Charging socket device for a motor vehicle and method for emergency release of a charging plug connection

Abstract

The invention relates to a charging socket device (1) for a motor vehicle, as well as a method for emergency unlocking of a charging plug connection (17). The charging socket device (1) comprises: - a locking unit (2) with a locking element (18) which is adjustable between a locking position, in which it protrudes transversely to a longitudinal direction (x) of the charging socket device (1) by a locking dimension from a housing (5) of the locking unit (2), and a release position, in which it protrudes from the housing (5) by less than the locking dimension or is completely recessed in the housing (5), - a carriage (4) mounted on the locking unit (3) along the longitudinal direction (x) between a disassembly position and an assembly position, on which carriage a first link element (6) is positionally fixed, - a plug receiving unit (3) to which a second link element (7) is positionally fixed, wherein one of the link elements (6, 7) is designed as a link (8) and the other of the link elements (6, 7) is designed as a link pin (9), whereby a link mechanism (10) of the charging socket device (1) is formed or can be formed by the link elements (6, 7), and the link (8) is arranged obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction (x) in such a way that a movement of the carriage (4) along the longitudinal direction (x) causes a movement of the locking unit (2) along a vertical direction (z) of the charging socket device (1).

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging socket device for a motor vehicle and a method for emergency release of a charging plug connection, in which a motor vehicle having the charging socket device or the body element and a charging point are initially connected to one another. State of the art

[0002] It is known that there is a need to secure a charging connection, in which a motor vehicle to be electrically charged and a charging point for electrical energy transmission are connected by means of a charging cable, against unauthorized disconnection and theft of the charging cable. Therefore, such charging connections have a locking mechanism by means of which the charging plugs of the charging cable in the vehicle-side charging socket and / or in the charging point-side charging socket are secured against being pulled out. Such a locking mechanism must be positioned with particular precision to ensure its trouble-free operation. Conventional locking mechanisms, in particular their actuators, are therefore screwed into position, for example.

[0003] However, such a screw connection prevents quick emergency release of the charging plug, as unscrewing the locking mechanism is time-consuming, and access to the screw elements is not always possible without extensive disassembly of the vehicle—especially in vehicles with highly curved body shapes. Often, removing the locking mechanism without removing the entire charging socket unit is not possible. Conversely, simply installing the locking mechanism often requires a specific assembly sequence, with the charging socket unit and the locking mechanism being assembled first into a single subassembly, which is then installed.

[0004] Document DE 10 2019 215 158 A1 relates to a device for locking a charging plug to a charging socket. Document DE 10 2013 110 428 A1 relates to an electromechanical locking device, in particular for locking a charging plug inserted into a charging socket. Document DE 10 2012 022 413 B3 relates to a locking device for locking electrical plugs in sockets. Description of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to simplify the assembly and disassembly of a locking mechanism of a charging socket unit, in particular to enable a particularly simple emergency unlocking of a charging plug connection.

[0006] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further possible embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the subclaims, the description, and the figures. Features, advantages, and possible embodiments presented in the description for one of the subject matter of the independent claims are to be regarded, across categories and embodiments, at least analogously as features, advantages, and possible embodiments of the respective subject matter of the other independent claims, as well as any possible combination of the subject matter of the independent claims, optionally in conjunction with one or more of the subclaims.

[0007] According to the invention, a charging socket device for a motor vehicle is proposed, which has a locking unit. The locking unit comprises a locking element, which is designed, for example, as a translationally movable locking pin. The locking element is adjustable between a locking position and a release position. In the locking position, the locking element protrudes transversely to a longitudinal direction (x) of the charging socket device by a locking amount from a housing of the locking unit. In contrast, the locking element protrudes from the housing by less than the locking amount or is completely recessed in the housing. The charging socket device further comprises a carriage, which is mounted on the locking unit so as to be translationally displaceable along the longitudinal direction (x) between a disassembly position and an assembly position.A first guide element is fixed in position on the carriage. The charging socket device also has a plug receptacle unit to which a second guide element is fixed in position.

