter of the bolts 36 passing through them. This allows the charging socket 16 to be pinned relative to the cover pot 28 in the X and Z directions of the vehicle during installation in the vehicle, thus compensating for tolerances. In the Y direction, the charging socket 16 floats relative to the cover pot due to the extra-long pins 30.

[0040] The pins 30 on the cover pot 28 are provided with a thread to pull the cover pot 28 against the charging socket 16 and / or its retaining element or carrier plate 24 with a defined torque by screwing it onto the pins 30 passing through the through holes 32. (see Fig. 3)

[0041] Due to the defined torque, a force F is exerted by the cover pot 28 for the defined pressing of the cover pot 28 against a sealing element 42, which is arranged between the cover pot 28 and the charging socket 16 and seals the charging flap system 14 on the side frame plate 21, so that no moisture can enter the dry space of the vehicle 10. The sealing element 42 is in Fig. 2 visible through a hole 44 in the support plate 24.

[0042] The following describes an embodiment of an assembly method with which the tank and / or charging interface is mounted in the vehicle.

[0043] In the assembly method, the connection unit 16 is first provided, which in this example is designed as a charging socket for electrically charging the vehicle 10. Alternatively or additionally, a connection unit 16 can also be provided in the form of a tank opening.

[0044] Furthermore, the cover pot 28 is provided, which in this example forms a charging pot and is designed for mounting the connection unit or the charging socket 16 in the vehicle 10.

[0045] Now, the cover pot 28 is secured or pre-locked to the frame element 21 of the vehicle 10 from the outside of the vehicle using clips. Clipping the cover pot serves only to prevent it from falling out during the subsequent assembly steps. The frame element 21 is formed by the side frame 22 of the vehicle 10.

[0046] Because the charging or tank interface or its cover pot 28 is only secured against falling down on the side frame cutout 18 in order to be able to carry out the subsequent assembly process, the very high forces that were previously necessary for fastening a charging and / or tank interface or the cover pot to the side frame cutout 18 by clipping on are avoided.

[0047] When securing the cover cup 28 in its assembly position, it is locked to the side frame 21 in the area of ​​the side frame cutout 18 with a certain amount of play and reduced assembly force. This is achieved by pre-assembling the cover cup 28 with a certain amount of play to the cutout 18 of the side frame 21. In addition to the advantage of reduced assembly forces, this also allows for compensation of tolerances between the side frame 21 and the inner body part or inner panel 24.

[0048] In the next step, the connection unit or charging socket 16 is attached from the vehicle interior to the inside of the frame element or side frame 21 of the vehicle 10 by inserting pins 30, which are formed as pins on the cover pot 28 and provided with a thread, through corresponding openings or through holes 32 in the charging socket 16 and protrude therefrom. For this purpose, the pins 30, which form fastening pins, are arranged on the side of the cover pot 28 facing the charging socket 16.

[0049] The pins 30 have arrow-shaped, conical or pointed ends on the inside of the vehicle.

[0050] When attaching the charging socket 16, this or optionally the carrier plate 24, to which the charging socket 16 is attached at the back, is threaded onto the tool-falling pins 30 of the cover pot 28.

[0051] The charging socket 16 is then screwed to the fastening pins or pins 30 protruding from its openings 32 using nuts 34 (see Fig. 3). A defined torque is applied to pull the cover pot 28 against the charging socket 16 with the required assembly force.

[0052] The openings 32 can alternatively or additionally also be formed in the carrier plate 24, which forms a holder to which the charging socket 16 is fastened.

[0053] When screwing the charging socket 16 or its carrier plate 24 to the mounting pins or pins 30, vehicle tolerances are compensated. For this purpose, the pins 30 have an excess length, which allows for compensation of manufacturing tolerances of the vehicle 10 during screwing.

[0054] As in Fig.As shown in Figure 3, the cover pot 28 is screwed to the charging socket 16 and / or optionally to the carrier plate 24 using nuts 34, which are screwed onto the thread of the respective pin 30. The torque is selected such that the screwing creates the required contact pressure between the cover pot 28 and a sealing element 42, thereby sealing the cover pot 28 against an interior dry space of the vehicle 10. The sealing element 42 is designed as an edge seal.

