Charging connector and method for monitoring a charging connector

Abstract

The invention relates to a charging connector (1) for transmitting electrical energy and / or electrical signals, comprising: a carrier housing (100) with a frame part (200) for shielding at least one contact element (301, 302, 303, 304, 305) of the charging connector (1), wherein the frame part (200) is detachably arranged on the carrier housing (100) and comprises at least one plug-in section (210, 220) for forming a plug-in face (206) with the at least one contact element (301, 302, 303, 304, 305) in a plug-in direction (X), wherein the frame part (200) comprises at least one detection element (400) and the carrier housing (100) comprises at least one control element (500), which is associated with the at least one detection element (400) and is used to detect the presence and / or absence of the at least one The detection element (400) is configured to preferably determinewhether the frame part (200) is connected to or detached from the support housing (100). The invention further relates to a method for monitoring a charging connector (1).

Description

[0001] The present invention lies in the field of charging technology, preferably in the field of electromobility, and relates to a charging connector for transmitting electrical energy and / or electrical signals. The present invention further relates to a method for monitoring a charging connector.

[0002] Charging connectors for electric vehicles are subject to a certain amount of wear and tear during use, which is noticeable, for example, in the contact elements for transmitting electrical energy and / or electrical signals. Charging connectors with comparatively high mating cycle counts generally have replaceable contact elements as well as a replaceable frame part to form a mating face and shield the contact elements (mating face frame).

[0003] During maintenance of the charging connector, contact elements and / or the frame may need to be replaced. The contact elements and the frame are typically attached to the (rest of the) charging connector by means of screws. Such screws can be forgotten or not tightened properly, which can lead to the frame falling off before charging or detaching from the rest of the charging connector during charging, exposing contact elements due to loose or missing screws.

[0004] To counteract the aforementioned problems, various approaches are known from the patent literature of the prior art, for example, reference is made to the German patent application No. DE 10 2018 131 610 A1.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a charging connector for the transmission of electrical energy and / or electrical signals, which is improved, particularly with regard to safety in handling. Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for monitoring such a charging connector.

[0006] The problem is solved by the features of claims 1 and 13. Further embodiments and applications of the present invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and are explained in more detail in the following description with partial reference to the figures.

[0007] According to a first general aspect, the present invention relates to a charging connector for transmitting electrical energy and / or electrical signals, comprising: a carrier housing with a frame part for shielding at least one contact element of the charging connector, wherein the frame part is detachably arranged on the carrier housing and comprises at least one plug-in section to form a plug-in face with the at least one contact element in a plug-in direction, wherein the frame part comprises at least one detection element and the carrier housing comprises at least one control element, which is associated with the at least one detection element and is configured to detect the presence and / or absence of the at least one detection element, preferably to determine whether the frame part is connected to or detached from the carrier housing.

[0008] The present invention provides a charging connector which is characterized in particular by increased safety during handling before, during and / or after a charging process and / or a maintenance process, which will be explained in more detail below.

[0009] The charging connector is preferably a handheld charging connector of a charging station that can be connected and / or linked to a charging cable for the purpose of charging an electrically powered vehicle (electric vehicle).

[0010] The carrier housing preferably serves to support and / or hold the frame part and / or the at least one contact element in a defined position. The defined position may include a defined orientation and / or position. The carrier housing may be the main housing of the charging connector. The carrier housing may include a handle for handling the charging connector. The carrier housing may be designed for connection to a charging cable of the charging station and / or be connected to a charging cable of the charging station.

[0011] The frame component can be designed as a so-called plug-in face frame. The frame component can be replaceable so that, for example, in the event of mechanically induced wear, it can be replaced by another frame component of identical design. The frame component can preferably be detachably attached to the carrier housing by means of at least one screw connection. The at least one contact element for transmitting electrical energy and / or electrical signals can be replaceable to allow for the replacement of the at least one contact element in the event of mechanically and / or electrically induced wear. The frame component is configured to shield the at least one contact element and, among other things, provides protection against contact, preferably finger contact protection, from the at least one contact element.

[0012] A careless maintenance procedure involving the disassembly of a worn frame part and the subsequent defective reattachment (assembly) of a non-worn frame part, preferably using screw connections, could, for example, cause the frame part to fall off or detach from the carrier housing after reaching or exceeding a certain number of mating cycles. This would result in the at least one contact element becoming accessible and / or touchable. Depending on the condition of the charging connector, the at least one contact element may already be live (for example, during a charging process) or may become live (for example, before or at the beginning of a charging process).

