Charging connection device and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a charging connection device (10) for an electrically driven vehicle with at least two charging connections (11, 12) arranged next to one another and with at least two movably mounted charging connection covers. In order to improve the charging connection device (10) functionally and / or in terms of manufacturing technology, a locking arrangement comprises a locking slide which is arranged to be movable back and forth between a first locking position, in which a first charging connection is covered in a touch-proof manner by a first charging connection cover, and a second locking position, in which a second charging connection is covered in a touch-proof manner by a second charging connection cover, in such a way that either the first or the second charging connection is released.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a charging connection device for an electrically driven vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 1. The invention further relates to a motor vehicle with such a charging connection device.

[0002] German patent application DE 10 2021 006 078 A1 discloses a charging connection device for an electrically powered vehicle with two charging connections arranged side by side, to which two movably mounted charging connection covers with a locking arrangement are assigned. German patent applications DE 10 2022 001 702 A1, DE 10 2021 000 307 A1, and DE 10 2021 006 076 A1 disclose further charging connection devices of the same type.

[0003] The object of the invention is to improve a charging connection device according to the preamble of patent claim 1 functionally and / or in terms of manufacturing technology.

[0004] The object is to provide a charging connection device for an electrically driven vehicle with at least two charging connections arranged next to one another and with at least two movably mounted charging connection covers, wherein at least one of the charging connection covers is assigned to each charging connection, wherein the charging connection covers each cover the corresponding charging connection in at least one covering position and at least partially release contact elements of the corresponding charging connection in at least one releasing position, wherein a locking arrangement locks one of the charging connection covers so that during a charging process only one charging connection assigned to the charging mode or contact elements of the charging connection assigned to the charging mode are accessible for contacting, while the other of the two charging connections or the other contact elements are covered by the respective charging connection cover in a touch-safe manner,This is achieved in that the locking arrangement comprises a locking slide that can be moved back and forth between a first locking position, in which a first charging port is covered in a touch-safe manner by a first charging port cover, and a second locking position, in which a second charging port is covered in a touch-safe manner by a second charging port cover, such that either the first or the second charging port is exposed. This ensures the safety of the charging port device during operation in a simple manner. The locking slide is simple in design and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0005] A preferred embodiment of the charging connection device is characterized in that the charging connection covers are designed as pivoting charging flaps. The two pivoting charging flaps are also simple in design and inexpensive to manufacture. Furthermore, the pivoting charging flaps are easy to handle. Furthermore, pivoting charging flaps are generally familiar to users of electric vehicles. In combination with the locking slide, the pivoting charging flaps are also very easy to handle. The charging flaps, which are also referred to as charging socket flaps, can be opened manually. Depending on the design, the opening and / or closing of the charging flaps can also be fully or partially automated.

[0006] A further preferred embodiment of the charging connection device is characterized in that a first charging flap is pivotable about a first pivot axis that is parallel to a second pivot axis of a second charging flap, wherein the locking slide, in its first locking position, blocks the first charging flap from pivoting open, and the locking slide, in its second locking position, blocks the second charging flap from pivoting open. This simply prevents both charging connections from being undesirably accessible. Furthermore, the locking slide can be operated very easily manually.

[0007] A further preferred embodiment of the charging connection device is characterized in that the locking slide is preloaded into a central position provided between its locking positions, in which the locking slide prevents both charging flaps from pivoting open. This ensures in a simple manner that both charging connections are normally closed. The preloading of the locking slide into its central position is achieved, for example, by a spring device. The spring device can, for example, comprise two springs that act in the reciprocating direction of movement of the locking slide.

[0008] A further preferred embodiment of the charging connection device is characterized in that each of the charging flaps is assigned an opening element prestressed in a flap opening direction, the opening movement of which is limited by the locking slide as long as the latter is in its center position. In the center position, as previously described, both charging flaps are held closed by the locking slide. As soon as the locking slide is actuated in one of its directions of movement, preferably up to a corresponding stop, one of the charging flaps is released by the locking slide and moved in its opening direction by the associated prestressed opening element, in a manner similar to a conventional fuel cap. The charging flap thus moved in its opening direction can then be fully opened manually, for example, in order to carry out the desired charging process at the released charging connection.

