UNDER-VEHICLE INDUCTION CHARGING DEVICE WITH COVERED ARTICULATED ARM

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (2) for transmitting electrical energy to a vehicle for the purpose of recharging an electrical energy storage battery of said vehicle, comprising a base (4); an articulated arm (6) with a proximal end pivotally mounted on the base (4), and a distal end; and a primary inductive electrical energy transmission element (8) disposed at the distal end of the articulated arm (6). The articulated arm (6) is configured to extend along the ground under the vehicle and includes covers (12, 14) configured to engage with each other when said articulated arm (6) is in a retracted state where at least two segments (6.1, 6.2) of said articulated arm (6) are against each other, so as to render a space between said at least two segments (6.1, 6.2) inaccessible from the outside. Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: UNDER-VEHICLE INDUCTION CHARGING DEVICE WITH COVERED ARTICULATED ARM technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of electric traction motor vehicles, and more particularly to battery charging devices for storing electrical energy in motor vehicles. Previous technique

[0002] Pure electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles (PEHVs) must be regularly recharged using a charger. The electrical connection between the vehicle and the charger is usually made using an electrical cable equipped with a specific plug (currently type 2) designed to be inserted into a socket on the vehicle, most often at the front. This socket is often equipped with a protective cover. Connecting the vehicle requires opening the cover, grasping the cable and the electrical plug, and inserting the plug into the socket. Disconnecting the vehicle requires the same steps, but in reverse.

[0003] Patent document DE 10 2011 112 610 A1 discloses an electric charging station for electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles. The device comprises a base and a robotic arm mounted on the base and supporting a primary element for transmitting electrical energy by induction. The device is configured to control the robotic arm so as to bring the primary element close to a corresponding secondary element located at the front of the vehicle. The electromagnetic coupling between the primary and secondary elements enables a wireless connection capable of transmitting sufficient electrical power for electric charging. This device is primarily intended for public use, such as in commercial or paid parking lots. The base is also quite large, as it must support the robotic arm at a certain height above the ground, as well as a communication and payment interface.This device is therefore not suitable for private use. Description of the invention

[0004] The invention aims to overcome at least one drawback of the aforementioned prior art. More particularly, the invention aims to facilitate the electric charging of a motor vehicle, especially for private use.

[0005] The invention relates to a device for transmitting electrical energy to a vehicle for the purpose of recharging an electrical energy storage battery of said vehicle, comprising: a base configured to be placed on the ground and to be supplied with electrical energy; an articulated arm with a proximal end pivotally mounted on the fixed base, and a distal end; a primary electrical energy transmission element by induction, disposed at the distal end of the articulated arm; notable in that the articulated arm is configured to extend along the ground under the vehicle and includes hoods configured to engage each other when said articulated arm is in a folded state where at least two segments of said articulated arm are against each other, so as to make a space between said at least two segments inaccessible from the outside.

[0006] Advantageously, the device includes wiring housed in the articulated arm and connecting the primary element to the base.

[0007] Advantageously, the articulated arm includes means for moving said articulated arm, these means being preferably electric and connected to the base by the wiring housed in the articulated arm.

[0008] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, each of the hoods is integral with one of the at least two segments, respectively, and has at least one upper or lower edge capable of engaging, in the folded state, with the hood of another of the at least two segments, adjacent to said segment.

[0009] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least two segments comprise a first segment with a first pivotally mounted end at the base and a second segment with a first pivotally mounted end at a second end of the first segment, the primary element being fixed to a second end of the second segment, the upper edge of the hood of the second segment being able to engage with the upper edge of the hood of the first segment and the lower edge of the hood of the second segment being able to position itself under the first segment, in the folded state.

[0010] Advantageously, the lower edge of the hood of the first segment, opposite the upper edge of said hood, is configured to engage in a housing in the base, when the first segment is folded against said base.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, each of the hoods has a general rectangular or right-angled cross-section.