[0013] The presence and / or absence of the at least one detection element of the carrier housing can be detected by means of the at least one control element of the carrier housing in conjunction with the at least one detection element of the frame part, preferably to determine whether the frame part is connected to the carrier housing, i.e., detachably arranged on the carrier housing, or detached from the carrier housing, i.e., removed. In other words, the presence and / or absence of the at least one detection element can be determined by the at least one control element, whereby the absence of the frame part implies accessibility and / or touchability of the at least one contact element.Determining the presence and / or absence of the frame component can be achieved by a charging management unit, which is configured to adjust, preferably control and / or regulate, the supplied and / or to-be-supplied electrical energy. The charging management unit can be an integral part of the charging station. Alternatively, the charging management unit can be an integral part of the charging connector.

[0014] According to the present invention, it is preferably possible to determine a defined state of the charging connector in which the frame part is removed from the carrier housing. During the process of determining when the frame part has been detached (removed) from the carrier housing, various actions and / or settings are possible, primarily to increase the safety of the charging connector during handling.

[0015] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the at least one control element can be configured as a switching element, preferably as a contactless switching element, which is configured to perform a switching operation as a result of a change from the presence to the absence of the at least one detection element, in order to prevent the provision of electrical energy before a charging process and / or to deactivate the transmission of electrical energy during a charging process. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one control element can be configured to generate at least one output signal for acoustic and / or optical output as a result of a change from the presence to the absence of the at least one detection element.

[0016] The generated output signal can include a warning signal for the user of the charging connector.

[0017] It is possible that the at least one detection element is configured to generate a force field, preferably a magnetic field, wherein the at least one detection element is preferably designed as a permanent magnet, particularly preferably as a neodymium magnet. Alternatively, the at least one detection element can be designed as an electromagnet which can be supplied with electrical energy via the at least one contact element to generate a magnetic field. The magnetic field can be characterized by a defined field strength.

[0018] The at least one detection element can be arranged on the frame component in a captive manner, preferably by forming a connection that is essentially positive-locking, essentially friction-locking, and / or essentially material-locking. The essentially friction-locking connection can, for example, comprise a clamping connection.

[0019] The essentially material-bonded connection can, for example, include an adhesive bond.

[0020] According to a further aspect of the present invention, it can be provided that the at least one control element is arranged section by section in and / or on a support housing end wall which faces the frame part in the insertion direction, wherein preferably the at least one control element is arranged on a side of the support housing end wall facing away from the frame part; and / or that the at least one detection element is arranged section by section in and / or on a frame part end wall which limits the at least one insertion section in the insertion direction, wherein preferably the at least one detection element is arranged on a side of the frame part end wall facing away from the at least one insertion section.

[0021] It is possible that in one assembly state of the charging connector, at least one detection element and at least one control element are arranged opposite each other, spaced apart from each other and / or adjacent to each other in the plugging direction.

[0022] The assembly state preferably comprises an assembled state of the charging connector in which the frame part is (properly) detachably arranged on the carrier housing and / or in which the charging connector can be (properly) operated to realize its function.

[0023] A wall and / or a wall section of the support housing and / or the frame part can be arranged between the at least one detection element and the at least one control element.

[0024] In a view in the plug-in direction, the at least one detection element can be arranged within an outer contour and / or spaced apart from an outer contour of the at least one plug-in section on the frame part, wherein preferably at least one contact element for transmitting electrical signals is arranged within the at least one plug-in section.

[0025] This allows, for example, a protected arrangement of at least one detection element from the environment of the charging connector.

[0026] The at least one control element can be configured to execute a switching operation by changing a force field, preferably a magnetic field, of the at least one detection element, wherein the at least one control element is preferably designed as a reed switch element. The reed switch element can be designed as a reed switch element known from the prior art.

[0027] According to a further aspect of the present invention, it can be provided that the at least one control element, preferably within the carrier housing, is electrically connected to at least one first contact element of the charging connector and to at least one second contact element of the charging connector in order to transmit a detected presence and / or a detected absence of the at least one detection element to a charging management unit of a charging station, which is connected to the charging connector via a charging cable, wherein preferably the at least one control element is configured to generate a fault current between the at least one first contact element and the at least one second contact element in the absence of the at least one detection element and preferably thereby to generate a fault signal.

[0028] At least one control element can be electrically connected to existing elements of the charging connector to transmit relevant information, preferably in the form of signals, to a charging station. This eliminates the need for additional elements, units, or components of the charging connector.