[0055] Thus, by screwing the connection unit 16 to the fastening pins or pins 30, the sealing element 42, which is arranged between the charging socket 16 and the cover pot 28, is compressed. By applying the defined torque, the cover pot 28 is pressed against the sealing element 42 with a contact force F, which is supported at the rear by the cover pot 28 and / or by its carrier plate 24 on the side frame 21.

[0056] In summary, the assembly process can also be described as follows: The charging or refueling interface is mounted from the outside into the side frame cutout as usual. However, the very high clip forces previously required to clip it onto the side frame are no longer required; the system only needs to be secured against falling out during the subsequent assembly process. This is achieved primarily by means of a pre-locking mechanism that reduces assembly force and has a certain amount of play.

[0057] In the next step, for example, the charging socket or the connection unit or optionally a holder for the charging socket is threaded onto the back of the tool-falling pins or the cover pot of the charging flap system and screwed to a support plate for the charging socket via separate points.

[0058] The cover pot is then screwed onto the charging socket and / or optionally onto the charging socket holder via the pins. The required contact pressure of the edge seal is achieved with a defined torque by pulling the cover pot through the screw connection. List of reference symbols: 10 vehicles 14 Charging and / or refueling interface 12 high-voltage storage units 16 Connection unit / charging socket 18 Opening 21 Side frame plate / frame element 22 side frames 23 Cover element or lid 24 Holding element or carrier plate / inner plate 28 Cover pot 30 pins 32 holes for pins 34 nuts 36 bolts 38 holes for bolts / through holes 42 Sealing element 44 holes 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 2018 210 376 A1

[0006] DE 10 2012 102 419 A1

[0007] DE 10 2011 120 518 A1

[0008]

Claims

[1] Method for mounting a charging and / or refueling interface in a vehicle, comprising the steps: - Providing a connection unit (16) for charging and / or refueling a vehicle (10); - Providing a cover pot (28) for mounting the connection unit (16) in the vehicle (10); - provisionally securing the cover pot (28) to the outside of a frame element (21) of the vehicle (10), - Attaching the connection unit (16) to the inside of the frame element (21), wherein pins (30) formed on the cover pot (28) and provided with a thread are guided through one or more through openings (32) of the connection unit (16) and / or a support element (24) of the connection unit (16); - screwing the connection unit (16) and / or its support element (24) to the pins (30) protruding from the openings (32), wherein a defined torque is applied in order to pull the cover pot (28) against the connection unit (16) and / or its support element with the required assembly force. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the cover pot (28) is secured to the frame element (21) with some play. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that vehicle tolerances are compensated when screwing the connection unit and / or its carrier element (24) to the pins. [4] Method according to one of the preceding, characterized by that the defined torque is selected such that the screwing produces the required contact pressure of a sealing element (42) for sealing the cover pot (28) against a dry space of the vehicle (10). [5] Charging and / or refueling interface for a vehicle (10), comprising a connection unit (16) for electrically charging and / or refueling a vehicle (10), a cover pot (28) for holding the connection unit (16) in a frame element (21) of the vehicle (10), characterized by , that the cover pot (28) comprises on its side facing the connection unit (16) one or more pins (30) which are provided with a thread, and the connection unit (16) and / or a support element (24) of the connection unit (16) comprises one or more through openings (32) for the passage of the pins (30) in order to pull the cover pot (28) against the connection unit (16) and / or its support element (24) by screwing it to the pins (30) with a defined torque. [6] Charging and / or tank interface according to claim 5, characterized bythat the defined torque is so great that it ensures the required contact pressure of the cover pot (28) against a sealing element (42) for sealing the cover pot (28) against a dry space of the vehicle (10). [7] Charging and / or tank interface according to claim 6, characterized by that the sealing element (42) is arranged between the connection unit (16) and the cover pot (28) so that it is pressed together by the screwing of the connection unit (16) to the pins (30). [8] Charging and / or tank interface according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized by that the pins (30) have a length which allows compensation of manufacturing tolerances of the vehicle (10) when screwing [9] Vehicle, characterized by a charging and / or refueling interface which is mounted in the vehicle (10) using a method according to one of claims 1 to 4 or is designed according to one of claims 5 to 9.

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