[0008] One of the link elements is designed as a link, whereas the corresponding other of the link elements is designed as a link pin. A link mechanism can be formed by the link elements - that is, by the link and the link pin - in that the two link elements are brought into engagement with one another, i.e. the link pin is inserted into the link. Accordingly, the link mechanism is formed as soon as the two link elements are in engagement with one another, i.e. the link pin is inserted into the link. The link is arranged obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction (x) in such a way that a movement of the carriage along the longitudinal direction (x) causes a movement of the locking unit along a vertical direction (z) of the charging socket device.

[0009] The charging socket device is assembled as follows: The locking unit and the plug receptacle unit are initially separate from one another and are positioned relative to one another along the vertical direction (z) of the charging socket device. The carriage is also first moved into the disassembly position. The locking unit and the plug receptacle unit are then moved toward one another along the vertical direction (z) until the guide elements engage with one another. Thus, while the carriage is in the disassembly position, the guide mechanism is formed by moving the locking unit and the plug receptacle unit toward one another, with the guide pin inserted into the guide.By moving the carriage in an assembly direction, i.e. from its disassembly position towards its assembly position, the guide pin in the guide slides along its wall, whereby the movement of the carriage along the longitudinal direction (x) towards the assembly position causes a movement of the locking unit along the vertical direction (z) - the locking unit and the plug receptacle unit are thus moved towards one another. The first and the second guide element are positioned in such a way that the locking unit and the plug receptacle unit are arranged in the intended installation position relative to one another as soon as the carriage, with interlocking guide elements, has been fully moved into its assembly position. In particular, the locking unit and the plug receptacle unit are clamped together when the carriage, with interlocking guide elements, is fully arranged in the assembly position.In this way, the locking unit and the connector receptacle unit can be efficiently and securely connected to each other by moving the slide into its assembly position. Once the locking unit and the connector receptacle unit have been connected as intended, the link mechanism creates a positive connection between the locking unit and the connector receptacle unit, preventing the locking unit and the connector receptacle unit from moving apart vertically.

[0010] By positioning the locking unit and the plug receptacle unit relative to each other for assembly or installation in such a way that the slotted mechanism is first created and then clamped together by means of the slotted mechanism by moving the slide from its disassembly position to its assembly position, a complex manual relative alignment of the locking unit and the plug receptacle unit is eliminated. This is because the slotted mechanism moves the locking unit—in relation to the plug receptacle unit—into a desired end position by moving the slide toward the assembly position. Furthermore, thanks to the charging socket device, screws or other fastening elements for connecting the locking unit and the plug receptacle unit are eliminated.It is further advantageous that the assembly of the locking unit and the plug receptacle unit is particularly quick due to the link mechanism, whereby it should be noted that advantageously no tools are required to connect the locking unit and the plug receptacle unit.

[0011] It is particularly advantageous that the charging socket device enables particularly simple emergency release of a charging plug connection. A method for emergency release of a charging plug connection is a further subject of the present invention. The method is based on the following initial situation: First, in the charging plug connection, a motor vehicle having the charging socket device and a charging point, such as a charging station, are connected to one another by means of a charging cable. For this purpose, a charging plug of the charging cable and the plug receptacle unit are coupled to one another, wherein the locking element arranged in the locking position engages in a locking element receptacle of the charging plug and thereby blocks the charging plug from being pulled out of the charging socket device along the longitudinal direction.In the method, the carriage is now moved along the longitudinal direction (x) in a disassembly direction—that is, from its assembly position toward its disassembly position—so that the locking unit, together with the locking element arranged in the locking position, is moved along the vertical direction (z), whereby the locking element is moved out of the locking element receptacle of the charging plug. This is because, as the carriage moves toward its disassembly position, the guide pin slides again along the walls of the guide, this time in the opposite direction to that used during assembly or installation of the charging socket device. This moves the locking unit and the plug receptacle unit away from each other.

