Charging plug for a motor vehicle

Abstract

Charging plug (20) designed for connection to a motor vehicle, and for transmitting electrical power at least for charging a drive battery installed in the motor vehicle, with at least two plug contacts for electrical energy transmission of the charging current and with at least one plug contact for transmitting electrical signals and / or data for controlling, regulating and / or monitoring at least the charging process of the traction drive battery, wherein the charging plug (20) further comprises a housing (22) with a cable outlet (24) from which a flexible cable (23) emerges from the housing (22), wherein individual wires of the multi-core flexible cable (23) are connected to plug contacts of the charging plug (20) and another end region of the flexible cable (23) is connected to a charging device (10) or a charging station (11) characterized in that the cable outlet (24) of the charging plug (20) points upwards from the floor (13) in the operating state of regular operation and is thus directed essentially upwards.

Description

[0001] The invention is based on a charging plug for connecting to a motor vehicle according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

[0002] Such charging plugs are required for energy transmission, particularly for charging the vehicle's own drive and traction batteries. They feature electrical plug contacts designed for power, data, and signal transmission. Furthermore, the charging plug features a flexible cable designed as a multi-core cable, the cores of which are electrically connected to the plug contacts. State of the art

[0003] Charging plugs are well known and feature various housing shapes, although the plug section is standardized in terms of size and dimensions, geometry, and even the arrangement of the plug contacts. Examples of plug sections are designed according to EN 62196 Type 2 (also called IEC Type 2) or are known as CCS or CCS2 (Combined Charging System Type 2, or Combo2).

[0004] Furthermore, prior-art charging plugs feature a cable outlet through which the flexible cable passes. The flexible cable follows gravity and extends from the charging plug, initially to the ground, before terminating at a charging device. Typical charging devices are known as charging stations, where the cable is either fixed or pluggable.

[0005] DE 10 2017 108 174 A1 illustrates a car charging connector of the type mentioned above. It is designed for connection to a motor vehicle, has plug contacts, and a cable outlet with a flexible cable emerging therefrom. The disclosure of the document indicates that the cable runs downwards to the ground when the car charging connector is at least in the operating position for regular operation and is thus connected to the vehicle for power transmission.

[0006] A disadvantage of the current technology is the closer routing of the cable. State-of-the-art cables either run along the floor or hang partially freely, or at least in sections near the floor. They can also run in loops or, in sections, in an upright loop between the charging device and the vehicle. In any case, the area between the vehicle and the charging device is not barrier-free, and the cable route poses a certain tripping hazard for the user, as well as for other people. The space between the vehicle and the charging device is therefore not available for free movement and use.If there is a greater distance between the charging device and the motor vehicle, for example due to a sidewalk or the like, a cable hanging outdoors represents an increased risk of accidents, particularly at dusk or if a dangerous route of the cable is not recognized.

[0007] Furthermore, cables running along the floor are exposed not only to weather influences but also to dirt and mechanical impacts, and users must always expect dirt when carrying the cable in their vehicle. Furthermore, car charging connectors occasionally fall to the ground, placing further mechanical stress on the connector housing and also exposing the connector contacts to dirt from the ground. Task

[0008] The object of the invention is to provide a simple and cost-effective solution for a charging plug that eliminates the aforementioned disadvantages and improves operation and handling compared to the prior art. Furthermore, the object is at least to reduce potential tripping and accident occurrences and to improve the overall handling of the charging and operating process for the user.

[0009] The object is solved by the subject matter of independent claim 1. The present invention therefore offers various advantages.

[0010] Because the cable outlet is located above the plug-in section and because, during normal operation, an upward-facing free space stretches between the charging plug and the charging device and the ground. This free space is designed as a cable-free free space and extends vertically, measured from the ground, upwards and upwards to overhead. This eliminates any risk of accidents and creates a completely barrier-free area on the ground that can be walked on and driven through. Accidents are thus avoided or even eliminated, especially since the cable rises vertically or almost vertically from the charging plug and thus disappears into the lateral contours of a vehicle. Depending on the design, this includes the vehicle's exterior mirror if the charging plug and cable are within this exterior mirror-defined boundary of the vehicle during normal operation of the charging plug and thus in the plugged-in state.The operating state of the charging plug, as well as the plugged-in state of the charging plug, is defined by the fact that the charging plug is connected to the motor vehicle, regardless of whether there is a current flow via the plug contacts for electrical energy transmission.