[0029] The first contact element can be configured as a contact element for transmitting electrical signals for communication purposes, and the second contact element can be configured as a contact element for discharging a fault current and / or for equalizing a potential. The first contact element can be a so-called CP contact element (Control Pilot contact element), and the second contact element can be a so-called PE contact element (Protective Earth contact element).

[0030] It is possible that the charging connector for transmitting electrical energy and / or electrical signals comprises a plurality of contact elements, wherein each contact element of the plurality of contact elements is detachably attached to the carrier housing and extends from a carrier housing end wall of the carrier housing along the plugging direction, and wherein the frame part encloses each contact element of the plurality of contact elements at least along the plugging direction.

[0031] The frame part can be manufactured as a separate individual part, and the detachable arrangement of the frame part on the carrier housing can be formed by a plug connection and by at least one screw connection essentially in the plug-in direction.

[0032] According to a second general aspect, the present invention relates to a method for monitoring a charging connector by means of a charging station comprising a charging management unit for setting, preferably controlling and / or regulating, an electrical energy to be transferred to the charging connector, wherein the charging management unit is connected to the charging connector via a charging cable, which is configured as disclosed herein, wherein the presence and / or absence of the at least one detection element is detected by the at least one control element and transmitted to the charging management unit, and the charging management unit preferably determines whether the frame part is connected to the carrier housing or detached from the carrier housing.

[0033] According to another aspect of the present invention, it can be provided that the charging management unit prevents the provision of electrical energy before a charging process and / or deactivates the transfer of electrical energy during a charging process if it is determined that the frame part has detached from the carrier housing.

[0034] The charging management unit can be designed as an electronic, electrical, and / or mechanical switching unit. For example, the charging management unit can include an electronic processing unit (processor) with at least one processing core for executing at least one algorithm of a software program to determine the state of the frame component and to set, preferably control and / or regulate, the electrical energy (charging current) to be supplied during a charging process.

[0035] According to a further general point of view, the present invention relates to an arrangement and / or a system comprising a charging station as disclosed herein, a charging cable and a charging connector as disclosed herein, wherein preferably the charging connector is electrically connected to the charging station via the charging cable.

[0036] It is understood that the charging connector, the charging cable, the charging station and / or the charging management unit of the charging station comprise further elements, units and / or devices, such as clamping elements, connection elements, storage elements, display elements, switching elements, guide elements, sensor elements, etc., all of which contribute to the realization of the respective intended function, which, however, are not described within the scope of the disclosure of the present invention.

[0037] To avoid repetition, features relating solely to the device of the charging connector according to the invention and / or disclosed in connection therewith shall also be deemed to be disclosed in accordance with the method and be claimable, and vice versa.

[0038] The embodiments and features of the present invention described above can be combined arbitrarily or expediently. Further details and advantageous effects of the present invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0039] They show: Fig. 1 a first embodiment of a charging connector according to the present invention in an exploded view, wherein the carrier housing of the charging connector is partially shown; Fig. 2 the frame part of the charging connector made of Fig. 1 in a perspective view; Fig. 3 an enlarged section of the frame part from Fig. 2 with a detection element in a perspective view; Fig. 4 the carrier housing end wall of the carrier housing of the charging connector made of Fig. 1 in a perspective view; Fig. 5 an enlarged section of the frame part with a detection element and the carrier housing with a control element of the charging connector Fig. 1 in a perspective view.

[0040] Identical or functionally equivalent devices, units, parts, or elements are identified in the figures with the same reference numerals. To avoid repetition, reference is sometimes made to the descriptions of other embodiments and / or figures for their explanation.

[0041] The following detailed description of the embodiments shown in the figures serves to illustrate or clarify the invention in no way limiting its scope.

[0042] Fig. Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a charging connector 1 according to the present invention in an exploded view.

[0043] The charging connector 1 is used to transmit electrical energy and / or electrical signals. The charging connector 1 is a mobile, handheld, hand-operated, and / or hand-carryable charging connector 1. The charging connector 1 is generally abbreviated as "charging plug". For the sake of simplicity, only the term "charging connector" will be used in the following text.