[0012] If a malfunction occurs that prevents the locking element from being adjusted to its release position, for example, if an adjustment actuator for adjusting the locking element is defective, the user can easily release the positive locking of the charging plug. No special training is required for this; the procedure can be performed by anyone due to the simple design of the charging socket device. Furthermore, the emergency release is non-destructive, meaning that neither the locking unit nor the plug receptacle unit nor the charging plug is damaged. Furthermore, installing a new or repaired locking unit is particularly easy and requires little effort, following the assembly process outlined above.

[0013] According to a first embodiment of the charging socket device, the first guide element arranged on the locking unit is designed as the guide element, whereas the second guide element arranged on the plug receptacle unit is designed as the guide pin. In a second embodiment of the charging socket device that differs from the first embodiment, the first guide element arranged on the locking unit is designed as the guide pin, whereas the second guide element arranged on the plug receptacle unit is designed as the guide element. The further developments explained below are applicable to both the first and the second embodiment of the charging socket device.

[0014] In a possible further development of the charging socket device, the guide rail and the longitudinal direction form an angle of maximum 45 degrees with each other. The angle is, for example, 30 degrees. With such an angle, the force with which the carriage is moved in the assembly or disassembly direction is translated particularly efficiently into a force with which the locking unit is moved along the vertical direction (z) towards the plug receptacle unit. This creates a force transmission mechanism that advantageously allows a user to securely assemble the locking unit with particularly little effort. Resistances encountered when moving the locking unit towards the plug receptacle unit, such as assembly resistance to place seals in their sealing seat, etc., can be overcome particularly easily and with little effort due to the force transmission provided by the guide rail mechanism.Similarly, the user only needs to exert minimal force to disassemble the locking unit, supporting the idea of ​​a particularly easy-to-use and easy-to-release emergency release. If the locking unit adheres in an undesirable manner to the connector receptacle, for example, due to dirty or hardened sealing elements, this adhesive force is easily overcome when the slide is moved toward the disassembly position due to the guide rail being arranged at an angle to the longitudinal axis.

[0015] According to a possible further development, the charging socket device has a locking unit by means of which the carriage can be locked in its assembled position against movement along the longitudinal direction. The locking unit has a locking element which is arranged on or in the guide rail. By means of the locking element, the guide rail pin can be locked in a position in the guide rail associated with the assembled position. For example, the locking element is designed as a locally limited elevation of one of the walls of the guide rail or as a locally limited constriction of the guide rail, so that when the carriage is moved into its assembled position, the locking element with the guide rail pin must be passed by, by exerting a locking force on the carriage to overcome the locking element.The locking force is higher than the force with which the carriage can be moved when the guide pin and the locking element are not touching each other. The locking element, which secures the guide pin in the guide slot when the carriage is in its installed position, ensures that the carriage cannot be accidentally released from its installed position, for example, due to vibrations that occur when a motor vehicle equipped with the charging socket device is in operation and that affect the charging socket device.

[0016] The charging socket device has—as provided by a further possible embodiment—a centering unit having a first centering element or two or more first centering elements on the locking unit. According to this embodiment, the locking unit has a second centering element or two or more second centering elements on the plug receptacle unit. The centering elements are each configured in pairs (one of the first centering elements in conjunction with one of the second centering elements) to form a positive connection with one another, which blocks movement of the locking unit along the longitudinal direction and along a transverse direction (y) of the charging socket device relative to the plug receptacle unit.In particular, it is provided that for assembling / mounting the charging socket device, one or more of these positive locking elements are first established, which then function as a linear guide for moving the locking unit and the plug receptacle unit toward each other. This allows the locking unit and the plug receptacle unit to be aligned particularly precisely for assembling the charging socket device. Furthermore, the locking unit and the plug receptacle unit are particularly securely secured to each other due to the interlocking centering elements, thus preventing any relative movement of the locking unit with respect to the plug receptacle unit, as desired.