[0009] A further preferred embodiment of the charging connection device is characterized in that the pre-tensioned opening elements exert a blocking function on the locking slide in an open position fully extended from a closed position. In this way, the locking slide is securely held or blocked in its respective locked position. This reliably prevents the other of the two charging connections from being undesirably released from its charging flap during charging.

[0010] A further preferred embodiment of the charging connection device is characterized in that the locking slide has holding geometries for the opening elements and / or run-on bevels for the loading flaps at opposite ends. The holding geometries on the locking slide serve to hold the prestressed opening elements in their closed position, wherein the loading flap assigned to the respective opening element is preferably arranged between the prestressed opening element and the holding geometry of the locking slide in the closed state. The optional run-on bevels can advantageously interact with the likewise spring-biased slide when the respective loading flap is closed, i.e., they can optionally move the slide against its prestress, exerting resistance on the loading flap during closing.

[0011] A further preferred embodiment of the charging connection device is characterized in that, in addition to the charging connection covers, the charging connection device also comprises an outer cover, which covers the charging connection device with the charging connection covers in a driving position and exposes it in a charging position. The outer cover can be designed in the same way as or similar to a conventional external loading flap. In the claimed embodiment of the charging connection device, the perceived disadvantage of having a total of three loading flaps on the motor vehicle, i.e., the two loading flaps interacting with the locking slide and the external loading flap, is deliberately accepted.

[0012] The invention further relates to a charging port cover, in particular a charging flap, a locking slide, and / or an opening element for a charging port device described above. These parts are sold separately.

[0013] The above-mentioned object is also achieved by a motor vehicle with a charging connection device as described above. The motor vehicle comprises at least four wheels and is electrically driven. For this purpose, the motor vehicle is equipped with a traction battery or high-voltage battery, which interacts with a traction motor in the motor vehicle, designed as an electric motor. The traction battery or high-voltage battery can be charged in a manner known per se via the claimed charging connection device. The motor vehicle is preferably a passenger car. According to a further exemplary embodiment, the claimed motor vehicle can also be a two-wheeler, for example an electrically powered motorcycle.

[0014] The invention may also relate to a method for operating, in particular for charging, a motor vehicle described above. Before a charging process, an optionally present outer cover is first removed or opened. Then, by appropriately actuating the locking slide, one of the two charging ports is exposed. The other charging port then advantageously remains closed. The locking slide can be designed with a corresponding symbol, for example a double arrow, which indicates to a user how the locking slide is to be actuated. Of course, the charging flaps are advantageously also equipped with a corresponding symbol, which on the one hand indicates, for example, a specification of the charging port arranged underneath. In addition, the charging flaps can be equipped with symbols that illustrate an opening movement of the charging flaps.

[0015] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which various embodiments are described in detail with reference to the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a high-voltage battery of an electrically powered motor vehicle with a charging connection device via which the high-voltage battery of the motor vehicle can be charged; Fig. 2 a perspective view of a body part of a motor vehicle with an open external loading flap and a loading opening in which a loading cradle is arranged; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of the charging cradle from Fig. 2 in a plan view; Fig. 4 the view of a section along the line IV-IV in Fig. 3 with a locking arrangement comprising a locking slide which is in Fig. 4 is in its central position; and the Fig. 5 to 9 similar representation as in Fig. 4 to illustrate the function of the locking slide in conjunction with two loading flaps.

[0016] Fig. Figure 1 shows a charging connection device 10 with two different charging connections 11, 12. The charging connections 11, 12 each comprise, for example, a charging socket 13, 14 with contact elements (not shown). The two charging sockets 13, 14 are arranged in a charging cradle 15, which is Fig. 1 is only indicated by a dashed rectangle.