[0044] The charging connector 1 is preferably specified according to IEC 62196-2 or IEC 62196-3, or preferably based at least partially on the requirements of IEC 62196-2 or IEC 62196-3. In other words, the charging connector 1 can be designed and / or specified according to the Combined Charging System (CCS) connector system standard as a so-called Combo 2 charging connector ("Type 2 charging connector"). In an alternative embodiment, the charging connector 1 can also be designed as a so-called Combo 1 charging connector ("Type 1 charging connector") according to US standards and / or specifications. Alternatively, the charging connector 1 may be designed and / or specified according to another standard or specification, for example, the so-called "CHAdeMO standard" or the so-called "ChaoJi stacked specification".

[0045] The charging connector 1 is configured for charging the batteries of electrically powered vehicles (electric vehicles) and, in its assembled state, is connected via a charging cable to a charging station, preferably including a charging management unit of the charging station. The charging management unit serves, among other things, to adjust, preferably control and / or regulate, the electrical energy to be transmitted via the charging cable to the charging connector 1 and subsequently to a mating connector of an electrically powered vehicle. The mating connector is generally referred to as a "charging socket".

[0046] For clarity, the electrically powered vehicle, the mating connector, the charging station, the charging management unit, and the charging cable are omitted from the figures. The charging cable can be a charging cable known from the prior art. The charging station with the charging management unit can also be a charging station known from the prior art.

[0047] The charging connector 1 comprises a carrier housing 100 with a frame part 200. The carrier housing 100 is in Fig. Figure 1 partially shows the frame part 200, which is a separate component designed and / or manufactured from the carrier housing 100. The carrier housing 100 serves to handle the charging connector 1 and includes, for example, a handle, which is hidden and / or not visible in the figures. The carrier housing 100 and the frame part 200 are each made of an insulating material with inherent electrical insulating properties and resulting insulating capabilities. The insulating material is preferably plastic-based to provide protection against contact with electrically conductive elements. The carrier housing 100 and the frame part 200 are each manufactured with an insulating material by at least one casting and / or injection molding process.It is additionally or alternatively possible that the carrier housing 100 and the frame part 200 are each manufactured by at least one sintering process and / or by at least one 3D printing process.

[0048] The frame part 200 serves to shield at least one contact element 301, 302, 303, 304, 305 of the charging connector 1. In the present embodiment, the charging connector 1 comprises a plurality of contact elements 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, i.e., five contact elements 301, 302, 303, 304, 305. The charging connector 1 is configured to form a plug connection essentially in the plug-in direction X with the mating connector in order to establish both a mechanical connection and an electrically conductive connection between the contact elements 301, 302, 303, 304, 305 and the respective mating contact elements of the mating connector, which are designed to be complementary to the contact elements 301, 302, 303, 304, 305.

[0049] The charging connector 1 is preferably used for charging with direct current and comprises a contact element 301 and a contact element 302 for this purpose. An electrical voltage applied to the contact elements 301 and 302 in the form of a direct current during a charging process can, for example, be in the range of 400 volts to 800 volts. In other words, the contact elements 301 and 302 are so-called load contact elements 301, 302 for transmitting electrical energy to the electrically powered vehicle during a charging process. The charging connector 1 is preferably configured for a fast charging process with high charging power (so-called "high-power charging"). The electrical energy in the form of a charging voltage and / or a charging current is transmitted from the charging station during a charging process via respective electrical conductors of the charging cable, which are electrically connected to the contact element 301 and to the contact element 302.

[0050] The charging connector 1 comprises three further contact elements 303, 304, and 305. Contact elements 304 and 305 serve to transmit electrical signals, preferably communication signals, between the charging station, the charging connector 1, and the electrically powered vehicle during a charging process. Contact element 303 is the so-called pilot contact (“Control Pilot / CP,” “CP contact element”), and contact element 304 is the so-called proximity contact (“Proximity Pilot / PP,” “PP contact element”). In other words, contact elements 303 and 304 serve for communication between the charging station, the charging connector 1, and the electrically powered vehicle, preferably during the charging process. This ensures, for example, that the transmitted electrical energy and thus the charging current is limited to prevent overloading the electrical conductors, preferably thermal overload.

[0051] The contact element 305 serves as a protective contact element (“PE contact element”) for diverting a fault current, for realizing an earth connection (equalizing a potential), for protection against electric shocks, and / or for reducing electromagnetic interference.

[0052] The contact elements 301, 302, 303, 304, and 305 are detachably mounted in a view along the insertion direction X behind a carrier housing end wall (plug-in face plate) 110 of the carrier housing 100 and thus within the carrier housing 100. The detachable mounting is achieved by means of detachable screw connections to ensure simple and quick replacement during maintenance. The contact elements 301 and 302 are, for example, connected by means of the screws shown in the diagram. Fig. 1 screws S301 and S302 shown are detachably fastened to the carrier housing 100 and / or sectionally in the carrier housing, which penetrate the load contact element recesses 111 and 112 of the carrier housing end wall 110 together with the contact elements 301 and 302 in the plugging direction X.