[0017] According to another possible embodiment of the charging socket device, it is free of any additional force transmission mechanism—apart from the guide mechanism—that is designed to move the entire locking unit relative to the plug receptacle unit. This does not include the adjustment actuator system, which is designed to adjust the locking element, since by means of this only the locking element, but not the entire locking unit, can be moved. Therefore, only the guide mechanism needs to be moved to both assemble and disassemble the locking unit, making assembly and disassembly particularly easy. In particular, a Bowden cable and a spur gear or the like are dispensed with, which, on the one hand, comprise many individual parts and, on the other hand, are particularly complex to assemble and prone to failure.

[0018] To further simplify emergency release for the user, another possible embodiment provides that, when the charging socket device is installed as intended, an actuating component—for example, a handle, etc.—of the slide can be reached in an access area on the inside of a body element without the use of a tool. In other words: when the charging socket device is installed as intended in a motor vehicle, the actuating component of the slide is located on the interior side of the motor vehicle. For example, it is conceivable that the actuating component is arranged in a wheel house of the motor vehicle.To protect the actuating portion of the slide from unauthorized access, a possible further development provides for the actuating portion of the slide, in the intended installation position of the charging socket device, to be arranged in an area of ​​the interior of the motor vehicle that can only be unlocked by means of an unlocking element for the motor vehicle, for example by means of a key element coded for the motor vehicle, which is normally used to unlock or lock a passenger area of ​​the motor vehicle and / or to activate the motor vehicle. It should be understood that the unlocking or key element is not a tool, i.e., it is not a screwdriver or other tool, but rather an element that an end user of the motor vehicle uses for normal operation of the motor vehicle.

[0019] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention can be derived from the following description of possible embodiments and from the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features shown below in the description of the figures and / or in the figures alone, can be used not only in the respective specified combination, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention. Short character description

[0020] The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a schematic and sectional view of a charging socket device, wherein its locking unit and its plug receiving unit are separated from each other, Fig. 2 a schematic and sectional view of the charging socket device, wherein a link mechanism is formed for assembling the locking and plug receiving unit, Fig. 3 a schematic and sectional view of the charging socket device, wherein a movement of the link mechanism is translated into a movement with which the locking and plug receiving units are moved towards each other, Fig. 4 a schematic and sectional view of the charging socket device, wherein a slide of the locking unit is locked in a locking position, Fig. 5 a schematic and sectional view of the charging socket device in a fully assembled state, into which a charging plug of a charging cable can be inserted, Fig. 6 a schematic and sectional view of the charging socket device, into which the charging plug is inserted and secured against withdrawal by means of a locking element of the locking unit, Fig. 7 a schematic and sectional view of the charging socket device in another variant, wherein its locking unit and its plug receiving unit are separated from each other, and Fig. 8 a schematic and sectional view of the further variant of the charging socket device, which is fully assembled and into which the charging plug is inserted and secured against withdrawal by means of the locking element.

[0021] The following describes a charging socket device 1, its assembly and disassembly, and a method for emergency unlocking a charging plug connection. Identical and functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures.

[0022] Fig. 1 to Fig. 5 shows an assembly process in which a locking unit 2 of the charging socket device 1 and a plug receptacle unit 3 of the charging socket device 1 are connected to one another. For the sake of simplicity of description, it is assumed below that the plug receptacle unit 3 is not moved during assembly. Furthermore, a coordinate system is defined, based on which a longitudinal direction x, a transverse direction y, and a vertical direction z are defined for the charging socket device 1. Fig. 1 shows a schematic and sectional view of the charging socket device 1, wherein its locking unit 2 and its plug receiving unit 3 are initially separated from each other.

