Charging connection device

Abstract

The invention relates to a charging connection device (100) for an electrically powered vehicle, having a charging box (80) with at least two charging connections (10, 20) for charging plugs and having a charging box cover (82) for covering the charging box (80), which has an open position and a closed position. In the charging box (80), a covering element (30) is arranged within the charging box cover (82), said covering element selectively covering one of the at least two charging connections (10, 20), in particular so as to be contact-safe and / or protected against environmental influences. In this regard, there are also to some extent legal standards, in particular country-specific legal standards, which demand this. According to the invention, the covering element (30) is designed with an adjustable width (32) which is settable in accordance with the respective widths (12, 22) of the at least two charging connections (10, 20).

Description

[0001] Charging connection device

[0002] The invention relates to a charging connection device for an electrically driven vehicle with a charging recess with at least two charging connections for charging plugs.

[0003] According to the state of the art, electric cars require a separate charging port for each charging standard, and therefore two charging ports are provided on the vehicle for two charging options of different standards.

[0004] A charging standard can include direct current charging, which means charging with direct current, or alternating current charging, which means charging with alternating current. Charging ports can have different plug standards.

[0005] One charging standard currently used in Europe, for example, is the Combined Charging System (CCS). This allows charging with both direct current and alternating current. Another standard, CHAdeMO (Charge de Move), developed in Japan, offers charging power of up to 50 kW. For future megawatt charging with power outputs of at least one megawatt, an additional charging port based on a different plug standard is planned. Multiple charging ports can be electrically connected in a single path, so that the charging sockets are simultaneously energized.

[0006] For example, if two charging ports are arranged in a charging bay, the other unused charging port must be covered when a charging plug is inserted into one charging port, in particular, it must be covered in a way that is safe from contact and / or protected from environmental influences. There are also legal standards, particularly country-specific ones, that require this. This is not possible within the typically specified installation space with a sliding cover, taking into account the standard gripping areas. Therefore, charging ports are currently covered with plugs or cover flaps. Plugs prove to be cumbersome, whereas cover flaps require more installation space.

[0007] For example, the generic document DE 102021 000 307 A1 shows a charging connection device for an electrically powered vehicle with two charging connections arranged side by side, for example, two charging sockets for a first direct current charging connection and a second direct current and / or alternating current charging connection. At least one charging connection cover covers at least one of the two charging connections, and the charging connection cover is designed such that only one of the two charging connections is accessible for contacting, while the other of the two charging connections is covered by the charging connection cover.

[0008] DE 102018 124 996 A1 discloses a media filling system, in particular a loading flap system or tank filling system, for a motor vehicle. The media filling system comprises a pot in which at least one media connection area for a media coupling point and a hinge box are provided, and a flap that can be pivoted via a hinge arm. The hinge arm is at least partially accommodated in a receiving space of the hinge box. The media connection area is connected to the receiving space via a through-opening, at least in an open position of the flap. Furthermore, a cover associated with the hinge box is provided, which closes the through-opening at least in part when the flap is in the open position.

[0009] DE 102019 000462 A1 discloses a charging connection device for a vehicle, comprising a junction box arranged in a recess, a pivotably arranged junction box cover flap, and a pivotably arranged cover flap. The junction box cover flap and the cover flap can each be pivoted into an open position and a closed position, wherein the junction box cover flap covers the junction box in the closed position. The cover flap covers the recess. When the cover flap and the junction box cover flap are moved from the respective open position to the respective closed position, the cover flap takes the junction box cover flap with it when closing. In the closed position of the junction box cover flap, the junction box cover flap is held magnetically and releasably by the junction box connecting device.An object of the invention is to provide an improved charging connection device for an electrically driven vehicle with two charging connections.

[0010] The above-mentioned object is achieved with the features of the independent claims, in particular for a minimum installation space requirement.

[0011] Advantageous embodiments and advantages of the invention emerge from the further claims, the description and the drawing.

[0012] According to one aspect of the invention, a charging connection device for an electrically driven vehicle is proposed, comprising a charging cradle with at least two charging connections for charging plugs and a charging cradle cover for covering the charging cradle, which has an open position and a closed position. A cover element is arranged within the charging cradle cover, which optionally covers one of the at least two charging connections, in particular, covering it in a way that is safe from contact and / or protected from environmental influences. There are also legal standards, particularly country-specific, that require this.

[0013] According to the invention, the cover element is designed with an adjustable width which can be adjusted according to the respective widths of the at least two charging connections.