[0011] The overhead height as required by the application is the clear height measured from the ground vertically upwards to the support or a fixture included in the support, such as a vertically running cable. A fixed height cannot be given as this is based on standards, guidelines and / or official requirements and can vary. However, 2.10 metres can be specified as a minimum. Likewise, depending on the application, such as a walkable and / or driveable area below the support, the height can be up to 3 metres. In absolute terms, there are no further restrictions on the height specified, other than the economic and cost-effective basis of consideration. This sets its own limits for the application of all common motor vehicles with a structural maximum height of 4 metres.

[0012] This advantageously allows for a variety of uses. Larger distances between the charging device and the vehicle can be utilized, for example, by using sidewalks, cycle paths, or other access routes. Furthermore, regardless of the charging plug's operating state, the cable extends upwards from the cable outlet, pointing away from the ground or upwards from the ground, so that the charging plug never comes into contact with dirt near the ground. Likewise, when not in use, the charging plug hangs from the cable, preventing rain from penetrating the housing along the contacts, as the contacts are directed downwards due to design and / or gravity.

[0013] The charging plug further comprises a housing, a cable outlet, as well as a handle and a plug-in section with the plug contacts. Furthermore, the handle is an integral part of the housing. Alternatively, a handle can be connected to the housing. This includes various designs such as a separate attached handle or a protruding, projecting handle or the like. The same also applies to the cable outlet, which is provided as a separate element or as a section integrated into the housing. A cable outlet can further comprise kink protection and / or strain relief and / or a seal. Both the housing and the handle are ergonomically shaped such that the orientation of the plug-in direction of the charging plug is along or in extension of the comfortable posture, in particular the comfortable posture of the forearm of the user, and the grippable section of the handle is aligned approximately at right angles to this.

[0014] The charging plug itself is further equipped with a plug-in section which has both the arrangement of the plug contacts and an outer geometric contour in accordance with the relevant norms and standards. Reference is made to the standard mentioned at the outset and the prior art statements mentioned at the outset. Likewise, according to known solutions, it is also conceivable for the plug-in section to be designed as a separate section that can be attached to the housing or inserted into the housing and / or forms a section of the housing. Furthermore, the plug-in section has a specific cross-section, with the outer geometric contour of the cross-section of the plug-in section comprising at least one circular arc section and one chord. Furthermore, the outer geometric contour of the plug-in section has a planar flattening, with the chord of the cross-section lying in the plane of the flattening.During normal operation of the charging plug, the chord runs essentially parallel to the ground or is aligned essentially parallel to the ground.

[0015] The flattened portion forms a plane with two sides. The cable outlet is located on one side, and the plug contacts are located on the other side of this plane. The cable outlet and the cable are positioned above the spanning plane of the flattened portion, while the charging plug is suspended from the cable, and the cable is suspended from a bracket above the charging plug.

[0016] Various designs are possible as holders, some of which can be found in the prior art. Holders are advantageous if they are designed as an arm, as an arrangement comprising at least one movable arm, as a winding mechanism such as a reel or cable winder, as a wall mount, as a column mount, or as a combination thereof. Various holders or arm-like holders can have joints, hinges, or articulation points if they are pivotable or, depending on the articulation points, are designed to be movable in a plane or spatially. Selected joints or articulation points can also be equipped with locks and / or brakes and / or spring returns to store the charging plug in a defined location when in the operating state.This location, also called a resting place or parking position, can be located close to or directly adjacent to the charging device or charging station, so that the space between the charging plug and the charging device is reduced to a minimum, or almost to zero, or at least reduced to such an extent that the space between the charging plug and the charging device is no longer usable, allowing maximum and unrestricted use of the remaining space next to the charging device and the side facing away from the charging plug. This allows for any type of access or driving in the immediate vicinity of the charging station or charging device without restrictions and without barriers.

