Device for holding and charging an electric scooter

Abstract

Device (1) for receiving and charging an electric scooter (6) in a motor vehicle (2), comprising: a transport tray (3) designed to be positioned or integrated in a trunk (4) of the motor vehicle (2), wherein an inner receiving form (5) of the transport tray (3) is adapted to an outer contour (7) of the electric scooter (6) so that it can be positively received and fixed in the transport tray (3), a charging system (8) configured to provide an electrical connection between an on-board electrical system (9) of the motor vehicle (2) and the electric scooter (6) when the transport tray (10) is positioned or integrated in the motor vehicle and the electric scooter (6) is arranged in the transport tray (10), wherein the charging system (8) comprises a charging socket for the electric scooter (6) integrated into the transport tray (3).

Description

[0001] The technical field concerns devices for mounting and charging an electric scooter on motor vehicles.

[0002] The state of the art includes various approaches for accommodating and charging an electric scooter in a vehicle.

[0003] DE 10 2019 003 155 A1 describes a vehicle trunk for accommodating an electric scooter and a power supply unit.

[0004] DE 10 2020 119 146 B3 discloses a storage device in the trunk of a vehicle for securing an electric scooter.

[0005] KR 10 2023 010 2832 A describes a storage system for an electric scooter in a vehicle trunk, which has a charging function.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a device that enables the safe loading and storage of an electric scooter in a motor vehicle.

[0007] The invention relates to a device for receiving and charging an electric scooter in a motor vehicle, wherein the device comprises a transport tray designed to be positioned or integrated in the trunk of a vehicle. The shape of the transport tray is adapted to an outer contour of the electric scooter so that it can be positively engaged and secured in the transport tray. Furthermore, the device comprises a charging system configured to provide an electrical connection between the vehicle's electrical system and the electric scooter when the transport tray is positioned or integrated in the vehicle and the electric scooter is arranged in the transport tray, wherein the charging system includes a charging socket for the electric scooter integrated into the transport tray.

[0008] The transport tray is a dimensionally stable device designed to conform to the specific contours of the electric scooter and securely fix it in place. The charging socket is an electrically conductive interface that transmits the charging current to the electric scooter to charge its battery.

[0009] The device according to the invention ensures the safe transport of the electric scooter within a vehicle, thereby preventing damage to the vehicle interior and the electric scooter itself. Additionally, the integrated charging system allows the electric scooter to be charged during transport, ensuring it is always ready for use. This increases the mobility of the electric scooter user, particularly in situations where the vehicle is parked at a charging station during the charging process.

[0010] Advantageously, the charging system can be designed to establish an automatic electrical connection between the charging socket and a charging socket of the electric scooter using sleep contacts as soon as it is placed in the transport cradle.

[0011] Sleep contacts are electrical contacts that only close when a physical connection is established between the electrical interfaces of the transport cradle and the electric scooter. This prevents unwanted current flows and increases the safety of the charging system.

[0012] This ensures that the charging process starts without manually connecting a charging cable and that the electric scooter is automatically charged after being inserted.

[0013] Advantageously, the transport tray can be made of a shock-absorbing material to reduce mechanical stress during transport.

[0014] A shock-absorbing material is a material that is able to absorb mechanical energy and thereby reduce shocks or vibrations. For example, an elastic plastic and / or foam can be used as a shock-absorbing material.

[0015] This protects the electric scooter from damage during the ride that may be caused by vibrations or vehicle movements.

[0016] Advantageously, the charging system can include voltage regulation to prevent overcharging and / or deep discharging of the electric scooter.

[0017] The voltage regulator is an electronic circuit that regulates the charging current and voltage depending on the electric scooter's state of charge. This prevents damaging charging conditions.

[0018] This extends the lifespan of the electric scooter's battery and ensures safe charging.

[0019] Advantageously, the transport tray can be equipped with fastening elements that allow the transport tray to be fixed in the trunk of the vehicle.

[0020] Fastening elements are mechanical devices, such as straps, screws or locks, that ensure stable positioning of the transport tray in the trunk.

[0021] This prevents the transport tray from moving or tipping over during transport, increasing both the safety and stability of the system.

[0022] Advantageously, the transport tray can have a removable and / or hinged cover to protect the electric scooter from external influences during transport.

[0023] A removable or hinged cover is an element that fully or partially encloses the electric scooter, thus protecting it from dirt, moisture, or other environmental influences.

[0024] This ensures that the electric scooter remains protected and ready for use even in bad weather conditions.

[0025] Advantageously, the charging system can include a display device that shows the charging status of the electric scooter.

[0026] A display device is, for example, an optical display device, such as an LED display or a digital display, which visually represents the current charge level.

[0027] This allows the user to check the charging status of the electric scooter at any time.

[0028] Advantageously, the transport tray can be designed to accommodate various models of electric scooters and can be adapted to the different dimensions of the various electric scooter models.

[0029] An adaptable transport tray is a construction that is variable in its dimensions, for example through adjustable brackets or flexible inserts.

[0030] This makes the device compatible with a wide variety of electric scooter models and enables universal use.

[0031] Advantageously, the transport tray can have ventilation openings, ensuring heat dissipation during the charging process of the electric scooter.