[0014] When the loading trough cover is closed, the cover element is arranged inside the loading trough cover, namely between the charging connections and the loading trough cover.

[0015] With the proposed charging connection device, two charging connections can be arranged in a charging recess with a charging recess cover, while still ensuring that only one charging connection is reliably accessible at any one time. A second, inner, movable cover element is arranged in the charging recess and can be pushed, pivoted, or folded back and forth between the two charging connections. To ensure that each of the charging connections can be completely covered with one cover element, even if the two charging connections have different widths, the width of the cover element is adjustable. This can be achieved, for example, by a simple sliding gate. For this purpose, the charging connection device has a cover element with a variable width. The width of the cover element can be individually adjusted to suit the respective charging connection during operation.This allows charging ports of different widths to be securely covered with a single cover element. The cover element can comprise two or more cover element sections of different widths, which can be easily moved into the required position, for example, using guide rails and stops, and can cover the respective charging port.

[0016] Such a cover element advantageously enables easy handling of the charging connector device when changing the charging connector to be plugged in. This creates a minimal installation space requirement for the cover element, which can be conveniently integrated into a charging bay. No manual intervention is required before closing the charging bay cover, which completes the vehicle's outer shell. Advantageously, an automatic charging bay cover can be closed at any time after the charging plug has been removed.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the charging connector device, the cover element can be moved from one charging connector to the other of the at least two charging connectors by at least one of sliding, folding, or pivoting. In this way, the cover element can quickly and flexibly alternately cover one of the charging connectors or another of the charging connectors, so that when the charging plug is inserted, the respective other charging connector is covered securely, in particular in a touch-safe manner and protected from environmental influences.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the charging connection device, the cover element can comprise at least a first cover element part and at least a second cover element part, which are slidably connected to one another via a sliding gate. Advantageously, the width of the cover element can be easily adapted to the width of the charging connection to be covered. This can be easily achieved by dividing the cover element into two or more parts with a sliding gate, which defines the two final states (narrow and wide, or wide and narrow) and thus allows the inner cover element to be designed simply and flexibly.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the charging connection device, the cover element can be movable from one charging connection to the other of the at least two charging connections via a guide device. The cover element can also have a mechanism as a guide device, which facilitates adaptation to the width of the charging connection or automatically adjusts when pushed, folded, or pivoted, or can move within itself in a self-regulating manner when plugged or pushed onto the charging connection, thus adjusting.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment of the charging connection device, the movement of the at least one first cover element part and the at least one second cover element part in the guide device can cause the at least one first cover element part and the at least one second cover element part to be displaced relative to one another via the sliding gate. In particular, the sliding gate can be integrated into the guide device. Particularly when the cover element is pushed, an inner displacement of the two cover element parts can be initiated by an outer guide rail. For this purpose, the sliding gate can then optionally also be part of the guide device in the guide rail.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment of the charging connection device, the cover element can have at least one locking device and / or a sliding aid and / or plug-in aid for arranging the cover element on the at least two charging connections. In particular, the at least one locking device and / or a sliding aid and / or plug-in aid can be integrated into the guide device, in particular as a locking lug or locking indentation. Such a cover element can advantageously have locking devices and / or sliding aids and / or plug-in aids, which facilitate and support the sliding or plugging when folding or pivoting onto the charging connection and subsequently also hold the cover element on the charging connection. The cover element should then no longer be able to detach itself without external intervention.When pushing, this can simply be a small locking lug or locking indentation in the guide rail, which must be overcome in order to move it.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment of the charging connection device, the cover element can be detachably connected to the at least two charging connections via a locking device. In particular, the cover element can be detachably connected to each of the at least two charging connections via a separate locking device. When pivoting or folding the cover element, this locking device must of course also be openable again in order to fulfill its function in order to enable folding after the charging process. For example, a simple locking bar that enables locking at both charging connections may be sufficient here. Alternatively, each charging connection can have its own locking bar or locking device for each side, since each charging connection sees a different side of the surface of the cover element due to the folding process.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment of the charging connection device, a locking device can be provided, by means of which the cover element is locked to the other of the at least two charging ports when a charging plug is inserted into one of the at least two charging ports for charging. The cover element can optionally be locked again by a locking device during the charging process when an electrical voltage is applied to the charging ports, so that it cannot be released via the locking mechanism during charging, thus ensuring contact protection.

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment of the charging connection device, the cover element can have a circumferential edge that extends in the direction of the at least two charging connections and encompasses the respective covered charging connection. In particular, the at least one first cover element part and the at least one second cover element part can have at least partially circumferential edges that extend in the direction of the at least two charging connections and cooperatively encompass the respective covered charging connection.