[0017] A charging plug 16 is in Fig. 1 is also indicated only by a rectangle. The charging plug 16 is used to electrically charge a high-voltage battery 18 in an electric vehicle equipped with the charging connection device 10. A voltage symbol 17 in Fig. 1 indicates that due to the connection of the charging connection device 10 to the high-voltage battery 18, which is also symbolically indicated, a high-voltage voltage is present at the charging socket 14 even when the charging plug 16 is plugged into the charging socket 13.

[0018] In Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a body part 21 of a vehicle 20 with a loading opening 22. The vehicle 20 is preferably an electrically powered passenger car. The loading opening 22 can be closed by an outer cover 23 designed as an external loading flap 24. Fig. 2 the external loading flap 24 is open.

[0019] The charging cradle 15 is equipped with two different charging ports 11, 12. These two different charging ports 11, 12 are necessary because different charging standards exist in some markets. The different charging ports 11, 12 are also required, for example, when a new charging standard with higher power is installed on the market.

[0020] In Fig. 3, the charging connection device 10 is shown in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 schematically shown in a plan view. In order to exclude undesirable hazards for a user of the charging cradle 15 with the different charging ports 11, 12 during operation, the charging ports 11, 12 can be closed completely or partially by charging port covers 31, 32, which are Fig. 3 are only indicated by a rectangle. The charging port covers 31, 32 ensure that only one of the different charging ports 11, 12 can be used for charging. For this purpose, the charging port covers 31, 32 are provided with a Fig. 4 to 9 shown locking arrangement 40.

[0021] In Fig. 4 shows that the two charging port covers 31, 32 are designed as charging flaps 41, 42. The charging flaps 41, 42 can each be pivoted about a pivot axis 43, 44. The two pivot axes 43, 44 are arranged perpendicular to the plane of the drawing and parallel to each other. Arrows indicate how the charging flaps 41, 42 can be moved from their Fig. 4 can be swung open to the closed state shown.

[0022] In Fig. 4, a locking slide 45 of the locking arrangement 40 is in its center position. Both loading flaps 41, 42 are held in their closed state by the locking slide 45 in its center position, in which the different charging connections 11, 12 arranged below the loading flaps 41, 42 are both covered.

[0023] The locking slide 45 is in the horizontal direction, i.e. in Fig. 4 can be moved to the left and right so that only one of the two charging flaps 41, 42 is released by the locking slide 45. This creates a safety mechanism using simple means that prevents accidental opening and contact with the charging connections 11, 12.

[0024] Each of the two loading flaps 41, 42 is assigned an opening element 53, 54 at its end facing away from the pivot axes 43, 44. The opening elements 53, 54 are pretensioned by springs 57, 58 against the loading flaps 41, 42 in a flap opening direction 51, 52, which in Fig. 4 is only indicated by arrows.

[0025] The locking slide 45, also called slider for short, is, as can also be seen in Fig. 4 sees, through two springs 59, 60 in his Fig. 4. At its opposite ends, the locking slide 45, also referred to as the slide, is equipped with retaining geometries 61, 62.

[0026] The holding geometries 61, 62 ensure, as can be seen in Fig. 4, that the locking slide 45 both loading flaps 41, 42 in the Fig. 4 shown closed state. In addition, optional run-on bevels 55, 56 are formed at the opposite ends of the locking slide 45.

[0027] In the Fig. 5 to 8, arrows 65 to 71 illustrate how the loading flap 41 can be opened and closed again without the loading flap 42 being able to be opened.

[0028] In Fig. 5, the arrow 65 indicates that the locking slide 45 for opening the loading flap 41 in Fig. 5 is moved to the right. In Fig. 6, the arrow 66 indicates how the loading flap 41 swings open after it has been released by the locking slide 45.

[0029] The opening movement in the swing-up direction is controlled by the Fig. 6 upwardly moved opening element 53. The upwardly moved opening element 53 simultaneously prevents the locking slide 45 from Fig. 6 can move to the left. This blocking of the locking slide 45 prevents the loading flap 42 from being opened in an undesired manner when the loading flap 41 is open.

