Charging socket for a motor vehicle, method for operation

Abstract

The invention relates to a charging socket (1) for a motor vehicle (6), having a base body (2) with a plug socket (3), in which a plurality of electrically conductive contact elements (4) is held, wherein the plug socket (3) is designed to receive a charging plug (12) with electrically conductive counter contacts in such a way that the counter contacts contact the contact elements (4) in an electrically conductive manner, and having a cover (7) assigned to the base body (2), which is pivotably mounted relative to the base body (3), in order to close the plug socket (3) in a first end position (B) and to release it in a second end position (A), characterised in that the cover (7) is assigned an actuator (8) for pivoting same, and in that a device (10) is present, which is designed to control the actuator (8) for carrying out a charging procedure for pivoting the cover (7) towards the first end position (B) and, depending on a charging plug (12) being inserted, to end the pivoting towards the first end position (B) between the end positions (A, B).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Charging socket for a motor vehicle, method for operating

[0003] The invention relates to a charging socket for a motor vehicle, comprising a base body with a plug receptacle in which a plurality of electrically conductive contact elements are held, wherein the plug receptacle is designed to receive a charging plug with electrically conductive mating contacts such that the mating contacts make electrically conductive contact with the contact elements, and comprising a cover assigned to the base body which is pivotably mounted relative to the base body in order to close the plug receptacle in a first end position and to release it in a second end position.

[0004] Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle with such a charging socket and a method for operating such a charging socket.

[0005] Charging sockets of the type mentioned above are already known from the prior art. For example, the published patent application DE 19642 687 A1 discloses a charging socket of this type with a pivoting cover that, in a first end position, exposes a plug receptacle so that a charging plug can be inserted into the plug receptacle, and in a second end position, conceals the plug receptacle. The cover is designed such that, in the first end position, it also conceals the inserted charging plug, thus protecting it from external influences. The cover can be pivoted manually by an operator. The charging plug and cover are designed to complement each other.

[0006] From the published patent application DE 102021 002 039 A1, a charging arrangement for charging an energy storage device of an electrically operated vehicle is also known, in which a stationary charging station and a contact unit mounted on a vehicle can be brought together in an automated manner in order to establish an electrical connection.

[0007] Furthermore, from the published patent application DE 102018205 594 A1, a charging socket is known which has a cover which can be moved translationally to release and close a plug receptacle.

[0008] The invention is based on the object of creating an improved charging socket for a motor vehicle which, in particular, offers advantageous protection of the charging plug and the plug receptacle during a charging process, regardless of the type or shape of an inserted charging plug.

[0009] The object underlying the invention is achieved by a charging socket with the features of claim 1. This has the advantage that the cover is pivoted individually, depending on the plugged-in charging plug, in order to always offer advantageous weather protection even with differently shaped charging plugs. According to the invention, an actuator is assigned to the cover for pivoting it, and that a device is provided which is designed to control the actuator to carry out a charging process for pivoting the cover in the direction of the first end position and to end the pivoting between the end positions depending on a plugged-in charging plug. The device therefore controls the actuator in such a way that the charging flap is pivoted as far as the charging plug, but then further pivoting of the cover in the direction of the first end position is stopped.This ensures that the cover is always pivoted up to the charging plug in order to be as close to the charging plug as possible. In this end position or weather protection position, the cover covers the charging plug at least partially and thus provides weather protection for both the plugged-in charging plug and the plug receptacle or charging socket itself. Because the device detects the charging plug and its position on the charging socket, it is guaranteed that the cover is always automatically pivoted almost to the charging plug and, in particular, that damage to the charging plug caused by the cover is avoided by stopping the pivoting movement when the charging plug is reached at the latest. This means that charging plugs of different sizes can be attached to the charging socket, provided their plug ends fit into the plug receptacle.The cover is always pivoted into an advantageous weather protection position in which the charging plug and the charging socket are protected and, in particular, mechanical tension is avoided.

[0010] The device preferably has at least one sensor for detecting the position of a plugged-in charging plug. In this respect, it is in particular an electrical, optical, or haptic sensor. The sensor reliably ensures that the charging plug is detected and that the actuator is advantageously controlled. The position of the charging plug is understood to mean, in particular, the location and design of the charging plug on the charging socket, which is characterized in particular by its relationship to the pivoting path of the cover. A taller charging plug, for example, shortens the pivoting path of the cover towards the first end position, while a shorter charging plug increases the pivoting path. The position of the charging plug is thus defined in particular by the surface, edge, or contour that limits the movement path of the cover.

