Fast charging station for electric vehicles

Abstract

The invention relates to a rapid charging station for electric vehicles, comprising at least one power module (2), wherein the power module (2) comprises power electronics, in particular a current transformer, wherein the power module (2) is secured in a mounted position in the rapid charging station (1) via a fastening arrangement (3). It is proposed that the fastening arrangement (3) comprise a pivot bearing (9) via which the power module (2) is pivotably secured, such that the power module (2) can be pivoted between the mounted position and a maintenance position.

Description

The present invention relates to a fast charging station for electric vehicles according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for maintaining a fast charging station according to claim 12.Fast charging stations, also known as high-performance chargers, are direct current charging stations for electric vehicles, in particular automobiles, but also trucks, ships and the like.In addition to the costs of purchase, the maintenance costs, partly formed by expenses for maintenance technicians, are also a relevant part of the costs of a fast-charging station. In addition, known fast-charging stations, in particular in the range above 150 kW, require a large amount of space around the fast-charging station in order to keep the maintenance accesses free. This space must be kept free, so that a known fast-charging station cannot be placed on a wall, for example.A known fast charging station (Alpitronic Superatmospheric) has power modules which have rails as the fastening arrangement on which the power modules can be moved out of the fast charging station in order to be brought from an assembled position into a maintenance position. The rails must be designed to be very stable and durable so that this movement functions reliably and wobbles little.Further charging stations with power modules, in particular power modules that can be slid, are known, for example, from DE 10 2019 212 462 A1, DE 10 2017 115 632 B4 and AT 523 006 B1. Pivotable inverters for high power densities are known from other fields (DE 10 2018 100 670 A1).It is a challenge to achieve the fastening of the power modules in a stable and cost-effective manner.The invention is based on the problem of configuring and developing the known fast charging station in such a way that a more stable and / or more cost-effective fastening of the power modules is provided.The above problem is solved by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.The fundamental consideration is that the power modules can be pivotably fastened. A pivot mounting is stable, the power module corrects its position in a certain frame itself and "falls" quasi into its mounted position. A pivot bearing is less prone to tilting than a linear guide. The production and detachment of the pivot mounting for the removal or insertion of the power module is also possible more easily than in the case of two linear rails. In addition, after pivoting, one side of the power module is already locked in a simple manner, so that a working step is omitted compared to a linear guide in which the power module is locked at the bottom and at the top.In detail, it is proposed that the fastening arrangement has a pivot mounting via which the power module is pivotably fastened, such that the power module is pivotable between the mounted position and a maintenance position.The mounted position is the fully operable position that the power module regularly assumes during a charging operation of the charging station.According to claim 2, it can be provided that the power module can be removed from the fast charging station only in the maintenance position. A predefined workflow increases the safety and prevents the power module from dropping out of the fast charging station in an uncontrolled manner. In addition, a pivot securing means can be provided.Claim 3 describes preferred embodiments of the pivot mounting. By means of a hook-shaped counter bearing element on the power module, the pivot bearing can be secured in the mounted position without further elements against removal of the power module. The pivoting automatically releases the securing means.In an embodiment according to claim 4, the quick-charging station has a module foot, by means of which the power module can be supported on the ground in the maintenance position. The power module is thus stable in the maintenance position in a simple manner. The module foot may be removable and stored in the quick load station by default. In particular, only one module foot is provided for all power modules, as a result of which less storage space is required. The module foot can also be telescopic, as a result of which even less stowage space is required in the quick-loading station.According to claim 5, module handles are provided which can also be detachable and stowed in the quick-loading station. With these, the power module can be lifted out of the fast charging station in the maintenance position.Claims 6 to 9 relate to preferred embodiments which lead to a fast charging station which has a particularly small space requirement for maintenance