[0017] Overall, the bracket can be part of a charging device such as a charging station or a wall unit. A charging station is defined at least by a fastening to the floor and, depending on the design, can have a control unit, a display, a connector, or a combination of these. However, the stationary structural arrangement is essential, which is typically achieved by anchoring it to the floor via a mounting base. Brackets can then also transfer the holding and elevation forces to the floor indirectly via the charging device or the charging station. The brackets are connected to the charging device and, together with the charging device, form a robust unit.

[0018] Other designs of mounts can utilize existing structural features such as walls, pillars, or other supports within a building, allowing them to be permanently connected. The mounts described above are directly attached to the building. Combinations of the above-mentioned designs are also possible if the charging device and mount are attached to the building and do not have a separate mounting base.

[0019] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims and the following description. Example

[0020] An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail below. They show: Fig. 1 an embodiment of a ground-based charging device with holder and the charging plug according to the invention in a first embodiment Fig. 2 a detailed view of the inventive charging plug according to the embodiment according to Fig. 1 Fig. 3 a detailed view of an inventive charging plug according to another embodiment Fig. 4 the design of a plug-in section of the inventive charging plug in the direction of view Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment of another plug-in section of the inventive charging plug in the direction of

[0021] Some of the figures contain simplified, schematic representations. Identical reference symbols are used for similar, but possibly not identical, elements. Different views of the same elements may be scaled differently. Directional references such as "left," "right," "top," and "bottom" are to be understood with reference to the respective figure and may vary in the individual illustrations relative to the object depicted.

[0022] The Fig. 1 shows a charging device 10 essentially comprising a charging station 11, a holder 14 and a charging plug 20 with a cable 23. The design of the charging station 11 uses an operating unit 12 with buttons and / or touchscreen and / or wireless radio transmission link and is equipped with a mounting base 13 and is firmly anchored to the ground at an installation location.

[0023] The charging plug 20 has a housing 22, which essentially comprises three sections. The first section has the plug-in section 30, which has the plug contacts for connection to the charging socket of a motor vehicle and which is arranged in an end region of the charging plug 20. The second section has a cable outlet 24, through which the cable 20 passes. The cable outlet 24 is directed upwards and is arranged in a second end region of the charging plug 20. Furthermore, the course of the cable 23 is as shown in FIG. Fig. 1 is arranged vertically along the central longitudinal axis 25. The vertical course is defined by the fact that it is essentially designed as a vertical course, and deviations at an angle of up to 30 degrees can be considered essentially vertical, especially since the above-mentioned free space 16 continues to protrude upwards, starting from the ground.

[0024] Furthermore, the housing 22 of the charging plug 20 has a handle 21 which, as shown in Fig. 1 is designed as a bow-shaped handle 21 and a manually handleable section of the bow-shaped handle 21 is at a distance from the housing 22.

[0025] Furthermore, a bracket 14 in the form of a spacer arm is provided, which is located overhead and which makes the essential contribution to forming the free space 16. At the free end of the bracket 14, a reel 15 or a cable reel 15 is provided. The bracket 14 and / or the cable reel 15 guides a section of the cable 23 at least at overhead height to the charging station 11. Furthermore, according to the illustration according to Fig. 1, the cable 23 is provided at a distance from the charging station 11, the charging plug 20 is further arranged suspended from the cable 23 and arranged at a vertical distance from the floor 13, such that the charging plug 20 is provided for the operating state of regular operation. In this case, as well as in the operating state of regular operation, a free space 16 is spanned, which extends between the charging station 11 and the cable 23, or which extends between the charging station 11 and the charging plug 20, starting from the floor 13 and upwards. A completely barrier-free area is created between the charging station 11 and the cable 23 and / or the charging plug 20, which is accessible and / or accessible without restrictions. It goes without saying that the arrangement according to Fig. 1 can be designed in a scalable manner if the arrangement and / or number of holders 14, as well as the hinges or articulation points or the like mentioned above, are designed in the manner of a holder chain, such that the horizontal width of the free space 16 can be varied and is walkable and / or driveable in such a way that a sidewalk and / or a cycle path can be provided there. Typical horizontal widths can be up to 7 meters. In this respect, the present invention represents the high degree of an advantage of complete freedom from accidents with regard to obstacles close to the ground, since the cable 23 and charging plug 20 are arranged in a hanging manner with the cable outlet 24 facing upwards and the floor area between the charging station 11 and the motor vehicle has no cables or charging cables.