[0053] The contact elements 303, 304 and 305 are in Fig. 1 is already detachably attached to the carrier housing 100 in an assembly state and / or sectionally within it. When all contact elements 301, 302, 303, 304, 305 of the charging connector 1 are assembled, they protrude from the carrier housing end wall 110 in the insertion direction X and are freely accessible and / or touchable if the frame part 200 is not present.

[0054] The frame part 200 comprises a first plugging section 210 and a second plugging section 220 to form a plugging face 206 with the contact elements 301, 302, 303, 304, 305 in the plugging direction X.

[0055] In the assembled state of the charging connector 1, contact elements 301 and 302 are arranged within the area of ​​the second plug section 220, and contact elements 303, 304, and 305 are arranged within the area of ​​the first plug section 210 and are each received in corresponding or associated insulating sleeves of the frame part 200. In the plug direction X, a respective end face of the first plug section 210 and the second plug section 220 forms the plug face 206 of the charging connector 1.

[0056] The use of the charging connector 1 during charging processes leads to mechanically and / or electrically induced wear of the charging connector 1, whereby, for example, after reaching and / or exceeding a certain number of insertion cycles, worn contact elements 301, 302, 303, 304, 305 must be replaced during a maintenance process and thus exchanged for unworn contact elements 301, 302, 303, 304, 305.

[0057] As previously described, the frame part 200 is detachably arranged on the carrier housing 100 to allow, for example, the frame part 200 to be removed from the carrier housing 100 and from the contact elements 301, 302, 303, 304, 305 during maintenance procedures, thus leaving the contact elements 301, 302, 303, 304, 305 freely accessible and / or exposed. The frame part 200 is preferably configured for manual assembly onto and / or manual disassembly from the carrier housing 100, essentially in the X direction. Assembly and / or disassembly is achieved by means of a plug connection between the carrier housing 100, i.e., the carrier housing end wall 110, and the frame part 200, i.e., the frame part end wall 230, as well as additionally by means of screw connections, essentially in the X direction. Of the five screws used to form detachable screw connections, in Fig. 1 For the sake of simplicity, the screw is designated S200. The screw S200 comprises an external thread which is complementary to an internal thread of an associated mounting section MA of the carrier housing end wall 110 (see, for example, Figure 1). Fig. 4).

[0058] During maintenance, for example, the screws S200 may not be properly tightened or may be forgotten, and / or may gradually loosen on their own during use of the charging connector 1. This could cause the frame part 200 to detach from the carrier housing 100 unintentionally, thereby exposing the contact elements 301, 302, 303, 304, and 305. The contact elements 301, 302, 303, 304, and 305 may then be in a live state, or they may need to be energized prior to charging during the transmission of electrical energy.

[0059] To avoid such conditions of the charging connector 1, the frame part 200 comprises at least one detection element 400 and the carrier housing 100 comprises at least one control element 500, where at this point reference is made, for example, to the illustration in Fig. Reference is made to Figure 4, in which a control element 500 and a detection element 400 are visible. For the sake of simplicity, the terms "at least one" in connection with the at least one detection element 400 and / or with the at least one control element 500 will be omitted in the following text.

[0060] The control element 500 is assigned to the detection element 400 and is configured to detect the presence and / or absence of the detection element 400, preferably to determine whether the frame part 200 is connected to or detached from the support housing 100. For this purpose, the detection element 400 is securely attached to the frame part 200.

[0061] In other words, detecting the presence of the detection element 400 serves to determine the corresponding presence of the frame part 200 on the carrier housing 100, and detecting the absence of the detection element 400 serves to determine the corresponding absence of the frame part 200 on the carrier housing 100. The detection element 400 can thus stand in for the frame part 200 with regard to its presence or absence.

[0062] Fig. Figure 2 shows the frame part 200 of the charging connector 1. Fig. 1 in a perspective view, that is, in relation to the position and / or arrangement of the plug-in face 206 from a perspective rear view.