accesses. It is possible in particular to place the rapid charging station with the back on a wall or the like. In addition to the fast charging station, parking spaces can be placed and the maintenance access is preferably only located in front.Claim 10 relates to a configuration in which the power module automatically contacts one or more electrical connections by pivoting into the mounted position. This is particularly well possible in the case of a pivot mounting, since the positioning is possible precisely and allows the power module to be latched in. In addition, the power module reliably reaches its end position during a pivoting movement after the tilting point is exceeded.Claim 11 relates to preferred performance classes of the fast charging station. The larger this is, the more important the space requirement becomes.According to a further teaching according to claim 12, which is of independent significance, a method for the maintenance of a proposed fast charging station, wherein a power module is pivoted out of the fast charging station, preferably wherein the module handle and / or the module foot are connected to one of the power modules, is claimed.Reference may be made to all explanations concerning the proposed rapid charging station.The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing which merely represents exemplary embodiments. The drawing shows FIG. 1 shows a quick-charging station according to the invention from the outside, FIG. 2 shows the rapid charging station in the open state, FIG. 3 shows the pivoting of a power module when the module foot is mounted, and FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of the pivot mounting during pivoting.The exemplary embodiment illustrated in the figures and thus preferred relates to a fast charging station 1 for electric vehicles having at least one power module 2, wherein the power module 2 has power electronics, in particular a current transformer. The power module 2 is mounted in an assembled position via a mounting arrangement 3 in the fast charging station 1. Figure 2 shows this mounted position. In FIG. 2, the rapid charging station 1 is open. When the fast charging station 1 is closed and when the power module 2 is used, it is in the mounted position, in particular always.FIG. 1 shows an external view of a proposed rapid charging station 1 for electric vehicles. This has at least one connection point 4 for an electric vehicle, here a charging cable 5 which is securely attached. The rapid charging station 1 preferably has at least, here precisely, two connection points 4. A fast charging station 1 serves for charging an electric vehicle by means of direct current and a power of mostly at least 50 kW.The fast charging station 1 is usually connected to an alternating current network for this purpose.As can be seen in the open view in FIG. 2, the fast charging station 1 has at least one power module 2 that can be handled individually. Here, the fast charging station 1 has seven power modules 2, which each make a part of the total power available to the fast charging station 1, here for example 30 kW each. The power modules 2 can be divided here and preferably flexibly between the connection points 4.The term "individually manageable" is to be understood broadly here. The power module 2 weighs here, for example, approximately 39 kg, i.e., it is not easily manageable. However, it can be removed individually and the components of the power module 2 are not installed individually in the rapid charging station 1. Preferably, the weight of a power module 2 is at least 20 kg, more preferably at least 30 kg.Considering now first only one power module 2, all statements about this power module 2 can apply accordingly to further power modules 2. The power module 2 has power electronics. The power electronics system has a converter arrangement. The converter arrangement here and preferably serves for converting a three-phase mains voltage as input voltage of the fast charging station 1 into a direct voltage. Here and preferably, the power electronics comprise a rectifier and a downstream DC-DC converter, which are not shown. DC rails 6 for distributing the output power of the power modules 2 to the connection points 4 can be seen in the upper region of the fast charging station 1. The fast charging station 1 has a station housing 7, in which the power module 2, here the power modules 2, is or are arranged. The power module 2 likewise has a housing 8.It is now essential that the fastening arrangement 3 has a pivot mounting 9, via which the power module 2 is pivotably fastened, such that the power module 2 is pivotable between the mounted position and a maintenance position. FIG. 3 shows the process of pivoting. In the horizontal, the power module 2 is in the maintenance position, in the vertical in the mounted position.The quick charging station 1 here and preferably has a receptacle 10 for the power module 2, in which receptacle the power module 2 is received in the mounted position. The receptacle 10 surrounds the power module 2 in at least four, preferably five, orthogonal spatial directions. In this case, a total of six orthogonal spatial directions is assumed, that is to say