[0023] It can be seen in the figures that the charging socket device 1 has a carriage 4 which is mounted on the locking unit 2, here on a housing 5 of the locking unit 2, along the longitudinal direction x between a disassembly position (see Fig. 1, Fig. 2) and a mounting position (see Fig. 5) is mounted so as to be translationally displaceable. For example, the carriage 4 has a straight slot 4a, into which a guide pin 5a of the housing 5 engages. This is merely an example; other and / or further types of linear bearings by means of which the carriage 4 is mounted on the housing 5 are conceivable, for example, guide grooves in which the carriage 4 is embedded in a sliding bearing, or the like. A first guide element 6 is positionally fixed to the carriage 4. In addition, the charging socket device 1 has a second guide element 7, which is positionally fixed to the plug receptacle unit 3. In Fig. 1 to Fig. 6, the charging socket device 1 is shown in a first variant, in which the first link element 6 arranged on the locking unit 2 is designed as a link 8, whereas the second link element 7 arranged on the plug receptacle unit 3 is designed as a link pin 9. A second variant of the charging socket device 1, which differs from the first variant, is shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. In the second variant of the charging socket device 1, the first guide element 6 arranged on the locking unit 2 is designed as the guide pin 9, whereas the second guide element 7 arranged on the plug receptacle unit 3 is designed as the guide 8.

[0024] In any case, when assembling the charging socket device 1, a link mechanism 10 is formed by the link elements 6, 7 - that is, by the link 8 and the link pin 9 - in that the two link elements 6, 7 are brought into engagement with each other, as shown in Fig. 2. For this purpose, the locking unit 2 is moved along the longitudinal direction x toward the plug receptacle unit 3, whereby the guide elements 6, 7 are brought into engagement with one another and, consequently, the guide mechanism 10 is formed. In this state, the guide pin 9 is inserted into the guide 8.

[0025] In view of the figure, it can further be seen that the charging socket device 1 has a centering unit 11, which has a first centering element 12 arranged on the locking unit 2. The first centering element 12 is designed here in the example as a centering collar 12a. The centering unit 11 further has a second centering element 13, which corresponds to the first centering element 12 and is arranged on the plug receptacle unit 3. Since in this example the first centering element 12 is designed as the centering collar 12a, which protrudes from the housing 5 of the locking unit 2, the second centering element 13 is designed as a centering collar receptacle 13a of the plug receptacle unit 3.In order to further facilitate the movement of the locking unit 2 towards the plug receptacle unit 3, the example described here also provides for the centering unit 11 to have further first centering elements 12 and correspondingly further second centering elements 13. Thus, it can be seen in the figures that one of the further first centering elements 12 is designed as a centering pin 12b, and one of the further second centering elements 13 is designed as a centering pin receptacle 13b. The interaction of the centering pin 12b and the centering pin receptacle 13b guides the movement of the locking unit 2 along the vertical axis z relative to the plug receptacle unit 3, even before the centering collar 12a and the centering collar receptacle 13a come into contact with one another.The centering elements 12b and 13b—and, once in contact with each other—also the centering elements 12a and 13a, function in pairs as a linear guide for mounting the charging socket device 1. It can be seen that the centering elements 12, 13 of the centering unit 11 form a positive connection that blocks movement of the locking unit 2 along the longitudinal direction x and along the transverse direction y with respect to the plug receptacle unit 3. This applies both during the assembly of the charging socket device 1 and in the fully assembled state of the charging socket device 1.

[0026] In Fig. 2 it is already indicated that the slide 4 for the further assembly of the charging socket device 1 from its disassembly position (see Fig. 1, Fig. 2) is disengaged by moving the slide 4 along the longitudinal direction x in the direction of the mounting position (see Fig. 5), i.e., in the assembly direction. As a result, the first guide element 6—in this variant, the guide element 8—positionally fixed on the carriage 4 is moved along the longitudinal direction x. Fig. In this context, Figure 3 shows the charging socket device 1, wherein a movement of the link mechanism 10 is translated into a movement by means of which the locking unit 2 is moved towards the plug receptacle unit 3. It can be seen that the link 8 is arranged obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction x, such that a movement of the slide 4 along the longitudinal direction x causes a movement of the locking unit 2 along the vertical direction z. More precisely: by moving the slide 4 from its disassembly position ( Fig. 1, Fig. 2) in its assembly position ( Fig. 5) the link pin 9 engaging in the link 8 slides in the link 8 on its wall, whereby the movement of the carriage 4 along the longitudinal direction x in the direction of the assembly position is translated into a movement of the locking unit 2 along the vertical direction z - namely towards the plug receiving unit 3, here thus opposite to the vertical direction z. Fig. 3 shows the charging socket device 1 during its assembly, with the slide 4 being moved from the disassembly position ( Fig. 1, Fig. 2) disengaged, but not yet fully in the assembly position ( Fig. 5). The guide 8 and the longitudinal direction x form an angle α of a maximum of 45 degrees. In this example, the angle is 30 degrees. As a result, the force with which the carriage 4 is moved in the assembly direction is particularly efficiently translated into a force with which the locking unit 2 is moved counter to the vertical direction z toward the connector receiving unit 3.