[0025] The cover element can thus have an encompassing edge that extends at least partially towards the charging port in order to better cover it and optionally also reinforce the edge. When the cover element is slid, the same side is always directed towards the charging port, so that an edge on the cover element that only encompasses in one direction is sufficient. Whereas when folding or pivoting, in which the cover element faces the front and back towards the charging ports, such an edge can advantageously protrude on both sides of the cover element. In this case, internal displacement to adjust the width of the cover element must also be possible, so that the edge can then be cut out according to the sliding guide of the cover element itself or can be pushed into a corresponding recess.

[0026] According to an advantageous embodiment of the charging connection device, the cover element can have a circumferential seal that extends in the direction of the at least two charging connections and seals the respective covered charging connection from the environment. In particular, the at least one first cover element part and the at least one second cover element part can have at least partially circumferential seals that extend in the direction of the at least two charging connections and cooperate to seal the respective covered charging connection from the environment.

[0027] Despite the sliding options, the cover element can also expediently have a seal that not only covers the charging port but also at least partially seals it. This seal must then allow the width to be adjusted according to the width adjustment options of the cover element, so that the seal can accommodate the corresponding movements while still fulfilling its function. The seal can also be arranged on the charging port and, when covered, act together with the cover element as a seal.

[0028] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. The drawings illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The drawings, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. Those skilled in the art will expediently consider the features individually and combine the individual features of the exemplary embodiment of the invention in other ways within the scope of the claims.

[0029] Showing:

[0030] Fig. 1 is a plan view of a charging connection device for an electrically driven vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention with the charging recess cover open and the first charging connection covered by a cover element;

[0031] Fig. 2 is a plan view of the charging connection device according to Fig. 1 with the second charging connection covered by the cover element;

[0032] Fig. 3 is an isometric view of the charging connection device according to Fig. 1 with open charging connections;

[0033] Fig. 4 is a detailed view according to Fig. 3 of a guide device for moving the cover element;

[0034] Fig. 5 is a plan view of a front side of the cover element in a narrow state; Fig. 6 is a plan view of a back side of the cover element in a narrow state;

[0035] Fig. 7 is a plan view of the front side of the cover element in a wide state;

[0036] Fig. 8 is a plan view of the back of the cover element in a wide state;

[0037] Fig. 9 is a plan view of the front sides of the first cover element part and the second cover element part; and

[0038] Fig. 10 is a plan view of the rear sides of the first cover element part and the second cover element part.

[0039] In the figures, identical or similar components are numbered with the same reference numerals. The figures show only examples and are not to be understood as limiting.

[0040] Figure 1 shows a plan view of a charging connection device 100 for an electrically driven vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention with an open charging recess cover 82 and a first charging connection 10 covered by a cover element 30.

[0041] The charging connection device 100 comprises a charging cradle 80 with at least two charging connections 10, 20 for charging plugs and a charging cradle cover 82 for covering the charging cradle 80, which has an open position and a closed position. The charging cradle cover 82 is shown in the open state in Figure 1.

[0042] In the charging cradle 80, within the charging cradle cover 82 (where "within" means in the closed state of the charging cradle cover 82), a cover element 30 is arranged, which selectively covers one of the at least two charging ports 10, 20, in particular, in a manner that is safe from contact and protected from environmental influences. The cover element 30 is designed with an adjustable width 32, which can be adjusted according to the respective widths 12, 22 of the at least two charging ports 10, 20.

[0043] In various embodiments, the cover element 30 can be moved by sliding, folding, or pivoting from one charging port 10, 20 to the other of the at least two charging ports 20, 10. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1, the cover element 30 covers the first charging port 10 and can be moved to the second charging port 20 as needed. For this purpose, the cover element 30 can be moved from one charging port 10, 20 to the other of the at least two charging ports 20, 10 via a guide device 40.

[0044] Figure 2 shows the charging connection device 100 with the second charging connection 20 covered by the cover element 30.

[0045] In Figure 1, the cover element 30 has a width 32 which corresponds to the width 12 of the first charging port 10, while in Figure 2 the width 32 of the cover element 30 corresponds to the width 22 of the second charging port.

[0046] Advantageously, the cover element 30 can have at least one locking device (not shown) and / or a sliding aid and / or insertion aid for arranging the cover element 30 on the at least two charging ports 10, 20. In particular, the at least one locking device and / or a sliding aid and / or insertion aid can be integrated into the guide device 40, in particular as a locking lug or locking recess.

