Warning light device adaptable to charging socket for electric or hybrid vehicles

Abstract

The invention relates to a signaling device (1) for an electric or hybrid motor vehicle (100), arranged to be fixed to a charging socket (2) or a charging cable (3) during electrical charging, and comprising reversible fastening means (4) for its removable attachment to a charging socket (2) or a charging cable (3), and comprising a charging detector capable of determining whether a charging operation of the vehicle (100) is in progress, and comprising at least one light module (10), the operation of which is controlled by the charging detector, this light module (10) being powered by either a battery or a wireless power transmission means during a charging operation in which the charging cable (3) carries electrical energy. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: LIGHT ALERT DEVICE ADAPTABLE TO A CHARGING SOCKET FOR AN ELECTRIC OR HYBRID VEHICLE

[0001] The invention relates to a signaling device for an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, arranged to be fixed to a charging socket and / or to a charging cable when recharging said vehicle with electrical energy.

[0002] The technical field concerns charging cables for electric or hybrid vehicles.

[0003] Devices for connecting charging sockets to a vehicle base housed in a hatch are known from the prior art.

[0004] For charging stations located along traffic lanes, there is a significant footprint on the traffic lane for the charging socket and the associated cable (for example, the case of application in France with a hatch on the left, in the case of charging with a charging terminal on the right).

[0005] There is a constant risk of injury to people near motor vehicles being charged, particularly following a fall from two-wheeled vehicles (scooters, bicycles, scooters, and the like), after contact between the vehicle handle and / or arm, with the socket and / or the cable leaving the socket on the vehicle base. This risk of falling to the ground, and of injury to people, is amplified by the general lack of good signage of a charging socket, on the roadway. This risk is naturally accentuated when it is dark and in the absence of street lighting.

[0006] Furthermore, a tearing of the cable and / or the connector in such a circumstance is almost never done axially in the direction of normal extraction, but generally transversely, which has the effect of damaging the cable and / or the connector and / or the vehicle socket. As a result, the induced effects are the unavailability of the vehicle's charging, the risk of immobilization of the vehicle at the charging site, or even the additional cost in the event of necessary replacement of the socket and / or the base on the vehicle, and naturally of the elements constituted by the cable and the connector; when the latter are an integral part of the charging station, the latter becomes unavailable for other charging operations.

[0007] Document TWI480185 discloses a charging device in which at least a portion of the exposed region on the surface of a charging cable is formed using a material having luminescent properties, and therefore the action of the luminescent material causes the charging cable to glow at night when it is laid along the ground for charging an electric vehicle. In other words, the luminescent surface increases the visibility of the charging cable, and therefore, a person is less likely to trip over the charging cable, providing an improved level of safety. In addition, since the surface of the charging cable illuminates due to the emission of light from the luminescent material, energy consumption can be reduced compared to a situation in which an electric light source (e.g., an LED) is attached to the surface of the charging cable.

[0008] Document WO2014 / 195119 describes a charging system for electrically connecting a charging terminal to an electric automobile in order to recharge the electric automobile, comprising a charging cable, a charging socket at each end of the charging cable, wherein at least one charging socket has a first illumination for a region on a charging socket of either the electric automobile or the charging terminal, the first illumination system being connected to a separate low-current power supply, and / or the charging cable has a second illumination distributed along the length of the charging cable to make the charging cable safe in the dark, which second illumination is inductively coupled to a charging current in order to supply current to the second illumination.

[0009] However, the user rarely has such special cables, and the objective of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a versatile, inexpensive device that can be easily used by any user during a recharging operation.

[0010] To achieve this objective, the invention proposes a signaling device for an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, arranged to be fixed to a charging socket and / or to a charging cable when recharging said vehicle with electrical energy.

[0011] According to the invention, said signaling device comprises reversible fixing means for its removable fixing on a said charging socket and / or on a said charging cable, and comprises a charging detector capable of determining whether a charging operation of said vehicle is in progress or not, and comprises at least one light module, the operation or stopping of which is controlled by said charging detector respectively depending on whether a said charging operation of said vehicle is in progress or not, said at least one light module being arranged to be supplied with energy, either by at least one battery that said signaling device comprises, or by a wireless energy transmission means, that said signaling device comprises, during a said charging operation during which charging operation said charging cable conveys electrical energy.

[0012] Thanks to the invention, the user has a signaling device that is safe for third parties, easy to install, energy-autonomous, and which only operates during a vehicle recharging operation.

[0013] Advantageously, said at least one light module is flashing.

[0014] Its visibility by third parties is thus improved.

[0015] Advantageously, said fixing means comprise at least one elastic clamp arranged to grip a said charging socket and / or a said charging cable.

[0016] This configuration allows for very simple installation or removal by any user.

[0017] Advantageously, said signaling device comprises a proximity detector arranged to detect a presence in a predefined safety volume around said charging socket, and to, in the event of detection of a presence in said predefined safety volume, amplify the light intensity of said light module and modify its operating parameters.