[0032] Ventilation openings are structural penetrations or channels that allow air circulation and thereby reduce heat generation.

[0033] This prevents the charging unit from overheating, which increases operational safety and the efficiency of the charging process.

[0034] A further object of the invention is a method for using an embodiment of the device described herein for receiving and charging an electric scooter in a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of: inserting an electric scooter into the transport tray, which is positioned and / or integrated in the trunk of a motor vehicle, wherein the electric scooter is positively engaged and fixed; establishing an electrical connection between the charging socket of the transport tray and a charging socket of the electric scooter by inserting the electric scooter; providing electrical energy via the charging system of the transport tray, which is connected to the vehicle's electrical system; monitoring the charging process by means of a voltage regulator to prevent overcharging or deep discharging of the electric scooter; and removing the charged electric scooter from the transport tray for use.

[0035] One advantage of this method is the simple, safe and efficient handling of the device according to the invention described herein.

[0036] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without leaving the scope of the present invention.

[0037] The invention is schematically illustrated in the drawing using one embodiment as an example. It shows: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a device according to the invention for receiving and charging an electric scooter.

[0038] Fig. Figure 1 shows a device 1 for receiving and charging an electric scooter 6 in a motor vehicle 2.

[0039] A transport tray 3 is positioned or integrated in the trunk 4 of the motor vehicle 2. The transport tray 3 has an inner receiving shape 5 that is adapted to an outer contour 7 of the electric scooter 6, so that it is positively engaged and fixed in the transport tray 3.

[0040] A charging system 8 provides an electrical connection between the vehicle's electrical system 9 and the electric scooter 6. The charging system 8 includes a charging socket 10 for the electric scooter 6, which is integrated into the transport tray 3.

[0041] The charging socket 10 of the transport cradle 3 can establish an electrical connection to a charging socket 12 of the electric scooter 6 by means of sleep contacts 11 as soon as the latter is inserted into the transport cradle 3.

[0042] The charging system 8 also includes a voltage regulator 13 to prevent overcharging or deep discharging of the electric scooter 6.

[0043] The transport tray 3 is equipped with fastening elements 14, which enable the transport tray 3 to be fixed in the trunk 4 of the motor vehicle 2.

[0044] The transport tray 3 has a cover 15 which is removable and / or foldable to protect the electric scooter 6 from external influences during transport. Reference symbol list: 1 Device 2 motor vehicles 3 Transport tray 4 trunk 5 internal absorption form 6 electric scooters 7 Outer contour 8 charging system 9 On-board electrical system 10 Charging port of the transport cradle 11 sleep contacts 12 Charging socket of the electric scooter 13 Voltage regulation 14 fasteners 15 Cover 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 2019 003 155 A1

[0003] DE 10 2020 119 146 B3

[0004] KR 10 2023 010 2832 A

[0005]

Claims

[1] Device (1) for receiving and charging an electric scooter (6) in a motor vehicle (2), comprising: a transport tray (3) designed to be positioned or integrated in a trunk (4) of the motor vehicle (2), wherein an inner receiving form (5) of the transport tray (3) is adapted to an outer contour (7) of the electric scooter (6) so that it can be positively received and fixed in the transport tray (3), a charging system (8) configured to provide an electrical connection between an on-board electrical system (9) of the motor vehicle (2) and the electric scooter (6) when the transport tray (10) is positioned or integrated in the motor vehicle and the electric scooter (6) is arranged in the transport tray (10), wherein the charging system (8) comprises a charging socket for the electric scooter (6) integrated into the transport tray (3). [2] Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the charging system (8) is configured to establish an automatic electrical connection between the charging socket of the transport cradle (10) and a charging socket of the electric scooter (12) using sleep contacts (11) as soon as the latter is inserted into the transport cradle (3). [3] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport tray (3) consists of a shock-absorbing material to reduce mechanical stresses during transport. [4] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the charging system (8) comprises a voltage control (13) to prevent overcharging or deep discharging of the electric scooter (6). [5] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport tray (3) is provided with fastening elements (14) which enable the transport tray (3) to be fixed in the trunk (4) of the motor vehicle (2). [6] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport tray (3) has a removable and / or hinged cover (15) to protect the electric scooter (6) from external influences during transport. [7] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the charging system (8) comprises a display device that indicates the charging status of the electric scooter (6). [8] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport tray (3) is designed to accommodate different models of electric scooters (6) and is adaptable to the different dimensions of the different models of electric scooters (6). [9] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport tray (3) has ventilation openings so that heat dissipation is ensured during a charging process. [10] Method for using the device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising the steps: Inserting an electric scooter (6) into the transport tray (3) which is positioned and / or integrated in the trunk of a motor vehicle, wherein the electric scooter (6) is positively engaged and fixed, Establishing an electrical connection between the charging socket of the transport cradle (10) and a charging socket of the electric scooter (12) by inserting the electric scooter (6), Providing electrical energy via the charging system (8) of the transport tray (3), which is connected to the on-board electrical system (9) of the motor vehicle (2), Monitoring of the charging process by means of a voltage regulator (13) to prevent overcharging or deep discharging of the electric scooter (6), Removal of the charged electric scooter (6) from the transport tray (3) for use.

Images