[0027] In this state of the charging socket device 1 - when the slide 4 with interlocking gate elements 6, 7 from the disassembly position into the Fig. 4 - the locking unit 2 and the plug receiving unit 3 are connected to each other and clamped together along the vertical direction z. It is in Fig. 4 that the link elements 6, 7 are arranged in such a way that the locking unit 2 and the plug receiving unit 3 are arranged in the intended installation position relative to one another as soon as the slide is moved into its connecting position when the link elements 6, 7 engage with one another.

[0028] According to the present example, the charging socket device 1 also has a locking unit 14, by means of which the carriage 4 can be locked in its assembly position against movement along the longitudinal direction x. The locking unit 14 has a locking element 15, which is arranged on or in the guide 8. By means of the locking element 15, the guide pin 9 is locked in a position in the guide 8 associated with the assembly position of the carriage 4. In the present case, the locking element 15 is designed as a locally limited elevation of one of the walls of the guide 8, resulting in a local constriction of the guide 8 at the location of the elevation. When the carriage 4 is moved into the assembly position, a locking force is exerted on the carriage 4 along the longitudinal direction x, which is greater than the movement force with which the carriage 4 can be moved away from the locking element 15.The locking unit 14 may be provided with additional locking elements. For example, the figures show that a further locking element 15a is formed as a further locally limited elevation of the elongated hole 4a.

[0029] Fig. 5 shows the charging socket device 1 in a fully assembled state, wherein the slide 4 is fully arranged in the assembly position, so that, on the one hand, the locking unit 2 and the plug receiving unit 3 are clamped together by means of the link mechanism 10 along the vertical direction z, and, on the other hand, a relative movement between the link pin 9 engaging in the link 8 and the link 8 is locked by means of the locking unit 14. In Fig. 5 further shows a charging plug 16, which is part of a charging cable. The charging plug 16 can be inserted into the charging socket device 1, i.e., into the plug receptacle unit 3 of the charging socket device 1, in order to establish a charging plug connection 17, by means of which a purely electric or hybrid electric motor vehicle having the charging socket device 1, i.e., its traction battery, and a charging point, for example, a charging station, are coupled to transmit electrical energy. The charging plug connection 17 is shown in Fig. 6 shown.

[0030] The locking unit 2 has a locking element 18, which in this case is designed as a translationally movable locking pin. The locking element 18 is adjustable between a release position and a locking position by means of an adjustment actuator (not shown; arranged in the housing 5 of the locking unit 2). In the locking position, the locking element 18 protrudes transversely to the longitudinal direction x by a locking dimension from a housing 5 of the locking unit 2. In contrast, the locking element 18 protrudes from the housing 5 by less than the locking dimension or is completely countersunk in the housing 5. It is in Fig. 5 that the locking element 18 is arranged in the release position to allow the charging plug 16 to be inserted into the plug receptacle unit 3. In the charging plug connection 17 - see Fig. 6 - the locking element 18 is arranged in the locking position and penetrates a locking element opening 19 of the plug receptacle unit 3 along the vertical direction z, wherein the locking element 18 positively engages a locking element receptacle 20 of the charging plug 16. The charging plug 16 is thereby secured in the plug receptacle unit 3.