[0063] The frame end wall 230 limits the first and second plug-in sections 210 and 220 in the plug-in direction X. Clearly visible in Fig. 2 are respective plug-in sections of the frame part end wall 230 for forming the plug connection with the support housing end wall 110. In addition, in Fig. 2. The signal contact element receptacles 203 and 204 for the contact elements 303 and 304, as well as the protective conductor contact element receptacle 205 for the contact element 305, are identified, which are designed in the form of insulating sleeves extending within the first plug-in section 210 along the plug-in direction X. Also visible are in Fig. 2 the load contact element passages 201 and 202 for the contact elements 301 and 302 are recognizable, which are formed on the frame part end wall 230 and are assigned to the second plug section 220 and / or transition into it in the plug direction X.

[0064] Furthermore, the representation of Fig. Two respective recesses AS in the frame part end wall 230 are recognizable in the form of holes for the screws S200, wherein two recesses AS are formed in the area of ​​the first plug-in section 210, two recesses AS are formed in the area of ​​the second plug-in section 220 and two recesses are formed outside the first and second plug-in sections 210 and 220 on the frame part end wall 230.

[0065] The detection element 400 can be securely held to the frame part 200 by a substantially positive-locking, substantially force-locking, and / or substantially material-locking connection. In the present embodiment, the detection element 400 is arranged within a frame part end wall section 231 of the frame part end wall 230 and is connected to the frame part end wall section 231, for example, by means of a clamping connection, substantially force-locking, and / or by means of an adhesive connection, substantially material-locking. The detection element 400 therefore cannot be detached from the frame part 200 without considerable effort. The detection element 400 is arranged on a side of the frame part end wall 230 facing away from the first and second plug-in sections 210 and 220.

[0066] As can be seen from the presentation in Fig. 2 results in the detection element 400 being arranged within an outer contour and / or spaced apart from an outer contour of the first plug-in section 210 on the frame part 200 in a view in the plug-in direction X.

[0067] The detection element 400 is configured to generate a force field, preferably a magnetic field. The detection element 400 can be designed as a permanent magnet, preferably a neodymium magnet. Alternatively, the detection element 400 can be designed as an electromagnet to generate a force field in the form of a magnetic field. The detection element 400, in the form of an electromagnet, can be supplied with electrical energy to generate the magnetic field, for example, via the charging cable.

[0068] Fig. Figure 3 shows, for further illustration, an enlarged section of the frame part 200 with the detection element 400 in a perspective view. The detection element 400 can be adapted to the characteristics of the frame part 200. In the present embodiment, the detection element 400 is characterized by a cylindrical shape, with the respective end faces of the detection element 400 arranged opposite walls of the frame part end wall section 231.

[0069] An adhesive layer present between the end faces and the respective associated walls of the frame part end wall section 231 is shown in the illustration in Fig. 3 not visible and therefore not marked.

[0070] Fig. Figure 4 shows the carrier housing end wall 110 of the carrier housing 100 of the charging connector 1. Fig. 1 in a perspective view, that is, in a perspective rear view with respect to the position of the plug face 206 of the charging connector 1. The in Fig. 4 The side of the carrier housing end wall 110 shown and / or visible faces an interior area of ​​the carrier housing 100.

[0071] The detection element 400 and the control element 500 are arranged opposite each other, spaced apart, and / or adjacent to each other in the insertion direction X of the charging connector 1, thus enabling optimized detection of the magnetic field of the detection element 400 by the control element 500. For further illustration, see in Fig. 4 The position of the detection element 400 is indicated by a dashed line.

[0072] In addition to the load contact element recesses 111 and 112 on the carrier housing end wall 110, the signal contact element recesses 113 and 114 for the contact elements 303 and 304, as well as the protective conductor contact element recess 115 for the contact element 305, which are assigned to the first plug section 210, are also visible.

[0073] Furthermore, in Fig. 4 respective assembly sections MA with internal threads for respective screws S200 for the detachable fastening of the frame part 200 to the support housing 100, i.e. recognizable on the support housing end wall 110.

[0074] Fig. Figure 5 shows an enlarged section of the frame part 200, i.e. the frame part end wall 230 with the detection element 400, and of the support housing 110, i.e. the support housing end wall 110 with the control element 500 in a perspective view.

[0075] The carrier housing end wall 110 comprises a carrier housing end wall section 116, which is essentially complementary to the frame part end wall section 231, wherein the frame part end wall section 231 with the housed detection element 400 is arranged and / or received section by section within the carrier housing end wall section 116 in the insertion direction X.