the three dimensions of an orthogonal base in each case in two directions. The power module 2 is pivotable out of the receptacle 10. Here and preferably, the rapid charging station 1 has a plurality of individually pivotable power modules 2.As can be seen in FIG. 3, the power module 2 can be pivoted here and preferably via its shortest edge.Here and preferably, the power module 2 in the mounted position must first be pivoted into the maintenance position before the power module 2 can be detached from the fastening arrangement 3 and removed from the quick charging station 1.Additionally or alternatively, the fastening arrangement 3 has releasable fastening elements, in particular pins, with which the power module 2 is secured against pivoting in the mounted position. The fastening elements connect the power module 2 here and preferably to the receptacle 10.FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of the pivot mounting 9. It can be seen there that the pivot mounting 9 can have a bearing element 11 and that the power module 2 preferably has a housing 8, on which a counter bearing element 12 is arranged. It is then provided that the counter bearing element 12 interacts with the bearing element 11 in order to provide the pivot mounting 9. It can be seen that the power module 2 can be moved from the mounted position in FIG. 4 b ) only by pivoting. Only in the maintenance position in FIG. 4 d) can the bearing element 11 and the counter bearing element 12 be detached from one another, as a result of which the pivot bearing 9 is disassembled and the power module 2 can be removed upwards.Here and preferably, the power module 2 is linearly displaced during pivoting or subsequent to pivoting, whereby the pivot mounting 9 is unlocked, so that the power module 2 can be removed. FIG. 4 d ) shows the state after the displacement. Preferably, the bearing element 11 is a horizontally oriented pin and the counter bearing element 12 is hook-shaped and engages around the pin in the mounted position.Here and preferably, the counter bearing element 12 engages around the bearing element 11 during pivoting of the power module 2. in the mounted position the counter bearing element 12 is preferably decoupled from the bearing element 11 in at least one direction, in particular vertical direction. In FIG. 4 a), a slight clearance between the bearing element 11 and the counter bearing element 12 can be seen for this purpose. Here and preferably, the power module 2 in the mounted position stands on a component of the rapid charging station 1, otherwise, in particular on a base of the receptacle 10. Here and preferably, the receptacle 10 has plastic runners on which the power module 2 is in the mounted position.It is thus to be stated quite generally that the pivot bearing 9 is decoupled here and preferably in the mounted position. A pivoting of the power module 2 therefore begins here and preferably with an adjustment, in particular a pivoting over an edge, of the power module 2, which brings about a coupling of the pivot mounting 9.In order to secure the power module 2 in the mounted position, it can be provided that the quick-charging station 1 has a module foot 13, in particular a telescopic module foot. In the maintenance position, the module foot 13 supports the power module 2 on the floor. The module foot 13 is fastened here and preferably pivotably to the power module 2. Preferably, the module foot 13 can be connected to the power module 2 and / or can be detached therefrom, in particular without tools, via a latching connection. Particularly preferably, the module foot 13 is stored in the quick-loading station 1 when the module foot 13 is not used. A maintenance technician therefore does not have to bring the module foot 13 along and there does not have to be one module foot 13 per power module 2. Instead, the module foot 13 is fastened in a dedicated storage position, here and preferably on a service flap 14, of the fast charging station 1 and is used, if required, on the power module 2 which is to be serviced.In the maintenance position, the power module 2 lies here and preferably on the module base 13 and the pivot mounting 9 (FIG. 3 ).Furthermore, it is provided here and preferably that the quick-charging station 1 has at least one, preferably two, module handles 15 and that the module handle 15 or the module handles 15 can be and / or are detachable, in particular without tools, via a locking connection, to the power module 2. The module handle 15 or the module handles 15 are also fastened here and preferably in a storage position of the fast charging station 1, in particular on the maintenance flap 14.Preferably, the module handles 15 can be fastened to the power module 2 in the maintenance position, in particular to a side of the power module 2 located at the top in the maintenance position, in such a way that the power module 2 can be detached from the fastening arrangement 3 at the module handles 15. The module handle 15 or the module handles 15 are also preferably used as required in one of the power modules 2. It is therefore generally preferably provided that the quick-loading station 1 has exactly one module foot 13 and / or exactly two module