[0031] It can be seen that the locking element 18, here the locking pin, must be removed from the locking element receptacle 20 of the charging plug 16 in order to be able to pull the charging plug 16 out of the charging socket device 1 without causing any damage. If the charging socket device 1 functions as intended and without fault, the adjustment actuator is controlled accordingly, so that the locking element 18 is adjusted to the release position by means of the adjustment actuator.

[0032] However, it may happen that the locking element 18 cannot be moved into the release position by means of the adjustment actuator, for example, if the adjustment actuator is defective, it does not receive any drive energy, or the adjustment element is mechanically jammed in such a way that the adjustment force provided by the adjustment actuator is not sufficient to move the adjustment element. The latter can occur if a sealing element 24, for example a sealing ring, which is arranged here, for example, on the outer circumference of the centering collar 12a and seals the centering collar receptacle 12b when the charging socket device 1 is assembled (see, for example, Fig. 4), is hardened and counteracts a simple movement of the centering collar 12a along the vertical direction z.

[0033] In this case, the procedure for emergency release of the charging connector 17 comes into effect, which is carried out as follows: the carriage 4 is moved along the longitudinal direction x in a disassembly direction opposite to the assembly direction (here in the longitudinal direction x) - that is, from the assembly position (see Fig. 4) in the direction of the disassembly position (see Fig. 1). The locking unit 2 is consequently moved along the vertical direction z, together with the locking element 18 arranged in the locking position, whereby the locking element 18 is removed from the locking receptacle of the charging plug 16. This is because, as the carriage 4 moves toward the disassembly position, the guide pin 9 slides again along the walls of the guide 8, this time in the opposite direction to that used during assembly or installation of the charging socket device 1. This moves the locking unit 2 and the plug receptacle unit 3 away from each other and thus disassembles them. In simple terms, to perform the emergency release, the steps for assembling the charging socket device 1 are carried out in reverse order. Since - see above - no tools are required for assembly, the emergency release can also be performed entirely without tools.

[0034] According to the present example, it is further provided that the charging socket device 1, apart from the gate mechanism 10, has no further force transmission mechanism designed to move the entire locking unit 2 relative to the plug receptacle unit 3. This does not include the adjustment actuator system. The charging socket device 1 is, in particular, free of a Bowden cable, a spur gear, or the like. Thus, only moving the gate mechanism 10 is required for both mounting and dismounting the locking unit 2.

[0035] Furthermore, it is provided that, in the intended installation position of the charging socket device 1, an actuating portion 21 of the slide 4 can be reached in an access area on an inner side 22 of a body element 23 without the use of a tool. The actuating portion 21 is designed, in particular, as a handle or the like, so that a user can grip it particularly easily. If the charging socket device 1 is installed in the motor vehicle as intended, the actuating portion 21 of the slide 4 is located on the side of an interior of the motor vehicle. In particular, the actuating portion 21 is arranged in an area of ​​the interior of the motor vehicle that can be unlocked by means of an unlocking element for the motor vehicle, for example by means of an unlocking or key element coded for the motor vehicle. The unlocking or key element is not a tool.

[0036] The Fig. 7 and Fig. The second variant of the charging socket device 1 shown in Figure 8 differs from the first variant of the charging socket device 1 presented so far in that the first link element 6 arranged on the locking unit 2 is designed as the link pin 9, whereas the second link element 7 arranged on the plug receptacle unit 3 is designed as the link 8. There are no further differences - neither with regard to assembly and emergency release nor with regard to structure and function - compared to the first variant. Therefore, the above description for assembling the charging socket device 1 starting from the Fig. 7 shown state of the charging socket device 1 up to the Fig. The state of the charging socket device 1 shown in Figure 8 is analogous to the second variant. Furthermore, the above description of the method for emergency release of the charging connector 17 applies analogously to the second variant.