[0026] The Fig. 2 shows a detailed view of the Fig. 1. The cable 23 runs along its central longitudinal axis 25 and essentially vertically. The plug-in section 30 with the plug-in contacts is aligned such that the plug-in direction 35 is essentially horizontal. Consequently, the central longitudinal axis 25 and the plug-in direction 35 are aligned according to the power of representation of the Fig. 2 an angle of 90 degrees. In practice, however, the center of gravity of the charging plug 20 has proven to be the decisive factor in determining that the angle between the central longitudinal axis 25 and the plug-in direction 35 is greater than 90 degrees, even if the charging plug 20 is designed as a 90-degree angle plug. Thus, angles between the plug-in direction 35 and the horizontal are defined as substantially horizontal if they have a value of up to 30 degrees. According to the Fig. 2, reference should also be made to the viewing direction 34, which lies in the plane of the plug-in direction 35 and is aligned along the plug contacts.

[0027] Regardless of the figures, reference should also be made to the arrow direction of the plug-in direction 35, whereby the insertion and thus the establishment of the plug connection takes place in the illustrated arrow direction of the plug-in direction 35. The plug connection of the charging plug with a charging socket of a motor vehicle is disconnected in the opposite direction to the illustrated arrow direction of the plug-in direction 35.

[0028] The Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment of a charging plug 20 according to the invention. The housing 22 is provided with a handle 21, in which a portion of the housing is designed as a handle 21. Another significant difference of the embodiment according to Fig. 3 compared to the execution according to Fig. 2 consists of an angular arrangement between the plug-in direction 35 and the central longitudinal axis 25 of the cable 23. While the charging plug according to Fig. 2 is designed as a 90 degree angle plug, is in accordance with the design according to Fig. 3, the angle between the central longitudinal axis 25 of the cable 23 and the plug-in direction 35 is designed as an obtuse angle. The magnitude of the obtuse angle is adapted to manual handling or the angular position of the charging socket attached to the vehicle. Angles in the range of 90 degrees to 150 degrees have proven advantageous, but angles in the range of 110 to 130 degrees are particularly advantageous.

[0029] Furthermore, the designs of the charging plug according to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 a flattened portion 33 provided on the plug-in section 30. The flattened portion 33 is flat and spans a plane with two sides, wherein the cable outlet 24 and the cable 23 are arranged on the first side, the upper side according to the figures, and the plug contacts are provided within the plug connection 30 on the second side opposite the first side, the lower side according to the figures.

[0030] The Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show two exemplary plug faces of different designs of a plug section 30 in the viewing direction 34 according to the illustrations according to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3.

[0031] The design of the plug-in section 30 according to Fig. 4 has two contact sections 31 and 32. The first contact section 31 is provided with three plug-in contacts, which are essentially intended for transmitting signals and / or data for controlling and regulating the charging process. The first contact section 31 is followed by a second contact section 32 with two illustrated contacts, which are designed as high-current contacts and are designed to conduct the high electrical power for charging the vehicle battery. The first contact section 31 has a predominantly circular cross-section, which is interrupted by a chord. The chord defines the flattened area 33, which extends as a flat flattened area 33 parallel to the plug-in direction 35 but also parallel to the viewing direction 34. During regular operation of the charging plug, the chord is aligned essentially parallel to the ground.Furthermore, the first contact section 31 is arranged between the flattening 33 and the second contact section 32.

[0032] The design of a charging plug according to the invention according to Fig. 5 differs from the design and description according to Fig. 4 only in the arrangement and number of plug contacts of the plug face, with the second contact section also missing. According to the illustration according to Fig. 5, a total of seven plug contacts are installed, which are intended for transmitting signals and / or data for controlling and regulating the charging process, as well as for transmitting the high charging power. Here, too, the plug section 30 has a flattened portion 33 according to the features mentioned above.

[0033] In a manner not shown in detail, combinations of various advantageous features are also conceivable within the scope of the invention. With regard to the design of the charging plug 20, the aforementioned angular positions, the arrangement of the handle 21, but also its number, the arrangement, and the number of plug contacts, and thus the resulting plug face, can be freely combined with one another. Thus, the design of a handle 21 according to Fig. 2 adapted to the shape of the housing 22 according to Fig. 3, or conversely, the design of a handle 21 according to Fig. 3 on the housing 22 according to Fig. 2. The same applies to the design of the arrangement and number of plug contacts that define the mating face.