[0018] Thus the device according to the invention is not only passive, and it makes it possible to warn a third party of imminent danger.

[0019] Advantageously, said proximity detector is arranged to, in the event of detection of a presence in said predefined security volume, amplify the flashing frequency.

[0020] Thus the third party is warned of the imminence of an approach to a risk zone.

[0021] Advantageously, said proximity detector is arranged to, in the event of detection of a presence in said predefined safety volume, trigger the operation of a sound transmitter included in said signaling device.

[0022] Thus an additional security message can be sent to a third party too close to the vehicle during the recharging operation.

[0023] Advantageously, said proximity detector is arranged to, in the event of detection of a presence in said predefined safety volume, increase the sound volume of said sound emitter when the distance between said presence and said charging socket decreases.

[0024] This provision improves the information of third parties of an imminent risk.

[0025] Advantageously, said signaling device comprises a support arranged to cover and protect said charging socket, and carrying all the constituents of said signaling device.

[0026] Thus the user manipulates a single element.

[0027] Advantageously, said support is foldable or has shape memory.

[0028] This makes it easier to store the signaling device according to the invention.

[0029] The invention also relates to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, comprising such a signaling device.

[0030] The invention will be further detailed by the description of non-limiting embodiments, and on the basis of the appended figures illustrating variants of the invention, in which: - [Fig.l] schematically illustrates, in elevation, an electric or hybrid motor vehicle according to the invention, in the charging position near a charging station; a signaling device according to the invention covers both the charging socket and the end of the charging cable, to which it is fixed; - [Fig.2] illustrates schematically, in cross-section passing through the axis of the cable, a fully equipped signaling device: a three-sided, folding support carries a light module on each of its three external faces, and, on the opposite internal side, fixing means consisting of a cylindrical-shaped clamp resting on the charging cable; this support also carries a charging detector, a battery, a means of wireless energy transmission, a proximity detector, and a sound transmitter; - [Fig.3] illustrates schematically and in perspective, the internal side of the support equipped with the fixing clamp; - [Fig.4] schematically illustrates, in top view, the external side of the device, comprising a light module on each of its three faces; - [Fig.5] schematically illustrates, in end view, in a similar way to [Fig.2], the mechanical base of the device: support and fixing clamp, and the light modules; the additional elements shown in [Fig.2] are not shown.

[0031] The invention relates to a luminous warning device adaptable to a charging socket for electric or hybrid vehicles.

[0032] The invention consists of proposing the installation, on the vehicle charging socket (at the time of vehicle charging), of a signaling device for the light alert, in particular flashing, fixable on the socket in interface with the base on the vehicle in order to alert of the presence of an obstacle to traffic.

[0033] This signaling device comprises at least one luminous support which can be fixed to the charging socket (vehicle base side).

[0034] This signaling device includes a reversible fixing system: installation / removal after recharging the vehicle.

[0035] More particularly, the signaling device comprises a flashing light module integrated into a support; the power supply of this module is advantageously carried out by wireless power transmission, in particular by induction.

[0036] As can be seen in the figures, the signaling device 1 for an electric or hybrid motor vehicle 100 is arranged to be fixed to a charging socket 2 and / or to a charging cable 3 when the vehicle 100 is being recharged with electrical energy. [Fig. 1] shows the arrangement of this vehicle 100 near a charging station 200.

[0037] According to the invention, this signaling device 1 comprises fixing means 4, which are reversible, for removable attachment to a charging socket 2 and / or a charging cable 3.

[0038] As seen in [Fig.2], the signaling device 1 comprises a recharging detector 5, which is capable of determining whether a recharging operation of the vehicle 100 is in progress or not.

[0039] The signaling device comprises at least one light module 10, the operation or stopping of which is controlled by the recharging detector 5, respectively depending on whether a recharging operation of the vehicle 100 is in progress or not.

[0040] This at least one light module 10 is arranged to be supplied with energy, either by at least one battery 11 included in the signaling device 1, or by a wireless energy transmission means 12, included in the signaling device 1, during a recharging operation during which the charging cable 3 conveys electrical energy.

[0041] More particularly, the wireless energy transmission means 12 is an induction energy transmission device.

[0042] Advantageously, at least one light module 10 is flashing.

[0043] More particularly, the fixing means 4 comprise at least one elastic clamp, which is arranged to grip a charging socket 2 and / or a charging cable 3.

[0044] More particularly, and as visible in [Fig.2], the signaling device 1 comprises a proximity detector 6, which is arranged to detect a presence in a predefined safety volume around the charging socket 2, and to, in the event of detection of a presence in this predefined safety volume, amplify the light intensity of the light module 10 and modify its operating parameters.

[0045] More particularly, for at least one flashing light module 10, the proximity detector 6 is arranged to, in the event of detection of a presence in the predefined safety volume, amplify the flashing frequency.