[0037] The charging socket device 1 according to the invention demonstrates a possible solution for simplifying the assembly and disassembly of a locking mechanism of a charging socket unit. Furthermore, the charging socket device 1 allows for a particularly simple emergency release method for the charging plug connection 17. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 1 charging socket device 2 locking unit 3 Plug receptacle unit 4 sleds 4a Long hole 5 housings 5a Guide pin 6 first backdrop element 7 second backdrop element 8 backdrop 9 Link pin 10 Link mechanism 11 Centering unit 12 first centering element 12a Centering collar 12b Centering pin 13 second centering element 13a Centering collar holder 13b Centering pin holder 14 Locking unit 15 Locking element 15a additional locking element 16 charging plugs 17 Charging connector 18 Locking element 19 Locking element opening 20 locking element holder 21 Activity share 22 Inside 23 Body element 24 Sealing element α angle x longitudinal direction y transverse direction z vertical direction

Claims

[1] Charging socket device (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising: - a locking unit (2) with a locking element (18) which is adjustable between a locking position, in which it protrudes transversely to a longitudinal direction (x) of the charging socket device (1) by a locking dimension from a housing (5) of the locking unit (2), and a release position, in which it protrudes from the housing (5) by less than the locking dimension or is completely recessed in the housing (5), - a carriage (4) mounted on the locking unit (2) along the longitudinal direction (x) between a disassembly position and an assembly position, on which carriage a first link element (6) is positionally fixed, - a plug receiving unit (3) to which a second link element (7) is positionally fixed, wherein one of the link elements (6, 7) is designed as a link (8) and the other of the link elements (6, 7) is designed as a link pin (9), whereby a link mechanism (10) of the charging socket device (1) is formed or can be formed by the link elements (6, 7), and the link (8) is arranged obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction (x) in such a way that a movement of the carriage (4) along the longitudinal direction (x) causes a movement of the locking unit (2) along a vertical direction (z) of the charging socket device (1). [2] Charging socket device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the first link element (6) arranged on the locking unit (2) is designed as the link (8), whereas the second link element (7) arranged on the plug receiving unit (3) is designed as the link pin (9). [3] Charging socket device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the first link element (6) arranged on the locking unit (2) is designed as the link pin (9), whereas the second link element (7) arranged on the plug receiving unit (3) is designed as the link (8). [4] Charging socket device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the link (8) and the longitudinal direction (x) enclose an angle (α) of a maximum of 45 degrees. [5] Charging socket device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bya locking unit (14) by means of which the carriage (4) can be locked in its mounting position against movement along the longitudinal direction (x), wherein the locking unit (14) has a locking element (15) in / on the guide (8), by means of which the guide pin (9) can be locked in a position in the guide (8) associated with the mounting position of the carriage (4). [6] Charging socket device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a centering unit (11) having a first centering element (12) on the locking unit (2) and a second centering element (13) on the plug receiving unit (3), which are designed to form a positive connection with one another, which blocks movement of the locking unit (2) along the longitudinal direction (x) and along a transverse direction (y) of the charging socket device (1) in relation to the plug receiving unit (3). [7] Charging socket device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that it is free from a further force transmission mechanism for moving the entire locking unit (2) relative to the plug receiving unit (3). [8] Charging socket device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that in the intended installation position of the charging socket device (1), an actuating part (21) of the slide (4) can be reached in an access area on an inner side (22) of a body element (23) without the use of a tool. [9] Method for the emergency release of a charging plug connection (17), in which a motor vehicle having the charging socket device (1) designed according to one of claims 1 to 7 and a charging point are initially connected to one another by means of a charging cable, in that a charging plug (16) of the charging cable and the plug receptacle unit (3) are coupled to one another, wherein the locking element (18) arranged in the locking position engages in a locking element receptacle (20) of the charging plug (16) and thereby blocks the latter from being pulled out of the charging socket device (1) along the longitudinal direction (x), wherein during the movement the carriage (4) is moved along the longitudinal direction (x) from its mounting position towards its dismounting position, so that the locking unit (2) together with the locking element (18) arranged in the locking position is moved along the vertical direction (z),whereby the locking element (18) is moved out of the locking element receptacle (20) of the charging plug (16).

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