[0047] Furthermore, the cover element 30 can be detachably connected to the at least two charging ports 10, 20 via a locking device (not shown). In particular, the cover element 30 can be detachably connected to each of the at least two charging ports 10, 20 via a separate locking device.

[0048] In this case, a locking device (not shown) can expediently be provided, by means of which the cover element 30 is locked on the other of the at least two charging connections 10, 20 when a charging plug is plugged into one of the at least two charging connections 10, 20 for charging.

[0049] Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the charging connection device 100 according to Figure 1 with open charging connections 10, 20. The first charging connection 10 is shown as a so-called Type 1 charging connection, while the second charging connection 20 is shown as a charging connection according to the CHAdeMO standard. It goes without saying that charging sockets according to other standards can also be arranged in the charging recess 80. Furthermore, above and below the charging connections, slotted guides 56 of the guide device 40 for displacing the cover element 30 can be seen. Figure 4 shows a detailed view according to Figure 3 of the guide device 40 for displacing the cover element 30. The slotted guide 56 of the guide device 40 has, for example, a first stop 58 and a second stop 60 for the cover element 30, which define a left and right stop 58, 60 in the charging recess 80.

[0050] Figures 5 and 6 each show a plan view of a front side (Figure 5) and a back side (Figure 6) of the cover element 30 in a narrow state with a width 32 which corresponds to the width of the first charging port 10, while Figures 7 and 8 each show a plan view of the front side (Figure 7) and the back side (Figure 8) of the cover element 30 in a wide state with a width 32 which corresponds to the width of the second charging port 20.

[0051] To adjust the width 32 of the cover element 30, the cover element 30 has a first cover element part 34 and a second cover element part 36, which are movably connected to one another via a sliding link 38 (visible in Figure 8).

[0052] For this purpose, Figure 9 shows a plan view of the front sides of the first cover element part 34 and the second cover element part 36, while Figure 10 shows a plan view of the rear sides of the first cover element part 34 and the second cover element part 36.

[0053] The second cover element part 36 engages with a guide element 69 in the guide slot 68 of the sliding slot 38 of the first cover element part 34 and is thus connected to the first cover element part 34. Thus, the width 32 of the cover element 30 can be adjusted and changed by sliding the two cover element parts 34, 36 relative to each other.

[0054] The first cover element part 34 has two opposing guide elements 62, 64 which engage in the slotted guide 56 of the guide device 40 of the loading trough 80 and via which the cover element 30 can be displaced in the guide device 40.

[0055] To move the cover element 30 in the guide device 40, the front side of the first cover element part 34 has a gripping element 66, with which the cover element 30 can be moved from one charging port 10, 20 to the other charging port 20, 10. In an advantageous embodiment, the guide device 40 can be designed such that moving the first cover element part 34 and the second cover element part 36 in the guide device 40 causes the first cover element part 34 and the second cover element part 36 to be moved relative to one another via the sliding gate 38. Thus, when moving the cover element 30 in the guide device 40 from one charging port 10, 20 to the other charging port 20, 10, the correct width 32 of the cover element 30 can be set immediately, which corresponds to the width 12, 22 of the charging port 10, 20 to be covered.

[0056] In an alternative embodiment, in particular the sliding gate 38 can be integrated into the guide device 40.

[0057] Furthermore, Figure 9 shows a raised portion 70 on the front side of the second cover element part 36, which can serve as a tool attachment surface 72 and / or gripping web if the mobility of the second cover element part 36 is reduced or even completely prevented due to external circumstances such as dirt, adhesions, or the formation of ice. Likewise, a side surface or side region of the first cover element part 34 can also serve entirely or at least partially as a tool attachment surface 72 if its mobility, alone or together with the second cover element part 36, is reduced or even completely prevented. The tool attachment surface 72 can be designed as a structurally reinforced region in order to be able to absorb the tool forces acting here without the first cover element part 34 and / or the second cover element part 36 being damaged.In addition, the tool attachment surface 72 can also have a suitable size to allow the tool to be applied well and securely and to absorb the forces exerted by it. Optionally, the tool attachment surface 72 or its surroundings can also have lettering, an icon, or a pictogram indicating its function or intended use.