[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, each of the at least two segments comprises a central profile, each of the hoods encompassing or conforming to the corresponding central profile.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the device includes locking means configured to lock the at least two segments in the folded state.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, one of the at least two segments is pivotally mounted directly to the base, the locking means being configured to also lock said segment to said base when said segment is folded against the base.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking means are configured to lock the at least two segments at the level of the hoods.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking means comprise one or more electromagnetic locks.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the device comprises casters arranged under the articulated arm and configured to support said articulated arm in a mobile manner on the ground.

[0018] The features of the invention are interesting in that they increase the safety of the articulated arm, particularly in its folded state. The covers prevent intrusions into the space between the segments of the articulated arm when it is folded, thus preventing damage to the device and unwanted interactions when it is stepped over by a person. Furthermore, the locking means allow the articulated arm to maintain its folded configuration in the presence of sudden external forces. Brief description of the drawings

[0019] [fig. 1] is a perspective view of a device for transmitting energy electric charging for a vehicle, according to the invention and in the deployed state;

[0020] [fig.2] is a perspective view of the device in figure 1, however in the folded state;

[0021] [fig.3] is a cross-sectional view 111-111 of the device in figure 2. Detailed description

[0022] Figure 1 illustrates in perspective a device for transmitting electrical energy to a vehicle in order to recharge an electrical energy storage battery of said vehicle, in the deployed state and in accordance with the invention.

[0023] The device 2 comprises a base 4 intended to be placed on the ground and fixed thereto, either by its own weight or by anchoring to the ground. The device 2 further comprises an articulated arm 6 pivotally fixed to the base 4, and a primary element 8 for transmitting electrical energy by induction, fixed to a distal end of the articulated arm 6. The articulated arm 6 and the primary element 8 are configured to move along the ground under a motor vehicle parked near the device 2, so as to bring the primary element 8 under a corresponding secondary element located under the floor or underbody of the vehicle, in order to create an inductive torque between these two elements and, consequently, to allow the transmission of electrical energy for charging without contact. This principle of electrical energy transmission is in itself well known to the craftsman.

[0024] Casters 10 may be provided under the articulated arm 6, in particular near the distal end of the articulated arm 6 supporting the primary element 8, in order to roll on the ground and thus support the articulated arm and the primary element.

[0025] The articulated arm 6 in this case comprises a first segment 6.1 and a second segment 6.2. A segment is understood to be a portion of a rigid arm connected, at each of its two ends, to another segment, to the base, or to the primary element. It is understood, however, that it is possible to provide for more segments, such as three segments. The articulated arm 6 is fixed, at its proximal end, to the base 4 via a rotating joint 6.3, which is in this case motorized in order to rotate the motorized arm around this rotating joint. The first and second segments 6.1 and 6.2 are connected to each other by a rotating joint 6.4, which is also in this case motorized. The motorization of the rotating joints 6.3 and 6.4 allows the first and second segments 6.1 and 6.2 to be moved angularly relative to the base 4 and relative to each other.This drive system comprises an electric motor and a mechanical reduction system that converts a rotation of the rotor at the electric motor into a rotation of the rotating linkage. The mechanical reduction system has a high reduction ratio, given that the pivoting angles of the first and second segments at the rotating links are less than or equal to 100°. It is understood, however, that other means of moving the segments of the articulated arm 6 may be used, such as, in particular, actuators, including electric ones.

[0026] The articulated arm 6 also includes covers 12 and 14 attached to the first and second segments 6.1 and 6.2. These covers 12 and 14 are configured so that, once the articulated arm 6 is in the folded state, they close off access to a space located between the first and second segments 6.1 and 6.2, and advantageously also between the first segment 6.1 and the base 4. To this end, the covers 12 and 14 are configured to engage with each other at their upper portions, above the first and second segments 6.1 and 6.2, when the articulated arm 6 is in the folded state. Similarly, the cover 12 of the first segment 6.1 is configured to engage with the base 4 when the articulated arm 6 is in the folded state.