handles 15.With regard to the general maintenance concept of the rapid charging station 1, it is preferably such that the rapid charging station 1 has a station housing 7 and that the station housing 7, in particular precisely, has a maintenance access 16, in particular a maintenance flap 14. This service flap 14, in this case designed as a service door, is the front side wall 17 of the fast-charging station 1 in FIG. 1, which is shown hidden in FIG. 2 and is indicated opened in FIG. 3. This can be opened via the door handle 18 likewise indicated in FIG. 1 and preferably has a lock.Here and preferably, a payment terminal 19 and / or a display 20 and / or at least one plug receptacle 21 and / or an electricity meter 22 and / or control electronics are arranged on the maintenance flap 14 and are accessible when the maintenance flap 14 is open. Accessible means accessible in each case for maintenance purposes. The display 20, the payment terminal 19 and the plug receptacle 21 are also accessible from the outside, but they usually cannot be serviced from there. These are inserted into the service flap 14 here and can be serviced from behind when the service flap 14 is open. The meter here and preferably likewise has a display 20 which can be read from the outside and is connected via a data connection, in this case glass fibre, to a shunt in the interior of the fast-charging station 1 on the DC rails 6. Here and preferably, one current meter 22 is provided per connection point 4, i.e. two here. The control electronics are fastened here and preferably on the inside to the maintenance flap 14. Here and preferably, various components of the rapid charging station 1 are accessible without removing contact protection, in particular due to the arrangement on the service flap 14.Here and preferably, all charging cables 5 of the fast charging station 1 are arranged on other walls of the station housing 7 than the service flap 14, here on the right and left side wall 17 in FIG. 1.Furthermore, it is provided here and preferably that the power modules 2 can be pivoted through an opening (open in FIGS. 2 and 3 ) which is exposed by the service flap 14. Likewise, the opening released by the service flap 14 can make fuses, in particular all fuses, of the fast charging station 1 and / or a socket, especially. The power supply can be connected to a power supply outlet, and / or direct current rails 6 and / or input rails and / or a mains connection and / or a dust filter 23. Here and preferably, all electrical and electronic components and / or all components to be maintained of the fast charging station 1 are accessible via the maintenance flap 14.It is preferred that the fast charging station 1 has four side walls 17, that charging cables 5 are attached to two opposite side walls 17, that the service flap 14 is arranged on one of the side walls 17 and that no functional unit of the fast charging station 1 is arranged on the fourth side wall 17, so that access to the fourth side wall 17 is not necessary during each normal operation and for the purpose of servicing electrical and electronic components of the fast charging station 1. The rapid charging station 1 is preferably substantially cuboidal in design with exactly four side walls 17. FIG. 3 shows on the ground that the space required for maintenance purposes is here quite small.It is likewise provided and preferred that the power module 2 has a DC connection, that the DC connection is automatically contacted with an AC power distribution, in particular DC rail 6, of the fast charging station 1 by pivoting the power module 2 from the maintenance position into the mounted position, and / or that the power module 2 has an AC connection, that the AC connection is automatically contacted with an AC power distribution, in particular AC rail, of the fast charging station 1 by pivoting the power module 2 from the maintenance position into the mounted position. The DC connection and / or the AC connection can be a plug or a socket which is otherwise contacted with a corresponding counterpart at the fast charging station 1. Alternative further contacting possibilities are conceivable. Thus, the contacting can take place solely by the pivoting or can be subsequently secured by a service technician, for example by attaching a clamp to two rails which abut each other by the pivoting. The DC connection and / or the AC connection can be designed to be resilient and / or strike a resilient counterpart in order to compensate for some play and to ensure reliable contacting.Furthermore, it is provided here and preferably that the fast charging station 1 has at least 3, preferably at least 4, more preferably at least 5 power modules 2 which together supply at least 150 kW, preferably at least 175 kW, more preferably at least 200 kW of power.According to a further teaching, a method for servicing a quick charging station 1 according to the proposal is proposed, wherein a power module 2 is pivoted out of the quick charging station 1, preferably wherein the module handle 15 and / or the module foot 13 are connected to one of the power modules 2.Reference may be made to all explanations concerning the proposed rapid charging station 1.