[0011] The sensor is particularly preferably designed to monitor a driving force of the actuator and to detect the position of the charging plug if the driving force exceeds a predetermined value between the end positions. This ensures simple and cost-effective determination of the position or orientation of a plugged-in charging plug. If the cover is moved by the actuator from the second end position to the first end position to close the plug receptacle, the driving force of the actuator is monitored by the sensor. If the sensor detects that the driving force exceeds a predetermined value, in particular unexpectedly, on the way from the second end position to the first end position, it is concluded that the cover must have hit the charging plug or is blocked in its path of movement or movement by the charging plug.This increase in driving force is detected or monitored by the sensor, which can be a current or voltage sensor, for example. As soon as the cover touches the charging plug, the position of the charging plug is easily detected based on the increase in current or voltage.

[0012] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the actuator preferably has an electric motor, and the sensor is designed to monitor a torque of the actuator or the electric motor and to detect the position of the charging plug when the torque exceeds a predetermined value between the end positions. In contrast to the previous embodiment, a torque of the electric motor is monitored here as an indication of the presence of a charging plug. In this case, the device is also designed in particular to detect an unexpected increase in torque between the two end positions in such a way that, in the event of an unexpected increase, the charging plug is present and blocks the pivoting of the cover. In particular, the sensor is designed as a torque sensor, preferably as a current or voltage sensor.

[0013] Preferably, the device is designed to move the cover a predetermined distance towards the second end position after detecting the charging plug or its position in order to hold the cover in a weatherproof position spaced from the charging plug for a charging process. Moving the cover flap into the weatherproof position spaced from the charging plug ensures that the charging plug is not burdened by the weight of the cover for the duration of the charging process. Moving the cover back towards the second end position relieves the load on the charging plug, but the cover still protects it from external influences in the weatherproof position. Moving the cover back in particular prevents tension between the cover and charging plug and between the charging plug and plug receptacle.

[0014] The measuring method with the features of claim 6 is characterized in that the cover is pivoted toward the first end position to carry out a charging process, and that the pivoting toward the first end position is terminated depending on a plugged-in charging plug. As a result, the charging plug is advantageously protected by the cover from external influences, in particular weather influences, as well as from mechanical stress during the charging process, as already described above.

[0015] Particularly preferably, a movement of the cover is monitored and a position of the charging plug is detected if it is detected that the cover is blocked between the end positions. In particular, if it is detected that the cover is blocked on the way from the second end position to the first end position before reaching the first end position, the position of an inserted charging plug is detected or determined. This advantageously ensures reliable detection of the position of the charging plug. Alternatively or additionally, the presence of the charging plug is detected, for example, by means of an optically operating sensor which monitors the plug receptacle and, with the aid of image analysis algorithms, determines the presence and, in particular, also the shape or position of the charging plug in the movement path of the cover.

[0016] Preferably, a driving force or torque of the actuator is monitored to detect the position of the charging plug, with the position of the charging plug being detected if the driving force or torque exceeds a predetermined limit before the cover reaches the first end position. This results in the advantages already mentioned above.

[0017] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that after the position of the charging plug has been detected, the cover is pivoted into a weatherproof position at a distance from the charging plug. In particular, for this purpose, the cover is first moved up to the charging plug, whereby the torque or the driving force is unexpectedly increased upon reaching the charging plug, so that the presence of the charging plug is detected and further control of the actuator or further movement of the cover in the direction of the second end position is stopped. The cover is now moved back in the direction of the first end position, in which the charging socket is released, in order to create a distance between the cover and the charging plug. The pivoting path in the direction of the second end position is selected depending on the position of the charging plug.The distance is chosen so small that the cover at least substantially extends over or covers the charging plug, thus protecting the charging plug and charging socket from external influences, particularly weather-related ones, in this weather-protection position. This results in the advantages already mentioned above.

[0018] Further advantages and preferred features and combinations of features emerge in particular from the above description and from the claims. The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. These show:

[0019] Figure 1 shows an advantageous guide socket in different operating states in a first side view, and

[0020] Figure 2 shows the charging socket with a plugged-in charging plug in different operating states.