[0058] As can be seen in Figures 5 to 10, the cover element 30 can have a circumferential edge 42, which extends in the direction of the charging ports 10, 20 and encompasses the respective covered charging port 10, 20. In particular, the first cover element part 34 and the second cover element part 36 can have at least partially circumferential edges 44, 46, which extend in the direction of the charging ports 10, 20 and cooperatively encompass the respective covered charging port 10, 20. Furthermore, the cover element 30 can have a circumferential seal 50, which extends in the direction of the charging ports 10, 20 and seals the respective covered charging port 10, 20 against the environment.In particular, the first cover element part 34 and the second cover element part 36 can have at least partially circumferential seals 52, 54 which extend in the direction of the charging connections 10, 20 and cooperate to seal the respective covered charging connection 10, 20 against the environment.

[0059] Advantageously, the seals 50, 52, 54 can be integrated into the edges 42, 44, 46 of the cover element 30.

[0060] List of reference symbols

[0061] 10 Charging port

[0062] 12 width

[0063] 20 Charging port

[0064] 22 width

[0065] 30 cover element

[0066] 32 width

[0067] 34 Cover element part

[0068] 36 Cover element part

[0069] 38 sliding gate

[0070] 40 Guide device

[0071] 42 Rand

[0072] 44 rand

[0073] 46 rand

[0074] 50 Seal

[0075] 52 Seal

[0076] 54 Seal

[0077] 56 Scenery guide

[0078] 58 first attack

[0079] 60 second stop

[0080] 62 guide element

[0081] 64 guide element

[0082] 66 handle element

[0083] 68 Scenery guide

[0084] 69 Guide element

[0085] 70 Survey

[0086] 72 Tool attachment surface

[0087] 80 loading trough

[0088] 82 Loading area cover

[0089] 100 charging connection device

Claims

Claims: Charging connection device (100) for an electrically powered vehicle with a charging recess (80) having at least two charging connections (10, 20) for charging plugs and with a charging recess cover (82) for covering the charging recess (80), which has an open position and a closed position, wherein a cover element (30) is arranged in the charging recess (80) within the charging recess cover (82), which optionally covers one of the at least two charging connections (10, 20), in particular in a touch-proof manner and / or protected against environmental influences, characterized in that the cover element (30) is designed with an adjustable width (32), which is adjustable according to the respective widths (12, 22) of the at least two charging connections (10, 20).Charging port device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover element (30) is movable from one charging port (10, 20) to the other of the at least two charging ports (20, 10) by at least one of sliding, flapping, or pivoting movements. Charging port device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cover element (30) comprises at least one first cover element part (34) and at least one second cover element part (36), which are slidably connected relative to each other via a sliding mechanism (38). Charging port device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that. The cover element (30) is movable via a guide device (40) from one charging port (10, 20) to the other of the at least two charging ports (20, 10). Charging port device according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that moving the at least one first cover element part (34) and the at least one second cover element part (36) in the guide device (40) causes the at least one first cover element part (34) and the at least one second cover element part (36) to be moved relative to each other via the sliding mechanism (38), in particular wherein the sliding mechanism (38) is integrated in the guide device (40). Charging port device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover element (30) has at least one locking mechanism and / or a sliding aid and / or a plugging aid for arranging the cover element (30) on the at least two charging ports (10, 20).Charging connection device according to claim 6 with reference to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the at least one locking mechanism and / or a sliding aid and / or plugging aid is integrated into the guide device (40), in particular as a locking lug or locking recess. Charging connection device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover element (30) is detachably connected to the at least two charging ports (10, 20) via a locking device, in particular wherein the cover element (30) is detachably connected to each of the at least two charging ports (10, 20) via a separate locking device. Charging connection device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that. A locking device is provided by means of which the cover element (30) is locked onto the other of the at least two charging ports (10, 20) when a charging plug is inserted into one of the at least two charging ports (10, 20) for charging. Charging port device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover element (30) has a circumferential edge (42) which extends in the direction of the at least two charging ports (10, 20) and encompasses the respective covered charging port (10, 20). Charging port device according to claim 10 with reference to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one first cover element part (34) and the at least one second cover element part (36) have at least partially circumferential edges (44, 46) which extend in the direction of the at least two charging ports (10, 20) and together encompass the respective covered charging port (10, 20).Charging port device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover element (30) has a circumferential seal (50) which extends in the direction of the at least two charging ports (10, 20) and seals the respective covered charging port (10, 20) against the environment. Charging port device according to claim 12 with reference to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one first cover element part (34) and the at least one second cover element part (36) have at least partially circumferential seals (52, 54) which extend in the direction of the at least two charging ports (10, 20) and, together, seal the respective covered charging port (10, 20) against the environment.

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