[0030] In Fig. 7 is indicated by arrows 67 and 68, how the opening element 53 when closing the loading flap 41 in Fig. 7 is pressed down.

[0031] In Fig. 8 is indicated by an arrow 71 that the slide 45 is moved by an interaction of the free end of the loading flap 41 with the run-on slope 55 on the Fig. 8 left end of the locking slide 45 can optionally also be moved to the right, while the loading flap and the opening element 53 are moved downwards, as in Fig. 8 is indicated by arrows 69 and 70.

[0032] In Fig.9, it is only symbolically indicated that the charging flap 41 is equipped with a protective device 48, which serves to protect a contact element 47 of the charging connection 11 when the charging flap 41 is closed. For this purpose, the protective device 48 comprises, for example, a correspondingly designed protective sleeve made of an electrically insulating material. 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 2021 006 078 A1

[0002] DE 10 2022 001 702 A1

[0002] DE 10 2021 000 307 A1

[0002] DE 10 2021 006 076 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Charging connection device (10) for an electrically driven vehicle (20) with at least two charging connections (11, 12) arranged next to one another and with at least two movably mounted charging connection covers (31, 32), wherein at least one of the charging connection covers (31, 32) is assigned to each charging connection (11, 12), wherein the charging connection covers (31, 32) each cover the corresponding charging connection (11, 12) in at least one covering position and at least partially release contact elements (47) of the corresponding charging connection (11, 12) in at least one releasing position, wherein a locking arrangement (40) locks one of the charging connection covers (31, 32), so that during a charging process only one charging connection (11, 12) assigned to the charging mode or contact elements (47) of the charging connection (11, 12) assigned to the charging mode are accessible for contacting, while the other of the two Charging ports (11,12) or the other contact elements (47) are covered in a touch-proof manner by the respective charging connection cover (31, 32), characterized by in that the locking arrangement (40) comprises a locking slide (45) which is arranged to be movable back and forth between a first locking position, in which a first charging connection (11) is covered in a touch-proof manner by a first charging connection cover (31), and a second locking position, in which a second charging connection (12) is covered in a touch-proof manner by a second charging connection cover (32), in such a way that either the first (11) or the second (12) charging connection is released. [2] Charging connection device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the charging connection covers (31,32) are designed as pivotable charging flaps (41,42). [3] Charging connection device (10) according to claim 2, characterized byin that a first loading flap (41) is pivotable about a first pivot axis (43) which is parallel to a second pivot axis (44) of a second loading flap (42), wherein the locking slide (45) in its first locking position blocks pivoting of the first loading flap (41), wherein the locking slide in its second locking position blocks pivoting of the second loading flap (42). [4] Charging connection device (10) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by that the locking slide (45) is pretensioned into a middle position provided between its locking positions, in which the locking slide (45) blocks the pivoting up of both loading flaps (41, 42). [5] Charging connection device (10) according to claim 4, characterized bythat the loading flaps (41, 42) are each assigned an opening element (53, 54) which is pretensioned in a flap opening direction (51, 52), the opening movement of which is limited by the locking slide (45) as long as the latter is in its central position. [6] Charging connection device according to claim 5, characterized by that the pre-tensioned opening elements (53, 54) exert a blocking function on the locking slide (45) in an opening position fully extended from a closed position. [7] Charging connection device (10) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by that the locking slide (45) has holding geometries (61,62) for the opening elements (53,54) and / or run-on bevels (55,56) for the loading flaps (41,42) at opposite ends. [8] Charging connection device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the charging connection device (10) comprises, in addition to the charging connection covers (31, 32), an outer cover (23) which covers the charging connection device (10) with the charging connection covers (31, 32) in a driving position and releases it in a charging position. [9] Charging connection cover (31, 32), in particular charging flap (41, 42), locking slide (45) and / or opening element (53, 54) for a charging connection device (10) according to one of the preceding claims. [10] Motor vehicle (20) with a charging connection device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8.

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