[0076] The control element 500 is designed as a switching element, preferably a contactless switching element, which is configured to perform a switching operation as a result of a change from the presence to the absence of the detection element 400, and thus in the absence of a magnetic field. Following this, the switching element is closed to prevent the charging station from supplying electrical energy before a charging process and / or to deactivate the transmission of electrical energy during a charging process. The control element 500 can be open as a switching element in the presence of a magnetic field and closed in the absence of a magnetic field. The control element 500 is configured to perform a switching operation by changing the force field, i.e., the magnetic field, of the detection element 400. Preferably, the control element 500 is designed as a reed switch element or includes a reed switch element.

[0077] The control element 500 is therefore preferably configured as a switching element to be open and / or be opened by the magnetic field of the detection element 400. If the frame part 200 is detached from the support housing 100 and thus from the support housing end wall 110, resulting in the absence of the detection element 400 and thus the magnetic field, then the control element 500 is and / or is closed.

[0078] Control element 500 is, as in Fig.Figure 5 schematically shows the contact element 303 (CP contact element) and the contact element 305 (PE contact element) being electrically connected. In the absence of the magnetic field, and thus the detection element 400 (representing or indicating the absence of the frame part 200 on the carrier housing 100), the control element 500 is configured as a switching element to form a bridge circuit between contact element 303 and contact element 305 in a closed state. This generates an error signal that can be detected by the charging management unit. In other words, in this state, the control element 500 essentially forms a zero-ohm resistance between contact element 303 and contact element 305.

[0079] The load management unit is configured, based on the generated fault signal and thus the detected absence of the detection element 400, to determine whether the frame part 200 has detached from the carrier housing 100. In other words, the load management unit is configured to recognize whether the frame part 200 is in an assembled state with respect to the carrier housing 100, or whether it is in a disassembled state, for example, if the frame part 200 has fallen off the carrier housing 100 due to loosened screws S200 after a maintenance procedure.

[0080] The charging management unit is configured to prevent the supply of electrical energy via the charging cable to the charging connector 1 before a charging process occurs when the frame part 200 is detected as detached from the carrier housing 100 (disassembly state), which is associated with the absence of the detection element 400 and its inability to be detected by the control element 500. Additionally or alternatively, the charging management unit is configured, in certain situations when the frame part 200 is detected as detached from the carrier housing 100, to deactivate the transmission of electrical energy during a charging process, so that the contact elements 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, which are exposed and / or de-energized due to the absence of the frame part 200, are not live and / or are de-energized.

[0081] The charging management unit can be designed as an electronic, electrical, and / or mechanical switching or setting unit and thus be implemented partly in hardware and partly in software. The charging management unit comprises, for example, an electronic processing unit (processor) with at least one processing core for executing at least one algorithm of a software program to determine the state of the frame part 200 and to set, preferably control and / or regulate, the electrical energy (charging current) to be supplied during a charging process. The charging management unit is preferably a component of the charging station. Alternatively, it is possible that the charging management unit is a component of the charging connector 1, and thus the charging connector 1 includes the charging management unit.

[0082] The present invention provides a charging connector 1 which is characterized above all by increased safety during handling.

[0083] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Rather, a multitude of variants and modifications are possible, which also make use of the inventive concept and therefore fall within the scope of protection. Preferably, the present invention also claims protection for the subject matter and features of the dependent claims independently of the referenced claims. Reference symbol list 1 charging connector 100 carrier housings 110 Carrier housing end wall 111 Load contact element recess 112 Load contact element recess 113 Signal contact element recess 114 Signal contact element recess 115 Protective conductor contact element recess 116 Carrier housing end wall section 200 frame parts 201 Load contact element passage 202 Load contact element passage 203 Signal contact element receptacle 204 Signal contact element receptacle 205 Protective conductor contact element receptacle 206 Steckgesicht 210 Plug section 220 plug section 230 frame section end wall 231 Frame section end wall section 301 Contact element 302 Contact element 303 Contact element 304 Contact element 305 Contact element 400 detection elements 500 control element S200 screw S301 screw S302 screw AS recess MA assembly section X Plug direction QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2018 131 610 A1

[0004]