[0021] Figure 1 shows a simplified side view of an advantageous charging socket 1 for a motor vehicle. The charging socket 1 comprises a base body 2, which is inserted or arranged in a body recess, in particular in a recess of an outer panel 5 of the motor vehicle 6.

[0022] The base body 2 has a plug receptacle 3 designed to accommodate a charging plug 12 of a stationary charging station, as shown by way of example in Figure 2. For this purpose, the base body 2 has a cross-sectional contour that corresponds to a cross-section of the charging plug 12. In particular, the cross-sectional contour corresponds to a conventional contour, as is known in electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles. Furthermore, a plurality of electrically conductive contact elements 4 are arranged in the plug receptacle 3, of which only two are shown here as examples.The contact elements 4 are designed to interact with mating contact elements of the charging plug to establish an electrical connection between the stationary charging station and the electrical system of the motor vehicle, in particular to carry out a charging process in which an electrical storage device of the motor vehicle is supplied with electrical energy or charged. The plug receptacle 3 is recessed from the outer panel 5 of the motor vehicle 6, which is only indicated here.

[0023] The charging socket 1 further comprises a cover 7 which is pivotably mounted about a pivot axis, in this case perpendicular to the plane of the paper. In a first end position A, the cover 7 is pivoted into a release position so that the plug receptacle 3 is accessible for the charging plug. In a further end position B, the cover 7 is pivoted into a position in which it completely covers the plug receptacle 3 and, in particular, is flush with the outer panel 5 of the motor vehicle 6. In the end position B, the plug receptacle 3 is thus reliably protected from external influences. Furthermore, in the end position B, the cover 7 also offers aerodynamic advantages during normal ferry operation.

[0024] According to the present embodiment, the cover 7 is thus designed as a pivotable cover flap or as a pivotable lid. A controllable actuator 8, which in particular comprises an electric motor 9, is assigned to the cover 7. The electric motor 9 is coupled to the cover 7 in order to automatically pivot it into the end position A or B. For this purpose, the electric motor 9 is controlled to generate a torque that pivots the cover 7 in one direction or the other.

[0025] To control the electric motor 9, a device 10 is provided, in particular, which is designed as a control unit and is connected to the electric motor via signaling and / or electrical means. Thus, the device 10 controls the electric motor 9, in particular depending on a control signal, for example, from a user or the charging system of the motor vehicle, in order to close the plug receptacle 3 as needed or to release it after the completion of a charging process.

[0026] Furthermore, the device 10 is designed to monitor the torque of the electric motor 9. For this purpose, the device 10 has, for example, a sensor 11, which is designed as a current or voltage sensor to determine the torque of the electric motor 9.

[0027] The device 10 is further designed to move the cover 7, when the charging plug 12 is present, into a weather protection position which lies between the release position A and the charging plug 12.

[0028] Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the charging socket 1, in which a charging plug 12 is inserted into the plug receptacle 3.

[0029] First, the device 10 controls the electric motor 9 to move the cover 7 into the release position or end position A (I), so that the charging plug 12 can be inserted into the plug receptacle 3. Preferably, after a predetermined period of time has elapsed or after receiving a further signal specified by the user, the control device 10 controls the electric motor 9 to pivot the cover 7 towards the end position B (II). The current consumption of the electric motor 9 is monitored by means of the sensor 11. As soon as the cover 7 hits the charging plug 12, the current consumption increases due to the increased torque from the electric motor 9, which is caused by the blockage in the path of movement of the cover 7.

[0030] The device 10 detects this increase in torque and stops the pivoting of the cover 7 toward the end position B. At this moment, the cover 7 rests against the charging plug 12, as shown in Figure 2 with position C. This position C corresponds to the position of the charging plug 12 on the charging socket 1 and is detected by the device with the aid of the sensor 11 through the unexpected increase in torque.