[0046] More particularly, the proximity detector 6 is arranged to, in the event of detection of a presence in the predefined safety volume, trigger the operation of a sound transmitter 7 which the signaling device 1 comprises.

[0047] More particularly still, the proximity detector 6 is arranged to, in the event of detection of a presence in the predefined safety volume, increase the sound volume of the sound transmitter 7 when the distance between the presence and the charging socket 2 decreases.

[0048] Advantageously, the signaling device 1 comprises a support 8, which is notably and not limited to arranged to cover and protect the charging socket 2, and which carries all the constituents of the signaling device 1.

[0049] More particularly, the support 8 is foldable, for example dihedral or composed of three flat surfaces as seen in the figures, or the support 8 is shape memory. A multi-sided configuration, as shown in [Fig.2] to [Fig.5] is advantageous because it allows very good visibility from all sides by other users.

[0050] The invention also relates to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle 100, comprising such a signaling device 1.

[0051] In short, the invention makes it possible to ensure, at low cost and with great ease of use, the signaling of a vehicle being recharged with its accessories necessary for this recharge, to people traveling on the road of a potential danger, in a similar way to the beacons on road construction sites.

[0052] The signaling device according to the invention can be used with any type of charging cable, and does not require the presence of a luminous or fluorescent cable known from the prior art.

[0053] The signaling device is removable, and it is easy for the user, after recharging his vehicle, to remove this device and store it in the vehicle with the charging cable. The small size of the signaling device makes it easy to store. In its foldable version, the signaling device can still be used to surround the charging cable during transport: the user thus has, each time he uses it, a unit ready to be installed and to operate.

[0054] The invention makes it possible to ensure the safety of other users, in particular pedestrians and users of two-wheelers, by alerting them to a potential danger (risk of falling due to snagging, risk of electrocution if the cable is cut).

[0055] Since the risk is linked to all road users, the invention also makes it possible to warn drivers of heavier vehicles, in particular those with four or more wheels (cars, buses, heavy goods vehicles, or similar) of the presence of a potential obstacle in the direction of travel, in particular in the case of heavy traffic, and especially when the load socket on the vehicle is on the side of the traffic flow, and thus avoid the risk of breakage of the socket, the base and the hatch.

[0056] The invention therefore allows the user of the vehicle to avoid the costs of repair and / or replacement (socket and / or base, hatch) in the event of damage. And, in certain States, the implementation of the invention makes it possible to comply with the legislation by proving that the user of the vehicle has taken all precautions to avoid an accident linked to interference from a third party traveling near the vehicle, on a sidewalk or on the traffic lane.

Claims

Claims

1. Signaling device (1) for an electric or hybrid motor vehicle (100), arranged to be fixed to a charging socket (2) and / or to a charging cable (3) during an electrical energy recharge of said vehicle (100), characterized in that said signaling device (1) comprises reversible fixing means (4) for its removable fixing on a said charging socket (2) and / or on a said charging cable (3), and comprises a charging detector (5) capable of determining whether a recharging operation of said vehicle (100) is in progress or not, and comprises at least one light module (10), the operation or stopping of which is controlled by said charging detector (5) respectively depending on whether a said recharging operation of said vehicle (100) is in progress or not, said at least one light module (10) being arranged to be supplied with energy, or by at least one battery (11) which comprises said signaling device (1),or by a wireless energy transmission means (12), which comprises said signaling device (1), during a said recharging operation during which recharging operation said charging cable (3) conveys electrical energy.,

2. Signaling device (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that said at least one light module (10) is flashing.

3. Signaling device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2 characterized in that said fixing means (4) comprise at least one elastic clamp arranged to grip a said charging socket (2) and / or a said charging cable (3).

4. Signaling device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said signaling device (1) comprises a proximity detector (6) arranged to detect a presence in a predefined safety volume around said charging socket (2), and to, in the event of detection of a presence in said predefined safety volume, amplify the light intensity of said light module (10) and modify its operating parameters.

5. Signaling device (1) according to claims 2 and 4 characterized in that said proximity detector (6) is arranged to, in the event of detection of a presence in said predefined safety volume, amplify the flashing frequency.

6. Signaling device (1) according to any one of the claims 4 or 5 characterized in that said proximity detector (6) is arranged to, in the event of detection of a presence in said predefined safety volume, trigger the operation of a sound transmitter (7) which said signaling device (1) comprises.

7. Signaling device (1) according to claim 6 characterized in that said proximity detector (6) is arranged to, in the event of detection of a presence in said predefined safety volume, increase the sound volume of said sound transmitter (7) when the distance between said presence and said charging socket (2) decreases.

8. Signaling device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 characterized in that said signaling device (1) comprises a support (8) arranged to cover and protect said charging socket (2), and carrying all the constituents of said signaling device (1).

9. Signaling device (1) according to claim 8 characterized in that said support (8) is foldable or has shape memory.

10. Electric or hybrid motor vehicle (100), comprising a signaling device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

Images