[0034] Although various aspects or features of the invention are shown in combination in the figures, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art—unless otherwise stated—that the illustrated and discussed combinations are not the only possible ones. In particular, corresponding units or feature complexes from different embodiments can be interchanged. List of reference symbols 10 Charging device 11 charging stations 12 Control unit 13 Mounting foot, floor, bottom side 14 Bracket 15 reel, reel, holder 16 open space 20 charging plugs 21 Handle 22 housings 23 Line 24 cable outlet 25 Central longitudinal axis 30 plug-in sections 31 first contact section 32 second contact section 33 Flattening 34 Viewing direction 35 Plug-in direction QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] DE 10 2017 108 174 A1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Charging plug (20) designed for connection to a motor vehicle, as well as for transmitting electrical power at least for charging a drive battery installed in the motor vehicle, with at least two plug contacts for electrical energy transmission of the charging current and with at least one plug contact for transmitting electrical signals and / or data for controlling, regulating and / or monitoring at least the charging process of the traction drive battery, wherein the charging plug (20) further comprises a housing (22) with a cable outlet (24) from which a flexible cable (23) emerges from the housing (22), wherein individual wires of the multi-core flexible cable (23) are connected to plug contacts of the charging plug (20) and another end region of the flexible cable (23) is connected to a charging device (10) or a charging station (11) characterized by , that the cable outlet (24) of the charging plug (20) points upwards from the floor (13) in the operating state of regular operation and is thus directed essentially upwards. [2] Charging plug (20) according to claim 1 characterized by that, regardless of the operating state, the cable (23) of the charging plug (20) extends upwards from the cable outlet (24) and thus away from the ground or upwards from the ground. [3] Charging plug (20) according to one of the preceding claims characterized by that the charging plug (20) is arranged hanging on the line (23) in the operating state of rest. [4] Charging plug (20) according to one of the preceding claims characterized bythat in the operating state of regular operation, an upwardly directed free space stretches between the charging plug (20) and the charging device (10, 11) and the ground, which free space is designed as a line-free free space (16) and ends in the vertical direction measured from the ground up to overhead. [5] Charging plug (20) according to one of the preceding claims characterized by that the charging plug (20) has a housing (22) with the cable outlet (24), a handle (21) and the plug-in section (30) with the plug-in contacts. [6] Charging plug (20) according to one of the preceding claims characterized by that the handle (21) is an integral part of the housing (22). [7] Charging plug (20) according to one of the preceding claims characterized by that a handle (21) is connected or attached to the housing (22). [8] Charging plug (20) according to one of the preceding claims characterized bythat the plug-in section (30) has both the arrangement of the plug-in contacts and an outer geometric contour. [9] Charging plug (20) according to one of the preceding claims characterized by that the cross section of the outer geometric contour of the plug-in section (30) has at least one circular arc section and one chord. [10] Charging plug (20) according to one of the preceding claims characterized by that the outer geometric contour of the plug-in section (30) has a flat flattening (33), wherein the chord lies in the plane of the flattening. [11] Charging plug (20) according to one of the preceding claims characterized by that the chord is aligned substantially parallel to the ground (13) in the operating state of regular operation of the charging plug (20). [12] Charging plug (20) according to one of the preceding claims characterized bythat the flattening (33) spans a plane, wherein the cable outlet (24) is arranged on one side and the plug contacts on the other side of this plane. [13] Charging plug (20) according to one of the preceding claims characterized by that the charging plug (20) is suspended on the cable (23) and the cable (23) is suspended above the charging plug (20) on a bracket (14). [14] Charging plug (20) according to one of the preceding claims characterized by that an arm, an arrangement of at least one movable arm, a winding device (15) such as a reel, a cable reel, a wall mount, a column mount or combinations thereof is provided as the holder (14). [15] Charging plug (20) according to one of the preceding claims characterized by that the holder (14) is part of a charging device such as a charging column (11) or a wall unit. [16] Charging plug (20) according to one of the preceding claims characterized bythat the bracket (14) is attached to a structural facility such as a building or to a mounting.

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