[0027] For this purpose, the hood 14 of the second segment 6.2 has an upper edge 14.1 located on the side of the first segment 6.1 and configured to engage with a corresponding upper edge 12.1 of the hood 12 of the first segment 6.1. The upper edge 12.1 in question is advantageously located on the side of the second segment 6.1. Also, the hood 14 of the second segment 6.2 may have a lower edge 14.2, also located on the side of the first segment 6.1 and configured to extend under the first segment 6.1 when the articulated arm 6 is in the folded state.

[0028] The hood 12 of the first segment 6.1 may also include a second edge opposite the upper edge 12.1, in this case a lower edge (not visible in figure 1) configured to engage in a housing 4.1 formed in the base 4.

[0029] Each of the covers 12 and 14 has a rectangular or L-shaped cross-section, that is, with walls connected by edges and capable of forming right angles. These covers 12 and 14 can be made by cutting, bending, and / or stamping sheet metal. Alternatively, they can be made of plastic material, for example, by injection molding.

[0030] Figure 2 illustrates device 2 of figure 1, however when the articulated arm 6 is in the folded state.

[0031] It can be observed that the upper faces of the hoods 12 and 14 are aligned in a horizontal plane and joined at their edges 12.1 and 14.1. This makes the space between the first and second segments 6.1 and 6.2 inaccessible from the outside.

[0032] Similarly, the first segment 6.1 is folded against the base 4 and the upper edge 12.2 of the hood 12, opposite the upper edge 12.1, is joined to the base 4 and thus also makes inaccessible, from the outside, the space located between the first segment 6.1 and the base 4.

[0033] Figure 3 is a view along section III-III of device 2 of figure 2.

[0034] The upper edge 12.1 of the hood 12 of the first segment 6.1 and the can be observed there The upper edge 14.1 of the cover 14 of the second segment 6.2 engages mutually. In this case, the upper edge 14.1 of the cover 14 of the second segment 6.2 has a stepped profile so that it can be positioned under the upper edge 12.1 of the cover 12 of the first segment 6.1. A locking device 16 may be provided on one of the two upper edges 12.1 and 14.1 of the covers 12 and 14, in this case on the upper edge 12.1 of the cover 12. This locking device 16 is configured to lock the engagement between the two covers 12 and 14 at their upper edges 12.1 and 14.1. It may be an electromagnetic device with a locking rod that moves by the action of an electromagnet against an elastic force, capable of engaging in a corresponding opening on the adjacent upper edge.For clarity of presentation, the locking device 16 is shown above the covers 12 and 14, it being understood however that this device may be considerably more compact and in particular be located mainly under the covers 12 and 14, in particular under the edge 12.1 of the cover 12.

[0035] The lower edge 14.2 of the cover 14 of the second segment 6.2 can also be observed, as it is positioned under the first segment 6.1, in this case joined to, or at least adjacent to, the lower edge 12.3 of the cover 12 of the first segment 6.1. The horizontal lower wall of the cover 14 thus extends under most of the first segment 6.1 and thereby closes off access to the internal volume of the covers 12 and 14 thus joined, to elements external pests, such as insects and rodents.

[0036] Also, the lower edge 12.3 of the cover 12 of the first segment 6.1 is engaged in the corresponding recess 4.1 of the base 4. Similarly, a locking device 18 for the engagement of the lower edge 12.3 and the recess 4.1 may be provided. Similar to the locking device 16, this may be an electromagnetic device with a locking rod movable by the action of an electromagnet against an elastic force, and adapted to fit into a corresponding opening in the lower edge 12.3.

[0037] The device for transmitting electrical energy to a vehicle for the purpose of recharging an electrical energy storage battery of said vehicle, which is described above, includes electrical wiring extending along the articulated arm 6 so as to electrically connect the primary element 8 to the base 4. The latter includes a control unit for the means of movement of the articulated arm 6. The primary element 8 may include means for detecting its position relative to the secondary element under the vehicle.For example, the vehicle may include a downward-directed light source, reduced in size so as to be comparable to a point light source, and the primary element 8 may include optical means for detecting the light source in question, these optical means communicating, via electrical wiring, with the control unit for the means of movement of the articulated arm 6, in the base 4, to appropriately control said means of movement of the articulated arm 6.