Claims

Charging connector (1) for transmitting electrical energy and / or electrical signals, comprising: a carrier housing (100) with a frame part (200) for shielding at least one contact element (301, 302, 303, 304, 305) of the charging connector (1), wherein the frame part (200) is detachably arranged on the carrier housing (100) and comprises at least one plug-in section (210, 220) in a plug-in direction (X) to form a plug-in face (206) with the at least one contact element (301, 302, 303, 304, 305), wherein the frame part (200) comprises at least one detection element (400) and the carrier housing (100) comprises at least one control element (500), which is assigned to the at least one detection element (400) and is used to detect the presence and / or absence of the at least one The detection element (400) is configured to preferably determine whether the frame part (200) is connected to or detached from the carrier housing (100). Charging connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one control element (500) is configured as a switching element, preferably as a contactless switching element, which is configured to perform a switching operation as a result of a change from a presence to an absence of the at least one detection element (400) in order to prevent the provision of electrical energy before a charging process and / or to deactivate the transmission of electrical energy during a charging process; and / or wherein the at least one control element (500) is configured to generate at least one output signal for acoustic and / or optical output as a result of a change from a presence to an absence of the at least one detection element (400). Charging connector (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one detection element (400) is configured to generate a force field, preferably a magnetic field, wherein preferably the at least one detection element (400) is designed as a permanent magnet, particularly preferably as a neodymium magnet. Charging connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one detection element (400) is arranged on the frame part (200) in a loss-proof manner, preferably by forming a positive-locking, force-locking and / or a material-locking connection. Charging connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one control element (500) is arranged sectionally in and / or on a support housing end wall (110) which faces the frame part (200) in the plug-in direction (X), wherein preferably the at least one control element (500) is arranged on a side of the support housing end wall (110) facing away from the frame part (200); and / or wherein the at least one detection element (400) is arranged sectionally in and / or on a frame part end wall (230) which limits the at least one plug-in section (210, 220) in the plug-in direction (X), wherein preferably the at least one detection element (400) is arranged on a side of the frame part end wall (230) facing away from the at least one plug-in section (210, 220). Charging connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in an assembly state of the charging connector (1) the at least one detection element (400) and the at least one control element (500) are arranged opposite each other, spaced apart from each other and / or adjacent to each other in the plugging direction (X). Charging connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in a view in the plugging direction (X) the at least one detection element (400) is arranged within an outer contour and / or spaced apart from an outer contour of the at least one plugging section (210, 220) on the frame part (200), wherein preferably at least one contact element (303, 304) for transmitting electrical signals is arranged within the at least one plugging section (210). Charging connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one control element (500) is configured to perform a switching operation by changing a force field, preferably a magnetic field, of the at least one detection element (400), wherein preferably the at least one control element (500) is designed as a reed switch element. Charging connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one control element (500), preferably within the carrier housing (100), is electrically connected to at least one first contact element (304) of the charging connector (1) and to at least one second contact element (305) of the charging connector (1) in order to transmit a detected presence and / or a detected absence of the at least one detection element (400) to a charging management unit of a charging station, which is connected to the charging connector (1) via a charging cable, wherein preferably the at least one control element (500) is configured to generate a fault current between the at least one first contact element (304) and the at least one second contact element (305) in the absence of the at least one detection element (400). Charging connector (1) according to claim 9, wherein the at least one first contact element (304) is designed as a contact element (304) for transmitting electrical signals for communication, and wherein the at least one second contact element (305) is designed as a contact element (305) for discharging a fault current and / or for equalizing a potential. Charging connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the charging connector (1) for transmitting electrical energy and / or electrical signals comprises a plurality of contact elements (301, 302, 303, 304, 305), wherein each contact element (301, 302, 303, 304, 305) of the plurality of contact elements (301, 302, 303, 304, 305) is detachably attached to the carrier housing (100) and extends from a carrier housing end wall (110) of the carrier housing (100) along the plugging direction (X), and wherein the frame part (200) at least sheathed along the insertion direction (X). Charging connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame part (200) is manufactured as a separate individual part, and wherein the detachable arrangement of the frame part (200) on the carrier housing (100) is formed by a plug connection and by at least one screw connection (S200) in the plugging direction (X). Method for monitoring a charging connector (1) by means of a charging station comprising a charging management unit for setting, preferably controlling and / or regulating, an electrical energy to be transferred to the charging connector (1), wherein the charging management unit is connected to the charging connector (1) via a charging cable, which is configured according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the presence and / or absence of the at least one detection element (400) is detected by the at least one control element (500) and transmitted to the charging management unit, and the charging management unit determines whether the frame part (200) is connected to the carrier housing (100) or detached from the carrier housing (100). The method of claim 13, wherein the charging management unit prevents the provision of electrical energy prior to a charging process and / or deactivates the transfer of electrical energy during a charging process when it is determined that the frame part (200) is detached from the carrier housing (100).

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