[0031] To prevent mechanical stresses from acting on the charging plug 12 and the cover 7 and / or between the charging plug 12 and the plug receptacle 3 during the charging process, the device 10 controls the electric motor 9 after detecting the position C such that the cover 7 is displaced from the position C adjacent to the charging plug 11 to a weather-protection position D away from the charging plug 12 (III), in which the cover 7 is a short distance from the charging plug 12. In particular, the distance from the charging plug 12 is 1 to 5 millimeters, preferably 3 millimeters. This prevents direct contact between the cover 7 and the charging plug 12, and no mechanical stresses act between the cover 7 and the charging plug 12 during the charging process.Nevertheless, the charging plug 12 and the plug receptacle 3 are advantageously protected from external influences, in particular from the weather in the vicinity of the motor vehicle 6, by the cover 7 located above them.

[0032] After the charging process is completed, the device 10 automatically or according to user instructions controls the electric motor 9 to pivot the cover 7 back into the release position A (IV). After the charging plug 12 has been removed, and in particular if the user gives a corresponding signal or a predetermined period of time has elapsed after removal, the device 10 controls the electric motor 9 to move the cover 7 into the closed position B (V).

[0033] Because the presence of the charging plug 12 and its position can be determined by monitoring the torque of the electric motor 9, the weather protection position of the charging flap or the cover 7 can be adapted to different charging plugs 12 and, in particular, is automated. Pivoting the cover 7 into the weather protection position D ensures that the charging plug 12 and plug receptacle 3 are protected without undesirable mechanical stresses. This advantage is achieved by the cover 7 reaching the weather protection position in different pivot positions, as described above, depending on the charging plug 11 used.

[0034] List of reference symbols

[0035] 1 charging socket

[0036] 2 base bodies

[0037] 3 plug socket

[0038] 4 Contact element

[0039] 5 Outer sheet

[0040] 6 Motor vehicle

[0041] 7 Cover

[0042] 8 Actuator

[0043] 9 Electric motor

[0044] 10 Furnishings

[0045] 11 Sensor

[0046] 12 charging plugs

[0047] A Position

[0048] B Position

[0049] C Position

[0050] D Weather protection position

Claims

Claims: Charging socket (1) for a motor vehicle (6), comprising a base body (2) with a plug receptacle (3) in which several electrically conductive contact elements (4) are held, wherein the plug receptacle (3) is configured to receive a charging plug (11) with electrically conductive mating contacts such that the mating contacts make electrically conductive contact with the contact elements (4), and comprising a cover (7) associated with the base body (2), which is pivotably mounted relative to the base body (3) in order to close the plug receptacle (3) in a first end position (B) and to release it in a second end position (A), characterized in that an actuator (8) for pivoting the cover (7) is associated with it, and that a device (10) is provided which is configured toto control the actuator (8) to pivot the cover (7) towards the first end position (B) for the purpose of carrying out a charging process and to terminate the pivoting towards the first end position (B) between the end positions (A,B) depending on whether a charging plug is inserted. Charging socket according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (10) has at least one sensor (11) for detecting the position of an inserted charging plug (11). Charging socket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (11) is configured to monitor a drive force of the actuator (9) and to detect the position of the charging plug (11) when the drive force exceeds a predetermined value between the end positions (A,B). Charging socket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator (8) has an electric motor (9) and that the sensor (11) is configured toto monitor the torque of the electric motor (9) and to detect the position of the charging plug (11) when the torque exceeds a predetermined value between the end positions (A, B). Charging socket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (10) is configured, after detecting the position of the charging plug, to move the cover (7) a predetermined distance towards the second end position (A) in order to hold the cover in a weatherproof position, spaced away from the charging plug (11) for a charging process. A method for operating a charging socket (1) of a motor vehicle (6), configured according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the cover is pivoted towards the first end position (B) to carry out a charging process, and that the pivoting towards the first end position (B) is terminated depending on the presence of a plugged-in charging plug (11). A method according to claim 6, characterized in that movement of the cover (7) is monitored, and that the position of the charging plug (11) is detected when the cover is blocked between the end positions. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that a drive force or torque of the actuator (8) is monitored to detect the position of the charging plug, wherein the position is detected when the drive force or torque exceeds a predetermined limit before the cover (7) reaches the first end position (A).A method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the cover (7) is pivoted into a weatherproof position at a distance from the charging plug (11) after the position of the charging plug (11) has been detected. A method according to claim 9, characterized in that the cover (7) is held in the weatherproof position 1 to 5 millimeters, in particular 3 millimeters, away from the charging plug (11).

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