[0038] The base may include an electronic unit for regulating the electrical energy of the charging system. This may also be external to the base.

[0039] It should be noted that the covers 12 and 14 may be separate from the profiles forming the central, rigid part of the first and second segments 6.1 and 6.2. In this case, the covers 12 and 14 are attached, i.e., fixed by reversible fastening means, such as screws, to the central profiles. Alternatively, the covers may be an integral part of the first and second segments 6.1 and 6.2, in which case the central profiles as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 are not necessarily present.

[0040] The enclosure of the articulated arm of the electrical power transmission device for a vehicle, used to recharge an electrical energy storage battery of said vehicle, as described above, is useful in more ways than one. In the folded position of the articulated arm, it prevents any intrusion from the outside into the space between the folded segments of the articulated arm, thus preventing potential damage. Also, the enclosure, in the folded position of the articulated arm, forms a continuous and smooth outer surface, reducing the risk of tripping when a person steps over it. Furthermore, the enclosure allows for the provision of the locking devices described above, preventing un- Unwanted bending of the articulated arm in case of external stress.

Claims

Demands

1. A device (2) for transmitting electrical energy to a vehicle for the purpose of recharging an electrical energy storage battery of said vehicle, comprising: - a base (4) configured to be placed on the ground and to be supplied with electrical energy; - an articulated arm (6) with a proximal end pivotally mounted on the base (4), and a distal end; - a primary electrical energy transmission element (8) by induction, disposed at the distal end of the articulated arm (6); characterized in that the articulated arm (6) is configured to extend along the ground under the vehicle and comprises hoods (12, 14) configured to engage each other when said articulated arm (6) is in a folded state where at least two segments (6.1, 6.2) of said articulated arm (6) are against each other, so as to render a space between said at least two segments (6.1, 6.2) inaccessible from the outside.

2. Device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the hoods (12, 14) is integral with one of the at least two segments (6.1, 6.2), respectively, and has at least one upper edge (12.1, 14.1) or lower edge (12.3, 14.2) capable of engaging, in the folded state, with the hood of another of the at least two segments (6.1, 6.2), adjacent to said segment.

3. Device (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least two segments comprise a first segment (6.1) with a first pivotally mounted end at the base (4) and a second segment (6.2) with a first pivotally mounted end at a second end of the first segment (6.1), the primary element (8) being fixed to a second end of the second segment (6.2), the upper edge (14.1) of the hood (14) of the second segment (6.2) being able to engage with the upper edge (12.1) of the hood (12) of the first segment (6.1) and the lower edge (14.2) of the hood (14) of the second segment (6.2) being able to position itself under the first segment (6.1), in the folded state.

4. Device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each of the hoods (12, 14) has a general rectangular or right-angled section.

5. Device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that Each of the at least two segments (6.1, 6.2) includes a central profile, each of the hoods (12, 14) encompassing or conforming to the corresponding central profile.

6. Device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said device comprises locking means (16, 18) configured to lock the at least two segments (6.1, 6.2) in the folded state.

7. Device (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that one (6.1) of the at least two segments (6.1, 6.2) is pivotally mounted directly to the base (4), the locking means (18) being configured to also lock said segment (6.1) to said base (4) when said segment is folded against the base.

8. Device (2) according to any one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the locking means (16, 18) are configured to lock the at least two segments (6.1, 6.2) at the level of the hoods (12, 14).

9. Device (2) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the locking means comprise one or more electromagnetic locks (16, 18).

10. Device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said device comprises casters (10) arranged under the articulated arm (6) and configured to support said arm in a mobilizable manner on the ground.

Images