Claims

A fast charging station for electric vehicles having at least one power module (2), wherein the power module (2) has power electronics, in particular a current transformer, wherein the power module (2) is fastened in the fast charging station (1) via a fastening arrangement (3) in a mounted position, characterized in that the fastening arrangement (3) has a pivot mounting (9) via which the power module (2) is pivotably fastened, such that the power module (2) is pivotable between the mounted position and a maintenance position.The quick charging station according to claim 1, characterized in that the power module (2) in the mounted position only has to be pivoted into the maintenance position before the power module (2) can be detached from the fastening arrangement (3) and removed from the quick charging station (1), and / or that the fastening arrangement (3) has detachable fastening elements, in particular pins, with which the power module (2) is secured against pivoting in the mounted position.The quick-loading station according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pivot mounting (9) has a bearing element (11), that the power module (2) has a housing (8), that a counter bearing element (12) is arranged on the housing (8), that the counter bearing element (12) interacts with the bearing element (11) in order to provide the pivot mounting (9), preferably that the bearing element (11) is a horizontally oriented pin, that the counter bearing element (12) is hook-shaped and engages around the pin in the assembled position.The quick-charging station according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the quick-charging station (1) has a module foot (13), in particular a telescopic module foot, that the module foot (13), in the maintenance position, supports the power module (2) on the floor, preferably that the module foot (13) can be connected to the power module (2) in a releasable manner, in particular without tools via a latching connection, and / or that the power module (2) rests on the module foot (13) and the pivot mounting (9) in the maintenance position.The fast charging station according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fast charging station (1) comprises at least one, preferably two, module handles (15), that the module handle (15) or the module handles (15) can be connected to the power module (2) in a releasable manner, in particular without tools via a locking connection, preferably that the module handles (15) can be fastened to the power module (2), in particular to a side of the power module (2) located at the top in the maintenance position, in the maintenance position such that the power module (2) can be released from the fastening arrangement (3) at the module handles (15).The fast-charging station according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fast-charging station (1) has a station housing (7), and in that the station housing (7) has, in particular precisely, a maintenance access (16).The fast charging station according to claim 6, characterized in that the station housing (7) has a service flap (14) as the service access (16), preferably in that a payment terminal (19) and / or a display (20) and / or at least one plug receptacle (21) and / or an electricity meter (22) and / or control electronics are arranged on the service flap (14) and are accessible when the service flap (14) is open, and / or in that all charging cables (5) of the fast charging station (1) are arranged on walls of the station housing (7) other than the service flap (14).The fast charging station according to claim 7, characterized in that the power modules (2) can be pivoted through an opening opened by the service flap (14), preferably in that fuses, in particular all fuses, of the fast charging station (1) and / or a socket, are secured through the opening opened by the service flap (14). The power supply can be accessed from a plug and / or direct current rails (6) and / or alternating current rails and / or a mains connection and / or a dust filter (23).The fast charging station according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the fast charging station (1) has four side walls (17), that charging cables (5) are attached to two opposite side walls (17), that the maintenance flap (14) is arranged on one of the side walls (17), that no functional unit of the fast charging station (1) is arranged on the fourth side wall (17), so that access to the fourth side wall (17) is not necessary during each normal operation and for maintenance purposes of electrical and electronic components of the fast charging station (1), preferably that the fast charging station (1) is substantially cuboidal with exactly four side walls (17).Fast charging station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the power module (2) has a DC connection, in that the DC connection is automatically contacted with a DC current distribution, in particular a DC rail (6), of the fast charging station (1) by pivoting the power module (2) from the maintenance position into the mounted position, and / or in that the power module (2) has an AC connection, in that the AC connection is automatically contacted with an AC current distribution, in particular an AC rail, of the fast charging station (1) by pivoting the power module (2) from the maintenance position into the mounted position.The fast charging station according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fast charging station (1) has at least 3, preferably at least 4, more preferably at least 5 power modules (2) which together supply at least 150 kW, preferably at least 175 kW, more preferably at least 200 kW of power.Method for servicing a fast charging station (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a power module (2) is pivoted out of the fast charging station (1), preferably wherein the module handle (15) and / or the module foot (13) are connected to one of the power modules (2).

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